Paul

We've done some further investigation into this, and it seems the loading problem for fixtures with virtual channels only occurs when trying to load the fixture at a channel number >255. Hence for a low numbered fixture you wouldn't see the problem, but for a high numbered fixture in a large(ish) patch you would. That explains why we hadn't seen the problem so far in testing. Frog Reference 5597 - Virtual Intensity channels don't load at channel numbers >255. We have released a beta test version of the Frog range software which corrects this problem, CLICK HERE. Edit 16 April 2009 - Version 10.12 which fixes this problem is now publicly available. The problem also exists in JesterML/TL software up to and including version 2.3 - issue reference JES-2561. Thanks for spotting this, let us know if the beta version solves the problem for you. Paul.

Yes you can do this. You need minimum software version 10.0 to do it (the latest is version 10.10 - upgrade to that if your desk isn't running it already since it clears up a number of problems with movement effects). Put the desk into partial programming mode. Then before recording your movement effect palettes, make sure that the Pan & Tilt parameters are untagged (hold down the WHEEL GROUP button and flick the pan/tilt wheels to untag them). It's well worth reading the release notes for the latest software for full details of the changes if you're upgrading.

Your fixture personality and showfile load OK here, both on Phantom and on a real desk. It may be that your floppy disk is faulty, or the drive (either in your PC or in the Leapfrog) is faulty. Try a new disk and/or formatting the disk in the desk before putting the files on it on your PC. If a number of different disks all fail, then try using a different PC to write the disks. If you still have no joy then unfortunately it may be that the drive in your desk is faulty. If your desk is still within it's 3 year warranty period then contact your dealer or call Keith in our service department to arrange a repair. If it's out of warranty and you're handy with a screwdriver, then it's actually a standard drive you can easily replace yourself. Your comment about the Fixture Type Editor not warning about inconsistent Virtual Channel information has been noted - issue reference ZOS-2560.

This seems to be a problem that occurs randomly, but so far hasn't been able to be reproduced for investigation. If anyone can find a way to make a desk do this repeatably then please let us know so we can look into it! If you do get a desk into a state where it's doing this, please try as many other buttons as possible to see what does and doesn't work, as this may give us some clues as to what is going on. Also please save your showfile and post it here, as this may help to reproduce the problem. Unfortunately for now the only fix seems to be to switch the desk off and on again to bring the function buttons back to life. Does this problem only occur if an external keyboard is plugged in, or without as well? Does this problem still occur in version 10.10? There was a change in version 10.10 (Frog Reference 5546) to flush unprocessed button repeat events as soon as that button is released - this may potentially affect this problem.

Just tried this with Fixture Type Editor 2.1.0.0 and Phantom Frog 10.10, and looks to be working OK. Can you post a copy of the fixture personality file that's causing the problem, so we can take a look at it? Also be careful with filenames - keep them less than 18 characters and avoid spaces in the filename, otherwise the desk might not be able to load them.

We have released a beta test version of the Frog series software which corrects this problem, CLICK HERE. Edit 16 April 2009 - Version 10.12 which fixes this problem is now publicly available.

This is a bug that was introduced in version 10.8 software, and only occurs with chases on the memory stack when the desk is in FULL mode. Frog Reference 5595 - Stack chases double-step in full mode. The workaround is to either change the Program Mode to Partial, or transfer your chases to submasters.

Sorry to hear you're having problems. Can you attach a copy of your showfile and let us know which submasters won't delete or are misbehaving, to help us in investigating this? Thanks, Paul.

We were fortunate / unfortunate enough (depending on how you look at it) to buy some cheap monitors from the far east recently, some of which were the first ones we've had in our posession which strobed when connected to the Jester or JesterML monitor output. Everything else we'd used to date worked fine. We've tweaked the VSYNC signal timing slightly in the monitor output firmware to give a stable picture on these monitors. This new (V3) monitor output firmware also supports an alternative output resolution (640x480x60Hz) in case you have a particularly troublesome monitor. All new desks will be shipped with the new V3 monitor output firmware. Unfortunately, the monitor output firmware on the Jester/JesterML is factory loaded, and cannot be upgraded in the field over USB. If you are having compatibility problems with a monitor, then give Keith a call in the office (01633-833101) to discuss returning your desk to have the monitor output firmware upgraded. To answer the rest of your questions... 1. Any monitor with the right connector that supports the desk's output resolution (see above) should work. 2. No you cannot use a laptop as a remote screen for the desk. 3. You just plug the monitor in, no drivers etc are required. With the new software (Jester V3.2 and JesterML V2.3) and V3 monitor output firmware, there is a menu option to set the resolution you want to use in Super User / Setup. 4. The terms Video / Monitor / VGA all refer to the same thing with the Jester or JesterML.

This is a bug that's been in JesterML since day one I'm afraid - you're the first to find it, because the particular fixture personalities you're trying to load have long names in the fixture library... Alpha Wash 1200 : 16 Bit Vector Disabled Alpha Wash 1200 : 16 Bit Vector Enabled Alpha Wash 1200 : Extended Vector Disabled Alpha Wash 1200 : Extended Vector Enabled Alpha Wash 1200 : Standard Vector Disabled Alpha Wash 1200 : Standard Vector Enabled The fixture will fail to load correctly on the JesterML if the first part (before the colon) is longer than 30 characters, or the second part (after the colon) is longer than 18 characters. I have attached a fixture file with these long names removed for these 6 fixtures. You can do this yourself for other fixtures if necessary by using the Fixture Type Editor to extract the fixture personalities you require out of the main library. The long names (which aren't actually visible in the current version of the Fixture Type Editor) will be removed in the saved file. Use the Load From USB option in Assign Fixtures to use this file on the JesterML. The bug will be fixed in the next version of the JesterML software: JES-2531 - Problems assigning fixtures with long names. CPAW1200.ift

JesterML Operating Software version 2.3 has been released, and is available for download from the Zero 88 support website. CLICK HERE. Release 2.3 fixes a problem introduced in version 2.2 released earlier this week. Full details can be found in the Release Notes, available from the link above.

An updated version of the Offline Editor for the Jester, JesterML & JesterTL desks - Phantom Jester - has been released. This can be downloaded from the Jester or JesterML support pages. Phantom Jester 2.1 includes desk software at the following versions: - Jester V3.2 - JesterML/TL V2.3

Virtual Intensity channels for fixtures are now supported in Version 10.10 software - CLICK HERE.

Frog Range Software - Version 10.10 We have released Version 10.10 of the Frog Range Software. The new operating software, offline editor (Phantom Frog) and release notes can be downloaded from the Zero 88 Support Centre: CLICK HERE This version adds virtual intensity support for fixtures plus a small number of other fixes. Full details can be found in the release notes. See THIS TOPIC for instructions on installing the software.

An updated version of the Offline Editor for the Jester & JesterML desks - Phantom Jester - has been released. This can be downloaded from the Jester or JesterML support pages. Phantom Jester 2.0 includes desk software at the following versions: - Jester V3.2 - JesterML V2.2 Changes in this version: JES-2082 - Phantom Jester monitor window drawing now uses less processor time. JES-2216 - Phantom Jester - reduced resolution of front panel images so they should now display on all machines. JES-2217 - Phantom Jester now has a Stop button which allows the desk to be stopped, restarted, and have the type changed.

JesterML Operating Software version 2.2 has been released, and is available for download from the Zero 88 support website. CLICK HERE. Release 2.2 adds support for the JesterTL desks, virtual intensities, pan/tilt invert, German online help, plus a number of other improvements. Full details can be found in the Release Notes, available from the link above. New versions of the Online Help (Quick Start) and User Manual are also available, together with instructions for performing the update. Please note that the installation procedure has changed slightly from previous versions (2 files are now required - a JOS file plus a JOH file) - read the Software Update Instructions document for full details.

Jester Operating Software version 3.2 has been released, and is available for download from the Zero 88 support website. CLICK HERE. Release 3.2 includes a number of minor improvements to the software - full details can be found in the Release Notes available from the link above, together with instructions for performing the update.

You can do this using the EDIT button. Full details are in the user manual, but in brief: - Press SUBMASTERS - Select the one you want to edit using the submaster flash buttons - Press EDIT - Hold the channel flash button under the channel you want to change, then move it's fader to pick-up the level and adjust. Let go of the channel flash button when done. Repeat for other channels as necessary - Press EDIT again to save the changes, and confirm the pop-up

You need version 10 software to do this (latest at the time of writing is 10.9). With the Record Options (in Super User) for Beamshape set to Channel (default setting), only wheels that you move will be tagged for recording, so that you can have a submaster with just one parameter recorded for example. See the release notes for further details (Frog Reference 5402)

Go into Super User, and find the Desk Setup -> Patch Functions -> Manual Patch menu. This will allow you to change the association (patch) between the channels on the desk and the DMX channels.

The parameter details aren't used by the Fat Frog. This information is in the Fixture Editor User Guide.

Have a read of the user guide for the fixture editor, see THIS TOPIC for details. Guidelines for grouping fixture parameters into attributes for the desk: Brightness - only the Dimmer channel goes in here Colour - colour wheels, CMY, RGB Position - pan/tilt, movement speed Beamshape - anything else (gobos, prisms etc)

It would be a risky strategy to rely on desk programming to not damage your equipment, you may be better looking for a DMX controlled relay or switchpack if the equipment must be only on or off. Unfortunately the Frog doesn't support laws/curves to allow you to configure an output to be only on or off. You could do some tricks by progamming the channel as an LTP channel into a couple of submasters, however if you or someone else presses the wrong button or moves a wheel, then your equipment would get damaged, so I wouldn't recommend it.

Not seen this one before. Have you got a button stuck down that's confusing the desk, either on the panel itself or on the external keyboard? Install 10.9, and boot with F1 on the panel held down to get to panel test mode, then make sure all the buttons on the panel are working OK. If you're still having trouble, then give Keith a call in the office to discuss other ideas or to get the desk back to us to take a look at.

This will be in the next release for JesterML which we are working on at the moment.