Board Upgrade Part 2
- Thread starterStoldal
- Start date
There's no PDA - I.E. Windows Mobile/Pocket PC variation for the new ETC consoles.
My understanding was there were multiple issues with WiFi based RFU's, including battery life, frequent loss of connection due to the PDA's automatically disconnecting to save battery life, etc... and ETC finally pulled the plug on this format for new consoles. Not even sure they still sell the PDA units for Emphasis or Obsession II. Doubt it.
The ONLY Remote Focus Unit for the Ion and Eos is the Radio Remote Focus Unit.
Curious if Strand - who still offers PDA remotes, had any of the same issues, or possibly (and more likely) there were so few - if any, Strand tech support folks to actually answer the phone, that nobody actually knows if the things are reliable.
Also possible that Strand did a better job with the software, then ETC, as the folks that have them, seemingly love them.
Steve B.
Lightingguy32
Active Member
+1 on all of the other users advice about your board. Tell the admin that you need to be working with a board that is industry standard such as an ETC or Strand board, Leviton in my books really doesn't have much of a market any more in the industry for control consoles. One question: is the ETC Ion necessary for what you need to get done or is it a want to try out? I would suggest an ETC Expression series board, they are still widely used and have programming language that once you learn you can run any board from that family and other console's syntax will be easy to pick up as well. If you do however NEED the Ion (moving lights, but you need the compact size) go for it and try to make it clear to administration that (a) going with the industry standard helps to teach you skills you will need if you wish to continue doing this in the future and (b) by ordering a board that isn't industry standard in some way, you increase the learning curve on the board because of different and (sometimes) confusing syntax.
BMI supply is selling the ion 1000, an etc net 3 radio focus unit and a 2 X 10 wing for 7,444. That price does not include monitors but that showd not be more than 400 for two. I would only get one touch screen if any because IMO it is quicker to program with your hands on the programmer area of the console. Save things like the color picker but that can be accessed with the mouse.
Wow. I believe $7444 is less expensive than any Express. Twenty (2x10) submasters should be enough for most applications. I'm not sure I agree with soundman about the touchscreens, but I would buy monitors elsewhere in any case. I'm afraid those HS teachers who insist on running shows as two-scene preset or subs only are going to need to come to terms with the "modern lighting world." I suspect an Ion for Dummies book is in the works. Probably best to call it a Quick Start Guide.
Strand's wireless PDA RFU is made by Symbol. I'm told symbol makes their PDA's for police use typically and they are really tough. I've had good luck using it so far for turning individual circuits on and off but it crashes when I try to run cues and subs from it. Strand tells me this is a problem with the software and they are sending me a new one with the updated software. I'll let you know how it turns out. But it's really cool... if they can get me one that is stable that is.
jmcgregor
Member
Sorry to contradict Alex, but but SteveB is correct, there is no PDA remote for the Ion or Eos. The LDSAV guys have been keeping one Obsession II procesor online to keep the PDA remotes running until they recieve the new RFR's. I highly doubt that the EOS software will ever be ported to PDA - but I've been wrong before...
However, you can always use a client dongle on a WIFI enabled laptop and access full functionality of EOS or Ion - whichever console you've logged into. - Pretty slick for a tech table or stage manager. You can even plug a fader wing in via USB and have playback capablitiy via the client.
Hope this clears up any confusion...
However, you can always use a client dongle on a WIFI enabled laptop and access full functionality of EOS or Ion - whichever console you've logged into. - Pretty slick for a tech table or stage manager. You can even plug a fader wing in via USB and have playback capablitiy via the client.
Hope this clears up any confusion...
Sorry--creates more confusion than it clears. I was told outright by an ETC employee that they would not support WiFi.However, you can always use a client dongle on a WIFI enabled laptop and access full functionality of EOS or Ion - whichever console you've logged into. - Pretty slick for a tech table or stage manager. You can even plug a fader wing in via USB and have playback capablitiy via the client.
Hope this clears up any confusion...
This post, from the ETC Community Forum, by "Richard," an ETC Field Service Rep. in London, states:
- Wireless Access Point
- Can usually be considered a 'Smart Network Switch'.
- Fully Managed varieties exist.
- Operates in 'Burst Mode' - it collects a lot of data and then broadcasts it as a big 'burst' to all the wireless devices in range.
- This 'bursting' makes it generally unsuitable for lighting control use, as it results in unpredictable latencies.
- Wireless Router
We are working on 'forcing' WiFi access points to dump their data at predictable moments to enable Clients to work properly, but we will never be able to recommend WiFi for lighting control in a theatrical environment.
Perhaps, what jmcgregor meant to say is that while it CAN be done, ETC officially does not support or recommend the practice for show critical situations?
Hi everyone. Wireless clients for Eos and Ion are supported in our upcoming release (1.4 in May). Some venues are using wireless now. Depending on your wireless network, it may or may not currently work. But because our transmission speeds were at a high enough rate that it could cause a wireless network to fail, we were advising people not to do it.
But the transmission speeds have been addressed in 1.4 to keep a wireless network from tipping over.
However.... we DO NOT recommend wireless for show critical situations. Editing is fine, but when you are running your show.. it is recommended you be at a hard line connection.
Hope that helps.
Anne Valentino
Eos Product Line Manager
But the transmission speeds have been addressed in 1.4 to keep a wireless network from tipping over.
However.... we DO NOT recommend wireless for show critical situations. Editing is fine, but when you are running your show.. it is recommended you be at a hard line connection.
Hope that helps.
Anne Valentino
Eos Product Line Manager
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Ouch! There are HS techs that are working to prepare their students for the worlds of touring and college tech programs. I just completed a load-in to a non-performance space with a full truss system, 20 stagebar 54L and an IPC. Two days before our musical went up (pictures coming soon), where they have been programing for the last week on a completely different language in a strand 300 series desk.
I am currently spec'ing an ION for our space with 2x20 faders. (once they are actually available)
When running a space used by a different group everyday we need to have those subs for idiot proofing.
jmcgregor
Member
correct... sorry to stir up confusion. listen to derekleffew and avalentino. i back up their statements about wifi being used only in non-show-critical applications Does the wifi client work? yep i've seen it... should you run your show from a client laptop on a wifi connection - never.
Who knows when a fart in the front row will swirl the air currents in the room and make the wireless drop out right at the same second you issue the very most critical cue of the evening. Trust copper lines. As far as I know they're impervious to farts.
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Ouch! There are HS techs that are working to prepare their students for the worlds of touring and college tech programs. I just completed a load-in to a non-performance space with a full truss system, 20 stagebar 54L and an IPC. Two days before our musical went up (pictures coming soon), where they have been programing for the last week on a completely different language in a strand 300 series desk.
I am currently spec'ing an ION for our space with 2x20 faders. (once they are actually available)
When running a space used by a different group everyday we need to have those subs for idiot proofing.
Thommyboy you are very rare my friend. I too was a REAL technician who taught high school drama. The vast majority of HS drama teachers are English teachers who saw a play once and made the mistake of mentioning it to the principle who said "fine you are now in charge of the drama club". I have first hand knowledge of around 20 high schools in this area. A few are lucky enough to have some sort of theater manager who really knows their tech stuff. About 3 have drama teachers with a real degree who actually had some tech training in college... although it may have been 20 years ago. Most of them are good hearted people who know nothing about tech. I know one school that has a math teacher who runs the drama club because no one else would do it. The reality is not pretty.
