16 bit intensity really 8 bit?

[Neil Macmillan]

I have some 16 bit capable fixtures which have channel 1 and 2 for intensity. I hoped to get some nicer smoother slow fade ups (at least to the capability of the fixture) by switching to 16 bit mode, but I don't seem to be getting a true 16 bit. So to follow, I bring the fader for the fixture to 100% then store to a playback. I then go into the setup for the playback, raise and lower tab then change the raise time to, for example, 255 seconds.

When I watch the dmx output, I would expect to see the 1st channel stay at zero while the 2nd channel goes through 0-255 in 1 second, then the 2nd channel would reset to zero as the 1st channel increments to 1 and so continuing till in 255 seconds they both read 255 and 255.

Instead, they increment as 0,0; 1,1; 2,2; 3,3; 4,4 and so on till 255,255 - in effect, only 8 bit duplicated over two channels as far as I can see.

Am I missing something?

I understand that the board only allows 0-100% control via the faders, in 1% increments, so it can never achieve even 8 bit control from a fader, but was hoping it may be able to automate it via raise time.

For reference, I am on the latest version 8 firmware (build 8), running a FLX S24.

[kgallen]

Have you patched a fixture profile that has the intensity channels defined as 16-bit? i.e. the exact same correct 16-bit mode on the fixture and on the desk? Otherwise most fixtures have the intensity MSB as the "intensity" channel and you'll get 8-bit dimming as the "fine" LSB will just stay at 0.

I think I might have the odd fixture with 16-bit intensity, maybe I could play sometime if I can find which one it is...!