software that mixes dvds/ visuals while you dj.

i'd like to see something like this -

Arkaos VJ can do things like this, not with DVDs, but you can use most video formats as well as flash files as well as image files. Its also got a nice set of preset FX that you can get creative with to achieve some pretty pro looking stuff. You can map individual files and other parameters to keyboard keys as well as a midi controller.

Coldcut have their http://www.vjamm.com/ software that is decidedly more pro, but ultimately does similar stuff. I get on with the Arkaos thing much more, but as with all this stuff, its really down to what you put into it. I doubt there is any software out there for mixing dvds as the moment, although both the Arkaos and VJamm programs let you run a live feed through them, so if you have a hardware DVD player and a suitible graphics card you should be able to do something with that.

If you want to do it live I think its best having someone in control of the video stuff, unless you fancy setting up some ridiculous midi system that will trigger things according to what your playing. I still prefer someone jamming along with the video stuff on a seperate laptop, more mistakes, more fun!

I believe Ms Pinky's system does what you want on the side (believe because I've never tooled around with it myself). It's main functionality is essentially a cheaper version of FS.

http://www.mspinky.com and in particular, http://www.mspinky.com/WreckedSystem_MaxiPatch.html

why aren't more people using this sort of stuff in a fun cool interesting way?
i mean there's only COLDCUT and ECLECTIC METHOD that i've heard of, also this fella JEFF MILLS apparently.

is it cause it's too tech-y and too geeky and such?

visuals at discos/ gigs these days sucks big time. i mean it's the 21st century and yet most clubs are still just people dancing with a few spotlights/strobes, and concerts are just people playing in front of a sheet or something.

Mmm, tempted by that Max patch, that looks like fun!

I've started doing stuff with visuals in mind, as part of the compositional process, just need to find someone who's proper good at that sort of thing.

Anyway, loads of dudes are doing wicked stuff with visuals. Yeah, mostly at the geeky end of the spectrum, lots of warp shows have insanely good visuals. That Daft Punk show a while back, light show was amazing. I'm sure I've seen Matmos do some interesting stuff with live audio/video sampling. I remember seeing Plaid, Coil and Mouse on Mars a few years ago, they all had good stuff, although it made my GF pretty dizzy.

When it comes to local shows, its just too much hassle, although most places have projectors these days, its just the £££ involved in getting a dedicated laptop and someone who's willing to VJay with you.

Clubs are different, I wouldn't want visuals at a club! Too distracting.

There is a huge scene for this in Montreal, mostly for (minimal) techno and house. In fact, look into the Silence is Presence and Epsilonlab DVD's, released jointly by Epsilon Lab and Thinner Records. It is a VJ/DJ set, mixed seamlessly, but cut into chapters, each chapter
being handle by a different DJ/Producer and VJ, I.E. Deadbeat/Pillow, Dublee/Euterke, Eloi Brunelle/whatever, etc.

Anyway, if you really want to delve into this and create complicated pieces, as opposed to dumb fades, dissolve,s bad effects, etc, look into Jitter for MAX/MSP. Modular VJ software. Extremely powerful.

I dunno about software, but there's hardware to do this stuff. they're made by pioneer, and i saw one on ebay for 400 bucks. not bad.

system d-128 does a lot of this stuff, sometimes in conjunction with the hollertronix guys. pretty cool- making film characters lip-sync along to songs, making video blends of cure and juvenile, mixing records live under acapella music videos. all good stuff. he has a 40 minute dvd that comes with diplo's florida album.

videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=SystemD128
(check the 36 mafia video)

and here:

www.stemspot.com

ugh. i just reread that and i sound like a shill. i promise i'm just a music nerd.