K-Nine

Release 8.1 of the Frog Range Operating Software is now available for download. The software can be found in the 'Downloads' section of the main Zero 88 website (www.zero88.com) Release notes are as follows (a properly formatted, PDF version of these notes is available for download in the same location as the software) : ------------------ 1. Introduction This document describes the additional functionality provided in Frog Series Software Release 8.1. The changes are summarised below: · Using SMPTE or MIDI timecode signals to trigger memories on the memory stack (Playback X) on the Frog Box. · Using Chillinet or iCANnet messages to trigger memories on the memory stack (Playback X) on the Frog Box. · Bug fixes and other minor modifications. 2. SMPTE and MIDI Timecode Triggers This new function covers setting up, programming and running the memory stack using SMPTE or MIDI timecode inputs, in addition to the current memory triggers available (Go, Auto and Real Time). It is possible to program or edit memories with the new timecode triggers on any of the Frog Series of lighting desks. Memory triggers may also be edited on the Frog Box. The Frog desks do not currently have the capability of processing SMPTE or MIDI timecode signals. Memories programmed with timecode triggers will only be triggered by a SMPTE or MIDI signal when the show is running on a Frog-Box, and the corresponding timecode is enabled. 2.1 Desk Setup – Timecode Setup A new Timecode Setup option under Desk Setup allows the user to set up the timecode source and frame rate, and enable or disable the input timecode signal (Frog Box only). Select the Timecode Setup option from the Desk Setup screen and press the Go/Enter key. The Timecode Setup screen is displayed on the LCD: ** TIMECODE SETUP ** Status: <Enabled> Source: < SMPTE > Frames/Sec:< 25 > The Timecode Setup screen contains the following fields: Status Enabled or Disabled (default = Enabled) Source SMPTE or MIDI (default = SMPTE) Frames/Sec Number of frames/second. Range 24, 25 or 30 (default = 25) Exit Exit button to return to the Desk Setup screen. Use the up and down arrow keys to move through the fields on the screen. Use the + and – keys to adjust the value in the selected field. Press the Go/Enter key to exit the Timecode Setup screen and return to the Desk Setup screen. The Timecode Setup data is stored as part of the desk setup data in the show file. 2.2 Timecode Triggers A new memory trigger option (Timecode) has been added to memories. If a memory has a Timecode trigger - the user is required to specify the start time for the memory on the Memories screen (see section 2.3). The start time of the memory can only be adjusted by the user. It will not be automatically adjusted if memories earlier in the memory stack are added, modified or deleted. A memory with a Timecode trigger will be triggered when the incoming SMPTE or MIDI timecode signal passes the specified start time (providing the timecode input is enabled). The source and frame rate of the timecode signal is defined in Desk Setup (see section 2.1). A memory with a Timecode trigger can also be triggered manually, by selecting the memory and pressing the GO/ENTER button, or remotely from a remote switch. The user is not prevented from specifying a start time which would overlap an earlier or later memory, or from programming memories in non-chronological (timecode) order, although obviously this practice is not encouraged or recommended. The new trigger type and start time is displayed on both the LCD and monitor Memories screens. 2.3 Memories Screen - LCD On the LCD Memories screen, the only fields affected are Trigger and Time. Trigger - The memory trigger options are now as follows: Go, Auto, Real Time and Timecode. Time - If the Trigger is set to Real Time or Timecode – the Time field is defined as follows: Memory Trigger Format of Time Field Meaning Real Time HH:MM:SS Hours:Minutes:Seconds Timecode HH:MM:SS:FF Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames 2.4 Entering Timecode Values When the memory trigger is set to Timecode, the start time can be entered as follows: Entering Timecode from Front Panel – Use the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor onto the required part of the Time field. Use the + and – keys to adjust the value as required. Entering Timecode from External Keyboard - On the LCD, the Time field is divided into four sections (hours, minutes, seconds and frames). If the cursor is on any of the four sections, a timecode can be entered from the external keyboard. The Time field uses the 24 hour clock and is entered as hours.minutes.seconds.frames. For example: Keyboard Entry Time Main LCD Display 7.30.0.0 Enter 7:30 am 07:30:00:00 12.0.0.0 Enter 12 noon 12:00:00:00 16.45.0.0 Enter 4:45 pm 16:45:00:00 0.0.0.0 Enter 12 midnight 00:00:00:00 2.5 Memories Screen – Monitor The Memories screen on the monitor has been modified to accommodate the wider Trigger field needed to display the start time when the trigger is set to Timecode (Frog desks and Frog Box). Memory Trigger Format of Trigger Field Go Go Auto Auto Real Time R/T HH:MM:SS Timecode (SMPTE) SHH:MM:SS:FF Timecode (MIDI) MHH:MM:SS:FF -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEMORIES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NO | NAME |MT|FADE UP|FADE DN|LTPFADE|C|B|P| DWELL | TRIGGER |JUMP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 |RED WASH |SC| 3.0| 3.0| 5.0|S| | | 10.0|S01:02:03:04| 2 |CENTRE STAGE |SC| 3.0| 3.0| 5.0| | |F| 5.0| AUTO | 3 |BLUE SPOTS |SC| 3.0| 3.0| 5.0|S|S| | 30.0| GO | 4 |GREEN FRONT |SC| 3.0| 3.0| 5.0|S| |F| 10.0|R/T 10:30:00| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.6 Playback Status and Information – Monitor The table below shows the format of the data in the Trigger field (TRIG) in the Playback X section of the PSI on the monitor screen (Frog desks and Frog Box): Next Memory Trigger Format of Trigger Field Go GO Auto AUTO Real Time R/T Timecode (SMPTE) T/C Timecode (MIDI) T/C The SMPTE or MIDI timecode signal and incoming frame rate are displayed on the bottom line of the PSI on the monitor screen (Frog Box only). If the timecode input is Disabled, the field will be displayed in red, and any memories with timecode triggers will not be triggered. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CUR 123.4s NEXT 123.5s FADES 00:05.0/00:05.0 LTP 00:05.0 DWELL 00:30.0 TRIG T/C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMPTE(25) 01:02:03:04 GM: 100% 12:23:49 23/12/2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Chilli and iCAN Network Messages This new function covers setting up and running the memory stack using Chillinet or iCANnet messages. Specific network messages will trigger memories on the memory stack, in a similar manner to a remote switch configured to “Go Mem Xâ€. A show containing the appropriate programmed memories must be loaded into the Frog Box before it can respond to the Chillinet or iCANnet network messages. 3.1 Super User – Set CAN Mode A new Set CAN Mode option in Super User allows the user to set up the Frog Box to receive and process network messages from an iCAN or Chilli network (Frog Box only). Select the Set CAN Mode option from the Super User screen and press the Go/Enter key. The Set CAN Mode screen is displayed on the LCD: *** SET CAN MODE *** Mode: <Chillinet> [Exit] The Set CAN Mode screen contains the following fields: Mode iCANnet, Chillinet or Disabled (default = Chillinet) Exit Exit button to return to the Super User screen. Use the up and down arrow keys to move through the fields on the screen. Use the + and – keys to adjust the value in the selected field. Press the Go/Enter key to exit the Setup CAN Mode screen and return to the Super User screen. 3.2 Chillinet Messages The Frog Box must be set up to receive Chillinet messages (see section 3.1). The table below shows the messages that the Frog Box will process and the corresponding action it will take: Message Message ID Function Parameter Frog Box Action Dimmer Memory Control (Request) 220 Hex 02 Hex Memory No (0 – 12) Go Memory (Memory No) Dimmer Sequence Control (Request) 230 Hex 02 Hex Sequence No (1 – 3) Go Memory (Sequence No + 12) Control Panel Memory (Request) 320 Hex 02 Hex Memory No (0 – 12) Go Memory (Memory No) Control Panel Sequence (Request) 330 Hex 02 Hex Sequence No (1 – 3) Go Memory (Sequence No + 12) Notes If the memory specified by the network message is not programmed in the memory stack, no action will be carried out by the Frog Box. The “All Off†button on the Chilli control panel generates a Play Memory 0 message. The “Start Sequence†messages from the Chilli control panels for sequences 1, 2 and 3 are mapped directly to memories 13, 14 and 15 respectively on the Frog Box. 3.3 iCANnet Messages The Frog Box must be set up to receive iCANnet messages (see section 3.1). The table below shows the messages that the Frog Box will process and the corresponding action it will take: Message Message ID Function Parameter Frog Box Action Scene Configuration (Request) 3E9 Hex 01 Hex Scene No (0 – 128) Go Memory (Scene No) Notes If the memory specified by the network message is not programmed in the memory stack, no action will be carried out by the Frog Box. Any fade time specified in the iCAN message will be ignored by the Frog Box. Once the memory is triggered, the outputs will fade according to the fade times and LTP actions programmed in the memory itself. 4. Bug Fixes and Other Minor Modifications The following Frog Reference Numbers (FR Nos) relating to new or modified functionality, bugs, perceived bugs or other minor functional changes have been implemented or fixed in Version 8.1 of the Frog series software: FR No Fault or Change Description 5373 SMPTE/MIDI Timecode triggers have been added to memories. Memories can now be triggered by SMPTE/MIDI timecode input on the Frog Box. 5374 Memories can be triggered by iCAN messages on the Frog Box. 5390 DMX input test now works in production test mode on the Frog Box. 5391 All the fixture types contained in the fixture library file on floppy disk are now accessible and available for assignment. 5392 User fixture types containing position wheel group information now load and save correctly without generating extra blank wheel groups.

Apologies for the delay, some of your suggestions have already been addressed, but here is the current state of affairs: Partial recording down to attribute level - implemented in Version 7. Live adjustment of chase speed on Playback X - Frog Reference No 5152 - to be reviewed. Live adjustment of chase modifiers on Submasters - Frog Reference No 5364 - to be reviewed. N shot chases (run once or a specified number of times) - Frog Reference No 5241 - to be reviewed. Individual wait/fade/dwell times for steps in chases - Frog Reference No 5347 - to be reviewed. Movement Effects Generator - extended and improved in Version 7. Submaster flash lights show state of submaster - I thought they already did :? The yellow LED is on when the submaster is fading up/down; the yellow LED flashes when submaster is outputting data from a different page (Page overlay)

This is not strictly true 8O On each of the Frog Series of desks the maximum memory capacity is EQUIVALENT to 400 Full width scenes, where a full width scene is defined as all the available generic and fixture channels used. If all the available fixture channels are not used (as will be the case with most desk setups) the maximum number of memories increases accordingly up to a maximum of 1000 8)

Frog Reference No 5408 - Button to allow quick escape or quit from menus - to be reviewed. There are several options which have been suggested in this topic and they will need to be looked at and reviewed. Any solution that we arrive at should be consistent for all menus and take into account the issues raised.

Frog Reference No 5166 - Desk Setup Utility on a PC - to be reviewed.

Frog Reference No 5402 - Partial recording of memory data to individual parameter (channel) level - to be reviewed. Frog Reference No 5403 - Movement effects to be stored in Position Palettes - to be reviewed. Currently, when you record a Position palette, only the instantaneous pan and tilt values of the fixtures are actually stored in the palette, even if the fixture has been set up with a movement effect. Frog Reference No 5404 - Use the Submaster Flash buttons to allow stepping of a chase on individual submasters - to be reviewed. Currently, pressing the Step button in the submaster section will step all the manual chases currently being output on the submasters.

I would suggest that the best option given the current series of Frog desks and software would be to use the SX buttons on a Mambo Frog. This will allow you up to 48 memories (scenes or chases) to be transferred onto the buttons, which can be individually set to flash, solo or have a timed fade up/down as required. :idea:

The following Frog Reference Numbers cover features to be reviewed for inclusion in future update packages: Frog Reference No 5399 - Display of Submaster level on Submasters and Outputs screens. Frog Reference No 5400 - Allow extra characters in text naming; Backspace and Delete keys to work in text editing.

The following Frog Reference Numbers cover features to be reviewed for inclusion in future update packages : Frog Reference 5152 - Adjusting Chase Speed on Playback X. Frog Reference 5364 - Live editing of chase modifiers on Submasters. Frog Reference 5398 - Beat Button to set tempo (speed) of a chase.

Frog Reference No 5367 - Numeric Entry using an external keyboard - implemented in Release 7.5. Data in any numeric field on the main LCD can now be entered directly from an external keyboard. This includes memory numbers, fade times, DMX patch addresses etc. (See Release Notes for Version 7.5 for full details).

Hi, It is possible that you may have a fault in the non-volatile RAM or Flash memory which is used to store show data. Please can you let us know which version of software was in the desk and also what the Battery Status was. Both of these can be found in the Desk Information section of Super User. If possible could you also send us a copy of the show file so we can run it on a desk here and see if we can reproduce the problem.

The Manchester United Viruses The Manchester United Virus ..... This is where your PC thinks it is far superior than any other PC and develops a memory disorder, forgetting anything that happened before 1993. The David Beckham Virus ... This affects newer PC's mainly. The computer looks great, all the lights are on, but nothing works. The Roy Keane Virus ... This one is particularly nasty and will throw you out of Windows ... The Alex Ferguson Virus ... The computer develops a continuous whining noise and the on screen clock runs a lot faster or slower (depending on how your day has been), than all the other computers in the building. The Fabien Barthez Virus .... This one's not particularly harmful - but you just can't save anything ! The Neville Brothers Virus ..... Just when you think things can't get any worse, this one pops up and causes a calamitous error. The Ryan Giggs Virus ... The computer develops a processor problem, whereby it thinks it's better than it actually is. It also experiences dramatic fluctuations in performance. The Luke Chadwick Virus .... This is a particularly ugly one. The Manchester United Shirt Virus... This one is especially hard to detect as it changes it's format every 3 months. Curse those red :evil: :evil:

One important thing to remember when playing back memories on the memory stack (Playback X) is that the time taken for the Current memory to fade out(down) is given by the fade down time of the Next memory. The fade up and fade down times for a memory indicate how the generic and fixture brightness channels will behave when the memory is selected and the Go button is pressed. Also, check that the Override control is in the central (neutral) position.

As would most people... But unfortunately, until someone comes up with a way to get Software engineers to work without having to pay them, then the commercial reality remains. :-) We believe that you do get a reasonably good balance of price vs. functionality with the Frog range, and a balance that has been improving since the desks were launched. I am sure that it will continue to do so, hopefully keeping our many users satisfied.

For the operation you describe, you would use the Palette function of the desk. Using this, you can select a single fixture or a group of fixtures and then apply a colour palette to them. This is different from the way that the 250 worked, and should do what you need.

At present, the only way to adjust the speed of a chase is to select it on the Memories screen, press the Edit button, move the cursor down so that the chase runs live, and then adjust it's speed using the Speed control on the desk. You then need to press the Enter button to exit edit mode and save the changes. In an earlier version of software it was sometimes possible to adjust the chase speed live without actually editing the chase. This was in fact a bug, which has been fixed (see "More Submaster Pages" topic in the "Suggest a Feature" forum for details) Incidently, one of the features which has been requested by several users is live control of chase speed. This, together with several other features will be reviewed when we look at the proposed contents of the next update package.

I don't know exactly how the 'other speed' parameter on the Roboscan fixture works, but you mention it in terms of a beamshape parameter. The Blackout button on the Frog desks only affects the HTP or brightness channels. Therefore, only the fixture parameter which is defined as the 'Brightness' parameter will be reduced to zero when you press the Blackout button. This should happen immediately - I would suggest that you check on the Outputs screen for verification. If the fixture itself does not blackout straight away, then this may be a result of the value of this 'other speed' parameter.

I don't think that there is any 'argument' that the ability to adjust the speed (and the other chase modifiers) live would be a very useful function to have on the Frog desks. What we have to ensure, is that whenever we design and implement any new functionality on the desks, the user interface is simple to use and does not compromise or adversly affect any of the exisiting functionality. This is not always as easy as it may sound ... see my post of 6 November in this thread. All suggestions in this forum are noted and reviewed periodically to determine which of the requested features are practical to implement. As you will appreciate, we have to make certain decisions as to what goes in these update software packages as we don't have the luxury of unlimited resources. As the saying goes "you can't please ALL the people All of the time". To quote from elsewhere in this forum ... We are listening to your suggestions and continually looking at ways of improving the Frog series ... so please be patient.

Frog Reference 5377 - Implemented in Version 7.0.

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What version of software are you using Richard ? I have just taken a look at this using a Fat Frog in our demo room and indeed the fixtures do apppear to snap to a particular position and then fade to the new position as you describe. Further investigation has shown that they snap to the start position of the effect rather then the centre or base pan/tilt position. However, I do agree they should fade from their current position in the effect to the new position in the next memory. Frog Reference 5394 - Fading from memories with movement effects - positions snap to start position before fading to next memory.

The Playback Status and Information (PSI) section of the monitor screen (which is always on display), is used to give an indication of which submasters are outputting data, fading or overlaid - see Frog Series operating manual page 7-9 for details.

In all Seriousness, if you are still not convinced, we can always arrange for a demo with your local distributor. If you want more info, please contact our Northern Europe Market Manager, Franck Tiesing (ftiesing@zero88.com) Any questions... you can always ask us.

Yes, it makes sense if you are ONLY playing back the memory stack (playback X), but what happens to the fixtures if you move then using submasters, SX buttons, palettes or manually with the wheels ? The fixtures will no longer be in their 'correct' position when they are next used in the memory stack, and will have to move when the Go button is pressed :? Presumably, there are also people who will want to move the fixtures to their programmed positions in the memories (cues), either snapping or fading the position over a period of time, and occasions when sometimes you don't want to see them move, and sometimes you do. What if the next memory that uses the fixtures has movement effects associated with it ? Very rarely is anything quite as straighforward as it would first appear :? Frog Reference No 5351 - Auto Move while Dark - to be reviewed for inclusion in future update package.

Have you ever considered writing the name of the show on the disk label ? :wink: Frog Reference No 5401 - Naming Shows - feature to be reviewed for inclusion in future update package.