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

[Geoff Thompson <gthompso@nortelnetworks.com>]

Roger-

I would prefer a separated approach, but as closely as I can tell from the 
data/product sheet on the references that you provided these two devices 
are emulating display memory and would have to be fully refreshed.

I believe that we would be better off hooking a PC to the projector and 
running some sort of collaboration software between PCs

Geoff

At 03:53 PM 7/1/2003 -0600, Roger B. Marks wrote:

>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
>>>
>>>