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.

  

Using the UR-422 as a remote to the RM-6 or CBServer(2)

The UR-422 is a small flexible keyboard with user definable keys which may be used to control two RS-422 machines or as a remote directly to the RM-6 or via CBServer(2). Some special commands have been aded to increase the functionality of the UR-422 when used in this mode.

When used as a remote to the RM-6 directly or via CBServer a number of settings have be made as follows

UR-422

Setup/Root/Serial port A(B)/Menu  Position Request Type to 6=XMC

Configure Keyboard as required,

RM-6/SR-4

Setup/Root/Ext/Menu 097 Remote Control of 1= Selected Machine

Setup/Root/Ext/Menu 098 External Machine ID 0=Mast

CBServer

The S9 I/P port must be defined on the S9 I/P window (Access from the popup menu or a macro key)

CBServer2

The Device(Input) port must be defined in the Ports page of the Preferences window

RM-6 and CBServer(2) Commands		CBServer(2) only Commands
Label	Function	Lable
A	Select Port A	CBSrvr A
B	Select Port B	CBSrvr B
C	Select Port C	CBSrvr C
D	Select Port D	CBSrvr D
E	Select Port E	CBSrvr E
Master	Make Current Port Master	CBSrvr F
Chase	Chase Enable Current Port	CBSrvr G
Rec Enable	Record Enable Current Port	CBSrvr H

CBServer(2) Macro Commands

CBServer Macro Commands may be assigned to any CBServer macro in the S9 I/P window (CBServer) or Preferences / Ports window (CBServer2). 

Timed Start on RM-6 and SR-4

I recently developed a new synchronisation algorithm - timed start, this will be available on software after 13th March  2012. Beta versions exist on earlier software, these work to differing degrees. Here are the details



When synchronising multiple machines the time taken to lock is proportional to the
error in frames. The larger the error the longer it will take to synchronise.

In SR and RM synchronisers there are two factors that determine the initial error as
follows
•  The time taken for the master to enter play
•  The time taken for the slave to enter play

With Linear Audio tape machines a park offset (Menu 056) is used together with Start
Advance (Menu 055) to minimise the effect of these two factors.

Non-Linear Audio and all Video machines are parked on the same position as the
master making it impossible to use park ahead. The solution is to use a timed start, this
allows all machines to play with a minimum offset. The tables below shows results with
and without timed start using chase type 1= P (Play command only).

Note: It is not possible to use the timed start algorithm on a timecode chase synchroniser!

To get the best advantage of using timed start it is important to set the Start Advance for the machine and timecode standard as follows

1. Enable “Menu 22 Timed Start” for example set to 5 for a 10 frame delay 
2. Select the Generator as master
3. Select a machine as slave
4. Note the Chase type of the Slave
5. Change “Menu 052- chase type” of the slave to 1=P
6. starting from stop note the Error
7. Adjust “Menu 055 Start Advance” as required so that the slave Error is normally 0, using Stop Start repeatedly
8. Change the Chase type of the machine to the original setting
9. Repeat for all machines including the master

Note1: If timed start is set up incorrectly this can increase the error and increase the time taken to lock.

Note2: Check the complete system using Chase type 1=P, if there is an error on an individual machine then adjust the start advance of that machine. If all slave machines are out by the same amount then adjust the start advance on the master.


Note3: I am working on learning software at the moment so that the start advance in learnt, On current sotware only chase type 2=LP has learning implemented.

Midi Class Driver problems

When using TC-5 or P2MMC-USB some users have reported problems with the Midi Class driver and Windows XP, I never experienced a problem on any computers that I own so I had to wait until I visited Daniel Gollety (our French agent) to chase down the source of the problem. In this case the culpret was a Logitech web cam driver but other users have experienced problems with RME drivers.

Fixing the problem requires that you edit the windows registry, I have posted a pdf with details of the changes/additions to the registry on the TC-5 and P2MMC product pages, here is a direct link
Midi Class Driver Problems 

Changing Time Code Standard on SR-4/RM-6

When changing the timecode standard enter and exit the setup on the SR-4/RM-6. This will ensure that the RM-6/SR-4 sets the correct timecode standard internally and on the output port.

I will update the RM-6 to correct this in the future.

New Product - TC-5 LTC -Midi-USB Display/Converter

I started this design over a year ago but was external presures delayed the product release. Pre-production units are now available at a target price of Euro 550 with a Real Time Clock option to provide a time of day output will be available for Euro 150.

The TC-5 is a 1/2 rack timecode Reader/Generator that can display and convert  LTC, Midi and USB Midi. One of the main  features is that after setting up the required timecode conversion the display may be used to check at the different timecode inputs without disturbing the timecode output.

The TC-5 also includes a number of test functions, including difference, and reference rate measurement. We are so pleased with this product that we have one on every test bench. No doupt using them on our test benches will result in extra test functions being required!
Further information available at http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/tc-5/tc-5.html

New P2MMC-USB Software

Last week I spent several days on the sync separator software used in several of our designs. Eventually I had to change the algorithm so that the various factors involved did not interact. The result is a much more stable sync separator for the P2MMC, Euphonix TT002, and the Nuendo SyncStation.

You can download new software for the P2MMC from its product page, I have sent an update to Euphonix (Avid) and will send a update to Nuendo later this week.