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Multiple video inputs

jakepin
New User

Aug 14, 2007, 3:51 PM

Post #1 of 22 (5114 views)
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Multiple video inputs	Can't Post

Trying a new application running 6 live inputs in combination...

I've found a hardware (Daystars XtraView Pro) that will allow my Mac Pro to run up to 7 simultaneous NTSC inputs (with an extra USB card).

I hear tell that Pete's LiveFeed plugins will let you select from multiple video input devices, but I cant seem to find those plug ins in OS X format.

Anyone know where I can find them? Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks.

Mark Coniglio
TroikaTronix / Moderator

Aug 16, 2007, 5:56 AM

Post #2 of 22 (5091 views)
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Re: [jakepin] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Isadora does not yet support multiple video inputs. Pete's plugins are a workaround for the PC side, but there is no similar solution for the Mac.

Sorry that I can't help you with this.

Best,
Mark

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Mark Coniglio / TroikaTronix
Creator of Isadora

nick
User

Aug 28, 2007, 2:58 AM

Post #3 of 22 (5048 views)
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Re: [Mark Coniglio] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got multi video in working using qtz composer with isadora.

Create a quartz composer composition that hooks up to the device you want and then save it as a quicktime movie (you may be a ble to use the straight quartz composer file).

Repeat this for each input, so you have a file for each input. Drag them to the media window, and then you can play them using a movie player.

Worked with the old interview usb devices with the echofx driver that enabled you to run more than one video source.

HTH
Cheers

Nick

william
User

Nov 7, 2007, 5:14 PM

Post #4 of 22 (4885 views)
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Re: [nick] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Nick -

Would you mind posting a patch or picture of your quartz patch for this?

Thanks,
William

nick
User

Nov 8, 2007, 12:19 PM

Post #5 of 22 (4857 views)
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Re: [boys&murderers] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't have it to hand anymore.

It was just the quartz composer equivalent of a video in connected to a billboard.

I used echoFX drivers for the old interview usb devices as they support multiple devices with their driver - you can also use different input types- say an isight and DV camera together.

Plug all the cameras in
Select the source for the video in, then save as a QTmovie.
Select a different source and then save as a quicktime movie wih a different name.

Add them both to the media bin in izzy.

Use as you would a movie.

There is a slight glitch as it loads up, so you would need to preload and crossfade if that is an issue.

HTH

Nick
Cheers

Nick

william
User

Nov 15, 2007, 6:20 AM

Post #6 of 22 (4810 views)
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Re: [nick] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Nick -

This has worked with 2 separate input types, but not with 2 XLR8 devices.

The people at Daystar even admitted that using 2 XLR8's simultaneously does not work, blaming Quicktime.

Have you (or anyone) tried using multiple input cards on the machine? Such as mixing a Canopus card with a Daystar card or a Blackmagic card?

Jake - what did you end up doing for this? Just renting an Encore system?

It's just that the option of running firewire 100' doesn't exist for this specific installation... must use composite cable...

Thanks!

knowtheatre
New User

Nov 28, 2007, 1:05 PM

Post #7 of 22 (4697 views)
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Re: [boys&murderers] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

So using multiple XLR8 devices didn't work for you, even using the echoFX drivers? What did you (or Jake) do to get the multi inputs? We are pretty much in the same boat...
Thanks!

william
User

Nov 28, 2007, 4:58 PM

Post #8 of 22 (4686 views)
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Re: [knowtheatre] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

What is your setup? How many computers, how many feeds? Are you on Mac or PC? Etc. There are multiple solutions. You can email me directly, if you like -
info@boysandmurderers.com

monsieurmeus
Novice

Apr 21, 2008, 8:50 AM

Post #9 of 22 (4009 views)
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Re: [nick] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi!
I'm desperatly trying to do this quark composer quicktime export to get multiple live video inputs in Izzy, could you please give me some more information (like what "duration" of this video, which settings�) I can't get this working.
thanks

sam

nick
User

Apr 21, 2008, 11:17 PM

Post #10 of 22 (3996 views)
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Re: [monsieurmeus] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yep sorry - old info and no longer valid - live video in quartz composer no longer plays in quicktime, I think its part of the recent security changes in quicktime.

EchoFX drivers are also crashing quartz composer on my machine so can't replicate stuff I had a couple of years back, sorry.

I can still get multiple external isights to work, and one firewire DV source and isight cameras, but have to stay within quartz composer, so if you could build it in quartz composer alone you could get it to work.

Sorry, I posted old info without checking it still worked. I wasn't aware of the changes as I haven't done multiple cameras recently, until I went on a Quartz composer course last week and tried it out
Cheers

Nick

monsieurmeus
Novice

Apr 22, 2008, 12:06 AM

Post #11 of 22 (3994 views)
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Re: [nick] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

ok thanks for the help, I will do this with an old school video mixer, hoping pete's Livefeed plugin will one day work for mac.
cheers,

sam

hal
User

Apr 28, 2008, 3:48 PM

Post #12 of 22 (3919 views)
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Re: [jakepin] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

So another solution to the multiple video inputs is to use a Quad Splitter that takes 4 inputs and shrinks them into one video feed. Then to cut that up in Isadora.

That all sounds well and good, and I bought a the Grandtec Vision Guard III to do this, but unfortunately it burns the camera # onto the image and I can't seem to turn that off, so my inputs are numbered 1234.
Seems a bit silly, since they never change on the device or anything. Oh well, less than perfect.

so I have two questions.

Has anyone else used this trick, and do you have a quad splitter you like.
does anyone know of a HD quad splitter. something I could plug 4 SD or HD devices into and get a 720p or better image out of to feed into my computer.

--
Hal Eagar - Media Effects Artist http://haleagar.com
Director - Digital Performance Institute http://digitalperformance.org
DPI-office 646 442 4435 | Hal-cell 917 257 8440

skulpture
User

Apr 28, 2008, 3:53 PM

Post #13 of 22 (3918 views)
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Re: [hal] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

but unfortunately it burns the camera # onto the image and I can't seem to turn that off, so my inputs are numbered 1234.
Seems a bit silly, since they never change on the device or anything. Oh well, less than perfect.

Thats such a shame, its like on some digital camera's that show the battery and time, more annoyingly you can't always get it off! Sometimes it can add to the aesthetic I suppose...

Unfortunately I do not know of any HD devices but im sure one will exist.
I will have a search through my bookmarks.

Cool

An instant without duration....

www.grahamthorne.co.uk

michel
User

Apr 29, 2008, 9:08 AM

Post #14 of 22 (3901 views)
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Re: [hal] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

The disadvantage of the "cheap" Quad Splitters used in security business is the bad quality. In quad view the resolution of each video is much less than 1/4.

You can have a look at this site, they might have something you are looking for:

http://www.rgb.com/en/Products/

Michel

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It happens every day: information overload! Time for a reboot..."
(traditional haiku poem)

film:projekt ------------------- autodidakten

hal
User

Apr 29, 2008, 9:38 AM

Post #15 of 22 (3898 views)
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Re: [michel] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Worse than 1/4 quality, blah. But yes I do perceive that that may be the case, and for about $150 for a quad splitter device I guess that's about what you might expect. Still seems like a good hack.
Maybe multiple video inputs will be added to Izz some day, that would be better than this type of hack.
Computers are getting fast enough for it, and then you could build a whole mixer in Izz.

Hmm, I've looked at RGB spectrum before, and so far all their products seem to cost more than my entire budget for any show.
I'm always looking for the magic hack I guess. Sometimes I find it, and sometimes I just have to suffer low quality video.
--
Hal Eagar - Media Effects Artist http://haleagar.com
Director - Digital Performance Institute http://digitalperformance.org
DPI-office 646 442 4435 | Hal-cell 917 257 8440

monsieurmeus
Novice

Sep 19, 2008, 10:33 AM

Post #16 of 22 (2732 views)
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Re: [nick] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

HI!
I was wondering if there's something new about having 2 live feed s in Isadora. Quartz is not working as a movie anymore. Anyone had it to work?

chers

nick
User

Sep 20, 2008, 2:53 AM

Post #17 of 22 (2717 views)
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Re: [monsieurmeus] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

echofX released new drivers recently so it might be worth looking at those again and seeing if they work reliably in quartz composer now, but you would still only be able to work in quartz composer with it
Cheers

Nick

zandko
Novice

Sep 25, 2008, 1:18 PM

Post #18 of 22 (2506 views)
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Re: [nick] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mark,
we want Multiple video inputs in Isadora! :)

congratulation for loop diver !
(royaumont france)

(This post was edited by zandko on Sep 25, 2008, 1:18 PM)

jnevin
Novice

Oct 5, 2008, 10:17 AM

Post #19 of 22 (1896 views)
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Re: [zandko] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have 2 live, switchable, video feeds working and tested with Isadora Core 1.2.9

Cam-1 comes from a live feed to my Firewire port. I use the Aupperle DFG/1394 device in-between the Cam-1 and the MacBook Pro Firewire port to reduce latency. In Izzy, I use a CI-Video-Watcher actor.

Cam-2 comes from a live feed to a ProView USB XLR8 then to the USB port of the MacBook Pro. I then created a Quartz Composer .qtz composition that uses a Video Input patch to find the XLR8 device. I publish the patch's output. I put the .qtz file in the Izzy Freeframe folder so that it shows up as an Actor in the Izzy Video actors list.

Both of the above Izzy Actors expose "Image" outputs. Each actor is connected to a separate CI Projector. In-between, is a Toggle actor that can be used to turn one Projector off while turning the other Projector on.

Mark Coniglio
TroikaTronix / Moderator

Oct 8, 2008, 2:59 AM

Post #20 of 22 (1778 views)
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Re: [zandko] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

As soon as 1.2.9.x (which will become 1.3) is stable, I will add this feature.

Best,
Mark

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Mark Coniglio / TroikaTronix
Creator of Isadora

primald
Novice

Oct 17, 2008, 4:18 PM

Post #21 of 22 (1521 views)
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Re: [Mark Coniglio] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just incase you are awake in Berlin staring at the ceiling... ! I also need the multiple video input solution for our current project.

Any idea when you might be adding it...... !??

thanks
jamie in Vancouver

ps there is a new video mixer that allows you to mix firewire camera sources... Edirol V8. Won't solve our own issue exactly, but useful for some folks... about $2500 I think
www.primaldivine.com
It is, I am, We Are
interactive designer and performance artist
Spirituality, Consciousness and Art.

Mark Coniglio
TroikaTronix / Moderator

Nov 18, 2008, 3:22 AM

Post #22 of 22 (383 views)
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Re: [primald] Multiple video inputs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Troika Ranch just completed a three week intensive working on the new piece Loop Diver. The multiple input version of Isadora will be coming in the next couple of weeks... I'm still testing it.

Best Wishes,
Mark

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Mark Coniglio / TroikaTronix
Creator of Isadora

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