Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Problems with Jniors

This is topic Problems with Jniors in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Christopher Perkins (Member # 8917) on 06-24-2016, 03:48 PM:

Does anyone else have as much problem with the jniors as we do? When I first configured the jniors in our network they work great but the next day they appeared to not be working properly. I am not entirely sure what it is. But when we set up the macros to the play list nothing seems to be happening. When I hit Run macro to test it out it works just fine. Is there a trick to this device that I am not aware about?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-24-2016, 03:53 PM:

yes put in trash and use a RS232 based automation [Smile]

Posted by Christopher Perkins (Member # 8917) on 06-24-2016, 03:57 PM:

I was thinking the same thing. As far as trash

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 06-24-2016, 03:59 PM:

My "end show" macro works only if I put a ten second mos clip at the end of the movie. I assume that it needs time to send the data and just sending the data and immediately ending the playlist doesn't give it enough time to operate.

I attach the "end show" macro to the last frame of the movie and add a 10 second mos clip after that as the last thing in the playlist and everything works fine that way.

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 06-24-2016, 04:22 PM:

Never had an issue with Jniors. They've been stable for me.

Gordon, Jnior has a good old RS232 port [Wink]

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-24-2016, 04:55 PM:

I have 18 Jniors here at my location with no issues.

Wonder if one do the unplug and replug in the wal-wart that runs the Jniors would help some - reboot these units?

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 06-24-2016, 06:36 PM:

Experiment a bit. I used on and off cues for an unused output (or unplug the output connector if they're all used) and found they don't work if stacked in a macro (Doremi). Adding a 1sec pause between them works... so I always put 1 or 2 secs pause between Junior commands. If timing is an issue, I will group unrelated commands (projector, audio, junior) together with a pause between the groups. We have had roughly zero Jnior problems with hundreds installed. Problems reported end up being network switch failures/lockups or someone has screwed one up fiddling where they shouldn't.
Serial is fine and reliable but limited to one device per port ... and as a rule you only get one port. We use the Junior serial-to-network function when we're working with a Dolby "our way or no way" DSS server and need to interface with non-DOlby network devices.
The Junior has an amazing bunch of functions rarely used in our sites, but useful and effective when needed. And their support is amazing: Mr. Shulkowski has helped me several times for as long as needed to explain some new-to-me function.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 06-25-2016, 07:22 AM:

Yup. INTEG product support is straightforward. You call Rick, he helps you.
No support policies, no waiting lines, no 'do you have a support contract', no stupid copy/paste answers or other corporate bullshit.

- Carsten

Posted by Jason Raftery (Member # 6291) on 06-25-2016, 02:29 PM:

Frank, you have a GDC, right? What software version is it on? I've run into the problem you described on older software but GDC addressed the issue quite a few versions back.

Posted by Ian Garland (Member # 8499) on 06-25-2016, 02:46 PM:

Must be something in the air tonight. Jnior 310 running from RS232 connection to DSS200. Tonight decided that it would not put Lights Down. Checked everything, tried putting 5s black between cues etc, nothings changed in settings. Play a test clip with cues Down and Up, 1/3, 2/3 lights all works fine. Still goes to 2/3 at credit offset and full at end of play list just won't bring the lights down at show start. Web interface to 310 allows me to operate toggles on the outputs and all is as it should be. Any clues ?

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 06-25-2016, 02:52 PM:

I do indeed have a GDC and I guess it's on the latest software since it was updated a month or so back when the tech was here last.

I don't know if this is still an issue or not, really. I'm just in the habit of putting a 10 second mos clip at the end of my playlist and since it always works that way, I'll just continue to do that.

Posted by Christopher Perkins (Member # 8917) on 06-27-2016, 06:14 PM:

I have unplugged the devices multiple times. It seems like that the devices fall asleep and does not keep a connection. The thing I shouldn't have to unplug the jnior every day. It should just work like it is suppose to. I have none multiple test and the test have passed. But when the feature actually plays it fails.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 06-27-2016, 06:36 PM:

Christoper - now, you do seem to have networked JNIORs. In your other post regarding satellite/TMS, you say these are all standalone systems?

Now please - WHAT servers do you have, and is the only network connection for each server the one to a local screen related JNIOR, or is there a network between ALL devices in your cinema?

- Carsten

Posted by Christopher Perkins (Member # 8917) on 06-27-2016, 06:41 PM:

When I say stand alone system, I mean like there is no central place where the data is stored. They all have a IMB(NAS). Rick over at integ helped me set these up. So they are all properly set up. Each projector is on it's own private network. They have different Ip schemes which is accessible from my computer. My projectors all have different IP schemes and their own management hubs.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 06-28-2016, 06:58 AM:

So you DO have access to all these systems from a central location? Who set up all these networks for you? He should be able to conform all of them into a common network. You would then be able to access a common 'server/NAS' in the form of a DCDC receiver/storage from all systems. From what you write, you have the Christie IMB-S2 in all your Christie machines. Here is a Christie guide for setting up these systems:

https://www.christiedigital.com/SupportDocs/Anonymous/020-200258-02-Christie-BUL-INFO-IMB-Best-Practices.pdf

- Carsten

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 06-28-2016, 07:25 AM:

The usual practice for multiscreen sites is to have two isolated and closed networks dedicated to projection systems. The "management" network has servers, projectors, sound, automation. Only. All systems are in the same address space and are connected together, either by daisy-chaining local small switches in the rack/pedestal or (better) with each local switch connected to a central switch. That lets a central computer access each system for projector and server control without any network port setting changes.
The "Media" network connects the second port on the servers together, so that content can be transferred between them. If you don't want to transfer content between systems it isn't needed - but it is pretty useful and much quicker (if you use a 1gb network) than re-ingesting for scheduling changes where a feature has to be on a different screen. This has to be on a different network segment from the management network. You do not want to do transfers on the projection network: if a route gets saturated with content data, automation messages can be lost.
Every server I know has the capability built in to use these two network segments, some add a third for NAS devices.
I haven't seen Jnior connection problems with this setup. I have seen some where the projection network is on the public internet without an enterprise grade firewall appliance isolating it.