Author Topic: Projectors, Speeders, Fan-art liability, and other issues (Read 10608 times)

lordnacho · « **Reply #40 on:** April 30, 2012, 04:25:10 pm »

Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on April 30, 2012, 10:45:24 am

Does anybody have an example of LA shutting down a fan project? Or a fan project being monetized without licensing? I'm interested.

Some guy was trying to make a full sized AT-AT and Lucas shut it down. This was about last year, don't know what became of it though.

kahlid74 · « **Reply #41 on:** April 30, 2012, 04:27:49 pm »

Quote from: lordnacho1 on April 30, 2012, 04:25:10 pm

Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on April 30, 2012, 10:45:24 am
Does anybody have an example of LA shutting down a fan project? Or a fan project being monetized without licensing? I'm interested.
Some guy was trying to make a full sized AT-AT and Lucas shut it down. This was about last year, don't know what became of it though.

That's the most dangerous part of Copyright law/Patent Law. You don't even have to make a profit to be illegally copying someone. If you build it in anothers likeness they can still go after you, especially if you broadcast to the world you're building it.

Le Chuck · « **Reply #42 on:** April 30, 2012, 04:58:34 pm »

Quote from: Vigo on April 30, 2012, 11:45:07 am

A remake of Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken were shut down. Of course they were both distributing a product.

That guy doing a Don Bluth fan fiction sequel got shut down too I think?

Either way nothing I'm making is intended to market for mass production. I'd like to think that I can get away with ebaying the mini(s) at a later date but I'll have to check with my counsel (legal not jedi). If it gets noticed by the new product division of a major gaming magnate and becomes an eventual job opportunity that's a whole other ball of wax.

Sub topic to a side topic: I've got a lead on a SW Racer Arcade going for 475 (working but poor appearance) and the guy is willing to part it but wants 475 for the boards and CP. Says he'll just toss the body and monitor.

1) I don't buy that he'll toss the other salable stuff and called him on it but he doesn't look like he'll budge

2) I'm torn on the price. Should I bite? Would you? What do you all think?

yotsuya · « **Reply #43 on:** April 30, 2012, 06:12:57 pm »

If you have the room, buy it and play it as a SWA. Who knows how long this speeder project might take?

Le Chuck · « **Reply #44 on:** April 30, 2012, 06:16:39 pm »

Quote from: yotsuya on April 30, 2012, 06:12:57 pm

If you have the room, buy it and play it as a SWA. Who knows how long this speeder project might take?

If it was closer I would. I don't want to haul that MF'r back from DC to S AL. I was going to have a bud in the area go and pick up the boards and CP for me and garage them until later this summer when I'm passing through.

yotsuya · « **Reply #45 on:** April 30, 2012, 06:20:26 pm »

Wait, don't they have SW Racer on the PC?

Why not just get this: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Episode-1-Racer-Pc/dp/B00000IWIW ?

Le Chuck · « **Reply #46 on:** April 30, 2012, 07:01:56 pm »

Quote from: yotsuya on April 30, 2012, 06:20:26 pm

Wait, don't they have SW Racer on the PC?

Why not just get this: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Episode-1-Racer-Pc/dp/B00000IWIW ?

They do. It was hot stuff back in 2000. The build would have that tucked away in a sub menu along with non cannon games. Having played it I can say that it's fun, has a lot of tracks and is quick. Compared with the Arcade version the graffics look like something outta southpart and it feels like it's standing still. Also the controls are analog to steer and button for gas like any regular racer. SWR arcade has that sweet tank style control setup where you control each engine independently. It's really would like to get the Arcade version rolling in the build, plus it would be nice to have something legit for a change.

yotsuya · « **Reply #47 on:** April 30, 2012, 09:36:15 pm »

Well, they can't say you haven't done your homework, Chuck!

Le Chuck · « **Reply #48 on:** May 01, 2012, 12:11:43 pm »

Okay, sat down and had a family meeting. I need to start and finish my other two micros (I plan on doing them tandem to save time) but after that my hobby focus will be building the Speeder. The kids cab may get pushed a year if I'm not complete on the speeder by Christmas (no freakin way). I'm shopping the SWR Arcade now but won't start accrueing or constructing until later this summer. I just haven't been able to get it out of my head and that's a pretty good sign that I need to go ahead, commit, and start figuring out how I'm going to make this happen.

I need to go buy a welding rig.

Le Chuck · « **Reply #49 on:** May 01, 2012, 12:22:25 pm »

What's got two thumbs and just scored SWR Arcade boards and CP for $300? This guy!

Shipping still to be determined but I'm pretty pleased with that price.

Le Chuck · « **Reply #50 on:** July 20, 2012, 04:56:28 pm »

So I'm still torn about display. I'm leaning towards the PBJ big cheap flat screen solution but a lot of it will have to do with how I store and integrate all the hardware.

What I've got right now:

Complete board set and harness from SW Racer Arcade and SW Trilogy. Racer is Sega Hikaru and Trilogy is Super Model 3. The systems are similar but I think I'll have best luck keeping both intact and separate having them connect at the shared controls and both connect to a KVM switch. I need a KVM switch that can support 2.1 sound, haven't looked - no idea if this exists.

I need to build a computer also to run a few roms as well. I'm planning AAE for Star Wars and then having a menu of driving and flying games since there is no reason not to maximize use. I'll be putting together a simple test panel that will have all the controls that the speeder will (in some form or fashion) and will focus on the boring problem of hardware configuration before I get to the fun activity of speeder construction.

What that leaves me with is a giant stack of hardware. Three power supplies, three main boards, etc etc. I am leaning towards a server rack in the corner and having a control cable run out to to the speeder. That will give me some flexibility and allow me to keep the area around the speeder as low profile as I can. It also sticks me with a big hot noisy box that I have to do something with. Also have considered building a big ugly box with the monitor inside (basically like the SW Trilogy projection monitor assy but with all the hardware tucked in there around the LED tv) but that is also hot, likely noisy, and now ridonkulously hard to move.

Interested in any ideas anybody has to help get my gears spinning on how to best address this storage issue. Thanks!

TopJimmyCooks · « **Reply #51 on:** July 20, 2012, 06:06:26 pm »

Why do you need to switch audio? just hook both sources up at the same time. Are both boardsets on at the same time with attract modes?

Le Chuck · « **Reply #52 on:** July 20, 2012, 06:13:51 pm »

Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on July 20, 2012, 06:06:26 pm

Why do you need to switch audio? just hook both sources up at the same time. Are both boardsets on at the same time with attract modes?

Yeah, they both have music running all the time. I haven't ducked into the maintenance menus to see if I can turn it off, (they're both in pieces right now) but I would like to have it on for when that game is selected.

Edit for more info:

Basic concept is that user will be able to select the arcade machines from a MALA style FE along side MAME games. When selected the system will auto-switch to the board and then back to the FE on exit. I'm aiming for single button open and exit with smooth transitions. Main menu will only have the SW games, the other games (racers, flyers, etc) will be in a hidden submenu. I can do this by hacking a KVM switch but there may be other solutions out there as well.

PL1 · « **Reply #53 on:** July 20, 2012, 07:05:02 pm »

Quote from: Le Chuck on July 20, 2012, 04:56:28 pm

I need a KVM switch that can support 2.1 sound, haven't looked - no idea if this exists.

As the saying goes, there's good news and bad news.

Good news: They do exist. See here and here.
Bad news: They cost more than the Super Hang On you just acquired.

Disclaimer: I only did a quick Yahoo search for "kvm switch 2.1 audio", not sure if better deals are available or if the suppliers linked above are reputable. Caveat emptor.

Scott

Le Chuck · « **Reply #54 on:** July 20, 2012, 07:48:36 pm »

Quote from: PL1 on July 20, 2012, 07:05:02 pm

Quote from: Le Chuck on July 20, 2012, 04:56:28 pm
I need a KVM switch that can support 2.1 sound, haven't looked - no idea if this exists.

As the saying goes, there's good news and bad news.

Good news: They do exist. See here and here.
Bad news: They cost more than the Super Hang On you just acquired.

Disclaimer: I only did a quick Yahoo search for "kvm switch 2.1 audio", not sure if better deals are available or if the suppliers linked above are reputable. Caveat emptor.

Scott

Found this one: http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/gcs1804.html

$150 ain't cheap but it looks like it'll do the trick. I'm sure there are others out there but as price goes down so do features and that hotkey switching is exactly what I want, that way I don't have to hack the box. I'll keep looking.

PL1 · « **Reply #55 on:** July 20, 2012, 08:14:31 pm »

Quote from: Le Chuck on July 20, 2012, 07:48:36 pm

Found this one: http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/gcs1804.html

$150 ain't cheap but it looks like it'll do the trick. I'm sure there are others out there but as price goes down so do features and that hotkey switching is exactly what I want, that way I don't have to hack the box. I'll keep looking.

$150 is good, . . . but $98 is better!!

http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-4-Port-Switch-Audio-GCS1804/dp/B0018O7T42

$90.00+ $7.49 shipping New Seller: hyeminas23 Seller Rating:90% positive over the past 12 months. (10 total ratings)

Scott

Le Chuck · « **Reply #56 on:** July 22, 2012, 02:53:54 pm »

Playing with different ideas for board storage. Basically I'll need 6 racks worth of equipment and don't really want a sever sitting in a corner. I'm contemplating building a PLNK series power droid to house all the boards (vertically) and running a single power coupling style cable to the speeder. I can probably build the projector into the droid as well so it's a single unit. I'll need to work on heat management as that will be three power supplies plus a projector running from a single mostly enclosed housing.

Basic idea I'm developing is that the system would be a New Republic flight trainer where young hopefuls can fly representations of classic missions from the rebellion to help hone their skills.

TopJimmyCooks · « **Reply #57 on:** July 22, 2012, 03:14:27 pm »

4" plastic dust collector piping or corrugated abs drain pipe would work for those legs nicely.

Le Chuck · « **Reply #58 on:** July 22, 2012, 03:28:13 pm »

Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on July 22, 2012, 03:14:27 pm

4" plastic dust collector piping or corrugated abs drain pipe would work for those legs nicely.

Totally, I figure I'll probably go with wood construction rather than the plastic bins you see used a lot so I can ensure the boards will be secure unless anybody has a better idea for body fabrication. I was originally thinking of trying a gonk droid but they're two legged and not big enough.

Le Chuck · « **Reply #59 on:** July 27, 2012, 07:43:52 pm »

Super Hang On is in hand and is currently being enjoyed by my kids. Pretty soon I'll have to actually start doing something and open an thread on Project Announcements but there are still some decisions to be made. For now I just stand in the garage and stare at my quickly enlarging pile of parts and wonder if Dr. Frankenstein shared my giddy anticipation of the challenge ahead.

I worked out how much space I need to mount SW Trilogy, SW Racer, and a PC. It's 18"x42"x24" at a minimum. That is a sizeable piece of furniture and once I put legs on it it takes up about the same space as a pin. That's in addition to my speeder real-estate.

I am contemplating losing SW Trilogy and going with the emulated version. On my lame PC some of the shading isn't right, like light sabers don't have any color, nor do the arrows that come on screen in the light saber levels. Anybody running SW Trilogy on SuperModel at full speed with a decent graphics card? Are there any color issues or mission screen issues when using decent hardware? I want to figure out if it is my shoddy system or the emu. If it's the emu I'll keep working a storage solution, if it's my system I'll be building a Gonk droid rather than a PLNK and saving myself a nice chunk of floorspace. I appreciate the help.

RandyT · « **Reply #60 on:** July 28, 2012, 03:21:16 am »

Quote from: saint on April 30, 2012, 04:09:32 pm

Quote from: pinballjim on April 29, 2012, 07:09:02 pm
The whole home theater thing centered around projectors is dead. Uses far too much space and kills any flexibility with room arrangement (you've probably only got one large wall without windows/doors in each room).

3. You're wrong.

I snipped the rest of Saint's comments and left the important one

Anyone who thinks a 55" TV is the future of "home theater" can't have experienced the real deal. The photo below is to scale.

My opinion is that if one is going to go through the effort to make a full-scale replica of a speeder, you might as well make it feel like you are really traveling on one. The more image in your field of view, the more convincing the experience is going to be, and there's no better way to achieve this than a projector. As for brightness and "washout", there are ways to address this. Brightness is relative to the output of the projector, image size, optical configuration and the distance of the projector from the screen. Ultimately, you would probably want a projector with about 2000 lumens, and a minimum distance and corresponding image size suitable for your room and application. You can enhance contrast in a lit room by not using a bright white screen. A more neutral tone will mute the brightness a bit, but give you darker "blacks". The thing to keep in mind is that the blacks will never be darker than the screen reflectivity (gain) times the light bouncing off it. So, some light control will be beneficial. Simple things, like shading light sources to prevent direct bounce off the screen, can make a big difference.

One of my future projects is a steering wheel, pedals and a bucket seat, bolted to a platform which can be wheeled out in front of the screen when I want to use it. The same could be done with the speeder.

rockyrocket · « **Reply #61 on:** July 29, 2012, 01:47:56 pm »

Quote from: Le Chuck on July 27, 2012, 07:43:52 pm

Super Hang On is in hand and is currently being enjoyed by my kids. Pretty soon I'll have to actually start doing something and open an thread on Project Announcements but there are still some decisions to be made. For now I just stand in the garage and stare at my quickly enlarging pile of parts and wonder if Dr. Frankenstein shared my giddy anticipation of the challenge ahead.

I worked out how much space I need to mount SW Trilogy, SW Racer, and a PC. It's 18"x42"x24" at a minimum. That is a sizeable piece of furniture and once I put legs on it it takes up about the same space as a pin. That's in addition to my speeder real-estate.

I am contemplating losing SW Trilogy and going with the emulated version. On my lame PC some of the shading isn't right, like light sabers don't have any color, nor do the arrows that come on screen in the light saber levels. Anybody running SW Trilogy on SuperModel at full speed with a decent graphics card? Are there any color issues or mission screen issues when using decent hardware? I want to figure out if it is my shoddy system or the emu. If it's the emu I'll keep working a storage solution, if it's my system I'll be building a Gonk droid rather than a PLNK and saving myself a nice chunk of floorspace. I appreciate the help.

Wow what a concept, get it built man!
I have sw trilogy on a couple of cabs, and as far as i know the graphics/colour issues are to do with the emulator still being a bit immature but given some time should be sorted.
A big increse in speed and looks have for me come from upgrading to the bleeding edge builds of supermodel from the forums or from emuCR, but thats not using a super box just an athlon 7950 and a 9800.
Man i really hope you have better luck with AAE and a yoke than I did as performance sucked mapping it with xpadder, so if you can find a way that works then lets just say i will be a happy man.
Good luck.

shponglefan · « **Reply #62 on:** July 29, 2012, 02:52:16 pm »

Quote from: RandyT on July 28, 2012, 03:21:16 am

Anyone who thinks a 55" TV is the future of "home theater" can't have experienced the real deal. The photo below is to scale.

To be fair, a 55" TV could provide a "theater" experience if a person sits about 6 feet from it.

But yeah, projectors are definitely the way to go for the home theater.

ark_ader · « **Reply #63 on:** July 29, 2012, 06:55:21 pm »

The only problem with projectors is the noise. Luckily I have devised a solution involving a step ladder which gives the projector the right height and airflow. I sit beside it with headphones on. Last time I had 5.1 on the neighbours called the cops. Well it was 1am and Saving Private Ryan.

Short throw projectors are cool but the noise still distracts.

I killed a projector by changing the fan speed to make it quieter, has anyone seen a quiet projector that is not pico?

LA will not shut down a fan art project. LA is the only studio that promotes and assists fan films and gadgets.

If you make that speeder Le Chuck, I'm sure you will get a mention on Starwars.com

Le Chuck · « **Reply #64 on:** July 29, 2012, 10:44:27 pm »

Quote from: rockyrocket on July 29, 2012, 01:47:56 pm

Wow what a concept, get it built man!
I have sw trilogy on a couple of cabs, and as far as i know the graphics/colour issues are to do with the emulator still being a bit immature but given some time should be sorted.
A big increse in speed and looks have for me come from upgrading to the bleeding edge builds of supermodel from the forums or from emuCR, but thats not using a super box just an athlon 7950 and a 9800.
Man i really hope you have better luck with AAE and a yoke than I did as performance sucked mapping it with xpadder, so if you can find a way that works then lets just say i will be a happy man.
Good luck.

Good info, thanks man. I'm up in the air about is still. Once I get the computer in I'll grab up the most recent build I can find and see how it plays. If it's clean with just a few artifacts left over I'll probably go with that just because it is going to make my life easier.

Which version of AAE are you working with? I think somebody got joysticks working and fairly stable on a x32 build recently. I hope I have good luck with it but if not there are other solutions out there.

Ark - I figured that LA is pretty lenient about fan projects just based on how much of it is out there. Maybe I can score a visit to the Ranch haha.

rockyrocket · « **Reply #65 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:17:18 am »

I thought that AAE build was just an urban myth?, although howard c did mention he may work on that recently.
As for supermodel I am realy happy with the emulation once i found the best ppc setting for my rig, its only really the light sabers now.
One thing is that the light saber battles are hard to play with a yoke.
Help me find me an AAE solution LE Chuck your my only hope!.

MacGyver · « **Reply #66 on:** July 30, 2012, 03:21:46 am »

Three thoughts,
1) If it was to run the old SW vector game, use either three or a tri color laser and the mirrors and create vector drivers to run the vector graphics from the game on the lasers (or just buy a laser vector projector).

2) New RGBl high-speed laser projectors are crazy bright, and have all kinds of focal options today (they can even run normal video).
Here is one from 2 years ago, they should cheaper, smaller, better today.

3) If you plan on making it have actuators to move it, just use video glasses built into the helmet like in the old VR days.


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