changing from analog to digital slideshow

[rhdoyle]

Hi

I'm working on a project to replace an analog slideshow currently using Stumpfl controlled projectors with a digital system driven (ultimately) by Wings Platinum (Basic). The input material is high resolution digital photographs and the output device is a Canon XEED projector with SXGA+ resolution (1400 x 1050 pixels), HD ready also (720p/1080i). The slideshow is about 10 minutes long and consists of about 80 images. It is shown on demand, anything from say 5 to 50 times per day, depending on how busy we are.

I would really appreciate some advice or pointers on the following areas:

1. What would be a good option for a device to drive the projector? I've been looking at devices like DViCO's TViX player, or a dedicated digital signage device using CF (like RokuLabs HD2000). My main concern here is to have something capable of outputting at or near the projector's native resolution while keeping it simple to operate for non-computer literate staff, ideally with a remote control.

2. Are there particular things I should watch out for when creating the slideshow in Wings Platinum? Obviously much depends on the device used to drive the projector, and the format/media the digital slideshow ends up in/on, but should I be considering, for example, pre-processing all the images using Photoshop to get them down to the target resolution and sharpened, prior to importing them into Wings?

3. Is this a really good way to go for what I'm doing? Is there a better option? I've already spent a lot of time reading on the web, experimenting with things like iMovie, FinalCut, using AppleTV for output, etc. and the video route seems to be a dead end. The quality leaves a lot to be desired, the transitions are terrible. I know that even a good digital projector will not look as good as conventional slides but we are going digital for other benefits (e.g. being able to easily have multiple slideshows in the future). What I'm trying to avoid is accentuating the drop in quality between a slide and a digital image by having an additional drop in quality between the projector's native res and the media that is driving it. Wings Platinum looks like it will solve the production quality side; but I need to make sure I can get the hardware right before I commit to that route.

If anyone has any experience of similar projects I would very much appreciate any advice or pointers.

Thanking you in advance,

Ralph Doyle

PS Apologies for not posting in German. :)

[Markus Rader]

Dear Mr. Doyle!

We advice our costumer to present the digital slide shows from PC or Notebook.
The big advantage over a Media Player is that you have individuell presentation possibilities in case of speaker support and remote control. You can present the digital Wings Platinum show directly out of the timeline all over the graphic card output of your PC.

You can find a detailed overview for a successful start in the Wings Platinum program on our homepage.
www.AVStumpfl.com/Download - Wings Platinum 3 Manuals - Wings Platinum PDF Documentation "Audiovision"
The detailed functions are furthermore mentioned in the Wings Platinum Online help.

Best Regards
Rader Markus

[Avttention]

Hallo Mr. Doyle

There is several advantages in using a PC for your purpose. The most advanced is probeably the highest possible image quality when using nativ grafikdata instead of rendered videos. The second abvantage is, that you have a wide variaty of interaktiv possibilitys when simply using Wings Platinum with Showcontrol Modul. You could trigger the start of the Show by all kinds of events. Starting from Audience entering the Showroom by light barrier to aktivating the show by a touchscreen or a number Pad etc. On Top of that, it is a cheap and very reliable setup comparing to all kinds of mediaplayers.
One more thing is to mention. What happens when the Show is over? Is there a black screen or the menue of a player? There should be a welcome loop that tells the audiance what to do in order to start the Show for example. All this is easy ith Wings Platinum operated from the timeline. By the way. No Problem with computers. You can shut down the system in the evening by Scheduler for example and start it in the morning by switching on the power. The Show will start by itself and wait in the wellcome loop until someones triggers Showtime. This are just a few possibilitys and all you need is a Computer, some triggering device and a Wings Platinum License.

kindest regards

klaus

[rAtGallery]

Hi Ralph,

reads like you're on a good way -- you'll be surprised how powerful Wings Platinum is, how much additional benefit you will be able to add to your show, how good results will look and how easy things will work out. For you developing the show and for the audience ...

... 1. What would be a good option for a device to drive the projector? I've been looking at devices like DViCO's TViX player, or a dedicated digital signage device using CF (like RokuLabs HD2000). My main concern here is to have something capable of outputting at or near the projector's native resolution while keeping it simple to operate for non-computer literate staff, ideally with a remote control. ...

Your project seems to be in a museum or similar and the show should be triggered by visitors, is that right? If so, then try a state-of-the-art computer with a good graphic adapter (3D, at least 256 MB), hide it somewhere and put a button somewhere so that people can start the show. Klaus has explained already about triggers in WP -- but you need the Pro Version for that (if I remember that right). Dionys, who is a member of this forum, has shown me an installation he did in a museum (with computers and monitors in a nice box and robust push-buttons for visitors to start the shows with). Maybe he might give you some help here.

... 2. Are there particular things I should watch out for when creating the slideshow in Wings Platinum? Obviously much depends on the device used to drive the projector, and the format/media the digital slideshow ends up in/on, but should I be considering, for example, pre-processing all the images using Photoshop to get them down to the target resolution and sharpened, prior to importing them into Wings? ...

This is not meant to be harsh: Read the manual (which is excellent). Your question about resizing/sharpening images tells me that you are not very familiar with WP. Resizing and sharpening outside WP is the worst you an do. Work on the images on "standard level" in Photoshop (saturation, contrast, layers, cloning, etc.), enhance your show with creative ideas like masked images you do in PS -- but don't touch size and sharpness in general. WP does this for you.

... 3. Is this a really good way to go for what I'm doing? ... I know that even a good digital projector will not look as good as conventional slides ...; but I need to make sure I can get the hardware right before I commit to that route. ...

Yes, you're on a good way. Forget about quality regarding analog vs. digital. First of all: Today's digital projectors are excellent (if you don't buy low end). Second, no one in the room has an analog reference to compare your digital show with. It will look great, is more flexible and gives you lots of additional opportunities (you mentioned some already).

-Frank

PS. Just curious: Where are you from?