Both projectors will be on the same HDMI cable. A blank powerpoint screen would blank both projectors. As of now, we plan to always send the same image to both projectors. This is part of the "keep it simple..." objective. It will depend on the activity if we use the front, back or both.
How to control multiple projectors (power on/off)
- Thread starterWendell
- Start date
Thanks for all your input. It's beginning to look like a different brand projector is about the only way to keep it simple. We felt Epson gives the most bang for the buck (as did several dealers), but part of Epson's economy is a single remote for all. I looked into the Epson EMP control, but I don't think that would keep it simple. We ran across a deal on a Hitachi CPX4011N, but I haven't researched the projector yet. The Epson EX7200 we just bought gives a decent picture in the daytime with the lights on, but it will become our rear projector, and we're going for a little more brightness for the main, (front) projector. Anyone familiar with the Hitachi?
Interesting idea! We'd need to run 2 130' cables, which is ok. I haven't worked with fibre optics (other than plugging in my TV/sound system). Can you shoot the remote right at the cable end, or do you need transmitters and recievers at the ends of the optic cable? I noticed some of the online stores I looked at showed lengths up to 30 meters. We need about 40 meters. And the remotes would probably have to be mounted in a fixed location, if I understand the concept correctly.
dmx
Active Member
I might be a little late to chime in, but if you want to selectively control a device that uses the same remote (TV, projector, etc), there's a quick cheap trick you can use on the low tech end: just take an old Pringles can, cut the bottom off the can, and point the remote through the can and at the projector you want to control. (the can will give you directional control over your remote). Not the most professional looking rig, but it has always worked for me, and doesn't cost a dime.
No need for transmitters and receivers, I just use a bit of silicone to get the end of the fiber so it shines on the IR Receiver, and on the remote side I have typically mounted the remote to some surface and then just silicone the fiber cable to the IR diode. If you cut the Fiber cable, you usually need to use an inexpensive hot knife to make the cut smooth.
IF want to test it out and make sure your remote is powerful enough you probably can borrow a reel of fiber cable, and then just have the ends held to the both ends. I have found it works well, as the signals for IR control are very basic, and it is not like you are transmitting data. Sometimes you can find a deal on long lengths of fiber optic cable from a network (ebay)
Sharyn
Thanks again for all your input. We haven't decided yet. We'll be discussing your ideas this week-end. Hopefully decide in the next week or so. Everything is still on the table, but we're leaning toward a non-Epson projector. This was my first time at Control Booth. It's definitely been interesting! Thanks.
I've been hungary for Pringles. I may buy a can and test my aim. (Probably only about 15 -20 degrees difference in line of sight between projectors). I'm on the fence between Sour Cream or Original. And I had never thought of hard wiring a wireless remote!
What's your budget like? If you're looking for simplicity and a way to protect your equipment from non-techie people, I've done many control systems with a simple computer, some software, and a touchscreen, all for about $1,000 depending on how many components there are. And it'll control everything from IR to RS-232 to network and beyond.
We found them at Walmart last night for $1.
And the IR light reflects better off the barbeque flavoring more effectively than the original flavor, thus delivering even more power output!
Conceivably you could write off the can of Pringles as a business expense.
Most of the projectors I work with let you assign a specific ID # to the remote and to the projector through the menu...this means that you can configure projector-specific remote controls.
The Epson EX7200 does list "ID" under remote control features in the spec sheet so it might be worth checking out?
http://www.projectorcentral.com/pdf/projector_spec_5875.pdf
The Epson EX7200 does list "ID" under remote control features in the spec sheet so it might be worth checking out?
http://www.projectorcentral.com/pdf/projector_spec_5875.pdf
SSOOOO I decided to find the manual on line and go thru it
It looks like there is a simple solution
look at page 48 you can have the projector start up immediately on applying power (* so you could use a remote power switch) and then there is an option for shut down when signal is removed with the ability to add a timer to it
So you could remotely turn on the power then if you want only a specific unit, only send signal to that one, and remove the signal when you want to shut that one down
http://files.support.epson.com/pdf/vs200_/vs200_ug.pdf
there is also a rs 232 control ability
Personally I like being able to use the remote so I like my fiber suggestion but if you just want on and off, looks like this method outlined above will work
Sharyn
It looks like there is a simple solution
look at page 48 you can have the projector start up immediately on applying power (* so you could use a remote power switch) and then there is an option for shut down when signal is removed with the ability to add a timer to it
So you could remotely turn on the power then if you want only a specific unit, only send signal to that one, and remove the signal when you want to shut that one down
http://files.support.epson.com/pdf/vs200_/vs200_ug.pdf
there is also a rs 232 control ability
Personally I like being able to use the remote so I like my fiber suggestion but if you just want on and off, looks like this method outlined above will work
Sharyn
yes,, really late to jump into the thread but check this out:
Screen Monkey - Show and Presentation Control Software
I downloaded this the other day and will be playing with it soon.
Screen Monkey - Show and Presentation Control Software
I downloaded this the other day and will be playing with it soon.
Stop stealing my ideas.
/avkid
The only problem with using only a dowser is that you can't actually power off the projector with a dowser. They just block the light from hitting the screen.
If at all possible you may want to looking to doing both a remote power off solution (something that I do not know how to do with out more research, but it looks like
already did that
) as well as some sort of dowser. The reason being is that at the beginning of the show you could power on all the projectors needed for the show/service and then dowse them until you needed them, thus eliminating the "black light" effect (when a projectors bulb is still on but is just displaying a black screen). This might not be necessary if the projector has a really good "black light" that is hardly visible but it really depends on the make of the project. I have worked with both projectors that have terrible "black light" issues and some that I do not have to dowse at all....
As far as I can tell the OP wants to be able to control individual projectors on and off. Thus he doesn't have to burn bulbs when only one projector is needed. So a only dowser solution is most likely not want he is looking for.
But I personally, if I have a DMX system in place, would use a dowser even when I only need one projector for a show because of the black light issue.
So basically what I am saying is that if possible the OP may want to look into both a individual projector on/off solution and a dowser system.
Yes I was just reiterating that fact to complete my post sorry for the repost.
And sorry for the multiple versions of this post... I keep hitting send before I'm ready
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shiben
Well-Known Member
Funy thing i didnt even see your post in there.
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