Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Help figuring out software and logistics of on screen ads...

This is topic Help figuring out software and logistics of on screen ads... in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Dillon Roberts (Member # 9299) on 01-17-2017, 02:32 PM:

Hello, this is my first post. I am an avid user of some other forum sites (not Cinema related).

I am a General Manager for a small company with 2 locations. We do our own local on screen ads. At our main location we just use our Barco projectors and GDC processors.

At the other location we have a contract with Sony and to use their equipment it will be an extra $1000 per screen. We are looking into adding another system next to the projector to display the ads. By the time we pay $10,000 per year it is worth it to invest in our own set up.

Does any one have any recommendations of a software that we would be able to load, schedule and communicate with a projector. Will most likely do high end office projectors. Thanks in advance!

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-17-2017, 02:50 PM:

Static images or full motion?

Is there any reason not to just make everything into a DCP and play it through the cinema projector?

Posted by Dillon Roberts (Member # 9299) on 01-17-2017, 03:03 PM:

We would have to pay a HHUUUUGGGGEEE fee to Sony if we did it that way.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-17-2017, 04:16 PM:

If you want fast and cheap, go with a Blu-Ray player at each screen. Make a self-looping disk for each auditorium, and change them out as needed. As much as I try to discourage people from using Blu-Ray as an exhibition format, it works well enough for this sort of application if all you want is looping content.

The next step up would be a digital signage player or a hard-disk or SSD video player. I am sure that someone else here will understand the digital signage market more than I do. For video players, look at the AJA Ki-Pro series and the Sound Devices Pix series. The rack-mount version of the AJA is RS422-controllable if you want to have a timed program started by your automation system (assuming that you have an automation system).

I don't know much about the current generation of tabletop video projectors. Maybe someone else does.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 01-17-2017, 04:47 PM:

quote: Dillon Roberts
We would have to pay a HHUUUUGGGGEEE fee to Sony if we did it that way.

Wow - just for advertizing? What about trailers for Movies? I understand you would have to pay for alternative content, but ads?

Anyway - what is your (flat) screen size and throw?

- Carsten

Posted by Dillon Roberts (Member # 9299) on 01-17-2017, 05:02 PM:

Thanks for the help, Scott. I will look into that.

Carsten, off of the top of my head I am not sure on throw. It is a pretty good distance.

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 01-17-2017, 05:17 PM:

If you're using one of those little hookup to your laptop type of projectors, you could probably just screw it to the ceiling somewhere close to your screen.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-17-2017, 05:30 PM:

quote: Frank Cox
If you're using one of those little hookup to your laptop type of projectors, you could probably just screw it to the ceiling somewhere close to your screen.

At least in the litigious environment of the US, this can be risky. If one has no training or experience in rigging, then it is probably best to not own the liability for this sort of work. If the machine falls and hits someone on the head, the resulting lawsuit would probably put the theatre out of business.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 01-17-2017, 06:22 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
If you want fast and cheap, go with a Blu-Ray player at each screen. Make a self-looping disk for each auditorium, and change them out as needed.

Even easier would be a media tank like a Popcorn Hour box. Just put the content on a USB stick. This way it's easy to use static ads or video, and you don't have to write a new disk for every change. This also allows you to use a variety of different video formats with having to do any conversions.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 7758) on 01-17-2017, 07:03 PM:

Justin, like this one?

I'm curious what anyone's used to author a Blu-ray disc. I've only used Adobe Encore, now frozen at the CS6 version, and it's got to be a pain to use for something so dynamic as pre-show ads.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 01-17-2017, 07:28 PM:

Bill, that should work, but it's probably overkill for the application. Although the ability to show 4K is a plus. We are using a lower version to play a lobby trailer look of 720p trailers pulled from YouTube. We just plug in a USB stick with the files and press play. Works just fine for our application.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 01-18-2017, 06:39 AM:

There are zillion ways to play videos or slides. The question is, what works reliable in a specific environment, also ruling in staff.

How do you prep the screen ads for the other location? In what formats do you get them? Will you play the same ads at both locations? Again, what is the screen size?

- Carsten