usb on the pearl 2004

[monkeypuzzle]

ok, so after getting more money together than I expected, I've just aquired a pearl 2004 instaed of a azure! yippee! all is good, now, I've just noticed the usb socket on the back. Does anyone out there know if this is functional? does it do anything other than look like its of use but isn't?

 

Cheers, matt p

[Ike]

It does naff all!

[tom_the_LD]

Is it not for saving shows on a memory stick as apposed to a floppy disk? Or is this just on the expert?

[Chris_R]

Is it not for saving shows on a memory stick as apposed to a floppy disk?

 

No, It doesn't do anything - USB functionality was never built into the software.

[monkeypuzzle]

do you reckon they'll bother with a software update?

[Svender]

The USB on the pearl2004 is for linking to the Avo Visualiser software not for means of saving shows etc. There is a USB port on the front of the Pearl 2008 but as currently it is still running on the same software as the 2004 so it is not in use as yet. I am sure as time goes by software will appear that allows you to use the SB port for saving shows etc.

[monkeypuzzle]

I've made a cable using the midi sockets to connect to the vis software, I can't seem to find a usb option anywhere. Svender, you say that software will be coming out for usb, I presume this will only be on the 2008? will they leave the 2004 as it is now and put all brains to the 08? it would be nice to share files with my laptop. every time I mention floppy drives to computer people they look at me as if I think that 78rpm records are cutting edge!

[dosxuk]

The 2008 is an updated version of the 2004 (in turn an updated 2000) and all run the same software. When the 2008 software is released it can be installed on your 2004, bringing it up to date.

 

Has anyone heard when the software is due out, other than "soon"? I was told they were going to start testing it just after PLASA but that was ages ago now...

[tokm]

June was the latest I heard from my friend at Avo... I'm sure that date'll change as all things do, but suppose we can hope. Niclights's pretty in with Avo, maybe he'll have a better idea on a time scale for the 08 software.

 

Problem with the USB socket on the 2004 is that its a square socket as opposed to the normal rectangular one. Perhaps a cable can be obtained from somewhere like ebuyer or eBay..

 

Tom

[Tomo]

The "square" sockets are USB Type B connectors, and are only for use on USB devices, and never USB hosts.

This means that it cannot be used to plug in a memory stick - no matter what software Avolites come up with.

 

The USB socket on your PC is a Type A connector, and is only for use on USB Hosts.

 

A B plug to A socket adapter cable should not exist, and wouldn't work if it did.

(Oddly enough, A plug to A socket cables break spec as well - but they work some of the time.)

 

The USB connector spec is actually pretty clever - it easily prevents most illegal connections, only physically permitting the illegal connection of too many hubs in series.

 

I expect that the USB B connector will eventually allow you to plug the console into a PC running some clever Avolites software to either add functionality to the console or to provide an easy link to online visualisation.

[niclights]

As said, 2000, 2004 and 2008 boards are essentially the same. Any software releases should be compatible with all.

 

There is an imminent release to allow saving/loading of shows via USB. I cannot say when since such things are problematic but I do know it is number one priority and, as far as I know, all problems have now been overcome. There is a hardware upgrade available to provide the port on consoles that do not have one.

 

The release should also fix some remaining bugs such as tap tempo timing with some extra bits too! As I understand, due to codespace limitations, this fix comes at the price of losing personality cache on the pre 2008 boards but not exactly the end of the world to get them from disk (or presumably if you install the socket).

 

HTH

[johnhuson]

Just to expand on Nicks post, I was lead to believe by Avo that as stated in the 2008 software you will be able to connect your PC to your Pearl to save/load shows. I was also told that the PC software would have an option to use your PC as a graphics tablet i.e. shown on screen and use mouse to select. Whether that will be implemented remains to be seen!

 

It seems a shame that the new software will sacrifice the personality cache, it would be nice if you could disable the USB option and retain the cache, even if it was reduced in size. As a hire company, sending a console out knowing it will work with all fixtures in your hire stock without a disk (easily lost) is piece of mind.

 

I was also lead to believe that there may be a retro-fit kit for the 2004 to add the USB A port thats on the 2008 for using memory sticks, again time will tell. If this were the case then losing the cache would be less of an issue for me. It's a real shame that the Pearl 2000/2004/2008 hardware is reaching breaking point with the newer software, guess that's why the expert was developed.

[tom_the_LD]

And if your PC could double up as a vis when connected to the desk.....:D

[johnhuson]

Thats already possible using the visualiser port Tom.

[niclights]

I was lead to believe by Avo that as stated in the 2008 software you will be able to connect your PC to your Pearl to save/load shows

 

That was indeed was the design of some software I was testing prior to the announcements of the 2008 & Expert. I think there's a good chance this remains true along with running Vis to combat the slowdown via Midi.

 

I was also told that the PC software would have an option to use your PC as a graphics tablet i.e. shown on screen and use mouse to select

 

I'm not sure about that!

 

It's a real shame that the Pearl 2000/2004/2008 hardware is reaching breaking point with the newer software, guess that's why the expert was developed

 

Exactly. No more space left for code & processor would struggle to do more if you could fit the program in. That's not to say that they aren't superb desks as they are :P

 

None of this can be taken as official. Maybe if Olie drops by he can confirm things etc.