I feel guilty making a video about this sensibly designed system that paints it in a bad light, but we've had a pretty rough time with these units on a show that uses these in mobile risers (podiums) with video floors that the performers stand on, side RGB LED channels, RGB under-glow lighting and three costumes with 150 channels of DMX controlled addressable LEDs.
Even with external aerials on top of the risers positioned away from the metal structure, and many attempts at finding an optimum location for the multiverse transmitters that take a data feed and transmit the required number of lighting control networks, we have had very patchy results. There's a good chance that this is due to the awkward outdoor RF environment with lots of moving bodies to block the RF signal, and a metal stadium structure that doesn't lend itself well to bouncing the signal to improve its reach. But whereas previous systems like the excellent Astera Titan Tubes performed well with nothing more than an occasional delayed response when they struggled to get a solid signal, these units have done very un-showbiz things like crashing or failing to reconnect to the signal. That's resulted in missing the DMX video server trigger signals and sections of lighting either jumping through fades or locking up completely.
There's a good chance that these units will fare much better in an indoor environment with nice RF reflective walls, but they really need to tweak their software to make them reconnect properly in the instance of signal loss.
Hopefully the firmware (which we updated) will evolve with time and the bugs will be ironed out. Most of the lighting crew use City Theatrical test equipment (DMX-cats) and their DMX dimmers perform well, so hopefully this is just an issue that was more visible due to our less than ideal outdoor stadium.
Supporting the channel with a dollar or two on Patreon helps keep it independent of YouTube's quirks, avoids intrusive mid-video adverts, gives early access, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
Even with external aerials on top of the risers positioned away from the metal structure, and many attempts at finding an optimum location for the multiverse transmitters that take a data feed and transmit the required number of lighting control networks, we have had very patchy results. There's a good chance that this is due to the awkward outdoor RF environment with lots of moving bodies to block the RF signal, and a metal stadium structure that doesn't lend itself well to bouncing the signal to improve its reach. But whereas previous systems like the excellent Astera Titan Tubes performed well with nothing more than an occasional delayed response when they struggled to get a solid signal, these units have done very un-showbiz things like crashing or failing to reconnect to the signal. That's resulted in missing the DMX video server trigger signals and sections of lighting either jumping through fades or locking up completely.
There's a good chance that these units will fare much better in an indoor environment with nice RF reflective walls, but they really need to tweak their software to make them reconnect properly in the instance of signal loss.
Hopefully the firmware (which we updated) will evolve with time and the bugs will be ironed out. Most of the lighting crew use City Theatrical test equipment (DMX-cats) and their DMX dimmers perform well, so hopefully this is just an issue that was more visible due to our less than ideal outdoor stadium.
Supporting the channel with a dollar or two on Patreon helps keep it independent of YouTube's quirks, avoids intrusive mid-video adverts, gives early access, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
Proof that the entertainment industry is in a parallel universe! Bleed-over boxes!
If I recall correctly, a lot of WiFi uses 2.4GHz. And some people use their mobile phones as "hot spots".
Can the unit be a wireless master and then transmit dmx out to others on the wired connection? Maybe for a later "enhancement". Here in the states I've noticed WiFi and other systems interfere with each other, usually cheap devices. Better or pro quality at 900 mhz
This sounds pretty ‘mission critical’, and I honestly wouldn’t trust anything but ‘Wireless Solutions’ for that. They are simply better at frequency hopping and error handling in noisy rf environments. They also have products in the 5Ghz range. The best part about the is the fact that they have so many compatible OEM manufacturers. You can find compatible products in pretty much any shape and size. In my experience they are extremely sensitive to grounding issues, but thats about it.
I just saw a youtube video from adafruit on something they have called nOOds, a flexible wire filament that lights up. Have you seen them yet?
At least 6 times I came back to this page and the "thumbs up" symbol refused to stay lit. Wondering if you're getting a true viewer "like" rating……
The PCB routing around the flash memory chip…. The tiniest of traces just on the edge of the mounting hole.
How do you like the DMX Cat? I have been on the fence about picking one up or just switching to the Swisson with RDM. The only thing I could see being a better feature with the Swisson is cable testing. If you are not locked into the Multiverse/Show baby products, check out Wireless Solution (W-DMX). Their G4 and G5 products have been rock solid in high congestion environments. RC4 Wireless also has some neat products.
Great video.
It would be interesting if you can get hold of one of those Wifi jammers (a lot of them don't really work) and inspect them.
Hi Clive, given the business that you're in (and your accent), I was wondering if you knew an old friend of mine Gerry Jenkinson from Glasgow (well he was)
I don't know why I subscribed to this channel, because I am completely lost as what he is describing, but today I wasn't even sure what "universe" he is from. Then, I looked at the comments, and found a whole "universe" of inhabitants who live in his "universe". I'm the "alien" in this "universe", and I'm calling home for someone to come and get me! Until that happens, I'll still subscribe because his voice is so calming.
I have been doing lighting full time for many years now. Wireless is cool, but I avoid it all cost for DMX, it's just not at a proper standard of reliability for a show environment. If I absolutely must use it I use as few DMX channel as possible, that has seem to be a trick that helps with me in the US.
For 2.4GHz device that need a constant connection, drop out is a very common problem, not sure the reasons but happening so frequent, especially those headphones, signal strong enough and distant is not too far but always missing data, that is much worse than analog, analog will be distorted but still almost continuous.