Scanners won't stay on track still....

[nemix]

K so awhile ago I posted a topic about my scx500s not staying on track. What I mean is they move around fine, cycle through my sequence and then are off when hitting certain spots. This wouldn't be a problem but when I try and hit my mirroball it's a no go after it cycles through about 5-6 times.

This ONLY happens when I use the autoshape function. I've done scenes without it and let it run hours and it never goes off but the minute i put an autoshape in it jumps off track after a few cycles.

So what have I done to fix this?

I've already changed out all the cables
I've already switched out the scanners (tried to use only one or both and then borrowed a brand new one from a friend)
I've already used it with and without a terminator
I've already tryed both an enttec pro dongle and an enttec open dmx dongle
I've tried to up the refresh rate up to 100 (have no idea if this should help or not, but it seems it kinda did, the scanner didn't hit more than 2 spots the whole time i tested and it usually would hit 5-8 different spots when I ran it....) edit: cancel that just hit a third spot....

The only thing I can think of now is the 5 pin to 3 pin connector? I'm trying to get ahold of one...

[remco_k]

So, if you make one sequence, with one step, with only pan and tilt values that all your scanners point to a mirrorbal and you recall that sequence, they all go nicely to the mirrorball as expected, until you have run the scanners with a shape. After that, when recalling "shine on mirrorbal" sequence, your scanners don't shine to the mirrorbal anymore?

-Check the DMX output window (edit->Show output) in FreeStyler. Are the PAN and TILT values still the same as the moment it did work correctly with the "shine on mirrorbal" sequence?

When and how do you manage the scanners to the mirrorbal again?
By restarting FreeStyler or resetting (or restarting) your fixtures? Or something else?
Are you sure that your scanners haven't moved? (sorry, must ask...)

Upload the exported fixture file that you are using in this topic. Just to be sure, we'll have a look. Although I don't think it could cause this kind of problems.

My best guess is that your scanners motors are not keeping up the speed or something like that and therefore they go pointing in another direction as the fixture itself think it is.
After a fixture reset (most of the time can be done by DMX) it should be good again. And if this is the case, the problem definately relies within your fixtures.


By the way, increasing the output refresh rate actually slows down the output. The higher, the slower.
Set it to 20 msec, thats is the fastest. It all should work normally though.

[nemix]

You may be right with the scanners not able to keep up. I need to hook it all back up at my gig and try to make a few different scenes. I set the refresh down to 20 earlier also and didn't notice the difference.

I usually just never use the auto shapes while I'm at gigs and never have to reset any fixtures. I'll try adjusting the speeds next time I pull the lights out, didn't seem like I had the speeds up too much tho, martins seem to move pretty fast. Would be great if someone else with scx500s could report in.

[remco_k]

You may be right with the scanners not able to keep up. I need to hook it all back up at my gig and try to make a few different scenes. I set the refresh down to 20 earlier also and didn't notice the difference.

Depending on what you do with your lights, its possible that you don't notice the difference.

I usually just never use the auto shapes while I'm at gigs and never have to reset any fixtures. I'll try adjusting the speeds next time I pull the lights out, didn't seem like I had the speeds up too much tho, martins seem to move pretty fast. Would be great if someone else with scx500s could report in.

For clarity: you should never be confronted with problems like this. No matter what refresh speeds, shapes and movement speeds you are sending.
The fixture's motorized mirror should always be pointing to the same location with specific DMX values, everytime, no matter what.
If, for some reason, something goes wrong in FS and is sending out the wrong DMX values, then it is logical that de mirror is shining to another direction.

Adjusting the output speed will not solve your problem. But it may change how often the problem occur.

[Partyman]

I have 12 of the same lights and have experienced the EXACT same probem with them and Freestyler. It will also do the same thing after using S2L.

I don't know if its a problem with the fixture but he described ALL the same steps that I have been thru with the same results.

Rusty

P.S. This has been this way since I started using Freeestyler 3 years ago and even in the current release, I have just come to accept it.

[paull]

Have you tried to close the shutter on your lights? I have a sequence called close for each of my lights that resets all the settings.

[Partyman]

We can easily reset the lights with a DMX value, thats not what we want!

We want the lights to maintain there correct positions no matter what we run.

[remco_k]

P.S. This has been this way since I started using Freeestyler 3 years ago and even in the current release, I have just come to accept it.

Lets just say that I think the chances are about zero that FreeStyler causes the problem because of a bug.
I can think of few things:
1. Something (weird) is wrong with the fixture file.
2. FreeStyler is sending out other DMX values under some circumstances, can be seen in the show output window.
3. The fixture itself is buggy or defective.

I posted quite some things that you both should check and do. It will not solve the problems, but it will guide us to the direction of the source of the problem.
Please answer all questions and do all tests.
So also point out what you need to do to get the fixture back on track. I guess a reset is the one and only solution, which actually confirms it is not a problem in FS. But what is the problem, we'll maybe find out then.

[LJ_krede.dk]

to eliminate freestyler to be the cause of this problem, you should try to control the lights with another software (or lighting desk) to see if the problems also happens. what about changing the interface?

[Partyman]

Just so we know a few more facts:

I have tried 3 different interfaces, (Velleman, Enntec open, Enntec Pro).
I have this problem at two different bars with completely different computers and scanners.
I have had this problem using freestyler for over 3 years
I cannot try another software because the features do not work the same way.
I have used about 8 different computers all with the same result
I can run sequences (without patterns) all night and fixtures work perfectly
I can run a pattern at any given time and create the problem
I have six fixtures in each bar, usually only 1 or 2 will go out of sync
It is usually the same fixtures that go out of wack
I am Using a terminator
I have replaced and swapped all DMX cables with no change in result
It also happens after running S2L
It happens on Windows 2000, Windows XP, And Vista. Have not tried 7 at the bars yet

Rusty

[nemix]

well good to hear I'm not the only one. I'l try those steps. Gigs have been comin in like crazy and I couldn't test friday. 6 channel mode totally slipped my mind too I'll try that also when I test them. Thanks and I'll post results asap

[remco_k]

But what I'm really curious at - just to rule out possibilities, goes for you both:
What shows the show output windows for DMX channel values? Are they (way) off also? Or are they the same?
How do you get your fixtures back in "sync" again? By resetting it?

[nemix]

I believe in my previous post about this topic you or someone else asked me about the dmx values. They are the same everytime, so it may very well be a problem with the fixture. I just bought two new ones actually and they both do it too. I'm really curious why though, martin isn't super high end but supposed to be above chauvet and american dj....I'll pray that 6 channel mode works because I love these lights

[nemix]

Just so we know a few more facts:

I have six fixtures in each bar, usually only 1 or 2 will go out of sync
It is usually the same fixtures that go out of wack

Rusty

I haven't tried all 4 at one time, only been running pairs (since that's all I've had)

O and about the cpu update all mone are 1.1 (newest out I believe

[remco_k]

I believe in my previous post about this topic you or someone else asked me about the dmx values. They are the same everytime, so it may very well be a problem with the fixture.

I think it was me.
Well, there is good and bad news.

The good news is; we now know that FreeStyler is not the source of the problem. Like you said.
The bad news is; the fixture has some internal problem. If the pan/tilt channels recieve certain values; it may never (as far as I'm concerned) point to another direction than it did earlier. Thats what you are describing, lets call it pan/tilt offsync.

Now I know that this problem only occur when using FreeStyler with shapes and with S2L and some cues, it looks like that the fixture can't handle the large amount of DMX changes, or big DMX changes rapidly after eachother. Or something like that. With that in mind, it should be able to create a simple sequence that "triggers" this pan/tilt offsync problem.
Then it should be able to create the same sequence on some other DMX controller to trigger the same pan/tilt offsync problem. But all you'll know for sure then its not FreeStyler causing the problem, you have not solved it.
Though, with all that info Martin might be able to point you to a direction, maybe new firmware of the fixture.

[Partyman]

I have spent as much effort that I am going to on this project. I agree that it is most likely a fixture flaw of some sort so I just deal with it.

Rusty

[nemix]

K, got it on 6 channel mode, it's been running through a small scene for a good 10 minutes with autoshapes and no problems! I'm going to ramp up the speed to real fast but it my last test speed didnt matter.....hmmm. I'll keep everyone updated