virtual DJ, anyone actually using it for AV?

[rayrik]

Installed the demo but when I try to play some mpegs there is stuttering and freezing(of the video not audio).
After seeing/trying the new Hercules console I am tempted to get such neat solution. Would be nice to replace multi DVD decks + 1 audio + 1 video mixer with a 1 laptop and 1 controller (and perhaps video mixer+ DVD deck as standby) I have 2G C2D, 3G Ram and Nvidia 256 MB notebook, if that is not enough what is ? Could be something wrong with my settings ?
Does anyone uses virtualDJ to play/mix mpeg2 without problems?

[sleepytom]

coldcut use virtual DJ for the journey by VJ show they are doing at the moment. I dunno what format of clip they are mixing (probably picvideo mjpeg AVI rather than mpeg2)

Mpeg2 is going to cause lots of issues as it is hard for the computer to decompress and playback.

your machine spec is fine - try a different video format.

[robotkid]

Yup...I've been mixing mpg2 + mp4 on virtual dj with no issues...Im running it on a older Dell Inspiron 8600...hang out on the vdj forums...they are not the most helpful place, but u can usually dig around for answers...

[rayrik]

Thanks, mpeg2 would be the easiest since I already have some archives of AV clips that I burn to DVDs or/and play from HD player. The idea is to use it for DJ jobs which I do not like as such since that is so bloody boring, I am trying to convince clients to do videoDjing which is more interesting to do + has added value=higher fee. Since the money is too low to justify Pioneers I cut it with 2 DVD players, 1 HD video player, KrossFour and audio mixer.
I really liked how the Hercules is build, very solid, compact and inexpensive, that could be nice solution, one bag could fit it all, even second laptop for additional visuals, specially that AV clips are hardly 5% of my audio collection, so I would have some visuals to go along the audio only songs.
http://www.hercules.com/uk/DJ-Music/bdd/p/62/dj-console-rmx/
Unfortunatelly the Hercules chaps didnt know much about the video.
Before converting my archives I hope to hear from actual users and decide for most suitable format, before buying Hercules I want to test the virtualDJ properly.
So what could be AV formats to try/test? Avi or QT, or something else, what does virtualDJ "likes"?

[rayrik]

Yup...I've been mixing mpg2 + mp4 on virtual dj with no issues...Im running it on a older Dell Inspiron 8600...hang out on the vdj forums...they are not the most helpful place, but u can usually dig around for answers...
What codecs do you use?. I looked at the virtualDJ forum, perhaps it is the audio that messes up. All my mpeg2 videos are with mpeg" audio codec because there is no other option exporting from Vegas. Anyway, tried some, converted to avi 44.1 16, videos play few seconds then freeze, I can scratch or fade to other deck, the music plays but videos freeze after few seconds.

[juxta]

coldcut are using VDJ with mpeg2.
talking to matt about this, he doesn't seem to have had many playback problems and also reckons they are a nice bunch who are quick to give tech support

m

[rayrik]

coldcut are using VDJ with mpeg2.
talking to matt about this, he doesn't seem to have had many playback problems and also reckons they are a nice bunch who are quick to give tech support

m
Thanks, that is really helpful info, I will try calling the support . I did convert some files to avi 44.1/16 audio and it was same problem, play for few seconds then freezes but still reacts to scratching and in fact nicely, much better then on NuVj. Mpeg2s run easily on Beta Arkaos on same machine, there must be something else but I run through manual and couldnt find any setting that would fix the problem.. Will check with Hercules distributors if they have at least on unit and might go and give it a serious try.

[sleepytom]

that hercules controller looks rubbish (the last one was rubbish too) plasticy and too cramped.

http://www.westenddj.co.uk/images/products/xponent_top.jpglooks much better as do the vestax DJ controllers.

[rayrik]

I am talking about the new one Tom, it is 100x better then the M audio or Numark plastic junk which both look and feel cheap, not to mention disastrous audio of that M audio- too many of my friends wasted their money and time on it. I never bothered about Hercules because it looked really cheap sh..t but this new one is something else. Frankly, it was one of the best things I saw at the Messe.

[sleepytom]

ok i'll wait to see one then - is the midi it outputs as insane at their first one though?

[rayrik]

ok i'll wait to see one then - is the midi it outputs as insane at their first one though?
No idea, never used any Hercules, there was obvious difference between the alu model and the cheaper one. They explained me the alu model has brakes, the wheels felt much better then of similar gadgets. Actually I wasn't interested in any of these, distributors are my buddies and while having a drink the nice looking unit caught my attention , didn't have time to actually test it with any software.

[Meierhans]

The RMX seems to be not as good as suggested from what I red in VirtualDJ forums. BCD3000 still rulez for the bucks.

For AV playback in live context count the same rules as for video only: Stay away from any interframe encoding codec (Mpeg2, Mp4, xvid, whatever), but use mjpeg (preferable picvideo) or if you have a real lowspec machine Indeo.
I would keep the sound uncompressed at 44.1 to free the CPU for video and ashure it stays in sync. At least stay away from VBR.

Anybodies tried to use Bigfugs FF streaming plugin with VirtualDJPro ? Could be interesting on dualcore to stream output straight into another app and apply further effects.

Ah.. and don`t use the timestretch (keep keylock OFF). It will make your timebase as good as a 1980 casette recorder that was never cleaned...

[rayrik]

The RMX seems to be not as good as suggested from what I red in VirtualDJ forums. BCD3000 still rulez for the bucks.

For AV playback in live context count the same rules as for video only: Stay away from any interframe encoding codec (Mpeg2, Mp4, xvid, whatever), but use mjpeg (preferable picvideo) or if you have a real lowspec machine Indeo.
I would keep the sound uncompressed at 44.1 to free the CPU for video and ashure it stays in sync. At least stay away from VBR.

Anybodies tried to use Bigfugs FF streaming plugin with VirtualDJPro ? Could be interesting on dualcore to stream output straight into another app and apply further effects.

Ah.. and don`t use the timestretch (keep keylock OFF). It will make your timebase as good as a 1980 casette recorder that was never cleaned...
The keylock is off and never use any audio compression, no idea what causes the video to stop after few seconds.
BTW
Free Tibet in your sig and you say Behringer ???

[Meierhans]

http://vjforums.com/showpost.php?p=189157&postcount=56

[rayrik]

I made up my mind years ago and do not take any assignments, no matter how profitable in such countries like China. Current events make me somehow uneasy about buying/using anything made in China. Not a big deal since it is mostly rubbish anyway. In fact I don't think I ever seen any quality product of any kind made there.

[vjpixylight]

I made up my mind years ago and do not take any assignments, no matter how profitable in such countries like China. Current events make me somehow uneasy about buying/using anything made in China. Not a big deal since it is mostly rubbish anyway. In fact I don't think I ever seen any quality product of any kind made there.

The problem is, however, that most of the world's products are now made in China (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS235US236&q=percentage+of+the+worlds+products+made+in+china) , wether it be apple juice or computer hardware. there really is no way to excape it anymore.

[rko]

Hey


Vj meat is using it since 2 years
www.myspace.com/vjmeat

i do too

not too bad for the Video. the frame blending is ok
I mix directly vob from DVD ('pal)

[funnyb0nz]

Well I am a VIP member on Virtual Dj so if you guys need any help just holler, however you will probably get quicker response from using VDJ site.
I use it wth 2 Dennon 3500's using Timecode, I also have an Ecler EVO 5 Mixer that I have alot of MIDI mapping done. Virtual Dj does great with .avi .vob I use .vob My computer is only running 1gb ram, and I can do everything no problems. I am thinking about getting the Vixid mixer (lil pricey) but it will allow for some cool stuff.
In regards to effects with virtual dj, just google free form plugins, they all work in virtual dj.