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#1 2006-05-04 3:01 pm
- tedbragg
- Member
- From: Houston, TX
- Registered: 2003-02-13
- Posts: 302
Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
I have two video cards, each running their own desktop (extended, not mirrored)
I'm trying to take two different videos and 'mix' them live, with output going to my #2 screen.
So far, I haven't found anythiing for the Mac or PC. The closest I've found is a Video toaster (too expensive)
For something SO SIMPLE to do (it IS, right?) you'd think this would be easy to do...
I need a package that can mix two video files, or two programs (powerpoint and QT player) have a fade to black, cross-fade/trans LIVE, not as some rendered file like you'd do with G3's stuff in iMovie...
Right now with my extended desktop, Powerpoint and QT wrestle to dominate -- they do NOT work together well. Switching between apps sometimes brings up the desktop, which I can't afford to show.
WHAT is out there that can do this? In my Amiga days, there was a 'poor man's Toaster" called DigiPaint/View -- it was a cheap box with a t-bar on it and video outs. I SO wish I could find something that simple for my setup.
Anybody?
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#2 2006-05-05 6:16 am
Re: Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
Capturing two streams of video into a computer requires a LOT of horsepower. I have only seen it done with software called Picture Ready (expensive) thru XServe computers and recorded to XServe Raids (VERY expensive). Capturing multiple streams of video is anything BUT simple.
What you are looking for is a hardware switcher. It takes multiple feeds and outputs one.
Even the Video Toaster didn't capture multiple streams.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" -Albert Einstein
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#3 2006-05-07 10:56 pm
- avkills
- demyelinated brain matter
- Registered: 2001-05-09
- Posts: 7107
Re: Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
I think he is looking for a switcher. Just rent a Folsom Screen Pro, use two computers and call it done. Or better yet, convert your video to BetaSP, DVCAM, or DVD and use a DVD player for that and your computer for the Powerpoint.
And the video toaster on the Amiga, although amazing at the time, used composite video and the compression on the video during 2.5d transitions sucked donkey balls.
What you "want" to do will just cause you heart-ache and pain.
Oh and mixing hi-res (1024x768 + ) images seamlessly and/or video sources is not easy. The technology has only been out for about 3-4 years.
-mark
Last edited by avkills (2006-05-07 10:59 pm)
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#4 2006-05-08 10:35 am
Re: Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
tedbragg wrote:
I need a package that can mix two video files, or two programs (powerpoint and QT player) have a fade to black, cross-fade/trans LIVE, not as some rendered file like you'd do with G3's stuff in iMovie...
Anybody?
It sounds to me like he wants to do some VJ stuff with files already on his hard drive, not from video feeds off a camera. If this is the case, there are several DJ programs that have expaned into video mixing as well. I did a Google search for "video mix mac" and came up with several options, but since I don't know your exact situation, I can't tell you which one would work for you. But that should get you headed in the right direction to find out for yourself if this is indeed your dilemma. 
It's all about the Hamiltons, baby.
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#5 2006-05-08 11:30 am
- avkills
- demyelinated brain matter
- Registered: 2001-05-09
- Posts: 7107
Re: Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
Well he could always just buy a cheap-o video switcher like a videonics and just use the video outputs from his graphics cards. You would lose a lot of resolution but in a VJ situation I doubt it would matter.
-mark
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#6 2006-05-08 1:25 pm
- user
- Your plastic pal who's fun to be with
- From: I'm not getting you down, am I
- Registered: 2001-10-15
- Posts: 16035
Re: Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
I was just about to suggest an MX-1. Used, they are now going for about $550.
I once used one of those for a New Year's eve gig. I had three VHS video decks with dance appropriate videos in them (one was Metropolis, which really freaked some folks out). I used the "demo" mode. Just hit that button and swapped tapes as needed while the MX-1 automatically went through all of it's switching modes in random order.
Last edited by user (2006-05-08 1:26 pm)
Aw, he's no fun, he fell right over.
Unless you become as little children, there's no way you will believe this crap.
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#7 2006-05-18 4:26 am
- katiePOW
- Goddess of the Editbooth
- From: by the sea side
- Registered: 2002-09-27
- Posts: 490
Re: Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
ebay has lots of switchers. and switching off a board is way more fun then it would be on a computer anyway 
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#8 2006-05-26 11:02 am
- mac_the_iDog
- Member
- Registered: 2006-05-23
- Posts: 10
Re: Video Switching Software? Homemade "studio"
How about Live Channel Pro ? www.channelstorm.com/
or Modul8? http://www.garagecube.com/modul8/
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