Pyrotronix, Fireone, Pyrodigital

[BigSmile]

Hello to you all,

We have to upgrade to an computer firing system. Also in Europe the customers ask more and more for pyromusicals.

In our region Pyrotronix is the most used system, some use Pirodigital or Fireone. I have found a lot information about PD and F1 but nothing on Pyrotronix.

We know now that PD and F1 are reliable systems. For big shows we can borrow hardware from other companies (friends), but all use Pyrotronix. Unfortunately they never shot a real pyromusical with Pyrotronix.

So what to do: buy Pyrotronix from which we do not know if we can create pyromusicals. Or do we buy PD/F1, but for big shows we can only rent the hardware (expensive).

Thank you in advance for your input.

[bonehead99]

If this is the correct site for Pyrotronix http://www.pyrotronix.net/pages/list...ik=demo&lang=e

Their ptx Solution Pro software does allow you to do pyromusicals.

[Arthur Brown]

You get the company rep to come in! You really study the details, a firing system is a huge investment and one that sets your future because once you buy into a system you cannot easily (cheaply) buy into another.

According to your location borrowing may be viable but if there is only one busy season (eg 4th July in the USA or 5th Nov in the UK) then all the bits will be in use and no-one will have any to lend out.

[BigSmile]

If this is the correct site for Pyrotronix http://www.pyrotronix.net/pages/list...ik=demo&lang=e

Their ptx Solution Pro software does allow you to do pyromusicals.

Yes this is the correct site. I have to read more, do not even know what ptx is. Will find out. Thank you.

According to your location borrowing may be viable but if there is only one busy season (eg 4th July in the USA or 5th Nov in the UK) then all the bits will be in use and no-one will have any to lend out.

Good one, yes we also have such days.

Shall contact the rep of Pyrotronix, hopefully he has soms video's of good pyromusicals with Pyrotronix.

Till now my uncertainty stays. Pyrotronics is the only european system (for service etc...) but it is not a A-brand I think.

[wakanga]

hi bigsmile,

this is just a piece of unsolicited advice from me, try to balance thing's out, check first if how frequent you would be using your digital/computerized system, would you use it twice, thrice or more than per month? or you would just use it once per quarter of the year? upon getting this information you would then can come up with an idea if your investment is worth it, i would rather considering to rent this system's if i would just use it once in a while of the year, since you said that your could rent it with your friends then it is better if you try first to rent before buying the whole system hardwares and sofwares, it is better to rent different systems for you to see what would be the better system that would suit your requirements/needs, Pyrotronix,PD or F1 all of these systems would perform the same way they are designed to do, but also remember that they all have their own pros/cons so better if you can have your hands on them to try thast would be better before going to invest your hard earned $$$$ to buy then suddenly you'll realize that it is not the system that suit to your needs/requirements...just my two cents toss inside the bucket =) good luck!

[brocade]

The Europeans have been using wireless for years why cant US engineers crack it. Fireone has the largest worldwide market share but does not have reliable wireless, go figure.

Fireone does not understand that it offers little other than auto mode which renders it difficient as an everyshow system. Same for it's software. You buy the software and build the database but can only script auto shows in the software, end up scripting everyday shows in excel.

I am surprised that F1 has the market share that it has.

I am surprised that nobody talks about the possible third force from China. Well it has fired parts of the Olympics and Boston 4th. One of the most in the know systems outfits in the US claims it is the best and simplest. Will F1 at least copy some Chinese ideas so another American business does not lose sales to the Commies.

[GK]

The Europeans have been using wireless for years why cant US engineers crack it. Fireone has the largest worldwide market share but does not have reliable wireless, go figure.

Fireone does not understand that it offers little other than auto mode which renders it difficient as an everyshow system. Same for it's software. You buy the software and build the database but can only script auto shows in the software, end up scripting everyday shows in excel.

I am surprised that F1 has the market share that it has.

I am surprised that nobody talks about the possible third force from China. Well it has fired parts of the Olympics and Boston 4th. One of the most in the know systems outfits in the US claims it is the best and simplest. Will F1 at least copy some Chinese ideas so another American business does not lose sales to the Commies.

I always am taken back slightly at the claims of wireless that is 100% reliable...so far I have seen situations where some of the best wireless technologies have failed.

I honestly don't see the wonder of wireless. I don't see a huge inconveinience running a simple line of duplex wire (FireOne).

I have seen a number of Chinese systems and the most reliable of which looked vey much like a PD system....and was used to fire both the olympics and the Bejing national day display....at least what I have seen of the setup.

I have not used Pyrotronix, or even seen a live demo. What it appear to be is another multiconductor hook up like PD.

Yes it seems to have wireless.....Reliable? who knows.

Now for the Original Post

BigSmile the system you chose depends on a number of things:

Does it have a proven record of operation under various environments.

Is new equipment readily available, how long will it take to get a new equipment when you find you need it.

On a wired system, how difficult are the connections, cables splitters to come by should there be a change in setup plan at short notice. If not you must carry a number of spares/additional elements.

On a wireless system, is there a wired backup....This is a double-edged sword. Planning on wireless and then having to run wires will likely turn out to bite you. Planning on running a primarily wired system then having the option of doing a portion of the show wireless is a much better way to operate.

Price is important: Look at any system as how many cues you get for your money. Wireless again comes ito play here. Which would you chose for the same money Wireless 200 cues or Wired 400 cues?

And if a lot of companies in your area use the same system....do you really think that they will have equipment to borrow when you need it.

Sometimes it may be better to stand out as a company that uses a world-reknown system as your foundation.

GK

[illawarrafireworks]

have you look at www.pyromate.com and if you go with F1 what type of rails are you going to buy

Hello to you all,

We have to upgrade to an computer firing system. Also in Europe the customers ask more and more for pyromusicals.

In our region Pyrotronix is the most used system, some use Pirodigital or Fireone. I have found a lot information about PD and F1 but nothing on Pyrotronix.

We know now that PD and F1 are reliable systems. For big shows we can borrow hardware from other companies (friends), but all use Pyrotronix. Unfortunately they never shot a real pyromusical with Pyrotronix.

So what to do: buy Pyrotronix from which we do not know if we can create pyromusicals. Or do we buy PD/F1, but for big shows we can only rent the hardware (expensive).

Thank you in advance for your input.

[BigSmile]

this is just a piece of unsolicited advice from me, try to balance thing's out, check first if how frequent you would be using your digital/computerized system, would you use it twice, thrice or more than per month? or you would just use it once per quarter of the year?

For now it could be 5 times a year. We do not promote pyromusicals at the moment, it could become more in time.

Fireone does not understand that it offers little other than auto mode which renders it difficient as an everyshow system. Same for it's software. You buy the software and build the database but can only script auto shows in the software, end up scripting everyday shows in excel.

Do you mean that I can not use de F1 software for planning the manual shows. I need a software that gives my al list of the amount of materials (mortars etc...) and products that I needs for a show.

Yes it seems to have wireless.....Reliable? who knows.

Now for the Original Post

BigSmile the system you chose depends on a number of things:

Does it have a proven record of operation under various environments.

Is new equipment readily available, how long will it take to get a new equipment when you find you need it.

On a wired system, how difficult are the connections, cables splitters to come by should there be a change in setup plan at short notice. If not you must carry a number of spares/additional elements.

On a wireless system, is there a wired backup....This is a double-edged sword. Planning on wireless and then having to run wires will likely turn out to bite you. Planning on running a primarily wired system then having the option of doing a portion of the show wireless is a much better way to operate.

Price is important: Look at any system as how many cues you get for your money. Wireless again comes ito play here. Which would you chose for the same money Wireless 200 cues or Wired 400 cues?

And if a lot of companies in your area use the same system....do you really think that they will have equipment to borrow when you need it.

Sometimes it may be better to stand out as a company that uses a world-reknown system as your foundation.

GK

I heard of a show in a harbour where the wireless failed because of the marifoons the differend ships in the harbour used

We are not looking for a wireless system, looking for hardware and software that is reliable and makes our work easier/better planned.

Thank you all for your posts, this really helps.

[BigSmile]

have you look at www.pyromate.com and if you go with F1 what type of rails are you going to buy

No have not looked at Pyromate. Have heard of it, but at that time Pyromate was not digital. See now it is.
This tekst from the Pyromate site sounds nice: "This unit can even accept analog modules or rails from other companies or systems."

Heard en read about the different F1 rails. Because of I am not a native englisch speaker the technical part is a bit difficult. For a better technical inside in F1 we want to go see the system at an other company.

[Yves]

Pyrotronix was designed by flashart, a German company that does fireworks, laser- and multimedia shows, special effects...
They have done a lot of shows with it, here a few youtube links:

Feuerwerkersinfonie Potsdam 2002
4. PYRONALE 2009 - Abschlussfeuerwerk
Pyronale 2008: Flash-Art-Finale

Pyrotronix is not a very common system. Besides flashart, the only company I know that uses it is Nico-Lünig Event

The Europeans have been using wireless for years why cant US engineers crack it.

Imho, adding a wireless link to a wired system is asking for trouble. Wired Systems were designed for a communication medium with a very low bit-error rate. This makes fast and reliable communication possible.
In wireless communication, you have a lot of bit-errors, which must be taken into account.

There are a few European wireless systems that use a hight degree of redundancy in the firing orders to handle the high bit-error rate. The disadvantage of this is that it makes communication very slow. Often the transmission of a single firing order takes 0,3 seconds. Therefore, these systems often feature sequencers in the firing modules, and it is possible to associate several outputs on several firing modules to one firing order. So you have to change the whole concept of the system in order to allow for a relatively reliable wireless transmission. Examples of such systems:

Galaxis
Firemaster
Explo

[GK]

No have not looked at Pyromate. Have heard of it, but at that time Pyromate was not digital. See now it is.
This tekst from the Pyromate site sounds nice: "This unit can even accept analog modules or rails from other companies or systems."

Heard en read about the different F1 rails. Because of I am not a native englisch speaker the technical part is a bit difficult. For a better technical inside in F1 we want to go see the system at an other company.

Pyromate also uses multconductor cables and requires XLR connectors.

Fire One requires only a two wire cable, no connector, and no 'polarity' (the wires are connected to either terminal at the firing module).
The firing module is capacitive discharge and can literally be a kilometer from the main panel and shoot 10 ematches in parallel on each of 32 cues.
The ouput of the module is a 36 pin 'Centronics' connector and there are a number of companies who make slats in a number of configurations from long 'slats' to compact boxes.
You can also have the slats made or make them yourself for your particular setup configurations.

The FireLite panels can be used to manually fire, auto fire, or semi-auto fire where individual sequences can be programmed and manually intiated.

The design software is good, there may be better aftermarket packages out there, but since FireOne is so widely used, most third party software works with FireOne.

I'm not trying to be an advetisement for FireOne here....I'm just trying to explain that I have tried many systems and these are some of the reasons I have decided on F1.

GK

[Arthur Brown]

OP, I haven't worked out which part of Europe you are based in, However I am in the UK and I see more and more Fire By Wire systems in use here. They are really good and reliable they have their own PC software and fire off 24v will fire lots of cues. They have a normal cabled digital communication system and field boxes with digital to analogue and firing slats.

www.firebywire.co.uk The company will treat you well and there are lots of you tube clips of shows done using FBW. The software suite includes all you need to pick fireworks and sync them to music and you can move each cue in the setup til it plays right in the mimic system then you can go live.

Added
this next week we in the UK have our silly season with shows most nights so calling FBW might not bring the best response for a few days!

[illawarrafireworks]

When do you need the system because we are building one and will be out 3to4 months. If you are going to make your own rails have a look at these QiuckClips all metal parts made from stainless steal.

No have not looked at Pyromate. Have heard of it, but at that time Pyromate was not digital. See now it is.
This tekst from the Pyromate site sounds nice: "This unit can even accept analog modules or rails from other companies or systems."

Heard en read about the different F1 rails. Because of I am not a native englisch speaker the technical part is a bit difficult. For a better technical inside in F1 we want to go see the system at an other company.

[Rocket J. Squirrel]

I'm not trying to be an advetisement for FireOne here....I'm just trying to explain that I have tried many systems and these are some of the reasons I have decided on F1.

GK

Thats why we love you GK....

[Short Fuse]

GK

I'm just curious, based on your experience from seeing and using the various different firing systems out there, is the FireOne a good choice for using with pyromusicals ? Based on the options that the FireOne system provides and if one uses FireOne's own software to design a show, would you consider the FireOne easier to script with and use than say a Pyromate or PD firing system ?

With all your know how and past experiences, if you had to start all over from scratch, which firing system would you choose ? Again, knowing there is NO one perfect firing system out there!

[brocade]

Pyromate Digital Nighthawk is the most flexible system in the entire world. Designed with the shooter in mind.

F1 is the biggest seller in the world.

PD has the best reputation but is seen as old school by new entrants to Pyro but the Top tier swear by it and have historically expressed contempt with F1.

The guy that owns the most PD and F1 hardware in the world says the Chinese are now the best.

PD could have dominated the market but it hasnt reacted to changes in the market. Maybe he don't give a shit.

[Georgie-Tiger]

The guy that owns the most PD and F1 hardware in the world says the Chinese are now the best.

PD could have dominated the market but it hasnt reacted to changes in the market. Maybe he don't give a shit.

CHinese are the best with what system? ?

[GK]

GK

I'm just curious, based on your experience from seeing and using the various different firing systems out there, is the FireOne a good choice for using with pyromusicals ? Based on the options that the FireOne system provides and if one uses FireOne's own software to design a show, would you consider the FireOne easier to script with and use than say a Pyromate or PD firing system ?

With all your know how and past experiences, if you had to start all over from scratch, which firing system would you choose ? Again, knowing there is NO one perfect firing system out there!

For scripting software it really doesn't matter. I started out scipting shows in a text based format.....The advent of Show Director (PD) and Scriptmaker(F1) allowed you to be able to run a music file and drop product in a time window, back out the lift. Thats all any of them do really....

There is very little that has been done to speed the process since then...It takes time and thought to design a show well....

Cueing software is just a glorified sort machine that takes the script and puts it in order in firing modules.

Like any software the basics are there...the rest that anyone offers is bells and whistles. A great word processing software can't make someone a great author....or even an author at all.

Find software that you like.....Its like the latest version of MS Word Professional most of the stuff you'll never use.

Hardware is a different issue.....

My top two choices are Pyrodigital and FireOne....

PD has the disadvantage of requiring specific cabling and connectors which is a drawback of most firing systems out there. The early days had some processing issues with shooting simultaneous cues, and rapid sequences. PD is still held in high regard....the main reason they lost market share to anyone beyond F1 was that there was a limited number of units available and they were costly.

F1 Started as an 8 wire CAT-5 type connector connected between the Main and branched out to the firing modules. The firing modules are capacitive discharge and can be a long distance away. From the start they could handle some of the things that PD couldn't at the time. FireOne's big advance was to offer 2 wire connectorless cabling in the field.

Both systems have a track record of reliability....Both have had major failures in the field, and both have had the minor 'mystery' failures where for some reason cues or a module doesn't fire and testing before and after the show can't detect anything wrong.

Pretty much anything else will have more of the same...even though their sales pitch may spin things another way.

What other systems DO offer is product/technical support.....There isn't really a PD hotline....And FireOne does offer training and will answer questions (but you have to know the right question to ask). But the bottom line is that they are professional systems for professionals...there is not a lot of hand-holding offered.

Troubleshooting is not a big blinking sign that you have a bad cable between mods 4 and 8....It will tell you what is working....Experience tells you how to interpret the information and determine the problem.....


Wireless systems to me are an added pile of potential failure modes and diagnostic difficulties. A bad cable is way easier to diagnose than intermittent wirless communications.....The price for wireless is generally more, and the advantages in the real world are few and far between.


Of couse, there is a ton of BS out there about ours is better, theirs has failed, reliability, accuracy, etc......
Guess what...you are not really going to see a difference between 1/100 of a second and 1/1000 of a second.....

If I were to start all over.....

FireOne for hardware.

Software...... it really doesn't matter as long as you can build shows for your brand of harware/shooting software.

GK

[Firecracker-Jim]

Im all for FireOne. I like the ease of using the 2 wire lamp cable thats inexpensive and available at home depot with 32 cues at each location on one daisy chain and can be used for pyromusicals..you can beat that.

Pyrodigital is specifically designed for pyromusicals, in matter of fact it says it right on the panel of the field controller. it also uses one cable run all lined together on an XLR input and output ...but you only limited to 16 cues at a location then you have to bring in another module.

Jim

[scjb]

Another FireOne owner here. Good kit, reasonable prices.

Experience tells you how to interpret the information and determine the problem.....GK

Never was a truer thing said. Every system has it's foibles, and you only realise them with experience.

If I had my time again, I'd definitely buy FireOne hardware again. I would, however, probably take a good long hard look at ShowSim for scripting. I like the idea that I can write my script and then easily export it to any of the supported firing systems.

[Short Fuse]

I appreciate all the "experience" you guys have shared with the different firing systems and it has reinforced my choice of going with the FireOne. I know everyone would like something different or something added based on personal choice to make that "perfect" firing system. What in life is perfect. All we can do is get the system that best fits our needs and work around its faults. And when you try and research the different systems, every maker claims their system is "bar none" the industry's best! That's where you guys come into play, the actual users who can vouch for the systems from using them in the field.

So, if FireOne is the way to go for the hardware end, then the next choice is find the best software, if that's possible! From many users, ShowSim seems to be the better way to go than FireOne's own ScriptMaker software. And the cost is another factor. Not that the cost is the major factor, but lets face it, stuff costs MONEY! And if a certain software offers an easier interface and more options at a lower price, then that might be the way to go.

[illawarrafireworks]

I have been told by people in australia the ShowSim is great.

Another FireOne owner here. Good kit, reasonable prices.


Never was a truer thing said. Every system has it's foibles, and you only realise them with experience.

If I had my time again, I'd definitely buy FireOne hardware again. I would, however, probably take a good long hard look at ShowSim for scripting. I like the idea that I can write my script and then easily export it to any of the supported firing systems.

[fonso]

@Short Fuse

I thought I'd add my opinion into the mix. I've had quite extensive experience with PD and FireOne. They are both very solid systems. I haven't owned any Pyromate other than the mini-96, but I've heard both the good and bad with regards to their digital systems. Specifically for pyromusicals, if I had the opportunity to start over, I would definitely go with FireOne for a variety of reasons.

1) Cost (this takes the cake more than any other consideration) - More often than not, a FireLite is all that you need. The present PD field controller now goes for more than USD 9,000.00. Compare this to a USD 3k+ FireLite. Each 16-cue FM4 firing module costs USD 1,000+. With FireOne, you will spend over USD 700+ for each 2-wire 32 cue connectorless module, and have the option to buy the rails / slats from your preferred vendor, if not make them yourself. The XLR cables sold by PD consultants are among the world's most expensive. With FireOne, you can use cheap 18-24 gauge wire.

2) Convenience of set-up - You roll, untangle, and haul long stretches of XLR cables with the PD, and they are much more susceptible to damage. The PD case is built like a tank -- it's much heavier than the FireLite. You can actually use it to make a very serious dent on someone's car. If you're a small man, this may bother you over long hauls without the use of any carts, or if you're trying to load it into your car's trunk.

3) A very important consideration, most especially for pyromusicals running on time code -- if you find yourself in this scenario:
- Your firing rig is physically separated from your sound system (say a barge), and you cannot run a wire to it.
- You do not trust wireless, and have opted to broadcast time code to your firing panel instead (I for one, have experienced a total show stoppage using Wireless One. Although a fix was advised, I was simply not comfortable with the added layer of precaution and preparation that had to be implemented to guarantee flawless performance. Hence, we have totally given up on the reliability of wireless for now).
- Your client DEMANDS a countdown -- preventing you from sending time code beforehand. It's all or nothing.

In this situation, FireOne offers a level of flexibility PD cannot. You basically dump the entire show into your FireLite panel, advise the fireworks side via radio to prepare as the fireworks countdown occurs, and advise the operator on the FireLite end to press FIRE on your mark. On the time-code broadcasting end, you press PLAY on the laptop / iPod / PMP to start the music at the exact moment the fireworks operator side is told to press FIRE. If time code is received, the FireLite panel will sync perfectly and all will be well. If for any reason, time code fails to reach the FireLite Panel, you are still running a very much synchronized show which is likely off by a few milliseconds, or maybe even perfectly synced, depending on how "correctly" both sides pressed their respective buttons. Of the many shows we've fired this way, we've had time code broadcast fail twice, and both times, you couldn't even tell because all the shells were opening on all the proper keynotes.

With the PD, it's either time code reception mode, or auto-fire mode. There's no compromise.

This is not to say that the PD does not have merits worth considering. Among the things I really like about the PD, which I do not get with FireOne are: PD to PD show show instruction transfer via RCA cable, PD show dump by playing a coded audio source, capability to store 6 shows, much faster and flexible continuity check, capability to edit your data table on the controller itself, and a really solid feel to the build of all components - field controller and FMs.

[wakanga]

@Short Fuse

This is not to say that the PD does not have merits worth considering. Among the things I really like about the PD, which I do not get with FireOne are: PD to PD show show instruction transfer via RCA cable, PD show dump by playing a coded audio source, capability to store 6 shows, much faster and flexible continuity check, capability to edit your data table on the controller itself, and a really solid feel to the build of all components - field controller and FMs.

very very much true

[Marty]

@Short Fuse


In this situation, FireOne offers a level of flexibility PD cannot. You basically dump the entire show into your FireLite panel, advise the fireworks side via radio to prepare as the fireworks countdown occurs, and advise the operator on the FireLite end to press FIRE on your mark. On the time-code broadcasting end, you press PLAY on the laptop / iPod / PMP to start the music at the exact moment the fireworks operator side is told to press FIRE. If time code is received, the FireLite panel will sync perfectly and all will be well. If for any reason, time code fails to reach the FireLite Panel, you are still running a very much synchronized show which is likely off by a few milliseconds, or maybe even perfectly synced, depending on how "correctly" both sides pressed their respective buttons. Of the many shows we've fired this way, we've had time code broadcast fail twice, and both times, you couldn't even tell because all the shells were opening on all the proper keynotes.

Just to add,
If you do this by cell phone, check for a delay in the transmission. Usually there is a 1 second delay so I hit the fire button on the firelite when I hear "one". If you are using Nextel direct connect, the delay may be even longer. Just a simple check will tell Ya, practice/test in advance.

[nepyro]

GK and Marty,

Would one of you please create a TIMECODE post in this forum...
I think the two of you and a few others could help shed some light on this very tricky subject. I for one would like to discuss the merits of Timecode, both for and against, why use it, why not, and the pitfalls, and workarounds...

[/end of selfish request]

Cheers,

[Marty]

GK and Marty,

Would one of you please create a TIMECODE post in this forum...
I think the two of you and a few others could help shed some light on this very tricky subject. I for one would like to discuss the merits of Timecode, both for and against, why use it, why not, and the pitfalls, and workarounds...

[/end of selfish request]

Cheers,

Tricky? Timecode, speaking of FSK only, is the easiest part of show scripting. SMPTE on the other hand is something I stay far away from when possible.

[Troutmanx36]

Some guys might not know what FSK vs SMPTE is or what exactly timecode is.

Timecode is just that, it's a code or signal that keeps time. It sort of like a stopwatch, once it's activated, it is constantly running time. The difference between SMPTE and FSK is the rate at which they run the time.

FSK timecode basically keeps time down to milliseconds so a readout would look like this:

hours:minutes:seconds.1/10second,1/100second,1/1000second

With FSK you are able to use a value like 01:22.555 meaning that your timecode track is saying at that very moment that the time is 1hour, 22minutes, 555 thousanths of a second. IN THEORY, this would allow a person to fire 1000 different cues in a second because there are 1000 different values or "moments" in that second. The millisecond, in FSK, is the shortest time that is understood. However, no software/hardware is capable of really firing 1000 different commands in a second.

SMPTE timecode is a standard timecode that was developed for broadcast/video/music and the like. It's the standard for most video production and broadcast. It is basically a 29.9999999 frame per second format but it is commonly rounded up to 30 frames per second. If you ever edit video at home from your camcorder, you might find that the clock runs up to 0.29 and then switches to the next second. This is SMPTE timecode in action.

What SMPTE means is that you only have 30 values or "moments" for each second. So you go from 1000 down to 30. Because of that, it becomes more difficult to exercise precision in a show, especially a very large/complex set up.

I think the problem with compatibility comes in that the format for most firing systems is an FSK type of timecode that counts 1000 moments per second. When you are using a timecode that only has 30 per second, the system is forced to translate and you might find that cues get lost in the mix. It's basically forcing the system to speak two different languages.

As far as what exactly timecode means in relation to a firing system, just think of it again as a stopwatch but a stopwatch that's coming from somewhere other than the system itself. When you create a timecode track, you are creating a track that just counts time starting at 00:00.000 (this is what it would look like in FSK).

The way timecode is communicated is through an audio channel. When you hook up your DVD player at home, you have a yellow, red, and white connector. The red and white connectors are your two audio signals. With timecode, you create one track that just keeps track of time on one channel and another track that plays music on the other channel. The channel that keeps track of time is what plugs into your firing system. The firing system then uses that signal as its stopwatch for when to fire a cue.

So, basically, as your CD or audio file plays music, it's sending a music signal to an audio device but it's also sending a time signal to your firing system. What this means is that your audio and firing system are always perfectly synched. If you pause the music, the system stops. If you rewind the music, the system fires from whatever time the music starts. If you fast forward it, it will skip ahead. Basically, this allows you to start a show by pushing play.

Before you shoot a show, it's a good idea to make sure timecode is broadcasting. We generally leave several seconds of silence on our audio track so that when we test timecode, we can see if the firing system is recieving timecode correctly. But, as previously stated, if you need a precise starting time after a countdown by a crowd, you don't have the luxury of having that extra silence. In this case, instead of arming the system and then hoping that timecode broadcasts and that the system will fire, you manually engage the system to start at the same time as the music.

IF the timecode doesn't broadcast, then, as stated before, the system fires on its clock as the music plays on it's own clock, but they should be fairly synched since they started at the same time. If something goes wrong on either end here, such as the track skipping, it will look like it's not in sync.

HOWEVER, if timecode DOES broadcast, as it should, the firing system will AUTOMATICALLY start firing off of the timecode track, meaning that it IS actually in perfect sync.

What timecode does it allows the firing system to focus on shooting what is has to shoot and nothing else. It doesn't have to keep track of time, it doesn't have to play music, it just has to "see" the time and shoot.

Wow, this is a long post, but I hope it helps to clear some things up.

[Marty]

Thanks Troutman, although there is more to it, you have given them a good lesson to start.

You bring up a point that I will address,
The reason that I like the OEM scripting software from F1 is that you can choose the time code format that you will be using when you begin scripting a show. It is also easy to script a show for SMPTE and then later convert it for FSK, but switching the other way around can be difficult. As you stated SMPTE is at most 30 FPS or less when FSK can be scripted faster than is compatible with SMPTE.

Another tid-bit on scripting that isn't in the manuals,
When using FSK on a F1 system, it is easy to fire cues faster than the e-match/igniter can respond when doing chases on the same module. As a rule of thumb, never fire cues on the same module faster than 0.02 seconds apart to avoid "firing past" the igniter.


Now for lesson 2, would someone care to tackle "Drop" vs "Non-drop" SMPTE?