VDMX to Lights
Publish a VDMX layer or output over NDI with the NDI Output plugin and let Spectralite drive lighting from your live VJ mix.
VDMX is built for improvising, which makes it awkward to mirror in a lighting cue stack. Sending the mix over NDI removes the problem: Spectralite reads whatever you happen to be playing and the rig follows, with nothing to pre-program.
Add the NDI Output plugin
The NDI publisher ships as a plugin rather than a built-in output. Open the Workspace Inspector, go to its Plugins section, and add NDI® Output to the project, the same way you would add any other plugin.
In the plugin's main interface, set Video Source to the VDMX stream you want to publish and, if you need it, Audio Source to the audio input to send alongside the video. The inspector panel holds two more options worth knowing: Alpha sends the alpha channel with the stream, and Send as RGB switches to the higher quality RGB mode.
If you would rather start from a working example, the Templates menu includes an NDI® Output Example. Vidvox documents the plugin in Sending NDI® Audio/Video streams from VDMX.
Pick up the stream in Spectralite
Open Edit > Inputs > NDI and enable NDI input enabled along with Auto-discover sources.
Put the video on your fixtures
Add a layer in the Timeline panel using the built-in NDI Input effect for an instant result, or place an NDI Input node in the Node Editor when you want to decide how the pixels map to light.
Choosing what to publish
Video Source picks which VDMX video stream goes out, and you are not limited to one of them. Vidvox notes that the process repeats for as many video streams as your system and network bandwidth can handle, so a second NDI Output plugin gives you a second stream.
That is worth doing when the rig should not simply mirror the screen. Publish the mix for the audience, publish a quieter source for the lights, and pick up only the second one in Spectralite.
Related
- Receive video from another app: shared setup, performance, and troubleshooting.
- NDI input dialog: the settings reference.
- Sending Audio to Lights: react to the track as well as the visuals.
- Connect Your Software: guides for other applications.
TouchDesigner to Lights
Stream a TouchDesigner network to Spectralite over NDI with an NDI Out TOP and drive fixtures from generative, sensor, or data-driven visuals.
OBS to Lights
Send the OBS Studio program feed to Spectralite over NDI using the DistroAV plugin, and drive room lighting from your stream.