projectors Archives - RTR PROductions

Things I’ve learnt working at RTR #1 – Withered Flowers

Posted By: Joe Sexton
July 27, 2017

Working at RTR Productions is great, you get to see a lot of innovative technology solutions being used to solve adhoc problems for clients. This is mostly with audio video and lighting systems but also includes control systems, media streaming, staging and… well almost anything, I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say “we don’t do that”.

There is a lot of planning that goes into production projects and in most cases, RTR stages a full run down of the equipment used at the Melbourne warehouse. This is why RTR has such good flow when bumping in on site.

Over the last few months, I’ve been working with the RTR Installation team that is headed up by Matthew Withey. Similar to the Productions team, the Installation team work on adhoc, custom solutions which require careful planning and attention to detail. They are also similar to the production team in that they get to work at some pretty amazing buildings around Melbourne. This is what I’d like to mention in this post.

I’ve been completely blown away by some of the architecture and venues we’ve been installing equipment in. The one venue I’d like to highlight this month is from the Melbourne University. I had the absolute pleasure of working with the guys from Soundcorp who installed a face recognition camera in one of the main lecture theatres, the camera identifies the lecturer and automatically follows them on stage, the video feed is then projected onto large screens behind the lectern and around the theatre, it’s pretty amazing to see working. The theater is massive in size and hosts seats for about 500 students.

The thing that really caught my eye was the wall paper which is a beautiful piece of art by Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel called Withered Flowers. Together, Job and Nynke created a handful of eccentric and quirky wallpapers, The Withered Flowers pieces is by far my favorite. It was exciting to see Melbourne University using some high tech which was beautifully camouflaged by the Withered Flowers wall paper.

Job and Nynke created seven pieces in total which you can see here.

Resolution VS Screen Ratio

Posted By: Joe Sexton
July 12, 2017

I’m normally not someone that writes blogs but quite often I get asked about projectors, screen, displays, monitors, TV etc. However, I believe lots of people are a little confused between resolution and screen ratio.

Last week I got told from an old school friend that 16:9 is better than 4:3. “I’m not quite sure what you mean” I told him, do you mean you prefer the ratio 16:9 VS 4:3 or do you think the quality (resolution) is better on a 16:9 screen?

He told me that “a projector that projects an image on 16:9 is higher resolution than a projector that projects a 4:3 image as 16:9 is WXGA and 4:3 is XGA”.
I really like my friend and I didn’t want to have a heated discussion or even worst an argument so I told him, “on this one mate we have to agree to disagree!”
Here is the way I see it. (I hope my friend will read this one day)

The aspect ratio of a screen/image can be 4:3, 16:9, 16:10 etc. and is the relationship between the width and the height of the screen/image. Doesn’t matter how big or small the screen/image is, and if it is in mm, cm, metres, inches etc if the width is divided into units of equal length (for example on a 16:9 is divided by 16) and the height is measured using this same length unit, the height will be measured to be 9 units.

The display resolution of a projector, Digital TV, computer monitor etc, is the number of pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. This is to put it in a very simple contest and explanation, so even my friend can understand it!

It is normally written as width × height,(I think that’s where my friend got confused) with the units in pixels: for example, “1280 × 800” means the width is 1280 pixels and the height is 800 pixels. This is sometimes called “twelve-eighty by eight-hundred”

Another meaning of “display resolution” is for displays such as plasma display panels, LCD, DLP projectors and similar technologies, and is simply the number of columns and rows of pixels creating the display (e.g. 1920 × 1080).

So to end this brief blog, if you like an image 16:9 better than a 4:3 because you like that ratio better, that’s great but remember a 4:3 image can be of higher resolution that a 16:9 image, for example UXGA (1600 x 1200) 4:3 image VS HD720 (1280 x 720) 16:9 image.

Please have a look at the Vector Video Standard image below. (please note I did not make the drawing below, I got it from the net)

Should any of you have a friend like me and wants some help in clarify some details, please do not hesitate to email me at cris@rtrproductions.com.au

New Product: Atlona HDMI over Cat 5

Posted By: Joe Sexton
April 23, 2015

RTR Productions are now stocking a range of HDMI over cat 5 solutions, along with our inventory of HDMI-SDI and VGA Cat 5 transmission solutions we now have multiple solutions for running high resolution video from point A to point B via simple transmit and receive boxes.

Need some help planning your next vision set-up call our friendly team on 03 9381 0530.

Atlona HD-TX and HD-RX specs:

Long distance HDMI extension

Transmits HDMI signals up to 230 ft (70 m) @ 1080P and 130 ft (40 m) @ 4K/UHD using CAT6a/7 cable
Uses easy-to-integrate category cable for low-cost, reliable system installation

Power over Category cable for remote-powered HDBaseT receiver

Provides remote power to Atlona HDRX Series and HDWP Series receivers over the same category cable used for AV and control signals
Eliminates local AC outlet required at receiver, cleans up the installation behind displays, plus saves time and integration costs

Multi-channel audio compliant

Supports PCM, Dolby^® Digital, Dolby Digital Plus™, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos^®, DTS Digital Surround™, and DTS-HD Master Audio™
Allows any multi-channel audio stream to be used within a professional audio system

CEC pass-through

Allows Consumer Electronics Control commands – if implemented – to pass between devices
Simplified user control of entire system with one remote

Resolution Cheat Sheet – RTR Tech Tip

Are you struggling to connect your HD output from your laptop into the XGA input on your projector and wonder why your images are stretched or skewed? Well the below reference chart may come in handy, remember its always best to try and keep your output resolution as close to the native resolution of your display (projector/LCD/etc).

For example in basic terms this means if you have a widescreen (16:9 or 16:10) output from a laptop but your projector or screen runs at a native resolution in 4:3 format the projector is going to have to process your image to fit the screen reducing the image quality.

A very common situation that is worth mentioning is if you have a projector running native WXGA (1280×800 16:10) rather than feeding it the highest output possible (most likely Full HD 1920×1080 16:9) the closest resolution could be HD 1280×720 resulting in less adjustments/processing inside the projector.

Remember the aim of the game is to keep the source resolution as close as possible to the output resolution.

The below list of standard resolutions may also come in handy to identify your nearest resolution.

4:3:

640 x 480 (VGA)

800 x 600 (SVGA)

1024 x 768 (XGA)

1280 x 960 (SXGA)

16:9:

1280 x 720 (HD TV)

1920 x 1080 (FULL HD TV)

3840 X 2160 (Ultra HD TV)

16:10:

1280×800 (WXGA)

1680×1050 (WUXGA)

Still struggling, RTR Productions have a range of adapters, converters, scalers, cables and more to help call us on 03 9381 0530 to discuss your specific set up.

Interactive Projection – Exciting use of technology

When it comes to technology, don’t close your eyes. You might miss something.

A new technology has been introduced to the market that is poised to change the way we interact with digital media. Meet the interactive projector.

exhibition floor

An interactive projector combines the ability to project a large image onto virtually any surface with the advanced technology of an interactive whiteboard. It has been considered a game-changer for several industries, especially the education and marketing segments.

For marketing professionals, it’s a no brainier. Picture this. You are sitting in the waiting room of your doctor’s office with a fussy child. On the floor is an image of a koi pond, with fish swimming by. You point it out to your child, who reaches down to touch it and the water ripples. It’s instantly mesmerizing and engaging. Then your message/brand appears from the murky depths for all eyes to see. And this scenario can play out on any floor, or wall in any waiting room or lobby for any industry across the globe.

As far as educational tools are concerned, this technology has the potential to change the way teachers and students communicate and interact altogether. In the past, educators were limited on what interactive whiteboards could be purchased based on price, size, and available space. Those in school systems who lack adequate funding may not be able to afford to purchase multiple whiteboards for different uses. However, with interactive projection, the entire projection area is now interactive. This space can be as large or as small as the educator needs it to be. It can be every size whiteboard it needs to be with just one piece of equipment.

The interactive projector has the ability to reach audiences, both old and new, in a fresh and exciting new way. RTR have interactive options for short term rental or permanent install for more information about the benefits of using interactive projectors in your business, please Call: 03 9381 0530