Over the past few months I've had the opportunity to demo some cool options for Video Jockeying on a budget.  For newbies there are now a few of hardware-software solutions available that will set you back less than $400.  I'm going to use this post to start a thread on VJing over the next  week or so - here's my first recommended package:

1.  Motion Dive Tokyo: Performance Package

This software was created by a company called Digital Stage and has been a fave with VJs out in Japan for years.  Because of its underground status, the developers were able to test it out in real situations alongside cutting edge DJ performances so you know it'll be something you can use live.

Overally, the controller's nice and fits in front of a laptop comfortably so you can jam with it and your laptop keyboard easily.  The hardware isn't MIDI though - so you'll only be able to use it with this package, however you *can* plug in a MIDI controller through it for added effecting etc.

As for touch and feel, the controller's made by Edirol so I'm guessing it'll be sturdy as they are responsible for the much-faved Edirol LVS 400 pro video controller (which costs around $1,800)... from what I've seen of it, the Motion Dive controller looks sleek but offers little in the way of performance flexibility through a multitude of knob-slider combos... in some of the other controllers I'll review soon you'll see options that cater to more experimental performance styles.

A final note is that the package will offer DJs tactile familiarity; it mixes two channels of video with a crossfader and lets you choose various transition effects plus has channel transforms and beat tapping to synch video loops to your audio source.

This is a great package for VJ newbies who don't want to spend much cash but try out techniques and test out VJing as a hobby...