MidiVideoPlayer v:2.0

MidiVideoPlayer (MVP) is a Videoplayer for Windows that you can controll using midi, directly on local computer or from a VST over LAN (cable or wifi).

It is developed for playing multiple videofiles and showing images on video-projector during shows controlled from your DAW. With MVP you do not need to have your video-track inside your daw, not even on the same computer. And if you like me does a lot of start/stop and want to have a nice backdrop-image or looping backdrop-video between the sets this might be something for you.

You also free up some cpu on your music-computer when the videos are played on a second computer or if you use wour workstation builtin sequencer just connedt midi out to computer and select interface and channel 16 (or other) to trigger videos directly from your synthesizer.

MidiVideoPlayer, the Windows program, the player, is built in 32-bit and 64-bit.
VidiVideoPlayer-VST, the VST3-plugin, is built in 64-bit and is windows only.

The player can be used without the vst and controlled by a midi-interface of your choice.
It can also be used triggered from your DAW using the VST-plugin and LAN or localhost.

The plugin does not play any videos, it is just a sender to the player.

You controll the player using your midi-keys. All keys can be assigned to a video except C3 to B3 (Midi-Key 60 to 71) . Those keys are your controller keys.

You can load videos, play/pause/stop, +10 sec/-10 sec, Loop on/off, show/hide backdrop-image, show/hide looped backdrop-video, show/hide videoplayer and also controll video volume using Controll-change #7 (Volume).

All controlls can be used from Local midi-interface or over lan using vst-plugin.

Features:

• Backdrop-image och black screen. Triggered by key.
• Blackout-image as Jpg. Full screen. Triggered by key.
• Blackout-video in mp4-format looped. Triggered by key.
• Videos in mp4-format and images as jpg. Full screen including audio. Load a videoor image using a key and it will load and pause at first frame untill you press play key.
• Every midi-key (0-127) can be assigned to a video except the controller-keys C3-B3 (60 to 71) that’s assigned to hide/show, pause, play, stop, skip, loop etc.
• 3 single-camera windows to show output from IP-camera that can be viewed in any browser.
• 1 dual-camera windows to show output from IP-camera that can be viewed in any browser.
• Script-mode. Start a script with multiple commands from any controller (not in vst-mode, only direct midi).
• Logs your show and saves it as a log-file when you quit the program. Every session has its own logfile (txt-file).
• Lists all connected midi-interfaces (physical and virutal), just to chose the one you want to us as controller.
• Controll video volume using Controller #7.
• Switch folder/preset using Controller #6 (0-127).

MidiVideoPlayer VST have been tested under Cubase, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Cantabile Lite, Reaper, and GigPerformer.
MidiVideoPlayer have been tested under Windows 10 professional.

MidiVideoPlayer has been used for several shows during spring 2022 and version 2 has been used during several shows during autumn 2022 with good results.

Here are some important information about MidiVideoPlayer.

MidiVideoPlayer can be used in tree diffrent ways:

1. Used on one computer using only the player-program (the client) and a local midi-interface.
2. Used on one computer using the player-program (the client) and the VST-Plugin (the server) from a DAW on the same computer local network using LOCALHOST (IP: 127.0.0.1).
3. Used on two computers, one as the PLAYER/Client with the client and your videos and images and one as the SERVER with the PLUGIN/Server loaded in any VST3-compatible DAW used realtime or midi programmed.

Files:

-The Player:
-MidiVideoPlayer-64.exe -The actual player, the client. 64-bit.
-MidiVideoPlayer-32.exe -The actual player, the client. 32-bit.
Needs a personal license-code to work in non DEMO-mode, you can purchase your license in our webshop.

-VST-Plugin:
-MVP-VST-64.vst3 -The 64-bit plugin to controll MVP-player from daw using LAN, the server.

The plugin does not need a license-code but it makes no sense to use the plugin only.

Setup the Player:

1: Copy the EXE-file to any place on your player-computer. It does not need any installation.
2: Start MidiVideoPlayer and enter serial/e-mail or use it in DEMO-mode. Then exit. It now has created all folders and files it need.
3: Copy your mp4 movies, jpg-images and backdrop.jpg file to c:\blafotproduktion\MVP\DATA\[PATCH-FOLDER]\
The mp4-files has to be mapped by name to the keys (76.mp4 will be loaded by key 76 on keyboard).

Setup the VST:

1: Copy the VST3-file to your VST3-folder
-Copy the file MVP-VST-64.vst3” to C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
2: Open your DAW and if needed rescan plugins.
3: Locate MidiVideoPlayer as a VST-instrument and add it to a midi-track.

Important!

• MidiVideoPlayer VST must have the vst-editor open to work. If you close the editor you will have to reconnect.
• If MidiVideoPlayer-VST-plugin editor does not respond to midi and noes not update you can try to use the FIX-mode.1: Copy the file “MVP-VST-FIX” from your setup-tarchive to c:\blafotproduktion\MVP-VST\. Use this fix for GigPerformer.
  The file is used to make MVP-VST to work in a diffrent way for some hosts. More info under Advanced section.

Use MidiVideoPlayer:

When everything is setup just follow the instructions on our website.

Thank you for using MidiVideoPlayer.

Blåfot-Produktion
www.blafotproduktion.se
support@blafotproduktion.se

MVP 2.0 has a diffrent keymapping then the previous versions.

All keys on your keyboard are numbered.
Here you can see the keynumber.

The keys marked with red are the controller-keys. All other keys are assigned to the video named with that number.

60 – Toggle Blackout-image fullscreen on/off.
61 – Toggle movie/image-player fullscreen on/off.
62 – Toggle Blackoutmovie-player fullscreen on/off. (Always looped).
63 – Movie PLAY
64 – Movie PAUSE
65 – Movie STOP
66 – Movie PLAY FROM START (RESTART).
67 – Movie BACK 10 sec.
68 – Movie SKIP 10 sec.
69 – Movieplayer LOOP on/off.
70 – Single-cam 1
71 – Single-cam 2
72 – Single-cam 3
73 – Dual-cam (Camera 4 and 5)
74 – reserved
75 – reserved
76 – BACKDROP On/Off

You can controll the volume of Videos using Midi-Controller (Controlchange) 7, Volume.

You can choose set of Videos/Images (preset) using Midi-Controller (Controlchange) 6.

MidiVideoPlayer only responds to key-on so you do not need to have long keypress or sustaining keys.

Old keymapping:

• 60 – Toggle Blackout-image fullscreen on/off.
• 61 – Toggle movie/image-player fullscreen on/off.
• 62 – Movie PLAY
• 63 – Movie PAUSE
• 64 – Movie STOP
• 65 – Movie PLAY FROM START (RESTART).
• 66 – Movie BACK 10 sec.
• 67 – Movie SKIP 10 sec.
• 68 – Movieplayer LOOP on/off.
• 69 – RESERVED for updates…
• 70 – RESERVED for updates…
• 71 – Toggle Blackoutmovie-player fullscreen on/off. (Always looped).

The videos and images you will add to the show should be copied to the folder: c:\blafotproduktion\MVP\DATA\[Number 0-127] or [Folder-name specifyed in “FOLDER.TXT” file]

The videofiles must be mp4-videos and named according to the key it will be mapped to (c4 is key 72 and the video should be named “72.mp4”).

The images must be jpg-images and named according to the key it will be mapped to (c4 is key 72 and the video should be named “72.jpg”). Images will be stretched.

The Backdrop-image should be named BACKDROP.JPG.
The blackout-image should be named BLACKIMAGE.JPG.
The blackout-video should be named BLACKMOVIE.MP4.’

Some hints:

• Keep standard resplution on movies, no need to use higher than 720p and 30 frames/sec.

To use MVP on local computer using midi-interface follow this guide:

1. Of course you have added your videos and Black-image…
2. Connect your Midi-Keyboard to the computer.
3. Start MidiVideoPlayer.exe.
4. Doubleclick the midi-interface in the list to activate it. It will say (Open) when connected.
5. You can select midi-channel to recieve or leave it as it is (ALL) for recieving all channels.
6. Ready to go!

Try this:

1. Load any video using a key (one you added). It will buffer and pause at the first frame.
2. Press C3 (key 60) and your blackimage will show.
3. Press D3 (key 62) to start the loaded movie.
4. Press C#3 (key 61) to show the movie.
5. wait… and look at the movie.
6. Press C#3 (key 61) to hide the movie.
7. Press E3 (key 64) to stop the movie.
8. Press C3 (key 60) and your blackimage will hide.

Easy. Now you can see the log-file to the left.
When you close MVP the log-file will be saved to c:\blafotproduktion\MVP\LOGS\

To use MVP on a local computer using VST-plugin or using MVP over LAN just follow this guide:

1. Of course you have added your videos and Black-image to the computer that will show your videos…
2. On server-computer start your DAW and load MVP-VST plugin as an Instrumen and open the Plugin-editor.
3. Start MidiVideoPlayer.exe on your secons computer (or same fol local use).
4. In the editor you can see the IP-adress of your server.
   
5. Insert IP-adress in MidiVideoPlayer on the second computer.
   127.0.0.1 is the IP to use if the server and client are at the same computer.
   Both computers need to be connected to the same router.
6. Click Connect.
7. The LOG at the left should tell you that the connection was successfull and also the VST-plugin should say Client Connected!

Try this:

1. Load any video using a key (one you added). It will buffer and pause at the first frame.
2. Press C3 (key 60) and your blackimage will show.
3. Press D3 (key 62) to start the loaded movie.
4. Press C#3 (key 61) to show the movie.
5. wait… and look at the movie.
6. Press C#3 (key 61) to hide the movie.
7. Press E3 (key 64) to stop the movie.
8. Press C3 (key 60) and your blackimage will hide.

If you lose connection or close the VST-editor just hit RESET and CONNECT again.

Easy. Now you can see the log-file to the left.
When you close MVP the log-file will be saved to c:\blafotproduktion\MVP\LOGS\

Notice! The VST-Gui needs to be opened to sedan the triggers to the client. If you need to hide it just drag it outside the screen. 🙂

The GUI shows the server-ip that you need to connect the server on the first row.
It also shows the command you are sending on the second row.
On the third row it shows the numbers of connected clients.

The red square shows midi activity.

Klicking the Blue Feet opens www.blafotproduktion.se and the MVP logo www.blafotproduktion.se/mvp (this page).

The buttons on the lower part is your remotecontroll.

From upper left:

• Blackimage Show/Hide.
• Videoplayer Show/Hide.
• Blackoutmovie Show/Hide.
• Single-Camera 1 Show/Hide.
• Single-Camera 2 Show/Hide.
• Single-Camera 3 Show/Hide.
• Dual-Camera 4-5 Show/Hide.

Row two from left:

• Movie PLAY.
• Movie PAUSE.
• Movie STOP.
• Movie Restart.
• Movie -10 sec.
• Movie +10 sec.
• Movie Loop On/Off.

The remote are created to be fingerfriendly for touch on stage. It can be used if something happens or if a midi-event are missed etc.

With MVP 2 you can use 5 ip-cameras. There are 3 windows with full screen of single cameras and one window showing a dual-camera view.

The cameras are showing insode an Microsoft EDGE-Browser embedded in the window so you need to use cameras that can stream raw video to a browser without borders, menues and buttons.

I use five old discarded android phones whit  no battery time and a small app called DriodCamX. Works well. I use it on a dedicated router, also an old smartphone without internet, just use it as a router.

Some things to have in mind:

• You can use the camera-windows to show webpages.
• Running the cameras on a slow net or slow cameras can make some lagging.
• There are always some lagging using ip-cameras and wifi. You have to pay a lot more to avoid it. Sorry.

How to use cameras?

On the top right you have some adressfields for your cameras. Use direct links to the video-stream. Click SHOW-button. Wait and it will show your camera output.
You can now zoom etc and adjust the camera-video to your screen.

Close the window by click the black border once.

On each Camera-window you have a small black square on the top left. It is a button to refresh the browser inside the window.

Notice:

The adress can not be adjusted without closing the application. Sorry for that.
But it is stored in settings as the application closes.

Scripts lets you controll a series of command using just a single midi-message.

Lets say youre a piano-player live and want to controll your videos in realtime.

You use your right foot to controll sustain (cc#64) and have a second foot pedal set to soft (cc#67) as normal for a piano.

You create a script and check the box for enable scripts. Then you set the box to cc67.

Now you can just press ypour foot-pedal and it will run your script untill a blank row. Press it again and it will run next part… Easy.

This only works on local interfaces, not when using VST-plugin.

Lets take a look at one script:

Here the script is enabled and controlled using left piano pedal.

First time you press the pedal it will show the backdrop, wait 500 milliseconds 2 times (1 sec) and then show blackimage and then pause for next command.

Next time you press pedal it will load image/movie 77 and then pause.

Next time it will start play your movie and then show the movie and then pause.

Next time it will close the movie and pause it and pause for next command.

Next time it will hide your blackimage and backdrop and the script is finished.

To run it again just press restart script.

Commands used in scripts:

• Only numbers of the sending midi-key.
• Blank row is a separator and means pause/wait for next command.
• 500 is the code for 500 msec pause.

Renaming PRESETS:

Copy the file “Folders.txt” to C:\Blafotproduktion\MVP\ and open it in Notepad.
Edit the rows to the name you want. You have to rename the folders also for VMP to find it.
You will se the new names in the preset-list after restart.

Multiple clients to the same VST:

In the folder C:\Blafotproduktion\MVP-VST\ you can create the file “CONNECTIONS” and open it with Notepad and type in the numbers of clients allowed to connect on the first row. Default valute without the file is 1 client.

PORT-Number:

The default network port is 50000.

VST-Plugin:
You can change port for the server, the VST, if you put a file on your plugin running the VST in the folder c:\blafotproduktion\MVP-VST\ named PORT.
The file is a textfile and the first row is the port number you want to use.

MVP:
You can change port for the server, the VST, if you put a file on the computer running MVP in the folder c:\blafotproduktion\MVP\ named PORT.
The file is a textfile and the first row is the port number you want to use.

Alternative Setup, FIX-mode:On some DAW:s MVP-VST editor does not respond to midi messages. If this happens you can try the following:

In the c:\blafotproduktion\MVP-VST\ -folder add the file from the archive you downloaded with MVP.
Or create a file in c:\blafotproduktion\MVP-VST\ called MVP-VST-FIX and add the text 100 to the first row.
This makes MVP-VST work in a diffrent way and should ONLY be used IF your vat-editor does not respond to midi.
The value of the first row is update intervall in miliseconds. 100 should be fine (that’s 10 times per second).

In this mode there can be up to 100 msec latency + lan. Remember to just use one key at the time and alse och controller.

In this mode you will see the text >FIX< over the Blue Feet logo in the plugin.

If you have questions, need help or have some ideas please contact us at: support(at)blafotproduktion.se

MVP-2.0 ? – 2022:

• Bugfixes.
• Optimized code.
• Additional BACKDROP-screen using Black color or custom image.
• Multiple Clients controlled by the same VST.
• Script-mode (not in VST-mode).
• 3 Single-Camera windows for IP-cameras.
• 1 dual-Camera windows for IP-camera.
• Finger-friendly remote-controll on VST-GUI for fast access to funktions.
• New keymapping.

MVP-1.1 Mars 01 – 2022:

• Bugfixes.
• Optimized code.
• Presets. 128 diffrent folders controlled by midi CC#6
• Custom names on each patch (advanced).
• Video or Images, MP4 or JPG files.
• MVP-VST shows command sent instead of key-nymber.

MVP-1.0 Feb 08 – 20222:

• Initial release