magnusdahlstrand/videowall

Ongoing live video project utilising 6 old screens & projectors

VideoWall

Setup

git clone https://github.com/mdahlstrand/videowall.git

See READMEs in chip and raspberrypi for device specific information.

Tools

Video - resize, crop and cut videos into segments

Playback - fullscreen playback on raspberry pi

Setup - setup scripts for devices (work begun on CHIP so far)

So far there has been one public performance, a 12h shuffled video display with 6 chained screens.

The project is set to release a new 12h performance every quarter.

videowall's Issues

Setup CHIPs

• Powering
• Flashing (due to cable issues - use a good one in a USB2 port/through hub)
• Setup baseline
• Draw to framebuffer from headless
• Turn off wifi power management
• Document setup process
• Composite output
• Create own flashable image

One computer, six screens

Theory
Raspberry PI (composite output)
Chain TVs using their outputs

Materials

• 6x RCA/BNC cables
• 11x BNC/RCA converters
  The converters proved cheaper, BNC at all kept for signal quality.

Installation
Works well, ran for 12 hours, great response.
1 screen was chained with 2 connectors and RCA cable, which worked well. Use this for all next time, as cables are cheaper and neater.
Powering the PI was difficult, hub & 5V/2A charger worked

Power CHIPs

2A recommended, but stable 1.5A could be fine.

http://www.chip-community.org/index.php/Care_and_Feeding#Power

Cheap USB chargers tested don't work, some less cheap do.

*Alternatives:

• LiPO
• Powered hub
• Queso DIP
• 5V 2A power circuit (with 12V converters)
• TV internal power
• 5V/2A power supply (not USB)

Power TVs

Kettle leads work well, but the necessary mains extension takes up room.
Could TVs be chained?

TV upgrade

• IEC connection
• RCA connections for in & out
• CHIP inside
• USB port
• Microphone
• Internal / external video switch
• Off-board video processing
• Sync
• Power off

Virtual UI

Arrange virtual screens (use position as values)
Preview media
Adjust global and per screen parameters
Control off-board effects unit

One computer per screen

6 screens, 5 CHIPs (...)