PRG Mbox Designer User Manual v3.6.1 User Manual
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MBOX
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MEDIA SERVER USER MANUAL
Setup tab, or twice that size if one of the Panoramic output modes is being used (see
page 45). The pixel-mapping context’s origin is at the bottom left of the grid and that origin is position (0,0).
Figure 5-1: Pixel-Mapping Concept
The size of the pixel-mapping context plays a large role in how the pixels in the screen image are converted into Art-
Net. You could create a 1 x 1 context or one that is 1000 x 1000. In the first case, the entire screen would be reduced
to one pixel in the map, and the results would be pointless. In the second case, you could have a very high resolution
setup, but it would require a great number of fixtures and Art-Net to be worthwhile. You should try to avoid extremely
large context sizes, as doing so requires extra processing. If you need a large amount of pixel-for-pixel mapping of
your video to LED fixtures, you may be better served by using an existing video pixel-mapping product rather than the
MBOX pixel-mapping. You should strive to create a pixel-mapping context that is as small as possible while still
allowing you to map your content to fixtures in the manner that you desire. Initially some trial and error may be
required. If you are unsure where to begin, start with the context at its default size of 50 x 50 and then experiment
once you have patched your fixtures.
If you click on the pop-up list in the fixtures area, you will find a list of stock fixture choices. The fixtures in this list are
mainly RGB LED fixtures, but there are also selections for intensity fixtures (dimmers) and moving light fixtures (both
CMY and CYM). To begin, pick one simple type of fixture from the list. To place one or more of these fixtures in the
pixel-mapping context, click the Place New Fixtures button - it will darken to indicate that you are in fixture
placement mode - then click anywhere on the grid. This will place a fixture on the context grid.
Notice that the fixture, when highlighted, has one red pixel (the origin) while the remaining pixels are blue. Even when
not highlighted, the origin pixel will be slightly darker than the rest. When you place a fixture on the context grid, an
entry for that fixture is added to the table on the right of the grid. MBOX will automatically patch fixtures in order (as
you place them) beginning with Art-Net universe 16. Therefore, you can reduce your patch time by placing fixtures in
order. However, you can modify the patch information for any fixture at any time.
Note:
If you edit your patch and allow two fixtures to share a range of channels, the name, universe, and address of
both overlapping fixtures will turn red.
Note:
You should always avoid re-using any Art-Net universe anywhere on your system. Never duplicate Art-Net
universe numbers between incoming data and outgoing data. Also avoid duplicate output universes unless you are
running a backup system and have some means of merging data or taking control from one server or the other (Refer
to the "Backup Mode" setting in MBOX Remote for information on suppressing Art-Net output from a backup server.)
In the illustration above, a 50 x 50 context has been applied over a fullScreen size
of 800px x 600px. Each rectangular subdivision of the context will be (800px/50) x
(600px/50), or 16px x 12px. MBOX will average (sample) the color/intensity values
for each 16px x 12px area of the screen image. Each sample is used to create one
"pixel" in the map. This pixel is then used to generate Art-Net levels.