[AG-TECH] Installation questions

[John Shalf]

Marty Hoag wrote:
> 
>    NDSU is building a new research building (it is a North research
> park here rather than srp ;-).  We are looking at configuring one of
> the conference rooms (it is round!) for possible future access grid
> installation.
> 
>    I had a couple questions.  Right now it looks like they will put in
> a flat 18' screen (e.g. walltalker type) on one side of the circle
> (the room is about 28' in diameter).  But they had talked about
> putting in a curved screen (it would have a 30' RADIUS so would not
> be as curved as the room but intersect the room walls at the ends
> of the screen).  I explained I thought it would be difficult to
> align three projectors without strange "pin cushion" distortion
> but if anyone has done this or looked at doing it please let me
> know.  I haven't looked at projector specs yet to see if this
> correction is included in any of the higher priced models. ;-)

Hi Marty,
check out the Panoram curved front-projection system.
	http://www.panoramtech.com/gvr120e.htm
They are very impressive on a curved screen (even the edge
blending not to mention the elimination of the pincushion
effect).  They aren't cheap, but then again, neither is your
room. :-)

>    Secondly, we'd like to plan for some flexibility in using the
> mounted projectors for other uses of the room.  Most projectors
> now have two VGA inputs so it would be simple enough to use one
> for the AG stuff and run the other one to a wall plate in the
> front of the room.  But there is also a circular table "floating"
> in the middle of the room and they'd like capability to connect a
> laptop from there.  Have any of you made up any sort of vga
> "patch panel" where these 2nd VGA connections to the projectors
> could be located (female panel mounted plug) and then the various
> connection points in the room could be plugged into whichever
> projector to be used? 

I use an Extron Crosspoint Switch to do my signal patching. 
It works quite well with VGA (its BNC on the back, but
HD15-to-BNC cables work just fine).  It provides some
re-amplification of the signal, but for laptops, you usually
need to locate them somewhat close to the switch because
their VGA drivers are a bit weak.  Extron
(http://www.extron.com) and RBG Technologies
(http://www.rgbspectrum.com) both sell decent video signal
boosters if you are really concerned about signal
degradation though.

> I'm sort of worried about signal loss,
> dependability, "sightliness" (this is to be a premier facility
> of course! ;-).  If you have any pointers please let me know.

I know there are much better solutions that improve the
"sightliness" of this solution.  The Extron brings with it
some cabling issues and I'd be interested to see some
alternatives for hiding the additional patch cables in an
elegant fashion for such a facility...

-john