Steve Farris

I am working on an installation that will require a simple remote to control a display cluster. Basically, I need to send a "run" command by pushing a button on a wireless remote. The way I would do this on the production machine is to use something like a PerfectCue to send a keyboard command to the computer. However, keyboard commands don't seem to do anything to a Display machine. Is anyone aware of a simple device that can operate similar to a wireless remote that will then send a tcp/ip command to the display cluster? At first, it seemed like an easy concept but I'm at a loss trying to figure out how to do this. Worst case is I just include a production computer in the system, but this is a long term installation and there is no need once my programming is finished. Using an iPad or similar won't work because of the IT security restrictions on creating a WiFi hotspot or using the existing WiFi. Steve

It depends on your projector. If it can accept HD resolution, then you can probably fool the graphics card to send it out over VGA. But many older projectors don't like such a high resolution. See if you can connect to just that projector first before trying to do all three.

I ran in to a similar situation just recently. The best I could figure out was to copy and paste the text from one text media to the next, but I would still have to reapply some formatting. It would be great to be able to copy and paste the actual media.

I've been having struggles with .mp4 (h.264) files and have reverted to MPEG2. I am interested in any feedback generated by this thread for clues. One is Screenshaper's comment not to use each frame as a keyframe. I have been doing exactly that (which could help explain the higher data rates needed). I have found that using every frame as a keyframe helps with sync and also helps when "scrubbing" the timeline. My understanding is the reasoning would be the same as keeping a GOP of 1 when using MPEG2. If this is not the official recommendation, what should the keyframe distance be? I have also wondered about playing separate videos vs using a proxy. I don't have specific test results, but my hunch over time is that sync is better when using a proxy. Otherwise, it seems proxies are from the days of using one screen per display machine and keeping the workload of playing other screen's videos off of machines that don't need to play them. But now that we are regularly using multiple displays out of one machine, that consideration seems irrelevant.

I have always been a believer in MPEG2 as a solid, robust codec. In my testing with loops and frame accuracy over a long period, no other codec comes close. Having said that, in recent years h.264 has become a good alternative (especially since WO added native support). We did extensive testing to come up with a formula for h.264, determine that the primary consideration to provide accurate sync over time is to make sure the keyframes are set to 1 (similar to having a closed GOP in MPEG2). In visual tests, h.264 has a much better look (MPEG2 shows more of the macro block artifacts). However, on a recent show I had problems with certain videos looking extremely compressed in h.264. I finally went back to my tried and true MPEG2 for the show, but was puzzled why what had been working has now stopped looking good. All I can think is that there was a change in Adobe Media Encoder that caused this. Does anyone have a good "recipe" for h.264 encoding in WO?

As I understand it, the physical outputs are all from one of the cards, the other card is there to provide GPU support.

In my experience, the BM converters are not truly able to do 1080p. While the specs say they can do it, they run in to HDCP problems. BM is more about camera feeds and true video, as opposed to a signal converted from a computer. Apantac makes an HDMI to SDI converter that works flawlessly: http://www.apantac.com/product-info.php?id=44 I use the star tech DP > DVI adapters and they work fine. With DP, you get a locking connection for peace of mind. One other thought: since you are going to a converter box that has an HDMI input, you might see if there is a comparable video card that has HDMI outputs.

I have seen issues with the key not working properly in a USB 3 port. If you can, make sure to use a USB 2 port. Other than that, I have no ideas.

I have done exactly what you are trying to do. I set up VNC on my programming machine (make sure to use a different flavor than Dataon uses, I tend to use tightvnc). Then you can VNC in to your programming box. It even works to use the internal vnc in WO to then access the display machines (a double vnc). Of course, this violates the standard don't do it protocol you reference above. I was using this for a test installation, not a live show. As always, test test test and ymmv. steve

Hi Johannes It would seem that your videos should be able to play on your system. I have had struggles playing multiple videos at once, but that is with a series of full res videos. My solution was to use SSD drives for my Watchout show folder. You have already suggested a possible work-around. Since you can play 7 copies of the same video (which makes sense, the system is aware enough to know they only need to be decoded once), simply use 7 copies of the video and use the cropping tween tools to only show the parts you need at the appropriate location on your display. Good Luck! steve

I use a Perfect Cue all the time. I reprogram so that the forward button = + (run) so that the presenter doesn't accidentally toggle a run state using space. If all your control cues are on the same layer, you can highlight that layer and use back as a left arrow (the default on a Perfect Cue) to step backwards. This can get risky without careful monitoring. You can always use the "auto" control button on the Perfect Cue to disable input from the transmitter when not needed. Or you can use it as a monkey light if you are really paranoid. It all depends on how versed your presenter is without controlling their own presentations. Of course for the deluxe control method, something similar to the Medialon mentioned above is best. Much more expensive, however. steve

Hi Jonas I was wondering if you might have any thoughts on Dr. Zhivago's post above. He brings up some good points concerning memory management under 64 bit windows. It would seem based upon this that using 64 bit windows makes sense for Watchout in order to maximize resource usage. BTW, any plans to move Watchout to be e true 64 bit application? steve

I have long wished for a countdown feature. Ideal would be a way to reference a cue and show cue length, time elapsed, and time remaining. Great if it could be placed on a display. I use images with time remaining, but it's a bit tedious. A built in feature would be way cool.

It's a math problem. Figure out the pixel density of your monitors (if your monitor is 1000 mm across and is 1920 pixels, that is 1920 pixels/1000mm = 1.92 pixels/mm . Then figure out how many pixels your gap is (22mm * 1.92pixels/mm = 42.24 pixels).

I have been struggling with some playback issues on multi-head computers when trying to play multiple streams of video and wonder if anyone else has seen these issues. I am using 3 outputs per machine (see machine specs below). If I put different videos on each display, then set them to free run and pause the timeline, the video will stop at the pause, then catch back up. It looks like I did an update to the stage. Likewise, if I do a jump to time (i.e. search to a control cue), it takes a long time for the videos to track (a good 4 or 5 seconds). If I am in a video and try to scrub along the timeline, it does not track very well. If I reduce the number of outputs to two, the problems go away. It's strange because these computers should have no problem playing the video, I have tested them to be able to play 10 streams at the same time. The problem seems to be how I start and stop the videos. If I am very careful and massage the timeline properly I can make things work. There are just certain operations I have to avoid. I have run a performance monitor on the displays and have lots of headroom left on CPU, disk, and network. So it doesn't seem to be an issue of stressing the computer. Incidentally, when I use my very old computers that can barely play one stream of HD (one output per machine), the above issues go away. Another interesting tidbit is that the biggest problems happen on screen 1 of computer 2. That is the screen most likely to lock up. I am interested in knowing if anyone has seen this behavior, if so did you find a workaround, or am I in my own little world that no-one else sees? Machine specs: Shuttle SH6763 Intel Core i5-2500 @3.3Gz w/ 3.7GHz Turbo Boost 8GB DDR3-1333 Dual channel RAM AMD HD6850 1GB WD Caviar Blue 500GB System Drive WD Caviar Black 500GB Watchout Drive (32K Clusters) LG DVDRW Windows 7 Home Premium – 64 Bit Acronis True Image 2011 Videos are Mpeg 2, program stream, 30 mbps CBR, closed GOP of 1, all I frames, made in Procoder 3.

While I haven't tested a 6 screen output off of one machine, I have successfully played 6 independent 1080p streams at once (using mpeg II files). Any of the current generation 4 core processors should be able to do that. Having said that, if money is not a constraint I would opt for using 2 machines with 3 screens each so that you have some headroom. An issue to keep in mind is that should you need to transition from one video to another, you will double the number of streams you need to play at once as the upcoming video will need to cache.

Hello Fredrik, I am also interested in any input you have concerning auto-callibration. Perhaps you could share the details on the forum? Thanks! steve