DMX Superwidget still sends dmx....

I am having an issue with my Superwidget still sending DMX out to my lighting system after the HOG3PC 3.2.1 crashes. Usually it is a Windows 7 crash.

I have checked everything in the lighting system, and everything says it is still receiving DMX even if the computer is off. There is nothing else on that would be transmitting DMX in the system other than this computer.

We do run a backup HOG3PC console that uses the superwidget on this computer for running shows manually, however it is logged off and turned off prior to shutting down the main PC.

If I start the console back up after restarting the computer, then the widget releases and allows the console to take over again. If I shut down and there is no crash, then the widget releases control correctly.

If either Windows or HOG3PC crash, then I have to restart the computer before I can get HOG3PC to work correctly again, and sometimes the show file is corrupted and I have to load from backup.

I have gone through and deleted all of the show files and restored only the backups I need right now and I hope that helps.

Any thoughts or ideas?

0 Former HES Forums Member over 12 years ago

When the DMX output device (Widget or DP) loses communication with the console, it will continue sending the last valid look at a 2 Hz refresh rate until it can re-establish communication. This is to ensure that the stage doesn't go black unexpectedly if the computer crashes or a cable gets pulled out. We call this "Keepalive"

If you want the Super Widget to stop sending DMX, simply remove power from the widget.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 jxgriffi - Former HES Forum Member over 12 years ago

Eric,

I understand the need for this, but it can also have bad results from a user standpoint.

I have DP8000's. I shut down the console and I want our architectural system to take over....but it doesn't know that the console is down because the DP is still sending DMX. It is in a rack with other equipment that can't turn off. There is no way to "shut off" the DP without digging behind the rack. It would be nice if there was a way to enable a "time-out" or an option to turn off "keep alive."

J
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 imlighting - Former HES Forum Member over 12 years ago

I agree with Jon. I do many setups where there is not a lighting person in the venue to troubleshoot these issues. Is there a setting that can be changed so this does not keep alive and times out instead?
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 jxgriffi - Former HES Forum Member over 12 years ago

Ian...

No there is not. I've had it on my list for years. :-)
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 Chris Muenchow over 12 years ago

Ian, can we focus on the crash? Is Hog3PC crashing regularly on your Windows 7 PC? What is the nature of your crashes?
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 imlighting - Former HES Forum Member over 12 years ago

Chris,
I had one computer crash that had the wrong Elo touchscreen drivers loaded. Once I resolved that issue, I found out that the other crashes were being caused by a corrupted show file from the original crash. Since I deleted the show files and loaded the backups I have not had anymore issues except when someone does not shut down the console correctly. Then I go in, delete the show files and load the backups...
So far I have not had any issues unless someone does something stupid... I am working on getting approval to upgrade from the Net2 system in the venue to a Net3 system with a DP8000 and a couple extra computers so if one computer crashes, another one can take over. That combined with a UPS on each system would keep the show up and running until I can get there. Or at least that is my hope...
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 imlighting - Former HES Forum Member over 12 years ago

I probably should add that this system was installed in a rush and the LD and I both scurried to troubleshoot problems such as a nested firewall that needed to be turned off and more. I may not have the computer properly configured yet....
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 isaiahfranco - Former HES Forum Member over 11 years ago

[QUOTE=jxgriffi;57242]Eric,

I understand the need for this, but it can also have bad results from a user standpoint.

I have DP8000's. I shut down the console and I want our architectural system to take over....but it doesn't know that the console is down because the DP is still sending DMX. It is in a rack with other equipment that can't turn off. There is no way to "shut off" the DP without digging behind the rack. It would be nice if there was a way to enable a "time-out" or an option to turn off "keep alive."

J

Has there been any update to this? My architectural system won't take over, either, unless DMX is lost.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 Former HES Forums Member over 11 years ago

The DMX output will continue at the keepalive rate (2 Hz) as long as power is available.

You can configure your architectural system to detect the lower refresh rate.

Another option is to use the network output (Art-Net and E1.31) to feed the architectural system. These network protocols do not implement keepalive and thus will cease outputting when the operator logs off of the show.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel