Update firmware on mac 250

[AJDJ]

Hello,

 

I have 2x Martin Mac 250 Entour. One of them seems to respond slower then the other. Example, if I have an effect going that is just tilt back and forth they both stay in sync at slow speeds but at higher speeds on moves first by half a second or so and slowly over about 10 seconds of this they go way out of sync but if I bring the speed back down to a slower speed they go back to being in sync again.

 

I’ve checked all my settings both on the fixtures and also in the software(Onyx) The only differences I can see is that the fixtures firmware is not the same... one is on 1.5 and the other is on 1.8. Could that make the difference?

 

If so that leads me to another issue, The manual says you need specific hardware to update theses but that hardware is not in production anymore.

[gyro_gearloose]

What interface are you using for the Onyx software? If its one of the Martin USB DMX interfaces, then you can use that to update your fixtures. The software you need is the Martin Companion firmware tool, and one of the supported Martin DMX interfaces.

 

Edit: Elation now sell re-branded versions of the Martin DMX interfaces. Have a look here. Maybe one of those would work with the Martin Companion software?

Edited August 7, 2019 by gyro_gearloose

[AJDJ]

What interface are you using for the Onyx software? If its one of the Martin USB DMX interfaces, then you can use that to update your fixtures. The software you need is the Martin Companion firmware tool, and one of the supported Martin DMX interfaces.

 

Edit: Elation now sell re-branded versions of the Martin DMX interfaces. Have a look here. Maybe one of those would work with the Martin Companion software?

 

 

Ya.... I’m using an unknown USB to DMX thingy (it’s low end, pink plastic with a built in 3-pin xlr on it) ... I got it for free.. works great though! But not for updating fixtures apparently. Thanks for the link, I will check it out!

[AndyJones]

IIRC The Macs used to have a ‘studio mode’. Is this set the same on each fixture?

[Jivemaster]

With old disco scanners, losing sync with the DMX used to be related to replacement of mirrors with non standard mirror that was too thick/heavy. Is there any of this in your problem?

[gyro_gearloose]

I wouldn't have thought so, given that Mac 250 Entours are moving head fixtures. Its probably the 'studio mode' that Andy mentioned earlier that is causing the problem. Studio mode was added in version 1.5 of the firmware, according to this thread from 2010.

[AJDJ]

I just checked, studio mode was off. so that's not the issue I guess.

[alistermorton]

This might be a red herring - are the two fixtures addressed differently or the same (i.e. both responding to the same data) and still they get out of sync?

[AJDJ]

I've tried both ways, the same thing happens if I put them both on the same channel or on separate channels! so it's so strange........

 

I also installed the DMX software that my USB to DMX cable originally came with (Sweet Light) and the results are the same.

 

the only difference between the two are the firmware versions, so at this point I'm assuming Martin must have changed something that made the fixtures react a little faster. I'm going to try to borrow an update cable from a local shop and give it a try with them both being on the newest firmware.

 

 

 

[indyld]

I've tried both ways, the same thing happens if I put them both on the same channel or on separate channels! so it's so strange........

 

If they are doing the same thing responding to the same DMX address and you've done a factory reset of the fixture settings then it's highly likely that it's either a firmware issue or a hardware fault.

[alistermorton]

Presumably they're both set to exactly the same profiles, and it exactly matches what the software is expecting. It's almost as if one of them is interpreting the pan/tilt speed channel differently to the other.

[AJDJ]

ya that's exactly what it seems like! hmmm... wonder if I were to edit the profile in the software to be a little slower on the faster unit..... maybe that will forces them to sync up... going to try to update the firmware first.

[gyro_gearloose]

Have a look at the PTSP menu setting. It controls the pan and tilt speed, and has 3 settings: fast, normal, and slow. Make sure its the same setting on both fixtures.

[AJDJ]

Fixed it!!!!!!!!!!! It was the firmware!!! Had to borrow an old LightJockey USBtoDMX and also had to download a super old version of light jockey, but first I had to install Windows XP on an old laptop to get it to work..... but now it’s finally up to date and the light runs at the same speed as the rest now.