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Project - Making my own hardware remote switcher with tally light
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Joined: 8/21/2012(UTC) Posts: 194 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Cordoba - Argentina Thanks: 50 times Was thanked: 6 time(s) in 6 post(s)
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Dear friends, hi!! I'm from Argentina, so sorry for my english. I'm posting this because i'm very happy with vMix, but i saw that don't have a easy way to switch between inputs and other shortcuts (yes, i know with keyboard, but its easy to make mistakes), so, my idea is to make a hardware interface via USB (based on a keyboard). I dont know if i'm crazy but i thing this will be very helpfull. Its easy and cheap, and can integrate a tally light... so.. i hear ideas. I thought that should have 2 lines of keys, the preview and the program, as all the switcher has... special keys for the special transitions (as wipe and others), 1 2 3 4 for overlays... and may be can have a third line with the fade option direct of each input (all based in a keyboard and the shortcuts). I thought that the keys can have internal light as all the switchers have, and with that, its very easy to connect a tally light..
What do all of u think about that idea?
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Joined: 3/15/2011(UTC) Posts: 64 Location: UK
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Hi Guztavo,
That would be great, especially the lights on the keys.
Is it possible to include a T-bar to give manual control of cross-fades or dissolves?
Would it work alongside the keyboard, replace it or could you switch between the 2?
Please put me down as a beta tester ;-)
I'm currently testing a wireless USB keypad that appears to work well with programmed keyboard shortcuts. I can even operate it from a camera position, I don't suppose it would be possible to ...................... ? No? Silly me, I'll just keep dreaming.
Brian
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Joined: 8/21/2012(UTC) Posts: 194 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Cordoba - Argentina Thanks: 50 times Was thanked: 6 time(s) in 6 post(s)
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Hi Brian!! The idea of modifying a keyboard is because i dont need to add any extra software to be interface, or recurring to the API to drive vMix. A "T" bar is an option, but complicated. I'm new in this so, it's really necessary? This is, in a pic, my idea: PrototipoI want to use both the principal keyboard and the switcher, but i have to read and test different possibilities. About your wireless usb keypad, which are the functions that you use from the camera position? It's possible to make a remote control (wired, in a first step), that make the function of a button of our switcher (can be a input, a button to add +1 to a scoreboard, or to the "transition" to switch between pgm and preview, for example). Which is your stage? a studio? sports? socials? I want to do this project to easy work in a basketball game. Do you think should have audio shortcuts? I tried to buy the lighted keys but i found just one model that cost AR$70 (about USD 15) EACH ONE! So, in quantity is a lot of money just in keys. So, im looking for another options more cheap. Well, im working!
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Joined: 2/17/2012(UTC) Posts: 20 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Netherlands Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 1 time(s) in 1 post(s)
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I did make a switch with several hacks and find out that a simple nummeric keyboard can do the trick no hacking, afterwards i endid with only the keyboard because you get a christmass tree with all the usb connections. What i did is making a tally box with lights in my case 3 inputs and a lcd screen where i can name the in puts cam 1 cam 2 and 2 color leds underneath the text its small but you can see in one second witch input is live, but its always nice to hack and prototype around.
GreetZ Richie
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Joined: 3/15/2011(UTC) Posts: 64 Location: UK
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Hi Gustavo and Martin,
Ah! I understand now. Based on a keyboard = modifying a keyboard. I read too much into your original post.
A T bar is a "must have" on all hardware mixers to control the speed of transitions, particularly dissolves and 50/50 shots by "feel", which is important in live music video, my field, but not so for sports, I guess. Only Martin would know if it's possible and/or desirable to add a USB hardware control like a potentiometer (it doesn't have to be a T switch, it could be an audio mixer style fader which are a lot cheaper). I believe a decent control interface such as your keyboard with a manual transition control would be a huge benefit to potential vMix users, particularly those used to traditional video mixing.
The wireless USB keypad has 24 keys, 18 of which appear in Martin's list of programmable keys which can carry out all sorts of functions over and above my immediate requirements which are simple switching of inputs and applying transitions. I suppose start and stop recording would be useful but I'm usually back to the computer desk by then.
I specialise in live music but I'm also looking at theatre. Things happen too fast for me in basketball.
I can't see a use for audio shortcuts, probably because I don't use the camera mics but close mic the performers through an external audio mixer which feeds through the PC audio input.
If you are buying keys it sounds as though you are well advanced, go for it............... and good luck!
But do the keys have to be lit. Why not have an LED beside the key?
Best wishes Brian
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Joined: 1/13/2010(UTC) Posts: 5,179 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Gold Coast, Australia Was thanked: 4201 time(s) in 1503 post(s)
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The plan at this stage is to expand the current web interface with the addition of various themes which emulate the layout of hardware controllers including a T-bar.
The advantage of this approach is the ability to use any touch screen device (iPad, Kindle Fire, Galaxy Tab etc) to achieve similar results to a hardware controller.
Mixer control interfaces cost upwards of $1500 to make so it makes sense to concentrate on a touch screen interface that can be used on a $199 kindle fire.
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Hi Martin,
I hear what you're saying but the biggest problem with a touch screen device is "feel". With live video mixing you need to look at the monitors and "know" where the controls are, or at least locate them by touch. That's why the dissolve control on the space bar was so important to me - I can operate it without taking my eyes off the screen.
My wireless number pad cost under $10 and a slider potentiometer about the same, I expect, so perhaps $1500 is a bit on the high side.
I can quite see why you wouldn't want to get involved in hardware development, and I'm sure we all want you to keep improving the already amazing vMix software, but allowing 3rd party developers to create devices like this would enhance the appeal of the vMix software, would it not?
Is it possible (we'll worry about desirable later) to add a hardware "T bar" or fader style potentiometer, either analogue or digital, via USB or whatever to control vMix?
Brian
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Joined: 1/13/2010(UTC) Posts: 5,179 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Gold Coast, Australia Was thanked: 4201 time(s) in 1503 post(s)
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Hi Brian,
I am happy for customers to build (and market!) whatever devices they see fit. The current vMix API supports controlling most of the options available including the fader bar.
I was just pointing out that hardware controllers are not something we are considering ourselves.
Regards,
Martin vMix
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Joined: 8/21/2012(UTC) Posts: 194 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Cordoba - Argentina Thanks: 50 times Was thanked: 6 time(s) in 6 post(s)
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Hello!!! Brian: A crossfader controller is not as simple as it seems to be... The principal idea was using an included option in vMix (shortcuts), to don't have to install any third party software or driver. But i'm thinking on include a crossfader -based on your requirement- from a USB joystick. In the other hand, i can't find here a "T" control, so it's probable that i use the second option that you proposed. I'm looking for iluminated buttons but i didn't find here in Cordoba, Argentina, so i'm thinking on import from here.... Martin: I found amazing API... i've made a little software to use in other computer that handle titles... i made an option to connect to twitter so the software can send to vMix the lastest twitts to a title. I was thinking on other options, like "presets" of titles to use just one title input with a lot of values.... there is any problem if i post the program here (freeware)? Regards!!
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Joined: 7/5/2012(UTC) Posts: 20
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Hi,
@Brian : OK with you about the importance of "physical" interface, I feel the same ;-) ! But I think Martin's plans are very good even for us, "tactile users" (;-)), and I'm glad to read them, the future expansion of the current web is really good news !
Indeed, there is not necessarily opposition between development for touchscreens and for hardware controllers : what I mean is that, if the web interface (and so the vMix API) becomes more and more powerful, we will then just need to have (or develop !) a third-party application to let a physical interface communicate with vMix in the same way that the web interface does... in a word, we will only need a "translator" between a hardware controller communication protocol and vMix API.
=> For example : it's quite easy to interface MIDI messages and vMix functions (I tried, it works !); so whenever every vMix function is available using the API, it will be possible to control vMix with any MIDI-compatible control surface ! And we can imagine interfacing other protocols.
So I really look forward to next Martin's improvements in the web interface... that sounds really really promising ! Martin, if we can participate in the development... please let us know, that will be with pleasure !!!
Best wishes,
Emmanuel
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Joined: 8/21/2012(UTC) Posts: 194 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Cordoba - Argentina Thanks: 50 times Was thanked: 6 time(s) in 6 post(s)
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Hi Emmanuel!!
I was thinking a lot on this project, and found amazing the option of the MIDI. Why? Joysticks are a very cheap way to control MIDI softwares over a third-party software that converts joystick signals to MIDI (including analog input).
But, Martin, i didn't find information about MIDI in vMix Help.. can you give us some tips or something to start?
RVtv Video, did you buy the hardware or you did it by yourself? Tell us, show us pics!
Thanks!!!
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 8/21/2012(UTC) Posts: 194 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Cordoba - Argentina Thanks: 50 times Was thanked: 6 time(s) in 6 post(s)
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Emmanuel, i read other posts and i saw that you made your own driver to use vMix with MIDI... how did you do to handle the crossfader? wich programming language are you using? Regards!!
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Joined: 3/15/2011(UTC) Posts: 64 Location: UK
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Hi Interface Experts, I don't understand too much of what you guys are saying, which is why I've been keeping my head down, but a thought occurred to me ................... If you can write a programme to translate MIDI to vMix API is it possible to translate the MIDI output of a MIDI controller such as the Presonus Fader Port? I believe this device is pre-programmed with MIDI commands required by various audio software. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FaderPort/If this is nonsense please put it down to the fact that I don't know what I'm talking about, and please be gentle with me. Brian
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Hi,
@Guztavo :
- there is no information about MIDI in vMix help... because vMix doesn't handle MIDI (or maybe it's an hidden functionality !). That's why I told about using a third-party software, working as a "translator" between MIDI messages (from a control surface) and vMix API functions requests.
- yes, I developped such a software : in C#, and using standard .NET MIDI libraries. To handle the crossfader : I used the API "SetFader" function (not mentioned in the vMix help, but I had seen it in the shortcuts).
Just to be clear, at this point it is not a "final product", I just did it to test and validate this functionality. I am at the moment still testing several video softwares, looking for the one that I could use for future shows (in 2013); vMix is one of the best I could find, but I need some few more functionalities (of course interoperability with external control surfaces, but also fade to black fader, precise cue points or something close to, playback speed control), so by now I am not sure it will be the one I will choose => I did not spend too much time on developping something that I'm not sure I will use ;-).
... but to be honest, I find vMix more and more interesting from one release to another... it is very promising ! I just wait for the last functionalities I need, or for a way to implement them by myself.
@Brian :
No problem with what you know or don't know... and by the way you know what you're talking about better than you believe ;-) You are perfectly right : yes, theoritically it is possible to use the Presonus Fader Port - but I don't have one so I can't test, and the Presonus documentation is not very precise on which MIDI messages are generated, so maybe it would not be so easy... but I don't see why it could not be done.
Have a good day !
Emmanuel
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Joined: 8/21/2012(UTC) Posts: 194 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Cordoba - Argentina Thanks: 50 times Was thanked: 6 time(s) in 6 post(s)
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Hi!!!
Emmanuel, i didn't know anything about SetFader... i will start testing that option!! But APIs work over a webserver, so, i think the response time can be a problem... (if you want make quick transitions). Well, i will take a look to this options... And i was testing too some programs but this seems to be the best....
Brian, as Emmanuel said, yes, theoretically it is possible. Theoretically, should be possible with that "translator" to use a lot of MIDI hardware. The only thing i see is that the MIDI hardware is (at least here in Argentina), thinked for use with audio, not video... (the buttons and labels are about audio)
I will keep looking and investigating.... Regards!!!!
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Joined: 4/24/2012(UTC) Posts: 46 Location: Germany
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Just wanna add my 2ct. I myself was already thinking about building such a thing. But unfortunately I don't have time for this in any of the near future. That's why I'm writing down my thoughts about it, in case it may help anyone doing so. IMHO one should rather build an external mixer upon the basis of Arduino. The reason? If you publish a list with the parts needed and the source as well, everyone can easily build one mixer on his own. And another very important reason: it's affordable! It's easy: Arduino already comes with most components needed and you don't have to be fiddling around with the deep knowledge of programming an microcontroller. On the other hand with the new Arduino Leonardo one can easily expose this device as a keyboard. Hence you could avoid using the API as you said you'd like. Then again, I'd recommend using the API for several reasons. It allows the mixer to be used much more independently from the vMix' PC. On the one hand you can leave it far away with just the network connection needed. On the other hand it allows you to use the PC still, as you don't have to leave the focus up to vMix' window. Finally, i think using the API is by far the most clean and sophisticated solution. Who knows what features API may bring in the future? Probably things that simply cannot easily be done by defining loads of shortcuts. And what if keyboard shortcuts change - may it be because you did a fresh install, changed needs or just by accident? API calls are much more unlikely to change. So to conclude: use Arduino, use the API. Then your mixer will provide by far the biggest benefit for everyone. Regards, mh166
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Joined: 10/1/2012(UTC) Posts: 2 Location: Barcelona
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Hi, Im Rasti from Barcelona and this is my first post. Sorry my english, iam spanish speaker. I found this software looking for a PC based solution to build a video switcher/mixer in vjforums. I have to say that is an amazing product, and looks that it have a very promising future. I want to add my 2 cents too. IMHO it lacks a midi port to connect a controller (with some controllers preconfigured and the posibility to make your own midi map for any unsuported controller) I have a very responsive Blackberry Playbook tablet, and i promess to try the web interface, but im not very entusiastic about. This is a moment when controllerism is rising, and you can find very cheap DJ and Ableton controllers. Today you can find an Akai Apc 20 with 87 REAL Pad buttons with colour led feedback and 9 sliders for 170€ NEW delivered to your door!! Maybe you still feel the need for a Tbar fader, well you can mod an used and cheap DJ midi controller and replace the crossfader with an analogue resistive(not hall effect sensor version) Tbar controller (wich is a little bit expensive, maybe more than the hacked controller itself) Or maybe you want to build one midi controller from scratch. I have good news. Matt Moldover a renowned controllerist has opensourced his "Mojo" Ableton controller this is the Link: http://blog.60works.com/mojo you can modify this one as you want. I think that having a midi port like virtualdj, traktor, or Mixxx will probably add more spice to the product. PD: Maybe Logitech´s Flight System G940 Throttle is funky enough to control VMix?? http://images.geek-news....gitech/g940_throttle.jpg
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Joined: 1/13/2010(UTC) Posts: 5,179 ![Man Man](/Themes/yafpro/male.gif) Location: Gold Coast, Australia Was thanked: 4201 time(s) in 1503 post(s)
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Thank you very much, seems interesting, is worth to try.
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Hi Martin, admin wrote:The plan at this stage is to expand the current web interface with the addition of various themes which emulate the layout of hardware controllers including a T-bar.
I just downloaded v8, and could not find anything about a T-bar, I suppose it is not included in this version ? => is it still planned for a future version ? If not : would it be possible just to have an API function to control the alpha level of each input (like the slider that can be found in the "input settings => Colour adjust") ? Maybe something like "SetAlphaLevelInput1" with a value that can be set between 0 and 255. With such a function I could use an external slider to control the alpha level of the current inputs, and then use it as a "master video". It would be really great !!! Thanks, Emmanuel
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