Using projectors at gigs

[BrightLights]

I've been thinking about starting to use a projector and rear projection screen at gigs for ages, not for music videos but for "flashy graphics" like Winamp visualisations, R2/R4, Shadow Dancers etc.

I think it would only be appropriate at certain events like 18th/21st birthdays for example, but it could be quite fun.

Does anyone already do this and if so:

1) Do you think it actually adds something and is it appreciated by the crowd?
2) How and where do you set up the screen in relation to the rest of your equipment?
3) Does it get in the way / take up too much room?
4) Is it worth the hassle of carrying, setting up, and connecting the additional equipment?

Cheers...

[colinm345]

Intersting thought we own a desktop projector but only use it for karaoke

[jamesh]

to be honest just for flashy graphics like win amp its really not worth it and don't think it will add a great deal to your show. Save the extra 20min set up time for it to relax and double check everything is setup and ok.

IF however you introduce music videos and photos and things to the show and use the projector for it then i think it is a real value added service to the disco.

The downside to using a projector is you then have all sorts of issues of needing space behind you (if using rear projection) or in front (if front projection) and issues of where best to set up the projector etc... Just depends really on how much you charge for gigs... if you plan on using videos and photos and graphics and things to make additional money or whether you are just going to add it as a value added service .

[sleah]

if you plan on using videos and photos and graphics and things to make additional money or whether you are just going to add it as a value added service .

And to add, you'll need to get a VPL licence as it's unlikely the venue will have it in addition to their PPL, if they did you wouldn't need to bring your screens:confused:

VPL is more expensive than PPL. You'll need to decide if it's worth the extra expense.

[wensleydale]

depends what you want to do with it- use it for photos at weddings, or shadow dancers type dvds at a younger event- handy thing to have as an extra.
can also use it a fair bit at corporate stuff- if you get clever you can take photos and add them to a slide show on the night....

[flatliners]

if you have blue tooth on your comp you could ask people at dos to send them to you and you could project them on a screen

[colinm345]

if you have blue tooth on your comp you could ask people at dos to send them to you and you could project them on a screen


Now that sound a great idea:)

[Ricesnaps]

depends what you want to do with it- use it for photos at weddings, or shadow dancers type dvds at a younger event- handy thing to have as an extra.
can also use it a fair bit at corporate stuff- if you get clever you can take photos and add them to a slide show on the night....

Always thought that having a video camera attached to a projector at a gig would be a cool thing to do - live video of the people there - sort of a live mirror!

[jamesh]

if you have blue tooth on your comp you could ask people at dos to send them to you and you could project them on a screen

Great idea BUT....

would have to be a separate machine to do that at one of my gigs.... as nothing gets access to the main machine! IT never goes on the internet, no memory sticks go in it from clients and the only CD's that i'll put in are original music CD's...

Always better to be safe than sorry!

[theoloyla]

My mate and SEDA member Martin Catt has run a huge mobile videodisco since the 80's. He claims to have been the first DVD mobile disco in the world. He uses a 42" plasma and 4 other big monitors with a massive sound system and fantastic light show. It takes him and 2 roadies and it has to be seen to be truly appreciated. He tends only to do large gigs, corporate functions and work for radio stations etc. He uses a computer and all sorts of other technical wizardry to show pictures and stuff on his screens. His website is www.blackcattdvddisco.co.uk.

[jamesh]

Not bad with prices starting from £350 too.... when reading you post theo i thought it was going to start at something like £800

[colinm345]

Not bad with prices starting from £350 too.... when reading you post theo i thought it was going to start at something like £800

Quite right when we bought ours it was £1500 and a replacement bulb was some £350!!!:)

[theoloyla]

Quite right when we bought ours it was £1500 and a replacement bub was some £350!!!:)
Yes I think Martin takes the view that he will advertise a "starting from" price to stop the idiots who are ringing around for a £150 disco. Also many companies advertise prices as "from" such and such a price but then when you actually come to it the real price for what you want is a lot more.

[LILLYSTONE]

I used to take a projector to gigs, i would project my contact details phone no. etc Happy birthday messages or congratulations to the bride and groom sometime projecting pics of birthday boy/girl, or new years eve projected a big clock.
I've still got the kit but don't really use it any more as I nearly always go out to gigs on my own now without roady. so it just saves time setting it up.

It did take a lot of space on stage as well, and some venues were not big enough to set it up properly.
Now i have a new deckstand i might try it again hanging the projector off the lighting rig.

[wensleydale]

Yes I think Martin takes the view that he will advertise a "starting from" price to stop the idiots who are ringing around for a £150 disco. Also many companies advertise prices as "from" such and such a price but then when you actually come to it the real price for what you want is a lot more.

given that the video part seems to be a big selling point for him i cant see why he doesnt use a projector as 42" plasmas actually arent that big nowadays are they???

[pdarnett]

Now that sound a great idea:)

Just wrote some software to do just that, use it as sort of a photo guestbook so guests can send their pics and it builds a collage on the big screen

[BrightLights]

The downside to using a projector is you then have all sorts of issues of needing space behind you (if using rear projection) or in front (if front projection) and issues of where best to set up the projector etc...

That's pretty much what's been putting me off. I wasn't really thinking of doing music videos, or charging extra for it - just a "nice to have" extra really, but if the crowd don't expect it and wouldn't particularly appreciate it (in the same way that 99% of people don't care about lighting as long as there is some), then it's probably not worth the additional aggro. Shame though, because I'd probably enjoy mucking about with it :)

[DMX Will]

I agree with whats been said. You need more than flashy abstract visuals.

I've got two "homemade" rear projection screens, and we project from behind, you need about a 3m distance behind which isn't too bad.

However, we don't use them at all gigs, as it's an added extra, I don't get involved with it too much tbh, as we've got a specialist guy who I subcontract for each evening. He arrives with a very impressive list of kit including:
4x 14" TVs for video monitoring/previewing
2x HP 3700 Lumen projectors
Panasonic Video Mixer (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Panasonic-MX50-WJ-MX50-PAL-Video-Mixer_W0QQitemZ270127566144QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3319 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohos ting)
Dedicated PC just for running visuals (as we incorporate them as well)

I've recently got some DVDs with music videos on, and also I use my iPod with a docking station with S-video out (buy music videos from iTunes)

Music videos is generally very stressful I find, as you've got more inputs etc to worry about, cueing up an ipod/DVD isn't fun either!

[jamesh]

Music videos is generally very stressful I find, as you've got more inputs etc to worry about, cueing up an ipod/DVD isn't fun either!

That why you need virtual dj :D you can do you audio / videos / flashy abstract visuals all from the same system! It can be set up to be as if you were just cueing up new audio tracks but if there is a video with it it will play it on the screen... If not it will display funky visuals or a slide show of pictures or what ever you choose it to do.

[DMX Will]

That why you need virtual dj :D you can do you audio / videos / flashy abstract visuals all from the same system! It can be set up to be as if you were just cueing up new audio tracks but if there is a video with it it will play it on the screen... If not it will display funky visuals or a slide show of pictures or what ever you choose it to do.

Not really possible as the DVDs (i expect) are protected, and getting an iTunes video into something along the lines of AVI/WMV would be a barrel of laughs!

I've also got someone to do that with physical equipment, I just need a better way of cueing up the iPod and DVD. I think I might have to buy one of the Numark DVD players, that can actually cue up for me properly.

[jamesh]

Not really possible as the DVDs (i expect) are protected, and getting an iTunes video into something along the lines of AVI/WMV would be a barrel of laughs!

Not if you buy the DVD's that are for professional DJ use!!! I've had no problem ripping them for use with Virtual DJ.