Is Open LP compatible with AppleTV? Would it work with a Wireless Projector?

iCalifornia

We are using Open LP with Mavericks on a MacBook Pro.  

Wonderful software. Yet couple of problems recognizing Screen 2.  We play around with System properties, unplugging, pre-plugging cables, reopening OpenLP and we always fix it.  This issue is livable.  We love Open LP.   

However, have this issue in context with the following:

Our church is buying a projector which is to be fixed in the ceiling of the sanctuary.  We are planning to go with a wireless projector or, because we use a Mac, we are hoping to use an Apple TV with a non-wireless projector.Either or, because we do not need wireless projector if the Apple TV can do this.

Is Open LP compatible with wireless technologies?  Would it recognize the screen?  Is it better to buy a wireless projector or to get an Apple TV instead?

Thanks.

-Job

tgc

Hi Job

Glad that you like OpenLP! :)

I don't own a Mac, or an Apple TV or a wireless projector, but that's not gonna stop me for giving some advice in this matter :)

Generally if it gets detected as a screen by the OS, it should a screen to OpenLP, and therefore work just fine (but don't sue me if it doesn't). You will probably have some delay on the second screen though, but since I haven't tried it myself I don't know how bad it will be...

Best of luck :)

dfear

Apple TV isn't going to work unless you install extra software on the mac. The apple tv uses AirPlay to receive audio/video. You would need to install software on the mac that acts as a monitor (for openlp), then sends the output from openlp to the apple tv using airplay.

You could use a wireless projector, so long as it comes with a usb dongle to connect to the projector.

HTH

David

dfear

Hi

Links for information on wireless projectors:

http://www.optoma.co.uk/projectortechnology/Wireless<div>http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/wireless-projector-advice.htm </div></div><div>

Regards

David

daviewales

David, that used to be true, but I don't think it is anymore. Newish Macs running Mavericks come with that ability by default. Job, I don't have an AppleTV to test with, but to the best of my knowledge an AppleTV works just like a regular secondary display on Mavericks, so it should work fine with OpenLP. You might want to find someone with an AppleTV to test with just to be sure before you buy though.

chsnyder

Hello, 

I have a Mac running Mavericks and an Apple TV. You can project slides on the Apple TV but it is not the same as having a projector connected to the video output port. First you need to turn on the connections for the Apple TV. This can be done from a drop down menu on the top bar. You then need to make sure it says Mirror Display on that same menu. Then open preferences in openLP and check the box that says "Display if a single screen" Click OK. Then go to your service. Select the first slide. Then have that slide go live (double click it, hit return or select Go Live from the menu at the bottom). You should then see the slide on your computer and mirrored on your projector attached to the Apple TV. You will need to close any other windows, such as Service Manager and Media Manager so they don't show on the screen. You can then progress through the service with the down arrow. Unfortunately, this does not allow you to jump around the service or do any on the fly editing, so I find it less than ideal. I think that using the wireless projector would be a better option, IMHO.

Chris

tomasss

@chsnyder: "Unfortunately, this does not allow you to jump around the service or do any on the fly editing, so I find it less than ideal." It's very good to use remote control for this.

wogster

Wireless is great in some areas, for a projector, I wouldn't recommend it.  There are lots of things that can interfere with wireless signals, other radio devices, computers, cell-phones, a car going by with a bad ignition coil.  While this is can result in interference noise in audio, it can mean your projector going off-line and an amount of time going by, before it comes back on.  The 1st rule of presentations is that this will occur at the worst possible time, like during a song, not in the hymn book.  Wired setups are a lot more reliable, if the projector is being permanently installed, then wireless does not make sense.  A couple of things, buy a projector that does not need to be powered on by a remote, but will start when the power is turned on, then run power for the projector through a wall switch.  I recommend a VGA or HDMI ballun system, this essentially converts from VGA or HDMI to CAT5, because you can run the thin CAT5 cable just about anywhere without it being very visible.  If there is nothing but attic above then you can always run the shielded "blue" cable inside a wall and along the attic and then drop it down near the power connection for the projector.  Remember these balun systems can often go much further then straight cable, sometimes as long as 120m.

michael.riegert

I don't know if you've made a decision yet or not. But I did try OpenLP at home with my Macbook and AppleTV. Setting up AirPlay to 'Extend Desktop' will show up as Screen 2 in OpenLP. The drawback is that the menu bar shows up on the second screen. To remove the menu bar from the AppleTV display (screen 2), go to Mission Control and uncheck 'Displays have separate spaces'.

Mike

hkonsig

Hi folks! I'm reviving this thread. I have a Win7 pc. Is it possible to stream to a projector using Apple TV from this computer? I see people talk about AirParrot and such, but I'm not yet convinced... Anyone with experience?

jfabel

Our desire is MacBook running OpenLP for lyrics projection through AirPlay to Apple TV HDMI out to HDMI in on ceiling mounted new projector. No real need for audio through Open LP (live  worship musicians). I read Job's original post as asking about scenario we are currently involved in.

Mac OS X since Mavericks/Yosemite provide AirPlay to connect to Apple TV device, in fact expressly also provide selecting the Apple TV output display (whether a projector or large television) to be Extended display. Thus the OS recognizes a secondary display.

Unfortunately, Open LP does not acknowledge what the OS has accepted. Open LP seems to only 'sense' a single (primary only) display. 

I haven't been able to confirm or dispute Mike's Dec 14 response. I am uncertain if his scenario is with a projector or large television; might make a difference. Will try to test tomorrow and give results.

JF Abel