Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

Hm, you will never get VAXstation output directly on a overhead projector.

We here in the demo center use a BARCO projector connected to a VAXstation,
so that customers can directly see a 'live' DECwrite demo on a huge screen.

We even have a hacked VT340 to display RGB signals on the huge screen.

Hope that helps,

Gerold Krommer, ACT Vienna

    I'm not sure where you're located, but there is an organization 
    in PKO Maynard that acts as a liaison for rental of BARCO equipment
    for just such purposes.  Their DTN is 223-5587. (I believe the name of
    the organization is Media Communications Rentals and Operations.)
    
    They work with two external companies for rentals.  Be fore-warned, 
    the rental is pretty steep - from $750 on up for the day.  We've used
    the equipment several times with a VAXstation II/GPX.
    
    One more thing, you may want to track down an aluminized screen for
    display.  Display on your standard screen is a little tough to see with
    these projectors.
    
    - Dave
    

    
    	I have used BARCO and it works greate if you turn down the lights
    in the room. Rent was $1000/day.
    	I have seen one at Mac users group. This is not BARCO style rather
    it's a flat panel LCD display that you put on top of the regular
    overhead projector. It works rather well. It even has built in
    electronic pointer, help etc. 16 shades of blue. 
    I have the literature for it if you want copy. Or their phone # is
    408-559-1111
    800-888-4210
    
    Product name : Looking glass 
    CHISHOLM
    910 Campisi Way
    Campbell, CA 95008
    
    It says it's compatible for IBM's,Mac's etc. Check for the
    compatibility with VAX's.
    
    Robert

Software Useability Engineering in Spit Brook has a projector that is connected
between a VAXstation 2000's video out and a VR260's video in. It hangs from the
ceiling, projects onto an aluminized screen, and even does color (I think). 
I'm not sure who in SUE you'd contact, though, to get more information. 

s

    Maybe I didn't explain myself well enough.
    
    The problem is we have some Esprit overhead projection systems (I'm not
    talking about overhead projectors that you stick a transparency
    on - but a system that takes RGB input and throws it up on a screen),
    however, the models we have cannot handle the output speed of a
    VAX workstation.  More expensive models of Esprit and Barco's can,
    but they cost 25K or $1000 a day to rent.
    
    I had heard a rumor that there was a device you could stick between
    your workstation and the projection system that would somehow convert
    the signal such that the cheaper systems could handle it.

    Maybe someone got confused and was talking about the lcd display
    that you could put on an overhead transparency projector (which
    sounds like a neat idea by the way).
    
    Before we shell out 25k for the expensive system, I would still
    be interested in info on someway to get the cheaper systems to work.
    This is the time of cost cutting anyway, right?
    
    Thanks,
    Mark

    re: (SUE)
    
    Dennis Wixon (CLT::) is the right person to contact.  They have an
    expensive solution now, and are working on cheaper ones.  

	Re: .6

	I think you are going to find that there is NO WAY you can get what
you're asking.  The reason that your current system cannot handle workstation
output is that the "scan rate" of the video subsystem in a workstation is a
higher rate that the projector that you want to use.

	Why is scan rate important?  Well, the scan rate determines how fast
the electron beam moves across the screen.  This has some direct effect on how
many individual "dots" you can put on the CRT screen.  Workstations, due to
their higher resolution, need a faster scan rate.  Most video projectors today
aren't fast enough to keep up with the scan rate of workstations.  Obviously,
if the projector is slower than the workstation, you'll never get a full
picture projected. (In fact, you won't get any, because the projector never
gets synchronized to the video signal)

Now, there are some neat little boxes that will synchronize the video signals
of different types of workstations and VCRs and the like all to one common
speed.  However, the projector still must be fast enought to handle the
fastest device you're using, and again, common video projectors aren't fast
enough.

The bootom line is that you'll have to buy an expensive projector to project a
workstation screen...

Mark

    .6
    	I was the one who wrote about LCD display. I am not confused about 
    	what you are looking for. However as .8 said, it's not easy to get
    	a device that will convert the high "scan rate" to "low scan rate"
    	for your regular projector. Even if that device is available it 
    	probably will cost few thousand dollars. I do not know the exact
    	price of LCD panel. It's somewhere between 8-15K.
    		As far the converter you might want to check with the
    	following people where we rented the BARCO projector..
    
    	Video/Visuals Inc.
    	63 Chapel Street
    	Newton, MA 02158
    	617-527-7800
    

    A small ray of moderately expensive hope ;-)
    
    I've been trying to achieve the same as you for some time now.
    Yesterday I took delivery of a magic box that sort of does the trick.
    In my case I wanted more than just the ability to project the o/p
    of the WrkStn video system.... I wanted to be able to record it
    on Umatic and VHS recorders as well so that it could be viewed on
    domestic (i.e. not expensive) machines!
    
    As a previous respondent pointed out the problem is with the scan
    rate...... so I've bought a scan converter.
    
    			It works!
    
    
    
    	But......
    
    
    In order to get the signal down to domestic levels requires that
    something (i.e. resolution) is lost. The net effect is that graphics
    look great, it's very easy to see the mouse cursor and generally
    follow what's going on,  but trying to read the default DECterm font
    for example is not really on.
    
    The box is japanese (what else?) and cost �11,000 here in the UK.
    
    If you want to know more send me a mail message.
    
                                            

    As part of the Teamware project we are working on a system which will
    allow workstation video output to be projected using inexpensive 
    ($1300-2000) LCD panels. The previous notes which refer to scan rate
    are basically correct, that is the challenge which must be overcome.
    
    A small company which specializes in interfaces between computers
    and LCDs is working on this for us. The company name is PowerR. They
    are located in Seattle WA USA (number 206-547-8000). 
    
    We are expecting a prototype this week. I will post a reply when we
    have some experience with their prototype. We expect the cost of this
    converter system to be in the $500 - $1,000. 
    
    If you are intereted in learning more, or decide to contact PowerR
    please let me know (KOBAL::Wixon).
    
    Also please note the limitations. Current LCD's do not project color 
    (they use shading patterns as a substitute). LCD's also have VGA
    resolution (640 x 480) and thus will project only a portion of the
    workstation screen. Also this conversion system will work only with
    the LCD made by Sharp, i.e. the Sharp QA50. 
                                 
    Dennis

    Will the new Xterminals have the same scan rate as workstations
    or might they be compatible with the low costs projection systems,
    video recorders, etc.?
    
    Thanks,
    Mark

    The alleged new Xterminals will have a 1024x864 resolution for
    starters.
    

They will also have the same video rates as the workstation.
(they use the same monochrome monitors)


-bill