This is topic Load500/Dras10 serial cable in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002311
Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 05-23-2001, 07:59 AM:
Hello everyone.Someone perhaps remember my difficulties connecting my laptop with my CP500.
I thought was a laptop's problem. I tried with another laptop with the same result: no connection.
I wonder if my cable is correct: it is a pin to pin cable.
Thanks
Antonio
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-23-2001, 08:37 AM:
Standard 9pin straight through cable
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-23-2001, 12:04 PM:
Should work fine but double check your com port settings on the laptop to be sure they are correct. Also try a second cable.....
Mark @ GTS
Posted by Steffan Laugharne (Member # 800) on 05-23-2001, 02:13 PM:
Hi AntonioRemember that Dras10 and Load500 work best when run via DOS and not DOS through Windows. Also, I seem to remember that on the Dolby course for the CP500 there was some discussion about the order in which the laptop and CP500/DA20 are switched on in order to get the two to communicate properly. Try both combinations ie. boot up DRAS10 first while connected to CP500/DA20 switched on and then if this fails switch on CP500/DA20 with the laptop already running DRAS10.
Incidentally, Dolby will shortly be releasing a Windows version of DRAS program which will work with CP500 and DA20 processors shortly. These will appear as downloads on www.dolbysecure.com
Steff
Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 05-23-2001, 02:28 PM:
Steff,Thanks for the info, I will try.
I wonder why my old tech that needs a paper with "instrucion" on how to upgrade the software is able to connect without problems while I have a lot of problem and I am a network administrator in the spare time... 
I will try to register myself on dolbysecure...
Bye
Antonio
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-23-2001, 03:26 PM:
I wonder if Dolby ever thought about putting network interfaces on the CP500s and CP 650s? Actually, this would be kind of neat in a new multiplex with cat5 cable installed to each screen. Theoretically, the processors could be monitored and adjustments (like volume, etc.) could be made from a central location. More importantly, upgrades could be made centrally by putting the software image on a central server computer and then using a standard protocol like tftp to load it onto each processor without having to walk around with a laptop.
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 05-23-2001, 05:05 PM:
The CP650 has an ethernet port, I have no ideo what U can do with it though.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-23-2001, 05:30 PM:
Also Dras10 and Load 500 are 16bit programs and wont run if you are useing win2000
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 05-23-2001, 09:35 PM:
>>Also Dras10 and Load 500 are 16bit programs and wont run if you are useing win2000<<They don't work with Win ME either. 
-AS
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 05-23-2001, 11:33 PM:
I suggest two things:1) Boot straight into DOS. Those probrams get cranky when they run anywhere near Windows.
2) Get a nice, heavy serial cable with good shielding.
I had a problem with my laptop not connecting to the processors. With the SDDS it would connect and then quit on me. On the DSP-60 it would connect OK but then it would start making funky noises like a video game. Buying a cable with good shielding solved the problem in both cases. (Yes, I used a Null-Modem connector for the SDDS.)
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-24-2001, 06:57 AM:
It is interesting that SDDS actually has different programs that work best with different laptops. I have a somewhat high end laptop (aka: top of the line about 3 years ago) and can not use ver 1.4, but ver 1.7 works perfectly. Another tech using a 
laptop connects just fine with ver 1.4, but cannot make ver 1.7 work.(Forgive me if I have the version numbers mixed up in my head. I "think" those are correct, but if I have mistated I'm sure someone will be along shortly to correct the error.)
Posted by Jon Bartow (Member # 241) on 05-24-2001, 07:00 AM:
The CP650 (all versions) has an ethernet port on it. Currently the software does not exist to use it but it is supposed to be in a version of the software sometime later this year.
I've never had a problem using Dras10 or Load500 in a dos window under Win98 (first version ) The THX R2 software however does require DOS mode.
Now if we could just get all of those software enginneers to write these programs for LINUX we would be set 
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-24-2001, 02:52 PM:
The only caution of running dra210 under win 98 is getting the commport settings set up correctly and also allowing the correct settings
I was supprised that the latest R2 software was not win98 based