ArKaos Launches GrandVJ 2

	Screenshot of ArKaos GrandVJ 2

September sees the brand new launch of ArKaos GrandVJ 2, the latest version of the ArKaos GrandVJ software for VJs, DJs, clubs, and musicians.

The new software brings new features that answer the demands of customers in the forefront of the action. Two versions are available: GrandVJ 2 and GrandVJ 2 XT which includes a VideoMapper feature.

New features for GrandVJ 2 include a new interface, VideoMapper module (XT version), new software activation system, what the company calls improved performance, new effects, and support for audio files.

GrandVJ 2 comes with a new interface, making it more user friendly and straightforward, while integrating all the new functionality. Simple color coding (orange for layers, blue for cells) makes editing faster and more intuitive. Existing features, such as panel locks, have been moved and grouped under the mixer for convenience.

Powerful and user-friendly, GrandVJ 2 XT is an 'extended' version of GrandVJ 2 which adds a new level of expertise with the introduction of the VideoMapper extension. This allows projection mapping and advanced management of multiple displays. GrandVJ 2 XT sends the output of layers or cells to virtual "surfaces" which can be scaled, manipulated, and assigned to any video output or display. A single output can display a full-screen visual, or a composite of several mapped visuals, to create complex visual compositions.

The VideoMapper can be used to set up and manage multiple outputs with different content, size, and even resolution -- for example, a mixture of LED screens, a projector, and plasma television -- which the VideoMapper will automatically detect.

Alternatively, even if complex video mapping is not required, visual content can simply be output to a video projector and the surfaces manipulated to flow them across any physical volume, such as objects or buildings.

ArKaos has completely reworked the software activation system for GrandVJ 2 to make it much more straightforward, flexible, and user-friendly, with no more lengthy codes to copy/paste.

GrandVJ 2 can now be activated and used on up to two computers (i.e. main computer and backup) at the same time from just one license.

GrandVJ 2 can also be deactivated on one computer before activating it on another, allowing temporary use of the software on any computer. (The activation/deactivation process requires connection to the Internet).

GrandVJ 2's video processing engine has been updated, bringing support for the latest codecs and improving playback performance, thanks to a better use of multi-threading the company says.

New effects such as edge glow, video signal distortion, or a very useful color correction effect help the user to fix the hue, saturation, or brightness of a video very quickly in a live environment.

GrandVJ 2 can now read audio files so the user can mix video clips, without the need for third party software to play background music, by simply dragging and dropping mp3 files onto cells or layers.

All these new features of GrandVJ 2 (except XT's VideoMapper) are available as a free upgrade from any GrandVJ 1 software.

"We are working hard to give our customers the most powerful and user-friendly VJ software, thanks to our experience and the constant feedback and enthusiasm of our customers," says Arkaos business development manager, Agnes Wojewoda. "We are happy that GrandVJ 2 will be answering so many of their requests in our latest upgrade to hit the market. The response to the beta testing has been great and shows just how much excitement and anticipation there is out there for the next best thing to arrive from ArKaos!"