Author a DVD to switch off player at end

[goanna300]

My client has a clever theatre where the house lights turn on and projector switches off as soon as there is no video signal. Until now, staff have to hurry to turn off the DVD player so the audience won't be left in the dark.

I keep wondering if there might be a way to author a DVD to switch off the VCR! (After all, the remote's power-button is just another button. Menus can simulate the other buttons).

There may be other ways too; however I won't be building hardware SMPTE-reading, stuff.
I use DVD-LAb Pro.

Steve

[guns1inger]

The spec doesn't allow for this type of control, so it can't be done by authoring.

[BobK]

I'm pretty sure it can't be done via authoring. But some DVD players will turn off not long (20-30 minutes) after a DVD finishes playing. I only have one that does- a Pioneer 490V.

[guns1inger]

Most will time out and shutdown if the disc has stopped, so you could author so that the end action is to cease play after a title. It's not very user friendly for normal usage, but would suit your purpose. The issue is that the timeout for players varies, often cannot be controlled, and could be as short as 5 minutes, and as long as 20 minutes. Many players also throw up a screen saver type effect before powering off.

None of these solutions will give you instant power off after playback ceases. You really are looking at a specialised hardware solution.

[theewizard]

if your client has gone to all that trouble, switch him to a HTPC system, a batch file could be used to start the player software and send the correct control signal at the end of the movie

I don't have an example, but i'm sure it could be done, i used to work in industrial robotics and machine controls

[BJ_M]

use a dvd player that has rs232 control (not many out there - the sony 777es is real popular for this though) , pioneer industrial units also have rs232


OR


you can get an inexpensive rackups video sync relay that will trip a relay when it senses loss of sync (or better - loss of audio signal using the rackups audio sense relay)..

OR

you can burn (only works with some equipment) the IR serial data on the disk as pcm if you can do direct link -- does not work with IP carrier (40khz and up modulated signal)


i have some other methods also

[goanna300]

M...the house lights turn on and projector switches off as soon as there is no video signal...

The theatre's AV induction sensor already does the power switch thing. So I don't need to turn the DVD player off. However, there's a cheesy splash screen on the player's ROM which comes up as soon as there's no dvd disk output.
[I could always pull the new DVD player apart and attack the circuitry..]

I have a feeling there's no way to do this other than using an alternative to the DVD format. But that's for the next production for this client;where we'd probably go for HD, different projector and a hard drive-based solution.

Steve

[guns1inger]

The solution more likely lies in getting a specialist player. Try contacting some of the high-end retailers and specialists to see what is around and what sort of prices are involved.

If you are in Victoria you might want to talk to someone like these guys : http://www.mvs.com.au/

[BJ_M]

the pioneer dvd-v8000 or v7400 are the ones to use

[BJ_M]

you could just author a dvd with a black end chapter that loops also

[goanna300]

After looking at a number of simple electronics alternatives, I'm inclined to try a "vox"-type sound-activated relay to turn off the AV. Such a sound at the end of the DVD would in turn trigger the theatre's induction circuit and dim up the house lights while turning off the projector.
Now, the question is what kind of sound to use: a very low, inaudible one may work. -Or I could experiment with authoring the DVD using 5.1 sound so that the rear audio outputs do not go to the house speakers but contain a loud "beep!" at the end for relay-triggering. What do you all think?

[BJ_M]

not a very reliable method at all

since we control theaters and 100's of special effects all the time - we go for proven methods - like rs232 control with an alcorn mcbride show controller or at the least, a AMX controller (alcorn is better for show control though) , some use dataton systems also ... even our film projectors are electronic and completely controlled

[goanna300]

As I said, this client has an existing setup. The next production will use HD/HD and (Hi-Def & Hard Drive). But we're not there yet - and out of cash.

At present, client is happy with a near-perfect setup. Until I came along, they turned away hordes of AV producers bearing glossy brochures.

What I haven't said is that they're a charity working in the public health field. The visitor-centre and its film generates valuable revenue which saves lives in the desert. There are companies who will donate more kit. But hey, "if it ain't broken...."

What I'll maintain is that there'll always be a place for a solution that gets the job done. Which is something I've always found these forums are good at.
Surprisingly, the chaps at the local electronics store have been forthcoming with a myriad of ideas. from light-sensing solid state relays to finely-tuned timer kits. I'm quite sure I will fix the problem for under $50 and keep you all posted.

Steve