Live, multiple screen playback...

[criggers]

Hello one and all,

It's my first post on this forum, but it looks to me like the best place on the internet to search for the answer to my question as it's about the use of video in a live environment.

I'm currently based in Dublin and directing a show in a theatre that I intend to integrate pre-recorded video into. I'm currently endeavouring to work out how I can achieve my desired stage set-up and video playback, and I thought that VJForums would be a great place to try.

The biggest difficulty, currently, appears to be video playback. It is my intention to have three screens on stage (one 12'x12' in the centre, with 8'x8' screen stage left and right), each carrying different video through the play. Occasionally it is still image, used to communicate location, but often there is video playback and animation. Each of these screens is carrying a different image, for example, one scene takes place in the Drawing Room of a manor, and I hope to have each screen carrying a different image (one a window, one a fireplace/mantlepiece and one a wall). What is key, however, is that these videos be played back in sync. The filmed scenes that come later in the play are shot from three angles, one for each screen.

In terms of synchronising playback, what is the best way to achieve this? I do not have a huge budget, but am willing to spend some money on equipment. Is it best to create the video in Final Cut Pro and make it very long (or tall) and then split the image? Or is it possible to cue the video from something like Q-lab and send to three projectors connected to a laptop? How would these three be connected? Is there any kind of external Firewire/USB video interface that could be used? I intend to use a laptop for playback.

My next question is what would work well as rear projection material. I already have access to the 12'x12' rear projection screen (it's PVC, and of high quality), but think it would be best and cheapest to construct the remaining two. What material is good? Can I purchase it in bulk? I have been browsing online for PVC projection material in a roll that I could affix to a wooden frame, but to no avail. Are there any cheap and cheerful alternatives given that budget is tight? I've read a bit about shower curtains, but worry that, with stage lights (mostly side-lighting to try and combat issues with brightness), the image won't be bright enough.

I appreciate this is a tricky question. Thank you for reading and I hope you can help.

Many thanks,

Criggers

[xangadix]

Hm...

So we have three screens, that will display three pre-recorded camera feeds (that are synced) and some decorative imagery on a (low cost) background. (Am I missing anything?)

That's a difficult set up to do at low cost. Still, let me try to give you some pointers.

Syncing feeds from three different sources is hard to do exact if it are seperate sources (ie. DVD players or Laptops). So you want to be able to start all feeds from one computer.
Matrox, and I presume that other manufacturers have as well, builds extensions that can send a signal to three screens, http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/ for only 350 euro's or so (http://www1.conrad.nl/scripts/wgate/...&scrwidth=1024 ) at 360 Euros.

A program that shows three videostreams can be easily done in flash or even met internet widgets. With a little tinkering you can build a website or a small application that loads three flv files. and starts them simultaneously. You do need a bit of basic webprogramming, but usually there is someone around who can do it for a crate of beer

You could even add a bit of interaction linking them to the keyboard, triggering scenes and elements in the videos with simple keyboard commands (1 for scene 1, f for fireplace and so forth).

Alternatively, If you rather have more control you could try a VJ program to Play three feeds simultaniously. It has to support the Matrox thingy though.

Then you can use a MIDI controller too, for example, fade in the different feeds. I am a big fan of Resolume, and I think the last version, Avenue can do everything you want, but I'm sure other programs can do it too.

You might want to consider DMX as a controller too, then you can plug the VJ program into you light table and control the screens together with your lights.

The home made screen I cannot help you with. I think your plan is good and that any piece of bright white cloth will do.

Hope this helps!
(and post some vids if you have it set up )

[criggers]

Hello again,

Spent several more hours looking at this last night, meant to post but my head was swimming in playback/projection and suchlike.

I think the best way to go is Qlab on three Macs (I have access to enough), and set up one as the master, feeding to a projector, and the other two as slaves, each feeding to a projector. The laptops will be connected via an ethernet hub and the master would communicate with the two slaves via MIDI protocol over ethernet. This appears to be the most cost-effective method, as well as keeping things relatively simple: there'd be no need to split the image as they all come from three separate synchronised sources.

There are testimonials to this effect here:

http://figure53.com/qlab/showcases/here-after-here/

http://figure53.com/qlab/showcases/v...theaterschool/

But I think the set-up I require would be a bit simpler than these... What do people think?

Also looked in the Matrox TripleHead2Go... Could be useful...?

Will look into the solutions you've suggested. Many thanks for all your help so far.

Criggers

[deepvisual]

I'd do it all from one clip on one machine.
less to go wrong.

you can get 7 outputs on a mac tower from modul8, which is four more than you need.

[sleepytom]

modul8 is a horrid interface though , way too complex for simple playback and all the extra un-needed functions make it very cluttered and a PITA to use.

Q-Lab will work with the tripplehead2go or Ivu boxes giving you 3 or 4 outputs from a single laptop. Or build a MacPro system with multiple GPUs and you can have 8 outputs from Q-Lab. Combine with the IVU and you can have upto 32 descreet outputs from a single computer.

If you need frame accurate sync (ie you have content which spans the screens) then using a single computer is best. If you need only "pretty good" sync then separate machines is fine.

One of the nice things about Q-Lab is the flexible licence which allows you to use it across multiple machines affordably. That combined with the fact that its the most reliable video player i've seen on the mac makes it my current top recommendation for people who actually have a job to get on with!

[vibber]

Well, with Modul8 you get a license for two machines for 299€. And with that you have access to video, audio, midi and DMX.
As far as I can see QLab is 249$ for one license + another 249$ for MIDI so I don't think the price argument is valid.

[sleepytom]

Modul8 is €299 per machine - installing one license on two machines which are used at the same time is not allowed.

You can rent the Q-Lab license for £3/ day - a rented license can be used on unlimited machines

Q-Lab is cheaper. no two ways about it.

But more importantly...
Q-Lab is a serious professional application which is easy to use with an interface that is simple and understandable. Modul8 is a train wreck of an interface - horrible design which make it very hard to use, the demo version is a nightmare - all the spinning animated crap it takes half an hour to turn it all off and work out IF the app can playback a video file properly.

[vibber]

http://www.garagecube.com/forum/view...icence+license

With the basic license you can authorize modul8 on two computers.

[sleepytom]

its still more expensive than £3/day for unlimited computers.

[steevelewis]

Q-Lab being good application ,provides good userfriendly interface. I would like to
insist you to put the link from which we can download demo version of Q-Lab.
Thanks for your post and stay connect.