Ideas

Some additional info. I don't see such a device already existing. If someone spots one please let me know.

Wikipedia has a nice summary on software visualizers:
http://en.wikipedia..../Music_visualization

...many of which are open source. So long as Linux can be run off a tiny (VGA dongle size) device, and run off USB power, then it could be small enough to plug right into a projector's VGA port.

Cost is key here, if it can't be done cheap its not worth doing.

If people can help me troubleshoot the concept, then I'll set up a market test and see if anyone will place pre-orders. I'll return the pre-orders and just keep that data to justify investment so I can prototype the hardware.

I'm not going to turn this into a CH business until the community has had a chance to offer feedback, but I expect if its viable I'll be looking for people who understand how to implement Linux on firmware, an investor, and someone who's familiar with dealing with Flextronic type businesses (unless there is another way to go about manufacturing).

Thanks for any advice offered on this. -Gord

Gord good idea, although I think there is something like this for professional shows... you want it for the average joe

I use http://www.vvvv.com for dj visualizations. It allows you to make and control pretty much anything.

Very nice idea!

This would totally sell to university kids, especially to fraternities and sororities it would make the ultimate Keg party.

Patrick_Jones... I know you're very active on the site and so couldn't possibly be a spammer... but me only being able to read English... and the first link on that page offering up an image of a Viagra bottle... does that link still go to where you think it does?

If anyone has seen a HARDWARE solution for generating cool visuals please let me know, i'll buy one to check it out.

Gods_Light... i believe there are software solutions for professionals (all DJs should carry a laptop)... and of course non-projector solutions that use liquids and custom lights. Right now I believe there is nothing that is designed to solely convert sound into a VGA signal.

darlinglilred... and stoners! stoner... university students... belonging to a fraternity... in California! Nailed it!

It's a good software idea.

I don't see why you need to build a black box for this when you can set it up with a simple software.

Hell you could just make a linux distro for this.
Dlinux, it would have all the tools a DJ or VJ would need.

]V[oogy

hmmm...very cool..wish i was young again...we used to have a MOBILE (audio) group (HS chums) that provides djying, sounds system facilities for parties and gigs way back in the 80's (where punks and new wave clashes )...

you got my vote!

Moogy, agreed there is already a multitude of software solutions. Unfortunately I am peeved by having to kart a laptop around for the sake of this one app. Basically the device IS a laptop... but sans LCD, keyboard, big-ass power supply. Its just a tiny little PC that boots linux into this visualization app. So the software is solved, its just making the hardware more portable. And I am NOT a hardware guy, so the costs of such a device are beyond me.

Is it possible on an iPod? I know you can get a microphone for them... some have video out. Less processing power, and the video signal would be composite (lower quality). Anyone every plugged an iPod into a projector for the sake of trippy visuals to music, or does it not do that?

To someone who's done sound/lighting/AV for shows in the past, this sounds like a very clever idea. Anything that reduces the amount of gear one has to carry or reduces setup time is a bonus. If the visualisations are good, cost may not be SO much of an issue - if your market is professionals who need visualisations and would otherwise use laptops etc. Obviously if you're aiming at party/student use it's a different story. Perhaps (in the long run!) two versions with different feature sets?

A couple of technical points:

- line in for sound is good - I avoid using built-in mics on lighting effects wherever sending a feed is possible because of the quality difference on most units

- many of the (admittedly lower-end) projectors I've dealt with do NOT have USB ports - a battery power option at least would make it more useable

- ditto for VGA loop outs, though these are more common - for the price of an extra connector it might be worth including a second output

Good idea!

I really like this.

I have no idea if visualisation software uses any kind of read-ahead to keep the visualisation in time with the music so my question might be a red herring: Would this be quick enough to stay in time with the sound input?

Talked to a sober DJ at a music festival. He said quality of visualizations would be key to anyone being interested. He'd consider spending $300 casually on it without a friend's referral. Beyond that he'd need to be quite certain the product was very good. Most DJs who are altering the pitch or speed of their music max out their PC's CPU so usually DJs need extra hardware for visualization anyway, and don't run it all on one laptop in case it causes audio glitches.

And I talked to a stoned DJ. He did not suggest any pricing or likely use case scenarios. He said broadly positive things about my idea, the attitude of the people around us, the water he was drinking, and the music festival in general.

why would DJ's pay for a device, when this can be incorporated with --->

winamp plugged directly into the projector?