Continuous playback of images (even at end of workspace)

[jo...@1erang.nl]

Hi,

I want to use Qlab to show a continuous loop of images (like a slideshow).

I've attached my correct workspace. 

This workspace serves it's purpose. It may look a bit overly complicated for it's purpose. But that is because I have used the same base to create more complex workspaces (using a lot of video).

I also need the "Pause" cues that I incorporated because this dramatically lowers the CPU usage which is necessary for me.

The only problem that I encounter is the end of the workspace. 

I'm using a "Reset" and "Goto" cue to begin the loop again. This works, but it lags for about 1 second (so I see the wallpaper). 

Any tips how to remove this lag?

[jo...@1erang.nl]

Hmm I couldn't upload the workspace.

You can find it here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/usn9m3v9ru1lvgd/Scherm2.cues

Op woensdag 13 maart 2013 14:56:53 UTC+1 schreef jo...@1erang.nl het volgende:

[Mike P]

Hey there,

I tried downloading, but all I get is an empty Q-list. Could you check the file and try again?

Mike Post
(601) 307-8657
mdp...@mac.com
http://mdpostdesign.com

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[jo...@1erang.nl]

Sorry, stupid of me.

I replaced the file with the correct workspace.

Op woensdag 13 maart 2013 16:35:29 UTC+1 schreef Mike Post het volgende:

[Mike P]

OK got it that time...

I can't see a programmatic reason for a delay in the loop, but one thing I do see is you don't ever actually stop a video playback but rely on the Reset to do that.  This could cause trouble in longer lists with video included.  Also, that Reset is causing a glitch in the loop as it dumps the current image and resets to the first.  Is that what you are seeing?

I think something like this is cleaner:

That can be in the main cue list (or a sublist if you prefer) and loops on it's own.  It cleans up after itself with the Stop cues for the previous video cue.  Cue 3 is set to stop the last cue in the list (4 in this case) which does nothing the first time through, but it necessary for the loop.

I hadn't heard about a pause reducing overhead - interesting idea I'll have to play with.  Anyone else run into that?

Mike Post
(601) 307-8657
mdp...@mac.com
http://mdpostdesign.com

[Lucas Krech]

Not sure if this is relevent to your current project but here is a screen shot of a similar thing I did on a recent show (actually it got cut before opening but worked fine in tech) and it worked fine. The closed groups are all variations on the initial two. Using the fade cues stops the media after each one fades out and of course if you want crossfades and not soaces between the media adjust the timing accordingly.

I got out of the loop by fading in a blank black frame over the loop and then stopping the loop once complete. A more sophisticated solution to getting out of the loop, especially if you need to go in to a different loop is explained here https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!searchin/qlab/lucas/qlab/mPhU-ajLnxs/lzVMegDSWyMJ

Stopping the media seems to be key.

HTH.

-L

 

[Jeremy Lee]

Didn't see the original file, but in this scenario, you'd likely want to put a LOAD cue in the second half of the sequence to load the 1st image.  Otherwise there may well be a pause in the loop.

On Mar 13, 2013, at 12:03 PM, Mike P <mdpost...@gmail.com> wrote:

OK got it that time...

I can't see a programmatic reason for a delay in the loop, but one thing I do see is you don't ever actually stop a video playback but rely on the Reset to do that.  This could cause trouble in longer lists with video included.  Also, that Reset is causing a glitch in the loop as it dumps the current image and resets to the first.  Is that what you are seeing?

I think something like this is cleaner:

<Screen Shot 2013-03-13 at 12.00.25 PM.png>

-- 

Jeremy Lee

    Sound Designer, NYC - USA 829

        http://www.jjlee.com

[Taylor John]

Or use the slideshow function in QuickTime 7 and make a single video file

Sent from my iPhone

[jo...@1erang.nl]

Thank you very much Mike.

Your setup is working perfectly. 

I think indeed the reset glitch was causing my problem.

The only problem I see with this setup is that all the images are loaded at once (because of all the auto-continues). 

I created the previous workspace (after discussion with the Qlab support team, with separate start cues that were firing and loading the media files) to prevent this from happening. Because this may cause troubles when using a lot of video files. But in this specific situation I am only gonna be loading images (and never more then 50 I think), so it may not be a problem at all.

Or do you think that I also should use your workflow on longer workspaces with video files and get rid of the Resets at all?

The Pause cues may not have a effect on normal situations, but it dramatically lowers the CPU usage of my multi monitor driver.

 

Op woensdag 13 maart 2013 17:03:42 UTC+1 schreef Mike Post het volgende:

[Mike P]

No problem.  Yes, what you describe about overhead is a drawback.  Maybe there's a best of both worlds to be had here.  The problem with the Reset cue is it drops the current frame from that cue list.  However, if you put the last slide/video clip in you main list right before the Reset cue, then it will stay in place while the other stack is reset.  Then your main list would look something like:

Does that make sense?  I highly recommend you keep the stops in the Media list to keep things clean, but this should only load one clip at a time except when you hit the end of the loop.  They you would have 2.

Mike Post
(601) 307-8657
mdp...@mac.com
http://mdpostdesign.com

On Mar 14, 2013, at 5:07 AM, jo...@1erang.nl wrote:

Thank you very much Mike.
Your setup is working perfectly. 
I think indeed the reset glitch was causing my problem.

The only problem I see with this setup is that all the images are loaded at once (because of all the auto-continues). 
I created the previous workspace (after discussion with the Qlab support team, with separate start cues that were firing and loading the media files) to prevent this from happening. Because this may cause troubles when using a lot of video files. But in this specific situation I am only gonna be loading images (and never more then 50 I think), so it may not be a problem at all.

Or do you think that I also should use your workflow on longer workspaces with video files and get rid of the Resets at all?

The Pause cues may not have a effect on normal situations, but it dramatically lowers the CPU usage of my multi monitor driver.
 


Op woensdag 13 maart 2013 17:03:42 UTC+1 schreef Mike Post het volgende:
OK got it that time...

I can't see a programmatic reason for a delay in the loop, but one thing I do see is you don't ever actually stop a video playback but rely on the Reset to do that.  This could cause trouble in longer lists with video included.  Also, that Reset is causing a glitch in the loop as it dumps the current image and resets to the first.  Is that what you are seeing?

I think something like this is cleaner:

[jo...@1erang.nl]

Wow, thank you very much. This makes sense and indeed it looks like the best of both worlds for me.

I made some small changes to your version (I'm still stopping the latest cue in the media cuelist, and added a stop cue to the end of the start cue list). This seems to be doing exactly what I want. It will make my applescript for generating this workspace a bit more difficult, but I'll manage. Thanks again!

Op vrijdag 15 maart 2013 00:46:24 UTC+1 schreef Mike Post het volgende: