Episode 52 – How Do You Add Video to Your Lighting Show? – Media Servers, Pixels and Control!

Summary: This week in the Podcast we’re excited to cover a topic that we get a lot of questions about how to add video to their Lighting Show.<br> If you’re new here and you’re not sure how or where to get started with your lighting be sure to take this <a href="http://learnstagelighting.com/quiz">Quiz</a> and I will send you a Guide based on your answers to help get you pointed in the right direction.<br> <a href="http://learnstagelighting.com/quiz">How to Begin with Lighting Quiz</a><br> Lighting News (1:47)<br> I am very excited about this week’s lighting news. Obsidian Controls (formerly known as MPC Series) has announced their launch of the NX4 Console.<br> You can read more about the NX4 Console here: <a href="https://www.elationlighting.com/news/index/view/id/1332/">Obsidian Control Systems launches NX 4™</a><br> The NX4 Console is a rebrand and rebuild of the old Martin M1 Console. This new console has the same features as the Martin M1 but with so many more upgrades added to the NX4.<br> Main Segment (4:53)<br> Until recently video and lighting were always triggered separately in most shows. In the entertainment market especially with smaller productions, there’s just not enough of a market for companies to invest in new technology. This has been the case for years which led to video and lighting always running separately.<br> Now, there are actually two ways you can add video to your lighting show.<br> Define Your Output Medium<br> You need to first, define your output medium. Do you need to output “actual video signal”, or networked lighting signal to individual pixels?<br> Why does this matter? The chain of equipment and software that you need to get there differs a good bit!<br> Way #1 – Pixels<br> We’ve talked in <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/episode-45-the-complete-guide-to-pixels-led-tape-and-custom-leds-part-1/">Episodes 45</a> and <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/episode-47-the-complete-guide-to-pixels-led-tape-and-custom-leds-part-2/">Episode 47</a> about pixels and LED tape. Pixels take a lighting-type signal such as WS2811. This signal is generated by a pixel controller that takes direct DMX, Art-Net or sACN (networked DMX).<br> Regular lighting consoles OR specialized programs such as ENTTEC’s ELM can, therefore, send data directly to these pixel controllers to generate patterns or pixel-mapped video content.<br> <a href="https://www.learnstagelighting.com/how-do-i-control-pixels-with-enttecs-elm/">Control Pixels With ENTTEC’s ELM</a><br> <br> Way #2 – Video<br> Sometimes, you need to trigger an actual video signal from your lighting console. This video may be a SDI, HDMI, NDI, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort, or another type of signal to a video display (TV), projector, or LED wall.<br> Basically, what this comes down to is deciding do you want it to be a video display type or is it a lighting type of signal being sent to a pixel controller. Neither way is the wrong way it just depends what you want the final output to be.<br> Using Actual Video<br> You’re not going to be able to drive a video display directly from a lighting console. However, some pieces of lighting software that runs on PC’s can also output a window of video (which can then be brought full-screen and output via a video output of that computer.<br> Examples of Software: Show Buddy Active (from db Audioware) <a href="http://dmxis.com">dmxis.com</a><br> <a href="https://secure.chamsys.co.uk/magichd_software">Chamsys MagicHD</a><br> Using a Media Server<br> Most often, however, media for video screens is triggered via a media server, which can then be triggered by a lighting console via DMX input. There are a lot of examples, but here are a few popular ones:<br> Resolume<br> Arkaos<br> Grand MA VPU<br> Pandora’s Box<br> D3<br> Hippotizer<br> *ENTTEC ELM as well<br> Many of these media servers also offer the ability t...