ChamSys
MagicHD User Manual
Version 1.6.5.0
•
Although any values can be set in the DMX channels, the actual start frame will never
exceed the end frame, nor will the end frame ever be earlier than the start frame.
•
If you are using start and end frame to permanently edit a clip (i.e. you don't change them or
use a different part of the file in another cue), consider editing off-line since (a) the resulting
file will be smaller and (b) using dedicated video editing software can produce better results.
•
The values in the DMX channels refer directly to the frame numbers within the media.
Frame numbers run continuously from 0 to the end of the file.
•
The time that a frame number equates to depends on the frame rate of the file.
5.12
Speed
Use the speed parameter to control the speed and direction of media playback. Negative speeds
cause playback in reverse. A speed of 0 stops playback (although see 5.13.7).
Up to 2 times normal speed, every frame is played. Bear in mind, therefore, that playing an HD clip
x1.9 faster will nearly double the processing load for that layer. Above x2, frames are dropped to
reduce the processing load. There is still an increased load for all but whole number multipliers: at
x4.7, 3 out of every 4 frames are dropped, so the remaining load is x1.7.
Since there is an inherent loss of quality at high playback speeds (because the human brain can't
process the imagery so well), consider the quality and resolution of the source material carefully.
5.13
Play Mode
Play mode allows a movie clip to be played in a number of different ways:
5.13.1
Once
The movie is played one, from the start frame to the end frame, controlled by the speed parameter.
Playback finishes on the last frame, which is held. If playback is in reverse (negative speed) the last
frame is actually the start frame.
5.13.2
Once-then-black
The same as
Once
, except the layer automatically blacks out after the last frame. This removes the
need to set, and accurately time, a second cue to fade the layer at the end.
5.13.3
Loop
The same as
Once
, except playback loops to the first frame after the last frame.
When playing forwards, first = start and last = end. When backwards, first = end and last = start.
5.13.4
Bounce
The same as
Loop
, except the direction automatically changes each time.
Note that the speed parameter is automatically reversed, so that changes in magnitude do not
suddenly reverse the direction if the sign of the speed does not match the direction. i.e. once the first
reverse has taken place, only the magnitude of the speed parameter has any effect unless the speed
crosses zero, where the direction of bounce would also change.
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