@craigw said:

Hi, In the future when NDI and IP video become the norm, will the graphics card still do the actor processing, or does it use CPU?

 In the end, the data from NDI or a movie or even a webcam always starts its life as bitmap on the CPU. (Well, maybe not always, but I don't know of any examples to the contrary.) Then you need to get that bitmap image uploaded from the CPU to the GPU so that you can do fast processing on it. This is all quite fast, because GPUs are designed to let you perform CPU to GPU transfers really fast, using things like direct memory access and other special techniques.

The harder part is getting the GPU image back into the CPU. This is always inherently inefficient, because GPUs (which are arguably designed for gaming, not for video processing) are not designed to make these transfers fast, because in a game, you never need to do it. Sending the GPU image out to NDI requires a transfer from GPU to CPU, not to mention  costly compression algorithms to prepare the image to be sent over the internet. Because of this, such output will always be a kind of "big ticket item" when it comes to performance. Especially if you start doing it with several high-resolution images.

As @DusX points out, the memory on an M1 is "integrated", meaning that the distinction between CPU memory and GPU memory would no longer seem to exist. I am awaiting my M1 laptop, and finding out if this is true in practice is something I am extremely curious to try.

Best Wishes,
Mark

@oscar said:

Just wanted to share that we did a show yesterday with the new M1 and as Clemens said it was intriguing/ seems very promising! Thanks Troikatronix Team for the implementation!

 Thanks for this report. How was the performance? Were you on a new laptop (M1 Pro or M1 Max) or something else?

Best Wishes,
Mark

@trevorn1

I have an Elgato Camlink  4K, so I can help you get this working.

It would be helpful to all forum users if you could update your profile to include a signature which includes details regarding your Isadora system.
details: https://community.troikatronix...

This is my settings dialog with my Cam Link 4k working (grabbing the 4k desktop output from the mac mini sitting beside me).

I don't know if you tried to force the resolution. If you did perhaps try 'native'

Ok, thank you:) Then I will look for an extra external live camera... And use my older Kinect.

@woland Thanks all! I think the best way forward is to get the Orbbec Astra Pro and if/when i get new mac it seems rosetta opens automatically when an intel compatible app is opened. My old laptop will apparently work (thanks Russell) fine so I can always resort to this one. I might even consider using this with my projector as a stand alone set-up and use my new Mac for audio with an Ableton Link connection keeping it in sync with the Isadora/visual platform.

Does this seem sensible?!

Cheers, David

I've used two datapath X4s from the same GPU. And I think I've used an X4 and a TH2G. My only concern would be around confusing the Matrox Power Desk software for setting them up. Might need to configure each one individually then re-boot with both plugged in. I think they're quite dumb (in a good way) until you open up Power Desk to configure.

Let us know how you get on, be good know.

@fred

Thanks for you answer Fred, I've used the camera with an Arduino Uno. I will give it a go. I will post the results and further questions. Once again, thanks.

@josharoo4 Awesome thanks

@david

Stream Setup is empty

Maybe updating the file wiped stream setup or you rebuilt the patch without entering things into Stream Setup. [Edit: I've made a test file in 3.0.1 and 3.0.7 with OSC channels in Stream Setup, saved it, then and opened it in 3.0.8 (both by updating it and by opening a copy) to check if the updating was the issue but my OSC addresses remained in Stream Setup.] 

There are two ways to make the patch work again: 

Solution 1: Look at an older version of the file that has the OSC addresses in Stream Setup and copy over the OSC addresses to this file.

Steps:

Open older files until you find one that doesn't have an empty Stream SetupCopy and paste the OSC addresses into a text file or take a screenshotOpen the new fileMake the Stream Setup OSC addresses and channels match the Stream Setup from the old file

Solution 2: Use "Auto-Detect Input" in Stream Setup and then give the OSC addresses the right channel numbers

Steps:

Start broadcasting with the RFID tagsLaunch the MaxMSP and Isadora filesIn Isadora, go to Stream Setup and check "Auto-Detect Input" to get the OSC addresses from the tags/MaxMSPGive the OSC addresses in Stream Setup the OSC channel numbers they need to match your User Actors.

Best wishes,

Woland

dear all,

I'm currently starting to do some research and testing with ZoomISO and I wonder if anybody of you knows a possibility to control the settings of the webcams on remote computers? I need to switch of the automatic of the cameras and work with fixed settings (aperture/exposure time) so that my images are stable and the cameras are not constantly changing their settings when the light situation changes. I did several shows working with several webcams on a mac using the app WEBCAM SETTINGS which costs a bit of money but always worked quite stable - but only on the computer that's physically present. as I said I'm on mac, but the people I'll connect to via zoom might also be on other systems. if anybody of you smart and skilled people out there has any idea if and how this could work remotely I'd be grateful for any hint!

thanks & greetings ~ ben

hrhr find out myself... you need to start both x- box controllers before starting Isadora...

Isadora doesn't usually need the 3D processing power of the highest-end GPUs at this time, but the VRAM does come in handy.

If you have the project file already (or can make a comparable test file) run it and watch the video ram usage in Task Manager. That should let you know if the APU has enough available.

It's possible to each up a lot with video delay.

@gendaldesigns

Isadora is not officially supported with multiple graphics cards. It can be done but we can't provide support, there are just too many factors.
Beyond that, multiple cards introduces some bottle necks that are very hard to get around... in the end it generally will provide less performance.

I would recommend getting 1 graphics card with lots of RAM, and then a Matrox Quad Head 2 Go. This will give you 4 outputs from one DisplayPort. with a NVidia card, that leave you 3 more available display connections (make sure you have the physical connections) for a total of 7.

@lornarthebreton 

I have really good experience  with entecPro. Also with DmxKing. But Enttec really  reliable.

best

peter

Hi All further to my 'which depth camera' question (unanswered!) is this one a good option:

Depth Camera Intel D455

It seems pretty good from the spec though I am far from being a expert.

Thanks in advance, David

I would be quite interested to know the answer to this. I use the d435 but they are hard to find currently and the d415 seems to be in stock in more places currently. Let me know if you do test it. Or maybe I'll try to get one to try also. 

@eamonn Same!

@mark_m

With the Raspberry 4 you have two independent HDMI outputs. And using a program like  Pi Presents you can manage many control features for videos.

Hi I am now finally ready to begin using a depth camera with Isadora. I work with a dancer and want to do some interesting stuff! I remember being advised to go for an Orbbec but this was a while ago and things move quickly so what should I go for? Maybe there is no simple answer. Any tips gratefully received! Cheers, David

@citizenjoe @dbini @Fred

Thank you so much all of your for your suggestions / advice, recommendations, and shared experience.

You've raised some really interesting questions about method - IR light stage or performers, for example.

I'm going to go and sit in the tent with the lighting techs and the riggers and ponder the variables, and will report back.

Thanks again!

And John, would be great if you with us in wet, windy Wales, on an industrial estate near Llantwit Major!!

Cheers Mark