Thomas Leong
Forum Replies Created
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Check out http//www.stumpfl.com‘s Wings Platinum 3, the Pro version (Basic, Starter and Advanced versions do not have Powerpoint inclusion feature). Downloadable demo.
I prefer to use Powerpoint Viewer as this loads the presentation in fullscreen mode all the time. Basically, when ppt loads, it overlays onto whatever was on screen. Keyboard control goes to Powerpoint. ESC key to get out and return to your timeline and whatever image was overlayed before Powerpoint.
Alternatively, use the Mix Groups feature of Wings to assign groups of tracks to your F keys. The F keys then work as software switchers.
Async feature allows you to pause timeline but have a loop video running indefinitely until you F-key to the group you want to appear on screen. This other group could contain your Powerpoint feature, or live video overlay, etc…or you may just wish to change looping backgrounds for different presenters coming on stage, etc.
Thomas Leong
https://multidisplays.freeforums.org -
Hi,
If by the term ‘continuously on all screens’ you meant a panoramic of sorts and there will be moving images then you would likely need a frame-accurate controller like Dataton’s Watchout or AvStumpfl’s Wings Platinum. Of the two, Watchout has a shorter learning curve. Though Wings Platinum 3 may look daunting at first, once you learn it, it is pretty easy and powerful. Since these are timeline-based controllers, both probably have a limitation for your purposes, in that, while playback is happening, you cannot be adding new materials to the controller or fiddling with the Master Timeline. You have to stop playback to do that.
If you do not need absolute frame accuracy, you could have a look at a shareware solution which basically controls a playlist and triggers the playlist on all connected pc-players via a simple TCP/IP network – https://www.syncmaker.com
Another alternative is to google for “Digital Signage” solutions. Plenty out there. Some are centralised servers distributing to plasmas/LCD outputs (example: https://www.broadsign.com/digitalsignage/digitalsignage.htm)
while most others are de-centralised where each outlet (plasma/LCD) has its own player box attached taking only updates from a central server.If your outfit does not produce any of the materials for playback, then digital signage is probably the way to go – just update the master playlist, specify and upload to the outlets/players, let them do their thing, and that’s basically it.
Thomas Leong
https://multidisplays.freeforums.org -
I agree. For 1920x1080p, you would need a Core2Duo 2.xGHz CPU and RAID 0 as a minimum.
However, Alexx’s idea with ppro2 is worth investigating also.
For laptops with built-in two hard-disks that can be RAIDed, look at those from Toshiba.
Alternatively, use an e-SATA connection via Expresscard 34 to connect to a 2-disk External Enclosure such as –
https://www.cwol.com/serial-ata/siig-expresscard-esata-raid.htm
or
https://www.cwol.com/serial-ata/external-sata-solutions.htm
or
https://www.granitedigital.com/catalog/pg53_satahot-swapbackup.htmThomas
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The price indications that Bob gave were for the Master + Slave Multi-display licences. The Advanced and Pro versions of Wings are for single screen fullscreen output only (or if using a laptop, then primary for the timeline/controller and secondary fullscreen output to the beamer. Price is far lower than the Multidisplay version….probably in the region of US$1K +/-.
To get a better idea, download the demo version from Stumpfl’s site, and in the Help Files under ‘Versions and Modules’ is a table listing all the differences between versions. The Pause feature is available under both the Advanced and Pro versions (under the ‘Presentation’ heading in the Help Files.
If you do not need fancy 3D rendering (eg. for digital visual effects), a laptop with Intel’s on-board GMA graphics will do the job. The 3rd party graphics card is required for power users. Try the demo. If it works on the laptop you try it on, the purchased version is no different….just a licence number and the USB dongle to unlock the output, etc.
A hardware alternative is the HD600 (SD video) or HD2000 (HD video) from rokulabs.com. Both are Compact Flash based MPEG-2 players, and its scripting feature allows you to program a playlist. Not sure if the script allows you to pause/start the various videos in the playlist though. You could ask at their users’ forum – https://forums.rokulabs.com/viewforum.php?f=19
Thomas
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Just to add to Bob’ comments –
One Master node can do a two-screen soft-edge blend with the Pro version of Wings with dual-mon capable 3rd party graphics card in a Shuttle PC. Even the old ATI 9600 series will do it. But like I mentioned in the other reply, the timeline/controller interface is not visible during Presentation Mode.
Hardware-based or software-ware based is a decision only the buyer can make. Stumpfl has recently come out with media servers with embedded XP and Wings Platinum pre-loaded and, if I’m not wrong, digital signage software included. It is a 1U rack-mount unit called SC Media Engine.
Thomas
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Hi Andy,
If by ‘controllers’, you mean their SC Master and SC Net units, they are not required for most presentations using any version of Wings. Only the software with a USB dongle is required. The SC Master controller and SC Video Player are only required for fixed installations when one does not want a pc present, but want to present from compact flash instead (MP3 audio, and MPEG-2 videos only though). SC Net units are extensions for various things like multiple RS-232, more DMX, open/closed contacts, and many other fancy things – more for complicated Show Control extensions.
Since the price of Wings Platinum would vary between dealers and countries owing to duties, etc. and owing to me not wanting to step on their respective toes, I can’t divulge prices in a forum. You can contact me privately for my purchase price at tleong49 at streamyx dot com. Hope you understand. Generally though, the Advanced version is about 60% odd the price of the Multidisplay version. For the US, best to contact mastermindcontrol.com Stumpfl’s distributor. Not sure about Canada though. Direct from Austria maybe.
Wings Platinum is a powerful piece of software for live and permanent presentations, and with the new packaging in the form of Wings Platinum 3, the modular complications of version 2 have been dropped. The Multidisplay version is of course more versatile and without much limits. But the Pro or Advanced versions are pretty comprehensive for single screen shows. Additionally, with the Pro version, two-screen shows with each screen running its own discrete video, or stereo shows are possible. This feature uses the dual mon capability of most graphics cards and laptops. In this config however, the timeline is not visible when in Presentation Mode (F5).
Thomas
https://multidisplays.freeforums.org -
Have a look at Wings Platinum Advanced or Pro versions. These are basically the single screen versions of the higher priced Multi-display version.
Both versions will do HDTV res if your pc’s graphics card supports the higher resolution required, and if your pc (high-end laptop or Shuttle PC for portability) can process the pixels required at 25fps.
Additionally, pause cues and other cueing markers are a feature useful for what you want.
Thomas Leong
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One major aspect of a slideshow, often overlooked, is the Audio. Visual effects are fine, for entertainment purposes. But it is the Audio that will play with the emotions of the audience, tell the story without words, and dictate the pace of the show. Basic cuts and dissolves with the appropriate soundtrack will make a professional slideshow. You do not need the fancy visual stuff if the emotive quality of the slides themselves, as ‘captured moments in time’, can hold an audience.
So if you want a ‘Wow, whatdyathinkofthat?’ kind of slideshow, then put in the fancy stuff. But if you want to convey a real message and have the audience feel the message and remember it, concentrate on your storyline and you will make a professional slideshow. Use the hyphen in the word ‘Audio-Visual’ to marry the two elements into an emotive message.
my .02 cents,
Thomas Leong -
Thanks Damien.
Latest verbal news is that my client, a design company, has won the bid for the project, so it is on. I’m waiting for details and specific requirements. Shall keep in contact on this privately with you to see if we can work together.
Thomas
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Hi Matt,
Not that I know of. I reckon the jury is still out of who will win the HD platter-player war and as such perhaps the potential manufacturers are holding back till then.
For hard-disk based players, there are, amongst others I’m sure –
Electrosonic’s HD Frend (https://www.electrosonic.com/hd_frend.shtm) and its Plus version.
AvStumpfl’s SC Media Engine, a 1U 19″ PC specially put together with a few extra features for control purposes, with embedded Windows XP. But there is hardly any info on this at their site. The distributors/dealers would have the details though.
Thomas Leong