sold out!

*spark d‑fuser

crossfading for laptops

The *spark d-fuser lets you crossfade between laptops. Whether switching between presenters or pushing avant-garde pixels, hands-on control for mixing DVI, VGA and HDMI signals is now available in a compact and affordable package.

 
Product
 
Product

Controller

A hardware controller developed by *spark live. At one end, the hands-on controls, easily operated by one hand with your attention elsewhere. At the other, the display, menu control and connectors.

Hands-on controls

  • Crossfader
  • Fade to black knob
  • Tap buttons for instant cut to left/right

Menu functionality

  • Mix mode – Set to crossfade mode, with ability to tweak Blend–Additive fade curve. Set to a key mode, choosing from an arbitrary number of keying colour presets, with ability to tweak/reset the colour parameters.
  • Resolution – Set output from a curated list of resolutions, which will also set the corresponding resolution options advertised to the sources. This curated subset can be easily changed via editing a text file on the internal USB drive.
  • Network – Set to send/receive the crossfade and fade to black positions over either OSC; ArtNet; DMX in or DMX out.
  • Troubleshooting – A negotiation happens whenever DVI/HDMI devices connect. The *spark d-fuser has gig-tested strategies for this, handling the details of HDCP and EDID so you don't have to. If there is a problem, this menu has problem-orientated fixes to try.

The network communication uses an RJ45 socket, with a hardware toggle to switch it's mode between Ethernet and the RS485 of DMX. Network cables will plug straight in, for DMX equipment using XLR 3 or 5 pin connectors adapter cables can be easily made up or purchased online.

Dimensions: 81 x 131 x 45mm, 0.52kg

Processor

A TV One 1T-C2-750 upgraded to d-fuse specification: configured to partner the controller, extra resolutions pre-set, and upgraded with custom firmware providing additive mixing.

The video sockets on the processor are single-link DVI-I (Integrated), meaning that DVI-D cabling and VGA cabling (via DVI-A to VGA adapters) can be used interchangeably. The processor's output drives VGA and DVI simultaneously, to take advantage of this use a 'DVI-I Male to DVI-D Female + VGA Female' splitter cable.

The 750 is also fully compatible with HDMI sources and outputs: use DVI-D to HDMI cabling and choose an appropriate resolution from the controller's menu.

As supplied, the curated list of resolutions selectable from the controller is as follows.

  • Office projectors: VGA - 640x480, SVGA - 800x600, XGA - 1024x768; all at 60Hz
  • Desktop monitors: WSXGAPLUS - 1650x1050, WUXGA - 1920x1200; all at 60Hz
  • HD: 720P - 1280x720, 1080P - 1920x1080; all at 60Hz
  • DualHeadSVGA: 1600x600 at 60Hz, timed as per Matrox Triplehead2Go Digital Edition
  • DualHeadXGA: 2048x768 at 60Hz, timed as per Matrox Triplehead2Go Digital Edition
  • TripleHeadVGA: 1920x480 at 60Hz, timed as per Matrox Triplehead2Go Digital Edition

This is a subset of the processor's available formats, with coverage for over 100 more permutations of resolution, refresh and other parameters. For full details of the processor's capability see the TVOne 1T-C2-750 spec sheet; advanced users can full take advantage of the 750's deep customisability.

Dimensions: 200 x 90 x 30mm, 0.25kg

 
spark-d-fuser-packaging-opening

Purchase and production

The *spark d-fuser is sold out. The first production run was crowd-funded in 2012, and units were sold on-line for three years thereafter. Quite the journey. Thanks in particular to Bob Carter of Outsource Electronics for manufacturing and logistics. Recommended.

The video processor used by the *spark d-fuser can still be purchased: the 1T-C2-750, available from TV-One stockists worldwide.