I am currently working on a collaborative art project of sound and projection mapping.
We wanted to have the projection (we have a VGA Projector) to hold the visual and the sound, so the Arduino would only work as a controller to turn it on and off.
I am using an Arduino Uno and an Ultrasonic Module HC-SR04 Distance Range Measuring Transducer Sensor.
The sensor would pick up if there is a presence within 2m and turn on the projection.
I was wondering how I could connect the Arduino and sensor to make the projector work?
It is an Epson EB-W04 here is a link to the model https://www.visunext.co.uk/en/epson-eb-w04.html
It is a wired projector that doesn't require a remote
"The Epson EB-W04 projector also offers some practical features which have already proven themselves in previous models in the Epson range. It has a 3-in-1 USB display, which can be used to transfer pictures, sound and control signals via a single cable giving a practical alternative to the usual cables. "
Thank you!
So would I have to code the Arduino to transfer the message? I am a complete beginner so I'm quite unsure how to go with this. Also what kind of relay would you suggest? Thank you so much
I have to admit that I have no experience with that type of projector.
To just power the projector on and off the easiest thing for you would probably be a power tail. The power tail can be controlled with a digital output from the Arduino and will require no messing with line voltage wiring.
I am trying to have a video from the projector that would start if the sensor detects something. My issue is trying to get the coding information of the Arduino to trigger an external device (the projector). I am a bit confused on how to connect the two of them and manage to make the Arduino send the action into the projector.
Thank you I hope that makes sense
I would suggest that you investigate using the IR remote control for the control purpose. You can read the remote using the, for instance, IRremote library* and an IR receiver to get the key codes for the functions that you want to use. Once that you know the codes you can use the send function of the IRremote library to send the codes from the Arduino using an IR transmitter LED.
*There are also the IRMP library and the IRLib library for IR remotes. I have not used those libraries, but thought them worth mentioning.
Thank you. Do you reckon I could use a relay connected to the projector that would understand the Arduino code? I figured I wouldn't be able to turn the projector on and off with the sensor as the projector would probably be in poor state with so many on and off actions. So I was thinking of having two videos on the USB key connected to the projector and have them on loop and switch to one another with the sensor. One would be the actual video for the piece and the other one a dark screen on loop.
I'm just concerned that the relay might not be enough to transmit the code to a projector, and confused on how to make the projector understand what to play or not.
I'm sorry if this is confusing, I hope not.
Have the projector at standby, waiting for to be turned on by the remote. Instead, turn it on with the Arduino sending the required IR signal.
Have the Arduino wait some 20 s for the projector to fully turn on. Have the Arduino send another IR code to a DVD player to start the right video track.
You just need a simple circuit for receiving and transmitting IR. And some code to read the remotes of your projector and your DVD player. I bet this solution is cheaper, simpler and safer than building something with relays.
And you need the receiving part of the IR thing only to figure out the right codes for the remote operations. After that you can remove the IR receiver.
