Media Server
Definition
A media server is a computer system that stores, plays and manipulates video and images in real time for screens, LED walls and projection. It maps content onto surfaces (projection mapping, LED layouts), performs warping and edge blending, layers and composites several sources, and is triggered from its own cue lists or by external control such as DMX or Art-Net, OSC, MIDI or timecode. Its role in video is often compared to that of a lighting console. Common platforms include disguise, Dataton Watchout, Resolume, AV Stumpfl Pixera and Green Hippo Hippotizer.
In the field
The media server feeds the processor or the projector, so its output resolution, frame rate and colour space have to match those of the processor and the display along the whole chain. A mismatch at this point is a frequent cause of walls that look wrong.
Related lessons
Sources
- disguise, User Guide, Transports Manager : séquencement, asservissement au timecode LTC et MTC, commande externe par Art-Net, OSC et MIDI · help.disguise.one
- disguise, User Guide, Warping Outputs : déformation (warp) des sorties · help.disguise.one
- Dataton, WATCHOUT : média serveur multi-écrans, mapping et fondu de bords · dataton.com
- Resolume, Manual, Assigning MIDI Shortcuts : commande externe par clavier, MIDI et OSC, et entrée DMX dans la version Arena · resolume.com
- AV Stumpfl, PIXERA : plateforme de média serveur temps réel · avstumpfl.com