improved multi-screen support

[DrMazoola]

Knowing full well that most of these would likely require a fundamental change in architecture for Resolume -- in other words, ain't going to happen -- I thought I'd at least get them on the list.

The main reason I chose Resolume when I first started out -- in addition to its low learning curve, flexibility, stability, speed, and low price, of course -- was its ability to feed two or more outputs simultaneously. Nearly all of my shows to date have made use of two projectors and a UI monitor, and for one gig I fed three screens simultaneously. Often I'll play off the images in one monitor against those in the second. (I still remember one point during my very first performance -- accompanying three improvisational noise/rock groups -- when I projected NASA footage onto 30' x 20' screens flanking the stage, with assorted aircraft crashing slowly and repeatedly into the band...)

Unfortunately, if you drive two or more simultaneous feeds from a single system, you cripple Resolume's ability to overlay imagery. In my case, one projector displays only a single layer plus one layer effect while the other contains the summed output of two layers, each with a layer effect. By definition, universal effects are no longer an option -- but it is also impossible to apply an effect to the summed output of two layers or to apply two effects to a single layer.

So, here's what I'd like:

1. A way to apply 'global' effects to fewer than three layers.
That would at least give me the ability to send two summed
layers to one projector and one layer + layer effects +
global effects to the other.

2. Better: The ability to 'route' layers through global effects.
That is, to define Screen 2 as Layers 1 & 2 plus Global Effects
2 & 3 (for example), or to assign each layer its own [not so]
global effect channel.

3. Ideally: Four layers (at least) plus item 2 above.
That would allow me to run two projectors with at least two
layers each plus global effects.
--Oh, and a ReAct trade-in program for the new 4-layer
controller.

I know the real solution would be to use a MIDI controller to drive two Resolume machines, but I'm still trying to get the hang of running Resolume using something other than a traditional keyboard and mouse...

Thanks,
Maz
program

[rodell]

Hi there Dr ,


I was wondering what graphics card you use to get the three screen set-up? I just bought a Matrox Parhelia to try to get this set-up but I can't get it to work for me???? ?????


Cheers, Rod

[mfo]

Matrox Parhelia should work fine. I've a G450 MMS and that one works, despite the fact, that it significantly slows my system down.



To DrMazoola's post:

Why not "simply" include the ability to use the global effects still globally, even if the 3 layers are split to 3 screens?!
Of course, those need to get processed on every layer, thus they are like layer effects - but you could still use those. In that way you could do quick changes affecting all screens simultaniously.

[rodell]

Thanks for the reply. How do you set up the displays?

2 screens and TV out? with overlay/DVD max?

Or as 3 monitors - when I do this It simply shows as one large monitor not three independant diplays. Can you remedy this?

Do you use the Matrox drivers?

Any details would be appreciated.

Cheers, Rod

[mfo]

did not use that machine for a while, but as i remember i neither used dvdmax nor any other special feature. simply an extended desktop over 3 displays (tv-outs or vga ... doesnt matter). in resolume i had 4 single displays ready to get used - so i put every layer to the according display.

if your resolume shows only one large display, do you have 4 single ones in windows?

[Edited on 23-1-2006 by mfo]

[DrMazoola]

I've used a number of different combinations. When I first set up the system, I couldn't get my AGP Nvidia-based card to work (and now I've, er, misplaced the offending card), but I've run 1 dual-port ATI AGP card (I think a 7x00 and a 9x00 AIW) along with an OEM Nvidia PCI FX5200 (made by MadDog). I've run 4 feeds simultaneously -- individual layers + console -- and I *think* I even pulled a fifth feed, once, which I seem to remember mirrored one of the other feeds.

A while back I bought a couple Colorgraphic Evolution 2Vs cheap on eBay for use in a homebrew video wall, but I've not tried them, yet. Supposedly, they'll support 4 monitors per card, with multiple cards per machine. I suspect they won't work with Resolume -- or probably with anything I'd like them to -- but if they do I'll report back.

Maz