Projector Setup

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Projector Setup

DrakeOldham

Hey Joel! Thanks for the invite. Ok so something I’ve been struggling with is what is the best route to take on upgrading our ProPresenter and projector system.

current setup...

2012 Mac Pro > Mini DisplayPort to VGA > Kramer VGA matrix switcher > 3 VGA outputs to 3 projectors all sharing the same image. No stage display.

so moving forward, a major overhaul is needed in this area but there’s so many options it’s overwhelming. Now that Pro7 is and the use of decklink cards are super useful within Pro7 is this the best way to go? Do you use the outputs on the decklink cards and send individual SDI lines to each projector or if your screens are sharing the same image would you use one SDI output and send it to a splitter like a datapath??

thanks!

joelwsmith

Hey Drake, thanks for reaching out!

I know from previous conversations that you have a video system. Is this ProPresenter setup completely separate from your other video gear? And if so, do you want to keep it separate or want the ability to use it all together?

DrakeOldham

Thanks Joel for responding. I’m really hoping to get this figured out lol

so like stated before out of the Pro6 Mac Pro it goes to a Kramer switcher. Then out of the Kramer is 3 VGA runs to 3 projectors. Then also out that same Kramer switcher is a DVI/HDMI line that goes into my Echolab camera switcher for a full frame Pro6 graphics input. Then I have an aux out of the Echolab camera switcher that feeds in another Kramer matrix switcher that has a bunch of VGA runs to various TV's.

so looking into the overhaul in this, what I’m hoping to achieve for is the best solution to have a system that can..

Feed 3 HD signals to projectors from ProPresenter
Allow to add a stage display from ProP
Feed full frame graphics into my Echolab camera switcher
send lower thirds into Echolab cam switcher

so with all that being said. I don’t know if you use decklink cards to feed all this or a combination of decklink cards and SDI DA's to achieve this.
thanks so much for the help with this

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham That info definitely helps. Thank you.

The main issue right now is the 2012 Mac Pro. Apple considers any hardware older than 7 years to be completely obsolete, so they don't support the hardware or the operating system on it any longer.

Therefore, if you want to move to ProPresenter 7 (a good idea if it's in the budget) then I would suggest planning on a computer upgrade. With your current situation, you could probably get by with a Mac Mini and an external PCI chassis with a Decklink card - assuming all 3 of your projectors and the Echolab get the same image, of course. Although I would recommend at least a mid-spec iMac or a new Mac Pro if at all possible.

Is a computer upgrade something you're hoping to do or are you trying to get this done as cheaply and efficiently as possible?

DrakeOldham

Computer upgrade is a 100% happening within this upgrade. Sorry forgot to mention that. And the Mac mini with the M1 chip is what I was lookin at!

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham Excellent.

Be sure to check out Renewed Vision's forums and the ProPresenter User's Group on Facebook. The M1 chip is still brand new and there are going to be some growing pains and bugs that will come up over the next year or so.

An external PCI enclosure and Decklink would be a great choice, for sure. For all displays that need the same signal, it's best to use an external distribution amplifier rather than duplicating the output through the computer or Decklink. So in your case it would be desktop monitor through the computer's HDMI output, then main screen output through Decklink, stage display output through Decklink (ideally), and then a separate output for your stream through the Decklink if you want lower thirds or a separate signal for the stream.

Hopefully that all makes sense...

DrakeOldham

Gotcha! So for the screens sharing the same content, what external distribution amplifier would you recommend?

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham

Good question. Here you go:

https://www.joelwsmith.com/sdi-distribution-amplifiers

DrakeOldham

Perfect! Last question though. I noticed that the datapath wasn’t on the list? Are these better options because you don’t need scaling option built in the datapath since you can scale within the outputs of Pro7?

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham

The Datapath products are technically not a distribution amplifier, they are a multi-screen interface. Basically, a "one signal split to span across multiple displays" product. When you just need to take one signal and repeat it as-is to multiple outputs, that's where you need a distribution amplifier.

Are you expecting your 3 projectors to have the exact same image mirrored on all 3 simultaneously? Or are you expecting one seamless image be spread across all 3?

DrakeOldham

Ahh I see. Yea my screens are completely separate. No edge blending so that’s where I would just need a DA. So really the main reason for a datapath is if your trying to do triple wide screens and such?

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham

Kinda. It's important to be clear about all 3 of those things.

Here is an example of the differences between distribution amplifiers and multi-screen processors:

Distribution Amplifier vs. Multi-Screen Processor

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham

Are you wanting to accomplish the top or bottom example in the image above?

DrakeOldham

The top! But I’m curious, looking at future proofing is there an item you would recommend that I can use as a DA for now but later use to multi screen and edge blend?

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham

You could technically use a Datapath FX4-SDI as a distribution amplifier, sure. It's not really practical, but it will do what you mentioned. It would also pretty much replace the need for the PCI enclosure and Decklink card.

However, I would still recommend going the Decklink route. ProPresenter 7 can do multi-screen stuff natively through a Decklink card now without the need for an external multi-screen processor. That's pretty much the recommended workflow now.

DrakeOldham

Ohh I see. So I guess at that point you would just use the outputs on the decklink to each projector then adjust everything within Pro7??

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham

Correct. ProPresenter 7 added the ability to use multiple discrete outputs from the computer or a Decklink card for multi-screen content. Just be sure to invest in a Decklink card that has more than enough outputs to handle what you need now and in the future. But you can always upgrade the Decklink fairly easily if necessary.

DrakeOldham

Joel, you are an awesome person! Not a lot of people in this world would invest time into strangers as much as you do. I appreciate your help so much

joelwsmith

DrakeOldham

Thanks for the kind words. Always happy to help!

DrakeOldham

Ok so one last question I have, this is something I’ve never understood. HDCP, what it is and what problems will I run into? I’m reading that SDI can’t strip it so since I’m planning this whole upgrade around SDI, what do I need to watch out for? Also, when and what situations is HDCP involved?