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Merging Projectors is being discussed in the ControlBooth Multimedia, Projection, and Show Control forum; Hi there! How would I be able to merge four data projectors output into one large projection screen that displays ...

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    Default Merging Projectors

    Hi there! How would I be able to merge four data projectors output into one large projection screen that displays my laptop's screen?

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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    Quote Originally Posted by ThemeParkPenguin View Post
    Hi there! How would I be able to merge four data projectors output into one large projection screen that displays my laptop's screen?
    Do you mean a single image spread out across four projectors, each displaying one quarter of the overall image, or four identical projected images converged to create one brighter image? Either is possible, but how you would do it and what you'd need are likely different.
    Brad Weber
    audio, audiovisual and acoustical consultant
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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    Quote Originally Posted by museav View Post
    Do you mean a single image spread out across four projectors, each displaying one quarter of the overall image, or four identical projected images converged to create one brighter image? Either is possible, but how you would do it and what you'd need are likely different.
    A single image across four projectors.

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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    What you are looking to do is a process of edge blending. If you put that phrase in the search bar above, you will find quite a few threads which discuss this process.

    Here are the first few examples:
    Edge Blending - ControlBooth
    Ever use Matrox M9188 for multiple projectors w edge blending w/o edgeblen projectors
    Scenic projection blending advice
    Computer and software for theater projection

    Do you need to use four projectors? There are a few options which will better suit you if you can get by with three.
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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    Your best option for getting four projectors out of one laptop assuming you are using something other than the rMBP is the Datapath x4. You will need to perform the edge blending in the playback program on your computer, using built in edge blending on the projectors, or using a dedicated hardware processor inserted between the x4 outputs and the projectors. Depending on your laptop and your playback program of choice, you may have difficulty driving a pixel space big enough to get good results with four projectors.
    Matthew Haber
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    www.matthewhaber.com

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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    Just wante dto add that getting all four projectors to match can also be challenging if you are thinking just any four projectors rather than four matching projectors with similar lamp life and flexible adjustments.
    Brad Weber
    audio, audiovisual and acoustical consultant
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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    Thanks guys! New question, Say I have three separate videos and would like to project each video from its own designated projector and control everything from my laptop (including audio). Which software and hardware device would best suit my needs? My specs are intel i5 2.3ghz, nividia geforce gt540m 1gb and 6gb ram

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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    Are you planning on having separate playback devices, one per projector and are just looking for how to control them? Or are you needing to know what type of playback devices are required? Or are you looking to use the one computer to play audio and video to three devices?
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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    Quote Originally Posted by ruinexplorer View Post
    Are you planning on having separate playback devices, one per projector and are just looking for how to control them? Or are you needing to know what type of playback devices are required? Or are you looking to use the one computer to play audio and video to three devices?
    one computer to play audio to a PA speaker setup and video to the three projectors

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    Default Re: Merging Projectors

    A Matrox TripleHead2Go Digital Edition is definitely going to be your best option for hardware. There are several options for software but since it looks like you are using Windows I think you best option would probably be Isadora given it's low price tag and ease of use with the TripleHead.
    Matthew Haber
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