Video: Camera-based concept turns any surface into a DJ deck
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Jul 31st 2008 6:14AM
posted Jul 31st 2008 6:14AM
[Thanks, Brian]
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Cool idea :)
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.
I hope this makes mainstream :)
...dude i do the same thing with nipples.
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.
lol "scratch" paper!
Looks awesome.
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.
whats that bottle next to the laptop, looks like the label is in russian
You should change your avatar to the engadget logo with a bust.
This would be awesome for other things too like composing music or a(n extremely) custom gaming pad.
This guy is a genius! awesome! I can see many other potential uses for this
Uh, how does the camera know when his finger is down or up? Color me skeptical.
I'm trying to figure out why the marker didn't trigger the effect as well.
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?
And why the annoying delay on comments Engadget? Are you using this "protoype mixer" for you're comment approval system as well?
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.
I'd like to see the surface which wont degrade your finger-tips
cool though..
Its paper, not sandpaper.
Even the keyboard you're typing on 'degrades' your fingertips.
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.
I dunno, how does it track his finger pressure? There's too little info with this.
Meh!...Playstation eye wannabe
1999. MIT New Media Lab. Done.
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....
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...
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.
Logically, his left hand is holding the camera. ;)
sometimes there is delay, sometimes there isn't. Left hand never is shown. there could be another person holding the video camera.
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.
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"
Did you really just register that name just to post this comment?
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 )))))))))))))))))))))
Dear Vinyl Rules,
You're a dinosaur. And an asshole.
Fuck you.