Filling the Screen – By Ryan Burger

OPTIONS FOR KEEPING THE CROWD FOCUSED ON FUN

Eleven years ago, BC Productions (MB’s house DJ production company) made the move into video DJing.

At that time, DVD content became readily available through Promo Only’s release of monthly Hot Video DVDs.  Since then we have gone through several stages of our video DJ service, growing it multiple systems. Most often, we still use straight DVDs running on a Pioneer DVJ setup, but sometimes we also use Virtual DJ to mix the videos. And although we have more than enough current and retro video content to fill a marathon dance party with high energy music, we’ve learned over the years that you simply can’t play music videos for an entire show. To avoid audience “burnout,” we will periodically fill our screens—plasma TVs and large/mega projection surfaces—with alternate content, to keep the visuals flowing while also giving people’s eyes a rest.

CREATING AMBIANCE

From the start of BC Productions’ video DJ service, we used “ambient” videos (interesting video loops that can run under any music) to change up what was on the screens. As they say at PromoOnly.Com, “Ambient video serves up unique animated graphics and contains no music, affording the users the opportunity to easily overlay these videos into any format, and to thereby enhance the visual effect of any show or club.”

Promo Only offers six volumes of Ambient Video content on DVD, with a total of nearly 300 tracks, including holiday themes, chroma key, overlays and unique animated graphics, in both continuous and custom play formats. DVJ Vision (dvjvision.com) also offers similar video content but theirs is mixed differently, with music driving it: “Every clip evolves and tells a story the way a record does,” according to their site. The third player in the market with this type of content is best known for their Shadowdancers videos, is VJWorld, at VJWorld.Com. And GCG Music has visuals ranging from lava bubbles and fish tanks to fireplaces and candles.

TEXT TO SCREEN

It seems the live entertainment world has gone crazy with texting. The last time that I personally used our text-to-screen system (which was a while ago), I remember getting over 400 texts through the system, moderated, and displayed on our projection system for all to see. Two major options are available in this space for DJs, that take it all the way from receiving the texts to putting them up on the screen in a custom-skinned presentation.

The first product marketed to the DJ industry was TextLive (textlive.com). This offers a nice product that combines all the primary features that are needed for basic text-to-screen, voting, requesting songs, and more. Several versions are available, including an interface to push the content to the Web.

New to the DJ marketplace (debuting to DJs at the MB Vegas show last February) but not new to the technology is FireText Text Messaging Systems.  FireText (firetext.com) has developed a fantastic platform for text services. Its feature set is similar to TextLive, but from there expands into other areas, like alternate input methods such as tweets from Twitter, and ShortCode-based input.  All of these can be spun into the FireText engine and sent to the screen. The engine also has many other features which may or may not be of use to DJs.

The FireText feature I’m most interested in playing with is a Virtual DJ plugin that allows you to broadcast messages into the Virtual DJ software and actually make them part of a mix. Look for a full review of this product in a future issue of Mobile Beat.

HEY LOOK! THAT’S ME!

A last screen-filling option that’s growing in popularity is video content from the party itself. Using anything from a basic webcam to a pro pan-tilt-zoom camera from Sony, as we’ve started using lately, you can mount cameras on your trussing and even have some basic control over them (with the PTZ type), and use them to show audience members on the screen. This is especially popular at school events.  While I don’t recommend keeping any individual camera up on the screen for too long (that’s asking for trouble), people love to see themselves and their friends, and this can really add an extra level of fun to the party or dance. This is especially true when they are bigger than life on a 20 or 30-foot-wide screen at a prom!

Basic expense for each PTZ camera is about $300, plus basic cabling back to the video mixer. You need the capability of mixing video separately from audio (as you need for the other options presented here). Make sure to get a low-lux-rated camera for this as chances are if you are using this at a dance, the lighting on the dance floor will be too low to capture a good image.

These are just a few of the major options available to help you mix up the video content on your screens, and thus create a much better balanced VJ show for your school dances and community celebrations. Be creative and have fun filling your screens!

DVJ VISION releases Club Visuals Vol.4

New York (February 25, 2011) – Club Visuals has become one of the most popular visuals DVDs in the world. Volume 4 ups the ante by making all clips available in both 16:9 and 4:3. “While the bigger venues typically use 4:3 projectors, the smaller venues use mostly 16:9 monitors. Club Visuals 4 is a dual-layer DVD that auto-plays in 16:9, but gives you the option to select 4:3 via the menu. That way the content is optimized for the screen” said Lars Schlichting, founder of DVJ Vision.

Vol.4, features clips by world-class VJs and motion-graphics designers Movement, Chris Andrew, Vanessa Ramos Velasquez and Rebel Overlay. The DVD features six stunning live video and computer animation clips, that are edited like an electronic music track: each clip is 7 min long, moves to a beat of 128 bpm and major edits occur every 16 bars. Thanks to a click-track, DJ’s can listen to the clips and cue them up like a record. The clips are flawlessly mixed like a DJ-set, with no credits or logo’s, and auto-loop back to the beginning. This makes the DVD perfect for non-DJ applications as well, such as festivals and retail stores. All copyrights have been cleared, so the owner of a disc is licensed to use it in live performances.

The 42 min DVD will be available at www.dvjvision.com and fine retailers worldwide for $29.99. The release date is Friday March 11 at Winter Music Conference in Miami. DVJ Vision will also once again sponsor the WMC VJ Challenge (on March 9th) and DVJ Vision founder Lars Schlichting will be on the DJ & Production Panel at WMC (on March 10th).

DVJ Vision is a visuals label and distributor that specializes in the release of beat-synced visuals. Based in Brooklyn-NY, the company serves the growing market surrounding DJing with video. In addition to producing content, DVJ Vision is also a consultancy, installs sound- and video-systems and has a rental division for DJ and VJ equipment with locations in New York, Miami and Southern California.

Website: http://www.dvjvision.com

View a preview of Club Visuals 4:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DVJVision?feature=mhum – p/u/0/-sc39hxNe-A

Roland VR-5 Announced – Cool Gear For VJs?

Tokyo, Japan – November 17th, 2010 – Today at the InterBee show, Roland Systems Group announced the Roland VR-5, a fully integrated audio mixer, video switcher with built-in recorder/player for live production and web streaming. This unique product combines the power of Roland’s audio and video technology into one unit.

Typical live events today, whether large or small, all require a wide variety of equipment in order to produce. There are audio inputs from mics, audio mixing, video sources to a video mixer, computer inputs, video playback, video monitors, capturing the event in some form, and also streaming it live online. The VR-5’s “all-in-one” solution greatly simplifies production, recording and streaming of these live events. The VR-5’s innovative design incorporates a video switcher, audio mixer, video playback, recorder, preview monitors and output for web streaming all in a single unit. As a USB Video/Audio class device, web streaming is effortless by simply connecting to a computer running a live streaming service such as USTREAM® and Stickam™, as well as any video call service such as Skype™ and iChat. The reduction in hardware equipment, setup time and connection complexity ensures a worry-free, easy to use solution for any event.

The VR-5 is ideal for schools, churches, council meetings, corporate events, sports, and live web broadcasting.

Highlighted features include:

5-Channel Video Switcher

2 Mono and 5 Stereo Mixable Audio Channels

Built-in scan converter for PC input

Built-in dual LCD monitors with touch control for easy video source selection

Three video layers which include 2 video sources plus DSK (downstream keyer)

MPEG-4 player/recorder

USB video/audio class device for web streaming

For complete product details and specifications: www.rolandsystemsgroup.com/vr5

Roland Systems Group U.S. (RSG) supplies the commercial and performance audio/video industries with application specific equipment from the professional audio and video product lines. These product lines address applications for houses of worship, studios, clubs/casinos, theaters/performing arts centers, production houses and rental and staging companies. Roland Systems Group U.S is headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. RSG is a member of the worldwide group of Roland companies.

For more information, visit www.rolandsystemsgroup.com or call 800.380.2580

Trippin On Christmas Released by VJWorld.Com

Trippin on Christmas is a Visual Light Show for your TV and Video screens. Insert the disc, choose the title you want to entertain with, and press play! All our titles are Auto-Looping. Mute the sound on the DVD and pick the Christmas or Holiday music that you want to play for your guests. Let the Visual Light Show enhance the room! The DVD contains the main title Trippin on Christmas – encoded for both the new 16:9 Widescreen and the older, squarer 4:3 aspect ratio screens. As a bonus it comes with a relaxing Christmas colored Green & Red Full Screen Lava Lamp and a Silky Warm Fireplace.

http://vjworld.com/Christmas.shtml

Product Details: Christmas Themed

DVD: 4:3 and 16:9 Widescreen

Encoding: All Regions,

Format: Color

Rated: All

DVD Release Date: Sept, 2009

Run Time: 64

Got Video? Footage Firm has you covered!

Earlier this year I recieved an email from Footage Firm due to my affiliation with another industry, and immediately saw the possibilities of using their content as ambient footage for our video DJ shows and in some other work I do for my church. I proceeded to order some of their basic stock footage DVD’s an an average of under $10 each to find this was fantasticmaterial. The under $10 cost is actually done as shipping and handling, but think of it this way, you are getting some fantastic material for $10 per DVD data disc.

About a month or two ago they approached Mobile Beat about selling these discs to DJs and I was thrilled for connection because it was not only an advertiser but someone who had a product that I was already familiar with. After my very positive experience with them a couple months earlier I jumped at the opportunity to work with them.

Footage Firm is getting you a disc with a ton of full video clips that you can use freely and legally in your own projects, be them Video DJing, production work or whatever. Each disc usually 15 or more and at different resolutions. The Time Lapse series I just received from Footage Firm has 15 HD and SD clips on it for under $10 a DVD. At Mobile Beat, we regularly use IStockPhoto.Com for our stock photos for the magazine and regularly pay that much for just a picture in reasonable resolution. This is a fantastic deal on the discs. While I wouldn’t value them at the $149 to $249 list price, I have seen material this good easily sell for $75-$100 for each disc.

The discs are sent out quickly to you and in the case of the Time Lapse footage that I am currently reviewing contain the clips in standard def, high def organized in folders, still frames from them, the license showing your rights to use them, a converter utility if you need it (which I didn’t) and a shot list so that you can keep it handy (I printed them out to keep so I can reference what is where on these discs.

Currently they have offers going on Production Music Collections, the Time Lapse Library mentioned above, HD Backgrounds (2 sets), SD (Standard Definition) Backgrounds, Sound Effects and some specialty sets such as of Winter and Snow, Holiday, Las Vegas and New York City. You can check out all the “Free” footage libraries available at http://www.footagefirm.com/free-footage and get the libraries disc by disc at $8.41 shipping and handling each. Plus if you are wanting some other specific footage you can check out their regular libraries that sell for the normal prices I would expect for such material. At this cost I would recommend ordering up one of the sets (or at least a couple of the discs from one of the sets) that seems best for your purposes and seeing what you can do with it. Check out http://www.footagefirm.com/free-footage and make sure to tell them you heard about it in Mobile Beat Magazine!

Odyssey Does Stretchy Screens

Odyssey Innovative Designs (Odyssey) is pleased to announce the market introduction and product release of the Mobile VSS^TM for professional DJs.

The Odyssey Mobile VSS^TM video screen system is a flexible and convenient portable screen display for video projection. Comprised of two floor stands, a cross beam, and a mesh screen, the Mobile VSS^TM has an adjustable height and screen display from 8′ wide by 6″ high up to 10.5′ by 14′. The flame-retardant mobile screen system conveniently and easily breaks down to fit inside an included heavy-duty carrying bag for versatile travel and storage. The screen size is adjustable, 6′ to 14′ high and 8′ to 10’5″ wide, and the shipping weight for the entire system is 41 lbs.

MSRP: $399.99
ABOUT ODYSSEY
Odyssey Innovative Designs (www.odysseycases.com) is an industry-leading design and manufacturer of professional mobile accessory solutions for the DJ, musical instruments, and pro audio markets. Founded in 1995, Odyssey has brought to market hundreds of unique solutions and continues to lead the industry with innovative patents. With numerous technology and design awards, Odyssey has established a worldwide reputation for innovation, quality and design. The Odyssey group of companies includes Show Solutions (www.showsolutions.com) and BC Cases (www.bccases.com).

Photo Slide Shows Made Easy by Mark Evans

Dj jay at Namm with Pioneer

First of the live blog shots from NAMM, we visited Pioneer Dj where DJ Jay is working 2 Cdj 2000s and Svm1000 video mix. Pioneer DJ will be all over MBLVX with these, and more.

Mixvibes presents VFX Control: Mix Video Like Music

VFX CONTROL is a complete software/ hardware package to mix mutlimedia files. VFX CONTROL enables you to mix, sync, crossfade your audio and video files using the intuitive layout of a classic DJ booth: 2 decks and a mixer. The package is an all-in-one turnkey solution including VFX software and a rackmountable controller featuring a built-in sound card with 3 stereo outputs.

MixVibes’ powerful VFX software not only allows you to play the most popular music and video file formats, but you can also add exclusive content to your performance. Insert text, dynamic flash animations, visuals or your logo on the fly. Liven your mix with 20 audio/video effects. Each audio effect is translated into a visual effect. Visual effects can be synchronized with the audio BPM. Broadcast live from external video sources such as webcams and camcorders. Manage multiple playlists and file formats : mp4, mpeg, wmv, avi, mov, divx, wav, mp3. Browse through your files visually using file covers and album jackets.

The VFX controller is light and mobile. It easily fits in installations such as bars, clubs or restaurants thanks to its 19″ rack mount design. It features a built-in soundcard with 3 stereo channel outputs: 2 for channels playback, 1 for headphone monitoring. For high precision mixing, the touch-sensitive jogwheels responds to pitch bending and scratching audio and video files without latency.
VFX software features
• Artwork cover browsing
• One color per deck, up to 4 decks
• Advanced software sampler
• Over 20 effects (audio, video or audio + video)
• Beat Synchronized Effects
• 6 simultaneous effects per deck with adjustable parameters
• Video titler: flash animations, pictures, text with animations
• Compatible with MixVibes control vinyl and CDs
• Compatible audio formats: aac, mp3, wma, ogg, flac
• Compatible video formats: mp4, mpg, mpeg, mjpeg, wmv, avi, mov, divx, vob, mkv
• Compatible flash & image formats: flv, swf, jpg, gif, png, bmp
• Webcam live feed support
• Windows XP, Vista & 7 compatible
VFX Controller Specifications
• VJ & DJ MIDI controller with built-in soundcard
• 2 Line (stereo RCA) and 1 headphone output (1/4″ jack)
• Complete hands-on control for keyboard-free use
• Media library browsing directly from the controller
• 4 CUE points and 4 loops memory bank per deck
• Touch sensitive jog wheels for precise scratch and pitch bend
• 58 push buttons + 7 push encoders+ 5 faders + 9 rotary knobs + shift keys for dual function of all controls.
• ASIO driver support
• Power supply: DC6V (supplied)
• USB connection to computer
• Removable 19″ rack ears

Global Truss’ New Global Screen Adds Professionalism To Any Performance or Display

LOS ANGELES – Now it’s easier than ever to add a professional backdrop to your performance or display with Global Truss’ new Global Screen. A portable, flexible white Lycra screen, the Global Screen fits easily and securely into trussing, making it ideal for DJs, performers, small productions, trade shows, presentations and corporate events.

A snap – literally – to install, the Global Screen is large enough to make an impressive impact, yet it’s lightweight and compact for ease of portability. The 4-way stretch Lycra fabric can accommodate any size and almost any shape, from 8- to 10-feet by 6- to 8.5-feet, and can be used either vertically or horizontally.

With bungee cords and clips holding the screen securely to the truss at 12 anchor points, the Global Screen can be installed quickly, yet it is secure and stable. Unlike screens that have only 8 anchor points, the Global Screen’s extra 4 anchors alleviate stress that pulling puts on the fabric, which helps to make it more durable and longer-lasting.

The extra anchors also stretch the fabric more evenly over the truss supports, preventing rippling and creating a smoother surface on which to project. The white fabric, which can be projected on from the front or rear, makes a perfect backdrop for video presentations, slideshows and ambient color displays. So rugged and weatherproof is the Global Screen, that it can even be used outdoors.

“With its stretch fabric, portability and durability, the Global Screen is an indispensable tool for anyone involved in DJ-ing, emceeing, small productions, or designing trade show booths or displays of any kind,” said Ken Kahn, General Manager of Global Truss America. “It’s flexible enough to fit almost any type of performance or display. Plus, it’s easy to transport and set up, and it can be used just about anywhere – indoors or out.

“The Global Screen will instantly create a professional-looking backdrop, which can also do double-duty as a projection screen. Best of all,” added Kahn, “it’s very economically priced, while offering superior features and construction that go beyond the typical fabric screen.”

Fire-retardant and easy to care for, the Global Screen is machine washable, although dry cleaning is recommended. It comes with its own convenient carrying bag and 12 bungee cords. The MSRP of the Global Screen is $189.95

For more information, contact Global Truss America at (323) 415-6225, or visit www.globaltruss.com

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