Video Equipment
AV involves equipment such as a Projector, Cables, a Cloth, a Lens, and a Source.
Video Input - equipment are; Cameras, DVD players, Computers, Laptops, Barcode readers, and many more devices.
Video Output - devices are; TV screens, Video walls, Projectors, Desktops, Laptops
Projectors
To be able to complete a projection mapping you need a projector to be able to display the image or video. This is the most vital part of the process as you need a projector to display the final project
Connecting a sound desk
To connect a sound desk you need cables for the Input, EQ, Monitors, and Main faders (volume).
Projection surface
Projection surfaces are what an AV is projected onto. This could be a building, a screen, a sports projector, an entertainment venue, a product, and more.
The components of a projector are:
1. Lamp Cover
2. Exhaust vent
3. Focus rung
4. Lens cover
5. Lens
6. Zoom ring
7. Remote receiver
8. Front adjustable foot
9. Air filter cover + vent
10. Vertical lens shift dial
11. Horizontal lens shift dial
12. Control pane
Vision Mixer
A vision mixer is a device used to compile multiple video sources to create visual effects. Mixers also can generate a variety of transitions ranging from the simplest to the most complex transition possible for the device. Mixers are used in live TV, including outdoor broadcasting.
Cables
AV needs multiple different cables to run as each one has a different purpose.
VGA Cable
A VGA cable can be put into a projector to transfer videos only. The two blue prongs at the side turn and tighter to lock the cable into the projector.
SDI Cable
An SDI cable transfers videos only. It is most commonly used in tv and broadcasting. You also need a special adaptor to go into the top of the cable.
HDMI Cable
A HDMI cable can go straight into a projector or TV, and can transfer video and audio
DVA Cable
A DVA cable transfers video only and is very similar to a VGA cable, except it holds more of a rectangular shape, rather than a trapezial shape
Display Port
A Display port can transfer video and audio from one device to a streaming device
Set up and process
There is a process for all things electrical, including the setup of a projector. With the setup of a projector, there is also a process of the power flow that is needed for a projector to work.
The process of a projector
The Process of connecting a projector starts with a power source, this could be any electrical plug that plugs into a laptop or monitor. Then the output source needs a cable connection to the projector, this could be an HDMI cable. Then the projector needs a light source and a magnifying glass to project the image or video
Projection Mappings
Projection-Mapping is a projection onto any surface, whether it is flat, curved, or any shape. this means that common objects or buildings can be illuminated in a display of lights.
MadMapper is a software that is used for AV design, and projections, mainly for LED and laser mapping. MadMapper is a fast and user-friendly tool, adaptable to a variety of uses like architectural projection, art installation, and stage design. I used Mad Mapper for my AV War horse projection project and this was my experience using it and how to use it.
To use MadMapper easily you need to first set up your projector, and once it is set up and on you can connect it to MadMapper. Once the projector was connected to the monitor we were going to be using and powered on, we could open Mad Mapper and create the outline of the screen we were projecting onto. This step was important and took quite a bit of time as our screen was not a simple rectangle shape, it had uneven ends and almost no straight lines, this meant we had to individually move the projection area on Mad Mapper to fit our screen. Next, we uploaded the video we had created from QLab to Mad Mapper and made sure that the resolution of the video was the correct number of 1920-1200, this was important as the projector can only play a video of a certain resolution. Once we had done this, we played the video through the projector to see what the next steps we had to take were. The next step was to scale the video, this means that the video shape had to be changed from a rectangle to the shape of our projection screen. Similar to what we did on Mad Mapper, every member of our group had a go at manually shaping the video to fit the screen, including zooming the video in or out depending on the size after we had scaled the video image. In this part of the project, I felt a bit uncertain as there was a lot of information being taken in quickly due to an earlier problem with connecting the projector to the monitor during the setup.
Balancing Light
Lighting is very important as the angle of light is essential to make sure that the projection is not disrupted and can be seen throughout the entire venue.
To make sure a projection on a theatre stage is not disrupted by the lighting design of the show, you can design the lighting using side lights, footlights, top lights, isolation lighting, and other lighting techniques that can illuminate the stage without shining on the projection. This is because the screen you are projecting onto, whether it is a backdrop or a prop downstage needs a dark backdrop with no light actively shining on it as it can make the projection defective as the audience will not be able to see it, similar with actors on stage the projector needs to be placed high enough to make sure that the projection does not go onto them as it can ruin the effect the projector is trying to give.
Once your projector is on the stage but there is an actor on stage, you need to adjust the floor alignment of the spotlight on the actor to stop the light from spilling onto the projection. Sources 4s are capable and are good to use with projections as the shutters can cut off any light that may be on the projections. You can also utilize the toplight to prevent spills on the projection by angling the lights downstage, so they shine slightly onto the audience. Isolation Lighting can also be used to only illuminate the key point on stage while having the rest of the stage dark, this is to not disrupt the projection which may be taking up the rest of the stage.