Multi channel video playback synchronisation

[Mark Beazley]

DT Labs Playback Pro. Mac OS based. You can run files from multiple computers synced up.

-mark

[Thomas Leong]

If you are PC-based, look at AvStumpfl’s Wings Platinum.

You will need the Pro version as a minimum (look up the Versions Table in its Help files for features of various versions; free download and install).

The Pro and the Multi-displays versions are both capable of outputting dual frame-synced video streams from a 3rd party’s graphics card dual outputs. But you would loose the control screen in the process unless you add a 3rd monitor via a USB2VGA solution or Soundgraph’s FingerVU? (I haven’t tried).

Cheaper might be hardware-based Rokulabs’ Brightsign players.

[Marie Tolladay]

Thanks for the response- sounds more complicated than I had envisioned but I’ll look in to it!

Anita

[Walter Soyka]

There was a pretty good thread on synched HD playback last year, and the poster had a successful installation with the Brightsign/Roku players:

https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/158/855777

The DJD sync systems are very nice if you prefer to use optical media.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events

[Thomas Leong]

Frame-syncing 2 or more video sources has never been easy, or cheap even in the old days of tape.

Nowadays, you can try starting the same video on two media players or PCs but it is more miss than hit. Try with the freeware Input Director (https://www.inputdirector.com), create a macro key that will start playing the video on 2 networked computers, and visually check the sync on 2 monitors. Chances are it won’t be frame-synced. Therefore the need for specialized software.

[Marc Morel]

Hi,

Although I understand your interest in using HDD players, they’re compact and quite reliable. I’ve had some playing 24/7 in a museum environment for 8 months at a time, I’ve yet to find a way to synchronize them properly. Unless your program is more than 2 hours long, I suggest you save yourself a lot of grief and look into the DVD/ synchronizer option. I’ve heard good things about the Dave Jones system and I’ve had bulletproof results with this device: https://www.technovision.com/kpc2.html

Frame accurate control for up to 4 DVD players and once IN and OUT points on each DVD are identified and stored, units will stay locked for weeks if not months at a time.

Good luck with whatever solution you choose,

Marc

[Marie Tolladay]

Thanks again, looks like industrial DVDs will be the way!

Anita

[Walter Soyka]

Hi Marc — I’ve got a couple questions for you on your post, if you don’t mind.

[Marc Morel] “Although I understand your interest in using HDD players, they’re compact and quite reliable. I’ve had some playing 24/7 in a museum environment for 8 months at a time, I’ve yet to find a way to synchronize them properly”

I’m curious as to which units you’ve used, and what connection the vendor recommending for running sync (Ethernet, RS-232, GPIO). I’ve heard conflicting reports on how well they’re working, and I’m trying to figure out which systems work as advertised and which are causing users trouble.

[Marc Morel] “I’ve heard good things about the Dave Jones system and I’ve had bulletproof results with this device: https://www.technovision.com/kpc2.html “

I specified the Technovision synchronizer for an install 5 or 6 years ago, and like you said, it ran flawlessly. Do you happen to know if they have a Bluray solution?

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events

[Marc Morel]

Hi,

– Never ran them networked but as a standalone player, I’ve used Mvix MX-780HD (https://www.mvixusa.com/) players with both SD and 720p HD material for long periods of time without problems.

– Don’t think they have a Blu-ray solution yet but this may be due in part to the relatively low number of Blu-ray players with RS-232 interface. Their devices work like a charm with Pioneer DVD players maybe they’ll update to control one of the Pioneer Elite series (BDP-23FD)

Regards,

Marc

[Bob King]

Look at the AJA KiPro. they are supposed to be releasing a new firmware this summer that will allow for sync rolling via timecode or machine control. We use a Shot Box for all of our sync roll stuff in our shop. These are fairly cheap to buy and cheaper to rent.

Currently, we use Grass Valley Turbos. If sync rolled using the Shot Box, they will hold sync for at least 15 minutes. I have done this on a 7 projector blend fed with four HD stream from four Turbos and the image is seamless.

If all you need is sync roll and not frame accuracy, Playback Pro or Qlab should do the trick. Both are Mac based.