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From: drh on 11 Jan 2008 09:57
I am setting up a system for our school's auditorium that will be used
to project various forms of media onto our rear-projection screen, and
I'm looking for an ideal combination of software & hardware that would
accomplish it. (we have the projector permanently mounted, and only 1
VGA input on it)

We need to be able to playback DVDs and VHS tapes (from an external
source, so I assume via video capture / passthrough to VGA???), as
well as powerpoint, avi, mpg, etc.. files. I would like the interface
to appear, on the screen, to be relatively seamless switching between
inputs / applications (ie. not having to mess around with windows
start menus, explorer etc. too much.)

What video card / software / or even external hardware devices do you
think would be best...?

Thanks for your advice!

David Hoare
From: T Shadow on 11 Jan 2008 19:29
"drh" <drhoare(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
news:0f69812c-af51-495d-a89d-0bf1b00278c9(a)e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> I am setting up a system for our school's auditorium that will be used
> to project various forms of media onto our rear-projection screen, and
> I'm looking for an ideal combination of software & hardware that would
> accomplish it. (we have the projector permanently mounted, and only 1
> VGA input on it)
>
> We need to be able to playback DVDs and VHS tapes (from an external
> source, so I assume via video capture / passthrough to VGA???), as
> well as powerpoint, avi, mpg, etc.. files. I would like the interface
> to appear, on the screen, to be relatively seamless switching between
> inputs / applications (ie. not having to mess around with windows
> start menus, explorer etc. too much.)
>
> What video card / software / or even external hardware devices do you
> think would be best...?
>
> Thanks for your advice!
>
> David Hoare

Naturally you need a video card with a VGA out. Basically you just need one
that will display a resolution your projector can use.Overscan can be an
issue but no experience with it.

Don't see a need for cable switching. Only the VHS would require one. DVDs
can be played from the computers drive. If it has to be by cable composite
and S-video for the image, VHS and DVD respectively, and Y-cables for
audio.

If you want an all in one card solution you'll need a VIVO (Video In Video
Out) card. The ATI All-In -Wonder is a VIVO card and also has an analog TV
tuner. You could also get a separate capture or tuner card. Separate is best
IMHO. Or even USB but this means it would be outside the computer and USB
drivers tend to have problems.

Don't know about VIVO but tuner cards tend to come with remote controls. The
Remote Wonders that comes with ATI cards are RF(not infra red) if one is
needed. Not needing to point at a sensor is a good thing.

I'm not aware of any program that will play all those formats. It easy to
put Icons on the desktop and go between the programs. You'd probably be
using 3 or 4. One for displaying the live analog, one for DVD & digital
files and another for Power Point. Maybe Adobe Acrobat for .PDF. It's also
possible to associate the programs with keys on the remote. Capturing the
VHS to a file ahead of time would eliminate one program but you may get into
Macrovision copy protection and probably copyright issues. Except for Power
Point & Acrobat the software that comes with ATI cards will probably do
what you want. I don't use it but the ATI software also comes with Easylook
which is for using the computer while viewing on a TV(but displays though
the monitor too) that may be useful to you.

Just trying to help outline things for you. This can be complex. Obviously
my knowledge is ATIcentric. With the exception of Power Point, I think the
ATI MMC software would come very close to what you want. Some of the newer
ATI cards now come with different software CMC and I really can't say
anything about it.

Seems to me the need for what you want would be great enough someone would
make a turn key solution. Good Luck.

From: pc on 16 Jan 2008 19:17
On Jan 11, 4:29 pm, "T Shadow" <blackh...(a)nowhere.void.com> wrote:
> "drh" <drho...(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:0f69812c-af51-495d-a89d-0bf1b00278c9(a)e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > I am setting up a system for our school's auditorium that will be used
> > to project various forms of media onto our rear-projection screen, and
> > I'm looking for an ideal combination of software & hardware that would
> > accomplish it. (we have the projector permanently mounted, and only 1
> > VGA input on it)
>
> > We need to be able to playback DVDs andVHStapes (from an external
> > source, so I assume viavideocapture/ passthrough to VGA???), as
> > well as powerpoint, avi, mpg, etc.. files. I would like the interface
> > to appear, on the screen, to be relatively seamless switching between
> > inputs / applications (ie. not having to mess around with windows
> > start menus, explorer etc. too much.)
>
> > Whatvideocard / software / or even external hardware devices do you
> > think would be best...?
>
> > Thanks for your advice!
>
> > David Hoare
>
> Naturally you need avideocard with a VGA out. Basically you just need one
> that will display a resolution your projector can use.Overscan can be an
> issue but no experience with it.
>
> Don't see a need for cable switching. Only theVHSwould require one. DVDs
> can be played from the computers drive. If it has to be by cable composite
> and S-videofor the image,VHSand DVD respectively, and Y-cables for
> audio.
>
> If you want an all in one card solution you'll need a VIVO (VideoInVideo
> Out) card. The ATI All-In -Wonder is a VIVO card and also has an analog TV
> tuner. You could also get a separatecaptureor tuner card. Separate is best
> IMHO. Or even USB but this means it would be outside the computer and USB
> drivers tend to have problems.
>
> Don't know about VIVO but tuner cards tend to come with remote controls. The
> Remote Wonders that comes with ATI cards are RF(not infra red) if one is
> needed. Not needing to point at a sensor is a good thing.
>
> I'm not aware of any program that will play all those formats. It easy to
> put Icons on the desktop and go between the programs. You'd probably be
> using 3 or 4. One for displaying the live analog, one for DVD & digital
> files and another for Power Point. Maybe Adobe Acrobat for .PDF. It's also
> possible to associate the programs with keys on the remote. Capturing theVHSto a file ahead of time would eliminate one program but you may get into
> Macrovision copy protection and probably copyright issues. Except for Power
> Point & Acrobat the software that comes with ATI cards will probably do
> what you want. I don't use it but the ATI software also comes with Easylook
> which is for using the computer while viewing on a TV(but displays though
> the monitor too) that may be useful to you.
>
> Just trying to help outline things for you. This can be complex. Obviously
> my knowledge is ATIcentric. With the exception of Power Point, I think the
> ATI MMC software would come very close to what you want. Some of the newer
> ATI cards now come with different software CMC and I really can't say
> anything about it.
>
> Seems to me the need for what you want would be great enough someone would
> make a turn key solution. Good Luck.

I have two related questions, if you please:

1) Are there often sound synchronization issues when using a VIVO card
for video and audio card for sound? If so, are there solutions that
have both inputs to avoid the issue?

2) Every card I've been looking at has two DVI and one S connector.
Some of them claim to have S-vid in and out. They use the same port
for both? If so, I guess this requires pulling the case out from
under the desk and swapping cables from time to time?

thanks.

pc
From: Paul on 16 Jan 2008 23:10
pc wrote:

>
> I have two related questions, if you please:
>
> 1) Are there often sound synchronization issues when using a VIVO card
> for video and audio card for sound? If so, are there solutions that
> have both inputs to avoid the issue?
>
> 2) Every card I've been looking at has two DVI and one S connector.
> Some of them claim to have S-vid in and out. They use the same port
> for both? If so, I guess this requires pulling the case out from
> under the desk and swapping cables from time to time?
>
> thanks.
>
> pc

For (2), typically a "VIVO" card has a black DIN connector, with
a decent number of pins on it. The package will come with a
"hydra" or multi-headed cable, or even a breakout box, and that
is where the actual connections get made.

VIVO DIN to RCA (Cinch) cable
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/14-130-048-07.jpg

If you want a cheap experiment, try one of these. Read the reviews
first. This is a separate capture card.

KWORLD X-Pert DVD Maker PCI Card VS-L883D PCI Interface $10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16815100120

For 45x the price, you can get one of these. This has a Firewire
spigot that you connect to a Firewire input on your computer, then
record the stream over the Firewire connector.

http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/index.php
http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/ADVC300_closeup.php

Paul
From: pc on 17 Jan 2008 01:03
On Jan 16, 8:10 pm, Paul <nos...(a)needed.com> wrote:
> pc wrote:
>
> > I have two related questions, if you please:
>
> > 1) Are there often sound synchronization issues when using a VIVO card
> > for video and audio card for sound? If so, are there solutions that
> > have both inputs to avoid the issue?
>
> > 2) Every card I've been looking at has two DVI and one S connector.
> > Some of them claim to have S-vid in and out. They use the same port
> > for both? If so, I guess this requires pulling the case out from
> > under the desk and swapping cables from time to time?
>
> > thanks.
>
> > pc
>
> For (2), typically a "VIVO" card has a black DIN connector, with
> a decent number of pins on it. The package will come with a
> "hydra" or multi-headed cable, or even a breakout box, and that
> is where the actual connections get made.
>
> VIVO DIN to RCA (Cinch) cablehttp://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/14-130-048-07.jpg
>
> If you want a cheap experiment, try one of these. Read the reviews
> first. This is a separate capture card.
>
> KWORLD X-Pert DVD Maker PCI Card VS-L883D PCI Interface $10http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16815100120
>
> For 45x the price, you can get one of these. This has a Firewire
> spigot that you connect to a Firewire input on your computer, then
> record the stream over the Firewire connector.
>
> http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/index.phphttp://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/ADVC300_closeup.php
>
> Paul

Thanks. That was very useful. ATI can't be bothered to respond to
questions like this.

What about audio/video synch when using a VIVO? Is this often a
problem?

pc
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