Digital Lighting Content
Custom Content Preparation Guide
A Step-by-Step guide for creating Custom Content and 3D objects for DL.2, DL.3 and
Axon media server. Topics include:
Creating Standard-Size Content
Creating Media Content for Special Effects
Creating 3D objects
Still Images - Sizing and Formats
The Standard maximum size still image for DL.2s, DL3 and Axon Media Servers is 1024 x 768 pixels a 4:3 aspect ratio.
DL.2, DL.3 and Axon Media Servers support Still Image sizes up to a maximum of 2048x2048 pixels, in the following formats:
.PNG (can include transparent parts of the image) Video Tutorial
.BMP (24 bit standard)
.JPG (RGB 8 bit standard)
Notes:
The dpi (dots per inch) setting in your paint program can be any setting.
Scaling bitmap images up will not increase clarity unless it's from a vector based file like an eps..
If your image is natively smaller than 1024 x 768 you should leave it that way.
Steps for Preparing Video Footage
• Commission or Design High Quality (Visually Clean or Never-Compressed) Video Footage, at least 640 x 480 or 1024x768 for DL.3/Axon. Make sure it is in .mov format if you are sending it off for post production. (Extracting footage from a playable DVD is not encouraged as it has been highly compressed and distortion will be present)
• "Light Optimizing" your footage in a video editing program if possible, by boosting Levels and Color Saturation. Save to Photo Jpeg 98%-100% or Animation Non-Compressed (best) format in .mov format.
• Import Video master footage into an Encoder/Compressor.
• Output Encoded Footage.
• Upload Your Custom Content
DL.2 MPEG-2 Video Footage Compression Specification Overview
DL.2 use specific MPEG-2 Encoding/Compression settings listed below in the table.
Standard Footage Size |
640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio |
Bit rate per sec, bps
(Visual Quality Setting) |
Constant Bit Rate (CBR) 10,000,000 bps -12,000,000 bps
|
Frames Per Second, fps |
24 fps, 25 fps or 29.97 or 30 fps (Set Encoder fps accordingly) |
Group Of Pictures, GOP |
GOP Structure should be All "I" Frames |
Video Stream Type |
Elementary Stream (Warning: DO NOT use a Program Stream that may have audio) |
| Progressive Output |
The footage should be encoded as a progressive frame file, not an interlaced file |
| Color Space |
4:2:0 (Warning: DO NOT encode to 4:2:2 or other color spaces) |
DL3. and Axon MPEG-2 Video Footage Compression Specification Overview
DL.3 and Axon use specific MPEG-2 Encoding/Compression settings listed below in the table.
Standard Footage Size |
1024 x 768 pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio |
Bit rate per sec, bps
(Visual Quality Setting) |
Constant Bit Rate (CBR) 18,000,000 bps -20,000,000 bps
|
Frames Per Second, fps |
24 fps, 25 fps or 29.97 or 30 fps (Set Encoder fps accordingly) |
Group Of Pictures, GOP |
GOP Structure should be All "I" Frames |
Video Stream Type |
Elementary Stream (Warning: DO NOT use a Program Stream that may have audio) |
| Progressive Output |
The footage should be encoded as a progressive frame file, not an interlaced file |
| Color Space |
4:2:0 (Warning: DO NOT encode to 4:2:2 or other color spaces) |
Encoding to DL.2, DL.3 and Axon Footage
 Encoding Footage Using Windows OS:
How to Encode Footage using TMPGEnc 4.0 Xpress* Example Tutorial
DL.2/Axon standard size TMPGEnc encoder templates:Download
DL.3 standard size TMPGEnc encoder templates:Download
(Download Demo of TMPGEnc 4.0 Xpress 14 day Trail)
http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/te4xp.html
* Limiter to a maximum 1920 pixel wide output
How to Encode Footage using ExpertHD™ Example Tutorial
(Download fully functional 30 day Demo of ExpertHD MPEG encoding software)
ftp://ftp.wcliff.org:21//Demo/ExpertHD.zip
http://pixeltools.com/experthd.html
 Encoding Footage Using MAC OS X:
Episode™ media encoding application Example Tutorial
FREE upgrade to the Episode pro if you have Compression Master
http://www.flip4mac.com/episode.htm
* At this time we do not endorse Apple's, Compressor 3 or Autodesk's Cleaner software as they cannot produce all "I" frames mpeg-2 files compliant with DL.2/Axon.
Checking Encoded Footage on a standard computer
(Warning: DO NOT use a Program Stream that may have audio)
Checking Encoded Footage Using Window OS:
Windows Media Player will let you view your encoded footage.
To Check file dimensions go to the arrow down tab in the upper right hand corner of the player window, tab down to file/properties.
Helpful Utilities for checking encoded Footage using Windows OS:
Bitrate Viewer is a very helpful tool that can check the bitrate level, size and gives information about other MPEG-2 properties. Simply drag your file onto the program shortcut or icon to view relevant information.
Download free version
Gspot is a PC utility that gives you expanded information about your encoded files. Simply drag your file onto the program shortcut or icon to launch and view relevant information.
Download here
Checking Encoded Footage Using MAC OS X:
After encoding you file you can easily view your footage with the free Quicktime or VLC Media Player, Download here http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ .While VLC does not display the aspect ratio correctly it is very effective for determining image quality on PC MAC or Linux. To determine if the file has been encoded at the correct size Download DiVA here. Then simply open a file in the DiVA and it will display the dimensions.
Uploading Encoded Files
You will use the Content Management Application (CMA) on your computer to upload and organize your encoded files to a User Content folder you create and then assign DMX values. You can also download the CMA and a .pdf version of the User Manual for more information on your specific products support page.
Important note:
High End Systems Digital Lighting Products utilize RGB lighting projection devices, and are NOT hindered by the darker NTSC or PAL broadcast video color gamut limitations. Footage you acquire often utilizes this dimmer, darker color space designed for viewing on TV screens.
It's very simple to adjust the Levels and Hue/Saturation of your content for lighting projection. This will dramatically increase light output and your footage will automatically come up at full intensity when programming your production. We refer to this as Light Optimizing. The best time to Light Optimize footage or still images is in post production. This can easily be done with most image or video editing packages. ......100% brightness and saturation in the reds? Feel free.
Downloads also Available:
CMA Application
DL.2 User Manual.PDF
DL.2 Software |
