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    Pat Immel
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client / laptop

So I preface my remarks first that I am frustrated, po'd  and stressed out,  Also, I am positive that I don't understand all of the complexities regarding network connections!

 

Maybe it is just me, but the entire client / laptop setup is a train wreck.  In the two years that we have had our Ion and Eos, I can count on one or two fingers the times I was able to successfully connect my laptop to the console as a client (this is WITH tech support help) and I can count on about 10 or 15 hands the times I've attempted and given up.  Like I said, I cannot fathom all the complexities but the bottom line is that it needs to be easier....MUCH easier.  Also, we need useable wireless connectivity!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am in a theatre with an EOS but not a real lighting network, so I have to run about 350 feet of cat 5 to get my laptop onto the stage. Wireless would make this so easy!  I believe we have a Yamaha LS9 sound console and it appeared that our sound designer for the last show was sitting out in the auditorium tweaking the sound from his laptop.

I thought the whole client thing would be so nice, "I can take my laptop out in the auditorium or onstage to fix problems...sweet!". Trailing a cable behind me is not my idea of convenience!   Frankly, it is not worth the trouble.  When I need it (client / laptop support), I don't have time to mess with all of the BS needed to get a connection...it just isn't worth it.  There needs to be a CONCERTED EFFORT to make this right!  I am not suggesting an effort like the Apollo program, but more than a side project.

I apologize for the tone of this post but I don't have time to mess with a process, it just needs to work.  Nobody is a bigger Eos/Ion/ETC fan than me...ok, maybe a few people!, but I am just a bit dissappointed!

 

Pat

  • not trying to poke the bear but we have never had an issue connecting a laptop or desktop computer as a client in our system.   Not sure how or what you think could be easier.    

  • One of the issues i see is that you are running 350 feet of cat5.  The max limit of cat5 is 328 feet from switch to computer.  I would only recommend 300 feet to be safe.  As for wireless, have you taken a look at the wireless wiki page?  Here is a link http://community.etcconnect.com/wikis/products/irfr-how-to-setup-your-wireless-network.aspx Is stead of the iRFR it would be your laptop.  Also never be afraid to call tech support.  They are always more than happy to help you with this.

  • in reply to strobushdu

    Not using, but what I would NEED to use...sorry for being unclear!

  • in reply to ehuber

    Not sure either..., but it just ain't happenin'

    "What do I think could be easier?"  Oh, having it get plugged in and it actually works.  That would be a start.  I am really quite computer literate and have spent a bit of time with tech support.  When I have a show I am trying to get up, that last think I want to mess with is IP addresses and other BS, I just want it to work. So...I make calls to tech support.  We try and I get a connection, maybe once.  The next time I try and connect...nothing.  I then give up for a couple of months, then when my soul is up for the fight, I give it another go...ALWAYS...not maybe...ALWAYS with the same results.

     

    Thats what could be easier.

     

  • in reply to Pat Immel

    Hello Pat,

    Sorry to hear that you are having a frustrating experience.  Can you call me in tech support when you have a chance?  Maybe we can figure out an easy way to make things go a little bit better for you. 

    Matt Kerr

  • Just one quick thing on wireless. Most of the time I've seen audio guys with their laptops / tablets in the house, they are not actually connected to their control system directly. They are actually using VNC to connect to another PC on the network that is hardwired to the control network. My understanding of why this is is because the amount of data being passed back and forth between the software and the master controller is quite large and is also very time sensitive. Wireless is not so great with time sensitive data. Packets are lost/dropped/resent quite often and the sound/lighting software is not built to handle those circumstances. 

    By using VNC, you are only having to send a screen image over the network and not all the extra crud that isn't needed.

    I will say that I have in a couple instances found that the ETC network seems very susceptible to bad and or finicky ethernet cables when it comes to a laptop and console The cable might work for console to nodes, or computer to computer network (internet), but not console to laptop. 

    HTH,

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