Video-SL Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Serato Video SL 1.1 (Currently in beta) introduces support for all Scratch Live hardware. This includes:

• Rane SL 1 
• Rane SL 3
• Rane MP 4
• Rane TTM 57SL

 

Video-SL is available as both an online download as well as a boxed version.

The Video-SL boxed version includes a printed manual, the TTM 57SL overlay, bonus music videos and loops, and some Video-SL stickers. The boxed version has the serial number located in the box so you will need to wait for the physical product to arrive before being able to activate it.

The Video-SL online download version immediately sends your serial number to your email address but does not come with the manual, the TTM 57SL overlay, the bonus music videos and loops, nor the stickers.

An electronic PDF of the manual is available here.

The TTM 57SL overlay is available as a free downloadable PDF here.

The TTM 57SL overlay is a laminated cardboard overlay which sits on your Rane TTM 57SL mixer on the Scratch LIVE control area. This allows you to see which buttons and knobs are assigned to which Video-SL functions.

The TTM 57SL overlay is included in the boxed version of Video-SL.

Customers who purchase the download version of Video-SL can download a free PDF of the TTM 57SL overlay here.

The recommended container is MP4 with the H.264 Codec for video and AAC Codec for audio.

The video part of your file should have keyframes every 15-25 frames.

If you use Handbrake to encode your video files we have created a preset you can use. There is a preset for PC and preset for Mac.

The license agreement for Video-SL states that it can only be used on one computer at a time. If you want to use Video-SL on a secondary (backup) system as well, but not simultaneously, a second installation is included in your license provided you are not running it at the same time as your main system.

Activating and running Video-SL on more than one machine simultaneously is a violation of the license agreement and will result in the permanent de-activation of your serial number.

Keyframes are special frames used in compressed video formats which tell the codec useful information about the frames coming after them. This allows the frames in between keyframes to be compressed into a much smaller space than if they each were a full description of the whole image. Often the in-between frame information can just be a list of the differences between the new frame and the previous one.

For files designed for maximum compression, the amount of keyframes can be kept to a minimum, and a keyframe might only be used when the entire scene changes between one frame and the next, thus requiring a keyframe to describe fully the frames to come. This can present difficulties when a user wants to jump to different part of the video; the player might have to spend a long time finding the last keyframe, then decoding all the frames from there to the desired spot in the video.

Video-SL does not support MPEG-1 at this point in time. We are investigating the possibility of adding this to a future version.

Video-SL does not support MPEG-2 at this point in time. We are investigating the possibility of adding this to a future version.

There is a known issue with Windows machines and the VSYNC option which can cause excessive CPU consumption and a general feeling of sluggishness when using Video-SL. Please read the following article for an explanation and solution for the most common graphics cards manufacturers
http://www.scratchlive.net/articles/video-sl/?article_id=89

Video-SL supports the following video file container formats:

NOTE: For more information on what a container is please visit http://www.scratchlive.net/articles/video-sl/1931

- MOV
- MP4
- M4A
- AVI
- FLV
- MPG
- MPEG
- DV


Video-SL supports the following video codecs:

- H.264
- DV
- Motion JPEG A
- Motion JPEG B
- MPEG-4

NOTE: Video-SL does not support MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 codecs at this stage.

If video is compressed according to the recommended specs then video files should be around 40-50 megabytes for a 3-4 minute song.

The aspect ratio of an image is its displayed width divided by its displayed height. The most common aspect ratios you're likely to come across are 4:3 (1.33:1) which is universal for standard-definition video formats, and 16:9 (1.78:1) - universal to high-definition television and European digital television. There are also other cinema and video aspect ratios that are used.

Transcoding is a term used to describe the conversion of one format into another. Ideally you would want to re-encode from the original material thus avoiding transcoding.

CODEC is short for 'Compressor-Decompressor', 'Coder-Decoder', or 'Compression/Decompression algorithm'. A codec is technology used for compressing and decompressing data. Codecs can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. Some popular codecs for computer video include MPEG, H.264, Indeo, and Cinepak.

To play back an encoded file you will need to have the appropriate Codec installed. This is a usually the reason why you will be unable to play back a certain file.

Video-SL is a separate add-on program which runs alongside Scratch LIVE. To authorize Video-SL, go into the setup screen in Scratch LIVE. Select the plug-ins tab and click the box to enable Video-SL. You will need to enter the serial number found inside the Video-SL box or the one which was sent to you when purchasing via Serato's online store.

With this complete Video-SL should now be available from the main screen of Scratch LIVE.

iTunes music store video's are often protected so they will only play in iTunes.
If you are purchasing video files from the iTunes music store choose files in the iTunes plus format, these files are not DRM protected and will play in any program.

VOB files and MPEG 2 videos aren't able to be decoded for playback in Video-SL. This functionality will be added in an upcoming version.

For information on converting VOB files check out these Video-SL articles:

MAC: Converting a DVD or VOB file using Handbrake

PC: Converting a DVD or VOB file using Handbrake

DVD-Video discs are encoded in a format which Video-SL does not currently support.

If your DVD isn't copy protected (made with a DVD recorder for instance), it's possible to convert the content into a file or files able to be played back by Video-SL.

For more information on this process, check out these articles:

MAC: Converting a DVD or VOB file using Handbrake

PC: Converting a DVD or VOB file using Handbrake

There are a few things to try:

Check that the files are on the supported file type list.

Check that the codecs inside the files are supported by your system.

A quick way to do this is to open them in quicktime player and see if they play. You can also use the "get info" command in the file menu in quicktime to see details of the codecs inside the files.

Codecs supported by Video-SL are H.264, DV, Motion JPEG A, Motion JPEG B, MPEG-4. You can get more information on codecs here.

The Video-SL output window has taken over your primary display.

Double clicking it will return it to window mode, drag it to your secondary display and then return it to fullscreen mode.

You can prevent this by making sure the secondary monitor is available on starting Video-SL, or alternatively disabling full screen before exiting.

Problem

Video-SL 1.0.2 will crash on start up when using Scratch Live 1.9.0 on Windows machines (XP and Vista)

Solution

1) To continue using Video-SL 1.0.2 you should use it with Scratch Live 1.8.3.

2) To continue using Scratch Live 1.9.0 you should use it with Video-SL 1.1 Public Beta.

This is likely to do with the quality of the converter you're using. We have had reports that many DVI to S-Video cables can pick up large amounts of interference and distort the output image.

Always test your gear before you're in a critical situation, and look at professional solutions for your needs rather than the consumer equivalents.

Depending on the size of video file you are trying to play the hard disk speed you require will vary.
A good rule of thumb is the faster the better.

If you are buying an external drive, one with a speed of 7200RPM (or greater) and a firewire connection is recommended.
USB 2.0 may provide the speed you require but there are deficiencies in the sustained data throughput of the USB protocol that can affect performance.

Yes, with the release of Video-SL 1.1 the Rane SL 1, SL 3 and TTM 57SL mixer are supported.

You can download Video-SL 1.1 here.

Video-SL is designed to output to a secondary display, depending on your make and model of computer, the procedure for setting up an external display will vary. Refer to your manufacturers instructions for enabling a secondary display.

PLEASE NOTE: These are the minimum requirements to run Video SL. For best performance and for use in professional situations we recommend you buy a higher spec computer.

Hardware

• Rane SL 1
• Rane SL 3
• Rane TTM 57SL Mixer
• Rane MP4 Mixer

Mac OS X

• 2 GHz MacBook or better
• 2 GB RAM
• 5 GB free on system drive
• Storage space for video files
• Recommended graphics card:

           NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT* (MacBook Pro)

Windows XP and Vista

• Intel processor, 2 GHz Core 2 Duo or better
• 2 GB RAM
• 5 GB free on system drive
• Storage space for video files
• Minimum graphics card:

           Intel 945 or better*

• Recommended graphics cards:

           Nvidia 8400 or better
           ATI 1650 or better

*A note about Graphics Card performance and effects

Video-SL scales its performance based on the capabilities of your graphics card. Some low end integrated graphics cards may reduce the number of effects and transitions available.