CEM3 inputs

Here is the layout that is currently in use: RPU (primary), EOS Ti (backup), 4 port dmx gateway, paradigm architecture controller, Sensor3 dimmer racks. The RPU and Ti are outputing sACN to the gateway, which is ouptputing DMX to the dimmer racks on Port A. The RPU and Ti are also outputting to the dimmer racks with sACN. The Paradigm is outputting DMX to the racks on Port B. While Paradigm is sending levels to the dimmer racks via Port B, the RPU is powered down, effectively interrupting sACN input to the dimmer racks. When this happens, the dimmer rack ignores the values being sent on DMX Port B and all the lights turn off. Why is that?

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  • Hello,

    I just re-read your original post (helps when I read stuff) and I missed a vital detail.

    Your RPU is Master and you turn this off first!

    What is happening is your Ti is taking over at a higher priority (normally 101) this is then in turn overriding the paradigm.

    Two simple options:

    1) Turn the Backup (Ti) off first

    2) Disable "Backup takes over at higher priority" on both consoles. (This is in Shell>Settings>Network)

    I would recommend option 1.

    Regards,

    Marcus

  • marcus, just curious: why option 1 rather than 2? if there is a failure during show, option 1 would still mean that paradigm can't control. or am i missing something?
  • The feature is designed for a situation like this:

    Master Console dies and is stuck in the wrong cue, but continues to output sACN.

    The backup takes over at a higher priority and overrides the Masters output.

    If the the backup didn't take over at a higher priority then the Master and Backup's output would merge HTP and cause a mess on stage!

    A well designed [paradigm] system would allow for priority changes; be this in a button on a touch screen that promotes the paradigm to a over all higher priority, implementing per channel priority, keeping architecturally controlled dimmers on a separate universe, or some other method.

    Regards,

    Marcus

  • i get why the higher priority feature is there in the first place. so you suggest that there was a button in paradigm to make it go to (at least) priority 101. but that would still mean that e.g. stage blues that are controlled by paradigm (on a universe Eos uses as well) would go temporarily dark unless i patch and park them on the console as well, right?
  • I would always tend to put stage whites and blues on a different universe to production dimmers when ever possible and optionally remove this universe from the allowed output range of the console.

    Maybe the solution to your situation above, would be to have a "Show" button on paradigm that increases the per channel priority of the blues. 

  • Since there is a gateway providing DMX in addition to the sACN signal directly, could I raise the priority of Ports A and B, to 101, leave the sACN input at 100, and still take advantage of the 'take over at higher priority' feature?
  • You could, but it may not behave as you hope. The presence of any data at all on a DMX port at higher priority means it owns the output. The console would never control the dimmer. Control would only fall back to sACN if the DMX signal is not present at all.
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