First post... Need your guys suggestions :D

[funkytrev]

Hello,

I am curious about the possibilty of the existance of what I would call "multi source projectors", though that may be misleading. Basically I would like to project a panoramic image onto a 3 sided surface, or have an image move from one wall to another seemlessly. I am new to the V part of A/V, so any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Can this be accomplished with one projector, or can multiple projectors be linked together to accomplish this effect?

Thanks for your time and I look forward to all of your responses!

-Funky

 

[phlakvest]

If you had a computer with 3 monitor outputs you can feed 3 seperate projectors like that.

I'm not sure I understand exactly what your trying to accomplish.

 

[funkytrev]

my application is in a business. basically im trying to create an effect where we have a video of say, a car, that drives along a wall and when it hits the corner it continues along the next wall. the car would be sourced from a computer or dvd or whatever. I can't figure out how to accomplish this. I'd imagine if you had 3 projectors linked you could have the same video start on the 2nd wall when the video ends on the first wall, and the same on the 3rd (???) does that make sense?

Again, I'm new to projectors and such so I apologize if I'm not as clear as I can be.

Thanks!

 

[BMXTRIX]

You have a serious learning curve ahead of you, but the bottom line is that the best way to accomplish this is by using a computer with 3 (or more) video outputs. You would connect all three outputs to three separate projector inputs, then you would create a project which is stretched across three separate screens.

A single project, broken across three 'monitors' (projectors), and displayed.

To create a display which has time codes to start/stop video presentation and completely automate a presentation is extremely expensive, and even what you are trying to do is not going to be cheap.

I would start with a $10,000 budget for the projectors alone, and plan on several hundred hours or more of video editing to get things to work correctly.

If you want to do it truly seamlessly, then edge blending may be considered, which will jack the price up to $50K or more quite easily.

 

[funkytrev]

As far as the learning curve, I agree. Thats why I came here to smooth it out.

Cost is really not a concern. My budget at this point is whatever it takes to get the job done (my financier has the deepest pockets possible). Mind you the example I described is one tiny aspect of this project.

That being said, my question is answered. Indirectly, but answered nonetheless.

Thanks,
Funky

 

[BMXTRIX]

As far as the learning curve, I agree. Thats why I came here to smooth it out.

Cost is really not a concern. My budget at this point is whatever it takes to get the job done (my financier has the deepest pockets possible). Mind you the example I described is one tiny aspect of this project.

That being said, my question is answered. Indirectly, but answered nonetheless.

Thanks,
Funky

It's really only the start of the answer.

For this type of work, budget is king, and second is the desired results. If the desired result is something like what you see on rides at Disney, where a whole wall is filled with perfect video from dozens of projectors, then a budget of $100K or more with weekly tweaking and maintenance is required. If that budget doesn't exist, then expectations need to be reset.

With a three projector setup, you gain a LOT of money back into the pocket, but you lose out on the seamless capabilities, as well as losing perfect color balance between the projectors, but it certainly makes things 'easier' overall.

If you are trying to design this, then I would recommend that you get with a professional A/V firm who can help you with this project and if you intend to use a lot of their time and expertise, then you will need to hire them for engineering purposes. This level of work will require that you know exactly what gear is available and at what price to address the needs of the situation.

 

[lsiberian]

The computer part is much easier these days.

I suggest a xeon processor this type of application.

If you want a prebuilt system then go with Dell they have great business support
http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/precndt?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
is a good line to look at. You will get a xeon processor(high cache) and a 4 display video card.

After you get that I recommend you get 3 matching projectors.

Remember you want performance so memory come before processor speed in upgrades. Get as much memory as you can afford. It has the greatest effect on performance.

I think this should work for your needs, but if you want to DIY I would be happy to lend advice. I have built computer for over 10 years and have a have a degree in computer science so I know how to put together a killer machine.

If you want to go bigger and meaner then you will need an IT person at the very least.

 

[lsiberian]

It's really only the start of the answer.

For this type of work, budget is king, and second is the desired results. If the desired result is something like what you see on rides at Disney, where a whole wall is filled with perfect video from dozens of projectors, then a budget of $100K or more with weekly tweaking and maintenance is required. If that budget doesn't exist, then expectations need to be reset.

With a three projector setup, you gain a LOT of money back into the pocket, but you lose out on the seamless capabilities, as well as losing perfect color balance between the projectors, but it certainly makes things 'easier' overall.

If you are trying to design this, then I would recommend that you get with a professional A/V firm who can help you with this project and if you intend to use a lot of their time and expertise, then you will need to hire them for engineering purposes. This level of work will require that you know exactly what gear is available and at what price to address the needs of the situation.

If you can afford it I like the suggestion above. Having the pro there to consult you and support you beats us on the forum.

 

[abjonesiii]

If you had a computer with 3 monitor outputs you can feed 3 seperate projectors like that.

I don't think there is a real simple solution to do that. Its gonna take a pretty high end computer would be my best guess.

Its probably a question better asked on one of the computer geek forums rather than with us A/V geeks.

Let us know what you find out.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I should just point out that I've done both edge blended systems as well as video wall setups which have utlized functionality which you are talking about. The most similar was at a National Park demo area and it was three projectors going onto a curved walled room. The final budget for the triple projector setup with all A/V gear and Crestron automation with sync timers was somewhere in the range of about $150,000 or so I believe. We received this system fully 'engineered' to us, so that part had already been paid for. That $150K was merely for the equipment and installation and calibration.