News from XTBA
PRICES HELD FOR 2007...
Once again we have been able to hold all prices for another year.
2006 ANNUAL REPORT...
2006 was an exceptionally busy year for XTBA (if you are the slightest bit interested!). During the year we added the Backfade System and updated the Smart Splitter View to incorporate the line monitoring technology that is found in our Very Smart Splitter.
XTBA was proud to be involved in the design and supply of both hardware and software for a innovative new film light used for the first time on the film adaptation of “His Dark Materials” shooting at Shepperton Studios. At the same time XTBA supplied another client with lots of custom DMX micro controllers for another type of film light that by chance was on the same film shoot.
2007 is also XTBA’s twenty first anniversary. Twenty one years of not having to get a “proper” job. So a big thank you to all our loyal clients who have kept us in Hob Nobs, XLRs, solder and many interesting projects, not to mention spares for Chris’s 1993 Classic SAAB Turbo over all these years.
VERY SMART SPLITTER – SMART SPLITTER VIEW GETS VERY SMART...
After nine years the XTBA Very Smart Splitter has been retired from production. Introduced in 1997 its unique line checking system is not lost however as it is now to be found built into the Smart Splitter View.
So in addition to monitoring line termination the Smart Splitter View can display incoming DMX channels, check DMX parameters, transmit DMX for testing, hold the last good data frame (if enabled) and also retime DMX for non communicating DMX systems.
We will still keep spares for the Very Smart Splitter in the unlikely event a unit falls over (hasn’t happened in the last seven years) and can still build the old unit for special order.
BACKFADE UPDATE...
Following the introduction of the Backfade system in mid 2006 the unit is now in full time use at six BBC studios and at CNN in London. Providing both full backup facilities for the main lighting control and using the i/o interface to provide simple and quick cue access.
Backfade has also been specified by several theatre consultants for projects in 2007 in addition to units already in theatre use.
Software version 1.32 is now available. This version adds a link and delay menu page which in addition to the existing features allows Backfade to be used as an exhibition or display controller. Delays between fades can be added to create follow on cues and cues linked in any order.
Backfade can also be set up to sequence memories without adding links and auto start playback on power up. Backfade will simply sequence through the memories and loop back on the last memory found.
If the new features are off in the Set Up Menu they do not appear in the main menu screen so the operation is kept simple if the link features are not used.
Contact XTBA if you would like the update
MORE SUCCESS FOR THE AUDIT...
XTBA’s DMX Audit has proved very popular for DMX testing for numerous clients but in addition the ‘Smart Fix ‘ facility has become a surprisingly popular function. DMX systems are supposed to talk to other DMX systems without problems. However we have seen in the last couple of years an increase of incompatible systems. The DMX Audit unit has been used by numerous clients to ‘fix’ the problem by translating the DMX to a standard that the receiver can understand.
The reasons for this increase in incompatible systems are not clear. Sloppy software or trying to get the receive processor to do to much would seem to be the most likely cause.
UPDATED AUDIT...
The XTBA Audit has proved invaluable for many clients checking and running DMX systems. In one recent case it was used to get the lighting in ‘Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory’ to work correctly - which has got to be a first!
The Audit software has been revised and new sections added to provide a complete DMX test, monitor and fix unit. There is a growing section for DMX developers allowing transmission of ‘wrong’ or slightly dodgey DMX. Take a look at the manual to see what the Audit can now do.
In addition we have custom written test routines for customers with particular functions to allow for quick testing of dimmers and data pins. So if you have a particular test requirement please let us know.
dmx@xtba.co.uk |
