If you feel like getting into modular territory, theres LZX Industries, but thats composite. A computer is probably the best for this currently. Max/Jitter is a great software for resampling video. Otherwise yes, vintage gear is the option. There are definately boxes out there for capturing via hdmi, but then you are running into a pretty basic hard drive box, or otherwise capturing it in a computer. I think you could achieve what you want with hardware for the sequencing, but doing it without a computer will be tricky. I know Atom™ uses an MPC1000 to simaeltaneously play sound and midi triggering of video, and he completely hides the laptop while performing from the box only. Incidently he uses a pretty basic video software also.
I don’t know any VJs not using a computer these days tbh.
Although, the guy who did visuals for my monthly events, used to have an array of old-film projectors. He spliced his own film loops and threw the projections around the room, onto inflatable white balls.
VDMX or RESOLUME / Midi linked / Ableton
2 computer is best
Resolume is nice because you can use Adobe Animate CC (Flash) and Actionscript and make pretty cool things with code to get data with internet and inject that in text field, etc…
Otherwise you have Alpha channel of course of both to make different layers follow different clip and associate on top of each other
Nice if you imagine part of song as visuals or instruments as actions/characters/ etc…
If it does that could be a good solution
Only thing is, it seems to require that you make music with the opz to be able to sequence the images
Keeping my eye on that one
Due lack of funds, i gave up on VJ programs… I just do clever stuff with obs, and create visually more appealing streams… Not of fancy / configurable, but with clever stuff… is funny… and doesnt break bank…
Cos my PC is cheap, and everyone I’ve ever known who worked with VJ programs had their Pc’s crash or not work properly
I just thought it would be cool to add a box to my (machine only) live set up that could do visuals, and ideally have them synced via midi
If you have an ipad then colorcode seems great. Its really easy i heard. I dont have it myself but thinking about getting it. I saw a guy did an hardware live gig and used his ipad for visuals. He used colorcode.
Buying an ipad might be the best option, I could also use strom and other apple only apps for music
Don’t know how much you have to spend and what annoyingly apple specific cables you need to output the video though
I use the OT midi tracks to run VDMX.
If I was going to get a dedicated controller, I’d probably get a 1st edition APC40.
Dirt cheap, built better than the newer ones.
Friend of mine just put together a LZX cadet series skiff.
Affordable, and compact.