LED Mapping Questions!

[Sylicas]

Hello!

I have been VJing for awhile now - have been using GrandVJ 1.6 as my software of choice over the past 4 years haha. However, as there will be certain system upgrades at the establishment that I VJ at, I'm currently looking at upgrading my software accordingly - between GrandVJ-XT, Resolume, VDMX and Modul8, I'm leaning more towards upgrading to Resolume for it!

However, with regards to LED Mapping, I know nothing about it. Haha. So, I would appreciate it if you could help out with my queries!

Just some background information, the upgrades are as such - the establishment will be using one of the highest-end iMacs in the market currently to run the software. For the LED fixtures, there will be a 3-D cuboid LED screen mounted at the ceiling, along with multiple LED screens at the sides!

So, here are my questions -

#1) Are there any other softwares that I would need to purchase in order to map my visuals to the multiple LED Screens of Resolume Arena 4? Or can it all be done within the Mapping function of Arena itself? Because I've been looking into MadMapper, yet I'm not sure if I should pick it up if Resolume can do something similar to it!

#2) Are there any other hardware out there that I would need to purchase in order to link up my LED Screens to the iMac?

#3) Is it possible to change between showing separate visuals on each LED Screen or to show a complete visual over multiple LED Screens at each side?

That be all! Haha, thanks so much!

[He2neg]

#1 & #3 you can do a ot of stuff with Arena, you will find many ways to get to this target [ Layer / Slices / layer router ...]

#2 from my experience:
Normaly the Panels have somekind of input box / reciver were you can plug in your video cable and adjust a few things. If you have this, then you wont need any hardware, except the cable

[Joris]

As He2neg already mentions, whether or not you can control your LED setup depends on what protocol they use.

If they are regular LED screens, they will most likely have a processor that you can plug in to with your video cable. The processor will then appear as a second screen in your computer. You can then play videos on them from Resolume like they are normal projector screens ( just a bit smaller in resolution ).You can treat them as individual screens or one big surface or, if you know what you're doing, a combination of the two.

If it is a LED strip setup, it will most likely be controlled by DMX. In that case, combining Resolume with MadMapper is probably your best solution ( until Resolume 5 comes out ).

It can also be that the strips use some custom protocol though, so don't take my word for it. It's always best to ask the venue techs what signal they want from you.

[He2neg]

As He2neg already mentions, whether or not you can control your LED setup depends on what protocol they use.

If they are regular LED screens, they will most likely have a processor that you can plug in

That was the Word i was searching, arghh

[Sylicas]

#1 & #3 you can do a lot of stuff with Arena, you will find many ways to get to this target...

That's great to hear! But I'm just concerned - will the iMac be able to support the various outputs to the various LED Screens? We're talking about it supporting at least 7 to 8 different LED Screen Outputs... So I hope that it doesn't cause the iMac to meltdown. xD

... #2 from my experience:
Normaly the Panels have somekind of input box / reciver were you can plug in your video cable and adjust a few things. If you have this, then you wont need any hardware, except the cable...

As He2neg already mentions, whether or not you can control your LED setup depends on what protocol they use...

I see I see. If I'm not mistaken, the venue should be installing regular LED Screens instead of LED strips, so it seems like investing in video cables is the way to go! I would have to check with them about it though!

So, on the output side, will they show each of the LED Screens as a separate output each, or otherwise?

( until Resolume 5 comes out ).

And when will that be? :p it would be sad if I just bought it and it turns out there's another upgrade released the next month that I would have to pay to upgrade for! xD

Thanks for the feedback! It's really helping out!

[Joris]

So, on the output side, will they show each of the LED Screens as a separate output each, or otherwise?

That depends on the processor setup, but usually not. LED screens usually have a lot lower resolution than a projector, so depending on the screens, 8 LED screens could easily fit into a 1024x768 signal. It's impossible to say anything about this, only the venue techs can tell you.

You can still use them as individual screens or one big output though. The advanced output is designed to help you set up exactly for situations like this.

it would be sad if I just bought it and it turns out there's another upgrade released the next month that I would have to pay to upgrade for! xD

I said that more as a future reference for when people find this thread after Res 5 is released and think it means Resolume can't do DMX mapping.

Either way, it's not going to be done next month. Even then, you can always contact us when you feel you've been treated unfairly during a purchase. We're here to help you make good shows, not to swindle you out of your money.

And when will that be? :p

When it's done

[Sylicas]

That depends on the processor setup, but usually not. LED screens usually have a lot lower resolution than a projector, so depending on the screens, 8 LED screens could easily fit into a 1024x768 signal. It's impossible to say anything about this, only the venue techs can tell you.

You can still use them as individual screens or one big output though. The advanced output is designed to help you set up exactly for situations like this.

Hmmm... alright then! I would have to check with the techs to see what they'll be bringing in on their side. It's good to know that there are workarounds, depending on the situation!

I said that more as a future reference for when people find this thread after Res 5 is released and think it means Resolume can't do DMX mapping.

Either way, it's not going to be done next month. Even then, you can always contact us when you feel you've been treated unfairly during a purchase. We're here to help you make good shows, not to swindle you out of your money.

Haha, not implying unfairness in any way! It's just that my experience with frequently-updated Apple Products has made me more sensitive to product upgrades. One day, you decide to buy the iPhone and then on the next month, they announce an upgrade to it. Urgh, that feeling sucks. xD

Can understand where you're coming from, though! It's not easy to create such software with great functionalities - I'll be sure to check out what's coming up in the future.

Thanks for the feedback to my queries! Appreciate the quick and great support - I'm more convinced to change my workflow to Resolume now since it seems to be able to achieve certain features I have in mind!