Starting to be a little disheartened with Pangolin Quick Show

[JohnYayas]

If you don't know what you're talking about, it's best not to chime in; especially with such an inane comment.

The extensions I've added to the wave file format are so simple and intuitive, you could write the code to read LaserBoy encoded waves in a day.

It's exactly like you said. All computer generated laser signals come from DACs. DACs stream points or samples. A wave is an exact record of that stream of samples. There is plenty of room in there for all kinds of meta data.

So, what do you propose for a 6 projector laser show? A 30 channel WAV file? And what do you plan on playing this on? I don't know of any 30 channel sound cards out there? I can think of so many reasons your idea is ridiculous.

[james]

Aleses makes 24 track (ADAT style) hard drive recorders and they are commonly used in multi-projector systems.

Before that, they just used to connect multiple ADAT machines together.

You can gang up as many tracks as you need.

Those tracks are waves.

I can think of so many reasons your idea is ridiculous.

Good for you! Can you think of one reason why I might be right?

..... like it's already done and it works! .... and people all over the world have been using it for years!

James.

[JohnYayas]

But I said 6 projectors. Where do the other 6 channels go? And what if I want to also assign a video track to it? How does that fit into your wave file? And what if the images aren't aligned properly and this is only noticed after the show starts? How does the operator adjust these wave files in real time so that the position of all 6 projectors and the video is in the correct place?

[JohnYayas]

Good for you! Can you think of one reason why I might be right?

..... like it's already done and it works! .... and people all over the world have been using it for years!

James.

No, I can't think of one reason.

[laserist]

If you only notice the images aren't aligned till after the show starts - you're fired. If you can't imagine how to adjust gain, or offset, or keystone, or whatever else of a x/y analog waveform - you're not going to get hired. And you can sync the video(s), or anything else too. Step away from the computer...

But I said 6 projectors. Where do the other 6 channels go? And what if I want to also assign a video track to it? How does that fit into your wave file? And what if the images aren't aligned properly and this is only noticed after the show starts? How does the operator adjust these wave files in real time so that the position of all 6 projectors and the video is in the correct place?

[mixedgas]

I don't think Pangolin are using points which is one of the reasons why they went with their own format. It seems in the editor you see points but according to Bill the programme no longer uses points so I'm guessing they've done something like exactly what you're describing.

The DAC still outputs points or samples. The software may be 100% vector inside but the hardware Digital to Analog converter still outputs X points per position update.

Steve

[james]

No, I can't think of one reason.

You seem to have a much better imagination than this statement would indicate.

You can talk about your imaginary ideas about a whole show file format all you want to Gary.

The LaserBoy extensions to the wave file format are real and have been working since 2004.

You might not like the idea, but it is a solution that provides a lot of capability.

I never said it was the only possible solution, but it is done. It works and it's an open standard that others can implement, and they have.

It has also been developed over a few years and has survived several additions and upgrades without breaking any part of the original concept or utility.

That's something impressive to be said about any file format.

Even generic waves captured from ADAT tapes with no LaserBoy header or embedded sub-code information can be read back into full color, framed vector art.

It's not just an idea. It's real. It's been out there in use for years.

James.

[tsteele93]

Hmm, I seem to have stumbled in to a pre-existing condition!

[JohnYayas]

If you only notice the images aren't aligned till after the show starts - you're fired. If you can't imagine how to adjust gain, or offset, or keystone, or whatever else of a x/y analog waveform - you're not going to get hired. And you can sync the video(s), or anything else too. Step away from the computer...

Either you are just being argumentative or you are totally missing the point. Real time adjustment goes far beyond this. What about a scenario where part of the show calls for the images to be moved during an intermission or between songs?

[JohnYayas]

You seem to have a much better imagination than this statement would indicate.

You can talk about your imaginary ideas about a whole show file format all you want to Gary.

The LaserBoy extensions to the wave file format are real and have been working since 2004.

You might not like the idea, but it is a solution that provides a lot of capability.

I never said it was the only possible solution, but it is done. It works and it's an open standard that others can implement, and they have.

It has also been developed over a few years and has survived several additions and upgrades without breaking any part of the original concept or utility.

That's something impressive to be said about any file format.

Even generic waves captured from ADAT tapes with no LaserBoy header or embedded sub-code information can be read back into full color, framed vector art.

It's not just an idea. It's real. It's been out there in use for years.

James.

James, I know you think you created something useful but I don't see any value in it when it comes to dynamic content. I'm am so far away from your idea of creating a show, recording it to a wav file, and then playing it directly to an output device. That is SO far from what I have in mind or would want to do. I am sure that if I really wanted to I could fit the whole show in a WAV file. I could probably also fit the whole show onto a piece of teletype ticker tape. I could put it on punch cards, toilet paper. I could go to Egypt, build a pyramid, and then round up some slaves to express it using hieroglyphics on the walls of a tomb. There are many many many bad ways to encode the data and I think your wav file is one of them. It may serve your narrow minded purpose but it does not serve mine. I am the one who brought up the idea of the generic multi device show format and therefore I have specific requirements in mind. Your wave file does not satisfy them. Period. If it did, I would acknowledge as being a possible solution. I am not going to discuss it further because you refuse to even understand the requirements.