Using Video in a light show

[BroLarry]

Greetings alll,

This year I want to incorporate video into my Christmas Light Show.

I have imported a video into a blank music sequence file and told the S2 software to use the full screen to show the video. So far, so good. Now in order to run this will I need an additional video card in my PC, or a card that can operate two monitors?

Next, how do I tell S2 to show the video (musical sequence) on the projector (monitor 2) in my case?

Any help is appreciated.

Larry

[rmturner54]

I am not into using video yet, but do a search using video. Another good forum is planet christmas. There is tons of info out there and people that use it.

[rmturner54]

please update your info with location. Thanks

[Donald McBride]

I used video in my easter displays by using my laptop and connecting the projector with a vga cord from the outlet on the back of my laptop. Laptops are already programmed for two screens so you activate the dual screen mode in the control panel display screen. Once this is done, select view full screen in the sequence editor and it asks you to select the screen you wish to use. If you have the projector connected you can tell it to to use the vga out using your mouse. It's really cool using video. Just be sure your projector is strong enough, mine was only rated at 1200 lumens and I had to move my screen away from the light wash of my display. I have attached a copy of one of my sequences.

Good Luck

Don

dmcbride@tstar.net

http://2oldladiesandanoven.com/Videos.htm

(Edited to add link for all sequence videos)

[BroLarry]

Good Morning Don,

I have been using a Desktop Computer to run my show. But come to think of it, I have an old laptop that might could be sesurrected to operate the show. I could place it inside a protective conainer in the yard and elimate the need for a really long video cable.

[jerrymac]

I used video in my Halloween and Christmas routines. I added a video card that supported two monitors and had a number of problems with the card (s). I say cards because I went through 3 of them (different models and brands each time). NEVER was happy with any of them. I finally ended up with a "Y" adapter from the video out on the computer and had one side going to the projector (through a 50 foot cable) and the other to my monitor inside.

[BroLarry]

I have one of those "Y" adapters. I was concerned that perhaps by splitting the signal, the signal would not be as good when it arrives at the projector. If I get all this to work, the signal will have to travel about 200 feet to the projector in my yard. I have seen many applications of long video cables in large meeting rooms, but I don't know of any that used a "Y" adapter in the setup.

What do you think?

[jerrymac]

As they say "The proof is in the pudding". There are cheap and good adapters. In my case the 100 foot cable works find couldnt't tell the difference between that and the 50 monitor cable I was using with the 2 output video card.

[Steven]

A VGA balun will let you use cheap cable to go up to 350 feet from your computer.

[BroLarry]

Thanks for that link. This will make the cabling simpler.

[BroLarry]

Now that my cabling questions are answered, I need to continue with software setup. I have imported a video into a .lms file and told the software to use full screen mode.

What's next?