USB Extender possible for Ion Fader Wing?

I can't think of any reason why this wouldn't work.

However here's an option that would be free, depending on the gear in your venue.

If your ION is networked and there are Net3 nodes, around you could patch an old console (2 scene preset for example) into the node with a DMX turn around. Then using the Advanced Input Patch in the Net3 editor, you can limit that console to controlling ONLY those channels the director desires.

The 2 consoles would be in a HTP situation, I think.....

That turnaround might cost you $10, instead of $350

Just a though. Good Luck.

Unknown said:

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1521&sku=53880#

Would this work with the Ion's fader wing?  Why not, right?

In general, we do not recommend and can't support any USB extenders for use with fader wings. Your results may vary. 

And Sam - your solution would work.  The only caveat is that you would not have control of these channels via the Ion, or have an indication of where the levels are coming from on the console's screens. As long as this is acceptable (and I can imagine a number of cases where this would be), you'd be fine.  They would interact via HTP as long as they're transmitting at the same priority.  However, the Ion's DMX port would only transmit Ion levels - not the gateway's incoming sACN levels.

Ok, I went through my cable bin and found an old 16-foot USB extender cable that is self-powered that I got from Fry's for $16 a long time ago.

I plugged it in, put a 10 x 2 Fader wing on it, popped up instantly in the Desk Settings and it works great..  Now if the Cat5 extender idea works then I'll be good to go.   But it is working on this little test..

The net3 solution, while would work to a degree, seems like a complicated way for me to do.  This is so much nicer with the glowing LCD display in the dark camera tent.  I'll keep you posted on what happens..

If you are going to be running Cat5 cable to the DP you may want to look into adding a laptop running the client software. A Client on the network will support fader wings.

I have used the Cat 5 extenders with mixed results.  One thing that has helped is to put a self powered USB 1.1 hub on the console side of the connection.  This prevents the console from trying to communicate using full speed USB 2.0 that the extenders don't support.  With the hub, I haven't had any problem using a fader wing about 50' from the board.

We have been succesfully doing this with a Rose Electronics CrystalView DVI EX:

http://rose.com/htm/crystalviewdviex.htm

The nice thing about it is that it also carries the DVI signal so we can also set up a monitor with the wing. 

I, too, would suggest the MWeeks728 solution. That's the way I do it; I have the laptop, 2x20 fader wing and client dongle set-up, and It works fine for what you're desiring, IMHO. I've done that sweet config a few times myself. There could be a chance the owner of the Ion has a client dongle and they have it available...

btw, are you Jay in LA, CA?

Ha, yes.  I am in LA, CA.

The USB extenders I'm using are working great.  They are the USB 2.0 Gefen extenders.  They were expensive, but the stability is worth it.  I can assign the DP subs on the fly, give them names, and watch him fiddle around in the Virtual Fader display so I can see that it's all working..

For now it's the most elegant solution I could come up with and it's working well.

Regards,

Jason

When running the client from a laptop is it possible to simply plug in a fader wing into the USB socket? I tired it and it initially installed the drivers but it didn't register and just displayed ETC across the display.

would you happen to be on a win7 laptop and not yet on eos version 2.0? http://community.etcconnect.com/wikis/products/gio-console-and-universal-fader-wings.aspx

Windows 8, for my sins. But I am running the latest version of the software.

hm, and trying to run the program as administrator? right-click on the icon, Run as Administrator. maybe?

if that doesn't work either, you might want to call tech services...

Jake,

Were you using a USB Client Dongle as well?

~P

I always run the program as administrator but yes, I am using the client dongle as well,