Page 1 of 4 >>
Video Review: The Green Hippo Hippotizer V3
Lighting technology is now experiencing an exciting technical and artistic metamorphosis, not unlike when the first moving lights came on the scene. Anyone who has seen the latest rock shows, television awards shows, and Broadway productions has probably witnessed some incredible projected video lighting effects. Usually, you see these effects on projection screens, but due to new technology in LEDs, you can see these video images embedded in the stage walls, backdrops, or even in the floor.
Although video projectors like the High End DL3 or even an inexpensive video projector are required to display the video, you need a sophisticated “video brain,” or “media server“ to create and produce sophisticated video images for these projectors.
Media servers come in many sizes and costs, ranging from a simple Macintosh system ($2,000) to the most sophisticated (upwards of $50,000). When consulting on video systems for churches, the first questions I ask are: “What are your present video needs, and what are your dreams for the future”? The answers will direct me to systems that fit the needs of the particular house of worship.
There are several basic areas of concern when accessing what your video needs may be. First, how much live video (cameras) and pre-recorded media content do you use during a service? How many video outputs do you need? Do you show the same image on all your screens or do you do split images? Do you need High Definition output? Do you need separate video feeds to your remote monitors (in the lobby or quiet rooms)?
After answering these questions, the next step is to address what your artistic needs are. Do you use simple video images to show behind the service? What type of transitions do you use from clip to clip? Do you superimpose text on top of images? Would you like the option to manipulate the video with special effects? And finally, would you like to use the video content to actually illuminate the stage?
Green Hippo has been in the media server business for many years. The Hippotizer models of media servers are used on the largest projects in the world, including the Academy Awards, Eurovision, Blue Man Group, and numerous concert tours, television, and Broadway productions.
TMB (the exclusive distributor for Green Hippo for North America, Middle East, and Asia) sent their top of the line Hippotizer V3 to our light lab at California State University, Long Beach for testing on one of our productions, And the War Came. This production used two live cameras and four high-powered video projectors to mix and display content.
The hardware component of a media server is basically a computer with inputs and outputs. The real design challenge for a media server is in its software design and user interface. This media server consists of two pieces of software. The Engine outputs the video, and the Zookeeper controls the interface. (You can even run the Zookeeper remotely on a portable Windows computer.)
Page 1 of 4 next page >>
David Martin Jacques is a professional lighting designer and consultant. He has designed hundreds of productions in the United States and throughout the world. David also consults on new worship facilities and renovations. He serves as Head of Stage Design for California State University Long Beach. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Post a Comment
ADD NEW COMMENT