If you haven't already, you may want to look into Processing (Not the JavaScript version but the original created by Casey Reas and Ben Fry). The software and language excel at the kind of 2D data visualization you are looking to do. Although it's been a while since I've read the case studies, IIRC there have been more than a few projects combining video with synced data driven art. Also IIRC you can build your data in Perl and pull it from the software.

The Reas/Fry Processing text book has some decent case studies and a quick search for specific examples on Processing's Vimeo Channel may be worthwhile.

Good luck. I'm interested to hear how it turns out. :)

Additional References:
• Processing Video Library (Offsite)
• Line Graphs (Swinging Atwoods Machine) (Offsite)
• drawing (visualizing) directed graphs

UPDATE: Tuesday the 16th of August 2011: Added 'Additional References' and link to the Processing channel on Vimeo.