Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Who works with Dolby NA10 Network automation Interface?

This is topic Who works with Dolby NA10 Network automation Interface? in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Alexander Tarakin (Member # 7140) on 11-27-2013, 06:56 AM:

Hello,

Did someone work with this product? or currently working with it?
Is he good and reliable? how much does it cost?

Thank you!

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 11-27-2013, 09:49 AM:

I think you'd better find something else unless you get one for free! [Smile]

The upside is that being a Dolby product you connect to a Dolby server and your cues are automatically downloaded. But it's quite limited and its ethernet link is not very reliable.
I wouldn't buy one, if you get one for free - or almost for free - go for it. Otherwise find something else.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-27-2013, 10:59 AM:

We had so many problems with the NA10 that we developed our own RS232 automation to replace it

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-27-2013, 11:58 AM:

I have a number of local cinemas using these but they have been out of production for quite a while now.

They were quite expensive but all are working reliably though.

Posted by Alexander Tarakin (Member # 7140) on 11-27-2013, 04:13 PM:

Dear Sam, can you tell me the price of one unit?

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-27-2013, 05:39 PM:

If memory serves, it was $3,450 list price which is one reason it did not sell very well.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-27-2013, 06:22 PM:

It was a lot of money for just some relays in a box that only worked via Ethernet and only with one brand of server.

Posted by Alexander Tarakin (Member # 7140) on 11-29-2013, 08:18 AM:

Is there a product that does the same job and worth baying?

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 11-29-2013, 09:38 AM:

Not with a Dolby server and through Ethernet, AFAIK.

- Carsten

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-29-2013, 10:08 AM:

Not via Ethernet...only via RS232. I strongly recommend the Eprad/Strong eCNA series (eCNA5 and the eCNA10). They have at least 16 relay outputs, 6 analog inputs, can control 5 Ethernet devices and are expandable as needed. The eCNA5 is a bit less than $1000 US

On the lower cost front, many use the JNIOR automation.

On the least cost front, one can use the DSS' built in I/O relays...and they are indeed relays. By modifying an XML file, you can have the cues say what you want, control them as Latched or pulsed (and set the duration of the pulse).

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-29-2013, 12:11 PM:

Correction...8 GPI inputs (minimum). As Strong normally configures it, the eCNA 10 comes with an optional I/O module that extends it by another 8 relay outputs and 8 GPI inputs.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-02-2013, 08:13 PM:

I actually never had any real issues with them at all. They always just seemed to work fine doing what they were designd to do. I am actually re-installing two used ones a customer bought in a couple of weeks and another used one with a DSS-200 after those go in. They are used just to control lights and it's a neater thing than dealing with the GPIO and some relays... plus there is plenty of future expansion. Ok for small simple venues. Not for more complicated ones though...

Mark