Digital Sub-Committee Meeting held 22nd August 2007
President Tony Redford, Barry Pearson, Gill Hargreaves, Martin Currie, Roger Dye, Geoff Robinson and Bill Chadband met at Tony’s house to give detailed consideration to the spending of the £4900 granted to the Club under the Awards for All Scheme. The award had been made on the basis of purchase of an updated Digital projector, Lap Top and associated hardware and software, a Screen, Exhibition stands, and Venue Hire and Advertising.

Barry and Tony had made exhaustive enquiries as to the Digital Projector currently favoured by Photographic clubs. It was clear that the SXGA+ format (1400x1050 pixels) was the new standard and that Optima and Canon were to the forefront as suppliers. The Optima incorporated DLP technology whilst the Canon used LCOS chips. Whereas DLP appeared to have advantages over the LCD systems, the new LCOS appeared to better the DLP. After much discussion of the Pros and Cons it was agreed that NCPS should pursue the Canon SX60 machine. Tony agreed to do so.

To drive the Digital projector a computer system providing a DVI (digital) output  at 1400x1050 pixels was required. Initially a new Laptop was considered, but after discussion a Compact and Robust Tower machine with separate screen and keyboard was deemed to be more suitable and practicable. In use the tower would sit on the floor beneath the table, giving more freedom to the presenter. A purpose built “Shuttle” machine could be economically constructed to our own specifications and would be more amenable to possible future upgrades. Barry Pearson agreed to follow this up. Photoshop CS3 would be purchased as an upgrade and installed on the machine. Geoff Robinson agreed to make the purchase at the keenest price he could find.

The present Tripod mounted screen was coming to the end of its useful life.  It was agreed that a square seven foot screen was desireable, capable of easy erection when sitting on a table. Bill Chadband agreed to pursue such a screen.

In recognition of the fact that all this spending related to digital photography, Tony raised the possibility of the Club purchasing the Braun MULTIMAG SlideScan 4000. This machine allowed fast scanning of large numbers of slides which could subsequently be projected on the new Digital Projector and would be of particular value to those members continuing with Slide ( or photographic negative) photography, who wished to make use of the new digital facilities. Most club members had boxes of slides which they might wish to convert to digital images. It was agreed that the Club should purchase the Braun SlideScan. 

It was recognised that some system should be set up to follow the movement of all the Club’s equipment, including this new equipment. Jill Hargreaves agreed to keep the book relating to the whereabouts of all equipment, stored or on loan.

Bill Chadband
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