rhettnificent
First off, I've installed VirtualDJ on one computer, a 1.8 Ghz MacBook Pro with 1.5 GB of RAM. Bootcamp is on a 10GB partition, so I've also installed VDJ on Windows XP for comparison.
For now, I won't dwell on the obvious font issue (as the rest of the Mac VDJ community has). However, I am quite dumbfounded on how this slipped by, even for a "Beta" release.
Instead, I will concentrate on Virtual DJ's video capabilities. I have several 320x240 music video's that I compressed myself (H.264) for use in iTunes/iPod (with no DRM) that VirtualDJ doesn't recognize. VirtualDJ's codec's include Quicktime .mov and .m4v files, so I'm not sure why these won't play.
So I went back to my MPEG-2 source files (taken directly from DVD's using the Mac the Ripper & Streamclip method) and attempted to load a couple in. VDJ imported these without a hiccup. However, it seems VDJ runs them through the ringer (read: downsized to 320x240 with major compression). Or maybe I'm wrong? Maybe what I'm seeing in the "video" window is some sort of proxy/thumbnail? I hope so. I tried to test my theory by outputting to a TV to see if the video would look like the 640x480 original, but no luck. The best I could do was drag the 320x240 video window to the TV's desktop, but could not get it to go fullscreen. Is there no way to output video on the Mac yet?
In addition to the "downsized" resolution, Virtual DJ seems to have a hard time handling motion and/or jump cuts within the video, resulting in big blocky artifacts. The video also seems to be lighter than the original. See links to images below:
Image 1
Image 2
When using the fade transition, the resulting video suffered from some serious flickering. I checked "Decode while hidden" and that helped a bit, but the transition was still less than smooth. Also, flickering in the bottom left hand corner of the main video window in the mixer zone occurs even when both decks are paused.
In contrast, the Windows version did not have these issues (blocky artifacts and flickering), however my mpegs were still downsized to 320x240 in the video window.
I was also dissapointed to find no additional handles for transitions speed. To me the video fade seems to slow, I would like to speed it up by at least 3x. Some hue, contrast, brightness, zoom, x/y position knobs would come in handy for videos... any chance they're on a to-do list?
For now, I won't dwell on the obvious font issue (as the rest of the Mac VDJ community has). However, I am quite dumbfounded on how this slipped by, even for a "Beta" release.
Instead, I will concentrate on Virtual DJ's video capabilities. I have several 320x240 music video's that I compressed myself (H.264) for use in iTunes/iPod (with no DRM) that VirtualDJ doesn't recognize. VirtualDJ's codec's include Quicktime .mov and .m4v files, so I'm not sure why these won't play.
So I went back to my MPEG-2 source files (taken directly from DVD's using the Mac the Ripper & Streamclip method) and attempted to load a couple in. VDJ imported these without a hiccup. However, it seems VDJ runs them through the ringer (read: downsized to 320x240 with major compression). Or maybe I'm wrong? Maybe what I'm seeing in the "video" window is some sort of proxy/thumbnail? I hope so. I tried to test my theory by outputting to a TV to see if the video would look like the 640x480 original, but no luck. The best I could do was drag the 320x240 video window to the TV's desktop, but could not get it to go fullscreen. Is there no way to output video on the Mac yet?
In addition to the "downsized" resolution, Virtual DJ seems to have a hard time handling motion and/or jump cuts within the video, resulting in big blocky artifacts. The video also seems to be lighter than the original. See links to images below:
Image 1
Image 2
When using the fade transition, the resulting video suffered from some serious flickering. I checked "Decode while hidden" and that helped a bit, but the transition was still less than smooth. Also, flickering in the bottom left hand corner of the main video window in the mixer zone occurs even when both decks are paused.
In contrast, the Windows version did not have these issues (blocky artifacts and flickering), however my mpegs were still downsized to 320x240 in the video window.
I was also dissapointed to find no additional handles for transitions speed. To me the video fade seems to slow, I would like to speed it up by at least 3x. Some hue, contrast, brightness, zoom, x/y position knobs would come in handy for videos... any chance they're on a to-do list?
Posted Sun 01 Apr 07 @ 6:37 am
antileon
320x240 resolution seems small...
In what quality did you encode your songs?
In what quality did you encode your songs?
Posted Sun 01 Apr 07 @ 1:28 pm
rhettnificent
Thanks for the interest antileon, but I'm not quite sure what your asking me, as I believe I explained myself in the previous post. I'll recap though:
• My 320x240 non-DRM Quicktime.m4v files (iPod quality H.264) will not play at all in Virtual DJ (even though Quicktime is selected under the "m4v" codec option within VDJ).
• My source files will play (DVD quality MPEG-2), however, they look horrendous within the VDJ "Video" window.
Click on the link below for a more literal image of what I'm experiencing:
My Desktop
So this is what I'm asking:
• Is VDJ's "Video" window my actual output image or is it a "proxy/thumbnail" representation?
• Why can't I play my "m4v" files?
• My 320x240 non-DRM Quicktime.m4v files (iPod quality H.264) will not play at all in Virtual DJ (even though Quicktime is selected under the "m4v" codec option within VDJ).
• My source files will play (DVD quality MPEG-2), however, they look horrendous within the VDJ "Video" window.
Click on the link below for a more literal image of what I'm experiencing:
My Desktop
So this is what I'm asking:
• Is VDJ's "Video" window my actual output image or is it a "proxy/thumbnail" representation?
• Why can't I play my "m4v" files?
Posted Sun 01 Apr 07 @ 6:52 pm
getchaos
I can't play .mp4 videos either. I could in the PC version by simply adding the codec to the list, but on the Mac, I just get an error. It only wants to play them as an audio file.
The files play fine in Quicktime.
Also experiencing the font problem.
The files play fine in Quicktime.
Also experiencing the font problem.
Posted Mon 02 Apr 07 @ 3:48 am
shooter6
I am also experiencing some of the same artifacting problems wiith VOBs - iMac 2.16 Duo, 2 GB Ram, ATI X1600, etc. Videos ripped with MTR - not sure if that might be part of the problem as its my first time using the program. I haven't done much experimenting yet but will keep y'all posted.
Posted Mon 02 Apr 07 @ 5:00 pm
DJALVIN726
Hey Im having the same problem uploading m4v files ....whats up with this VJ i use PCDJFX and I have never experienced so many gliches actually none at all. Did i make a bad choice by going to MAc and purchasing VJ ?
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 6:41 am
shooter6
I used PCDJ FX for 4 years before switching over - I kinda felt the same as you... but I think VDJ is a vastly superior program and is worth waiting for them to work the bugs out. You'll probably want to keep using PCDJ for shows right now if you can (or whatever other existing solution you have) - but given time I think you'll be won over by VDJ.
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 3:08 pm
Rune (DJ-In-Norway)
As you all know the PC version works great..
So give it a bit of time to work as great in Mac too ;) It will come ..
You're just testing the first ever mac release, and its only been out about 5 days...
So be patient.
The PC version rocks, and so will the mac version ;)
I bet there will be NO regrets for any switchers real soon ;)
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 3:11 pm
shooter6
Agreed - and for what its worth, except for the font thing, I haven't seen any other bugs yet in the Mac version. Great thing about Mac - DRAG n DROP from Finder - who needs fonts? I could probably play a show with it now considering I've been running all my regular music thru it looking for crashes. Seems pretty stable to me....
BTW... did windows work the same way? Could you drag from an explorer window into the player? Never tried it...
BTW... did windows work the same way? Could you drag from an explorer window into the player? Never tried it...
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 3:50 pm
djcel
shooter6 wrote :
BTW... did windows work the same way? Could you drag from an explorer window into the player? Never tried it...
Yes, it works on Windows too. It's very usefull for the multi-instance.
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 6:07 pm
shooter6
sweet....
So, I've been experimenting with videos that I ripped on Windows using both DVD Decrypter and Smartripper - they play just fine with no artifacting at all. In fact they play much much better on my Mac than they ever did on my PC (prolly cause I have a better video card). Not sure if there is some way I can optimize settings in Mac The Ripper for VDJ use?
So, I've been experimenting with videos that I ripped on Windows using both DVD Decrypter and Smartripper - they play just fine with no artifacting at all. In fact they play much much better on my Mac than they ever did on my PC (prolly cause I have a better video card). Not sure if there is some way I can optimize settings in Mac The Ripper for VDJ use?
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 7:28 pm
shooter6
VDJ Mac doesn't seem to like the mp4 videos that come from my12inch... though they worked on PC version. Perhaps support for MP4 will be added in the future?
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 8:18 pm
rhettnificent
From my experiments, it seems that the artifacts are a result of VDJ's de-interlacing method, not a fault of Mac the Ripper. I tested this by de-interlacing a video beforehand and then importing it in VDJ. From what I could tell, the big blocky artifacts were gone. I've taken more screenshots to scrutinize the quality and will report back later.
Again, on the PC, this is not an issue it seems. I trust this is one of the details that will be smoothed over on the Mac "soon".
Again, on the PC, this is not an issue it seems. I trust this is one of the details that will be smoothed over on the Mac "soon".
Posted Tue 03 Apr 07 @ 10:00 pm
jchiar
Ive been able to play some movie in a window. But does anyone have an external second display that they can tell us if the second display output works?
I dont mind but buying a the miniDVI cable to VGA adapter if it works!
I dont mind but buying a the miniDVI cable to VGA adapter if it works!
Posted Mon 09 Apr 07 @ 4:37 pm
sbangs
i have been unable to use any other mode than that of window
personaly yet.
personaly yet.
Posted Mon 09 Apr 07 @ 5:10 pm
shooter6
I've been using my iMac with a 2nd monitor for video - works perfectly for me, except for the artifacting trouble I had on a few files. I'm not convinced that its a problem with VDJ though.
Posted Mon 09 Apr 07 @ 5:18 pm
rhettnificent
skyfxl wrote :
i have been unable to use any other mode than that of window
personaly yet.
personaly yet.
I bought the DVI to VGA cable and I was able to output to a Dell monitor. However,the quality of the output is POOR. When paused, a frame "may" look fine. But when playing, the movie flickers and drops frames. Interlaced video results in big blocky artifacts. Were talk'n Atari 2600 style.
If you own a MacBook Pro, the VGA adapter will work under boot camp (despite Apple's claims it won't). The MacBook Pro is the only machine that will do this. I'm puchasing a VGA to TV converter and I'll let you know if I'm successful in finally getting some video to an actual televisions... as well as a projector (that's how I roll).
So it looks like I'll be a sheep in wolf's clothing by doing the boot camp thing. I'd love tell people I'm running Mac software, but I guess it will a while until I can do that :(
Posted Mon 09 Apr 07 @ 7:48 pm
rhettnificent
shooter6 wrote :
I've been using my iMac with a 2nd monitor for video - works perfectly for me, except for the artifacting trouble I had on a few files. I'm not convinced that its a problem with VDJ though.
It is VDJ. Mac VDJ specifically. My files with artifacts, do not artifact under PC VDJ.
Posted Mon 09 Apr 07 @ 7:50 pm
dydy1
Mini-DVI to VGA works fine for me with a second monitor. Some of the other problems with Virtual DJ mac is that it doesn' t play mpeg4 videos as of yet.
Posted Mon 09 Apr 07 @ 9:09 pm
jchiar
dydy1 wrote :
Mini-DVI to VGA works fine for me with a second monitor. Some of the other problems with Virtual DJ mac is that it doesn' t play mpeg4 videos as of yet.
DYDY1 , do you see this artifacting other see?
Posted Tue 10 Apr 07 @ 3:51 am