::error survey:: participate!

[lowRes]

hi!

~i'm doing a work about error and human liability and as a subjet of study i've chosen realtime videoperformance.

this survey is mostly dedicated to the role of the task itself, the process of performing using video hardware and software tools to control in every aspect ( triggering /mixing /distorting /sinthesysing ) a video signal. This is the first part of a more complex study on vj'ing interfaces.

so, if i could take a bit of your time i'd be happy if u could answer some questions through this post or e.mail me with your thoughts about this subject.

here are some points u can follow::


a)considering the activity classify the efforts it demands from you

b)what are the advantages of your setup (software/hardware)?

c) what do u usually consider as an error in your performance?

d)who's fault is that? yours? hardware/software setup? other?

e) what would u consider as an optimization of your system?


this research will be richer and more accurate if it includes experiences from many people, w ith many different views, their problems and how they solved them or not .

please participate! just write some few thoughts about this!

* )

thanX!

[lowRes]

hey! c'mon people! :zzz:
it would be great if u could share your thoughts!

as everyone might know, one's experience is a nice point to start with, but this study is not about my experience only!

this should reflect the problems and advantages/disadvantages of systems so one can evaluate them an bare in mind when creating new systems.

your participation would be great and add value to this investigation! this research might help you in the future when developping new solutions! :nod:

[murph]

Originally posted by lowRes

b)what are the advantages of your setup (software/hardware)?

Flexibility, and portability. Using 1 laptop, 1 V-4, 2 portable dvd players, 5" lcd preview monitor.

c) what do u usually consider as an error in your performance?

When I'm off beat, or switch to blue screen or windows

d)who's fault is that? yours? hardware/software setup? other?

Usually my fault. The hardware doesn't fail very often. Once recently VJo stopped picking up beats for a bit for no apparent reason, which I didn't realize till it was on screen.

e) what would u consider as an optimization of your system?

Optimization? I'd like to move the function of clip triggering to more dedicated/failproof hardware. Leave the laptop for FX that are more "frills"/optional

[many2]

a)considering the activity classify the efforts it demands from you
Can you explain this question a little bit ?

b)what are the advantages of your setup (software/hardware)?
The main advantage of my setup is that it is very flexible. With my custom Hippotizer/vJo hybrid prototype I can emulate almost any piece of hardware or software out there. Depending on the content and the type of effects and controls I need I can design a completely new visual synthetiser custom made for me or someone else as a performer for a specific show.
Another advantage is that I can customize my setup without buying any new hardware. This is great for my setup's portability too !
Another very important advantage is that my setup can be replicated easily and used as a multi-system networked matrix for multiple screens display.

c) what do u usually consider as an error in your performance?
Losing control : When I perform I can do it greatly or I can do it badly (eh, it happens ! ) but in either ways this is not what I consider an error. What I consider an error is when what happens on the screens is not what I intended. It can be interferences, poor projection conditions like too much smoke or lighting, power failures, hardware failure, software errors or bugs.

d)who's fault is that? yours? hardware/software setup? other?
It can be my fault if I didn't test my setup properly before setting up at the venue but most of the time an error is someone else's fault. As an example let's take poor power conditions causing hardware problems but even in such a simple example it's hard to pinpoint whose fault it is : the venue, the promoter, the electrician, the light jockey causing interferences with his robot lights because even though the lights and the visuals are on two different lines the ground is shared, the hardware manufaturer, me for not bringing a power conditioner of any sort.

e) what would u consider as an optimization of your system?
For me an optimization is a combination of getting what you want more easily and more effectively. Easily means that it must be somehow easier to control, like when using a more appropriate interface. Effectively means that the result must at a higher resolution or at a higher framerate or with a better image quality or it may simply reflect more closely what I had in mind.

Luc Lavergne (VJ Many-2)

[lowRes]

Originally posted by many2
a)considering the activity classify the efforts it demands from you
Can you explain this question a little bit ?


what i mean is what effort the activity takes from u. concentration, physical effort.. do u think it is a very demanding activity?




thanks!! :: Many-2) , murph

[many2]

To answer question A)

I find VJing very demanding : first I work for about 10 hours preparing my stuff for each hour of show. That means working a whole week to prepare a 4 hour show.

The other demanding part is the stress just before the show. As soon as I start mixing the stress goes away but just before the show it's very hard to cope with, at least for me.

[charlielangridge]

a)considering the activity classify the efforts it demands from you

erm, lots of hard work, both in production, live and rigging

b)what are the advantages of your setup (software/hardware)?
Amazing flexibility, with my combination of equipment and computers I am able to customize my rig for any setup, ranging from warehouse freeparty to corporate event. Various softwares / playback devices are used to create the visual effect/style im after and hardware to manipulate the output.

c) what do u usually consider as an error in your performance?
Obviously BSOD and other error screens, but mainly bad video subject matter when related to the music

d)who's fault is that? yours? hardware/software setup? other?
Very rare crashes by hw/sw, so I guess my fault, but it very very rarely happens, as i always have a backup source that i can switch to

e) what would u consider as an optimization of your system?
A smaller rig that could still perform all the functions of my current rig, in the same manner. Although the seperate hw is needed to give the bsckup and flexiblity. Prehaps my next optimiation is to get it all into a nice 20u rack with wheels, to save mutiple trips to the van :)

[lowRes]

c'mon people!!

so.. what can i say.. actual vj's don't error anymore!!:trashcomp