Wiki for this video incorporation forum?

[steelpanz]

While my show is still out on the yard/house, I'd like to keep momentum going for next year. Video is something I've wanted to add for a couple years now, but haven't pulled the trigger. There are currently 6 posts on this forum, so I was curious if anyone was interested in compiling a summation of essentials and concepts for incorporating video. I know it may not be much; however I'd like to really get a feel for what other people do with their video. Thus far, I've read where one of you streams video outside of the synced show, and another uses the Vixen plugin for it.

But with the few years that this has been around, are there any gotchas that prospective entrants should be on the lookout for, such as power of projector (if projecting from the inside), maintenance of the projector, timing in Vixen, etc?

All in all, I was sort of hoping someone had the time/interest to assemble a wiki for it. I know there may not be enough info to justify it, but perhaps - in the the least - a thread that incorporates all the basic essentials.

[kychristmas]

Edit: Removed original text for lack of reading the OP :(

I think there are just so many ways to do Video that its hard to find a good common method. There are general ideas that could be more of a How-to guide. I don't do video in my display. I helped some people do video/control for a theatrical production so I have some experience.

My biggest worry with Video is that it would be attractice to Thieves and Vandals.

Kelly

[Greg in Canby]

I have wanted to add video for a couple of years as well. I want it to be in sync with the lights, NOT running randomly (or I suppose the lights in sync with the video/audio).

No clue how to. Haven't really researched it yet. A WIKI would be appreciated.

Greg

[dirknerkle]

I have wanted to add video for a couple of years as well. I want it to be in sync with the lights, NOT running randomly (or I suppose the lights in sync with the video/audio).

No clue how to. Haven't really researched it yet. A WIKI would be appreciated.

Greg

One easy way is to videotape it, and as a sequence is playing, simply say the name of the song (or sing along to it) so the video camera picks up your voice. Then back inside, after transfering the video to your computer, add the actual audio file (that the sequence uses) to the video and mute the voice track. Most video editing software allows this and it's pretty easy to do.

[steelpanz]

As for my interest in an optimal video setup, my projector would be inside. One of the forward-facing sets of windows is in the office (which I don't use at night); so it'd be pretty easy to just setup a projector in there and hit the image on a bedsheet that's tacked up against the windows. Just an initial thought. The main thing I'm thinking about is owning the asset before knowing it'll work. I am assuming a smart solution would be to take the dive and rent one of these for a few days before I can take a huge leap. Thoughts?

[Greg in Canby]

setup a projector in there and hit the image on a bedsheet that's tacked up against the windows. Thoughts?

I just bought a plain white opaque shower curtain for my rear projection screen. It may work better than a bed sheet, not sure. I'm running V. Santa tonight (12/24) for one night only. Can't have Santa in my house any other night than Christmas Eve - don't want to break the 4th wall - so to speak.

I'll report on my success, or lack there of.

Greg

P.S. Shower curtain = $3.99 at Ace Hardware - no thread count on the package though :wink:

[mattrob]

I have wanted to add video for a couple of years as well. I want it to be in sync with the lights, NOT running randomly (or I suppose the lights in sync with the video/audio).

No clue how to. Haven't really researched it yet. A WIKI would be appreciated.

Greg

I haven't done any research (brainstorming aloud), but in terms of syncing video with a show, you could probably run either VLC or Media Player classic on a computer attached to the projector and use the Vixen launcher on your sequence computer to control the video computer over the network to launch a video at the start of each sequence.

[kychristmas]

As for my interest in an optimal video setup, my projector would be inside. One of the forward-facing sets of windows is in the office (which I don't use at night); so it'd be pretty easy to just setup a projector in there and hit the image on a bedsheet that's tacked up against the windows. Just an initial thought. The main thing I'm thinking about is owning the asset before knowing it'll work. I am assuming a smart solution would be to take the dive and rent one of these for a few days before I can take a huge leap. Thoughts?

Buy a used projector on CL or eBay. If you End up needing to sell it, you will lose less money than it cost to rent them.

The best option for being in sync would be using some sort IR repeater out of the computer to a DVD player. You would use an external script/program to send signals to changr chapters of a custom DVD. Haven't done it in vixen, but have done similar things for a whole house audio/video. I'm thinking launcher plugin wld do the trick.

I may play around with this later in the year. I had already thought about an IR control plugin.

[budude]

I definitely plan to use a projector in some fashion for Halloween - I don't think I would use one for my Christmas display - the weather can be nasty and it's an entire month of having this thing on for hours at a time whereas Halloween would be a single night (for me anyway).

[Greg in Canby]

I definitely plan to use a projector in some fashion for Halloween - I don't think I would use one for my Christmas display - the weather can be nasty and it's an entire month of having this thing on for hours at a time whereas Halloween would be a single night (for me anyway).
I have been wanting a Madam Leota effect for some time now. Either projection or Pepper's Ghost/Monitor set-up. Probably not 2012 though. If I get some extra time, I'll report back.

Greg

[Greg in Canby]

Shower curtain exceeded my expectations.

[budude]

I have been wanting a Madam Leota effect for some time now. Either projection or Pepper's Ghost/Monitor set-up. Probably not 2012 though. If I get some extra time, I'll report back.

Greg

Funny you mention that - I have a "Madame Leota" (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freewebs.com/skeletonhand07/DSCN8022.JPG&imgrefurl=http://hauntforum.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D14458&h=600&w=800&sz=111&tbnid=Pb6-JQgNKB6iiM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&zoom=1&docid=1Ar4I-Qv5pkvnM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=w5P3TtTaCK_8iQK9yKmPDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CC0Q9QEwAA&dur=447) (sort of) that I want to hack into as well - it's got a fair bit of movement as-is but I haven't peaked under her skirt quite yet to see how it's wired up. I had planned on doing "Grim Grinning Ghosts" and bought a half dozen foam heads for it but never got to the point of setting up the projector part... next year!

[Greg in Canby]

Funny you mention that - I have a "Madame Leota" (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freewebs.com/skeletonhand07/DSCN8022.JPG&imgrefurl=http://hauntforum.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D14458&h=600&w=800&sz=111&tbnid=Pb6-JQgNKB6iiM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&zoom=1&docid=1Ar4I-Qv5pkvnM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=w5P3TtTaCK_8iQK9yKmPDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CC0Q9QEwAA&dur=447) (sort of) that I want to hack into as well - it's got a fair bit of movement as-is but I haven't peaked under her skirt quite yet to see how it's wired up.
I was pondering removing the head and projecting onto a wig form. If I get there from here I'll report back.

[djulien]

There are currently 6 posts on this forum, so I was curious if anyone was interested in compiling a summation of essentials and concepts for incorporating video. I know it may not be much; however I'd like to really get a feel for what other people do with their video. Thus far, I've read where one of you streams video outside of the synced show, and another uses the Vixen plugin for it.


That would be very helpful! Also, categorize them by the basic nature of the video (ie, hi-res, low-res, simple bitmap animation, etc). Maybe also what level of hardware/software is needed for a certain playback frame rate, etc.


One easy way is to videotape it, and as a sequence is playing, simply say the name of the song (or sing along to it) so the video camera picks up your voice. Then back inside, after transfering the video to your computer, add the actual audio file (that the sequence uses) to the video and mute the voice track. Most video editing software allows this and it's pretty easy to do.

Excellent idea! In fact, that would also make a great way to annotate audio tracks (basically, a voice-based audio cue generator).

don

[funstick]

Did you ever figure out the projection project you wanted. I am interested as well.

R/
Mike

[steelpanz]

I haven't just yet. I'm going to start looking for a projector in April after our 2nd human offspring arrives. This will definitely take some work to accomplish, but my wife and I are very excited about making next year's show...well...work. We didn't have much luck this year as we had some hardware glitches.