![Scala - Digital Signage Software [Logo]](/images/layout_main.gif)
Multi-screen Video Presentation with Scala?
Thursday, 05/03/2007 -- by Alan. Subject: Multi-screen Video Presentation with Scala?
Hi... I have a client that is currently running a 3 screen presentation in a theatre - 3 different projectors displaying content from 3 different DVD players that are frame-accurate timed to create a full cool presentation spanning all three screens.
Problem is, sometimes the discs get scratched (throwing off the whole presentation), or the DVD players to not get in sync, and the whole thing takes a lot of steps to get started. They want to have it all running from one source so it is easier to run and update in the future.
I have worked with Scala for a while, and know its capabilities as far as displaying video files. My question is: If a high end PC is configured with three video outputs (high end video card, or multiple cards), can you create a large 2160 x 480 video presentation in Scala that would span across all three monitors (720 pixels wide each)? Will it handle such a setup, and can it play the video back smoothly?
I would really like to make this work in Scala, since I think the advantages are numerous, but don't want to start down that path if it is impossible to do. Any thoughts/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Sunday, 05/06/2007 -- by Al. Subject:
I have quite a bit of experience doing panoramic displays using a variety of hardware. I really like the Matrox Triple Head 2 Go. I only used it with Infochannel as a quick and dirty test. Works well (depending on the kind of content you're playing) but IC will need a pretty beefy machine as it has some of it's own overhead.
I have gotten away with 800x600 x3horizontal = 2400x600 with a p4 2.8ghz in a small form factor micro-atx set up using VJ tools (Resolume) to play back quicktimes. worked great, cpu utilization stayed around 80-90% using mjpeg codec.
To do this within Infochannel, I suggest a core2duo, doesn't have to be the fastest, I'm using a Dell Optiplex 745 with a quad screen set up. i forget the cpu speed, will find out later when i go into the office. I'm also using the PICvideo mjpeg codec by Pegasus. great codec. also worth mentioning, the video clips (some rather long) are playing back from a dedicated sata drive so throughput isn't an issue (not that I had any problems playing back from the system drive, i decided to future proof the set up by adding a dedicated drive though)
Where are you located? just curious because I'd be happy to show you some of the panoramic installations I've done if you're close to the NY area.
Good Luck!
Monday, 05/07/2007 -- by John Schilling. Subject: For "professional work" I would use RAID
Given that 80GB HDD's are USD$30 and 250 GB HDD's are USD$60 these days...
I would build up the following:
Core2Duo--the 6420 with the 4MB of cache is a great performance/$ beastie.
Dual-Channel DDR2-800 or better memory--1GB, 2x512MB is plenty.
An ATi RADEON X1650 or X1800 PCIeX16 card. [make sure you get a card with "Dual, Dual-Lin DVI-I outputs!]
A TH2Go. [for your three outputs--note that Matrox as a DVI-Digital version now!]
A good RAID controller--either Adaptec or 3ware/AMCC--a small "OS Boot volume"--typically 40-80GB, two disks, RAID- and then a "content volume", typically four drives, RAID-1+0; or six drives, RAID-5+0.
--JSS
Wednesday, 05/09/2007 -- by Alan. Subject: Thanks!
Thanks, Al & John, for your feedback. Glad to hear it is "do-able". I am in the process of putting together a plan for this project, and will use some of the suggested specs you guys shared.
Al - thanks for the invitation to see your samples. I am in NC, so NY is a bit of a drive, but I will keep it in mind if I am in the area!
Thanks again.
Discussions 2005 Index |
Contact Scala about your end-to-end software solutions for creating and controlling Electronic Display Networks, whether you call it Dynamic digital signage, Narrowcasting, Captive Audience Networks, Kiosks, Point-of-Purchase Displays, Digital In-Store Merchandising, Out-of-Home Media Networks, Place-based Advertising, Display Marketing, Retail Digital Media Networks, Datacasting, Electronic Billboards, The Outernet or any of the other terms in use today. Scala conducts business through a worldwide network of Value Added Resellers. For more information on what this emerging industry is coming to be named, you can see how other people found this page. ©1993-2008 Scala, Inc. Scala, InfoChannel, and the Exclamation Point Logo are registered trademarks of Scala, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective organizations. To see all the content on our Website, click Sitemap or check our blog for the latest updates. Read our Privacy Policy.