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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: Need a Video Switcher
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Scott Norwood
Film God
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Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 10-02-2012 08:45 AM
Extron probably has something that will work. The picture will definitely roll or otherwise look odd during the switch if the resolution changes and/or if the two playback devices are not genlocked.
What you really want is a seamless switcher/scaler. The popular one around here is the Analog Way "Pulse LE." It works fine and can switch both picture and sound; it will also scale everything to your preferred resolution (typically the native resolution of the projector) and frame rate.
The Folsom Image Pro HD is also good, but is not HDCP-compliant.
You do not want the Gefen Cinema Scaler. I was not impressed with it and the one that I used had HDCP issues.
Personally, I think that I would just use two different inputs on the projector and install a box that will output RS232 commands to the projector and IR commands to the player that will (in order) close the douser, wait one second, switch inputs, wait another second, "play" the Blu-Ray, and open the douser. This way, the operator would start the intro thing and open the video douser manually. Then, he would cue the Blu-Ray and leave it in "pause" mode. At the end of the intro video, he would hit the "changeover" button to do everything in sequence to select the proper input and start the Blu-Ray.
Look at the Mediatech and Hall Electronics product lines; both companies have some interesting products that can automate RS232 and/or IR commands.
Edit: I should add that the Analog Way unit mentioned above has a "monitor" output as well, but would require an HDCP-compliant monitor if you use it for this purpose. The Folsom (Barco) does not have a separate monitor output. I would probably just run composite to the monitor from the video player and the BR player, but some BR players cannot output both analog and digital at the same time. Argh. [ 10-02-2012, 11:35 AM: Message edited by: Scott Norwood ]
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Randy Stankey
Film God
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Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 10-05-2012 02:13 PM
I can't use another input on the projector. There are only three and they are all being used.
This projector is set up in a multi-purpose venue. One input is connected to the computer port of the on-stage lectern for presenting PowerPoint. The second is connected to a DVD player at the lectern. The third goes up to the booth for presenting movies.
It's a cluster fuck. I didn't design the system. Our contractor did. (The one I have mentioned before.)
I have been looking around at all the switchers you guys have suggested and more. The seamless switcher is the best option but they aren't going to go for that. They don't want to spend any more money on this. They think they have a "great" system already but that's because the contractor told them so. Nobody thought about real world use. They only considered the lowest common denominator, "idiot proof," way.
As they say, "If you design a system that's so simple even an idiot would use it, only an idiot would WANT to use it."
Now, I have to deal with cleaning up this mess. Frankly, unless the tune changes, I'm not inclined to spend much time on this.
I have been looking at some product from IO Gear: http://www.iogear.com/product/GHDSW4/
It looks interesting. Basic functionality. No seamless fades. No bells and whistles.
If it will allow change overs without blinking the screen, more's the better but, if not, I can just go to black or close the projector shutter.
Sorry to sound so negative but this is what I have to deal with.
IHTFP.
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Randy Stankey
Film God
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Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 10-06-2012 10:22 PM
I've never had a Blu-Ray player choke up once a disk has been loaded unless the disk is dirty or scratched. Blu-Ray is a lot more sensitive to dirt or scratches than DVDs.
Why do people insist on taking a disk out of the package to look at it even if they don't intend to play it? I don't know how many times people have given me, supposedly, "brand new" disks to play that have had fingerprints all over them.
I have had Blu-Rays that flat out refuse to load, even brand new, out of the box, untouched and perfectly clean disks.
We have two Blu-Ray players of different makes, just for this reason. A Panasonic and a Sony.
I have seen disks that won't play in the Sony but will play in the Panasonic and vice versa. Again, untouched, clean disks.
Yes, both players have the lastest firmware updates and they were both plugged in to an internet connection at the time.
Even though I have never had a Blu-Ray player lock up upon changeover, I must admit that they were all connected to the projector via an Extron seamless switcher. Their outputs were component R/G/B, as well.
HDMI is, admittedly, a new wrinkle for me.
Fingers crossed...
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