How to project Power Point while gaming?

[aliberator]

I have put some pictures and maps onto Power Point along with sounds so that at our next gaming adventure I can show the players where they are and they can hear ambient sounds. I was hoping, however, to project the presentation onto something bigger than a computer screen, like a TV or wall or what-not. Can I do this? I have seen Power Point projectors starting at $1000 and this is waaay out of my league. I am a teacher (thus I am poor) and was also hoping to project Power Point lesson plans in my classroom. Is there anyway I can do this without spending $1000? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Uruk]

This is what I do for a living so I hope I can help out. Actually $1000 is about as cheap as you're going to get with a projector and you're probably only talking about 800x600. Anyways, it sounds like your budget it really aiming at using a TV of some sort with a scan converter which converts computer video to standard TV resolution, which is about 720x480. If you're using a fairly new laptop it probably already has a video out either an RCA type adaptor for composite, Svideo or a proprietary cable that can be broken out to either. If you're using a standard desktop PC you can use something like in ATI All-in-wonder video card to replace your current one and this will have a video output, the same often holds true for nVidia and other manufacturers. A new video card can run you from $50-$400 just be sure if you see a cheaper one it actually comes with the adaptor to get video out to a TV. Your third option is to get an external scan convertor which runs anywhere from $150->$4000+ This doesn't require any particular install other than plugging a box in where your monitor usually is and it'll have a passthru output for your monitor. AITech is one manufacturer that I've seen.

 

[aliberator]

Wow that is really helpful. Thanks for the advice. I have a laptop and desktop but both are a few years old and I doubt they have all the bells and whistles but like you say I could buy a new video card that would allow me to send video to the TV. The external scan converter intrigues me. I have never heard of this before and looking at some on the web just now they seem interesting.

Which would you recommend, the all-in-wonder video card or the converter? Does it make a difference that my TV at school is likely 10 to 15 years old? Which would be the easiest to set up and operate? Thanks again for the help!

 

[Psionicist]

Can't you borrow a projector from school?

 

[aliberator]

Ah if only it were that easy. We have one projector for the entire school and it hardly works at that. You have to sign up weeks, months, in advance just to use it for one class period. Personally I think the thing is just a myth or legend like Bigfoot as I have never even seen the thing.

 

[gravyboat]

Uruk, That is some very helpful information. These are issues I too have been considering.

Since you seem so knowledgable about these issues perhaps you could help me. I would like to display maps on either another monitor or TV for my players. But I don't want them to see everything that I see on my terminal as a DM. What options and prices are there to set up a scenario with dual monitors? Does this always require two video cards in one machine to do?

 

[aliberator]

Uruk - I did some research into it and I am going with the external scan converter. It looks like just what I need for my gaming and teaching needs. Thank you very much for taking the time to help me.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

What options and prices are there to set up a scenario with dual monitors? Does this always require two video cards in one machine to do?

I also work in the AV world, so I can give you some idea... A lot of newer graphics video cards do multiple monitors. In fact, the one I've got does multiple monitors, now that I just checked (I may have to set up a 2nd monitor and see how it works!).

A single graphics card can do it. I have a Nvidia GeForce Ti 4200. A couple hundred bucks would definitely get you the card you'd need - and your current card may well be capable, if its a relatively recent gaming graphics card.

 

[Piratecat]

I need to get a projector myself. What do you guys recommend? I need something pretty good, that can project big images in a moderately bright room.

Any suggestions?

 

[Davin]

I need to get a projector myself. What do you guys recommend? I need something pretty good, that can project big images in a moderately bright room.

Any suggestions?

There seem to be a number of decent DMD/DSP-based (digital) projectors out there these days, and they should do a pretty good job with indoor lighting. Prices are still a bit steep (when last I looked), but they've been coming down.