High End Systems DL.2 User Manual

CHAPTER 12 

Global Functions: Collage Generator™ Effect

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DL.2 Digital Light User Manual

You can create Collage arrays in any configuration up to 8 x 8 cells. The native aspect ratio of 
one DL.2 or Axon media server output is 4:3. Some of the arrays configured in conjunction with 
the collage generator will output a different overall aspect ratio. 

The formula to determine the correct size for your collage footage is fairly simple. The native 
aspect of HES media servers is 1024 x 768. You can use these numbers to determine the 
correct size and aspect ratio for all collage configurations. The total pixel count once 
adjustments are made should be close to but not exceed 800,000 pixels total.

To determine and create 8 x 2 collage footage:

1. Open a new composition in a video-editing program such as Adobe After Effects (many 

other programs will work).

2. Multiply 8 x 1024 = 8192 (horizontal/width) enter 8192 into the Width column of you 

composition setting window

3. Multiply 2 x 768 = 1536 (vertical/height) enter 1536 into the Height column.

The correct 
aspect ratio will 
appear next to 
these numbers, 
lock the aspect 
ratio button. In 
this case it is 
16:3.

4. Adjust the Height 

with the Aspect 
ratio locked then 
multiply the 
Height and Width 
and make 
adjustments to the Width until your pixel count is close to 800,000 total. 

5. Once you have achieved a pixel count close to 800,000 make sure it is a multiple of 16 (for 

correct MPEG encoding) by simply dividing your width by 16 and making adjustments.

6. The image shows the resulting configuration determined for a 8 x 2 array.

7. Add your HD footage, size, scale and or crop accordingly, light optimize and out-put your 

master file for encoding.