Multi Machine Sync

[Steve Freebairn]

Ok, I'm hoping with how many experts that are on these boards that someone might now the answer or have a solution.


Problem:
I've got 3 macs that are running 1080p displays that I want to be able to load 3 separate HD videos (same length different content). They must be able to play content in sync with each other.

Possible Solutions:

Watchout - looks like a great product, but is overkill for what i'm doing, maybe if i were running a huge conference and needed all the features.

Streaming - I'm looking into this, I can get one video to stream across the network and play on all 3, but I want 3 streams with a different one on each monitor (I don't know if Quicktime streaming server can do this or if VLC player can). Anyone know?

Virtual VTR - they advertise that they can, I'm wondering if anyone has used them or their products? Their manual doesn't really go into if it can be done with minis (the preferred device).

Commercial DVD players - Not HD, also we'd like to be able to remotely change content and access the systems.

Media servers ? I don't know much about them, but I figure there has to be some computer setup out there that will let you sync 3 streams and play them at once.

If you have any knowledge about the subject, please respond or PM me.

 

[Cail Young]

Virtual VTR is probably your best bet - it will chase timecode; however a Mini isn't going to be able to accept timecode.

Qlab might be able to do it, I use it for live audio cues for theatre but it's far more powerful than that - it supports video playback and various show control interfaces. LINK

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

multi machine

multi machine

Hello, if you can use a network time server to have all machines in sync then it is possible to use applescripts or (even better) quartz composer (part of Developper tools in Tiger OS X 10.4) to start playing a movie at a given point in time.

If the script is well written it should be possible to avoid drifting over long periods of time by checking time at given intervals etc

It can require some time to develop and debug a perfect solution, depending on your project (playback duration, fulltime looping or 1 time events etc...) but it is possible and does work well.

2 years ago I had a complete 10 machine setup playing perfectly in sync a 3 mins QT loop. Just had to output sound from 1 mac only to speakers as to avoid echo... the sync is good but not perectly genlocked as some more expensive solution might be...

I've heard next version of Quartz composer (in Leopard 10.5) will offer some new tools quite useful for time/info sync accross several machines but as of today with time based sync over a network you could get good results.

Mikael

 

[M Most]

Virtual VTR is probably your best bet - it will chase timecode; however a Mini isn't going to be able to accept timecode.

Virtual VTR is a Midi based program. It will chase either SMPTE time code (as analog audio, coming in through the microphone port) or MIDI Time Code when equipped with a MIDI interface. Either method should work on Mac Minis, as MIDI interfaces using USB are easily available. You will have to have a master generator, though, such as the Digidesign USD, to drive the whole thing.