Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 2k SERVER

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Posted by Annli Com (Member # 8266) on 12-28-2014, 09:25 AM:

We are planed opening New 3 screen 2k projection,
Kindly Suggest Which server is user friendly and best in your experience.(Not interested in IMB )
My Using Experience only In Qube and Doremi DCP 2000

1 doremi
2 dolby
3 gdc
4 qube
5 others

Thanks and regards

Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 12-28-2014, 10:29 AM:

User-friendliness shouldn't really be your first selection criteria. All servers are sufficiently simple for their normal day-to-day management and you need some good technical knowledge (internal or external) for the more advanced aspects anyway.

Dolby's line of non-IMB servers are essentially exit and the rest will be rather soon, so you can get that off the list.

I would go for Doremi (now Dolby) as it is probably the most widely deployed server solution alongside with Dolby and generally speaking quite robust. But you should weight in other factors like serviceability and availability at your location, the need for integration with an IMS, etc.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-01-2015, 07:41 PM:

I work with GDC and have worked with Doremi's along with Dolby and found that GDC are a bit more user friendly than Doremi's and the Dolby, yet all three are easy to learn how to use them in their own way to your advantage.

-Monte

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-01-2015, 09:00 PM:

Damn Monte, spreading false information again? [Wink]

Hands down Dolby is the easiest. I've never heard of anyone disagreeing until Monte's absurd post above.

Doremi is a good second.
GDC is the third.

Still none of these are particularly difficult to learn and all have a little quirk here and there to learn, but if user friendliness is your primary objective, you cannot beat the Dolby GUI.

Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 01-02-2015, 06:42 AM:

Dolby has the most polished user interface of the "big three" independent DCI server manufacturers (Dolby, Doremi and GDC). While Doremi's software certainly gets the job done, it's evident they never put much energy in making it look "good" for example.

Yet, the daily tasks of ingesting, managing and queuing up content aren't rocket science and can be thought to about everyone who's just halfway competent. If somebody is scared by a somewhat "industrial" looking user interface, you shouldn't let him/her near your equipment anyway.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-02-2015, 09:41 AM:

Yeah...explain that to the 70+ year olds I've had to teach DCinema to. And they OWN this equipment you don't want me to let them near!

For the record, yes I've taught non-computer people the other GUIs...but using Dolby, one cuts their time WAY WAY down. Furthermore, if it is a multiplex, the "TMS" doesn't require anything new to teach. The hardest "concept" for them to get on the Dolby GUI in a multiplex is that every server shares the SAME shows but that the CONTENT is unique to each server. That is...if you make a show (SPL in other lingoes) on any server...that show is on ALL servers...however the content didn't magically move around. But once they get the concept of Right-Clicking on the show to "Copy Clips" , the light bulb normally goes on and things go real easy from there.

But yes, projection in cinema remains a repetitive task so most ANY system will be figured out with enough time.

But if you want maximum up-time...I'll still stick with Dolby...it isn't perfect, but in most ways, it is the best.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 01-02-2015, 10:03 AM:

I think generally we like what we know.
I work mostly with Doremi and freely admit to preferring them, probably just because I've learned some of their quirks.
Dolby's GUI has pretty colors but I never got really used to it, and I find some of the systems' peculiarities very frustrating.
I have worked on a few GDC systems and don't have major complaints... except building macros is stupidly difficult: maybe it's been changed, but why can't the commands be re-ordered?
If you have to build and run shows at each server, it is convenient to have them all the same. In my experience, at a house with 9 Doremis and 2 Dolbys the staff will hate the Dolbys. Flip the numbers and the staff will detest the Doremis.
If you have a TMS doing the grunt work it doesn't much matter, except troubleshooting becomes difficult regardless of server brand. Since they rarely work on them, the staff don't understand the systems well enough to help much - and trivial problems require a technician visit when the NOC needs helpful eyes and hands on site.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 01-02-2015, 10:26 AM:

The OP is from India. Qube and GDC are quite prominent there, which might be reflected in the support, language localization options, etc. While probably no one in india has a problem with english language, it may still play a role when it comes to support. I have never seen anyone on this forum recommending Qube servers, and there is a reason, but I think they are used a lot over there.

Doremi is about to release their web-interface for their DCP-2k4/DCP-2000/ShowVault Servers, which 'looks' a lot better than their slightly outdated native user interface, so, soon one will have two choices to operate these machines.

- Carsten

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-02-2015, 11:57 AM:

Carsten what is the reason The few people I know with QUBE seem content with them

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-02-2015, 01:02 PM:

Dave...it may be a glass half-full/empty thing. While one may be biased to what they know...the other side of the coin could the fear of the unknown (I'd rather work with the devil I know versus the devil I don't).

I forgot all about the oddity of GDC not letting one edit an Automation sequence (move it up/down)...that is strange. I must admit, I haven't set one up in quite some time as I generally copy/paste configurations. I also use the eCNA line of automations in our sites so most of the GDC commands are just to the eCNA and the eCNA takes it from there. A single MACRO command from the GDC will suffice and I never have to edit it again. I put in a relatively recent request to allow for up to 50 Macros and the RDI command for the eCNA...which hopefully will make it into a future build.

Posted by Annli Com (Member # 8266) on 01-02-2015, 11:41 PM:

The Qube Unbeatable servicein india with available any indian language ,And Corect content delivery and injesting to all content and crate play list every week (Projectionst job play and stop only )
The service technician visit every Thursday and check everything.But Price is High.
Then Others Go to Scrable for doremi and GDC. Normaly All server and projector using Rent Mode.Dolby server very low scale usage in india.But Sound system All Most Using 99% Only Dolby 7.1 and Atmos.

Posted by Gary Benn (Member # 7858) on 01-20-2015, 08:01 AM:

We find that the Doremi DCP2000 works very well and is very easy to train staff how to use.

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 01-22-2015, 06:22 PM:

My (limited) experience with GDC's is that they suck at "multi-tasking",
such as trying to ingest or verify files while a show is in progress.
It either slows the ingest down to what I consider an unacceptable
rate, or the show in progress starts skipping or momentarily freezing.

The software is up to date, and drives are in good shape, although, in
all fairness, I think the place I'm dealing with has a lot of old 'crap'
content on their servers they don't need anymore.

A GDC tech is coming in early February and I'm going to have a good
chat with him about this and several other issues & get some advice.

Mabye I'll learn something.

On the other hand, Dolbystuff in my experience, handle multiple tasks
much better, and I've NEVER had a show skip or freeze due to trying
to ingest or do anything else while a show is in progress.

Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 01-22-2015, 08:34 PM:

Dolby is easiest from a user point of view, hands down. I've only heard bad stuff about QUBE being unreliable and having a lot of glitches, but the last time I knew anyone working on one it was back in the start of Dcinema so perhaps it's gotten better. I think theres a good reason we only see them in emerging markets.

Posted by Stephan Shelley (Member # 8587) on 01-23-2015, 07:54 PM:

I have to agree with Jim about ingesting while a show is running with GDC. Their LMS is something to dislike as well. Rebooting the LMS regularly is a way of life. Transferring a feature over the network can cause show interruption. Jim please post what the GDC tech has to say.

Dolby's DSS-200 sprints on ingesting show running or not. Sadly no longer in production.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-23-2015, 09:15 PM:

quote: Stephan Shelley
Dolby's DSS-200 sprints on ingesting show running or not. Sadly no longer in production.

I couldn't agree more. Full throttle gigabit speed even when playing back. No other server can do that.

Posted by Lindsay Morris (Member # 1430) on 01-23-2015, 10:44 PM:

Well as a OBS (Over Bloody Seventy)....especially for Paul Guttag I have NO problem with my "new" digital setup which is NEC 1600 & Dolby DSS100.
Now 5 weeks into screenings after converting & am absolutely thriving on it all. I own it all & I am right into it. 2 playlists a week with heaps of trailers, ads & format shifts as well as controlling the parking area & auditorium lights via a NA10 talking to my own design dimmer & lighting controllers.
So a reasonably complex playlist which all seems relatively logical to my mind...everything you need is on a couple of screens.
A week or so ago removed the original 2.5Kw lamp & installed a 4K lamp to allow for 3D sessions..followed the easy guide produced by NEC Aust & aligned the lamp via the lappy..brilliant screen image...just possibly a bit over bright.
Changed all air filters as well at same time...nothing much in it at all.

DSS100 although OLD by modern standards is quiet happy to ingest whilst a show is running & although I have NOT really timed it only appears to take a wee bit longer. Does not appear to muck up the screenings at all.
So for me it is DOLBY and the interface appears quite logical to me but then I am a MAC user.

Make my own screen ad DCP's via DCP-O-Matic & now adding voice over clips to each screen advert...that's challenging..probably more so than learning to drive the DSS 100 & the overall system.

Currently training a mate to provide me with backup should this OBS have a sickie or three. [thumbsup]

Best bit is ease of booking titles well in advance and NOT having to pull apart 48" reels of 35mm film & ship it back..the REMOVE function is brilliant.

Of course screen image has vastly improved as well as the sound is cleaner.
During my research period I looked at a couple of other systems with different servers & Dolby appeared more logical than those.

IF we ever have to buy another server it will be another Dolby for sure.
Lindsay

Posted by Stephan Shelley (Member # 8587) on 01-23-2015, 11:06 PM:

There is good stuff to be said about the DSS/DSP 100. I have two in service. We do basic operation with the screen and buttons on the player. We do dual projector 3D. You can select dual or not via the player menu. You are correct about ingest speed on the 100. slows down slightly but still very respectable. Only issue I have had is ingesting keys. And that is only with the newer software. I don't remember having issues with it with 4.3.5.9. Am now running 4.7.1

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-24-2015, 03:34 AM:

Note the DSS200i and DSS220 ARE STILL IN PRODUCTION...their production end date is 6/30/15. In fact we still have them going in new. They remain the best/most reliable units out there.

Paul Guttag? Pray tell who is he?

4.3.5.9 was my favorite version. Note, a DSS100/DSP100 can "downgrade" back to that version, unlike a DSS200. So if you like that version, go back to it. The final version for the DSS/DSP100 is 4.7.3.3. There is an administrator script that will turn loading KDMs during playback in 4.7.3.3 but I don't know if it works with the DSS/DSP100. I think it was intended for the CAT862. If you want to give it a try...after logging in via SSH, cd scripts, then do an "ls" and it will be the first script available (will be obvious).

For the CAT862 systems, in System 4.8.x.x the default is back to allow transfers during playback.

Posted by Stephan Shelley (Member # 8587) on 01-24-2015, 01:47 PM:

The problem I have had ingesting keys in not that it can not be done while playing but that it crashes the player or just stalls ingesting. This is during intermission. I have a mix of 100s and 200s. so 4.7.3 it will be when I have a chance. Right now all are 4.7.1.

Posted by Lindsay Morris (Member # 1430) on 01-24-2015, 09:40 PM:

Oops...gave you a name change Steve..will claim old timers on that one.
But just cos you are over 70 does not automatically mean that the grey matter suddenly vanishes.
Tell me about that when YOU are over 70 [Wink]

I will be quite interested to hear your views then. [Big Grin]

I had a balls up with a KDM for a movie to play the next day that for convenience I decided to load the replacement whilst a show was running. Did not bother my DSS100 a bit but then it is at 4.3.5.13.
Is it worth getting the later updates installed??? this site is a standalone venue with no NOC or LMS etc..so nice & simple.

Lindsay

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-25-2015, 12:09 AM:

I'm not the biggest 4.3.5.13 fan out there. I'm more of a 4.3.5.9 person, myself. On the DSS/DSP100, it is the same KDM for the DSP100 to run either version.

If you are happy with the version you have and you are not having any problems...why bother with updating? How can you beat stability? It may be worth trying to get the KDM for 4.7.3.3 so you have that in your quiver in case some later DCI compliance thing requires some feature in 4.7 that wasn't in 4.3 but I'd wait until my hand was forced. Then again, the DSS/DSP100 can go back and forth between versions so you really can have your cake and eat it too.

Posted by Lindsay Morris (Member # 1430) on 01-25-2015, 01:54 AM:

Will have a chat to my installer & see what his views are..Tks for the info.