Remote footswitch to control multimedia?

[gregrjones]

Is anyone out there perhaps using a remote footswitch to control the multimedia for your worship services?

I'd like to go this route at least for practices and perhaps even for services.

If so:
1. How is it working out for you?
2. Where can I find one? (web site link would be nice).

Greg

[Adam Ogden]

Hello!

As far as I know, there are none of these on the market right now. I looked for a similar type thing a while back, when I tried to have my GrandMa lighting console control playback of my ProPresenter system. It's different than what you are looking for as far as user interface, but the function is the same. Right now, none of the mid-level Media guys (MediaShout, ProPresenter, EasyWorship, etc) have any type of GPI triggering capabilities. (which means there is nothing that you can put into your serial {RS-232} or your USB port to ccontrol the programs). I talked to the guys at ProPresenter, and they said it was an interesting idea they would possibly look into one day, but not anytime soon. Some type of Macro written into their software to allow remote triggering would be WAY cool....but for now, it looks like your index finger on the spacebar IS the external trigger.

[bluenotemkvi]

I've seen devices like this used for PowerPoint presentations:

Pedal Peddler, a USB Foot Pedal for gaming, powerpoint presentations or transcribing (http://www.pedalpeddler.com/)

I bet you could get one that's programmable, so that the foot buttons can be any button you need from the keyboard.

[gregrjones]

I discovered a potential candidate. It has a 100 ft range which won't be enough for some churches. Home - AirTurn, Inc. (http://www.airturn.com).

[chrisburke]

i know this sounds really simple, but, I've used a bluetooth mouse, just set it on my pedal board next to the other pedals..... set up your display program to switch slides based on mouse click.. the only thing is, it doesnt allow for changing how you do songs.. as you click the mouse (with your foot) it moves to the next slide.. i stopped using it because I often change how the song goes.. as the spirit leads, so to speak.. so thats why its great to have someone running the computer

[NickAlexander]

I deeply deeply apologize if this is not what you meant. But I have two footswitches and a numeric keypad, connected to a laptop that's on stage with me. The two footswitches are set for PgUp/PgDn, and the numeric keypad I can type the # and enter, and it will go directly to another slide. (I use Powerpoint Viewer).

If you are speaking of how to do this, with the laptop not on stage, or with the laptop connected to the overhead projector across the room, I would get an extension between the laptop on stage to the projector. But if it's still too short, maybe there's a way to use a second camera/projector onto an enclosed TV that picks up this from a distance.

I just think it's far easier to transfer the signal from a laptop on stage to a projector, than to transfer the signal of footswtiches to a laptop across the room.

Nick
http://www.nickalexander.com/home