Video: Camera-based concept turns any surface into a DJ deck

DJ MoCAP, master of time and white space, has developed a camera-based controller for the TRAKTOR Scratch DJ System. Just sketch the deck onto a piece of white paper and turn any high contrast surface into a mixing table. There seems to be a bit of latency but overall the system looks fairly responsive. Why? Why not, we say. Video demonstration after the break.

[Thanks, Brian]

[King Mustard @ Jul 31st 2008 6:19AM]

Cool idea :)

[Josh @ Jul 31st 2008 11:34AM]

Yeah, it's a great idea. Another idea, not as "interactive" is the one presented by Evernote, as you can read here http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=617&doc_id=159468&f_src=flffour . They have a software that recognizes handwriting and normal text and indexes it on you phone.

[ShadowKain @ Jul 31st 2008 11:44AM]

I hope this makes mainstream :)

[OneLove @ Jul 31st 2008 12:18PM]

...dude i do the same thing with nipples.

[TheGeektoriousBIG @ Jul 31st 2008 6:39AM]

Being a turntablist, this is crazy. "Hey I forgot my decks at home, you got a sharpie and scratch paper I can use for tonight's gig?" Awesome. Keep it up.

[Choppa @ Jul 31st 2008 7:09AM]

lol "scratch" paper!

[Josh @ Jul 31st 2008 6:45AM]

Looks awesome.

[TheWakeUpCall @ Jul 31st 2008 6:48AM]

Well, traktor scratch is very expensive, so the only people who will be able to afford this would be able to afford real decks anyway. Nice idea though.

[albert @ Jul 31st 2008 7:00AM]

This would be awesome for other things too like composing music or a(n extremely) custom gaming pad.

[boob @ Jul 31st 2008 7:01AM]

whats that bottle next to the laptop, looks like the label is in russian

[Bunson @ Jul 31st 2008 11:47AM]

You should change your avatar to the engadget logo with a bust.

[IT News Blog @ Jul 31st 2008 7:07AM]

This guy is a genius! awesome! I can see many other potential uses for this

[gigerkatt @ Jul 31st 2008 7:12AM]

Uh, how does the camera know when his finger is down or up? Color me skeptical.

[Andir3.0 @ Jul 31st 2008 8:27AM]

I'm trying to figure out why the marker didn't trigger the effect as well.

[Andir3.0 @ Jul 31st 2008 8:32AM]

I'm trying to figure out why the marker didn't trigger the effect as well.

Also, why didn't it trigger when his hand covered the entire circle in the lower right?

[Andir3.0 @ Jul 31st 2008 8:33AM]

And why the annoying delay on comments Engadget? Are you using this "protoype mixer" for you're comment approval system as well?

[John @ Jul 31st 2008 7:23AM]

They've had a concept similar to this for a while on their other DJ software that tracked arm movement. This is a nice step forward.

[peter @ Jul 31st 2008 7:30AM]

I'd like to see the surface which wont degrade your finger-tips
cool though..

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 31st 2008 12:25PM]

Its paper, not sandpaper.

Even the keyboard you're typing on 'degrades' your fingertips.

[D.Sneed @ Jul 31st 2008 7:55AM]

I dunno, how does it track his finger pressure? There's too little info with this.

[Chris @ Jul 31st 2008 8:07AM]

Colour me skeptical as well, or at least intrigued as to how the video signal is processed to know whether the finger is actually touching the paper or hovering just above it.

[anabouboula @ Jul 31st 2008 8:46AM]

Meh!...Playstation eye wannabe

[fashionista @ Jul 31st 2008 8:54AM]

1999. MIT New Media Lab. Done.

[kastonie @ Jul 31st 2008 9:35AM]

numark cue (virtual DJ) already has this feature and you dont need to draw a circle....just aim the webcam at a solid color surface and pass your hand in front of it...it works pretty alright....

[Jesse Chemtob @ Jul 31st 2008 11:47AM]

Yup. Nothing special other than a cool feature - as far as using this to actually DJ, I wouldn't suggest it if that is your career path...

[madgamer @ Jul 31st 2008 11:41AM]

I hate to be a skeptic, as this seems do-able, but you never see his left hand which could just as easily be controlling a mouse/tablet to fake it, even in real time.

[Josiah @ Jul 31st 2008 12:18PM]

Logically, his left hand is holding the camera. ;)

[hello @ Aug 7th 2008 10:42PM]

sometimes there is delay, sometimes there isn't. Left hand never is shown. there could be another person holding the video camera.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 31st 2008 12:27PM]

Did you really just register that name just to post this comment?

[vic @ Jul 31st 2008 4:17PM]

Old stuff. Virtual DJ had this feature 3 years ago already. And you could use a simple webcam not to track the movement. Anyway the setup is too big to be used on everyday basis. Just imagine - you'll have to carry 2 video cams with you )))) Great. And what about the light? How the cam will track movements if it's dark? So we'll have to get two daylight lamps... + if i'm not mistaken, he is using external VIVO card. another pair of devices to be taken with ya. But at home if you need midi controller - this method is just great ))) My younger bro uses to control the Sunlight in the club where he works with 2 webcams and some midi software, that converts the light signals from the lightbulbs, placed on his fingers into midi...
btw )))))))) The sign on the bottle is not russian )))))))))))))))))))))

[Vinyl Rules @ Aug 2nd 2008 11:05PM]

Fucking gay.
Just anpther reason added to the long list of why people cannot do what they need to and buy vinyl.
Cheap bastards.
Turntables people!
Wanna use paper? Write a book!
Dorks.

[phanbouy @ Jul 31st 2008 1:48PM]

i'm busy at work on my first novel, it's called "Vinyl Rules is Gay: Or How I learned to stop worrying and love da bomb"

[TheGigaShadow @ Aug 6th 2008 3:27PM]

Dear Vinyl Rules,

You're a dinosaur. And an asshole.

Fuck you.