The peril of new lights
Added 2024-08-15 02:15:37 +0000 UTCThese lights are so new that they didn't even have flightcases for them. Instead they were shipped to us in their sealed cardboard boxes.
They're interesting lights, but the Nandos in particular had many issues with their software.
The first and most obvious bug was that they would randomly start panning back and forth with no data on the DMX network to make them do that. They rushed a software fix to stop that and we had to manually load it into each group of lights.
Next problem was one we called "smarties", because the lights would gradually accumulate random low intensity colours in their LED modules until hard-reset. Two more firmware updates later and we have that resolved too.
The little Kyalami lights have been OK, but initially had an issue with losing their index positions after a few movements. That also required a firmware update!
That's the peril of new lights.
We've got another test-light coming, which is interesting. It's got another laser-phosphor source, and is so bright that it apparently has a LIDAR type sensor on it to detect people and objects in its vicinity, and dim the output for safety.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PWhZm4p5Z0k
Comments
To be fair, the modern units probably do run Linux internally.
Big Clive
2024-12-18 16:03:30 +0000 UTCI’m going to essentially replace their boards with new consolidated ones. A lot of their chips die due to static problems and you can’t get them anymore. But when you break it down they’re just stepper / servo controllers and some position sensors, etc. So my thought is just pull it all out and replace it with basically a Raspberry Pi and whatnot.
Zach Nelson
2024-12-18 10:11:44 +0000 UTCThat's quite ambitious. The first VLs I worked with were VL5's and 5A's.
Big Clive
2024-12-18 04:33:14 +0000 UTCI’m about to embark on a project to revive some Vari*Lite VL2C and VL500 fixtures from the 90’s. If any hardware experts are interested please reach out!
Zach Nelson
2024-12-17 12:40:34 +0000 UTCThat's what I thought: the hassle is worth it to minimize risk. Thanks! There's a bit of a generational divide over this kind of thing. Your opinion from the coal-face is highly valued.
Mike Page
2024-08-15 18:22:41 +0000 UTChttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZJAIkmT3Rg
Russell Levine
2024-08-15 18:01:40 +0000 UTCI've not explored their options too much. I might plug my DMX-cat into one and see what options there are.
Big Clive
2024-08-15 13:35:47 +0000 UTCWe prefer to test an update on a few lights for at least one show before deploying it across the others. So manual update is much preferred. Having an unexpected update that either bricked lights or affected their colour palette and positioning would not be a good result.
Big Clive
2024-08-15 13:31:36 +0000 UTCThere have been lots of Nando chicken jokes.
Big Clive
2024-08-15 13:29:31 +0000 UTCOh yes, those were the good times. Software development comes to my mind, but not just that.
Keri Szafir
2024-08-15 06:18:30 +0000 UTCI'm sorry, but... are Nandos running some spicy voltage?
Russell Levine
2024-08-15 06:14:40 +0000 UTCInteresting thanks Clive. What's your view on OTA firmware updates?
Mike Page
2024-08-15 06:08:46 +0000 UTCThe Nandos have lime chips in them. Would be good to see them working.
Michael Brenkley
2024-08-15 06:02:23 +0000 UTCThat's the nature of the industry. The lighting designers want all the latest gadgets.
Big Clive
2024-08-15 03:03:53 +0000 UTCDedicated programming tool via the DMX network locally.
Big Clive
2024-08-15 03:03:25 +0000 UTCIt's a dedicated programmer that can update up to about 5 at once via the DMX network. But it takes a while, since it updates lots of individual modules within the light.
Big Clive
2024-08-15 03:02:50 +0000 UTCThe peril of having enough money to be able to afford cutting edge new toys. Having to update each light individually is considerably less than ideal, though safer I suppose in case of an update going bad. Hope it’s just a matter of plugging in a usb key and a reboot rather than toting a laptop around to each one.
The Griffiths Family
2024-08-15 02:46:15 +0000 UTCRemember when companies used to actually TEST their products BEFORE selling them?
IamFubar
2024-08-15 02:34:25 +0000 UTCHow is the firmware update applied? You have to go around to each one with a laptop and USB cable?
Zac
2024-08-15 02:21:03 +0000 UTCWho thought purchasing lights still in the development stage was a good idea?
RonNona
2024-08-15 02:20:00 +0000 UTC
