Avolites Titan

[MatSpencer]

Hello,

 

Is anyone else using Titan and experiencing a lag in the software, on either Classic Mode or Titan Mode.

 

Selecting fixtures it takes ages for the SWOPs to light up. Patching fixtures it takes ages for the software to respond to a key press. Applying attributes it takes ages for the Visualiser to respond, However real time fixtures will respond immediatly...

 

Thanks,

Mat

[Richard Simpson]

Hello,

 

Is anyone else using Titan and experiencing a lag in the software, on either Classic Mode or Titan Mode.

 

Selecting fixtures it takes ages for the SWOPs to light up. Patching fixtures it takes ages for the software to respond to a key press. Applying attributes it takes ages for the Visualiser to respond, However real time fixtures will respond immediatly...

 

Thanks,

Mat

 

Yes we are having the same problem - there is a software update now available on Avolites website which is supposed to fix it.

 

 

Richard

 

De Novo Events

[niclights]

I'm confused that you might see this on both versions of software. That would suggest either hardware or USB Expert issue.

 

It sounds like a process is confused and using all CPU.

 

As Richard says, 1.1 is now available and well worth upgrading. I have had on test since Nov/Dec last year and have had no lag, slowdown or stability issues.

[Colin]

Upgraded a pearl expert today that was suffering the same lag issue, the issue now seems to be resolved. (just need to improve the windows boot up time then I will stop being grumpy about the shiny desk)

[bartleyni]

What a coincidence, so did I! The lag issue has disappeared from both the classic and titan modes. I couldn't see it on the Avo website but the Titan update also updates the Expert to 2.3 at the same time as updating the Titan software to 1.1. Whilst on updating software, is there a way of knowing how up to date the fixture library is on the Expert? Or is it just a case of updating it every so often?

[niclights]

Classic 2.3 fixes a problem mainly encountered by rental companies. Previously if you booted, performed a wipeall and then immediately shutdown, the next time you boot there would be an error. As I understand this was due to an undocumented Microsoft file write delay.

 

It's good to hear the issue appears resolved, although I find it interesting that you have been able to conclude it fixed so quickly. Does that mean it was ever-present, or that there were specific repeatable conditions?

[bartleyni]

Before the update in classic mode, for us anyway, whenever patching fixtures, selecting fixtures on the desk, changing any attributes such as dimmer, tilt/pan etc. the desk lagged behind. From playing around a bit, the DMX signal being sent didn't lag when changing the attributes though, which wasn't such a problem, just the display on the LCD above each wheel. The major problem was how long it was taking to patch fixtures, there was a noticeable and annoying delay between pressing the Select Swop and the desk actually patching the fixtures. Also when selecting a fixture using the Select Swops the same delay was present. However it all seems to be solved now with this update. The desk hasn't been used yet properly yet, only for playing around and looking at the new features in the warehouse.

[niclights]

Very odd. I have never seen any of these problems in either Classic or Titan in any build/version. Make sure panel software is up-to-date (via UsbExpert Console).

[Bråthe]

Have had the same problem before the update. Would normaly come when starting to patch fixtures, however restarting the console would remove the lag.

[MatSpencer]

niclights, Might be worth writing an online 'How To Update Panel Software'. ?

 

I know its as a *.txt file on the desk but I didn't find it too easy to find.

 

But I can confirm, After doing the Panel Software update the desk runs beautifully again :)

[niclights]

Might be worth writing an online 'How To Update Panel Software'. ?

Full details on upgrade are here.

 

Overview for panel firmware update (this assumes you have already installed latest software):

 

Close software.

Open Usb Console.

Select 'service' tab (scroll to find).

Press [enter boot].

Wait for all panels to enter boot mode. If there are any updates they should now show in the bottom right window.

Press [update].

Once this is complete press [exit boot].

All panels should return to normal operation.

Power-cycle console.

 

If the update process appears to stall (official time more than 10mins) then simply press [exit boot], wait for panels to return to normal and repeat procedure.

[Lindsey]

Hi Everyone,

 

Firstly, before embarking on the software versions available for the Pearl Expert I would like to make you aware that if your Expert is s/n 851 or below it requires some hardware upgrades. The upgrade kit is supplied free of charge. If this applies to you please contact Avolites directly on 0208 965 8522.

 

On to the software…as you are all aware the Pearl Expert hosts two operating systems; Classic (Classic Pearl 2010 software) and Titan (the all new operating system which brings the powerful Diamond 4 functionality and feature set to the Pearl Expert), the console can then be run in either operating system depending on user’s requirements.

 

Consequently, there are 4 things to keep up-to-date on a Pearl Expert:

 

1. Titan software version

2. Classic software version

3. Panel firmware version

4. Fixture personality libraries for both software versions

 

As some of you have experienced the program menus in one of the Classic software versions were very slow; the output response of the console was still very fast but we felt the speed of the menus was unacceptable hence this problem being solved and a new version of Classic software was born which appears to be what you have all upgraded to.

 

For clarity’s sake, here’s how it all came about in a nutshull:

 

TITAN v1.0

 

Stable but missing some functionality which regular Pearl users expect

 

TITAN v1.1

 

Has all the features that regular Pearl users expect as well as many Titan specific features. V1.1 is available for download from the Avolites website in conjunction with Classic v2.3, it is still a beta version but we have completed thorough in-house and field test and have found this version to be very stable and rewarding to use.

 

CLASSIC 2.2

 

Stable but program menus slow; output response still very fast but speed of program menus deemed unacceptable by Avolites

 

CLASSIC 2.3

 

Stable and speed issue from v2.3 fixed. V2.3 is available for download from the Avolites website in conjunction with Titan v1.1.

 

 

So, to date, all Pearl Expert users should upgrade their console to Titan v1.1 + Classic v2.3 which is the current download available from the Avolites website.

 

 

It is best practice once this upgrade is complete to check if the console’s panel firmware version is up to date, niclight’s ‘how to’ is comprehensive and reproduced below (thank you niclights):

 

1. Close software.

2. Open Usb Console.

3. Select 'service' tab (scroll to find).

4. Press [enter boot].

5. Wait for all panels to enter boot mode. If there are any updates they should now show in the bottom right window.

6. Press [update].

7. Once this is complete press [exit boot].

8. All panels should return to normal operation.

9. Power-cycle console.

 

 

Additionally, ensure the fixture personality libraries for Classic and Titan are up to date.

 

The complete libraries for both operating systems can be downloaded from the Avolites website; the Classic fixture library and the Titan fixture library are separate files – ensure you download both. Once these are downloaded onto a USB pen drive simply run them on the console and the libraries will be updated.

 

With this all done you’re ready to roll!!!

 

Hope that makes sense and helps to clear things up.

 

Lindsey Markham

Training and Events Manager

Avolites Ltd