One of the biggest challenges facing the video industry today is how to handle 4K signal distribution and the hardware that will support that raster size for playback.
d3 Technologies’ 4x4pro and 4x2pro respond to that challenge. The 4x4pro outputs four unique signals at 4K resolution and can also handle the data transfer of those high resolution files over its 10GB network. And that just scratches the surface of what this media server can do.
I recently was able to use d3 Technologies’ 4x4pro for Univision’s Premios Juventud, an annual awards show held every summer in Miami. The 2014 event was a three-hour show with 21 live music performances.
Playback
In recent years, as the market for media server manufacturers has grown more competitive, media server technologies and capabilities have advanced dramatically. Many servers offer intricate mesh warping software tools for projection mapping or sophisticated interactive programming combining Kinect cameras or other input devices. But at their heart, media servers play back video content. So let’s look at what the 4x4pro offers in terms of playback.
Using the HAP or DXV codecs, the 4x4pro will play 32 HD layers of content at once. That’s eight layers of 4K at once. And if your event won’t accept compressed video content, you can still use lossless Animation quality content playing up to eight HD files at one time.
Not interested in 4K signal output yet? The 4x4pro offers replaceable video output cards. Four 4K DVI outputs can be replaced with 16 HD DVI outputs. Typical servers now support two HD outputs, so a single 4x4pro will replace eight servers. Is DVI not your preferred signal output? Video cards will be available for 3G-SDI, DisplayPort and HDMI in stages, starting early 2015. 4K is used to mean different output specs, so be clear on your output resolution needs when reviewing your signal path options.
The flexibility offered by the pixel throughput on this device leaves it in a very small club of media servers available today. d3 Technologies has also endeavored to future proof this tool with the replaceable video output cards. As the industry as a whole standardizes 4K transmission tools, the 4x4pro will be able to respond.
Another useful feature: DMX control. While not specific to the 4x4pro line, this was introduced in 2014, and I was able to use it on multiple shows in 2014. Called SockPuppet, this new feature allows a user to define modules on the d3 timeline to be under DMX control. Similarly, if you don’t need DMX control of an entire module, you can use expressions to take a single parameter under DMX control. For example, I used the d3 Video module and patched the entire module with SockPuppet to act as if I would use a single layer on other DMX controllable media servers. I then took the d3 Master module and only defined the “Level” parameter as DMX-controlled. I made this choice because I knew the other parameters in that module would be fixed values that did not need to ever be changed once defined. SockPuppet works fluidly with the d3 timeline and can be combined with timeline controlled events for a very flexible programming experience.
Other Hardware Features
While mentioned earlier, the 10GB network feature should not be overlooked. The 4x4pro has four NICs — two at 1GB transmission for Art-Net and d3 Net, and two separate 10GB Networks designed in mind for moving large amounts of content around. I typically sit on shows where the first content dump might be close to 300 GB of video. I’ve had to replace 500GB content drives mid show because we ran out of space. Content transfer can be a severe time liability, so I would strongly encourage users to make use of this feature. The removable 2TB SSD Raid Array for content should keep you covered as well.
The 4x4pro also ups the number of video inputs available on d3 to four (for HD-SDI) or two (for 3G-SDI). Audio output and Genlock continue to be server options to the d3 line, with the 4x4pro offering Genlock pass-through.
Other Software Features
Although the d3 software continues to evolve, most features described in the software will still work on older models. Some of the newer features we’ve seen available this year include Dynamic Edge Blending. Using external data from BlackTrax, d3 can interpret the location of an object and correct image content in real time. Over blended projectors. In any coordinate direction. If that didn’t drop your jaw, well, you’ve probably been spoiled by too much great CGI, or still believe in magic. (Maybe I should just leave it that d3 has coded magic into its software.)
Imagine 16 projectors over an 80-foot-wide stage floor that have been converged and blended. It’s a 2D plane, which makes that a fairly straightforward process. Now introduce a piece of scenery into that space. To keep it simple, think of a 6-foot square box. As you move that box from stage left to stage right, it will cross over those blend points. The face of that box is a vertical plane moving through a space that was blended for a horizontal plane. d3 now can interpret the location of the box, correct the blend for that box and apply unique content to just that box as it moves, all in real time. (For a great example of this, check out Marvel Universe Live at plsn.me/1AXrJnC or the demo from LDI 2014 at plsn.me/1wURIey.)
At a Glance
Powerful and Flexible
d3 continues to provide ground breaking hardware and software features with its product line and the 4x4pro is no exception. While it might be more firepower than you need for a small show, it is a highly flexible platform that can take you from a show with three 16 x 9 screens to a complex projection environment with moving scenery and web generated content using HTML5. You can program playback with d3 using the internal timeline or employ any control console that outputs Art-Net. Any way you choose to use this device, I am certain it can tackle every production challenge for video you throw at it.
Features/Specs
- Size: 17.52” x 7” x 23.35” (WxHxD)
- Weight: 43 lbs.
- Mounting: 4U 19” rack mount
- Operating System: Windows 8.1 Embedded Pro
- CPU: 2x Xeon Hexa-Core 3.5Ghz
- Memory: 32GB DDR3 ECC RAM
- Storage: 2x 64GB SSD (Internal System Drive, Restore Drive); 2TB Removable SSD RAID Array
- Video Output: 4 x DisplayPort 1.2 (4096 x 2160 max) native ; other VFC cards available
- Video Input: 4x HD-SDI / 2x 3G-SDI
- Audio: 2x Balanced XLR In; 2x Balanced XLR Out (Analog); ADAT/SPDIF I/O (Digital)
- MIDI: 1x In, 1x Out
- General Network: 1x Gigabit LAN
- Art-Net: 1x Gigabit LAN
- Media Network: 2x 10GB/sec LAN
- Data/Peripherals: 2 x USB 2.0; 3x USB 3.0; 1 x Firewire 800
- Video Sync: BNC Genlock
d3 Technologies 4x4pro
Pros: This media server does it all. 32 HD outputs streaming simultaneously. Great hardware. Software only can be purchased for a lot less.
Cons: Pricey, but as they say, you get what you pay for
Price (MSRP): (4 x 4 complete system): $90,000
Manufacturer: d3 Technologies
More Info: www.d3technologies.com
