Magic Music Visuals

...and probably other video capture devices:
There needs to be a way to pick the input (ex: HDMI, Composite, S-Video) and resolution/refresh rate.
As it is I just get a blank window, even though the BlackMagic Control Panel is set to the proper default input and resolution.

Ok, thanks for letting me know. Right now the VidCap module will select the default video stream and resolution for the selected device. If the device doesn't provide a default video stream and resolution, it may not work.

We've tested the VidCap module with a variety of capture devices and all of them have worked, but we haven't specifically tested with the Intensity Shuttle. We do plan to add resolution selection soon, which may help resolve the issue.

For now, you might want to try an intermediary utility such as ManyCam (http://manycam.com). It looks a bit cheesy, but it works well and it will give you more configuration options. And, it has a virtual webcam that Magic can recognize, so you can hook it up to pretty much any source, including hardware devices, remote networked cameras, desktop capture, etc.

I've had the same problem with the Intensity - but got input by installing the Syphon plugins from magic, and using Black Syphon to route it. Also have to have the shuttle and camera running before turning on Magic etc. Next problem is to get better quality, non-interlaced input as the panasonic GH2 only outputs 50i or 60i. Hoepfully the GH4 solves that problem. Got Balck Syphon from VDMX: http://vdmx.vidvox.net/blog/black-syphon which can get the interlaced input as well but isn't as much fun to use as Magic.

Great tip, thanks.

For the Windows version of Magic, we'll soon be releasing a SpoutReceiver module, which might be a good way to get BlackMagic input somehow.

I'm using a Blackmagic Intensity Pro internal card for capture. These are notorious for outputting nothing until they have been set to match the exact video standard of the input.

If I simply start Magic and select "Blackmagic WDM Capture" as my VidCap device I just get a black screen.
However if I first use Resolume Avenue to set the Blackmagic card resolution, then exit and start Magic, all works fine with low latency and no stuttering.
I conclude that there's no driver issue in this case, it's simply that the VidCap module needs to be extended to allow input and resolution selection.

This trick doesn't work for an old Hauppuage WinTV card though , and that remains usable in other apps (Resolume or WinTV) even with Magic running and allegedly connected to the card.. That I would put down to a fundamental driver problem.

BTW, I would be great to have a de-interlace option on the VidCap module. Inter-field tearing looks horrible when there's motion on an interlaced source.
It seem that there are existing GPU solutions for this problem, so that's another simple task!
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9725 ... nterlacing
http://cgit.freedesktop.org/gstreamer/g ... nterlace.c
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=n ... px=MTY2Mjg

Thanks, it's probably some kind of Blackmagic-specific configuration issue. We'll investigate .

I don't think it would be too hard for us to add a deinterlacing option, but just be aware that deinterlacing reduces the quality of the video compared with a progressive source at the same resolution.

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EDIT: I've created a new topic specifically for the Blackmagic capture utility I developed: http://magicmusicvisuals.com/forums/vie ... ?f=2&t=201

Yep, deinterlacing might be the best bet - can't get the Blackmagic Shuttle to recognise the GH4 output. Although the new GH4 firmware upgrade scheduled for January is supposed to provide 25p and 30p output for external HDMI for the gH4 instead of interlaced, fingers crossed that that will do the trick (my experimental animations only work when filmed at 25p and Magic seems to be the best option for mixing them in and effecting/inverting them etc).

Have just got the latest upgrade for the GH4 and it includes HDMI output at 25p which routes through Blackmagic and Black Syphon ok. Once I remember how to input Syphon into Magic I should have live HD input for playing with (including zoetrope animations from a turntable!) although I wonder what happens with the frame rate when Magic runs it at 60p? The 25p output/live capture is a huge improvement from previous options i.e. 60i interlaced from the Panasonic Gh2 and nothing form the Gh4 - gonna be a busy year if this all works!

Yep - the live GH4 output world great in Magic with Syphon!!! Now hoping that the midi control for scenes extends to assigning midi pads to each scene as my X-session controller doesn't seem to work properly (doesn't advance the scenes properly, only while you hold the pad but then regrets back) so I've ordered one of those wireless Numark Orbits.