VJ Software List
Industry vet and projectionist extraordinaire Dr. Mojo of MojoVideoTech has an outstanding list of VJ apps that he keeps in the toolbox. Make sure to visit his website and check out some in action on recent gigs.
I use a few of these and thought I’d add a couple:
Derivative’s Touchdesigner
TouchDesigner 077 is a visual development platform that equips you with the tools you need to create stunning realtime projects and rich user experiences. Think Amon Tobin…
d3 from d3 Technologies
d3 is a real-time 3D stage simulator, timeline based sequencer, video playback engine, and content mapper, all integrated into a single piece of software that runs on your own laptop or dedicated d3 hardware.
Import stages from the CAD program of your choice, add screens, props, and content to get a true simulation of your production, well before you actually start your build. U2, Red hot Chili Peppers, Coachella…
Karolina Sobrecka “It’s You”
One of the great things about running Projectionfreak is that I get to connect to all kinds of creative minds in the world of technology. Recently I ran a few pieces that utilized the work of Flightphase-their installation of a huge, interactive video wall at the University of Dayton, and an interactive museum exhibit at the National Maritime Museum in the UK.
Karolina Sobrecka, Creative Director of Flightphase, gets to do some pretty amazing projects and her solo work looks (more…)
The Visual Drugstore Invades North Africa
The Visual Drugstore invaded North Africa last month on a mission dubbed ‘MMOVΞ’ to travel, experience, and project onto, the desert and any structures that presented themselves. Mar-K.os and crew loaded up the world’s most tricked out mobile projection platform, the MMOV, and some trailing vehicles and headed out for a month of cruising the dunes to project onto whatever they could find. Love this!
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Vaddio ProductionVIEW Switcher- Review
The following appears in the current issue of PLSN magazine, and I can’t thank them enough for printing it. But here on Projectionfreak you get some extras….
I use a PTZ camera system at work that is a package supplied by Markertek (outstanding prices and service from these folks….highly recommend them!) ….and manufactured by Vaddio…namely a ProductionVIEW switcher, 3 HD19 PTZ cameras with CCU, a Vaddio 3-way monitor, and a Vaddio 2-way HD monitor. The switcher is at the heart of the rig, providing control over the 3 cameras, a fourth PTZ (Sony EVI-D70), computer input, and DVD input. I should say up front that I am not paid by Vaddio or Markertek, nor do they receive advertising credit or endorsement from me or from Projectionfreak.com.……although ANY/ALL of those options and scenarios are open for discussion! Hint hint- as in “call for a rate card” hint….
I happen to use their gear based on price and performance and I couldn’t be happier. It’s great stuff and the image quality is outstanding- but on with the hands-on review:
Vaddio ProductionVIEW HD Switcher
As the ‘video guy’ I get asked to wear a lot of hats and it’s not just because I’m a nice guy that says “yes”. There’s a lot of factors to keep track of- not the least of which is keeping a decent image onscreen. If you’re touring, you’re usually just trying to keep the gear from being destroyed- if you’re in corporate you have the constant harangue of having to edit presenter imagery- if you’re in trade shows, well- that list is too long. Usually this is all on top of being the switcher. If you are the lucky person that owns/rents the gear that makes all that happen, you need equipment that does more than one thing. So it goes (more…)
Flightphase Interactive Projection Wall at University of Dayton
Flightphase, along with HUSH studios and 160over90, lent their talents to the creation of an incredible interactive projection wall featured at the University of Dayton. (You may recall Hush was the motion graphic studio behind the giant Toyota touchscreen we featured a while back) Intended to be an “interactive attractor” for prospective students and their families, the wall is housed (more…)
V Squared Labs Reveals the Scion FR-S
I’m a huge fan of Vello Virkhaus’ (V Squared Labs) work and it seems he’s lent his touch to a car reveal. Projection on cars has been in the news a bunch recently- I guess everyone just jumps on the bandwagon at some point, but I happen to like it. Cars are perfect for this type of treatment….sleek lines, interesting shapes, smallish (so a really bright projector can look great), and you can use a lot more than 1 or 2 projectors if need be. V Squared Labs put their touch on this reveal for Scion and while they (more…)
Projectionmapping with VIZZable 0.9.3
Using VIZZable, a series of modules for M4Live, and Ableton you can route video via Syphon to other apps….like Madmapper! This vid features Zeal of Zealousy.com who I recently ran a post on using the patch to make a MIDI based map. Love creative uses of apps like these! I also updated the Tutorials for Projection page with the link, so be sure to check it out!
Barco Releases Next-gen Image Pro II
It seems like anymore not a gig goes by where I wish I had an Image Pro…..now I can wish for a Image Pro II. The original Image Pro earned a reputation in the industry for being a bit cantankerous, but it’s one of those pieces of gear you’re glad you have when push comes to shove. It’s the original “anything in- anything out” box for super quality scaling/converting…not so much for switching- but it’ll do that too in a pinch. Barco is launching the new ImagePRO-II, a video scaler, scan converter, switcher, and transcoder in one at Integrated Systems Europe, January 31 to February 2, Amsterdam.
The company says the ImagePRO-II is the most versatile (more…)
Derivative’s TouchDesigner goes Gold
Derivative’s TouchDesigner is now in it’s final release after three years of development. TouchDesigner 077 is a visual development platform in the Windows OS (for now…) that equips you with the tools you need to create stunning realtime projects and rich user experiences. Whether you’re creating live music visuals, interactive media systems, architectural projections, or simply rapid-prototyping your latest creative impulse, TouchDesigner provides you with an exploratory, visual, and fun way to work. (more…)
Saturdays are supposed to be for rest, no?
It’s Saturday and things at the website are usually slow- plus I have to be at the day job…..most of you know I’m a video technician at a professional theatre on a college campus. It just so happens that I came from a moving light background, so when the 1st electrician is away (like now, for LDI) I get to take care of lighting for whatever event is here. It’s mostly instrumental music this weekend, so it ain’t that bad. Easy, in fact…to kill time why not blog a little and get some projects done?
The two big projects that are happening right now is the addition of two very high-end projectors and the other is an install of an HD camera system. First- the projectors. We got a hold of two DPI Digital Lightning 35HD’s for a steal, one with a lens one without, circa 2006. Both have about 2000 hours on them. They are both in very good condition. The 35HD is a 16,000 lumen, 2k res projector, meaning it’s going to take a crapload of power in my booth to make them work. We have yet to work out the details, but for now we have 2 x 100 amp breakers…I may have to invest in two buck boosters though as the voltage will not be quite what it needs to be. The other thought was that we just had a bunch of new work done on the HVAC system and there are two subpanels below my booth that are 277v. Hmmm…..maybe not buck boosters, but just a big shunt to get to 230v. I’ll also need to beef up the table that both will rest on. Once these things get installed, I don’t plan on moving them very often.
The camera system has been a long time coming. I have been using a 4 camera system that was largely piece-mealed together using different parts from a now-defunct distance learning program. It’s currently 4 Sony EVI-D70′s controlled with an RMBR-300 and all switched with the Roland LVS-800. I then feed this to various legacy decks and monitors (also to projectors), but now that we have some high-end projection, we need some high end signal! The new system is based on the Vaddio Clearview HD18 CCU camera (x3) and a Productionview HD switcher. I also got a Blackmagic Studio 2 capture card for the big Macpro to record in analog HD (at ProRes 422 1280×720). The plan is to purchase a 1TB RAID0 from OWC as well so I’ll have a decent speedy drive to record to. Storage is another deal altogether. We’ll look at long term down the road. This install is going to be a bit of a challenge- I need to run 3 CAT5E cables to every camera position and in a theater that was built in 1963 out of poured concrete, this is no small feat. I also basically have to gut the rack I have now and reconfigure the whole patch. This is sometimes good, though, as it gets rid of unecessary cable and allows me to refine the cable runs a little cleaner.
I’ll be taking pictures along the way so stay tuned and you can watch the progress.
That’s it for now. Have a good weekend.
Chivas Mapping from Visual Vibes Group
In what looks like an after-party for a sponsored production, the Visual Vibes Group gives us this projection mapping from the inside of a theatre. There’s some great textural stuff, and who wouldn’t want their theatre filled with whiskey? (more…)
Electrosonic at the National Maritime Museum in London
Electrosonic has been busy recently with the install of the National Maritime Museum in London. We ran a story a while back on their involvement with the Dover Castle Tunnels project so be sure to have a look…..
From Electrosonic Europe:
London (October 10, 2011) – On the 14th July the National Maritime Museum opened its new £36.5m Sammy Ofer Wing, housing ‘Voyagers, a permanent gallery dedicated to helping visitors gain a richer understanding of Britain’s maritime heritage. Electrosonic was selected by the museum to supply, install, commission and provide warranty of the audio-visual hardware. The gallery was designed by Real Studios, with audio-visual creative direction by the Light Surgeons. (more…)
Arkaos GrandVJ 1.6 beta with Syphon Support
GrandVJ 1.6 beta, that crazy-capable mixing software from Arkaos, now with built-in Syphon support!
Syphon is an open source Mac OS X technology that allows applications to share frames – full frame rate video or stills – with one another in realtime. Until now, Syphon could already be used in GrandVJ through Quartz Composer, the graphical modular language of Apple.
Syphon is now natively supported by GrandVJ, where it acts as an additional (virtual) output, and you know what that means- through Syphon, you can send the output from GrandVJ to any other application that support Syphon as input, which makes it possible to use GrandVJ as video mixer module in some more complex setups. Rejoice and download the latest beta HERE. Remember- it’s a BETA folks. Don’t go running it on a mission-critical show or anything, k?
The MIDAS Project
A synesthetic exploration of traditional artistic performance and digital art, MIDASpaces was devised as an interactive projection mapped space for the Creative Arts. Using the latest tracking technology, the space learns and reacts to performance, allowing the artist to explore new improvised choreography live and in time. The team worked in tandem with dancer Tom O’Donnell. Given a narrative revolving around man’s ever-changing relationship with technology; the movements challenge assumptions within performance and the evolving role of the performer within art.
An interactive projection mapped project- MIDASpaces employs a combination of light projection, sound and camera tracking to add a digital dimension to the Creative Arts in a real world space. The project made use of custom software written in openFrameworks (C++) running in conjunction with QuartzComposer (openGL) to create the visuals. (more…)
Connecting Isadora to Madmapper
The folks over at Madmapper (one of our fave new apps) have a great tutorial on connecting to Isadora (one of our other fave apps). It uses a QC patch through yet another fave app, Syphon, to accomplish this. I don’t know what the download results are for Syphon, but given the popularity it’s achieved in the past 2 or 3 months, it’s gotta be huge. Dig it- everyone’s talking to everyone nicely now…….on with the show……
Mapping Festival 2011!
The Mapping Festival 2011 is about to get into high gear in Geneva. It looks like it’ll be HUGE with a lineup of such VJ’ing and Electronica stars in the following categories:
AV performance:
- 35plis
- Supermafia
- Iduun
- Manuel Chantre
- Zan Lyons
- Fernando Velázquez & Francisco Lapetina
- People Like Us
- Greie Gut Fraktion
- CENC
- VJ Fader, Adrian Sierra Garcia, Aya Irizuki, Elsée Dall’ava, Tilman Porschuetz
- Ioann Maria
- murat ombombe
- Krash On Earth
- Chloé Mazlo & Son of a Pitch
- ExLex
- Transforma & Yro
- the erasers
- Michal Mierzwa (Antistatic Family) / Piotr Bejnar (Mo’s Ferry)
- legoman & Stray Dogs
- Pascal Greco & Goodbye Ivan
- Cagoule
- Recoil Performance Group
DJ Set/Live
- Born Bjorg
- Junction SM
- Water Lilly
- Simian Mobile Disco
- Nemelka
- The Hiiters
- Electric Rescue
- D.I.M
- Shadow Dancer
- Opuswerk
- Dachshund
- Ina D
- Dirty Mad Sound
- Da Krew
- Fukkk Offf
- MC Crazy D
- Unknown To The Unknown
- D1 – All In feat. Jenna G
- Oneman
- DJ Die
- Franky Digital
- Paul de Valsonje
- Raw-shan
Lecture/Workshops/Presentation/Demo
- Get Set Festival – M’s & M (Modeling, Manufacturing and Mapping) COMPLET
- Modul8
- MadMapping WORKSHOP COMPLET
- Workshop Body Double COMPLET
- Conférence: From Hal to Kinect
- AV:LAB present UVA, onedotzero, lightrythm, RVA, Shantell Martin, Olga Mink and Benge.
- Cybercinema
- A.Visualist
- Présentation Vimeo CANCELLED
- Workshop “HD” mixer
- Présentation M’s & M
- VJ Contest
- In conversation
From their website:
The Mapping Festival is dedicated to the advancement of the VJ medium. It does so by initiating events where the medium of projecting images is combined with other currents in contemporary culture, and bringing these events to the people of Geneva and international visitors.
Formed in 2005 by the creators of Modul8 and the association of the night club Le Zoo/Usine, The festival seeks to present works by individuals and collectives that share a passion for real time image making and performance.
The festival is a labratory for the VJing discipline, offering both novices and professionals the possibilty for experimentation as well as a forum for exchanging ideas and resources. This approach has given it a reputation within the world wide VJ community.
This year the festival will focus on the technical aspects of video mapping, i.e. video-projection on surfaces that is one of the fastest growing art mediums in the world. Highlights include:
- Video projection on bodies by our 2011 visual.
- The official release of MadMapper, a new video mapping software created by GarageCUBE (Modul8) and 1024_architecture. The release will be accompanied by an exclusive 3 day workshop.
- A mapping workshop presented by Get Festival from Porto, Portugal.
This genre of visual performance/technology integration is the birthing grounds for a lot of the ideas and gear that permeate the business right now. I need to get there. Someone send pictures/videos!!!!!
MAPPING FESTIVAL 2011 - TEASER from mappingfestival on Vimeo.
Tools, Tips, and Tricks of the Trade- LCD Misconceptions Explained
If you’re in the business of projecting or displaying media for a living, you know the importance of calibrating your gear correctly. Many times you’ll run into displays not reacting quite as they should or having to explain to a client why something looks the way it does. Dr. Raymond Soneira of DisplayMate breaks down misinformation about displays,and specs. Never be fooled by LCD refresh rates, frame rates, or interlacing again! Check out these GREAT articles on response time and motion blur and also artifacts and image quality. All projection freaks need to know this stuff so read up! There will be a test and quiz later………
Let me state that this is NOT a paid plug….(although it would be nice) but be sure to check out all their display calibration software- indispensable!
CAT5 Revisited
Running a blog allows a lot of things, not the least of which is learning. This is in addition to being the editor, writer, and CTO. I learned I need to be a little less hasty in posting- the article on Video Over CAT5 was met with some criticism and I’d like to clarify a bit more….
Baluns are usually passive- that is, no power applied. Baseband video can be carried down UTP (or STP) and baluns can be used, although with limited distance. 
Display signals (like the ones your computer puts out) are a bit different, in fact- a lot different. You’ll need active transmitters and receivers, or powered devices, like these:
Some of these will require a power source at BOTH ends, some can supply power from one end to the other. Keep in mind these are for NON-data signals- not standard network protocol. The UTP you string around your install is not to be used for data transmission or Ethernet or internet or anything that isn’t a display signal. As I said in the previous article- figure out if the cost savings is worth it. On larger installs, the cable cost and hassle are usually going to be better….on smaller custom installs with shorter distances UTP might not be the way to go. Good quality RGBHV or DVI or (ugh) HDMI cable might serve you better. There are certainly going to be more articles on this so stay tuned…..Rock on.
Projecting the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle
The Butler Bulldogs are in the Final Four and we had public viewing party at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Watching a game in the Church of Basketball is one thing, but having 4 HD screens and 4,000 screaming fans is the next best thing. Now that they’ve made it into the Final, we have to set the whole thing up again.
On the personal wish list for the 2012 Tournament (when we get this far again) – live, building-sized projection mapping with VJ interactive visuals (from AntiVJ or perhaps Nuformer) on the roof of Hinkle. pleasepleasepleaseplease……
Live blog to happen during the game on Monday 9:30p EST. Gear list:
Two Christie HD12k’s, two Christie HD18k’s, ImagePro, Samsung terrestrial HD tuner, laptops, audio interface for a DJ, and four 12′x21′ RP screens. All the graphics machines were DVI and the sat feed was HDMI from an OTA tuner. All signal to the PJ’s HD-SDI. Check out the result:
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- From Mid-court
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- opposing Christies
Tools, Tips, and Tricks of the Trade- Vista Spyder
Vistasystems bills the Vista Spyder as “the world’s most versatile video processor”. The Spyder has gained notoriety because it was designed with a wide variety of users in mind, from the beginner to the seasoned pro. It is used heavily in broadcast studios as well as C&C centers. It is also used widely in live production, from corporate events to giant tours. There are basically 3 different versions- the Series 200, 300, and X20. Here’s a detailed explanation.
There is also the URS, a Universal Routing Switcher, which allows anything in (Composite to 4k) and anything out (to any of 8 user configurable outputs). Here’s the info, as well as a great mouse-over explanation. This unit does exactly what it says- universally routes and switches, which means you can get rid of external scalers, transcoders, and scan-converters.
Looks like we’ll need 3 or 4 for the plush Projectionfreak headquarters….
Video and Computer Signals over CAT5
Here at Projectionfreak, we were early adopters of this technology. It’s now come into it’s own and is quite popular. With the advent of higher-end home theater installs as well as industrials, tours, and museum/corporate installs, we’ve all seen the need for getting signal to far away places. The thing is, it’s not only for distance. With tour budgets tightening and space/weight at a premium, structured cabling has definitely solved a lot of problems. But what is it all about? Let me just start by saying that this area of the signal transmission industry is HUGE. From manufacturers of cable all the way to people that wire their own home theaters and “swear this will work”, the opinions and info will vary greatly. Your individual project will have unique requirements and you should weigh all the options before purchasing or trying to rig up a system. Keep in mind too, that different cable/balun combos will be able to transmit higher resolutions different distances- so again check the spec! We’ll cover the raw basics:
(more…)
Pet Peeve- Connectors
One thing that can go south on a gig faster than losing power, is connectors. I’m talking about cheap, poorly designed connectors that have saturated the market so much that I’m still amazed the industry goes that way. On consumer gear it’s one thing, on pro gear it’s entirely different, but there’s a whole industry of full of people that are between the two. They either can’t afford to have bins full of quality cable with quality connectors, or haven’t made the jump to gear that outputs high-res material such that it’s worth the risk. They can get by with less resolution and more “economical” ways to run their signal. Theatres come to mind. Not cinemas, but working theatres. There’s also the pro-sumer market where the gear itself is designed to carry “just enough” pro features to keep the price margin up. But back to connectors:
Thunderbolt in the Projection and the Entertainment Technology Industry
Does anyone else find it odd that they called it Thunderbolt as opposed to , oh say….lightning? Doesn’t thunder usually follow lightning? Whatever the legal folks had to do with it- Thunderbolt is coming and hopefully it’ll catch on like the ubiquitous IEEE 1394 Firewire did. What exactly is Thunderbolt? It’s the hot new I/O technology from Intel on Apple devices. I’ll admit- the specs are impressive. Dual-channel 10Gbps per port, bi-directional, Dual protocol (PCI Express and DisplayPort), daisy-chaining, electrical or optical cables, compatible with existing DP devices, power over cable for bus-powered devices and the list goes on. The official word from Apple is that you can use it for 0ne, not two, external displays, so at least the portable carrying folks can get some more real estate out of it. The best thing for everyone in the entertainment or projection industry is the stupid-fast transfer rates. At those speeds you’ll be able to transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds! How many times have you been on a gig and feared a transfer/backup because the fastest you could go was 800 Mbps? Fear no more! Back up the whole show and the backup for the backup faster than you can blink! Here’s a great article over at Ars technica with graphics, details, pictures, etc.
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