Serato DJ Pro General Discussion

Forum
 Serato DJ Pro General Discussion
Itch user, new to Video? Please read this!
Talk about Serato DJ Pro, expansion packs and supported hardware

Itch user, new to Video? Please read this!

phatbob 8:05 PM - 25 January, 2012
Firstly, welcome to the video family! It's great here.

Secondly, there are some things you need to know before you dive headlong into the wonderful world of VDJing.

I've been using VideoSL and MixEmergency since 2009.

I do not consider myself an expert, but I do consider myself experienced. At least, I've made a lot of mistakes and learnt from them.

There are people in the VSL General Discussion forum with WAY more expertise than me, but I watch, I read, and I learn from them.

Which brings me to point 1:

EVERYTHING YOU COULD EVER ASK ABOUT SERATO VIDEO HAS BEEN ASKED ABOUT VSL

The VSL General Discussion and Help areas are packed to the gills with useful info, questions and responses. About where to get video content, how to edit, remix, remix, convert, connect, EVERYTHING.

There is plenty of time before March, get yourself over there and spend a few hours reading. It WILL pay off.

Point 2:

VIDEO DJING IS TIMECONSUMING

Take the hours per week you spend preparing your music at present. Now multiply that by at least ten.

Video takes more time to find, more time to download, more time to rip, encode, edit and so on.

Sure you can join a couple of pools and get most of your videos ready-to-go, but if you want to stand out from the crowd you need custom content.

That means learning a video editing program if you haven't already, and that can take months of work in itself.

Likewise if you want to make custom visuals, you'll need to learn a video FX program like Motion or AfterEffects. I've been using AE for years and I still don't feel like I've even really scratched the surface.

Say goodbye to all of your free time.

Point 3:

VIDEO DJING IS HARD

Not so much the playing itself, but the prep work.

When I first got VSL I spent weeks (and a lot of money) buying all the commercially released music DVDs I could find.

I then spent ages ripping and converting them, using VisualHub. The encodes aren't bad, but I didn't think to crop the black bars off, so I've now got hundreds of videos I can't use because black bars are WACK.

The box of DVDs is under the bed, taunting me every day that I need to do them again. One day…

Really advanced editors like to IVTC their files to get the absolute best quality. That's WELL beyond my skills. Believe me, this stuff is hard.

Point 4:

VIDEO DJING IS EXPENSIVE

Great, you've got an all-in-one Itch controller. Money saved.

You'll also need the right cables to hook into every conceivable connection in a club/bar, from HDMI to composite. Recent macs don't have an analogue output so you'll probably need a scan converter. My Kramer 501 goes for around £300 alone.

Videos themselves are expensive too, unless you're a dodgy pirate. Around 200-400% the price of audio tracks. Be prepared to drop a lot of money to get decent content.

Don't forget the price of your video editing software too… Not cheap.

Point 5:

VIDEO HAMMERS LAPTOPS HARD

Video is FAR more demanding than audio. Regardless of minimum specs, if you want the best performance, you need a bad-ass laptop. If your laptop struggles with Itch now, forget it.

If you use Windows, prepare for problems. The enormous variety of configurations in the Windows ecosystem mean that it is GENERALLY harder to get things running smoothly. It's not impossible, but I think it's fair to say that if you are serious about video you will have an easier life if you just buy a Macbook Pro.

Point 6:

90% OF THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE ARE CAUSED BY BAD FILES

Encoding video is an artform. But it also has a lot of important rules. If you have the wrong number of keyframes, you're in trouble. Either buy your videos from a trusted, known good source, or encode them properly yourself.

Hint - YouTube rips are not going to cut it.

Point 7:

VIDEO IS AWESOME

If all of that hasn't put you off… GOOD!

I love doing video sets. It inspires me. Some of the best DJ sets I've ever seen have involved epic visuals too. Check out Joachim Garraud on youtube if you need some inspiration.

Obviously I welcome comments, but if you have any QUESTIONS on my points don't ask me… See point 1 and get over to the VSL area of the forum and get reading!
nik39 12:50 AM - 26 January, 2012
... but it's still doable ;)
Kittmaster 1:21 AM - 26 January, 2012
You should provide a direct link to the forums your refer.
nik39 1:23 AM - 26 January, 2012
You're not seriously saying that you can't find that forum!
phatbob 1:24 AM - 26 January, 2012
If someone can't be bothered to go to the main forum index and find those areas themselves, they aren't going to get very far doing video.
phatbob 1:28 AM - 26 January, 2012
Ok, new point to add:

If you don't have the motivation or initiative to find things out for yourself, Video is probably not for you
irieproductions 1:29 AM - 26 January, 2012
Hey i've gotten away a few times downloading 1080p youtube vids and reencoding them with Megui, unfortunately not everything makes it to the pools, just make sure you throw a high quality mp3 as the audio just to be safe instead of the audio from your youtube download :).

- Try to keep a standard resolution format with all your vids. The standard nowadays is pretty much 640x360 for 16:9 vids and 640x480 for 4:3 vids. 720p and 1080p vids will consume a lot of horsepower from you pc and might not playback well so i recommend reencoding them to lower resolutions and bitrates.

- Try to use a high quality mp3 with your encodes instead of the audio from the Vobs.

- Like phatbob said, 99% of the laptops shipping nowadays only have a digital video output and 99% of your avg club will have an analog setup so you'll need a scan converter which converts your digital signal into analog, from there you can hook up via RCA or S-Video, etc. So if you plugin with your standard VGA adapter without a scan converter and you get no signal keep this in mind :), There are cheaper solutions than the kramer, they are all listed at the VSL discussion, of course the quality comes at a price, there are 1k+ converters.

- You might want to get a video drop, there are some video drops available at yourdjdrops website, they are decent although a lot of people might have them.
pdidy 1:56 AM - 26 January, 2012
Quote:
VIDEO HAMMERS LAPTOPS HARD

Video is FAR more demanding than audio. Regardless of minimum specs, if you want the best performance, you need a bad-ass laptop. If your laptop struggles with Itch now, forget it.

If you use Windows, prepare for problems. The enormous variety of configurations in the Windows ecosystem mean that it is GENERALLY harder to get things running smoothly. It's not impossible, but I think it's fair to say that if you are serious about video you will have an easier life if you just buy a Macbook Pro.

This will be the deal breaker, I can see all the new video users with their basic windows pcs pissed as hell when the realize they need a Macbook Pro. Some will be lucky, most will not.
pdidy 2:09 AM - 26 January, 2012
Good post btw...
phatbob 2:12 AM - 26 January, 2012
Thanks. It's just honest advice, I want Itch users to have a pleasant experience doing video but I also don't want them to have unrealistic expectations.

It's awesome technology but it isn't magic...
pdidy 2:18 AM - 26 January, 2012
I wish i had a list of all the people who said " WE NEED VIDEO FOR ITCH NOOOOOWWWWWW"
just so i can compare it to the ones who were REALLY serious and put in the hard work.
pdidy 2:21 AM - 26 January, 2012
Quote:
I wish i had a list of all the people who said " WE NEED VIDEO FOR ITCH NOOOOOWWWWWW"
just so i can compare it to the ones who were REALLY serious and put in the hard work.

found it....lol serato.com
phatbob 2:24 AM - 26 January, 2012
Haha, nice one. We'll check up on that in 6 months or so!
Ragman 3:27 AM - 26 January, 2012
Quote:
I wish i had a list of all the people who said " WE NEED VIDEO FOR ITCH NOOOOOWWWWWW"
just so i can compare it to the ones who were REALLY serious and put in the hard work.

Tou fuckin che' lol
tomatoslice 3:59 AM - 26 January, 2012
the motto in area 83, the vsl section, is "get a mac, get a mac, get a mac!"
dj lashes 4:11 AM - 26 January, 2012
nice post
pdidy 4:14 AM - 26 January, 2012
Quote:
the motto in area 83, the vsl section, is "get a mac, get a mac, get a mac!"
true
www.thewordofmatus.com
Maskrider 5:41 AM - 26 January, 2012
This is the reason I bought a MAC.
skinnyguy 8:11 AM - 26 January, 2012
Quote:
the motto in area 83, the vsl section, is "get a mac, get a mac, get a mac!"


There's a reason for that.
Maskrider 2:07 PM - 26 January, 2012
Every time Serato Demo their Software it's on a mac it just make sense to buy a mac.
Joshua Carl 8:55 PM - 26 January, 2012
fact 1: the learning curve for someone with minimal video knowledge is extremely steep.

but once you get over it, and are up to speed its a great ride.

fact 2: in MY EXPERIENCES, i would say 10 of the last 12 people I know that got into video
lasted no more that 2 months before throwing in the towel... all citing simular
repsonses... "its too much... i didnt know you had to ______ I dont have the time...."

dont fret though.
its certainly not impossible. Like mentioned theres a wealth of knowledge out there.
right HERE in the vsl forum!

patience.

and remember... AUDIO ALWAYS COMES FIRST!!!!!!
a bad DJ will look horrible doing video.
but a great DJ will blow minds with video.
Tishica14 4:32 PM - 27 January, 2012
Great post!
StevenWayne 4:59 PM - 27 January, 2012
Good post, and yes, do your homework before you go to town editing, converting, etc. learn from the more experienced guys around here...the last thing you wanna do is redo your video library again because you should've done it "that way" the first time.
DeeJay Image 5:12 PM - 27 January, 2012
Well said PhatBob
tomatoslice 11:32 PM - 28 January, 2012
Quote:
... do your homework before you go to town editing, converting, etc. learn from the more experienced guys around here...the last thing you wanna do is redo your video library again because you should've done it "that way" the first time.


THAT!!
take it from someone that did redo their whole library. do your homework, search the forums and then ask.
i was here from day one, before all the information on rendering and editing had been posted.
fortunately, there is plenty of information in these forums now to help you.
phatbob 10:23 AM - 21 February, 2012
As the VSL forum area has been renamed to the Serato Video and VideoSL area, and SV is just round the corner, I thought now is the time to give this one a little bump.
dj lashes 1:27 PM - 21 February, 2012
great post so here is one more little bump

________/||||||\_________
LaDjkaoz 5:14 PM - 21 February, 2012
Quote:
Firstly, welcome to the video family! It's great here.

Secondly, there are some things you need to know before you dive headlong into the wonderful world of VDJing.

I've been using VideoSL and MixEmergency since 2009.

I do not consider myself an expert, but I do consider myself experienced. At least, I've made a lot of mistakes and learnt from them.
Great post, i usually read before posting.
I olao had VDJ for some years. U should see my set up, (we can talk about that later)
I have question, whats the diference from this new itch vid and VSL,
Itch seem like a my perfect choice now that suports VDJ..
Thank u
i susually read before post but im on my phone and im in a rush.
There are people in the VSL General Discussion forum with WAY more expertise than me, but I watch, I read, and I learn from them.

Which brings me to point 1:

EVERYTHING YOU COULD EVER ASK ABOUT SERATO VIDEO HAS BEEN ASKED ABOUT VSL

The VSL General Discussion and Help areas are packed to the gills with useful info, questions and responses. About where to get video content, how to edit, remix, remix, convert, connect, EVERYTHING.

There is plenty of time before March, get yourself over there and spend a few hours reading. It WILL pay off.

Point 2:

VIDEO DJING IS TIMECONSUMING

Take the hours per week you spend preparing your music at present. Now multiply that by at least ten.

Video takes more time to find, more time to download, more time to rip, encode, edit and so on.

Sure you can join a couple of pools and get most of your videos ready-to-go, but if you want to stand out from the crowd you need custom content.

That means learning a video editing program if you haven't already, and that can take months of work in itself.

Likewise if you want to make custom visuals, you'll need to learn a video FX program like Motion or AfterEffects. I've been using AE for years and I still don't feel like I've even really scratched the surface.

Say goodbye to all of your free time.

Point 3:

VIDEO DJING IS HARD

Not so much the playing itself, but the prep work.

When I first got VSL I spent weeks (and a lot of money) buying all the commercially released music DVDs I could find.

I then spent ages ripping and converting them, using VisualHub. The encodes aren't bad, but I didn't think to crop the black bars off, so I've now got hundreds of videos I can't use because black bars are WACK.

The box of DVDs is under the bed, taunting me every day that I need to do them again. One day…

Really advanced editors like to IVTC their files to get the absolute best quality. That's WELL beyond my skills. Believe me, this stuff is hard.

Point 4:

VIDEO DJING IS EXPENSIVE

Great, you've got an all-in-one Itch controller. Money saved.

You'll also need the right cables to hook into every conceivable connection in a club/bar, from HDMI to composite. Recent macs don't have an analogue output so you'll probably need a scan converter. My Kramer 501 goes for around £300 alone.

Videos themselves are expensive too, unless you're a dodgy pirate. Around 200-400% the price of audio tracks. Be prepared to drop a lot of money to get decent content.

Don't forget the price of your video editing software too… Not cheap.

Point 5:

VIDEO HAMMERS LAPTOPS HARD

Video is FAR more demanding than audio. Regardless of minimum specs, if you want the best performance, you need a bad-ass laptop. If your laptop struggles with Itch now, forget it.

If you use Windows, prepare for problems. The enormous variety of configurations in the Windows ecosystem mean that it is GENERALLY harder to get things running smoothly. It's not impossible, but I think it's fair to say that if you are serious about video you will have an easier life if you just buy a Macbook Pro.

Point 6:

90% OF THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE ARE CAUSED BY BAD FILES

Encoding video is an artform. But it also has a lot of important rules. If you have the wrong number of keyframes, you're in trouble. Either buy your videos from a trusted, known good source, or encode them properly yourself.

Hint - YouTube rips are not going to cut it.

Point 7:

VIDEO IS AWESOME

If all of that hasn't put you off… GOOD!

I love doing video sets. It inspires me. Some of the best DJ sets I've ever seen have involved epic visuals too. Check out Joachim Garraud on youtube if you need some inspiration.

Obviously I welcome comments, but if you have any QUESTIONS on my points don't ask me… See point 1 and get over to the VSL area of the forum and get reading!
controversial 4:24 AM - 9 June, 2012
what do you guys use when your at venues with 2 or 3 flat screens? i been using an hd projector but now I'm starting to look at parties where they are requesting flat screens how can I run videos off my 2011 mbp 15 i7? i can do one but how can i get the others hooked up?
controversial 1:14 PM - 9 June, 2012
thanks
Maskrider 3:49 PM - 9 June, 2012
Quote:
get your self a HDMI Splitter box one HDMI input to 4 HDMI output


Is there a good brand on some of this things.
LaDjkaoz 11:56 PM - 10 June, 2012
The venue shuold be responsable for displayers.
I had VDJ since PCDJ VJ but i do it mobil, what software do you guys use to edit videos a d what spect im planing on doing my onw.music vids..
djBern 1:01 AM - 11 June, 2012
What does everybody use for backups in case of issues? I've been lucky I haven't gotten any crashes or freezes so far, but with audio I used to plug in my iPod and have it ready in case I have to reboot my macbook. When I first started using video (with ME) I had a .jpg that used to crash ME every time it was loaded from the mediabank (thank god for MixLaunch, and thank god for speedy bug fixes from Inklen). From that point on, I learned to have my venue's logo or theme as the desktop background in case of ME crashes (these don't normally interrupt the audio, just video).

I'm thinking of getting the Vjay software for backup purposes, but first I have to have a switcher to go between my laptop and the iPad, and secondly I'd have to buy an iPad ;-)

Anyway, what's your backup?
djBern 1:02 AM - 11 June, 2012
...ps: sorry for the semi-thread jack as I don't use itch for video. But the question still applies.
hologram 12:39 AM - 12 June, 2012
Quote:
What does everybody use for backups in case of issues? I've been lucky I haven't gotten any crashes or freezes so far, but with audio I used to plug in my iPod and have it ready in case I have to reboot my macbook. When I first started using video (with ME) I had a .jpg that used to crash ME every time it was loaded from the mediabank (thank god for MixLaunch, and thank god for speedy bug fixes from Inklen). From that point on, I learned to have my venue's logo or theme as the desktop background in case of ME crashes (these don't normally interrupt the audio, just video).

I'm thinking of getting the Vjay software for backup purposes, but first I have to have a switcher to go between my laptop and the iPad, and secondly I'd have to buy an iPad ;-)

Anyway, what's your backup?


I've been thinking down this route too.
cheep VGA switchers before my video converter looks like it will do the job.
A couple 5 or ten song video mixes (bathroom breakers) on an ipad, ipod, or Iphone and you should be good to go.
I'll let you know this weekend.
hologram 12:40 AM - 12 June, 2012
Good Original Post by the way.
LaDjkaoz 3:33 AM - 4 July, 2012
Quote:
Quote:
VIDEO HAMMERS LAPTOPS HARD



Video is FAR more demanding than audio. Regardless of minimum specs, if you want the best performance, you need a bad-ass laptop. If your laptop struggles with Itch now, forget it.



If you use Windows, prepare for problems. The enormous variety of configurations in the Windows ecosystem mean that it is GENERALLY harder to get things running smoothly. It's not impossible, but I think it's fair to say that if you are serious about video you will have an easier life if you just buy a Macbook Pro.


This will be the deal breaker, I can see all the new video users with their basic windows pcs pissed as hell when the realize they need a Macbook Pro. Some will be lucky, most will not.

very true i seen djs getting a BOD onthe club systems crasing lol... not sure if they all are window or mac but i used an intel I 7 high end tech...and lots of mem and very fast SSD..
not cheap but very fast an realiable... so far...
hologram 8:17 PM - 4 July, 2012
So here is the setup I'm working on.

I am using a small Behringer mixer to combine the audio out puts of a NS6 and an iPad running VJAy.
I am using a small HDMI switcher for video source switching.
I have these two adapters on the iPad.

Audio cable for queing Vjay
store.apple.com

HDMI output and this one allows you to charge at the same time as well.
store.apple.com

HDMI switcher

www.bestbuy.com


The Mixer is one or the other.

this will do
www.behringer.com

but I have this also and like it a bit better
www.behringer.com


So simple setup.
HDMI from my Ipad and laptop to switcher (at 720P because the Ipad cable only does 720P) then into my converter if needed .

Audio same setup but using the split cable for the Ipad and to the Behringer.

Also allows for switchover to another itch user if needed.

This same setup works for SSL as well.
phatbob 8:29 PM - 4 July, 2012
So are you running Serato Video on Itch then?

Is VJay just for visuals? 'Cos I bought it and it's not great. TouchViz is a far superior VJ app on the iPad.