garageCube

Hi,
does anyone have any experience of using Modul8 in conjunction with LED screens?
I've been asked to perform on a 93x43 pixel (7x3.2metres) screen and I'm wondering what the best way to create content would be.

Ideally I'd like to output the exact resolution to avoid scaling of the content at any point so that I can have complete pixel control. Is this possible?

I'm still waiting for technical details regarding the LED system etc but I thought that maybe someone has already got some tips.

Cheers.

Uhmm, is it just me or does 93x43 pixel look a bit to low for such a huge screen. or are they using par spots as pixels??

For output the problem won't be Modul8 but the output from your machine, this isn't a resolution supported by the standard apple hardware or software as far as I know.

Its like this:


\

I have use LED screens but allways use their processor to scale my output signals to match the shape of the different screens on the stage.

I know that with other VJ software you can convert your video output pixels to DMX and send that info to RGB LED fixtures, but I'm not sure if there is that kind of solution compatible with Modul8.

I will be using the LED screen's processor to do the scaling, but I was hoping to figure out a way to avoid this and outputting the actual resolution straight from my mac. I want to try and have complete control of each individual pixel but its looking unlikely.
So from your experience if I output let's say 800x600 from modul8 how will the LED scaler work? will it crop my output, resize it... any clues greatly appreciated.
I've started experimenting from within modul8 and I'm guessing that the best way is to turn off all smoothing and antialising of media created at the 93x43 ratio and then scale that up to fill my output. Then again maybe this is completely pointless.

Cheers.

I have just tested and idea... I'm still thinking about how to zoom the preview window but I tell you what I have done... maybe it works for you.

STEP 1
Use the "Advanced Output Setup":
Activate this funtion
create a new Clip, with
Ratio=Free
x= -45
y= -21
width= 93
heigh= 42
Now route that New Clip to the Output you are going to use for those LEDs.
In this momment you are sending on your 800 X 600 output an scaled 93 X 43 image.

STEP 2
Now on the LED processor scale down the input signal (800X600) to match the real resolution of your LED screen (93 X 42) ... in my experience the different processors I've use allow me to adjust many parameters (scale, crop, position, color) on the input and output independently. Im not sure tha all processor have those funtions but let's hope that in your case is possible.

STEP 3
Check your Aliasing settings. On that resolution the Aliasing is going to be a big issue and is good idea to try different settings and find the one is better for your project.

Remember: in this configuration I'm still working of an idea to scale up or zoom in the preview image. Let me know if this ideas help you, good luck.

Thanks a lot for the suggestion, I'll give it a try as soon as I have access to the screen.

Cheers.

OK this has been resolved and it was extremely easy for once!
Basically the software that feeds the LED screen will take my output and then from within it I can select the portion that I want displayed on the screen.