THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

By Kevin Craske (Area 9).

It is well known now that we were launched into producing AV`s after seeing some impressive presentations at the CRC AGM`s. It is also known that financial considerations meant that we had to make use of already existing equipment and then resorting to the use of a soldering iron to make the rest. It has been really rewarding that we received one comment that someone had seen other examples of the electronics which was the same as I had built but ours was the only one which he had seen that worked. It was unfortunate that our last production hiccuped at the last moment, although we have now concluded that this was because the rotary reels were not fully loaded and thus out of balance. A simple cure would be brought about by loading the empty slots with blanks.

Our present set up uses electronics which are fairly standard and thus has a limitation which is impossible to overcome using the principle involved. It is only possible to control two slide projectors. This gives rise to two limitations which we met when preparing our production about market day at Fakenham. We wanted to superimpose a caption on top of an existing slide - this bit was OK, two slide projectors, and then cross fade to a completely different slide. Thus we would have had to have a third projector. First impossibility. Also we wanted to do some pretty nifty slide changes and we were operating at the speed limit of the projectors. Two ways to help . Have projectors with faster changes, but this would have only marginally improved matters, or have at least one more projector and again we meet the impossibility of not being able to control the third projector.

What is the cure?

A system which can control 3 or more projectors is required but have you seen the cost of such a system ready built? - They must be kidding. To do what we want would cost £1000 up-wards for only the basic requirements. Back to the soldering iron.

We are now looking at electronics which will be able to control at least 4 projectors and possibly up to 16. This uses a completely different system of recording the information on the tape to control the projectors. This is called `time code`, a system which is used in professional set ups. This allows very precise editing of the timing and sequence AFTER making the original recording. Unlike the system we use at present which if you wish to change some sequences or timing after making the recording you have to start all over again, the all singing new system allows you to just alter one little bit. The system uses not one but two micro-processors to control everything, one of which is a computer in itself. It has the ability of storing the projector effects sequence in it`s own memory not on tape although the whole sequence can be recorded on tape. The system has the ability to communicate with a standard IBM computer which although is not vital may well prove helpful for long sequences. To enhance the equipment we really need to have a multi-track recorder so that stereo sound can be retained.

Of course another projector or two would be required and this completes the system.

Now the electronics I am battling with and I think that I am beginning to understand what goes on and what to do. The projectors, well I have two Kindermans and I am fairly happy with them but as to the tape recorder! I must say that the Wide Screen Centre came to mind and Ron Croad confirmed my suspicion. Recently we went to London and as luck would have it we stayed at a hotel not 200 yards away from the Wide Screen Centre and so we went in. I can only say they were very helpful and recommended staying with Kinderman projectors as they have very little trouble with them and are easy to modify, something which I can confirm. They also put me right with the information I required concerning the tape recorder.

So there it is. We want to produce slick presentations which will require at least 3 projectors accompanied with stereo sound. The electronics I would like to build and we would have to purchase at least one extra projector although it would be very nice to have all the projectors the same so at least 3 and probably 4 new projectors would be required. A multi-track tape recorder and it`s `All Systems Are Go`. Projects in line are "A year in the life of our local Nursery School`, "A year in the life of a local drama society", "AV presentation of a song by Chris De Burgh - A Spaceman".

As you can see,no lack of ideas.

Will we go ahead? Can we afford it? Have we got enough time? Will Bat Man save the world? perhaps it`s a case of watch this space.