Help with tricky workflow - multiple output vision switching

[^faldo^]

Hey guys, forum newbie here.

I've got one almighty hell of an ambitious project in mind that I'd like some help with. Here goes nothing...

I have an SLI setup at work, which means I get 4 DVI outputs from the workstation. I want to be able to work in Premiere so I can get 4 separate, distinct outputs that I can work on from a single timeline. The outputs would then play in synch and voila - 4 monitors displaying their own separate, but related, feeds. Think Nintendo DS, but bigger. Much bigger. Also, call it the QS.

Avid has a multi-camera vision switching mode, what I'm talking about is essentially the reverse, minus real-time manipulation. You take footage and build it into what you want, but you do it 4 times, differently, once for each output, with the benefit of a unified timecode and audio tracks. During playback 4 monitors display their own independent feed while the one sequence plays through. The result should be similar to watching the input stage of a vision mixer. These outputs then go on to feed 4 projectors.

Any thoughts?

Oh, I forgot the newbie introduction, combined with reassurance I have the computer power to pull this off...

I'm an IT journo, working in Australia. Always loved animation and film, moreso the technical side. I've used Avid and FCP but currently delving into Premiere. I got the suite from work, and I'm liking Adobe's integration so far.

Due to my day job, computer power for a task like this is not an issue. I'm using an Athlon FX-62 with 4GB of RAM, 2X WD Raptors in RAID-0 plus a 720GB Seagate archive drive and a 4GB I-RAM as a scratch disk. And one 30" Dell monitor and a 24" Dell monitor. If posting that made me some enemies, I assure you it can all be reclaimed by the respective companies at any minute. The downside is that parts frequently do, and I have to rebuild the system every month.

Thanks all.

-DAVE.

 

[^faldo^]

What, nobody?

Ok, to get you started, here's what's been rolling around in my head all week. Create a custom project with the same aspect and pixel ration as what you are working in, then double the vertical and horizontal resolution of you desired format.

Grab 8 video timelines and label them in pairs for outputs 1 through 4. Edit and then apply a reposition to all the clips in the pair of tracks to dump it into a corner of the bigger window. Repeat for the other 3 streams so you get a huge, console multiplayer looking sequence.

Fire up VLC, change the preferences in the video wall filter to multiplex the signal into 2X2. You get 4 small windows which you can maximise.

I have tried this on the laptop, but I haven't had the time to give it a shot in the studio.

Any more thoughts?

 

[AndrewKramer]

Can't be done. Not in Premiere. There is no function to designate what timeline correlates with what output. You need a special broadcast mixing card that has the outputs and the necessary software.


The Video Cards weren't thought of, to do this type of thing, and while although it may be capable, there is no software that will let it happen....
Andrew