Is there a device that can add random "effects" to video from my N64?

February 2, 2010 3:25 PM

Are there such things as a visual effects pedal? Or is this purely in my imagination?

I am going to be DJ'ing a party later this month, and I'd love it if I could hook up my N64 to a projector and have it in the background while music is playing (this is one of my favorite things).

This lead me to another idea. I was wondering if there were a simple device that I could run my N64 through that would add visual effects to the game. I am thinking of various ghost trails, mirroring, just random interesting effects that would make the N64 more interesting for those partying.

I'm peripherally aware of the VJ movement, and that seems really interesting, but I don't really want to get too complex. Plus I only have one computer and it is pretty much running at the brim just playing music, I wouldn't want to completely overwhelm it by trying to get it to process video too.

Any suggestions of a relatively low-cost (<$100 or I suppose more if there are no other options) device that could help alter the video interestingly would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

posted by ejfox to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Some video switchers would let you do this, or a video effects mixers(you would just keep doing wipes/fades/fx between the same input), but it's been a while since I've used them and a quick google isn't turning up anything less than $100.
posted by drezdn at 4:05 PM on February 2, 2010

Nothing comes to find under $100 for hardware, there are a couple so-so free apps that would do the basics, but as you say, you don't want to bog down your machine.
posted by jjb at 6:17 PM on February 2, 2010

Response by poster: Do you think you could provide links to the >$100 hardware and the apps you are mentioning anyway? Just in case I win the lottery or something.
posted by ejfox at 6:32 PM on February 2, 2010

Max/MSP/Jitter will let you build one. Not that that's an easy route for you, but it means they're entirely do-able.
posted by Brainy at 9:21 PM on February 2, 2010

Best answer: The closest thing to a pedal for video effects would be video mixers with digital effects. The panasonic wj-mx series come to mind, they were pro units that used to cost a fortune. Somewhat less money is the Videonics MX-1, a prosumer version of the same thing. Even though these are all like, 1993 technology, you're still looking at like $500-1000 for them.

You might be able to find an Amiga and video toaster affordably.
posted by tremspeed at 9:29 PM on February 2, 2010

Do you want people to be playing the N64 at the same time or will it just be running the title screen? If real-time interaction is not necessary, surely the easiest thing is to record/download a long loop of N64 to a laptop and then use standard VJ software to mess with the output.
posted by turkeyphant at 4:33 AM on February 3, 2010

Response by poster: I was really interested in the aspect of it being live. But that is an excellent idea. Maybe I will do that if I cannot find a better method.
posted by ejfox at 6:32 PM on February 4, 2010