Visualiser/Projector Problem

[chris11256]

Evening all,

 

We have some staff who are fanatic visualiser users, however we keep getting strange problems. All classrooms are either a Sony VPL-SW536 or 526 projector, some also have an Elmo L-12id visualiser. So the computers VGA connection to the projector runs through the visualiser.

 

The visualisers are already very sensitive to the PC display resolution(all rooms are set to duplicate display). Anything higher than 1366x768 causes the projector to go instantly blank(as if there's nothing connected at all), bypassing the visualiser instantly resolves the problem. 1 or 2 rooms also have a problem where the entire display will disappear except from a thin line at the top of the screen. These problems only occur when the visualiser is connected. I've tried replacing cables and looking at the very limited settings on the visualiser itself(they're set to VGA & WXVGA) on the physical switch on the side). It's a problem I've been scratching my head over for a few months now. So if anyone has any advice it'd be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

Edited January 11, 2020 by chris11256

[6Foot2]

Removed: Upon further consideration, I don't think my suggestion would work.

 

Sorry.

 

Edited January 11, 2020 by 6Foot2
It won't work.

[chris11256]

Hi Dave,

 

I'll see if I've got any and give it a go. Monitors are Displayport anyway.

 

Also the problem is only when displaying the computer, if you actually use the visualiser it displays normally, as it does if the computer is set to extended display mode.

Edited January 11, 2020 by chris11256

[SamanthaD]

Are you connecting via HDMI or VGA? If HDMI I'm wondering if the cable length from PC > Visualiser > Projector is too long, hence only supporting limited bandwidth of 1366 x 768? Perhaps try connecting a monitor on the HDMI out of the visualiser with a shorter HDMI cable and see if you can replicate the problem?

[chris11256]

it's all VGA only i'm afraid.

[win]

An easy solution is to get rid of those projector based visualisers and use a USB visualiser.

 

The visualiser will output to the PC which is connected only to the projector + monitor. No need for complicated VGA cabling, you can even upgrade from VGA to HDMI as the visualiser doesn't connect to the projector, just USB to PC

 

Here is an example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/HUE-black-USB-camera-Windows/dp/B000TTIP40?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

[LeMarchand]

Are all the monitors exactly the same? I was wondering if the machines are picking up the monitors and thinking, "Cool! Set res to all the pixels!" and then the visualisers just give up. Do you have any older VGA monitors you could test with? If that's the problem, while it's not recommended, apparently you can script a fixed resolution using VB.

[chris11256]

An easy solution is to get rid of those projector based visualisers and use a USB visualiser.

 

The visualiser will output to the PC which is connected only to the projector + monitor. No need for complicated VGA cabling, you can even upgrade from VGA to HDMI as the visualiser doesn't connect to the projector, just USB to PC

 

Here is an example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/HUE-black-USB-camera-Windows/dp/B000TTIP40?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

 

Tell me about it! Unfortunately the member of staff who declared that everyone has visualisers is adament that they're completely independant of the computer. So any connected via USB result a sternly worded email from him to SLT about disruption to learning.

Edited January 14, 2020 by chris11256

[chris11256]

Are all the monitors exactly the same? I was wondering if the machines are picking up the monitors and thinking, "Cool! Set res to all the pixels!" and then the visualisers just give up. Do you have any older VGA monitors you could test with? If that's the problem, while it's not recommended, apparently you can script a fixed resolution using VB.

 

 

They are all the same, newish 1080P Dell monitors, in theory the visualisers do claim to be HD.

 

However I've got a VGA input selector from Amazon arriving today. So my idea is to have both devices completely seperate, with teachers just changing which input they want to use on the selector box thing.

[SamanthaD]

This is how we do it, Switcher / Scaler goes in between PC and Projector so other devices can easily be added in such as a visualiser, laptop, blu ray player etc. If you start to go HDMI make sure you get one with EDID management so the devices still think they're connected to a display when they're not being used - saves PC's etc constantly going from single display to dual display which can cause frustration!