Hi,

I have a kinda tricky thing to do, and would like to know if anyone
can recommend some software for doing some of the tasks that
I intend to do.

I like to run a normal mpg/avi/divx video on a 8-projector system. The pixel size is about
10 megapixel, it´s a high definition system, almost 5000 pixels horizontal
and nearly 2000 apixel vertical size (4 projectors horizontal, 2 vertical,
with 1280 x 1024 resolution each). This projection area is around 18 feet
wide and 7 feet high.

Mpeg-Format ends at around 4000 pixel horizontal size, anyway, maximizing a window
(although it´s a fast machine) will make only
about 2 fps as the cpu overhead is too high (dual 3.4 Xeon).

Anyway, the idea now is - instead of using 1 server to power all
8 projectors - to power each of the 8 beamers with a seperate
pc (an 8-pc cluster node). each of the pcs has an athlon fx57
with geforce 7800 graphics card, which is enough power to just
play a video. the problem is the pre-processing.

So what I need to do is :

1.) i like to use a source video (which has of course a
lower resolution) and scale it to the desired size of around 5000 x 2000
pixels (might not fit exactly depending on the source format) at a rather
high quality (means interpolating it with good algorithms so the result is
not too blocky)

2.) split the result into 8 video streams (1 for each beamer) and 1 audio stream

3.) start the video stream on all 8 pcs and a 9th pc for the sound and
keep it in sync.

Anyone has an idea which software products can

1.) interpolate a video to that size. i think as i like to have a high
quality, it wont work on-the-fly for a 10 megapixel image, but it
is fine to do that offline and pre-calculate the 8+1streams.

2.) split a video stream into several substreams (i need to define
the exact pixel positions (x1,y1,x2,y2) where the substream has
to be taken out

3.) which tool can make it possibly to sync all 8 outputs on all 8 pcs
(windows pcs networked with tcp/ip) so the video+audio plays in sync.

I´m kinda new to this area, any ideas what I can do is greatly appreciated.
I´ll keep you up to date with this if it runs or not, and I think if it does
I could even send some nice digicam shots of this experiment.

The hardware is already set up and working (currently used for something
different), this video thingie is just something very new that we never
tried yet on that hardware.

Best
BlackLotus

Quite a project! Sounds like you need a program like Showmagic. I work with projection quite often with bands in theatres, but not to the same kind of degree of detail that you want. I usually just use one projector onto a 40ft screen as a backdrop, synced to the bands click track.

I think your only option will be to render the areas of image into separate video streams and play them as standalone videofiles. For example. x1,y1,x2,y2 and render as it's own file x 8, giving you 8 different videos. Showmagic runs this kind of set-up in theatres in the West end etc and I think also do Pink Floyds projection set up when they're on tour. It sends different streams to different projectors frame syncronised (accuracy 1/25th second). The version I use is Showmagic 512. I think you should give Kevin a call and talk to him. PM me for the number or google Showmagic. Be prepared to pay though. It's not cheap.

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Cripes !

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I have two prejudices - I am anti HDV for consumer camcorders, and I eat mooks who claim to be pro wedding vidders and ask dumb questions.

www.zaskarfilms.com You tube channel 'zaskarfilms'
JVC DV5001e (big cam), Sony PC6E (tiny cam), Vinten pro5, PAG light, SM58, Sony ECM50, Sony C-76, 0.5x convertors for sony, Rode video mic, Vegas 7.

So - any progress with this project? Would be nice to know!

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Not yet, I´m still waiting for some valuable input which software I should get to try this.

I really think you might struggle a bit. The only other possibility I can think of is to buy a videowall processor and substitute the TVs for projectors? Have you tried Showmagic for advice? You really should talk to them, nothing to lose.

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