Remote slide advancers

T

todd.roat

Would like to revisit my phobia of remote control slide advancers from
about a year ago. Had tried a couple a little over a year ago but had
varyign reults and problems I would like to forget.

Naturally, conference speakers would like to control the advancement of
their own slides. With all the different and varying hotel ballroom
environments we would encounter issues where either the slide would not
advance or, worse, would advance on their own. Wirelss frequesncy
issues? Hotel walkie talkie interference? Who knows? We heard all
kinds of reasons from hotle AV staff but the bottom line was that we no
longer trusted the tehcnology back then.

Since my neck was on the line, thrown in as learn by seat of pants
conferenc eguy, I came up with an archaic yet bullet proof system. We
have 2 laptops with the presentations on them. Laptops connected to
digitial switch box. Speaker holds an old fashioned simple slide
projector style control button (forward, advance) that is connected to
a simple Cue light sitting on our tech table during the show. Speaker
hits advance, we get a little green light and we manuually advance
thier slide on the laptop. Othe laptop advances manually as well. In
case one laptop freaks out and has issues, we just switch box over to
the othe rone that is alreasy in the right spot since its advancing in
sunch with the other one. Additionally, the speaker has the "sense"
that he is controlling own slides.

This has been bullet proof. The few times we have had Powerpoint or
the laptop freeze, for whatever reason, this switch over has saved the
day - transparant to the audience with split seond delay time. Boss is
happy ;^)

However, as we grwo, we increasingly encounter veteran guest speakers
who look at us funny when told they cannot advace their own slides,
technically. They report never having had issues with remote control
slide advancement before.

What gives? Could that be true? Why had we, eventually, had issues
with wireless communication between the remote and the laptop? Why had
they over there many many talks never encountered an issue? Is there
new technology that eliminates this sisue? Is it a particular name
brand of new controller? Should we just leave well enough alone and
stick with old system that works or consider newer better remote
technology? Thoughts? Experiences? Anecdotes?

Todd
 
T

Troy @ TLC Creative

Hi Todd,

As a veteran of the corporate meeting industry I can tell you your cue-light
setup is the industry standard. You may not be using the terminology
speakers are familiar with hearing or the exact equipment, so that may be
throwing them off a bit. Only in very rare and extreme instances does the
speaker actually have control of the show computer (ie. where they advance
the slides).

Here the two cue light systems I recommend:
- PerfectCue http://dsan.com/CueLights/CueLights.asp (this is the one I own)
- MasterCue V5 http://www.interspaceind.co.uk/products/mastercuev5.html

With both systems you can setup a wireless AND wired transmitter (tape wired
to podium so one is always there). Both do have the ability to interface
with the computer and advance the slides (although this option is rarely
used). Both have sound out so you can not only see the cue light, but have a
tone ring in your ear to trigger a Pavlovian-type reaction to advance the
slide.

In addition, running a primary and backup computer is perfect. I run the
backup computer one click ahead of the primary so I always know what is
coming next (another build, new slide, multimedia, end of show, etc.). I run
a wireless remote to advance both computers simultaneously (vs. manually
advancing the computers) - note: this is for me, backstage, to advance the
computers, not the speaker. I have used many of the remotes on the market
and like the response time and reliability of the Interlink Navigator
(http://www.interlinkelectronics.com/). Purchase two and sync the receivers
to one remote, so both computers advance with one remote (I have setup 9
computers to all advance simultaneously for a larger multiscreen show).

Hope this is helpful information.

--
Best Regards,
Troy Chollar
TLC Creative Services, Inc.
www.tlccreative.com
troy at tlccreative dot com
==============================
A Microsoft PowerPoint MVP
==============================
 
T

TAJ Simmons

Both have sound out so you can not only see the cue light, but have a tone
ring in your ear to trigger a Pavlovian-type reaction to advance the
slide.

Or wake up the operator!!! <g>
The deluxe models have a volume control for the 'tone' with optional mp3
player as backup


TAJ
 
T

todd.roat

Troy,

Thanks for the thorough response. I actually feel better that out of
survival instinct I came up with a solution that was industry standard.
I have a Navigator remote I use for smaller informal shows, will
consider incorporating it for my own sake.

My next battle is to battle speakers who want to bring their own laptop
and just plu and go... thoughts on that potential recipe for disaster.
Im working with physicians here, they dont like to be told "no."

Thanks again!
 
T

todd.roat

Troy,

Thanks for the thorough response. I actually feel better that out of
survival instinct I came up with a solution that was industry standard.
I have a Navigator remote I use for smaller informal shows, will
consider incorporating it for my own sake.

My next battle is to battle speakers who want to bring their own laptop
and just plu and go... thoughts on that potential recipe for disaster.
Im working with physicians here, they dont like to be told "no."

Thanks again!
 
T

TAJ Simmons

Todd,
My next battle is to battle speakers who want to bring their own laptop
and just plu and go... thoughts on that potential recipe for disaster.
Im working with physicians here, they dont like to be told

My advice would be to explain to the speakers, that you'd prefer to do it
your way because of XYZ, and if they still insist on doing it their way,
then let the "risk" be on their shoulders.

Cheers
TAJ
 
M

Max

Hi Todd

For controlling PowerPoint I use the Gyromouse presenter.
www.gyration.com


I have set a Gyromouse Presenter up, laptop with rear projection to cover
international conferences; speakers range from government ministers, chief
executives of global corparations and as you know medics are the most
demanding. I therefore do not need hassle from unreliable equipment in a high
pressure situation.

At the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, I have controlled a
PowerPoint presentation by watching a CCTV monitor in the sub-basement, 5
floors below the auditorium; presenting to 2000 delagates. Its a powerful
signal.


Guest Computer

I have installed many Guest computer systems in conference venues. A speaker
arrives with his own computer and wants to connect it to the projection
system. I use an outo detecting VGA signal switcher, the Kramer VP-211DS. The
computers VGA output is connected to a fly cable which is hard wired to the
switcher. When the guest computer is booted up the switcher sences the video
signal and switches from the house computer to the guest computer
automatically.

Like you we have a back up computer for failsafe.

With the systems above we have moved away from the speaker shouting out in
the darkness, 'Next slide PLEASE !'

regards
Max

http://www.kramerelectronics.com


www.Kramer



www.gyration.com
 
T

Terry Irwin

Harsh words! As a physician, well actually a surgeon, I
can confirm that "no" is a term that has no meaning to me!
Actually the truth is that the speaker is usually writing
his presentation right up to the point he/she gets up to
speak.

I use a Navigator as well. It is really excellent though
once or twice I have found the range to be a problem. Of
course it needs its own software on older operating
systems which can be a problem. The techies sometimes lock
systems down so that you can't install it...bless 'em!

Terry
 

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