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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Need to distribute video signal to multiple sources, suggestions?

C.H.Haskell

C.H.Haskell

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Hey folks,

Anyone suggest some software/hardware driven gear that can distribute up to a 100 video signals to multiple sources. I need to build a wall of small 2 inch LCDs that have different videos outputting from each. I also need the ability to sync each LCD to act as one big screen and have one image able to cross over all of them, making any sense?

Any help would be much appreciated.


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Haskell
 
do you have the option to set up the wall as a rear projection screen? Maybe have a computer with 2x2, 4x4, or 8x2 rear projection systems, whatever configuration fits the wall size, and then simply render the individual video images onto each projector, either pre-rendered or possibly in real time depending on several factors, and then use the native spanning capability of the multi-monitor output of the computer for a single large screen.

I've done something similar with a front projection system, in which we used a 3x1 projection configuration. I think that each projector had several hundred discrete images.
 
There are video wall processors that can do this, but scaling to that many individual screens would be very expensive. What is the application?
Here is a link to one company that does multi-screen, multi-window video wall processors. I use their procs for multi-screen multi-window command and control systems. About as inexpensive as these products get, but I don't know if they can scale to as many discrete displays as you are asking for. They can scale individual inputs: composite or S-video, RGB component in any format, HDMI/DVI, to any size or location across a matrix of display screens and display one window per input source. The displays in the matrix are treated as one contiguous screen space with a total pixel size equal to the sum of the individual display's H & V pixel count. There is compensation for bezel width for flat panel systems and a seamless overlap option for projection based systems

http://rgb.com/
 
Thanks guys,

yeah I am considering different options. The application is for a sci-fi I am making this summer, shot on RED and HAWK anamorphics.

100 monitors would be ideal but not totally necessary to the story, even 20 would work but I want to know my options.

Would be ideal to take advantage of the new mac pro we just got, maybe get some kind of break out box and software that could drive this effect.

I originally wanted tube monitors but now back to LCDs for practical reasons.

Thanks again for the help;.
 
Do they have to be live?
Your other choice is green/blue screen the monitors with tracking markers or use multiple planner tracking parts...(I'm sure you can have the reflections kept if needed in this way)
it's just a cheap potential way that you could do it...especially in the end it can have anything done with it in post if u decide to change and you can keep ur 100...

Good luck with it,will love to see the final product no matter which u take,sounds interesting to use 2inch monitors and so many
 
No the feed is not live, I would like to have individual monitors, not projected or tricks with after effects...I want the character to be able to react to actual footage on the screens.
 
the vfx supervisor of "the watchman" said that he was so happy that they just shot 60 monitors (not sure about the exact number) with greenscreen for the final sequence. depending on your budget i would also consider it doing it in post.you have much more controll. they also did it with greenscreen beceaus of budget reasons.

anyways your project sounds very interesting! i would be more then happy to contribute let me know if you need some vfx help ;)

greetings eric
 
Actually makes sense if you get close up and have the light emitted from the displays interacts with the face of the actor, especially the eyes. Which is painful to do in post as you need at least a rough eye ball model in 3D where you project the tracked and replaced wall of displays on to. Doing it right so it looks real really requires a lot of work. If you want to go the CG route I'd suggest teaming up with a freelance Nuke artist.

For doing it live you could use this: http://blackmagic-design.com/products/videohub/
 
yeah you are right for the close ups i would also suggest using a couple of live monitors.its also a good reference to match the other "non cg" monitors. if you have reflections on the floor for example. it all depends what the shot is demanding if you have a lot of action/moving camera it can be a pain to do them in post.
 
Yes, I am not completely opting out post...but as Frank mentioned above, the character will be very close to the LCDs and they are in a way, another character. Another benefit of actual monitors is the emitted light source which is crucial since the the station is has no windows. You will also see these monitors in the background a lot. I also worry that it wont look believable in post with my budget, this is an indie short so no watchmen vfx guys helping out...or is there? :)

THanks for offering help Eric, I will keep you updated.
 
Give RGB Spectrum a call. They just released a new modular card frame video wall processor and might do some kind of consulting/rental as a promo. The processor in this case is independent of whatever video sources you want to connect. Different window configs can be programmed as presets very easily and recalled via a hard control panel or a web page interface. Very time efficient Individual sources to individual LCD's, any combination of input signal types scaled to a uniform output format at the optimum native resolution of your displays. I am sure they would do a free demo for you with a 4 screen processor so you could do some tests to see if it would work for the concept.
 
Clayton and folks,

Check out this software: http://www.sedna-presenter.com/#Overview

I demo'd it in person and its pretty impressive. Can be configured to do what you are describing, I believe. The reseller I met is Brad Eisenhaure <brad@activatethespace.com>.
 
MVP by evertz...
X16 by Miranda
 
Check Jupiter systems, the new owner of Teranex. Multi feed displays are what they do. There is a section to find a reseller on the site.

http://www.jupiter.com/cm/Home.html

Jupiter Systems, the industry leader in display wall processors, today announced its acquisition of Teranex Systems, a leading manufacturer of high-performance video processing platforms for the post-production, and broadcast industries. Teranex, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jupiter Systems.

Jupiter Systems is the leading worldwide supplier of display wall processors for command and control applications. Jupiter's best-of-breed products are designed for continuous, 24x7 operation, and are used in network operation centers, electric power generation and distribution control rooms, boardrooms, intelligent traffic control rooms, 911 dispatch centers, financial management control centers, surveillance and security centers, and fixed and mobile military operations control centers in over 6,000 installations around the world.
Click to expand...
 
Hey David, these guys seem to be the best options I found for small LCDs. Script is in my producers hands so she is drawing up a budget now.

We are now looking at knock off media players like this
http://www.lightinthebox.com/1GB-4-3-inch
has built in memory and I could load the visuals into each device. This would of course limit my ability to have visuals move from screen to screen but there could be tricks around this as well. (or changes to the script :)
 
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