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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: Centralized booth equipment control - looking for advice
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Bajsic Bojan
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 190
From: Ljubljana, Si, Eu
Registered: Aug 2008
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posted 09-18-2011 05:01 AM
We are now in the process of upgrading our single screen theater to digital (we will keep 35mm as we are arthouse location with about 5 international festivals a year and local distribution is still 80% analog).
The thing that i am currently investigating is what kind of control system would be best suitable for our enviroment and what other people use to control and monitor the digital projection equipment in other single screeners. I am not interested in automation, but rather to have only one (remote) location where i could do the following:
- control of digital projectors functions (setup, calibration, upgrades or whatever, regular functions for 'playback' ie play, stop, rewind,...)
- control of server (setup, calibration, upgrades, playlist management, KDM ingest, movie ingest throught ftp,...)
- control of alternative content switcher (setup, channels, aspect changing,...)
- control of external qnap library system (some extra 10TB of storage in raid5, accessable by ftp probably?)
- control of sound processor (servicing and calibration,...)
All of these devices can be remotely controled through the network (ethernet). I was thinking of puting up a computer with a big touch screen in one of the central racks in the booth (i was thinking of 3; one for sound processors and amplifiers, one for existing video equipment and playback devices, one for digital servers, library, remote monitoring box, ups, and this computer) and running all control from this central rack computer.
How does that sound?
Or is rs232 and direct connections to a computer the way to go?
Am i expecting too much and this wont be possible?
Any feedback will be much appreciated.
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Dave Macaulay
Film God
Posts: 2321
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 09-18-2011 08:43 AM
I don't quite get it. You have one screen and want a complete remote control console set up somewhere other than at the projector?
Why?
Anyway, the projector pretty much takes care of itself. You "don't want automation" but every server has automation that controls the projector functions (lamp, dowser, input & processing) directly through ethernet. You might be able to avoid using this automation but I can't think of a reason to even try. The server does most everything as far as "film" goes: assembling the presentation with ads & trailers & snipes & feature, play stop, rewind etc: the digital projector functions would correspond to lamp on/off, dowser, and lens/aperture changes. The servers have a scheduling system built in or shows can be started "manually". What is called "automation" with film projection is just part of the digital system already, you don't have to configure it to operate external devices like sound and lighting but you can.
Setting up an NAS library is theoretically simple but ingest from NAS to the server is done manually from the server: a TMS/LMS system can push content to a server but I don't know how to configure a server to pull it automatically.
Most switchers have some sort of remote control capability. I would control this from the server - set up a server macro for each input desired that calls up the required projector channel/preset and switcher input, you would still need to control the source device.
You want to be at the projector whenever doing upgrades. It's likely you'll be doing repeated reboots (switch off then on) during this procedure.
You can control every server brand I've worked with remotely from any computer on the projection network using VNC.
Barco and series II Christie projectors have ways to get the console on a networked computer. Probably the other brands do as well.
The question I have is what do you want to do. You already have a central point where all functions can be controlled - the projection booth. You have one screen. If you want to have an unoccupied booth it's easy to VNC to the server and control it from anywhere, the server controls all normal projector functions. It's easy to connect a pushbutton anywhere that can start the show. Setting up a schedule iworks great if you can have set showtimes - but singles usually like to wait for candy lines to clear etc.
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Bajsic Bojan
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 190
From: Ljubljana, Si, Eu
Registered: Aug 2008
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posted 09-18-2011 03:41 PM
First of all thank you for such quick replies and input.
@dave:
I know i made a mistake in my op (couldn't edit as 5 minutes have passed after i submitted the post), i know the server and not the pj is responsible for the playback of material.
The 'remote' control would be situated next to the projector, wouldn't go anywhere outside of the booth with it, but would like the option to (esp for playlist management).
I know the server is the 'central' part of the booth now and thank you for the info that one can programme macros on the server to execute on an alternative content switcher. The thing is the server's tiny screen (i dont even know if our server will be one with a screen) is certainly not the place i want to be at when doing all the ingests, playlists, starting shows, switching between sources for a show of 20 3minute shorts, with talks in between, etc.
That's why atm a computer is located conveniently in the middle of the booth, connected to an existing video projector (for channel selection, on the fly color and position changes,...), sound processor for changing sources and volume control (and occasional calibration if need be). This eliminates going to the projector with a remote to select channels, or to the sound processor to change volume etc, as you can have both windows open on the comp at the same time.
So, my question is basically, is a computer with ethernet access and a touchscreen what i need to control the Server? Is it overkill? Can i just plug in a mouse, keyboard and a monitor to a server directly? And still have access to all of the functions of my projector, server, library storage, switcher, sound processor, amp monitor?
Of course i dont need the access to projector and sound processor all the time, i don't need to look at my storage and configure it all the time, i don't need the switcher all the time. But i guess the server is not the intended device to control this also. What i know is that a computer has so far been very helpful to have in booth, next to all the equipment, in order to monitor, make adjustments, do calibration when needed. Until I am convinced otherwise I will most certainly keep one in the middle of my rack for those purposes, but am certainly eager to see how other people are running their booths and if they have other solutions. I have for instance seen booths that are controlled by a touchpad and calibrations being done using the same touchpad (less sofisticated multiplex with just regular shows, no events in the hall). Seems like an option, but dont know how easy/stable to run a show with ie 10 shorts from different HD and SD sources with talks in between, with just that.
'Shortcut solutions' like pre-programmed crestrons that Scott mentioned might do the trick in some cinemas, but i like to keep as many options as possible available to me. I agree those are programmer dependent, but I'd rather not be looking at those.
Any additional comments very welcome.
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