XPand: A new product derived from the AMon Monitoring Interface

For the past two weeks I have been working on the software for the AMon (our new analog front end for the TMC-1). Whilst working on this we have received requests for a low cost way of adding Dolby Atmos or Auro 3D to an existing XMon system. Using the AMon hardware the XPand IU rack mount unit will add 8 channels to and existing XMon or AMon system. This will provide one input and one output with up to 16 channels.

Using XPand with the XMon and TMC-1

The XPand monitors the commands to the XMon, the dim, mute and gain follow the XMon commands.The XPand outputs are enabled when both main input and main output are selected.

Four  inputs are enough for the top speakers, by adding some switching to the XPand the remaining four inputs on XPand can be used to switch the rear speakers between 5.1 and 7.1 The TMC-1 has a user switch for this which also adjusts the surround output trim to compensate for any level change.

Using XPand to switch the surround speaker configuration between 5.1 and 7.1

When controlled by the TMC-1 individual speaker trims are available with individual speaker naming available from the USB port. When controlled by a ICON console the speaker trims can be adjusted via the USB port.

We are beta testing both the XPand and AMon in March provided the metalwork arrives on time.

A tale of four Cables Update

VGA DDC Cables should work, unfortunately not all work. We have found a source of cables that work, so far we have tested the 5m and 7m cables both of which work. We have ordered a stock of 7m cables and a sample of the 10m cable to test After our experience with a different brand of cable (see below) we ae testing all cables before shipping!

Our original tests
After testing 4 different cables we chose the best, the sample cable was only 3 meters long, we then bought a number of 5m cables for stock only to find when we tested them that they did not work! If you are purchasing your own cable be warned - some VGA cables are more equal than others.

TMC-1-Dmon: Trinnov D-Mon Remote

I have been working on the TMC-1-DMon software for the past week - it looks like I will be able to release it next week.

The TMC-1-DMon interfaces with the D-Mon via ethernet using the same protocol as the web browser interface. This will allow us to add functionality whenever Trinnov updates their software.

The initial version is an improvement on the TMC-1-Xmon interface providing added functionality and using tallies from the D-Mon allowing changes made on the web browser interface to be reflected on the TMC-1.

For the interface to function correctly the D-Mon mut be setup with the same framework as the TMC-1, the user can assign the input and output ports as required - (not all ports have to be connected). The screen shot below shows the main web browser display with the three cue inputs hidden.

The TMC-1-DMon will be the same price as the TMC-1-Penta and existing users of the TMC-1-XMon can purchase a software upgrade,

New Film Monitor Module - a Work in progress

It is the run up to Christmas, tomorrow we should receive a DMon which I will look at over the break in order to develop the ethernet interface between DMon and the TMC-1.

Whilst waiting for the DMon to arrive I worked on our new Film Monitor Module. Below is a picture of the new unit, still waiting for the front panel overlay but with fully working software.

The film monitor module is the same size as a Avid S6 fader module and may be used stand alone or in the S6. The module includes both the PD-1 and TMC-1, although separate they work together. The Pec Direct can read and build stems from Protools track name information and pass this information to the TMC-1. I plan to add an option to implement the pec/direct monitor functions in the NTP DAD AX32/Penta 720.

The monitor controller is identical to the stand alone TMC-1, the pec-direct section is based on the PD-1. To fit the pec-direct some compromises were necessary, even after saving as much space as possible I still had to lose 3 switches on the left which will involve changes in the functions of the three master switches on the right. The other obvious change is the new OLED display, big, bright and a great viewing angle.

The new 5.5" 256x64 graphical display posed one problem - what do do with all the extra display space? I always liked the DFC stem based track arm display, this inspired me to attempt a similar function in the OLED display. By labelling the stems on alternate sides I was able to fit eight 8-track. The display below shows four 6-track stems with no tracks in record.

TMC-1-DMon Progress

On Monday I visited Trinnov in Paris to determine the current status of the TMC-1-XMon interface with the DMon and define new TMC-1-DMon interface.

TMC-1-XMon
Within the limitations of the DMon - XMon interface the system worked well but it is important to realise that not all XMon functions are available within the DMon, more will be available in the future.

Talkback
The DMon has one talkback input only and the have assigned it as the External Talkback input, by default the talkback keys on the TMC-1 are for the Internal Talkback Mic (T/B 1 and/or T/B 2), You will need to change these to T/B 1x and T/B 2x to control and enable the external talkback Mic.

Note that Talkback is not available to the Headphone output.

Meters
The DMon has not yet implemented a meter output.

TMC-1-DMon
Early next year the DMon version of the TMC-1 will be available, this will connect via Ethernet to the DMon and be able to control any setting available to the DMon s/w. As more functions are added to the DMon the TMC-1-DMon s/w will be updated to match.   

TMC-1 Cue Send Display, AMon and Trinnov

TMC-1
This week I took a break from designing the AMon and looked at the Cue sends on the TMC-1.

Cue Dim
Originally when enabling talkback to a cue output I muted all other inputs. I have now added a menu (13) that allows the user to select between Mute Cues, Dim Cues and No Change. Currently the Dim is fixed at 10dB I will wait for feedback from users on this.

Cue Send Status 
I decided to indicate the cue send status of the meter screen, colour is used to indicate status as follows:-

• Black: Cue output is enabled with No inputs selected (Cue 1 in image)
• Green: Cue output is enabled with inputs selected (SLS in image)
• Red: Cue output is Muted with inputs selected (Cue 2 in image)
• Blue: Talkback is enabled and routed to this cue send (H/P in image)

Note: There are 5 cue sends on the XMon version

AMon
I am currently designing the AMon our new analog Monitor system, the AMon  or "Analogue Monitor Controller" will interface with the TMC-1. The AMon is designed for Stereo, 5.1 room and 7.1 rooms. Similar to the Avid XMon but with a number of improvements. The AMon is a 1U rack mount unit and the modular construction of the AMon will allow different versions for Stereo, 5.1, and 7.1. Here is the initial design specification (Click on image to expand!)

The AMon is designed for smaller Stereo and 5.1/7.1 rooms where the user has D2A converters and does not want to replace them with the DAD AX32.

Trinnov
On Monday I am visiting Trinnov in Paris to discuss the details of interfacing the TMC-1 to the DMon. I will post more information on the TMC-1-DMon later.

TMC-1-X~MonCable - our solution

Using a VGA cable and an interface both ends, we will supply the interfaces in two different colour boxes - Black with transformers, White without transformers for current versions of the TMC-1-XMon. The next production run of the TMC-1 will have a VGA connector fitted as standard and only one converter is supplied. We stock 5m VGA cables as shown and can supply 10m, 15m and 20m VGA cables.

Noise - the noise performance is also related to the power supply, to use the HUI interface on the TMC-1 it may be necessary to use a powered hub to remove any power supply noise generated by the computer.