New TFT Remote Panel with LCD Keys for DFC Console

As promised in the last Blog here is the first picture of the new remote panel as suppled to Twickenham studios.

The main features of this panel are as follows

• TFT Display - able to display more system information.
• 21 programable keys - only the keyboard, Shift, Recall, Store are not programable.
• The lower 18 keys are LCD keys which display the key function.
• Jog Wheel, four LCD keys may be replaced by a Jog Wheel.
• Two Serial Ports and a USB serial port.
• Two or more panels may be connected in a daisy chain.
• Direct connection to CBServer via the USB port.
• Sony 9 pin Input for control from desk
• Software updates and keyboard programming via USB port.
• USB Powered  

Fully compatible with existing systems this panel is currently available as a remote to the RM-6 and existing systems as shown in the updated Twickenham block diagram (previous blog). Below is a system diagram using two DFC-TFT remotes and a RM-6.

Atmos, Twickenham and Multi-Machine Track Arming enhancements to the Sony Protocol

It took a few try's to get the system at Twickenham working properly with two 64 track recorders, but after 1 week it seems to be working well. As part of the installation I installed the prototype of our new TFT based remote control panels - see the next blog entry for a full description

If two 64 track recorders becomes normal then it will be necessary to reconfigure the communications between the console and the machines/machine control system. The DFC has 6 sony P2 ports that will support 48 tracks per port but a number of consoles only have one port.

The standard Sony protocol can only control one recorder, here are three possible solutions to track arming multiple machines from a single sony protocol port

1) Implement our xmc protocol,   a number of years ago Harrison implemented this which allows them to track arm multiple record machines. The advantages - no modification required to our systems and frame accurate timecode without video syncs, disadvantage - a major change to the console communications s/w.

2) Map the tracks over multiple ports, the maximum possible is 112 which can be mapped over multiple tracks. The advantage - no modification required to the controlling s/w, disadvantage absolute maximum number of tracks is 112, not all serial ports implement the maximum (eg. DFC 48 maximum),.

3) Enhance the Sony protocol to support multiple recorders. The advantage - can support up to 112 tracks per machine, disadvantage - The controlling s/w must be modified to support the new commands. Most of the required commands are present in the RM-6 to support the our multi-machine protocol (xmc) a subset of these can be added to the Sony protocol.

What are we doing about multiple record machines?

1) The next release of the RM-6 will include all the above solutions. Once implemented the commands will be available for any manufacture to use.

2) I am currently updating the serial control system for one mixer manufacture to increase the number of record channels to 96,  at the same time I will add the commands to support multiple record machines.

Recording up to 192 tracks on two Protools from a DFC

As noted in a earlier blog the DFC can only arm 48 tracks on each serial port, this two ports are required to arm up 96 tracks on a single machine. In order to record up to 96 tracks on two machines 4 ports are required!

The diagram below shows how this is done and the menu settings required to achieve this at Twickenham Studios.  Note that the menu entries are for the latest version of the X4 and RM- software which were updated this week. Contact me for further details if you need them

Diagram updated to include a second remote, our new DFC-TFT as requested by Twickenham.

Detective work in Paris

Some months ago Daniel (our French representative) complained that every morning his SR-4 crashed when turned on, when reset or restarted it worked without problem. My test unit in the UK however did not suffer from the same problem even with identical software and setup.

A visit to Paris found a bug reading the EEPROM that caused the unit to crash if it could not interface with the EEPROM there remained the problem of why it was not reading the EEPROM.

This week Daniel swapped the chip used to read and write to the EEPROM, this cured the problem, but even when the old chip was put back the problem was gone!

The moral of this story is that if you are having strange problems on old equipment (the SR-4 4 was probably 15 years old) try removing any IC's on sockets and cleaning them!  

Advance Information on a new remote for the RM-6

Bellow is the TFT-422 the first in a new series of remotes that we are developing this year, This uses a TFT Display, with combination of  LCD keys and normal keys.

In developing a new remote for the RM-6 we have added two features to our remote controls, as follows

1) TFT display, our new interface can drive 3.5", 4.3" and 5" displays, the TFT display is the same as used on most smart phones and gives a bright clearly legible display capable of showing more information than the existing 2x40 LCD display.. One of the more obvious differences in designing a panel for LCD or TFT displays is the shape, this required changing the panel and the layout of the display. The display on the above panel is a 3.5" TFT.

2) LCD Keys, allowing macros to be changed easily, allowing individual users to define there own key sets. In using LCD Keys you have to take in consideration that they are bigger and deeper that our standard switches  and cost 15x as much. Because this is a free standing unit it would be impossible to use LCD Switches at the front as they are too deep.

We are also planning a new built in panel with all LCD keys except for the Numeric keyboard with an option of extra keys or Jog Wheel

Digitizing Audio from Film using Wordclock as a reference

When transferring audio it is important for the audio to run at the correct speed, positional lock with the moving image a separate procedure often using a punch frame or clapper at the beginning of the reel . If the speed is not correct the sound and image will drift apart, the longer the reel the further they can drift.

We were asked to devise  system to make a simple locked transfer from film to Digital Audio, the customer also wanted to control the film from the DAW. We recommended  our BS-1 Bi phase generator with Sony 9 pin control input. To simplify the system added  a wordclock reference input to the BS-1 removing the need to a video sync generator.

If the workstation does not have a Sony 9 pin output but has Midi Machine Control then our P2MMC-usb can be used to control the BS-1.

Protools Loops, LTC Dropout and Master Error (RM-6/SR)

This week I have added yet another menu to the software as follows!

Menu 022- Rdr Dropout/Master Code Jump
0= Ignore 1=10frm Dropout 2=Re-Lock

The default selection in the original software is equivalent to 1=10frm Dropout.

Protools Loops
When you loop on Protools as a master the slave machines did not follow as the standard setting will roll over timecode jumps, Select 2=Re-Lock for the slaves to follow.

LTC Dropout
For Live performance I have been asked to make the system Jam to the LTC and then ignore dropouts. Select 0=Ignore for this. Once the system has seen timecode the generator will run as master until either
1) The Reader receives Stationary timecode
2) The unit receives a stop command.

Master Error
The software now displays a master error (the difference between the generator and the master timecode) in the same way as the slaves. The master error is only displayed when not zero. If not zero and changing then the the master and controller are not locked to the same reference.

 

VDCP - Video Disk Control Protocol

With the onset of file based systems I am surprised that I have not been asked before to implement this protocol. A few years ago we added the DD35 protocol to the SR-4 for FranceTelevision to control a EVS Video Server using . We have also implemented some Odetics support. The DD35 and  Odetics protocols  are both of these are extensions to the Sony P2  protocol as is our own xmc protocol used by CBServer. VDCP uses the same RS422 format and speed but has a completely different structure.

I have modified our Sony P2 test software to include the basic VDCP command set and we can now read the file names, select clips and control the transport, the next step will be Synchronisation and Insert Record.

There are still a few commands that I am having trouble with, but the basics are there. The first software will be for the the RM-6 synchroniser, I will then add the protocol to the UR controllers.

When will we implement Ethernet protocols? The problem is that no protocol stands out as a standard. Most are in house protocols which are not published, this makes them difficult if not impossible to implement.

No More Eproms!

The RomUpd card and program are now working very well, and all future SR-4's, RM-6's and dedicated systems will have it fitted. This week I was adding a user request to the software and used it for debugging the program. There is nothing like using a program to work out the wrinkles. The installation is also easy as only four connections are made to the processor board with NO track cuts. Just be careful not to lose the screws!

USB-422 Low Latency Driver for Mac

The USB-422 uses the FTDI chipset, this has been very reliable and has the advantage of well supported drivers for Windows, Mac and Linux.

The only drawback of the standard FTDI driver is that it is shipped with a standard latency of 16 mSec which is long for RS422 control, especially at 29.97fps where one frame is only 33 mSec.

The data sheet shipped with the USB-422 includes details of how to reduce the latency and change the com port number for Windows applications, I have just modified this to suggest a latency setting of 1 or 2 mSec and not 4 mSec as before.

Latency adjustment for the Mac is more complicated as the driver must be modified and re-installed. To make this modification easier I have updated the USB-422 web page with a low latency driver and installation instructions.

http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/usb422/usb422.html
  

SR-4/RM-6 Field Programable Update

The SR-4 and RM-6 are both fully supported current products, at one point I was designing replacements but realised that then I would have to support both old and new. I decided to concentrate on supporting the current SR-4 and RM-6. For example they are both now supplied with bi-level and tri-level video sync inputs. The upgrade kit for this is available so that even the oldest of units can be modified.

The SR-4 and hence the RM-6 were designed in the days when EPROMS ruled, all my current products have field programable software and some even have field programable hardware! I finally worked out how add this feature to the SR-4 and RM-6. The new add on board plugs in in place of the EPROM and holds two versions of the software, the programming software (Available for both MAC and Windows)  to reprogram one at any time. The user can then select which version to use, in this way even if the new version is corrupted there is always a working version available.

We will be offering an upgrade kit  and all future units will be shipped with the modification.

Modification instructions will be available on the SR-4 and RM-6 web pages, CB Electronics and selected agents will offer an upgrade service.

Track Arming using Sony P2 Protocol

I am frequently asked "How many tracks is it possible to arm using Sony protocol?"

Using the Sony P2 protocol the maximum tracks that can be armed is 112 calculated as follows
Maximum number of data bytes = 15
One bute is used for analog audio, video and Insert or Assemble
14 bytes may be used for track arming 14*8 = 112

The track arm tally request command includes a byte with a byte specifying offset and length making it is possible to request more track arm tallies but this is not normally used.

Not all manufactures have implemented 112 tracks, within CB the RM-6 and SR-4 support 96 tracks, The UR-422 and UR-422usb support 64 tracks. CBServer currently supports 80 tracks which will soon be increased to 96 tracks. Until recently Pro-Tools supported a maximum of 48 Tracks.


When I originally designed the SR-4 8 or 16 record tracks per machine was standard (DA-88,DD-8...) I provided system track arming to cope with recording onto multiple machines by allowing each record key to be routed to any track on any machine.

With advances in computer hardware it is now common place to have a single record machine with 64 tracks and 96 or more are being discussed.

This question came up recently at Twickenham studios, the AMS-Neve DFC MCS supports a maximum of 48 tracks on each output port, paradoxically the DFC supports 96 track arms internally. To use all 96 tracks it is necessary to use two output ports.

To cope with the limited track arm capability of the DFC output ports CB have written software so that two  DFC-MCS ports are connected to two inputs on the X-4 software. An extra option has been added allowing  the track arming on une input to be offset by 48 tracks.

CBServer with Harrison Console I/F

The Harrison Console uses the same protocol as CBServer (XMC) until now we have only supported both Harrison and CBServer when using an X4 expansion hub. However there are some systems using just a SR-6. This does not allow for the simultaneous connection on the console and CBServer.

The latest software allows Port E and F to be used for CBServer and Harrison.

Note1: Port E must be configured as an input
Note2: The interface is controlled by Port F, if communication to port F is terminated then port E will also terminate!

Timecode Levels

For most of our products the timecode output is designed for the analog world. The level is fixed at 1.2v Peak to Peak with a 40uSec rise time and  rounded corners in order to minimize crosstalk  Recently we have noticed a number on computer based systems that require a higher level on the timecode output. Where I have fitted a gain resistor this is quite easy, just add a suitable resistor, where this is not possible the simplest solution is to double up the diodes as shown in the diagrams below .  

RM-6 Generator Ouput with two extra 1N4146 Didoes Added

TC-5 Timecode output with R10 = 10K for 6dB gain

You can find most circuits at the following url

http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/circuits/circuits.html

Japan: Protools 10.2 Local Mode, Latency, Locate Interval

Japan
I returned from Japan two weeks ago, I had a great time there, Tac Systems are great hosts and made me feel very welcome. It is not very often that I can get 8 days concentrated on synchroniser software!  Jun Yamasaki  who has a deep knowledge of synchronisers pushed hard to get what his customers wanted from our software!

NHK asked for a version of software that would always power-up in the same way by reading the user settings from eeprom and not power-up the same as last used. To do this it was essential that all important settings were saved. I will add this software to the web in future as an option.

Protools
Tac Systems are also a Protools agent and this allowed me to investigate some recent problems with the interface as follows

Protools: Remote Control in Local Mode
Protools now provides a setting that allows remote control when is local mode, unfortunately this mode does not support the special enhanced synchronisation controls that Protools introduced. If you wish to use this mode then change the following settings

Setup/Iface/Chase/Chase type
Change from 6=Isync to 5=+-

Setup/Iface/Chase/Initial Play Command

Change from 2=PNoAud to 0=Play

Protools: Latency

The latest versions of protools can be very slow to respond to Serial communications, I have modified the test display in the latest software to include a Latency problem display (See section 7.42 of the User Manual on the web site).  The solution to the problem is to switch to a less demanding communications mode

Setup/Iface/Chase/Serial Position Request
Change  from 0=Mid to 3=Start-O

If using Windows you should adjust the port latency to 2 mSec using the Device Manager.

Protools: Locate Interval
Locate interval is a new parameter that we have added to improve the response of tapeless systems, In the past the locate interval was fixed at 6 frames. In the latest software this parameter allows for slave machines to follow closely in  Jog and Shuttle.

Not all machines can accept very rapid locate commands. This parameter sets the interval at which you send the commands, Avid Media composer for instance insists on finishing one locate before accepting another and puts locate commands into a queue.

Setup/Iface/Chase/Locate Interval * 2
Set to 4 for Protools

               

RM-6/SR-4 Software update

It has been to long since I made my last entry, I must try and post updates more frequently!

Today I found a bug in the SR/RM software when running NTSC Drop code together with Non Drop code . The bug is only evident when using slow responding machines where the controller only communicates once per frame, for instance Pro-Tools. The new software fixes this problem.

The office will be shut for Christmas and New Year from the 23rd of December to the 2nd of January. I am looking forward to my first trip to Japan on the 4th of January I will be there until the 14th of January. No doubt I will be very tired after my trip!

Happy Christmas and a enjoyable New Year to you All

Colin

Q2Midi: VM-15 Cue list to .mid file conversion

We have received an enthusiastic initial customer reaction to the VM-15 HD streamer, one of the first customers has immediately started using the Midi trigger, the only problem they had was the time taken to manually enter the timecode numbers from a .pdf, .txt or .doc file onto a midi track within Protools or any other DAW.

To solve this problem I have written a small program for both mac and PC 'Q2midi' that will convert .pdf or .txt files to .mid files (You can export a .doc file as a .txt file) here is a screenshot

more information at http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/vm15/vm15.html

VM-15 HD Streamer

We now have the VM-15 HD streamer  in stock,

 The main features are as follows

• SDI or HDMI input, SDI and HDMI output
• Trigger from contact closure, Beep, Midi, timecode list
• Up to 4 simultaneous wipes
• Timecode insertion
• Text insertion
• Price £2,500

The designer of the VM-15 Jim Ketcham is well known in the film industry for numerous products including Biphase, Counters, and the timecode for DTS

More information at http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/vm15/vm15.html

New chase parameter for SR-4/RM-6

In Jog and shuttle the SR/RM uses a combination of locate and fast wind commands to keep the slaves in sync with the master machine. On linear machines fast wind commands are used when the difference is greater than one minute, on non-linear machines and on linear machines when the difference is less than one minute locate commands are used.

In an ideal world the locate is updated on a once per frame basis, unfortunately some machines get confused when receiving frequent locate commands. and in earlier software we sent locate commands on 10 frame intervals.

On current software we have introduced a new parameter to determine the interval between locate commands:

Setup/Root/IFACE/chase/Menu 067 Locate Interval.
0= 1= 2= 3= 4= 5= 6= 7= 8= 9=   +1 Frm

On a Bonsai drive for instance I am able to set a locate interval of =0 in this case a locate command is sent every frame. I will update this post with more information once I have the figures back from other machines.

External Timecode display for CBServer

CBServer now supports the PunchLight Studio Display as shown below.  The display connects to the computer running CBServer via USB for both data and power. Other PuchLight displays may be connected using a USB to Midi converter.