What's New in Catalyst Pro v4 Software
Getting Started with Catalyst v4 Software
PRELIMINARY March 30, 2006 [pdf] 5MB
Catalyst software, which was first introduced as the industry standard for media servers in 2001, fuses lighting with digital media. It allows the user to create virtual scenery and unlimited visual effects for markets ranging from tours and corporate events to cruise ships and houses of worship.
The new Catalyst v4 is enhanced with support for additional input/output devices as well as complementary products. This support includes cue lists and pixelMAD functionality, expanding the possibilities for users. Version 4 also enables Catalyst to be controlled by video- and music-industry standard controllers such as Mackie and MIDI controllers. This is the first version of Catalyst to not require a DMX controller. The Pro version of Catalyst features 6 on-screen output mixes and 12 independent assignable layers. Multiple on-screen mixes means that the show operator can break down his set design and run different effects over different sets of fixtures.
PixelMAD brings with it an entirely new and expanded user interface. It features multiple onscreen mixes, which is applicable for both DMX LED lighting fixtures and LED walls.
Catalyst software uses a new approach for creating multi-layer video effects. Each of its 12 layers is patched into a DMX lighting console as an individual 40-channel fixture so you only need to dedicate the number of channels you need for your application.
Using layer one as the base layer, you can stack additional layers of content, independently controlling the rotation, scale, color and visual of each layer and then simultaneously playback all layers as a composite.
This new approach adds some revolutionary new features to DMX control of Digital Media:
Cross fading (video dissolves) between layers is a fundamental video technique used by the video industry. Catalyst v4 has the capability to cross fade between all 12 layers using the intensity channel.
Preview lets you view content locally on a monitor before outputting to a DL1 or other video output devices, like LED Displays and Large Format DLP and LCD projectors. You can view each layer or stacked layers with or without effects.
- Preview with effects shows you the content with the color and geometric effects you have applied.
- Preview without effects plays back the original piece of content.
- Separate layer with effects shows how each layer is functioning in a montage' or what the layers will look like as a crossfade is applied between each layer.
View separate layers without effects
All layers with effects
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View separate layers with effects
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Video Montage describes the combination of different content layers to create a new movie. Using the 12 layers, you can use the scale function and horizontal and vertical positioning to create virtual scenery or a montage.
Masking allows you to take a movie or still image, apply the masking function and use it as an alpha channel effect on the image layer below it. In video terms, this is called keying. Catalyst v4 software keys (makes transparent) black or white parts of the content.
Original content
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Using content on Layer 2 as a mask
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Framing Shutters gives you control over a variety of multi-sided theatrical framing shutters and round iris effects with edge softening.
Iris effect with softened edges
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Multi-sided framing shutter effect
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3-Dimensional Effects lets you wrap content on different 3-dimensional shapes such as a sphere or cube and rotate these objects around all three axes.
Original content
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Content wrapped on 3-D sphere
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Spectrograph allows you to input audio. The audio input creates visual waveforms that can be sent to video output devices such as the DL1 fixture, allowing the user to "see the sound."
Pixelise, Waves, Wipes, Channel Waveforms, EQ bands...
Serial control gives you serial control of video switchers and playback devices. Catalyst v4 has RS232 and RS 422 (Sony 9 pin protocol) capabilities.
Midi Machine Control (MMC) device intergration.
Video Switcher device intergration with Leitc, Barco, and Kramer.
Global keystoning on the mixes and sub-mixes.
Picture in picture mixes without a visible heads up display (HUD).
Edge blending with percentage presets, editible percentages, editible curve editor & editible mix offsets allowing left and right, up and down panoramas.
8 video input capabilities when used with the Active Silicon LFG4 video digitiser.
Catalyst v4 continues to offer precise keystone control and expands Color and Visual effects. The potential combinations and manipulations of your digital video and image content can now truly match your imagination.
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