This month we look at the current crop of Media Servers, offering a range of choices for controlling video, images, and creative content. They are used in a variety of market segments from live music to broadcast to corporate to theater, as well as being at the heart of Virtual Production Volumes driving a shift in TV and film production. With software that allows for audio reactive content, or live manipulation, video is no longer just a series of stills and movie clips being played back. Some of the manufacturers have moved to software-only media server solutions, moving away from building hardware. These software-based media servers run on the end-user’s computers. Be sure to go to the manufacturer’s websites for more information and be sure to arrange for demonstrations of the media servers that you are considering.
Analog Way: Picturall Mark II
Engineered around an extremely robust and powerful professional hardware platform, the Picturall Mark II series delivers outstanding performance for supporting large-scale events and installations from a single server unit. The most powerful product in the range, Picturall Pro Mark II is a modular, high-performance 16K media server designed to playback reliably huge video content on large pixel canvases. With the ability to drive up to 16x 4K@60Hz 10-bit pixel accurate outputs from a single server unit and to playback media up to 16K resolution or uncompressed file sequences up to 8K@60Hz 10-bit, Picturall Pro Mark II media server is the true powerhouse in massive LED video wall installations and large corporate events.
ArKaos Pro: ArKaos VS1
A compact 1U, 4K media server with the full capabilities of ArKaos MediaMaster, VS1 runs 4K video sources, giving the best and most vibrant results in a hugely flexible and user-friendly control package. Its compact dimensions of 143.2mm x 195mm x 43 mm and triple unit in a 1U footprint means that several VS1 devices can be rigged in the same rack housing if desired, and the light weight of just 1.28 Kg plus its robust, quality-engineering make it perfect for touring light operators, VJs, and DJs. When you need complete scalability, process control, and instant access, to manipulate several layers and scales simultaneously live on stage. Small enough to carry around in your backpack. Simple, cost-efficient, Video for Lighting People.
Avolites Ltd: Q-Series
Avolites Q-Series media server line-up includes the Q3, Q3pro, and Qgen, giving you the complete solution to power every performance. Video content and projection mapping have become major components in many performances and installations and with Avolites’ Synergy feature set, integrating video into your designs has become even easier. Avolites now has the ideal hardware to complement their powerful Ai and new Prism media software. The Q3pro is the perfect portable server for the more demanding shows with two 4K outputs and one HD along with EDID managed HDMI outputs. The Qgen is designed to deliver stunning graphics with three 4K outputs and a powerful Nvidia graphics card that can deliver approximately 30,000 Notch marks + 2 year Notch license.
Christie: Pandoras Box Software
Pandoras Box® Software, for real-time video processing and show control, features a simplified workflow, and streamlined licensing. One single license has the full Pandoras Box software family feature suite, delivering the high-level media processing performance required for fixed installations and live events in a budget-friendly platform. The robust software supports NDI® network streams, offers a comprehensive and deep implementation of Notch, and allows users to access native Dante audio without configuration. The 2D Warper feature, which is integrated with Workspaces in the new Pandoras Box Software Version 8.10, helps users visualize their stage set-up in 2D, with all layers and pixel parameters, and warp content without switching content views. This allows for a more functional and faster workflow. Pandoras Box pairs seamlessly with Christie display solutions.
Dataton WATCHPAX
The core of the Dataton system is WATCHOUT multi-display show composer software (free download at dataton.com) which is teamed with media servers for content delivery. Dataton’s media server range is called WATCHPAX and currently includes the recently released WATCHPAX 30, an extremely compact unit with four HDMI outputs, and the WATCHPAX 62 series. Rack-friendly WATCHPAX 62 is available in four models: S, A, B, C. This high-performance 2U media server series features EDID management, smart restore/reset, 4 x 4K playback with additional eight bi-directional SDI in model C. The robust yet elegant WATCHPAX range is deployed in projects and installations worldwide.
Disguise: RX III
The Disguise RX III media server is designed to support the most demanding scenes with ease and is the most robust, reliable, and scalable real-time rendering solution. As the usage of real-time content on live productions continues to grow, the RX III can handle demanding real-time video to bring live shows to the next level. Its brand new chassis is designed to fit into a conventional touring rack, while its low decibel rating could also make it an option for theater shows. The RX III is packed with later-generation GPU and motherboard with increased network capacities so you can render heavier and more complex real-time scenes.
Green Hippo by tvONE: Tierra+ MK2 Hippotizer
Unrivaled playback and generative performance make Tierra+ MK2 the go–to for demanding large event production. Featuring four HDMI or four DisplayPort 1.2 production outputs, Genlock, and 50,000 Notchmarks, Tierra+ MK2 empowers designers and technicians to create captivating visual experiences for a wide range of applications, including TV and Broadcast, Concert Tours, Installations, Theatre and Live Events worldwide.
Lux Machina: Lux Arca
Lux Arca is a media server designed, tested, and deployed by Lux Machina, a leader in custom video and virtual production solutions used in Film, Episodic, Broadcast and Live Events. The Lux Arca is a high-powered workstation that’s ruggedized for touring, and capable of Pixera or Unreal Engine configuration. With a focus on real-time workflows, Lux Arca is an affordable, unlocked, Unreal Engine-optimized solution, packaged with a perpetual quad license of Pixera and a one-year warranty with support options available. Lux Arca has been deployed on some of the biggest movies and shows in recent history including Masters of the Air, Barbie, House of the Dragon, League of Legend’s World Championships, Hijack, and more. Production tested, Industry approved, Lux Arca re-imagines how stories are made.
Modulo Pi: Modulo Player
Easy to learn, setup, and operate, Modulo Player combines the extensive capabilities of a media server, a live mixer, and a show controller. Developed by Modulo Pi, the cost-effective hardware + software platform allows to seamlessly process media, encode, and play a show through its intuitive user interface. Modulo Player comes with advanced yet user-friendly tools for projection mapping, an embedded live mixer, and a playlist system for fast setup and easy management of last-minute changes. The media server also allows playing video content as DMX to control LED strip and lighting fixtures. Through its extensive library of external devices, Modulo Player offers powerful show control and ability to create automated tasks. Custom user panels can be created through drag-and-drop and accessed on any device.
PRG: Mbox
PRG’s Mbox family of media server software includes four license levels, with scaled functionality to provide the perfect solution for shows of all sizes. The Mbox family includes the core Mbox software for playback and composition, the Mbox Director software for control, and the Mbox Remote software for configuration and monitoring. Mbox provides playback of movie content, still images, and audio files. It also includes over 100 effects and transitions, independently mastered output controls, a 3D environment for models and simple projection mapping, advanced pixel-mapping tools, image remapping, video input/output via Blackmagic Design hardware, and both Syphon and NDI input and output. Mbox v5, with significant updates to its underlying rendering core plus compatibility improvements, was released late last year. Mbox v5.1 is expected soon.
Resolume: Arena
Resolume Arena is industry-leading software for VJ’s. Arena’s intuitive workflow will have you mixing, matching, and playing your content in no time. Synchronize to the BPM, animate your parameters, and create complex effect routings in the blink of an eye. You can play your videos when you want, how you want. Forwards, backwards, scratch and adjust tempo to the beat. Mix and match your visuals quickly and easily and play Resolume like an instrument. Arena expands on Resolume’s Avenue and has advanced options for projection mapping and blending projectors. Control it from a lighting desk and sync to the DJ via SMPTE timecode. Resolume has both audio effects and video effects. Use them separately or combine them to create exciting new audio-visual effects.
SUPERVOID: SVX-1 Kit
SUPERVOID SVX-1 media server kits include everything clients need for video playback, projection mapping, Notch I-Mag effects, pixel mapping, and more. Driven by custom-spec PCs that come preinstalled with Notch and Resolume, SVX-1 servers are comfortable driving everything from club shows to stadiums. Each server comes with four 3G-SDI outputs, two 4K HDMI outputs, a 3G-SDI camera input, an Ethernet switch, a dedicated SMPTE timecode input, a dedicated XLR input for audio-reactive effects, and two XLR outputs, all in a carry-on sized rack that sets up in less than five minutes. Control options include timecode, Art-Net, OSC, and MIDI. With 24/7 tech support and remote management, you can be sure that no matter where you are, your show will go off without a hitch.
VYV Corporation: PHOTON
PHOTON, VYV’s most advanced server, has revolutionized large-scale installations and world tours since 2004. It features cutting-edge computer vision, real-time media effects/treatments, and volumetric mapping, everything to create stunning visual experiences. PHOTON enables precise, seamless projection mapping on complex geometries through automatic projector and camera alignment. Built-in media management allows for flexible and fast synchronization. The intuitive Timeline and professional editing tools optimize video editing and playback of high-resolution HDR content. Its advanced color correction module offers precise control with an intuitive GUI, supporting LUT workflows. PHOTON supports professional audio interfaces and external control via several standard protocols. It integrates real-time effects and advanced compositing through a node-based system. PHOTON allows flawless performer tracking and projection on moving surfaces in the most challenging scenarios.
