ETC Emphasis Server

thelightguy87

Active Member
On my latest design gig, the theater has an Express 24/48 with the Emphasis 2D server....anxiously trying to get a grant to get the 3D...its a school...but anyways, it seems to crash...a lot!! too much for my comfort. It may be the size and complexity of the show file, but it takes about 10 minutes to load a show, and while its loading, it says that Emphasis is not responding, I was told to just let it load when it says that and eventually it opens. That I was somewhat ok with, but then Thursday night during focus, the console was idle, with a board op, but he wasn't pressing anything, and suddenly the theater went dark and we had no control, while we had someone in the lift. That struck my nerve and I have the auditorium manager contacting ETC, I'm curious about experience, good or bad, others have had with the Emphasis server.

Thanks,

Mike
 
I just put linux on mine to run magicQ for a show. However, it has been working fine as long as it has been in my control (last 8 months). You might want to have them reload the software from the lowest level, IE format and re-install.
 
On my latest design gig, the theater has an Express 24/48 with the Emphasis 2D server....anxiously trying to get a grant to get the 3D..

My Emphasis has been running almost 24/7 for over 4 years. Neither the server nor console has ever crashed, the console is an Express 48. I have never updated (that I can recall) the Emphasis OS, as I don't believe ETC had updates after '04 or so.

FWIW, I doubt you can update to 3d as it's a discontinued product, but maybe call ETC tech services (800 688-4116) directly to ask, before going the dealer route. I also question the need, especially if the console and server is in view of the stage, as you are looking live at the stage in "3d" and adding it to the server adds zip, as 3D is really only useful (to me) off-line.

I would certainly call ETC to discuss your problems, it's free (even if the solution possibly is not).

I would also consider using Express in stand-alone mode, if you don't use ML's, scrollers, or have channel limitations. There should be a 3.5" boot disk for stand-alone, that's good to keep handy. I would also save the existing Emphasis file in Expression format, JIK.

Steve B.
 
thanks, i'm not sure the lack of problems comforts me about ours or not. I don't know what or how they plan to get the 3D because i'm only working on this one show. I am using about 30 scrollers and 2 cyberlight SV's and 4 Ellipscans. So there goes the stand alone idea. If the crash had anything to do with being idle it would be odd because they leave the server on 24/7 but shut down the console at night. So who knows, we are contacting ETC though.

On a different note sort of the same topic, this console has an option for move when not lit. Does that work the same way as a mark cue does on the HOGIII which is what i am used to programming on. Do you need to give the fixture or device a hard 0 to make it think its off and not tracking through? Just need some clarification on this.

Thanks,

Mike
 
On a different note sort of the same topic, this console has an option for move when not lit. Does that work the same way as a mark cue does on the HOGIII which is what i am used to programming on. Do you need to give the fixture or device a hard 0 to make it think its off and not tracking through? Just need some clarification on this.

Thanks,

Mike

Its standard "auto move while dark" operation. It works pretty well on that console. Its one of the reasons that I use the emphasis system. You do not need to give the unit a hard 0. However, being that the console is non tracking (by default, I don't want to get into that discussion), it sometimes gets some odd things occurring with hard values all over the place.
 
Hi there -

Please, if any of our products are exhibiting this kind of behavior, call our tech service department at 800/688-4116.

With regard to the "leaving the server running 24/7" thing - All PCs benefit from at least occasional restarts. I would highly recommend that they not leave the server on all the time. Did the server come back online ok after restarting and did restarting the server improve the show read time?

Thanks much and sorry for the inconveniences you've experienced...

Sarah

Sarah Clausen
Controls Product Manager
ETC, Inc.
 
What dell computer model was used as the emphasis server's host system? If it was a optiplex GX270 or GX280 that either hangs up and crashes or randomly reboots, then there is more then likely a problem with either the capacitors on the motherboard or in the power supply. Another question: how old is the "server" computer?
 
Hi there -

Please, if any of our products are exhibiting this kind of behavior, call our tech service department at 800/688-4116.

With regard to the "leaving the server running 24/7" thing - All PCs benefit from at least occasional restarts. I would highly recommend that they not leave the server on all the time. Did the server come back online ok after restarting and did restarting the server improve the show read time?

Thanks much and sorry for the inconveniences you've experienced...

Sarah

Sarah Clausen
Controls Product Manager
ETC, Inc.

I usually leave mine on 24/7 except for extended down time in the theatre. The server has been running mostly trouble free for 5 years. I have updated to the last update there will probably be from ETC on Emphasis.
I must say that my machine has been through a lot recently though.... last fall a Big Gulp was spilled into it, frying the power supply. Fortunately the local PC shop had a used one for $20. But recently, the unit locked up completely and would not respond. I went through everything I could think of. Then once it was up (not very stable) I heard the infamous clicking of the hard drive. I ran a hard drive diagnostic on it and it came up with almost 50% bad sectors/blocks. I replaced it with a drive that I had laying around in storage which was bigger capacity, 2 years older, but still same speeds and such. Did a fresh image and I was back up in no time (actually ran faster/loaded faster with the new drive).
We have talked about upgrading in the future, but I don't see that anytime soon. I HIGHLY recommend having some spare parts (or whole computer) on hand in case of failure.
I only have 500 ch in Emphasis and turning the Expression face panel into console only has 400 ch. That puts my Mac's out of the question running it that way. Something to keep on the back burner for future shows....
 
I have the emphasis server and found out why it crashes and takes so long. Click on the Pres tab.

Here it the secret, Pres saves everything "had" done for printout access and reports.

If you have done any "save as" and rehung or removed any fixtures the Pres part of the program does not automatically know that. So it carries all of the previous data into your newly saved file.

To fix this, click on the Pres Tab and then Right click on the screen area and choose update plot.

This reduced my file size by 1/2 and stopped the long load up times and the crashes.

Hope this helps.
 
I've been running a Insight off an Emphasis server for years, and it has never had a problem.

However, as some others have said they do, I ALWAYS save the show to a floppy at the end of the day, so that if the server died, I could run the console in stand-alone.
 
I usually leave mine on 24/7 except for extended down time in the theatre. The server has been running mostly trouble free for 5 years. I have updated to the last update there will probably be from ETC on Emphasis.
I must say that my machine has been through a lot recently though.... last fall a Big Gulp was spilled into it, frying the power supply. Fortunately the local PC shop had a used one for $20. But recently, the unit locked up completely and would not respond. I went through everything I could think of. Then once it was up (not very stable) I heard the infamous clicking of the hard drive. I ran a hard drive diagnostic on it and it came up with almost 50% bad sectors/blocks. I replaced it with a drive that I had laying around in storage which was bigger capacity, 2 years older, but still same speeds and such. Did a fresh image and I was back up in no time (actually ran faster/loaded faster with the new drive).
We have talked about upgrading in the future, but I don't see that anytime soon. I HIGHLY recommend having some spare parts (or whole computer) on hand in case of failure.
I only have 500 ch in Emphasis and turning the Expression face panel into console only has 400 ch. That puts my Mac's out of the question running it that way. Something to keep on the back burner for future shows....
I apologize for bringing back a seemingly dead post. I have just started at a University that still uses an Expression with Emphasis, though the server has died. This is not really an issue as the console has been given the standalone OS, but I still want to get the server back up and running. Our server is missing its HDD, as in, it is gone. I contacted ETC who say that I must purchase an already imaged disc and it was not possible to image one myself. I thought, no way am I spending money on something we are planning to replace soon, but I still want to get the server running.

I noticed you mention you imaged a drive and regained functionality, and wondering if you had a copy of the embedded image disc, or if you used full windows? I have the recovery discs 1-3, though I assume those don't do much. If you can give me insight on how to obtain a copy of Emphasis windows, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, I plan to install Windows XP and turn the computer into a lighting network manager for all our Net2 Nodes, since newer software cannot talk to them easily.

Thanks
 
I apologize for bringing back a seemingly dead post. I have just started at a University that still uses an Expression with Emphasis, though the server has died. This is not really an issue as the console has been given the standalone OS, but I still want to get the server back up and running. Our server is missing its HDD, as in, it is gone. I contacted ETC who say that I must purchase an already imaged disc and it was not possible to image one myself. I thought, no way am I spending money on something we are planning to replace soon, but I still want to get the server running.

I noticed you mention you imaged a drive and regained functionality, and wondering if you had a copy of the embedded image disc, or if you used full windows? I have the recovery discs 1-3, though I assume those don't do much. If you can give me insight on how to obtain a copy of Emphasis windows, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, I plan to install Windows XP and turn the computer into a lighting network manager for all our Net2 Nodes, since newer software cannot talk to them easily.

Thanks

Basically you have an XP box but no hard drive and no install disc for Emphasis. And with no HD do you have a version of Windows XP to load ?

In truth I wouldn’t be spending a nano second trying to get Emphasis up and running. Outside of a version of WYSIWYG it really only added some useful submaster functions as well as added 500 ? channels to the Expression, which were 400 or 800 channel consoles, if memory serves. Note that I used Emphasis with an Express and it served its purpose painfully. Was glad to dump it and get an Ion. Note that dependent on the original license, the version of WYSIWYG you could use might be really outdated and missing functionality, We received our Emphasis server like the day after ETC’s license with WYSIWYG expired and there was zero support at that point from WYSIWYG, which is why I use Vectorworks.

We re-purposed our server as a Nomad remote. Worked OK, but your idea of using it to run Net2 Configuration Editor is valid.
 
Basically you have an XP box but no hard drive and no install disc for Emphasis. And with no HD do you have a version of Windows XP to load ?

In truth I wouldn’t be spending a nano second trying to get Emphasis up and running. Outside of a version of WYSIWYG it really only added some useful submaster functions as well as added 500 ? channels to the Expression, which were 400 or 800 channel consoles, if memory serves. Note that I used Emphasis with an Express and it served its purpose painfully. Was glad to dump it and get an Ion. Note that dependent on the original license, the version of WYSIWYG you could use might be really outdated and missing functionality, We received our Emphasis server like the day after ETC’s license with WYSIWYG expired and there was zero support at that point from WYSIWYG, which is why I use Vectorworks.

We re-purposed our server as a Nomad remote. Worked OK, but your idea of using it to run Net2 Configuration Editor is valid.
I have the Emphasis recovery discs, not sure if that will actually install Emphasis. So yes, I have the Original Windows XP box, with no HDD. My IT department is working on finding Windows XP for me, but who knows if they'll find it.
I guess I should add that I am not really looking to add functionality, other than our Expression seems to lose it's program quite often so having shows on the server would be nice. This would mainly be a fun project for me to work on during down time. It sounds like if I can find XP and successfully install it, I should be able to install and run Emphasis, yes? We did have the 3D version, so WYSIWYG would be cool to play with, if I could find the USB dongle, but I too use Vectorworks regularly.
Granted, it may not be worth repairing, but I'm a sucker for old tech.
 
Not that it will matter much, but if you can't get the Emphasis software, the Net2 software runs in Windows 7, and that at least is Microsoft supported through 1/20/2020.

If I remember from last time I used it, our Server was only SP1 or SP0 for XP. *DO NOT CONNECT TO A LIVE NETWORK*. The University that employees me has me going around and air gapping the XP lab (think MRI, CT, assorted spectrometers, etc) equipment from the network

I think the restore CDs will include XP, but don't quote me on that. Try booting them and see what happens.
 
Not that it will matter much, but if you can't get the Emphasis software, the Net2 software runs in Windows 7, and that at least is Microsoft supported through 1/20/2020.

If I remember from last time I used it, our Server was only SP1 or SP0 for XP. *DO NOT CONNECT TO A LIVE NETWORK*

I think the restore CDs will include XP, but don't quote me on that. Try booting them and see what happens.
I have tried running a disc, though the system didn't seem to respond to it (I didn't have a HDD). Maybe once I get a HDD in the unit it will go better for me.
Also, good to know the Net2 software will run on 7. I thought so, but was only going to research when I inevitably fail at restoring Emphasis.
Thanks
 
I apologize for bringing back a seemingly dead post. I have just started at a University that still uses an Expression with Emphasis, though the server has died. This is not really an issue as the console has been given the standalone OS, but I still want to get the server back up and running. Our server is missing its HDD, as in, it is gone. I contacted ETC who say that I must purchase an already imaged disc and it was not possible to image one myself. I thought, no way am I spending money on something we are planning to replace soon, but I still want to get the server running.

I noticed you mention you imaged a drive and regained functionality, and wondering if you had a copy of the embedded image disc, or if you used full windows? I have the recovery discs 1-3, though I assume those don't do much. If you can give me insight on how to obtain a copy of Emphasis windows, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, I plan to install Windows XP and turn the computer into a lighting network manager for all our Net2 Nodes, since newer software cannot talk to them easily.

Thanks
Sad part is I posted that almost 10 years ago.... more sad part is that I am STILL running that Empahis server. It is getting replaced this summer (FINALLY!!!) with an Eos.

I believe the disk images you have is basically a full restore of OS and ETC software. It all runs on a stripped down version of XP with ETC software incorporated in it. Once you do the reimage, there is most likely an update which then just runs like any update from a CD. Insert disc 1 and boot from it. It has been a while since I've done it, but it should work as long as you put in a hard drive it should image back to the original state.

Have fun...
 
Sad part is I posted that almost 10 years ago.... more sad part is that I am STILL running that Empahis server. It is getting replaced this summer (FINALLY!!!) with an Eos.

I believe the disk images you have is basically a full restore of OS and ETC software. It all runs on a stripped down version of XP with ETC software incorporated in it. Once you do the reimage, there is most likely an update which then just runs like any update from a CD. Insert disc 1 and boot from it. It has been a while since I've done it, but it should work as long as you put in a hard drive it should image back to the original state.

Have fun...
We still use the system too, though our Expression and Express have been given the standalone software since the server died. I did get it up and running, which is cool and will probably incorporate it into the system again. We are looking to upgrade to an Ion XE 20, as we don't need much more than that, and I can purchase LED backlights.

I finally got hold of a hard drive, turns out the old system had a bad CD drive too. This is why I wasn't sure if the discs would work that way or not.

Speaking with my IT people they actually built me a system from old parts and took the license dongle out of the old server. We then took the Emphasis discs and eventually got the system to install. They had to do some IT magic to make it work, as originally the new system wasn't having it, but all seems good so far. I haven't actually tried running a show with it yet though, but the system runs offline just fine.

Either way, thank you all for the support.
 

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