RE: [802SEC] Re: Wireless LCD Projectors for use at July plenary at HR-SF

["Rigsbee, Everett O" <everett.o.rigsbee@boeing.com>]

Roger,  My understanding is that the Epson 735c has a large chunk of on-board CF memory allowing it to buffer and refresh a substantial number of screen images with only single network file transfers.  Also the unit supposedly has an onboard PC-type processor capable of running an MS PowerPoint Viewer application so a whole *.PPT presentation can be loaded and played locally without further network transfers.  If anyone has had some actual experience with this unit, and can confirm or deny these claims, that would be most helpful.   :-)   

Thanx,  Buzz
Dr. Everett O. (Buzz) Rigsbee
Boeing - SSG
PO Box 3707, M/S: 7M-FM
Seattle, WA  98124-2207
(425) 865-2443    Fx: (425) 865-6721
everett.o.rigsbee@boeing.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Roger B. Marks [mailto:r.b.marks@ieee.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2003 2:54 PM
To: Rigsbee, Everett O
Cc: billq@attglobal.net; dawns@facetoface-events.com; darcel@facetoface-events.com; jennifer@facetoface-events.com; bheile@ieee.org; bob@airespace.com; p.nikolich@ieee.org; stuart.kerry@philips.com; tgodfrey@intersil.com; apetrick@parkervision.com; donbe@microsoft.com; stds-802-sec@ieee.org; stuart@ok-brit.com; hworstell@research.att.com; rrm@research.att.com; mjsherman@research.att.com; millardo@dominetsystems.com
Subject: RE: [802SEC] Re: Wireless LCD Projectors for use at July plenary at HR-SF

I am skeptical about how these things work. Most of our meeting 
images are static. If the software is smart enough to take advantage 
of the static images, it will probably be a minimal disruption to our 
networks. If, on the other hand, it's just constantly running an A to 
D convertor and throwing all the uncompressed D onto the LAN, then 
we'll indeed be wishing for 802.11e. I can imagine a great range of 
variability in how well these interfaces function. And also in how 
useful, or how annoying, the driver software is.

We have a well-defined interface, so let's use it. Instead of buying 
the network bundled in the projector, I'd prefer that we optimize the 
projector and interface separately. In other words, we should buy a 
separate wireless interface and try it out. This way, we could attach 
the interface to any of our projectors, depending on our need.

I checked the web and found two products like this. Both are under $300:
   http://linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=412
   http://linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=503

If we are going to venture into wireless projector control, I prefer 
this route.

Roger


At 5:19 PM -0400 03/07/01, <mjsherman@research.att.com> wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>
>So I'll add one more opinion to the pile.  I think it is important that
>we try new things and see how they work, especially if they are our own
>technologies.  If we won't buy it, who will? 
>
>I can see value for a projector with a wireless interface - where a guy
>in the back of the room can quickly display their objection on the
>screen, or where you might even be able to briefly split the screen
>between two inputs for comparison.  But frankly, I am perplexed by the
>software and control issues - another reason why I want to try it so I
>can see first hand if it works or not.
>
>Another area of personal concern for me is whether the RF environment in
>our meetings can hack it.  I'm already not very happy with the
>performance we get out of our current WLAN without a video load.
>802.11e (QoS) is not out yet.  So, I can't wait to see what happens when
>we add a video load in with our existing loads.  Will the WLAN be able
>to handle the load?  Will other traffic in the area impact the quality
>of the video on the projector?
>
>I view IEEE 802 not just as a standards development organization, but a
>as a potential test bed for our own technologies.  Actually, I wish we
>did more testing and evaluation of the network we run here.  The one
>thing I will caution is I'm not sure myself if an investment in the
>projector will be worth while, so don't buy more than one.  I think it
>is worth buying one though just to find out if it is worth while.
>
>Mat
>
>Matthew Sherman
>Vice Chair, IEEE 802
>Technology Consultant
>Communications Technology Research
>AT&T Labs - Shannon Laboratory
>Room B255, Building 103
>180 Park Avenue
>P.O. Box 971
>Florham Park, NJ 07932-0971
>Phone: +1 (973) 236-6925
>Fax: +1 (973) 360-5877
>EMAIL: mjsherman@att.com
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Howard Frazier [mailto:millardo@dominetsystems.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2003 2:08 PM
>To: Rigsbee, Everett O
>Cc: billq@attglobal.net; 802 @F2F Dawn S; darcel@facetoface-events.com;
>802 @F2F Jennifer Hull; 802 Bob Heile; Bob O'Hara; Paul Nikolich
>(E-mail); 802 Roger B. Marks; 802 Stuart J. Kerry; Tim Godfrey; 802. 11
>Al Petrick (802-11 Al Petrick); Don Berry; 802 Exec; stuart@ok-brit.com
>Subject: [802SEC] Re: Wireless LCD Projectors for use at July plenary at
>HR-SF
>
>
>
>Personally, I would not pay extra $ for a projector
>with a wireless interface.  Based on bitter experience,
>I never add software or hardware to my laptop while I
>am traveling, so I loathe the idea of having to add
>some new driver for this interface.
>
>The time required to connect a cable to a projector
>is minimal.  Time is occasionally wasted when a
>presenter can't figure out how to toggle between
>their laptop's LCD and the external monitor interface,
>or when this simple action produces a "Microsoft Moment".
>I can't see where adding a couple of layers of complexity
>will improve the situation.  For large, busy groups that
>need to save time, the best technique is to load all
>of the presentation materials onto one laptop, thus
>avoiding the need to switch connections.
>
>In the five years that we have been buying projectors,
>I have learned that "bells and whistles" like cameras
>are pretty much useless. I would put a wireless interface
>into the same category. It's just one more thing that
>can break, requiring a potentially costly repair, and
>taking a projector out of service.
>
>Let's please stick with simple, durable, bright,
>high-resolution DLP projectors with minimal bells and whistles.
>
>Howard (Yes, I'm a Luddite, and proud of it) Frazier
>
>Rigsbee, Everett O wrote:
>
>>  FYI-  I just happened to stumble across the Epson 735c Wireless LCD
>Projector (see attached specification sheet) and thought this might just
>be the thing for our future meetings, but wondered if anyone has had any
>experience with this unit, and has opinions on its suitability for use
>at IEEE 802 plenaries and interims. 
>>
>>  It seems to be price competitive with the regular wired units, and
>might allow a lot more flexibility in sharing an LCD projector amongst
>several presenters. 
>>
>>  Input and opinions on this notion are encouraged. 
>>
>>  I'm working on seeing if we can get a couple of these units to use in
>SF for evaluation purposes.  Any support for this from our Epson folks
>would be seriously appreciated.   :-) 
>>
>>  Thanx,  Buzz
>>  Dr. Everett O. (Buzz) Rigsbee
>>  Boeing - SSG
>>  PO Box 3707, M/S: 7M-FM
>>  Seattle, WA  98124-2207
>>  (425) 865-2443    Fx: (425) 865-6721
>>  everett.o.rigsbee@boeing.com
>>
>>
>>