|
|
This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Sound But No Picture With NEC1200C & DSS200
|
|
|
Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!
Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 11-25-2016 11:15 AM
It was Cinelink 2 DH (Deffie-Hellman).
The clocks...
On a Dolby server (any of them) there are at least three clocks. There is the BIOS clock and has all of the accuracy of any motherboard BIOS clock subject to the whims of the battery and power.
The Show clock, which can reference the other clocks and then is on its own.
The mediablock/ secure clock. Subject to the rules of DCI.
The TMS clock (it appears to be the show clock but it is really just the clock of the TMS, which could be a DSL or another server within the complex)
When a Dolby server boots up, it uses the BIOS clock, at first (it has to use something) but that is presumed to be inaccurate. If you pay attention to the boot up, it will get to a point where it seeks the NTP clock. If a valid NTP clock is defined when one configures the server (default is 192.168.241.2 for the default IP of a DSL100 or DSL200), it will use that clock to set its show clock, providing that the requirements of the NTP clock are met (when it was last set, how many hops the NTP clock is from its source...has to be less than 15). If the NTP clock is considered bad or unavailable it will then set its show clock from the secure clock (CAT862 or CAT745). The CAT862 is a good clock and can hold its own for a LONG time. The CAT745 has the accuracy of a bad sun-dial. If the CAT745 is powered on, it does okay. If powered off and is on its battery...it WILL run fast...very fast and consequently will screw up the show clock with it. Note, if you had NTP sync but lost it...the server will begin to "slew" the show clock time to match the secure clock, until such time NTP quality is re-established and then it will slew it back.
It is a good idea to keep the secure clock accurate since there are heavy restrictions on setting it (+/- 6 minutes/year). There is a way, on the CAT745 to expand that time range but you should speak with Dolby on that one since I have not located where they published it in the release notes (only that they fixed it). The secure clock can only be set when the "Security Manager" is on and not "busy" You can't have times changing while logging is going on. The Security manager is either the IMB(IMS) or the Enigma board. So, you need to be between shows but the projector is connected and powered up.
The KDMs ALWAYS refer to the SECURE clock for unlocking a movie regardless of what the show clock may indicate (anybody's server). You can't change time zones to get out of a KDM requirement.
The show clock on an individual server is only true if the server is in SMS mode. If it is in TMS mode (via a Dolby DSL or via a miniplex configuration) then the clock displayed is the TMS' clock HOWEVER, since each theatre is an island, the server's internal show clock will STILL be the clock used for show starts! So lets say you have a three plex and they are in a mini-plex configuration with theatre #1 as the "TMS"...all clocks will read theatre #1's clock. However, lets also say your NTP is bad so each theatre is running wild based on its mediablock time. If you set all three shows to start at 12:00 noon...it is possible (and likely) that all three will start at different times! It isn't how I would design it, but that is how it is and I can appreciate aspects of doing it that way (particularly from a logging standpoint).
As for software, for me 4.3.5.9 is THE bulletproof version. I had a couple of issues on 4.3.5.13 and when one goes into a configuration mode, you get some odd "punch through" on the UI where you see CLI stuff happening...a minor issue that most would never see). I know that 4.3.5.9 can handle some aspects of SMPTE but I have not fully qualified it. I have one, maybe two sites that are running it.
Note, Cinelink 1 is still available on DCI compliant versions of the Dolby software. It is just that for Cinelink 2, your only choice is TLS (Transport Layer Security). You can still turn Cinelink OFF if you want to just run unencrypted content on a non-DCI projector.
If the DCI compliant versions of Dolby software, I like 4.4.2.10 the best (it is very 4.3 like and has Cine-Canvas fixes in it). However, 4.7 brought the ability to force an Enigma purge, which can be quite valuable and also vastly improved its ability to work with NTP. I haven't had any real heavy problems on 4.7 and that is where the DSS100/DSP100 are stopping on the Dolby software.
4.8 has its bags of ups/downs. I love that it is will start shows just about instantly (which I suspect caused some of 4.8s stability problems due to unintended consequences, just my personal opinion) when play is pressed, some have used the intermission feature. The "Disconnected" problem has been driving me mad. That said, there is a glimmer of hope there.
4.8.9.12 (current release, as of this writing) has a portion of the Disconnected fix in it (not published). Since I've put servers on this version, I noted that my incidents have all but vanished! It is early in its release though I've played with versions of it for months. It does not have all of the fixes in it but I think they have found where the problem(s) are coming from since this had a dramatic (for me) shift in stability. I HIGHLY (in fact, emphatically) encourage anyone on ANY version of 4.8 prior to 4.8.9 to migrate to it. If you are on 4.8.6 or later then you shouldn't need a KDM to move to 4.8.9 and 4.8.6 - 4.8.8 don't have anything more stable than 4.8.9 (trust me). 4.8.9 is just about all bug-fix (check the release notes). It also boots faster, which is one of Dolby's not so strong points.
If I were Steve Kraus, I'd be on 4.3.5.9 but I would have the current version of the software at the ready if he runs into an SMPTE compatibility issue. Note, the DSS100/DSP100 does not have the upgrade/downgrade restrictions so he could set that one up on 4.3.5.9 to always have a known reliable version and let the DSS200 become DCI compliant and SMPTE compliant.
As for the projector, I'd be on 4.217. That will get you all of the critical updates, including Enigma 1.8 (though that came along a bit earlier). NEC is behind the other two on ICP updates. 4.5 is current on ICP. Barco just released it though Christie has had it and 4.4 (Which Barco skipped) for some time now. I suspect that Enigma 1.8 will be the last of it as I suspect new sales of that module are primarily to replaced failed ones! There is now just one new server that can use it, the GDC SX-2001 since Dolby withdrew the DCP2K4 this month.
Based on Steve's description, I suspect it was the projector's communication or the Enigma itself that was at fault. The logs MAY provide a clue but sometimes the devices don't realize they are not working right and the logs don't show why there was no image. If it was a known Cinelink problem, it should have had Cinelink Snow.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Bandiera Jr
Film God
Posts: 3067
From: Moreland Idaho
Registered: Apr 2004
|
posted 11-26-2016 11:22 AM
quote:
quote: Steve GuttagThe CAT745 has the accuracy of a bad sun-dial. If the CAT745 is powered on, it does okay. If powered off and is on its battery...it WILL run fast...very fast and consequently will screw up the show clock with it. Note, if you had NTP sync but lost it...the server will begin to "slew" the show clock time to match the secure clock, until such time NTP quality is re-established and then it will slew it back.
That would explain why the one we were using temporarily between June and last week was nearly two hours fast. I'm told that it had been mothballed for quite some time before we got it and put it in the loaner Barco. The 745 at the Aero, which is probably powered up for around 30-40 hours each week (and has been in that usage pattern since it was installed new in August 2014), is now around 25 minutes fast.
And this is a prime example of why you should ALWAYS leave your servers (and projectors) powered up at all times, and NEVER completely kill power to either via the breakers. (Projector on standby of course.)
We had a thread debating this some years ago....
To summarize, in any public access screening environment (cinema or as in Steve's case, screening room) the extra power used can be minimal in cost compared to the costs of lost shows. That is a factor you must consider when looking at the big picture (pun intended.)
Wear and tear on fans, drives, etc. is usually not a big factor, if proper maintenance practices are followed.
And most importantly, you MUST have the server and projector electronics on a quality UPS. This will help prevent surges, brownouts and line noise from damaging electronics.
IMHO anyone running digital cinema equipment without a UPS isn't too bright. The cost of the equipment and the downtime potential far outweighs the cost of even a top of the line UPS. One power hit and you've easily lost 5 - 25 times the cost of a UPS.
| IP: Logged
|
|
Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!
Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 11-26-2016 06:49 PM
Tony, with all due respect, running a projector 24-hours because the CAT745 has an extra-crappy clock is downright silly. The cost of maintaining a projector that runs 24-hours versus one that only runs operating hours is significant. Projectors blow dirt around and the cost of keeping the optics clean (and on an NEC, the prism has an air gap that needs swabbing too), changing fans...etc significantly increases wear and tear as well as cost.
As for UPSes..they fail too so you could still lose a show due to a failed UPS (and it is happening too frequently...the failed UPSes). And I don't mean battery failures (though those too needed to be changed every 3-5 years), I mean just plain dead UPSes. This is a reason we have incorporated a transfer switch in our current systems to avoid single-point-failures.
As for 4.3.5.9 versus 4.3.5.13, I'd "downgrade" in a heartbeat. Unlike you, Steve, I've run quite a few Dolby servers on a MANY versions and have never had 4.3.5.9 ever bite me. So while I appreciate that from your personal perspective, you are exercising the "safe" position, if were me, you know my opinion. You are welcomed to do what you wish as it has zero effect upon me. Heck, it could be pure coincidence that I've found 4.3.5.9 to be more stable than 4.3.5.13, it is just my perspective.
As for the DSP100/DSS100. 4.7.x is available for it and 4.7 IS DCI compliant so it SHOULD run SMPTE and DCI packages. Therefore, I claim that it is a 100% valid backup server for you. Remember, on the 100 series, the CRU drive is "manual" you have to press the grey button to turn it on after you stick the CRU in (Same with the DSL100). Perhaps that is the issue you are having with it.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!
Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 11-27-2016 05:52 AM
Adam, are you referring to transferring some code from the later software and plopping it down in the DSS100?
I don't think we have any DSS100/DSP100s in service as a primary server anymore, just as backup servers.
Since 4.7 is supposed to make the DSS100/DSP100 DCI compliant, it wouldn't surprise me that if there is some sort of compatibility issue with SMPTE packages (encrypted subtitles) that another version of 4.7 doesn't come out to correct that problem. Now, if encrypted SMPTE subtitles is some sort of new thing, post DCI specs, then I could see Dolby saying that no NEW features are to be added, the DSS100/DSP100 are frozen in time based on the specs as written when they were in production.
Powering an IMB externally. While I certainly agree in principle, I think the issue would be the heat generated by the IMB while powered. It is in a card cage and without the projector to provide air flow, it could run into heat issues if it were powered but the projector was off (or standby state).
As for the CRU being an auto-start...I had asked Dolby about this years ago and was lead to believe that there was nothing to be done about it. Have you tried converting a CRU drive on a DSS100 (or DSL100)?
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion
and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.
|
Home
Printer-friendly view of this topic