Ableton Forum

Hi,

I wish to project animated video/moving gifs, etc when playing a set, how can this be done? Any special equipment setup? I understand Plastikman does this as well, I do not need high end...just something to display fracto patterns and stuff..tx

arkaos vj does this via midi events... so your midi can change what you see on the fly..

good luck

A video projector is needed. Then you need to have something to play the images. That can be as simple as Quicktime or more involved like Arkaos, Resolume, or Ms. Pinky.


Here's a pretty good resource for info

http://www.vjcentral.com/

You may require an AGP card with a TV out connection / port.

Many laptops have TV out. Usually this is video only - not audio (that probably is not important as you are syncing to Live audio I assume).

You need to activate the TV out on your PC /laptop (I guess you are working with a Wintel laptop as you offer no clue as to your equipment).

Look in the laptop/AGP card Help file / manual, use Windows Help, look under the Screen Properties for help and / or do a Google.

Some projectors may connect to a VGA output from a laptop.

The next step is to acquire a projector and screen?

Good luck!

Hello...

This is a subject that is very much inspiring me lately.

What is a good affordable projector or DIY projector?

Also are there any SPECIFIC directions for using modul8 with Live...i.e. setting up a midi channel to control modul8. I just can't figure out what should be happening in said midi channel to control modul8 in a refined manner. My midi notes are having an effect of some sort, going out on IAC channel (whatever that is).

Thanx

I use grid By www.vidvox.com syncs with live and midi plays videos simpe and easy to setup + will work with projectors etc

What is a good affordable projector or DIY projector?

From the sound rental company I work with, info I got is that minimum is 2500 lumens, and that you can expect to pay "about a buck per lumen" up to a point.

The graphics generation app will consume CPU that you'd be using for music. The way I've considered doing this is to run two computers, one dedicated to running the graphics generator app, running an audio feed from the mixer into the audio in and setting that to the graphics generator app's input. Then, run the RGB out from the second computer to the projector.

thanks for the info...ya the lumens sure seem spendy at the moment...I keep hoping it'll become more affordable.

I guess I'll just pick up another monitor for now, run out to that, shut all the lights off....bedroom showtime...

Grid looks way cool, modul8 has kinda won me over...just need to figure out how the sync works on a more specific level.

It does seem like two lappies would be the way to go...out of reach for now..

cheers all

edit: sorry if I hijacked the thread s3...

I'm using Arkaos VJ. It works perfectly with Live, and the latest version uses the video card in the computer for effect processing, thus freeing up the computer processor for Live use. I was using two Macs for video and audio, but now I'm just using the G5 for both. If you want sharp, crisp images, do all of your video work in XGA resolution. This is the native resolution of most projectors.

Arkaos is really simple to use. Drag your video clips/stills/Flash movies/effects onto the virtual keyboard. In Live, Arkaos shows up via Rewire on a MIDI track. Now just sequence or play Arkaos just like an audio synth from Live,. There are hundreds of parameters in Arkaos that are controlled by CC messages. And, like everything else, the video not only stays synced to Live, but as tempo changes, the CC effects stay in time with everything. Arkaos will also beat-detect and change parameters in time for your automatically with no programming if you want it to.

Lumens - the more the better, especially if you want to project from behind, and even more if the ambient light is high. I use a 10' by 7.5' rear-projection screen and a 4500 lumen LCD projector. Rear projection solves the problem of where to put the projector so it isn't in the way, but it creates a new problem of finding room behind the screen on small stages. I solved this with a wide-angle short-throw lens, but they're stupidly expensive. Rear projection also lets you point the projector straight and square at the screen, which means you don't have to use 'keystoning' to correct distortion, which tends to smear the image and make one side brighter than the other.

I worked for months with a second monitor simulating the video screen. It's a great way to learn before you buy a projector, which are getting cheaper and more powerful all the time.

Good luck, and have fun!

Hambone,

What are you using for a projector?

Hitachi CP-X1250 with fixed short-throw lens. Can project a 10' wide image from 9' away.

Can I just chime in here and say my collaborator Mike and I have been VJing for 10 years. In that time neither of us have ever purchased a video projector.

Our rationale:

1. f'n expensive
2. ALWAYS getting better / brighter / cheaper.
3. If you buy one it will probably spend most of its life NOT working (I mean just sitting in storage) unless you are a 3 gigs a week type.
4. When the lamp/DLP goes, its costly to replace and you're left rescussitating obsolete gear.

What I'm saying is video projectors depreciate faster than computers (as if thats possible) IMHO its better to build your VJ sets at home on a monitor and cultivate a friendly hire company for repeat business when you do gigs.

On the other hand, home theatre is cool... but we've never been able to justify the purchase. YMMV

PB

You obviously haven't played Grand Theft Auto or FIFA 2005 on a 10' screen with a 2.6kW PA in your living room!

I wouldn't have spent the cash (I could've bought a car for the cost of that projector!), but I think it's different with private/corporate stuff. Same with PA. I like to be self-contained & in control.

And if I can get enough work to burn out a lamp, I can probably afford another one!

I'm doing all of the audio and video on one G5 now. No more multiple computers, MIDI sync, MIDI cables, etc. It's certainly a whole lot easier!

hambone1 wrote:PB

You obviously haven't played Grand Theft Auto or FIFA 2005 on a 10' screen with a 2.6kW PA in your living room!

Tru dat!! But then I live next to the sea so I've got this other big screen . . .

Actually I've never had the video game conversion experience. I don't get TV. This forum is my equivalent of telly and boy, talk about your end of season cliffhangers recently...

Pitch Black wrote:

hambone1 wrote:PB

You obviously haven't played Grand Theft Auto or FIFA 2005 on a 10' screen with a 2.6kW PA in your living room!

Tru dat!! But then I live next to the sea so I've got this other big screen . . .

Actually I've never had the video game conversion experience. I don't get TV. This forum is my equivalent of telly and boy, talk about your end of season cliffhangers recently...

I'd take your big screen over mine any day... but this one pays the bills! Hopefully, I'll be able to enjoy your kind of big screen one day...