Thread: DMX+Video Possible?

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Hello All,

I've started lurking here about a month ago and I received some great inspiration from a lot of different sources.

I have a Question about DMX. Is it possible to have it control video playback? I'm planning on using the BrookShire software's VSA to control some lights and props. I would like to include some other props that I'm building that rely on some video playback. Is it possible to get that video synced with the DMX routine?

I cant seem to find any information on it but I have a feeling that it's possible. One of the pieces that inspired me to use video in this type of routine was SkullTronix's Ghost Bust. It was saying that it can be synced with a DMX routine using the Exorcist software. Is a piece of hardware/software like the Exorcist from Skulltronix required to make this work?

I believe some solid-state video players can be triggered via DMX, but if you only need one video trigger, look at the Exorcist on SkullTronix

i am currently using exorcist with video and dmx and it works great i can have different vsa routines and videos all independent of each other and with triggers for things like motion sensors and pressure mats. i would say exorcist is the way to go as other dmx devices are out their but they are expensive and will usually only play one video at a time, you will also not get the vsa triggering or the ability to run multiple vsa routines at one time.

it really is well worth it.

How does the video work with the Exorcist? Does it have the ability to play more than one video file to more than one output? It's starting to sound like the answer is possibly no.

Even if not, I'd still be interested in checking it out.

Exorcist works by first detecting if the computer has a secondary monitor, i.e. a second monitor or projector and designating that as the Video playback monitor.

If there is no secondary monitor then it will designate the primary monitor as the designated playback monitor.

The selection of the playback monitor is hard-wired into the software and it will only play to the one monitor, however, you can have up to 4 video files loaded ready to play.

You could feasibly have multiple monitors if you used a video splitter to divide the playback between say 4 monitors and then used some kind of relay control to turn off the three monitors that you don't want.

Supporting playback monitors beyond 1 is possible but the cost of a computer with more than 2 monitors probably exceeds the cost of two computers, however, if this is an application that you have a definite interest in then drop me an email and we can discuss it.

Im new to the use of DMX and i dont know if im ready to jump in but the use of video sounds very cool.

Halloween 08 I had Mark Gervais's Hallowindow playing with a simple dvd player and projector as a complete stand alone unit. I had no control over it and just had to have it loop and the sound play the whole night.

Can someone explain if possible if so how I could have VSA start the video (as a second monitor I guess) and have it play only when I want it to?

Id also like to have a video playing on the screen with one of my skull's talking?

Thanks for any help!

I hate crash-prone Windows based PC's and don't trust them for running a haunt. I use MIDI control (not much different than DMX) and a stand alone MIDI/audio playback unit I built. Video is run by a Roku Bright Sign solid state video player BrightSign - Overview. a +5V signal will start video playback, and as there are 12 inputs, you could run 12 different videos, depending on which one was triggered. Once I have the show programed on the PC, I export all the audio, MIDI, and video off to SD cards and put them in my system for final show control. I have some systems out there that have been running 6 days a week for 3 years, not a single mid show crash. Sorry Bill Gates, your system just ain't reliable enough for the theme parks and big pro haunts.

YouTube - Grim and Jack Show Pt.2

Bill.

That is awesome! Is it just me, or does grims shadow on the curtain tell a story of a different kind of excitement?!

Originally Posted by themindshaft

I hate crash-prone Windows based PC's and don't trust them for running a haunt.

Bill.

Bill, this is generally an old fable, born of the days or windows 95 etc.... Windows XP in its current iteration is solid and virtually bulletproof. I also have many windows 2003 servers that have been running non stop for years.

An just so you know I DONT work for Microsoft, I actually dont really like them.

Oh yes I would never install that piece of trash called Vista! I never understood why MS chose to break XP.

I too am running DMX and Exorcist for this year's haunt. I have a dual core HP DC7700 Small Form Factor loaded with xp, an ATI/HP Dual Head Display card. The second display outputs to a Avocent LV3500W Longview Wireless system which allows me to remotely send vga 1024x768 and stereo audio up to 300 feet. To my prop. No need for lots of wires through the yard. Just power.

Mike

Originally Posted by ibjeepin

The second display outputs to a Avocent LV3500W Longview Wireless system which allows me to remotely send vga 1024x768 and stereo audio up to 300 feet. To my prop. No need for lots of wires through the yard. Just power.
Mike

Wow, you're lucky. I would love to have one of those, it would make some stuff super easy. Though I about choked when I saw how much those things are running.