VJ software for IMac with direct video output ...

[CESCO]

Hi i'm pretty new in th VJ world... but work since 10 years in the AV world as a director for film and stages.

I look for a VJ software :
-working on the Imac (Superdrive G4/800 MHz) ... and ;) ...
-with a direct video output built in, allowing to screen the final mixed image (and NOT the computer monitor) through usb or firewire.

Any advices ??

Thanks

[elbows]

USB is a poor choice due to bad bandwidth - also what would you be connecting the USB to in order to see the image?

Realtime firewire output is also problematic, due to the amount of work that needs to be done to encode the video to dv format first. I suppose firewire is more than powerful enough to send the data out in non-DV format, but then what would you be connecting the firewire to that could support it?

Im a PC user, Im only assuming the same applies to Macs, but I think unfortunately its a fairly safe bet. firewire out is the more likely of the two anyway, there probably is something that could do it now maybe, but I would think it will use a fair whack of your Macs resources, not sure how much would be left to actually generate the video effects etc in the first place.

Most people use a scan converter that can take all or a zoomed section of your monitor output and convert to video signal, but not sure if thats any use to you - can you say more about what you are going to use to finally output the image somewhere?

[CESCO]

thanks for your quick answer :-)

I'll will use a Sony video projector to output my image. So, if I understand you well, I should put between my Imac and the Projector a scan converter ?
What kind of connections does a scan converter use to be plugged with a Mac ?

[spark]

i'd have a look around at whats on offer before deciding how you want it to be technically. vidvox prophet fits your bill, industrial strength dv out and midi in. but check out the possibilities... the one thing to look out for is that a imac/ibook can only mirror the main display, so if you want an interface and a screen output you'll need a zooming scan converter.

[elbows]

I cant really be of much more help regarding the Mac side of things, but check out vjcentral.com for scanconverter reviews by VJ's :)

[FullFusion]

I use a G4 running Motion Dive 3 - available at http://www.audiovisualizers.com

Not sure of the specs on the monitor out on the Imac. but in order to use the scan converter you need to convert that port to a vga out. Then, using the scan converter, zoom into the preview window in Motiondive.
hope that helps.
Let me know if you have any more Mac ?s

[CESCO]

Thanks guys for your help...and answers
I'll let you know teh next steps of my swiss VJ experiences ...with mac & scanconverter ...