ehlersd
2/28/2007 2:08:55 PM
We are currently taking our VGA output (Projection Monitor), running it to A/D Scan Converter (which changes it to composite video) and then sending it to our Video Processor board. This works fine, but not ideal.
Our video processor board also supports firewire digital input for all channels. SO, I'm looking for some way to either convert the VGA signal to firewire, or to have SSP7 output directly to firewire.
Any solutions out there?
Darren
Lee
3/1/2007 6:00:13 AM
Are those Firewire inputs on the Video Processor Board expecting data in a raw video format from a camera?
ehlersd
3/1/2007 9:13:49 AM
Yes, that is exactly what they expect. Technically, it's a DataVideo SE-800 board. Doing some additional searching online, I did find a VGA board with a firewire video outut that's being sold to work with the SE-800...so the only missing piece now is going from the SE-800's firewire output to our projectors (which don't have firewire inputs, only USB2 or HDMI or Component inputs...
AslanLyle
3/3/2007 3:45:16 AM
The SE-800 has a component output for the program bus (your edited output), so it should be no problem to hook it up to your projector. All the program outs on the SE-800 work simultaneously, no matter what format(s) you're using for the inputs.
There is also an external box that will convert VGA to DV: the Canopus TwinPact100. http://www.canopus.com/products/TwinPact100/index.php. It's a bit pricey, but looks like it would do the trick. Probably a lot less of a pain to work with than an internal VGA card.
We have the SE-800 but not the TwinPact100. Note that anytime you use DV with the SE-800 you get about a half-second delay in the video signal. For songshow this probably won't be an issue, but if you try to do image-magnification (showing a live video picture of someone on stage) it can be quite noticable.
ehlersd
3/5/2007 9:00:19 AM
Yes, we could run the component output (about 200ft and split it to 2 separate projectors), but I was wanting to run full digital. Basically, we are currently running composite video (setup by a previous contractor) and the quality isn't very good (duh!).
AslanLyle
3/5/2007 11:57:14 AM
I willing to wager that you will be unable to discern any difference between a properly amplified component video signal and the digital one. Component is a far cry from composite. For large screen projection, NTSC is far more limiting than what component is capable of. Also, 200 feet is too far to send HDMI or DVI without some sort of sending unit such as the following: http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=GEF%2DHDMICAT5X&off=9&sort=prod. In either case, you'll also need to split the signal using a Distribution Amp to send it to two projectors and maintain the picture quality, which is pretty cheap for component but rather expensive for digital.
For cost and reliability, component is definitely the way to go, and like I said, I'm confident that you would not notice a difference in picture quality as long as you use the proper cables and do appropriate distribution of the signal.
If you really want to go all digital, you should use SDI rather than HDMI. It distributes much better over long distances. But that's a whole 'nother ball game as it's a professional format. The SE-800 does have an SDI output, though.
