Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Projecting a JPG pic file thru a video projector

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 02-08-2010, 08:49 PM:

Problem -- I am handed a .JPG file and told they want to RP screen project it during a show. I need to get that file into a format that the video projector likes. First thing I though of was just puting it in PowerPoint and feed that to the projector via VGA from a laptop. BUT, if I can avoid having to have a stage hand dealing with a computer during a show, I think I would feel better about it.

I am thinking just burn it to a DVD and be done with it. DVD player is lower tech than dealing with a laptop. Thing is, what's the best way to convert that file to a video that can be burned to a DVD for playback? I need this thing to play on the screen for max, 15min.

This is for a memorial to Rex Nettelford, founder and director of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica when they do their concert here in March. His picture will be revealed for the last curtain call. It just a simple projection, but obviously for such a solemn moment, it CANNOT get screwed up. The idea of a stagehand needing to load PowerPoint or in anyway futzing with a laptop is too fraught with danger.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 02-08-2010, 09:50 PM:

That's easily done in with most editing software. Make a slide show out of it and add that to a movie file.

Nero sometimes does not like doing that though for some odd reason so you may need to paste the slideshow file in a few times to get the duration you're looking for.

FWFW, I use Nero 9.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 02-09-2010, 03:57 AM:

...or go low-tech.

Shoot a screen cap onto transparency and drop it into a carousel.

I know this wont use the video projector as the output device, but at the very least it will be a perfect failsafe backup.

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 02-09-2010, 07:30 AM:

Does anyone still make slides? Can they be made from digital camera files, or even JPG files?

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 02-09-2010, 07:42 AM:

http://www.slides.com/

I am not affiliated with them, but have used the service and been happy with the results.

Some camera stores and photo labs offer this service as well.

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 02-09-2010, 07:59 AM:

Wow, thanks Scott.

Posted by Richard P. May (Member # 3598) on 02-09-2010, 09:39 AM:

Frank - After reading your inquiry, I went to one of my random pictures. I highlighted it's file name, and at the top of the screen there is a selection that says "Burn". Clicking on that says "Burn to Disc", and opens the tray for a blank.
This is in a computer with Windows 7.
I should think that will work.

DM

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 02-09-2010, 11:18 AM:

It would depend on the DVD player; many will play a disk that simply has some picture files on it, but some, especially older ones, will not. It's not part of the DVD spec to be able to do so. My early Toshiba, which finally packed up recently certainly wouldn't, but then it wouldn't do many things that later models would.

If it will play; there's also no way to predict exactly what it will do; it might play the same picture continuously, or play the last (only) picture for a few seconds and then go to a blank screen, or a system menu (one from the machine, not the disc).

Give it a try, it would be the quickest way to do it if it works, but leave time to do it another way if it doesn't.

You wouldn't be able to do this if you were sending the disc to somebody with an unknown player, but since you can test it on the machine that will be used then if it works fine. It's proably worth testing in on two players, just in case one fails just before the show.

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 02-09-2010, 04:03 PM:

What kind of projector are you using? What does it have for inputs?

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 02-09-2010, 11:16 PM:

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to try buring the jpg file directly to the DVD and see if that works. If the video gods are smiling on me and the projector works, then I'll be lucky. If not I'll just have to make a video if it.

Sean, it's a Sharp XG-NV6XU and it has VGA Computer RGB, Component R/G/B/Sync/VD, Component P(r)/Y/P(b), RS232C, S-Video and C-Video.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 02-11-2010, 01:02 AM:

slide makers in perth WA

Churchill Colour Laboratories
288 Railway Pde, West Leederville, WA, 6007

I created Jpg stills for video in a simple movie maker program , designed the pic then added it to the time line for the desired length on movie timeline then created MPG file of the still load onto server and bingo done.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 4784) on 02-12-2010, 11:13 AM:

Scott N: wow, thanks for the link. Having several slides printed by this company and shipped via Fedex from the US is actually cheaper than having one single slide made over here...

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 02-12-2010, 04:46 PM:

Note: if you are using a laptop computer to feed the projector, make sure that you turn off all the sleep modes, and the screen saver. You do not want the computer going to sleep, or the screen saver poping up at the wrong time.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 02-14-2010, 08:27 PM:

HAHA...thanks Bruce -- yah, been burned with that once already. OR, I could use the Slide Show screen saver and only have that .jpg image in it.....hehe. I love thwarting smart-ass computers. [beer]

Posted by Mark Hajducki (Member # 1732) on 03-01-2010, 07:00 AM:

If the projector has a freeze function it may be worth using this once the image is stable on screen.

If making a video DVD make the recording far longer than you could possibly need. Relying on the pause button on the DVD player is dangerous as a lot of DVD players unpause after some time.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 03-01-2010, 01:43 PM:

The Denon DN -V310 has a feature where you can set any jpeg file as it's "screensaver" which will stay up for unlimited time.

Check you dvd player manual to see if it has a similar facility.

Posted by John Lasher (Member # 968) on 03-02-2010, 11:53 AM:

You could put it on a DVD as one looping 20-30 min video, or as a menu with no buttons and no timeout.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 03-05-2010, 11:54 AM:

Thanks guys. That exactly what I did, John -- down and dirty, used Windows Movie Maker, took the .jpg in as a still picture and just kept adding them with no transitions until I got about 30 minutes. All we need on the screen is about 60 seconds tops. The DVD goes in the player, the image pops up, no menu, no nothing, just the still. Perfect.

Actually it is for our weekend performance this Sat & Sun of the National Dance Theatre of Jamaica. Its founder and choreographer, Rex Nettleford, passed away last week and we want to rear screen project his image "In Memoriam" at the curtain call so the dancers can acknowledge him. As you can imagine, the dancers and even our own staff, are pretty effected by this. The company has performed on our stage every season since the 80s, so he and the dancers are personally known to most of us.

Everyone wants this cue to go off without a hitch; I am sure it will - curtain in, curtain out, dancers bow, bows done, traveler behind them flys, lights dim, RP is in place reveiling the picture of Rex, dancers split and turn to the picture and gesture. I am sure it will be a very emotional moment.

Posted by John Lasher (Member # 968) on 03-05-2010, 08:53 PM:

I would recommend doing at least one rehearsal with the projection in place a) to spot any potential problems before they arise (i.e. focus, framing, aspect ratio of projector), and b) so the performers will have a chance to become accustomed to the appearance of the picture.