Skip to main content

Videomancer

warning

This documentation is a work in progress, and all content is subject to change before the official documentation launch.

Videomancer front panel Videomancer rear connections

Overview​

Videomancer is a standalone instrument and development platform for video synthesis. Its open source hybrid digital/analog architecture leverages the best of both domains. With a full complement of inputs and outputs for every signal type, it integrates seamlessly with any studio or performance rig. Videomancer supports a wide range of standard and high definition video formats.

Due to its extraordinary versatility, Videomancer can perform many functions, including but not limited to:

  • Process HDMI or analog video
  • Convert conventional analog video to HDMI
  • Convert HDMI to conventional analog video
  • Decode conventional analog video to 1v modular RGB
  • Decode HDMI to 1v modular RGB
  • Encode 1v modular RGB to conventional analog video
  • Encode 1v modular RGB to HDMI
  • Modulate video with audio
  • Modulate video with low frequency control voltages
  • Modulate video with MIDI
  • Synchronize modulation with MIDI
  • Define modulation frequencies with BPM or tap tempo

Each of Videomancer's 12 Parameters can be driven by any modulation input, or by a unique low frequency oscillator per each Parameter.

Architecture​

Under the hood, Videomancer is an embedded system, a special-purpose computer driven by a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). This is a type of processor that can be configured “in the field” to implement different circuits via firmware. That means Videomancer can perform many different functions with a level of efficiency that would otherwise require custom-designed hardware for each function. Instead of a different physical circuit, the FPGA simply loads a different firmware program. This approach diverges radically from conventional digital graphics that rely on parallel processing on a GPU. Videomancer's architecture imparts extraordinary versatility and power, while remaining affordable, portable, and power-efficient.

Another benefit of Videomancer's FPGA architecture is ultra-low latency, in the range of 0.0001 to 0.0007 millisecond. Conventional digital video devices insert at least one frame of delay, which is 33 milliseconds at 30 frames per second. Videomancer is orders of magnitude faster. Latency is absolutely imperceptible, giving immediate feedback in applications such as audio reactivity.

LZX is committed to making video synthesis affordable to working artists, not just big studios. To keep costs down, Videomancer's design requires very little volatile memory. It can only hold a few lines of video in memory at a time. That's enough for certain effects that are impossible in the analog domain, such as vertical blurring. But it's not enough to store an entire frame, so Videomancer isn't a frame store. It can't convert resolutions or frame rates, or sync one video signal to another. For those capabilites, we offer the TBC2 Dual Video Input Eurorack module.

Legacy​

Videomancer is the second standalone instrument released by LZX, the first being the popular Vidiot. Videomancer shares very little DNA with Vidiot beyond support for the LZX 1V modular standard. Vidiot was envisioned as an entry-level semi-modular instrument with fixed functionality. In contrast, Videomancer is a development platform whose capabilities will continue to expand over time. 15 years of continuous design and manufacturing expertise have culminated in an instrument highly optimized for creativity, portability, expandability, and efficiency. The firmware of Videomancer is part of a shared code base that also finds expression within instruments currently under development, such as Chromagnon, and instruments planned for the future, such as Memory Palace Mk II. The open source Software Developer's Kit opens the door for third party community developers to contribute programs to Videomancer, enriching the creative possibilities for all artists who use the instrument.

Key Specifications​

ParameterValue
Dimensions (mm)234.2 width / 178.1 depth / 75.44 height
Dimensions (inch)9.22 width / 7.01 depth / 2.97 height
Power Consumption12V @ 1000 mA
Power Connectors2.1mm DC barrel
IncludedInternational power supply
Video SyncRear RCA Sync out, rear RCA Multi-format Analog in

Connectors, Controls, and Indicators​

Videomancer connectors and controls

Connectors​

  • HDMI digital video/audio in and out
    • Full-size HDMI jacks
    • Supporting a wide range of digital video formats
  • Multi-format Analog video in and out
    • Triple RCA jacks configurable as:
      • CVBS composite
      • S-Video (Y/C) component
      • YPbPr component
      • RGB component with sync on green (RGsB / SoG)
  • Video Sync out
    • RCA jack
    • For genlocking a modular system or other video devices to Videomancer
  • 1v RGB video in and out
  • Audio/CV inputs
    • Four signal inputs on two TRS stereo mini-jacks
    • Configurable as control voltages or line level audio signals
  • MIDI in and out
    • TRS mini-jacks
    • MIDI standard Type A
    • Input signal passed through to output
  • USB ports
    • USB-C jacks
    • Device port for connection to PC
    • Host port for future functionality
  • microSD card slot
    • For future functionality
  • DC Power
    • Barrel jack
      • 2.1 mm diameter center conductor
    • Power supply requirements:
      • 12 Volts
      • Minimum 1000 mA
      • Center positive

Controls​

Front Panel Controls

  • Rotary Encoder
    • Incremental digital data entry
    • Turn to choose an option, push to execute
    • Define global System settings
    • Choose Motion mode per Parameter
    • Load and save State user presets
  • Navigation buttons
    • Press to access a function on the LCD display
    • White buttons: SYSTEM, MOTION, and STATE functions
    • Black buttons labeled 1 through * : switch focus to Parameter 1 through 12
  • Motion control knobs
    • Adjust modulation for the currently focused Parameter
  • Parameter control knobs
    • Manually adjust continuous Parameters 1 through 6
  • Toggle control switches
    • Manually enable / disable binary Parameters 7 though 11
  • Slider Parameter control
    • Manually adjust continuous Parameter 12
  • Transport buttons
    • Start and Stop modulation in Sync mode
    • Tap to set tempo in beats per minute

Rear Chassis Controls

Indicators​

Front Panel Indicators

  • LCD screen
    • User feedback for System settings and functions, States, Motion modes, and Parameter values
  • Front panel LED lights
    • Parameter knob, switch, and fader LEDs indicate the currently focused Parameter: 1 through 12
    • Motion knob LEDs indicate the active Motion control: Time, Space, Slope
    • Start and Stop LEDs indicate transport playback status
    • Tap LED flashes during transport playback to indicate tempo

Rear Chassis Indicators

  • Power LED light
  • HDMI input and output LED lights
    • Illuminate when HDMI status is active and locked

Signal Paths​

Supported Formats and Standards​

Videomancer genlocks to incoming video, assuming the timing, resolution, and frame rate of the source. It can't convert raster formats, so there's no function to choose resolutions or frame rates.

Resolution and frame rate standards
240p29 (planned)
288p25 (planned)
NTSC 486i59
PAL 576i50
480p29
576p25
720p50
720p59
720p60
1080i50
1080i59
1080i60
1080p23
1080p24
1080p25
1080p29
1080p30

Videomancer can convert between various color spaces and color encoding formats. Choose the input and output options via the System menu, as described in Video Routing below.

Color formats
HDMI YCbCr (YUV)
YPbBr component (YUV)
RGsB component (Sync On Green)
Composite (CVBS)
S-Video (Y/C)

Video Routing​

To choose from the available video inputs and outputs, follow this procedure:

  • Press the SYSTEM button
  • Turn the rotary encoder to select the desired setting:
    • VIDEO ROUTE selects input from either HDMI or Multi-format Analog RCA jacks
    • ANALOG VIDEO IN selects the active Multi-format Analog RCA input jacks and the color format
    • ANALOG VIDEO OUT selects the active Multi-format Analog RCA output jacks and the color format
  • Press the Rotary Encoder once to edit the selected setting
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to select an option
  • Press the Rotary Encoder again to confirm the option

Input Configurations​

HDMI in​

  • Connect a source to the HDMI input
  • Set VIDEO ROUTE to HDMI

Composite (CVBS) video in​

  • Connect a composite video signal to the Analog Y/CVBS input
  • Set VIDEO ROUTE to Analog
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO IN to CVBS

S-Video in​

  • Using a Mini DIN-4 to dual RCA adapter, connect the Y (luminance) component to the Analog Pb/B input and the C (chroma) component to the Analog Pr/R input
  • Connect an S-Video source to the adapter with an S-Video cable
  • Set VIDEO ROUTE to Analog
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO IN to S-Video

YPbPr component in​

  • Connect a YPbPr Component source to the Multi-format Analog inputs
  • Set VIDEO ROUTE to Analog
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO IN to YPbPr

RGB Sync on Green (SoG) component in​

  • Connect an RGB SoG component source to the Multi-format Analog inputs
  • Set VIDEO ROUTE to Analog
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO IN to RGB SoG

1V RGB + Sync in​

  • Connect 1V RGB signals to the 1V RGB inputs
  • Connect a sync signal to the Analog Y input
    • Take a sync output from the front or rear of any module
    • Or take any video output that includes embedded sync, and is in sync with the modular system. For example, the following RCA jacks of ESG3 all include sync:
      • CVBS
      • The Y output in YPbPr mode
      • The Green output in RGB / SoG mode
  • Set VIDEO ROUTE to Analog
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO IN to RGB 1V
note

Videomancer needs to receive a sync reference. That can come from sync embedded in the HDMI or conventional analog video source. 1V modular RGB does not carry sync, so sync must be supplied separately. Sync can come directly from the modular system, or from some other video device that is in sync with the modular system.

Output Configurations​

HDMI out​

  • Connect the HDMI output to a monitor or capture device

Composite video out​

  • Connect the Y/G/CVBS output to a monitor or capture device
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO OUT to CVBS/S-Video

S-Video out​

  • Using a Mini DIN-4 to dual RCA adapter, connect the Y component to the Analog Pb/B output and the C component to the Analog Pr/R output
  • Connect the adapter to a monitor or capture device using an S-Video cable
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO OUT to CVBS/S-Video

YPbPr component out​

  • Connect the YPbPr outputs to a monitor or capture device
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO OUT to YUV

RGB Sync on Green (SoG) component out​

  • Connect the RGB outputs to a monitor or capture device
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO OUT to RGB

1V RGB + Sync out​

  • Connect the 1V RGB outputs to the modular system
  • Connect the SYNC output to the sync input of the modular system
  • Set ANALOG VIDEO OUT to RGB
note

Videomancer automatically syncs to any conventional video signal patched to the HDMI or RCA inputs. However, it is not a frame store like TBC2. To use Videomancer as a decoder to convert to 1v modular video, patch the Videomancer Sync output to the sync input of the modular system.

warning

Videomancer is an ultra-low latency digital signal processing device, but it can never be as fast as a dedicated analog circuit. Any video going through Videomancer is delayed slightly. If Videomancer is patched into the middle of a modular system, between the modular decoder and the modular encoder, Videomancer's output will be shifted to the right relative to the rest of the modular system. The amount of horizontal shift depends on video resolution, frame rate, and the particular program loaded into Videomancer.

Therefore, inserting Videomancer between a modular decoder and encoder is not a recommended configuration. Using Videomancer as an “effects send” may be possible in exotic scenarios where the modular decoder, encoder, and/or sync generator are not sharing the same sync reference, but that would be a non-standard, advanced, experimental configuration.

Operation​

System​

Pressing the SYSTEM button activates the System menu. By default, the current System status, input, and format are displayed. Turn the Rotary Encoder to cycle through the System submenus:

  • PROGRAM
  • VIDEO ROUTE
  • ANALOG IN
  • ANALOG OUT
  • MIDI CHANNEL

To make changes to System settings:

  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to choose a System submenu
  • Press the Rotary Encoder to move the cursor to the bottom row
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to change the setting
  • Press the Rotary Encoder to confirm the setting

States​

A State is a user-defined preset including all information on the current conditions of Videomancer. All System, Motion, and Parameter values are stored within the State. States are stored in non-volatile internal flash memory. Internal storage provides 128 State registers, numbered 0 to 127. Future firmware plans include storing States on microSD card.

To save a State:

  • Press the STATE button
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to select a State register number
  • Long-press and hold the Rotary Encoder for at least two seconds
  • Press the Rotary Encoder again to confirm the Save operation

To load a State:

  • Press the STATE button
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to select a State register number
  • Press the Rotary Encoder
  • Press the Rotary Encoder again to confirm the Load operation

Programs​

Videomancer includes numerous Programs, which are firmware applications that can be loaded on the fly. To load a program:

  • Press the SYSTEM button
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to select the PROGRAM submenu
  • Press the Rotary Encoder to move the cursor to the bottom row, where the name of the current Program is displayed
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to select a Program
  • Press the Rotary Encoder to load the Program
warning

When Videomancer loads a Program, all outputs will be disabled for a few seconds. During Program load, no video or sync signal is present at the outputs. Any downstream video device does not receive a signal, so it may display black, a blue screen, or an error message such as "no signal detected". If this is an issue, such as during a live performance, send Videomancer through a device such as a mixer that always outputs a valid video signal.

note

Some Programs may default to a black output. Typically, the * Slider for Parameter 12 performs the function of fading to black, or luminance keying to black. After loading a Program, it may be necessary to move the Slider to its furthest extents in order to see an image.

Programs include:

  • Bitcullis
    • Bit-crushing / culling / decimation in horizontal and vertical dimensions
    • Posterize, Bit Swap, Dither
  • Faultplane
    • Delay (horizontal shift), Displace (skew), Flip (horizontal mirror)
    • Two independent sets of interleaved transforms, Top and Bottom
  • Lumarian
    • Proc amp controls: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Gamma
    • Horizontal edge detection, Gain, Cutoff, Rectify
  • Passthru
    • Test Program, no effects
    • Invert Y, U, and V on Switches 7 through 9
  • Pinwheel
    • Hue and saturation processing
    • Map luminance to hue and saturation
  • YUV Amplifier
    • Gain (amplitude) and Offset (bias) of individual YUV color components
  • YUV Phaser
    • Phase and Displace (horizontal shift) of individual YUV color components

Parameters​

Any Parameter 1 through 12 can be adjusted manually at any time via the Parameter Knobs, Switches, or Fader. If Videomancer is in Parameter display mode, then the Parameter number, name, and values of the focused Parameter are shown onscreen.

If Videomancer is in SYSTEM, MOTION, or STATE mode, then the LCD display shows the menus for that mode. In this case, the properties of the focused Parameter are not displayed. However, all Parameter controls are still active, and the Motion controls for the focused Parameter are also active.

To enter Parameter display mode, press any of the Parameter buttons labeled 1 through * (Parameters 1 through 12). The selected Parameter is given focus and its properties are displayed.

If Parameter display mode is active, simply moving a Parameter control brings that Parameter into focus and displays the Parameter's Manual value onscreen. Moving a Time, Space, or Slope control knob displays the associated Motion property and its value.

All Parameter controls employ a soft takeover method for updating the value. The physical control must be moved beyond the current parameter value in order to take effect. When the Parameter value doesn't match the physical control position, an exclamation point is displayed on the left side of the value.

Motion​

Each Parameter can be separately modulated by its own individual MOTION source. Modulation is summed with the Manual value set by the Parameter knob, switch, or fader control. The Manual control acts as a bias or offset to the modulation.

To choose a Motion mode:

  • Press the button or adjust the control of the desired Parameter to give it focus
  • Press the Rotary Encoder or turn it by one increment to display the current Motion mode
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to cycle through the available Motion modes

Selection of a Motion mode takes place immediately.

When the Motion mode menu is displayed, pressing the Rotary Encoder sets the Motion mode to Off, disabling all modulation.

tip

To quickly disable modulation for the focused Parameter, press the Rotary Encoder twice.

MOTION modes include:

  • Off
    • Modulation disabled
  • Free LFO
    • Internal free-running low frequency oscillator
    • Not synchronized to anything
  • Sync LFO
    • Internal low frequency oscillator
    • Synchronized to the internal clock or external MIDI
  • CV
    • External low frequency control voltage
    • From one or two channels of the AUDIO/CV inputs
    • Voltage range before clipping: +6.6V to -6.6V
    • Sampled at video frame or field rate, preventing frame tearing
  • Audio
    • External line level audio or mid-frequency control voltage
    • From one or two channels of the AUDIO/CV inputs
    • Sampled at video line rate
  • Random
    • Internal low frequency random noise source

MOTION Control Knobs​

Motion properties are adjusted with the Time, Space, and Slope knobs.

Space always controls the Gain or amplitude of modulation. The range of the Gain property depends on the current Motion mode. For example, LFO modes have a maximum Gain of 100%. CV and Audio modes have a maximum Gain of 400% to accommodate sources with different voltage ranges.

Time and Slope knobs perform different functions depending on the active MOTION mode.

Free LFO and Sync LFO:

  • Slope = waveform Shape
    • Ramp (rising)
    • Sawtooth (falling)
    • Triangle
    • Square
    • Sine
    • Logarithmic (fast out)
    • Exponential (slow out)
    • Parabola

Free LFO:

  • Time = Frequency
    • Oscillation period, in seconds

Sync LFO:

  • Time = Division
    • Oscillation period expressed as the ratio of beats divided by oscillator cycles
    • Beats ÷ oscillations
    • E.g. 1/4 = one beat per four oscillations, 4/1 = four beats per oscillation

CV and Audio:

  • Time = Slew rate
    • Similar to a lowpass filter, removes high frequency components of the control signal
  • Slope = Input channel selector
    • If a channel pair is selected, then the modulation is the sum of the two channel values

Random:

  • Time = Rise
  • Slope = Fall
    • Rise and Fall constrain the random values, not the frequency of the noise
    • Setting Rise and Fall to zero freezes the noise at a constant value
    • Setting Rise and Fall to 100% gives the full range within the LFN Gain property set by the Space knob

Within a Motion property page, the current mode is indicated by the following abbreviations:

  • Free LFO = LFO, Low Frequency Oscillator
  • Sync LFO = LFSO, Low Frequency Synchronized Oscillator
  • CV = LFCV, Low Frequency Control Voltage
  • Audio = HFCV, High Frequency Control Voltage
  • Random = LFN, Low Frequency Noise

Tempo​

Sync LFO Motion mode locks the period of the internal oscillator to a clock frequency. The clock source can be Videomancer's internal timecode, or an external MIDI source.

Press the MOTION button to display the current values of Timecode (TC) and Beats Per Minute (BPM).

Sync LFO mode is deterministic based on the value of Videomancer's timecode, whether that is internally generated, or externally provided via MIDI. All Sync LFO oscillators begin with a phase of zero at timecode value 00:00:00:00. If the Time properties of Sync LFOs are constant, then the exact same phase relationships are preserved on each playback.

Internal Synchronization​

Press the START button to globally activate playback of internal timecode.

Press the STOP button to globally deactivate playback of internal timecode and reset the time index to 00:00:00:00.

note

Videomancer does not have a manual pause button. Stopping playback sends the timecode value to zero, resetting the phase of all oscillators. Use MIDI Timecode if you wish to pause and resume playback.

Internal BPM Tempo​

To change the BPM value numerically:

  • Press the MOTION button
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder

To change the BPM value rhythmically while playback is stopped:

  • Press the MOTION button
  • Press the TAP button once to begin sampling the tempo
  • Press the TAP button again to finish sampling the tempo

To change the BPM value rhythmically during playback:

  • Press the TAP button once to begin sampling the tempo
  • Press the TAP button again to finish sampling the tempo

The new tempo takes effect immediately.

MIDI Synchronization​

A MIDI signal supplied to Videomancer automatically overrides the internal timecode.

By default, Videomancer receives MIDI on all channels (Omni). To change the MIDI channel:

  • Press the SYSTEM button
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to the MIDI CHANNEL menu
  • Press the Rotary Encoder to move the cursor to the bottom row
  • Turn the Rotary Encoder to select a MIDI channel
  • Press the Rotary Encoder to confirm MIDI channel selection

BPM setting is determined by incoming MIDI Clock or MIDI Timecode (MTC). Videomancer adopts the current incoming MIDI BPM tempo, even when the MIDI source is stopped. Any manual changes to BPM are overridden by incoming MIDI on the next beat.

Transport functions are also overridden by incoming MIDI Clock or MIDI Timecode. When the MIDI source starts or stops, Videomancer transport also starts or stops. However, if the MIDI source is stopped, Videomancer transport controls still function. We can press the START or STOP buttons to control playback while the MIDI source is not playing. However, we can't change the BPM as long as the MIDI source is transmitting MIDI Clock or MIDI Timecode.

MIDI Clock Start and Stop signals perform the same functions as the START and STOP buttons. MIDI Clock Stop resets the Videomancer timecode to 00:00:00:00, regardless of the timecode value of the MIDI source. MIDI Clock Continue and Song Pointer signals are ignored. Therefore, MIDI Clock is a relative time index, not an absolute one.

MIDI Timecode is an absolute time reference. Videomancer timecode follows the current MIDI Timecode value, but only during playback. Stopping or pausing the MIDI source causes Videomancer timecode to stop, but does not reset to zero. Starting the MIDI source causes Videomancer timecode to update to the incoming MIDI Timecode value, so we can pause and resume playback without resetting oscillator phase. Any other transport controls on the MIDI source, such as rewind, fast forward, or skipping to a different timecode value, have no effect on Videomancer's timecode. Videomancer only responds when MIDI Timecode plays or stops.

If the MIDI source transmits both MIDI Clock and MIDI Timecode, Videomancer gives priority to MIDI Clock. Videomancer timecode is reset to zero when the MIDI source stops.

Firmware Update​

Keeping Videomancer updated with the latest firmware ensures access to the latest programs, features, and bug fixes. The process is very simple and only takes a few minutes.

Requirements​

  • Videomancer and power supply
  • Windows, Mac or Linux computer
  • USB-A to USB-C cable

Procedure​

  • Download the desired firmware .UF2 file from the Videomancer firmware repository on GitHub
  • Connect Videomancer to power supply and switch power to the OFF position
  • Connect the computer's USB-A port to Videomancer's USB-C Device port (not the Host port)
  • Hold down Videomancer BOOT button
  • Switch Videomancer power to the ON position
  • Release the BOOT button
  • A new USB storage device is listed in the computer's filesystem. It shows up as a Raspberry Pi, because that's the control system for Videomancer's USB ports.
  • Copy the firmware .UF2 file to the newly detected storage device. Wait a few minutes for the transfer to complete.
  • Videomancer automatically reboots into the new firmware and displays the currently installed version

Developer Resources​

Videomancer is an open-source FPGA-based video synthesis platform. LZX Industries provides comprehensive development tools and community resources for creating custom video processing programs.

Videomancer SDK​

The official Software Developer's Kit provides everything needed to develop programs for Videomancer with the VHDL hardware description language. The SDK includes build tools, documentation, example programs, and utilities for creating signed .VMPROG packages.

Repository: github.com/lzxindustries/videomancer-sdk

Key features:

  • Complete FPGA development toolchain
  • Program development and TOML configuration guides
  • Example programs (passthrough, YUV amplifier)
  • Visual TOML editor and validation tools
  • Package signing with Ed25519 cryptography

Videomancer Community Programs​

A community repository for sharing FPGA video processing programs. This collection extends Videomancer's capabilities with effects, processors, and creative tools contributed by the community.

Repository: github.com/lzxindustries/videomancer-community-programs

Key features:

  • Community-contributed VHDL programs
  • Automated build scripts for compiling programs
  • Contributing guidelines for submitting your own programs
  • GPL-3.0 licensed open-source contributions

Both repositories are licensed under GPL-3.0 and welcome community contributions.