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Author Topic: Server / Projector Random disconnects and comms problems Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 07-30-2016 07:40 PM                     System 4.8 has definately been a mixed bag for me but the version that has the most oddities to it. System 4.7, if you think about it was pretty stable. To me, the biggest thing that changed in 4.8 was the instant play function where it no longer has to check content and licenses when the show starts since it checked them when it selected the show. Intermission was added but that was not a huge feature to me though it may be to others. Back on topic. I have had exactly ONE CAT862 failure. It failed such that it would not run the movie (time line frozen). Sent it off to Dolby for repairs and it was put back in service and remains so to this day...it was from 2010 so it is now a 6 year old server. As such, I really don't think you have a hardware issue unless it is an odd bad solder joint or something. As for your NOC...did you offer to him the option of bypassing the double RJ45 thing and he rejected it? I have absolutely had those connectors cause issues. Not many (less than 5) but once I pull that internal cable, I don't replace it with another short cable, it is coming out and a direct cable goes in. What is the downside? The fewer the connections, the higher the relibability. If you have the opportunity, the next transport not available, try pinging both the projector and the auditorium NIC...see if the response time is less than 1msec. Note too, if it was a CAT862, it would say CAT862 not available (or mediablock if it was just on boot up). The CAT862 is a really reliable piece.  |  IP: Logged Gavin Lewarne Master Film Handler Posts: 278 From: Plymouth, UK Registered: Aug 2009 posted 07-30-2016 08:00 PM                     ah that's a good idea on the Ping test Steve, ill do that. When I speak to the NOC on Monday I will mention using a single link cable and bypassing the connector, I don't see why they would say no after their request I change the internal one already.  |  IP: Logged Leo Enticknap Film God Posts: 7474 From: Loma Linda, CA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 07-30-2016 09:19 PM                        I have a sorta similar (though thankfully, nothing like as show-jeopardizing) server/projector interaction issue. In the Egyptian's little auditorium, we used to have a Doremi DCP2000 with Dolphin media block, connected to a NEC iS8-2K, with link encryption disabled altogether. We then acquired a second DSS200, and recently replaced the Doremi with it. It connects to the projector via a cat862 and Cinelink I encryption. The issue is that since installing the DSS200, the iS8-2K Windows control app will not connect to the projector through the network. It would with the Doremi in use, but not the Dolby. When serial or USB is used to connect the laptop to the projector directly, the control app works fine. But not over the network. Both the projector's control and TI IP addresses answer a command line ping from the same laptop, but the dratted app cannot communicate via IP with it. If I had to guess, it would be that the cat862 is monopolizing a specific function of the connection to the projector's LAN interface (e.g. a port), such that no other device on the network has access to it. I've gone through the DSS200's installation manual looking for any obvious setting, but I can't find one. Communication between the DSS200 and all other network devices works fine (the Dolby Show Manager app running on the same laptop that refuses to control the projector is OK). Cues sent from the DSS200 to the projector also work. Troubleshooting thoughts gratefully appreciated. It's only a minor pain having to have the laptop and projector connected via a USB wire, but this is one of those irritating little things I'd love to get to the bottom of.  |  IP: Logged Frank Cox Film God Posts: 2234 From: Melville Saskatchewan Canada Registered: Apr 2011 posted 07-30-2016 09:31 PM                        quote: Steve Guttag What is the downside? Dust, since you have now opened another hole into the machine?  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 07-30-2016 11:04 PM                     Nope...due to the interal fans, you have positive pressure there. I really doubt it is the CAT862 that is "monopolizing" the port. The CAT862 doesn't get to talk to your projector directly. It is on its own network. It could be the Auditorium NIC and what it likely does is open the port an keep it open. As a result, if the NEC can only support one connection, it has it. I would find it odd that they didn't give the DCC its own port and let Cinema server have its own port.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 07-31-2016 05:10 AM                     What Steve said. When the transport goes, the GUI should tell you why. You'll have a "cannot connect to projector" or "unable to connect to mediablock/cat862" (cannot remember the exact words but something like that). Indeed ping the projector but also ping the 862 which should be on 169.254.1.2  |  IP: Logged Leo Enticknap Film God Posts: 7474 From: Loma Linda, CA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 07-31-2016 01:23 PM                        quote: Steve Guttag I really doubt it is the CAT862 that is "monopolizing" the port. The CAT862 doesn't get to talk to your projector directly. It is on its own network. It could be the Auditorium NIC and what it likely does is open the port an keep it open. As a result, if the NEC can only support one connection, it has it. I would find it odd that they didn't give the DCC its own port and let Cinema server have its own port. Hmm ... DSS200s and other models of NEC projector work without this glitch, and the Doremi server we used to use works with that model of NEC projector without this glitch, so the cause has to be something to do with the communication between those two specific models. If other NECs can support more than one simultaneous connection, but the iS8-2K can only support one, that would explain it (assuming that the Doremi only uses that connection when it's actually interacting with the projector, and then closes it when each interaction is done). There are actually two Ethernet ports on the side of the projector: I'm going to try connecting the second one to the network switch as well, to see if adding a another physical connection cracks it.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 07-31-2016 03:30 PM                     Leo Do *NOT* connect the projector to the switch using two cables! This will create a loop and make your network unstable as the switch doesn't know which port to use!  |  IP: Logged Gavin Lewarne Master Film Handler Posts: 278 From: Plymouth, UK Registered: Aug 2009 posted 08-01-2016 09:31 AM                     Had a more sensible reply from Dolby / CinemaNext today Seems the server logs indicate problems with downloading the link decryptor logs, and the LD is sometimes severing the connection with the Cat862, even during playback. They think my LD is hosed, but have asked I run the "downloadallprojectorlogs" script anyway, just to see. If it continues, as they suspect it will, time to replace the Enigma module itself. I do find it curious as to why the Projector logs and Communicator are not reporting any issues with the LD, but I guess its a start Will keep the thread updated in case this is helpful to people in the future  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 08-01-2016 02:43 PM                     Things to keep in mind on this one. Neither party (CAT862 or Enigma) talk directly to each other. The CAT862 goes through the DSS200's network and then then back out of the Theatre NIC. From there to a network switch (typically though it could go to the projector) from there the projector's internal switch on the Cinema controller, then the signal backplane over to the HDSDI board and finally to the Enigma (link Decryptor). So, as you can see, there are plenty of pitstops that could cause a communication issue. I would definitely reseat the Cinema Controller, HDSDI board and the Enigma board. Next to remember, the port number for the log transfers and TLS sessions are not the same as the normal communication so just because one thing isn't reporting an issue does not mean that another function is going to work properly. If you have another projector I'd do an Enigma swap and see if the problem stays with the either projector. Note, when you swap enigmas you WILL set off the security trigger that will have the Dolby server do the full 8192 log dump (512 at a time for 16 shows).  |  IP: Logged Gavin Lewarne Master Film Handler Posts: 278 From: Plymouth, UK Registered: Aug 2009 posted 08-01-2016 04:36 PM                     Thanks Steve. We have already ruled out the network cables and hardware (tried multiple different cables and switched, even going direct from auditorium port to projector. Every board in the projector was re-seated already. We do not have another projector (single screen) so cant do an easy swap out to test stuff. Just have to do it one at a time as and when we eliminate things.  |  IP: Logged Leo Enticknap Film God Posts: 7474 From: Loma Linda, CA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 08-01-2016 05:40 PM                        Thanks Marco. Can't understand why the iS8-2K has two LAN ports. I can't see any way you can give them separate IP addresses in the control software (unless the second is exclusively for the TI board). I suspect that this issue is one I'm just going to have to live with.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 08-02-2016 11:08 AM                     Hello Leo Those ports are connected to an internal switch. They're there for your convenience. You may want to plug - for example - your 3D unit or your laptop without going back to the main switch (which is always recommended). I find that very helpful particularly when the cabling is a nightmare and you want to connect to the projector network!  |  IP: Logged

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