MediaMaster: The feature requests thread

[richdesign]

I would ask for a USB dongle for the license

Also,

A vignette feature, maybe on the master output. I'm using MM Express, btw.

I looked at the new old film effect. It has a nice vignette, it would be nice to use this vignette without using the old film effect. Maybe be able to change the shape and curve also so if you want to feather the edge a little you can do that also.

[DaDeDesign]

Some random Ideas:

Always display the preview even with the intensity at zero. Much easier to see wat is comming next.
Remote program to edit the library.
In this line: Library syncing (I don't think it is smart to use a networked folder as library root)
Configuration of video capture devices (Blackmagic Decklink is bit of a problem)
Kinet output
With 2.2 it is no longer possible to edit texts when fullscreen because there is no longer a task bar visible.
Backup of texts to a file. For easier saving and restoring
When movies are unsupported just don't play them. It happens with movies that are corrupt of have a bad codec media master just crashes.
Faster bootups, a big library means it takes a loooong time to restart after a crash.

These are just some things that where on my mind that could need your attention. I hope you can do something with it.

[DaDeDesign]

Here are some ideas for future improvements
System is a macpro 4 or 8 core with blackmagic decklink
Driven by Chamsys or GrandMA

• Preview layers even when the fader is at Zero, much easier to preview what's next
• Library syncronisation, for a backup server or 2 identical servers driving other parts.
• Remote library editing tool, so you don't need fysical acces to the server.
• Startup speed (big library = looooong startup time)
• Ignore bad movies. Movies wich are corrupt or have bad codecs tend to crash the whole program.
• Live input devices needs some attention, blackmagic decklink is a bit of a problem.
• Capture cars, when working, have a delay when you first use them, after the first use it works ok
• Stutter free audio playback, had some problems with that
• With 2.2 there is no longer a top taskbar, and thus you can't update Texts
• Save and recall texts from a file.
• Allow second monitor even when the monitor wasn't connected at program starup (Monitor refresh button)
• MA-net on Mac, you only have 8 artnet lines on GrandMa, and already spend 2 per arkaos.

These are some things I have run into and add frustration when using. They are just some ideas you might want to take into considiration.

Kind Regards Ben

[wmldwilly]

I am working on supplanting Hippos and Pandoras Boxes in my work with Media Master, and here's the things that are a MUST in some (soon) future version of MMpro:

1) In display preferences, hook the windows monitor drivers more tightly. Example: Pass thru the "detect monitors" command so one can unplug/rearrange monitors and get ones setup right. If Hippo can do it, you can do it.

2) Implement a "split server" environment: 1 "server" of 12 layers needs to be able to be split into 2 "servers" of 6 layers, where one set of six layers doesn't affect at all the other set of six. Again: if Hippo can do that (and they do, really well) than you can. Being able to work with multiple outputs means customers (like me) will be using the server to serve output devices with totally different purposes and in different places on stage, not just monitor walls. There's not the money in production anymore to just throw more servers at every output.

3) brightness and contrast NATIVELY on each layer, NOT as an effect and in addition to the b and c controls on the master. *MY TOP PRIORITY REQUEST* - everyone I've put arkaos in front of so far is very concerned that I'm giving up that capability from Hippo or Pandoras or Mbox...

4) RGB levels on every layer that are additive and subtractive (i.e. push r, g, or b 100% plus as well as cut 100% minus). *MY 2ND TOP REQUEST* - this is turning out to be another of those issues that makes my clients say in that uncomfortably concerned way "hmmm...are you SURE this server software is right for our shows?"

5) In the media master window, some sort of ability to "double click" or control-click and thru a contextual menu return a control to it's "detent", or default value wether that's zero, full, or half. One can try all day to get a piece of content back to it's home position but it never quite makes it.

6) in preferences, allow a "default value" to be set for some items, like intensity. Example: in the profiles for other media servers on consoles (such as GrandMA2, which I use) it's common to set the default value for the intensity channel of each layer to zero, and the default value for the intensity channel of the master layer to 100%, so when there is no dmx being sent to those channels that's the output you get. It prevents having to constantly chase the master channel to full and park it or bury it in subs or always avoid selecting "all" and pulling stuff out. I believe that implementing that for when the server has yet to be connected to the console and is being manipulated directly from the window settings like that would be very cool and very helpful. It's quite common for me now to have a technician manipulate the server directly from the window for days on end while loading in, testing screens and LED walls, trying content from the client, etc. before I connect the servers to the console and begin programming.

7) In the positioning area of the MM window, the ability to select the white box reflecting the output space and "nudge" it up/down/left/right with the arrow keys some user defineable number of pixels (preferrably 1 pixel at a time), and a floating display of those numbers in pixels/DMX values When positioning content across multiple differing screens with our spiffy new multiple monitor cards, it would be very helpful during those load in and testing days to be able to determine the "clicks of shift" needed to hit the borders of the screens with the server, then use those numbers directly when one begins programming with a console.

there's the beginning of my list (so far).

WM

[ditheo]

A nice addition would be Automatic camera based edge-blending and warping like vioso wings 4. That would make MM very nice software! Add it for free on MM or with extra cost is a must have if you want to align 3 or more projectors!

[jannypan]

Is it possible to make MM send dmx via artnet back to the lighting console? Or a way of recording some cues that can be sent back to the console. This could allow the console operator to concentrate on the lights while someone else is programming the content of the MM.

[sow_fat]

I'd like the loop mode "play once then freeze on last frame" functionality to come back for ArkMM Pro. I've done several theatrical shows with Arkaos's VJ DMX 3.6.5 over the years where I've used video as a scenic element and ended up depending on this feature as a part of many scene transitions. I don't see it in the documentation and, unless i'm wrong, there isn't a loop mode like this available.

Currently remounting and reprogramming a show I designed around VJDMX3.6.5, now with a brand new license for ArkMM Pro and sorely miss this feature.

[PhasedMedia]

"play once then freeze on last frame"
Please bring back this playmode, it is (and was in arkDMX) a very handy feature which can be time consuming to emulate with a lighting console and current playmodes, especially when there are many files of different duration.

"USB dongle for license"
I think every paid owner of the software would agree. Or at least a way to de-register a HardwareID to migrate the software licence to another computer.

"on/off switch on every LibraryFolder"
I second this suggestion, it would be a very simple way to manage a large video library.

[artchitecture]

Volume control on every channel would be very nice. Also there are 4 parameters on some effects how come I only get to assign 3 dmx channels for control in simple mode. Shouldn't I be able to pick how many channels of dmx I want to waste on parameters.

Oh yeah the dongle license thing is still a pain just blew a license and a mother board at the same time.

and of course play and stop on last frame is sorely missed and should be fixed by now.

artchitecture

[artchitecture]

Oh yeah I forgot time code display.

[PhasedMedia]

Play once then stop on last frame. Please bring this playmode back. I'm wasting too much time having to program this on consoles by pausing (speed to zero after x seconds), or wasting a layer just to have a still image of the last frame of the video clip for when it ends and abruptly disappears.
I'd be happy if it replaced play once forward/back playmodes.

[PhasedMedia]

Time remaining (in a clip) shown in playback tab. The playhead triangle is only useful for short clips.

[Manuel]

In the led mapper please ad the possibility to send X a range of mapped elements to X ip address. Im doing a project with 64 universes of artnet and in such a setup unicast is a must...

[richdesign]

Freeze on last frame please. It is a huge time killer working around this. I used it all the time with VJ DMX

[PhasedMedia]

It is really past time for an update for MediaMaster.
GrandVJ has had play once then freeze playmodes and transitions for a while now, when will these be ported to MM?
GVJ is well out of beta, it's time for a new beta for MediaMaster.

Still no word on a bug fix for Enttec usb dongles from the last update (USB Pros older than 2years do not work with current version, regardless of firmware- previous MM versions fine).

PS: Martin (Lighting) is currently working on getting MMpro CITP thumbnails working with their consoles/software. This will require modifying the DMX fixture profile for MM layers(on the consoles)- If the channel mapping is going to change(adding 2playmodes/transitions etc)...do it soon.