So that’s it. Since I usually make handwritten animations, I rarely changed the aspect ratio in post production.
For example, if I want to create a perfect circular image with LZX and finish it in a 4k digital movie without changing the aspect ratio, first divide the output of LZX into two and monitor one with a 16: 9 aspect ratio to create a perfect circle. And I just have to make it and capture the other one to Mac etc. via an HDMI converter with 4k upscale function, right?
Upscaling from SD or HD to 4k may not be particularly beneficial as it just makes the file heavier
Thank you for the useful information about electricity too. I didn’t know that the power consumption of a video synth is higher than that of audio
@wednesdayayay
Thank you. It’s so beautiful. I can’t believe it’s an SD signal
@a_digital_index
Thank you for showing me great job! Well, these works have 16:9 ratio, but the resolution is SD, isn’t it? Is the final codec h.264? And what is the frame rate?
The file will certainly be larger after upscaling, but that’s a feature of the final resolution rather than the scaling itself. Pixel format and frame rate will also be issues.
I can’t find the post but there was some discussion around HD in the LZX environment, which is primarily analogue don’t forget, it was mentioned that the bandwidth required to synthesise 4K would make for some obscenely expensive hardware…
I use an UDC to convert everything to 1080. That is what you saw. I’ve tried upscaling to 4K and it didn’t really result in a better image; just larger. To a certain degree, your image will only ever be as good as your lowest resolution in your signal flow and with Expedition series as sync that is going to be 480 (SD).
Most of these are captured in 29.97 and the codec is Pro Res which I then turn into .264 for web delivery.
I’ve never seen a 4k or 8k analogue signal. Outside of VGA, I’m not aware that there are any standard analogue signal resolutions that went much higher resolution than 1080. VGA could get to just over 2k.
A big strength of the LZX approach is that it is an analogue process, so when you patch things together, they pretty much happen instantly. Adding extra modules into the chain doesn’t add frames of latency (except for the Memory Palace but that’s kind of its job).
Digital video (HDMI etc) doesn’t transmit a constant stream of pixels in the way that analogue video does (okay, continuous voltage). It groups chunks of information and compresses it in places. This means that a digital modular system would have to wait until it has received a whole frame of information before processing it. This would add latency. Every module would need enough memory to store the full 8k frame. This would increase complexity and cost.
Computer software is most efficient for this type of workflow.
Thank you for the easy-to-understand advice even for me who has little knowledge of video. I don’t feel like making video with software for some reason. After all I want to use LZX. Because it looks very fun.
getting to understand some of the core concepts of synthesis through hydra would be a great way to get your toes wet. Understanding more of the how’s and why’s of video synthesis is something a lot of people tend to step over because they get distracted by the shiny things. I know this because I was also one of those people.
I am by no means telling you to NOT buy hardware in fact I think working in TD is making my hardware choices harder. I have a much clearer idea of what I’m trying to achieve but also now I know how to achieve that look through practice. Before I’d just buy a module with the hope it would do what I wanted it to and that didn’t always work out.
I would also recommend a book that really goes in on the basics of digital compositing depending on your level of proficiency there as understanding some of those compositing concepts will also be hugely helpful in moving forward in video synthesis.
Thank you. Great information! I researched lumen before, but it didn’t look very interesting. I don’t really like to work with software even if in the field of audio, and I’m the type of person who enjoys working with hardware equipment, not to mention Eurorack.
However, I was interested in cables.gl and hydra. I don’t hate MAX that much and I’m interested in live coding. The touche signer looks like a mystery. It may be the type of software I have never seen before.
In any case, the cost issue is big. I think Cromagnon has unprecedented cost performance when introducing LZX, and HD support is really attractive, but even so, the total cost of shipping and tariffs is close to 1400 USD, which is a fairly high hurdle for me. Before that decision I will try cables.gl and hydra.
Suggesting a delay to 2023 is being a bit presumptuous, but I understand why you would say that. The world has made small scale electronics manufacturing very difficult.
LZX does not offer refunds on pre-orders, but exchange credit is always available.
If you wanted currently available, in-stock modules over funding a preorder that’s been (and is still being) hit by pandemic manufacturing and component delays.
If you ordered from a third-party seller then it should be just as easy to cancel your order. But if you ordered Direct from LZX then not the same. Sometimes you have to choose risk/reward where to pre-order from i.e. “do I wait for a vendor to receive? what if they don’t get any stock?” or do I “secure my order directly with LZX and wait?”. I’ve done both. I feel Chromagnon is just around the corner!! Pre-ordered mine in January 2021 from a vendor. I really want TBC2 + Expander first though, pre-ordered them from LZX in August 2020!
Just got to hang on folks!! This should be the year LZX catches up!! In the mean time…more LZX Expedition black panels please
