theatrewireless

We've been experiencing a problem with flickering or firing on dimmers and items on recievers when effects are being run on other wireless dimmers. We have tried switching the effected dimmers to ID 1 but this does not seem to change anything. Everything is running in the same DMX universe. Do we also need to put the items on ID 1 into a different universe to solve the problem?

Sorry for the trouble you're having.

A normally operating RC4 system should never turn on channels that are not up at your console. One possible cause of this symptom could be a DMX termination problem in the DMX line coming to the RC4 transmitter. Just like any other DMX device, bad wiring or missing/faulty termination can lead to data errors like you describe.

If you are running your transmitter on ID0 with receivers on ID1, the radio link should not work at all; you would need to also have a transmitter operating on ID1. If you are running multiple IDs with a separate transmitter for each, they are completely independent and can each carry their own complete 512-channel DMX universe. Putting the same universe through multiple IDs will work, but is redundant and not required.

Be sure you are not running two transmitters on the same ID at the same time. This definitely *does* cause undesireable results that could resemble what you describe.

Start by checking the data going into the RC4 transmitter with a DMX tester, like a DMXter or a Fleener Gizmo. If you are confident the source data is good when it reached the RC4 transmitter, you may have a faulty RC4 component that requires replacement. We can provide swap units by Fedex Priority if required. You can reach me directly at mail@theatrewireless.com to make the arrangements.

Jim
RC4 Wireless

We have only one transmitter for each ID so thats not the case but termination might be. In the past we have had problems with the system conflicting with a wireless speaker system. That system was in place during the scene we have flickering/ random firing but I believe it was cut during tech. However if the programing and transmitter for the speaker are still in place that may be the issue. The last time the effect was run (after my previous post) the channels were unpatched so no address data was being sent so termination or the speaker system seem to be the likely culprits. We will be looking in to this tomorrow and I'll report back further on what we find out.

In general, wireless audio and wireless video are "always on" -- even when there is no audio, they broadcast silence. This is helpful to consider because...

When the RC4 transmitter first powers on, it scans the 2.4GHz band for activity, and searches for the area with the least traffic. If you have the wireless speaker system running (i.e. turned on first), then the RC4 should see it, and avoid it. The right power-up sequence may be all you need to ensure optimal performance.

On the other hand, there's a possibility that the wireless audio system takes the entire band, leaving no room for anything else. From a technical perspective, that's a design approach I strongly dislike. It's not necessary -- there's lot's of room to go around. But some designers are doing it anyway.

So the next thing I'd like to suggest is getting an RF scanner and having a look at what's happening across the 2.4GHz band. An excellent inexpensive product for this is the WiSpy from www.metageek.net. Even their lowest-cost version does an outstanding job. I like it so much, I will soon have stock on hand to sell. It's the most useful new tool since the handheld multimeter!

Jim
RC4 Wireless

We've for sure narrowed the problem down to the age of the transmitter/reciever and all the scenery in the way. The wireless speaker system was not active and termination has not helped with the random firing of the fogger. Hopefully when we get the new ones all will be well. Thanks for all your help!

Yes, your system is an early version with original firmware. RC4Magic firmware updates are free to all customers, regardless of the age of their system. We have sent replacement units to you, along with instructions for returning your older ones.

The new firmware provides improved rf range and dmx data integrity, and faster connect time.

Thank you for your patience while we sorted this out.

Jim
RC4