Set Up Visualization Lab Projection Stereo
This page provides instructions to set up the projectors in the Visualization Lab. All PC's in the Visualization Lab can display to the projection system.
- Lower the screen by pressing the Down button on the black control to the left of the screen labeled Screen Control.
- Turn on the projectors. The projectors are controlled by a gray remote with Dukane on the front. Point the remote toward the screen and only press the blue operate key to activate. No other keys should be pressed on the remote. The projectors should turn on and will take a minute to warm up.
- Select your video input source on the gray Extron video switcher on the table to the left of the Sun workstation. All computers are labeled with a number and name. The two Sun workstations are named 1-Guinness and 2-Harp. The two PC's are named 3-Anchor and 4- Bells. Select the number on the front of the video switcher corresponding to your machine.
- If you have audio that you wish to route to the speakers next to the screen, turn on the Kenwood receiver. The input should be set to AUX. The audio is controlled by the Emerson audio switcher (the small black box on top of the Extron video switcher). The audio switcher is controlled with a black remote control ; press the number corresponding to your workstation on the remote. If you have applications that have audio, please remember to close the door to the lab.
- Now that everything is routed, you should see some part of your desktop on the projector system. Note: If you are not currently logged into the computer console, the projectors will display a blank, green screen. Ignore the slight misalignment between the right and left images that you might notice without the glasses; this corrected when wearing the polarized glasses.
- Put on the lightweight, polarized glasses to view the stereo system. On all the systems, there is a test program to calibrate the signals such that the images intended for the right and left eyes are sent to the proper projector.
On Sun computers the program stereo_test (in /usr/local/bin) will display an image with Right, Both, and Left displayed. (Remember to first set the DISPLAY environment variable to ":0.1"). Close your left eye and you should see Right and Both displayed. If not, the right and left images are crossed and you will have to reverse the polarity by clicking the L/R button on the Cyviz XPO.2 Stereo Video Demultiplexer , which is located on top of the Kenwood receiver. Click here for a screen shot of the stereo test for the Sun computers.
On the PCs, a similar stereo test program is accessible from the Start Menu "Start>Programs>Vislab>Stereo Test>Stereo Test.exe. This program will display a window with a blue square in the lower left and red square in the upper right. Move the window to the right into the part of the desktop that is sent to the projectors and look at the screen while wearing the polarized glasses. The blue square in the lower left should be in only the left eye and red square in the upper right should be only in the right eye. If they are switched press the L/R button on the CYVIZ xpo.2. Click here for a screen shot of the PC stereo test.
After you press the toggle button, you should see the image blank and come back a few seconds later with the right and left images reversed. Please note: This stereo polarity calibration must be done every time a new source is selected.
- The two Sun workstations have a cordless GyroMouse (a black egg-shaped mouse located to the right of each workstation). You can take the mouse off of the cradle to control the application while you are in front of the stereo wall, so you don't have to run back to the console.
The PCs have a wireless GyroMouse and keyboard . They are located on top of the computers themselves. You can move the mouse and keyboard to the area next to the projector to control your applications.
The GyroMice, (both the Egg-shaped one and the one that looks like a remote control) take a little experience to get used to. The trigger button on the bottom of the mouse activates it. If the trigger is double-clicked, it stays active without having to continuously hold the trigger down. Remember, if you move the cursor to the left of the desktop displayed in the screen, it will appear back on the part of the desktop displayed on the console. Also, on the PC's if you pull up a GUI (i.e., dialog box) it may appear in the console window.
Important: Each wireless input works for only the machine its base is connected to. Each GyroMouse or keyboard is labeled with the appropriate machine name.
- When you are finished, turn off the projectors (the blue "operate" button on the "Dukane" remote). If you used the audio, please turn off the receiver as well. Return the glasses to the proper location in the bookcase.
Additional Information:
Support Contact:
NUIT Visualization Laboratory Support
847.467.5986
vislab@northwestern.edu
Last Updated: 08 May 2009
