alain

I have to "translate" an old project from Quartz Composer to Max and I'm wondering if it could fit my needs.

I have just a few weeks to do it, so I can't waste time.

So if I could have some advises or warnings, I'd be very happy !

> I have the hardware and I've already done it with Max

2) USB webcam video capture during a specific duration

> I guess it needs the "jit.grab" object ?

3) the captured videos must have a specific size

> Is it better to resize after the capture or can it be set within "jit.grab" ?

4) after each capture I want to access and display the last captured video.

> Is there an object or a method to monitor a specific folder and a way to load the last file created ?

(in Quartz Composer there's a "Directory Scanner" object)

5) Then I need to display the different captured videos in specific locations (x,y position) set in advance

6) An other big video (not live captured, but already on the hard drive) must be displayed on an other layer.

> I'm not yet familiar with layers handling in Max, but it's possible isn't it ?

7) All these videos (captured ones and big one) are dispatched on 4 XGA screens.

4 jit.window with different x,y positions (one per screen) ?

One big jit.window splitted on the 4 displays ???

Anyway, at that time, even little clues or beginning of answers are very welcome...

Hello,
I have to "translate" an old project from Quartz Composer to Max and I'm wondering if it could fit my needs.
I have just a few weeks to do it, so I can't waste time.
So if I could have some advises or warnings, I'd be very happy !

Here the most significant tasks :
1) trigger with push button
> I have the hardware and I've already done it with Max

2) USB webcam video capture during a specific duration
> I guess it needs the "jit.grab" object ?
> timing isn't an issue I imagine

3) the captured videos must have a specific size
> Is it better to resize after the capture or can it be set within "jit.grab" ?

4) after each capture I want to access and display the last captured video.
> Is there an object or a method to monitor a specific folder and a way to load the last file created ?
(in Quartz Composer there's a "Directory Scanner" object)

5) Then I need to display the different captured videos in specific locations (x,y position) set in advance
> “pattrstorage" I guess ?

6) An other big video (not live captured, but already on the hard drive) must be displayed on an other layer.
> I'm not yet familiar with layers handling in Max, but it's possible isn't it ?

7) All these videos (captured ones and big one) are dispatched on 4 XGA screens.
> What is the smartest solution ?
4  jit.window with different x,y positions (one per screen) ?
One big jit.window splitted on the 4 displays ???

Anyway, at that time, even little clues or beginning of answers are very welcome...
Thanks for reading,
Alain


is-max-the-right-tool-for-my-video-project

3- set correct resolution with jit.grab. Resizing will slow down the system.

4- check the write command with jit.geab and the folder object to access folder content.

6- use jit.movie ( i think ) send output to a jit.gl.videoplane @transform reset 2. If alpha blending is in the content videoplanes can be stacked.

7- 4 jit.windows is slow. Use one big ji.window and split it into 4 with a matrox unit.

2-yes. Jit.grab.
3- set correct resolution with jit.grab. Resizing will slow down the system.
4- check the write command with jit.geab and the folder object to access folder content.
5- just use the preset object.
6- use jit.movie ( i think ) send output to a jit.gl.videoplane @transform reset 2.  If alpha blending is in the content videoplanes can be stacked.
7- 4 jit.windows is slow. Use one big ji.window and split it into 4 with a matrox unit.


I'll test this very soon, in case I have other questions....

Study the jit.gl.render help file and jit.gl.videoplane file as well.

The trick is to avoid calculating too much on the cpu.

If you want to put 4 images next to each other in one window then dont use transform reset 2 on the 4 jit.gl.videoplane objects. Use the position attribute to place them next to each other.

Glad to help out.
Some tips.
Study the jit.gl.render help file and jit.gl.videoplane file as well.
The trick is to avoid calculating too much on the cpu.
Gpu processing is best.
If you want to put 4 images next to each other in one window then dont use transform reset 2 on the 4 jit.gl.videoplane objects. Use the position attribute to place them next to each other.


I'll certainly have more questions when I'll start...

I worked two hours and your help was helpful !

Still searching how to sort files in folder with "folder" object.

As I want to display the last created file, if I could inverse the selection, the last file would become the first one. Easier as it would become index 0...

Still searching how to sort files in folder with "folder" object.
As I want to display the last created file, if I could inverse the selection, the last file would become the first one. Easier as it would become index 0...

When you write the video file do something like this

Use prepend to make a file name. Eg. Prepend recordedVideo

Use the counter object to make a new number with each bang. Send the output of the counter object into the prepend object.

By defining the file names with write it should be easy to recall them.

Displaying the last file is easy.
When you write the video file do  something like this
Use prepend to make a file name. Eg. Prepend recordedVideo
Use the counter object to make a new number with each bang. Send the output of the counter object into the prepend object.
This would give recordedVideo 1
By defining the file names with write it should be easy to recall them.


I followed your advises for naming, recalling et displaying recorded videos.

I've just used "sprintf" object rather than “prepend“ because of unwanted spaces in files path names.

Next week, I'll try to set up the 4 XGA displays and dispatch the 4 windows.

For the moment I've not yet chosen between Windows and Mac OS.

Hello,
I followed your advises for naming, recalling et displaying recorded videos.

I'm happy with the results.
I've just used "sprintf" object rather than “prepend“ because of unwanted spaces in files path names.

Next week, I'll try to set up the 4 XGA displays and dispatch the 4 windows.
I'll post comments and questions.

Computer question :
For the moment I've not yet chosen between Windows and Mac OS.
Any advices ?

Personally I'm a macboy though windows is good too if the system hardware isnt cheap. With the new macbooks you have 2 video outs 1 hdmi and one via thunderbolt. Pc depends on the graphic card.

Graphics performance. Powerful pc desktop.

Personally I'm a macboy though windows is good too if the system hardware isnt cheap. With the new macbooks you have 2 video outs 1 hdmi and one via thunderbolt. Pc depends on the graphic card.
Stability. Mac.
Graphics performance. Powerful pc desktop.


I also prefer working on Mac, but I think I'll go on Windows with a good graphic card to handle the 4 displays.

Knowing that, do I have to know some tricks or limitations due to Max on Windows, regarding what we discussed before ?

I also prefer working on Mac, but I think I'll go on Windows with a good graphic card to handle the 4 displays.
Knowing that, do I have to know some tricks or limitations due to Max on Windows, regarding what we discussed before ?

To drive 3 displays i use the matrox triplehead. I then render everything to 1 huge jit.window. 800 x 3 ( width ) 640 height.

The matrox then splits this via the hardware into 3 displays. For 4 displays i'd use two matrox units doing two monitors each.

Total resolution matters.
To drive 3 displays i use the matrox triplehead. I then render everything to 1 huge jit.window. 800 x 3 ( width ) 640 height.
The matrox then splits this via the hardware into 3 displays. For 4 displays i'd use two matrox units doing two monitors each.


I will use a desktop with a good GPU (4 video outputs).

I'm just hesitating between Windows 10 and hackintoshed Mac OS.

But as I had stability issues with the hackintosh last year, maybe I'll just run Windows...

Hello,
I will use a desktop with a good GPU (4 video outputs).

I'm just hesitating between Windows 10 and hackintoshed Mac OS.
But as I had stability issues with the hackintosh last year, maybe I'll just run Windows...


Just use windows, not sure about 10 though as its a new OS

I think you're right...
I'll get info about W10.

Is Max the right tool for my video project ?