Resolume+PC=Cheap multi channel video player?

[thadeusz]

Hi everybody,

I use Resolume more in a VJ way on my macbook pro at the moment (2.4GHz, Geforce 8400GT). What is not so perfect that you can't really play material in high resolution at reasonable frame rates (think it's about 1 full HD stream at 25 fps) – which is needed for art video installations.

I asked myself if it's possible to simply buy a very basic PC, add 2 or 3 PCI graphics cards (each should be around 60eur or so for HD signal) to have a cheap 3 channel full HD video player (let's say for about 700 eur). Probably need a second hard drive but DXV codec is very efficient. Is this a good idea or am I missing a point somewhere?

Thanks for help!
Thadeusz

[Joris]

I'm not too knowledgeable on how this works in PC land, but on Macs there is a problem to get the system to recognize multiple graphics cards at the moment.

I'd do some thorough research on this, before you go spending your money.

[edwin]

If would consider putting in one very good graphics card and buying a TH2Go box.
The advantage of the TH2Go solution is that it is very easy to setup and very reliable, and you can also connect it to your laptop when needed. Using multiple graphics card works fine (use same models to be sure) but it's much more hassle to set up.
Make sure you have a proper HD for the videos you want to play, consider using a Solid State HD.

[thadeusz]

Ok, not a bad idea. But is there a graphics card which can play up to 3 HD streams side by side? Would be a resolution of nearly 6000x1080px. I already have a Triple Head2Go and could use it.
Thanks.

[HerrNieDa]

resolume3 supports 4096x4096...
so the maximum side by side would be 3 720p streams
what you can try is to use 2 graphiccards and run 3 full hd outputs on every screen, but the composition should be 3840x2160... and arrange the layers and outputs like that, so you shoult be able to play also 4 full hd streams (with a 3rd graphiccard)!
just for playing this should work fine i think

[thadeusz]

Great, yes! I never thought of putting videos not side by side. That should work. Will have a look if someone knows about PCs and which machine is good enought for that.
Thanks again!