Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Sony DFP software w/ XP and USB to serial adapter

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Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 12-24-2001, 08:39 PM:

Hold your fire! This isn't by choice...this is what I've been given and I have to try to make it work.

Has anyone been able to get Sony DFP setup software to work on XP and/or with a USB to serial adapter?

My next step is to partition the HDD and install 98SE on the new partition. But I think the problem here is the way the Sony software tries to access the serial port. Even though the USB/Serial adapter is working ok with a modem, I think it will likely be the culprit.

If anyone has had any experiences with this, please post.

Thanks.

Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 12-24-2001, 10:35 PM:

Software accessing a serial port can be incredibly funky. Legacy rules often have to be followed, including using the old standard (read expected) DOS IRQs and addresses for ports one and two. Add that Windows likes to take control of ports and parcel out access by its own rules and problems can grow to be exasperating. Good luck, keep plugging and trying different combos. Sometimes these problems can be solved with patience and dumb luck.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 12-25-2001, 10:38 AM:

You are best off using Win98 in another partition, or 'downgrading' the whole system to 98SE.

The SDDS software doesn't work with WinME either.

-Aaron

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 12-25-2001, 11:53 AM:

Yes, I agree with Aaron; that's probably the best, easiest soultion.
I wish manufacturers would standardize this stuff; for example, the THX D1138 monitor software only runs on DOS. It was also rather poorly written, as if it was knocked out in a hurry.

The Sony is the only one that needs a null-modem cable, but regualar null-modem cables have a male DB9 on both ends. Yet Sony put a male connector on the back or their processor, which means you also have to get a "gender-bender" (female to female) adapter.

Posted by Stefan Scholz (Member # 147) on 12-25-2001, 12:31 PM:

The Null modem cable this way is pretty common in industrial computing applications, so in general, once you own one, you're fine, and it should not be the problem thereafter.
The real treat is to get the horrible Windoze systems to work properly with different computers and Windoze systems. I have personally found to stay with an old Win 3.11 laptop from 93, which runs all my theatre control software pretty, as it has all theese Dos conventions, and could legally run PC Dos without opening a window. My tries with any other win system ended in frustrations and endless time spent, time you legally can't charge to a customer, and then sometimes unexpected behavior happens. Win and Microsoft are among my behated items, it's useless. But you have t o stay with some kind of Win based computer, as there's no SDDS or THX or Dolby for Unix based machines, unless you end up with emulators, a wholly different treat of itself.

After some hours of try - and error, - I was finally able to use the Sony SW on my Mac using VPC 4, but it wasn't simple to figure out, as I'm not a Mac genius.

There may be an advantage running 2000, Xp, ... on a newer machine, at least for some applications, but as long as something works oK, why not keep the old computer as long as possible for setup purposes. I found out, it was most clever do so, even trhough some customers laugh on my 486/75Mhz Dell from 93.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-25-2001, 01:58 PM:

If you are trying to access a DFP-3000 or DFP-2500, are you using version 3 of the software? I don't know, but this may or may not help.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 12-25-2001, 07:41 PM:

Steve, yes it is version 3.

I previously used a P-133 that ran WIN98SE with this software and it worked fine. But the 133 has been replaced with newer equipment that does not have a serial port but does have XP. My first impression was that this would never work, but I still have to try.

Aaron, I was able to get the DFP-2000 software to work on WIN ME but I was not able to get the DCP-1000 software to connect when running under ME.

Thanks.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 12-25-2001, 09:18 PM:

>>Aaron, I was able to get the DFP-2000 software to work on WIN ME but I was not able to get the DCP-1000 software to connect when running under ME.<<

That's what I meant. Same applied for the original version of Dolby DRAS. it ran but didn't connect.

-Aaron

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-25-2001, 10:47 PM:

Hmmm...Randy indicated he has been able to get his Mac using Virtual PC to run all of the Cinema software that he has tried (also USB..using a Keyspan USB to serial adapter). I wonder if he tried the Sony DFP...muct check the forum. If so, that is hopeful for some of us. VPS allows multiple operating systems...I have DOS 6.21, Win 3.11, and Win98SE all on separate dynamic virtual hard drives. The latest VPC 5.0 is about twice as fast (emulates Pentium2) and supports DOS even better than before.

I have an NCS friend that is getting a computer (supplied by NCS) that sounds like your configuration (USB and WIN XP)...I'll see how he fares and let you know if he has success first.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-26-2001, 11:31 AM:

XP like 2000 doesn't like any 16bit code or anything that requires direct hardware acess so it will not run.
Most industrial software requires direct hardware connections so that is why there is still DOS in use

Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 12-26-2001, 07:35 PM:

Steve,

Yes, all of the NCS techs, including me, have these new systems. Unfortunately, this is the situation we're all in...Mike Labbe and I have been trying to figure out if this is going to work. I was able to connect to a DA-20 with WinDRAS today but only if I connect the serial cable after the WinDRAS software is running and I had to disconnect the cable before selecting disconnect in the software. If the cable was connected before booting the computer, XP would not start...if the disconnect button was selected in the software with the cable still connected, XP would immediately crash and reboot.

Frustrating...

The DFP-3000 software appears to work until you try to connect to the processor then it gives two error messages:
"DCB could not be created for COM (1)" and "Not able to configure the serial port. Verify that a valid port was selected. There is a possibility that the selected port is not recognized by the system. Exit the software and check the port configuration of the computer."

Mike called Sony today and they said "Why would you want to do that?"

??Good question...

I know the USB/serial adapter is working because I was able to use my cell phone and a standard external modem without any problems.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-26-2001, 10:56 PM:

Yes, I was able to get the Sony software to run on my Mac.

Using Virtual PC 4.0 (Windows 95) and a Keyspan USB/Serial adaptor.

Make sure the driver for the adaptor is loaded and the adaptor is plugged in BEFORE you activate VPC or else it won't recognize when you try to run it. Hook up a regular serial cable and attach a NULL MODEM adaptor. Then fire up the application and connect/operate in the normal way.

The Mac part won't help you very much if you are using a PC. However, this leads me to believe that you should be able to get a USB/Serial adaptor to work OK. I have been told that the computer may not be able to "see" the device on the other end of the adaptor but I have used my adaptor on SDDS, Dolby Digital and USL DSP-60 without problems. I don't see why it wouldn't work for you.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-27-2001, 08:09 AM:

Randy,

Check out VPC 5.0...it seems quite a bit faster and more glitch free than VPC 4.0. Even DOS emulation seems to have been improved.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-27-2001, 04:35 PM:

Yep! I'm already on it!

When I bought VPC 4.0 it was just days before the release of 5.0. There is an upgrade program where they will give you the new version for $10. ($5 if you download it.) You have to have bought VPC 4.0 between certain dates and you have to provide a copy of the original sales receipt, etc. etc.

Check out Connectix.com for details.

Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 12-30-2001, 08:01 PM:

Update:

Mike and I set up a desktop system with serial ports and tried to connect to s DFP-2000. No luck, we got the same error msg listed above. So the software will definately not run under XP.

The next step is to setup a laptop with Win98 or ME and try the USB to serial adapter...but not for a while, I have already put too much of my own time into this...I'll post a resolution if one turns up.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-30-2001, 08:33 PM:

Trevor,

Have you checked with your USB->serial adapter's web site? Drivers are often updated to make them more glitch free. Some adapters also work better than others.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Posted by Stefan Scholz (Member # 147) on 12-31-2001, 02:50 PM:

All Sony runs on Virtual PC 4.0 using Mac OS 9. Win 98 image.

It does not run on XP and ME, and DCP 1k is critical on 2000.
This is why I suggested to keep the old laptop, if possible.
(Even on Win 3.11 the 3000 software works fine.)

It may work running Virtual PC for Windows and emulate a 95/98 machine on your XP system.
The problem is not Sony, it's Microsoft.