Serato Video is a separate Serato plugin that you can download and add to your Scratch Live, Serato DJ or ITCH software setup. This plugin allows you to mix video files. It also gives you the option to add visual effects and transitions from the Serato library or your own image and text files.
This guide will walk you through the process of installing Serato Video and activating the "Demo Mode".
- Activating the demo mode allows you to test the plugin's behaviour on your specific computer setup before you purchase a license.
- Before you download or activate the demo it's worth checking out if your computer meets the required minimum specs.
- When running "Demo Mode" you will not be able to activate "Full Screen" by clicking on the Serato Video output window. You will also notice the words "DEMO MODE" across your Serato Video output window.
STEP 1. INSTALLING
- Close your Serato host application.
- Download the Serato Video installer.
- Install the Serato Video plugin.
- Restart your computer.
STEP 2. ACTIVATING THE DEMO
Once you have successfully installed Serato Video;
1. Launch your host Serato application (Scratch Live, Serato DJ, ITCH).
2. Click the SETUP button.
3. Navigate along to the Plugins tab.
4. Select Serato Video from the list of plugins.
5. Tick the box to Enable Serato Video.
6. Click DEMO to activate the Serato Video plugin.
The Serato Video secondary output window should now launch. The output window is typically used to display the final, post fader output of your video mix on a secondary display system. Learn how to set up a secondary display for your computer.
You can now exit the SETUP menu and return to your main Serato screen.
Notice a "VIDEO" button appear on the top task bar in Serato DJ. (If you are running Scratch Live / ITCH, this Video button will appear above your "crates" window.)
STEP 3. VIDEO DISPLAY & CONTROLS
The Serato Video interface will display three windows.
LEFT DECK > MAIN OUTPUT WINDOW < RIGHT DECK
The left and right windows will display the unmixed video content loaded to your left and right decks respectively, for previewing purposes.
Serato DJ + Video
When mixing videos in Serato DJ, the channel faders for most Serato DJ controller will automatically be midi mapped to the Serato Video channel faders and crossfader, just as it would with audio. The crossfader will fade between the left and right deck (refer to image below).
- If you would prefer to control the Serato Video channel faders and crossfader separately you can, turn your channel faders and crossfader OFF by clicking the LINK buttons.
- You also have the option to midi map Serato Video features to a generic midi controller.
Scratch Live + Video
When mixing videos in Scratch Live, the channel faders will only be automatically midi mapped to the Serato Video channel faders / crossfader if you are using a RANE mixer (TTM57, Sixty-Two, Sixty-One, Sixty-Eight). You will notice the "LINK" buttons have already been enabled. This means if/when you connect with a RANE mixer the channel faders / crossfader will automatically map to these Serato Video features.
If you are using a RANE SL box you have a couple options;
- Use the keyboard shortcuts (refer to Serato Video setup menu to turn this feature on/off).
- Use a generic midi controller and midi map the Serato Video channel faders / crossfader features.
- Some mixers support midi mapping. If you're lucky enough to have a mixer that supports this, you will be able to map Serato Video (+Scratch Live) features to it.
ITCH + Video
When mixing videos in ITCH, the channel faders for ITCH controllers will automatically be midi mapped to the Serato Video channel faders and crossfader, just as it would with audio. The crossfader will fade between the left and right deck (refer to image below).
- If you would prefer to control the Serato Video channel faders and crossfader separately you can, turn your channel faders and crossfader OFF by clicking the LINK buttons.
FEATURE TIPS
This should get you started with Serato Video, but to learn more information, such as applying video effects, images, text to your videos, or changing the transition when mixing videos, we recommend downloading the Serato Video manual.
Here's a list of file formats that are supported in Serato Video. We've also put together some video content in association with Brainfeeder artist Beeple to help you get started, get free video content.
Alternatively, if you would just like to explore Serato Video and learn as you go, try clicking on the Tool Tips "i" button to activate Tool Tips:
Tool Tips provide a handy way to learn the various features inside Serato, just move the mouse over a section of the screen to bring up a context sensitive tool tip, which will explain more about the feature you have selected.