'home theater' automation (1 Viewer)

[Leo Kerr]

I dunno if this is the right area to ask, but it seems a decent starting point.
I'm looking for a PC software package (and software only) that will do a number of things (at the same time.)
First, I want it to take a list of .avi files and play them, full-screen. Okay, so far, that's simple.
I'd also like it to be able to have .bmp or other static graphic files in the play-list, with a time noted, and 'play' them out, full screen as well.
It'd be loverly if it could also do a genuine fade-through-black (or better, cross-fade) between still images.
And I'd like it to also be able to preempt the play-list with real-time events... say, at 10:00am, it aborts the current thing on-screen and plays program X. (I could deal with it starting a new playlist when program X ends, or going back to the next item in the preempted list.)
And, as a sort of straw to break the camel's back, there's one other request. Between play-list files, I want to be able to embed control cues that would be dumped out via the serial / usb / midi or relays for controlling show-lighting.
Anyone know if such a critter exists? Or, perhaps even software plus some hardware? (I don't want something that's gonna use a $10,000 turn-key system.)
Or where I should be looking?
Thanks, all...
Leo Kerr
[email protected]
[email protected]

 

[Jeff Savage]

Leo -
Off the top of my head here are some ideas. I don't know your level of expertise but there is a software package called WinBatch (~$500) http://www.winbatch.com that would allow you do do most of what you are describing however YOU would have to program it and make it work.
As far as the automation I would suggest that you look at X10 stuff http://www.x10.com It is fairly cheap and there are tons of options availible for it.
Hope this helps,

 

[DaveF]

A combination of programs might do what you want.
For the video and image presentation, a presentation program like Powerpoint would likely work.
For time-triggered events, you might be able to get by with the TaskScheduler program (the little icon in your system tray, normally set to run the defragger at midnight; it can run any program).
For automation, X10 stuff might be the easiest way to go.

 

[Leo Kerr]

Okay, as for the automation side, that already exists... I'd either be talking to an AMX control system, an ETC Express lighting console, or an Strand Premiere architectural lighting system.
I might have to look into the Powerpoint idea again.. at least the first time I looked into it, either my standards were different, or something...
Leo

 

[GregH]

If the AMX you're talking about is Netlinx then they have modules to control your computer. You'll want to look at the PCLink modules.