Method Of Display For VJing

[Paul Smith 0]

OK I've finally figured out how to use some of the other features of OTS which I've paid for & never used.

 

One of these is the Visualisation FX which I've now configured and it does add another dimension to the overall package however which is the best method to display these visuals:

1. Flat screen - either LCD or Plasma
2. Rear Screen Projector
3. Front Screen Projector
4. Other I haven't considered?

So for those that currently use - what are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

 

[Gary 0]

I too like the idea of using visualisations, but with some sort of audio input from an external source - eg: feed a CD-Deck etc, into a laptop to make the visulisations work with the music. For me, I'd go for the end result being displayed out on LCD panels.

 

I find that projector images suffer at disco's - You need clear space (no heads in the way) bewteen the projector and the screen. Rear screen projection would get you around this problem, but you'd need venue space behind the screen. (allow 1.5 metres of gap, for every 1 metre of picture size you want, is a rough guide)

 

Also If the screen is not directly in front of, and at the same height as the centre of the screen, you get keystoning of the projected image (a very very extreme case of "keystoning" would be the sort of shape that the yellow writing takes on at the beginning of Star Wars)...mild vertical keystoning can be corrected on most projectors nowadays, but hoizontal keystoning (it might even have a different name), is correctable on less projectors, to my knowledge. This would happen where the projector is for example, by the left wall 10ft away from you, projecting onto the right wall, 20ft away - eg: Not "square on" to the screen. Also, a few stray lighing effects and the picture gets washed out...

 

Finally, the cost of the bulbs for the projectors can cost between two and three hundred pounds each for between 1500 and 2000 hours of projection time - the cost of a 42 LCD screen...

 

If the majority of modern music videos ever get beyond the R'n'B soft porn traits, I might even be tempted to play something other than multitudes of visulizations.

Edited February 15, 2008 by Gary

[BK Sound 0]

Gary is right, standard projectors are a pain in small rooms, however.......

 

Keep an eye on ebay for a NEC WT600 or 610 or 615, this projector will give you an 8ft image with only two feet projection distance.

It sits on the floor behind a rear projection screen and projects upwards (about 4ft from the floor to bottom of the image)

It even has full 3d reform functions to sort out any keystoning issue, so whatever angle you have to work at your image will always be right, but with only 2 ft projection distance required its not usually an issue.

 

This set up will work in pretty much any venue and gives a stunning backdrop to the show.

 

 

I agree bulb life/cost can be an issue, but work out 1500 hours into amount of gigs.....

 

Average discos length - 8 hours inc set up? 6pm to 2am

 

1500 divided by 8

 

Thats 187.5 discos at worst case, surely a small amount of that £18,750 (at £100 per gig), or £37.500 (at £200 per gig) could be spent on a bulb?

 

 

Plasmas do look cool (in my opinion they need to be in pairs as they're too small to be a centrepiece) but they need an expensive flightcase to protect them in transit - about the cost of a projector bulb tongue out icon

 

And they're really heavy, especially in a flightcase....i know which i'd rather be humping down the stairs at 3am.

 

I also think several small lcd screens would look good in a smaller venue, arranged nicely around the room or over your trussing, but the visuals will have less impact because of the small size, they could be used as an effect, kind of like a video lightscreen, but if you want to use the visuals to pass messages/information to the punters it needs to be big, beer makes the eyes go fuzzy so i'm told.

 

Col

 

 

 

 

 

[dh140770 0]

I use 2 x 20" flat screens in a 100-120 person capacity room. I use it for promoting my name and congratulations type messages plus milkdrop visuals ... and most likely VisualJockey from now on.

They are in one box, not too heavy, but not flightcased at the moment. I just take care of them and consider that they both cost less than the price of a flightcase anyhow.

[analyst 0]

My 2 pen'rth

 

Been using viz via a projector for over 8 years now.

I have always dismissed the idea of LCD screens as too small even at best, and too cumbersome when they get bigger.

 

(Gary) You need clear space (no heads in the way) bewteen the projector and the screen.

This may be true and it is why I project across the ceiling above their heads. Messages have a phenomenal "wow" factor sprayed right across the ceiling - no LCD screen could do that, and it really does put people's names "up in lights" and gives them a buzz.

BTW if you go for ceiling projection remember you have to invert and reverse the image because the punter looks in from the opposite way that you look out from the console - not all projectors have this capability.

 

I haven't projected behind or rear screen because of space constraints mentioned above already. I abandoned a self build rear screen project a few years ago, but one could persevere.

[mikeee 0]

Ah, it's funny you should be talking on this subject. I've just had an enquiry (2nd in 3 weeks) asking about screens to show either / and / or, guests dancing, "pop" videos or other "attractive" visualisations. So any advice in this field would be gratefully received, as to type of screen, projector, playout system (computer or otherwise) etc.

[analyst 0]

. . . screens to show either / and / or, guests dancing . . .

See, with my idea of ceiling projection, you just hook up a digital camera, cue Lionel Richie, and there you have it all "Dancing on the Ceiling" smile icon

 

 

 

 

 

OK, I admit, for guests dancing I'd swivel it round and project on a wall as that would look more "natural" but I still don't go for the LCD/Plasma screen idea. Sorry, but I'm a man, so I do think size is important, naturally. tongue out icon

[Dukesy 0]

Have seen the ceiling projections and they look really great - the kids and guests loved it! But what sort of projector is ideal for images on dark ceilings as in oak panelled rooms in hotels, etc?

 

 

 

 

[analyst 0]

what sort of projector is ideal for images on dark ceilings as in oak panelled rooms in hotels

A farquing bright one

 

or persuade them to repaint. Who needs rich oak panelling when ya can have Wickes Brilliant white emulsion? smile icon

[mikeee 0]

The ceiling is out for me at the Manor as the ceiling is "panelled" with 12" deep oak panels. The Castle is better but the ceiling is about 50' up.

 

What about these various disc's on the market to play back. I have the Mix Mash demo DVD. Any others?? Which are good and which are not so good??

 

Personally I'm going to need a lot of convincing that the extra cost / work is going to be worth it.

[Paul Smith 0]

Ah, it's funny you should be talking on this subject. I've just had an enquiry (2nd in 3 weeks) asking about screens to show either / and / or, guests dancing, "pop" videos or other "attractive" visualisations.

 

Coincidentally I've just taken a booking this morning for a VJ system - OK it's not until April 2009 so that should give me enough time smile icon

 

At the moment I'm veering towards using a rear screen projector (the screen costs 2-3 times as much as a front one :shrug: ) and then having the screen in line with the front of my rig. The advantages that I can see are that the projector is safely out of the way, it would look better and the screen image would not be obstructed by the rig. The obvious disadvantage is the extra cost.

 

I hadn't considered the ceiling projection but now I have and very few of the venues I attend have flat white ceilings so it looks like I'll have to rule this one out.

 

Decisions, decisions

 

[superstardeejay 0]

Dont forget if you're carting round a large plasma TV that they must always be carried vertically (upright). You aren't allowed to carry them 'flat'.

 

[UKHero 0]

Dont forget if you're carting round a large plasma TV that they must always be carried vertically (upright). You aren't allowed to carry them 'flat'.

 

 

 

I was told this when i purchased my plasma... I work in the corporate field quite often and was on a job with eight plasmas. I helped drive the truck as I have a HGV licence and helped the guys unload. I noticed the plasma flight cases were packed in all different positions dependant on space. I asked the guys about this not more than 30 degree rule and they said its Cr*p... They have used plasmas sitting on there back they through them about in there flight cases and have never had one fail.... Mind you I am still careful with mine lol...

 

But all the plasmas off this truck worked fine so there ya go....

 

Nik

[superstardeejay 0]

If you take a look on ebay you'll see floods of plasma tvs with cracked screens. This is where they end up if you carry them flat! The big ones simply snap under their own weight.

 

[UKHero 0]

If you take a look on ebay you'll see floods of plasma tvs with cracked screens. This is where they end up if you carry them flat! The big ones simply snap under their own weight.

 

Yes but these ones are supported in full foamed flight cases. We have used them for auto cue and confidence monitors where they have been virtually flat on the floor... Only saying what my experience of seeing them used is...

[wizard 0]

I too have had several enquiries lately about photos etc being prjected at weddings ....so have taken the plunges ..prized open my wallet with a crowbar and purchased a projector and 100" screen.

 

put details on the website last sunday and so far have had 2 bookings for it... at a £100 premium.

[BK Sound 0]

I too have had several enquiries lately about photos etc being prjected at weddings ....so have taken the plunges ..prized open my wallet with a crowbar and purchased a projector and 100" screen.

 

put details on the website last sunday and so far have had 2 bookings for it... at a £100 premium.

 

Nice - you've done well to get a ton for that additional service.

 

I rent projectors for £40 + £10 for a screen, a lot of weddings & especially best man (men) are renting them instead of worrying about writing witty speeches they can show embarrasing pictures of little Johnny on the screen, its getting more and more popular, and with projectors now selling for £299 new (last month Dabs.com had 2000 lumen Toshibas on offer) its a no-brainer if you want to boost income & offer additional services to clients.

 

If you're building the slideshow/visuals yourself Proshow Gold is some nice PC software with some whizzy animations for extra "wow" factor, and you can give the customer the disc at the end of the night, another possibility for extra revenue.

 

Another possible additional service you could offer is a SMS to screen feature, not so much for private functions where everyone knows each other, more for club & disco nights open to the public.

The people can use their mobile phones to send a text to the screen at normal text rates (no rip off £1 a message), great for flirting & for birthday messages etc. Works really well for under 18's events.

The software runs on a laptop with a standard mobile phone connected via usb, messages are instant and scroll up the screen at whatever speed you set, with a background image or video running.(or using a genlock scan converter overlay the messages over your current videos/live camera)

It has swear filters, although the clever little monkeys use abbreviations which you need to keep adding the the swear filter to prevent too much of it.

The software also has a "voting" system, great for getting feedback from the customers, you could display for example "what music do you prefer - Rnb, Dance, Pop, Rock? Vote Now"

 

The software is called SMS Studio HERE, it costs 99 Euros.

Some clubs use this system as an extra marketing tool as anyone who sends a message to the screen leaves their number in a database the software produces for marketing future events/nights etc.

 

Its not for everyone but may be useful for certain events.

Edited March 1, 2008 by BK Sound