how would you vj 8 screens?

[vj_jasper]

hypothetically, say at somewhere like '11th Floor' in amsterdam, how would you approach an 8 screen mixing gig, in terms of matrix routing, mixer/s, content players (laptops, camera, dvd decks)?

[many2]

4 dual output media servers

[vj_jasper]

by dual output do you mean two individual outputs, and if so, that would be 8 different mixes happening at one time. a lot to be working with... also, can a media server perform on-board crossfading, or would seperate video mixers be required, like a couple of V4's and a Vixid (to be used for matrix routing options as much as any other feature).

[deepvisual]

8x8 matrix
or a 4x4 mirrored

[vj_jasper]

sounds good.. so how about the task of mixing the content - what would be a good number of mixers to achieve creative freedom?

[sleepytom]

at the high end - vista spyder to route / span / crossfade / key a load of inputs
at the low end - multiple computers triggered froma sequencer either directly into the projectors or via a matrix for more screen chop chop sequencing (athough you need multiple TBC or genlockable systems for non glitchy cuts)

[visualove]

What is the geometry of the screens in relation to the audience and DJ?

[many2]

Originally Posted by vj_jasper

by dual output do you mean two individual outputs, and if so, that would be 8 different mixes happening at one time. a lot to be working with... also, can a media server perform on-board crossfading, or would seperate video mixers be required, like a couple of V4's and a Vixid (to be used for matrix routing options as much as any other feature).

With some dual output media servers you can treat the dual outputs either as two individual servers in one or as a single panorama with a single set of layers but two video outputs.

Most media servers will let you perform on-board crossfading - some even have complex video controls, effects, keystone warping and blending modes. So no need for video mixers - in fact you'll probably want to use the media server ability to output higher resolutions in VGA or DVI.

To manage the huge number of screens at the same time the trick is very simple : presets. Using either a lighting console, a midi device, or the graphical user interface of the media server itself (which even includes a timeline on the latest generation of media servers) you will set some presets, some actions and some ways of controlling only what you need to when you are in a live situation. The goal here is not to fully cue and rehearse the show : building presets is just a tool to let you focus on creative decisions instead of manipulation errors.

As a completely different solution, you might use 8 video mixers and a matrix. I did that many years ago with 7 projectors and 8 or so video mixers plus a 12x12 matrix. We had many different sources : DV cameras, DVD players, computers, all connected in a wild maze of cables. We called our setup, spanning like 4 big tables, "the monster". It was really a great night with my friend VJ Cinetik ! If the venue is not too serious (like a club) this might be just right. Just find one or two partners to help you tame the monster

[vj_jasper]

i Dno how serious.. about say, a 22,000 person event in July, two night music festival in byron bay.

Originally Posted by sleepytom

multiple computers triggered froma sequencer either directly into the projectors or via a matrix for more screen chop chop sequencing (athough you need multiple TBC or genlockable systems for non glitchy cuts)

aha! that sounds like the way to go. i think it might be possible to buy a pure TimeBaseConverter for $50 from ebay, although how much it would cost to make each one a functioning unit is something for consideration.

would a Vixid obviate the need for a seperate Matrix Switcher and the accompanying TBC's, as it is not only a mixer but a matrix switcher too it seems, and so therefore there is already a TBC on each input?

multiple computers triggered by a sequencer - yeah, i can dig it. although... that would be cool for triggering pics or one-shot loops in time to the music. i guess run Logic or Cubase running on a seperate machine, connected daisy-chain to the other computers via Ethernet cable


okay potential setup idea:

main computer running Logic, Plogue Bidule, etc
four content computers
eight dvd players
four remote-control cameras
four V4's
two Vixids
sixteen preview monitors

[vj_jasper]

Originally Posted by many2

The goal here is not to fully cue and rehearse the show : building presets is just a tool to let you focus on creative decisions instead of manipulation errors.

so true... whatever the situation.. whether it is 3 laptops, two DVJ's and 2 Kaptivators, or four high-end media servers, the aim is to be as free and powerful as possible when performing the video set.

heh, the Table Monster sounds awesome! 8 mixers and seven projectors and a 12*12 matrix, what a setup. i guess the lead situation would have been ... er, involved, shall we say. i managed to create a Table Monster recently on a table at a venue, just using 3 dvd players, one computer, one midi keyboard, a monitor, a projector and a v4 mixer.

there is so much that i like about the simple yet powerful approach of the four dual output media servers that you mentioned, many2.
i wonder if it is a much more expensive option, if so how much... or is it a situation of how long is a piece of string

another concern is, the amount of time that it takes to perform any special encoding that the media server might require for each video loop to play properly. the immediacy of drag'n'drop can be a very good thing

and lastly, i must say that although the onboard effects do sound good, upon consideration, there would a range of effects not available as easily as just updating to the most recent version of modul8, arkaos, vjamm, vjo, resolume, flowmotion, avmixer, vdmx, elektronika, videodelic, etc...

i guess the solution is to have hardware effects units, but that increases the price of the solution, while adding to the number of boxes to plug in and turn on.

Blinken lights are always a good thing of course.