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Author Topic: Volume Automation on Doremi DCP-2K4 James Skinner Film Handler Posts: 22 From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Dec 2012 posted 04-21-2013 01:18 PM                     I have recently setup our Doremi DCP-2K4 perform automation control to our Dolby CP650 over Ethernet. I have been happy with the results. I have setup automation cues for format buttons, etc. One thing that I haven't been to happy with is setting the volume. The Dolby has about 100 levels of volume. So far I have had to setup a different automation cue for each level. Not an elegant solution. Is there any way to pass a parameter to an automation macro? Ideally I would only need one volume automation cue and then just set the desired volume level when I add the cue. I imagine this working similarly to how adding Black into a play list works where it prompts for a number of seconds but instead it would promote for the volume level. Is it possible to pass parameters to automation cues?  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 04-21-2013 01:23 PM                     Not as far as I know. I have been wondering the same, if anybody has a solution for this it would be great!  |  IP: Logged Harold Hallikainen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 906 From: Denver, CO, USA Registered: Aug 2009 posted 04-22-2013 08:11 AM                        I also don't believe there's a method of setting up a "raw device" with variable data. The string sent is a constant string defined when the command is defined. Though there ARE 100 possible fader levels, it seems unlikely you'd use all of them. I've often seen three fader levels (preshow, trailers, and feature). Other levels can be added as they are needed. I think Doremi is building XM files for devices (perhaps as people request). I've received a couple files for USL processors. Harold  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 04-22-2013 01:09 PM                     Well you don't want to run all your features at the same level, do you?  |  IP: Logged Harold Hallikainen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 906 From: Denver, CO, USA Registered: Aug 2009 posted 04-22-2013 02:49 PM                        Probably not, even though it was supposedly mixed for playback at 7.0 (the theater I was in Friday had the feature at 5.4), One nice feature some processors have (and I think it's nice since I put it there) is a "last used" fader setting for each format along with configurable formats. You set up one format for the feature, another for the trailers, etc. During the first test playback of the feature, you set the level. This will return the next time you select this format. So, you're cues just select the feature, trailer, or whatever format. Back on the original question, I think you have to generate a separate command for each level, but you probably don't need 100 commands or levels. Good luck! Harold  |  IP: Logged Carsten Kurz Film God Posts: 4340 From: Cologne, NRW, Germany Registered: Aug 2009 posted 04-22-2013 02:52 PM                     We use four separate volume cues, that is perfectly okay for us - 4.5,5.0,5.5,6.0 Plus our AP20 has format individual preset levels, and an auditorium control. - Carsten  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 04-22-2013 04:28 PM                     The 750 does not have the "last volume" and to be honest I don't see the hassle in changing the fader for each feature, it takes a moment. As said, you don't need 100 faders. Fader 7.0 won't work for all features, it's a fact. Some will run at 7.0, some at 6.5, some at 6.0. Some at 7.5. All of them will run in the average theatre at 5.5.  |  IP: Logged Scott Christopher Film Handler Posts: 69 From: Adelaide, South Australia Registered: Apr 2001 posted 04-22-2013 11:43 PM                     I've set a preset for the input. When switching to Digital, the level is set for ad's etc. Regarding automation level commands, I've got commands from "3.0" to "7.5" in 0.5 steps.  |  IP: Logged Manuel Acevedo Civantos Film Handler Posts: 26 From: Québec, QC, Canada Registered: Mar 2013 posted 04-24-2013 08:29 AM                        Just to comment a slightly different approach. In our case with CP45 and Doremi. Preshow, advertisments and trailers/feature get each a relative volume, feature being 0db, automated with the Doremi Volume playback action. We have no more than six macros for this. The general volume is set manually with the CP45 fader. It depends on the feature and specially on the amount and "style" of the audience. Actually, it only get adjusted in extreme cases.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 04-24-2013 03:43 PM                     I did not know Doremi had already put in place the volume, I was expecting it but did not realise it was already available, thanks. Is that with 2.4? Personally I think it would be dangerous, having two places where the general level is changed. But if I remember correctly I was told the fader would reset at every show - hence it would change it only if you intentionally change it.  |  IP: Logged Manuel Acevedo Civantos Film Handler Posts: 26 From: Québec, QC, Canada Registered: Mar 2013 posted 04-26-2013 03:48 PM                        Not sure when, but yes, it's recent. SImple but extremely help in my case. The general volume is set on the physical fader on the CP45 that I can't automate. We have one CP750 controlled by ethernet, we take care of not mixing both volume controls on that one.  |  IP: Logged Ken Lackner Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1907 From: Atlanta, GA, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 05-02-2013 08:41 AM                     Harold wins. Retaining independent fader settings for each format without the use of presets is one of my favorite features of the JSD-100. (Not that that helps to answer the original question. Just thought I'd throw that out there.)  |  IP: Logged Aleksandar Obradovic Expert Film Handler Posts: 125 From: Belgrade, Serbia Registered: Oct 2012 posted 05-02-2013 02:20 PM                     Carsten, What are you using for auditorium fader for AP20? I have 9 of them (Datasat AP20) in one of cinemas in cinema chain i work and my boss wants this also. Tnx mate BTW i all of cinemas i work we have fader levels (CP650) from 2.5 to 7.0 with step 0.1 (i made macros on one server and then i made copy of this "master" file to all screens). It was a hell of a afternoon for me and for what? Because production guys (from studios) are dumb to make normalization/calibration at their workstations (no offense guys but some of those guys are don't give a f... for playout) BR  |  IP: Logged Carsten Kurz Film God Posts: 4340 From: Cologne, NRW, Germany Registered: Aug 2009 posted 05-02-2013 03:01 PM                     We don't use an actual fader/pot. The AP20 has GPIO, we configured two of these inputs to implement a simple Up/Down control (+/-0.3 level). We use a large momentary on/off/on switch in the auditorium. Costs 2-3€, plus a three wire line to the booth (GPIO common, GPIO-Up,GPIO-Down). You could as well use two separate momentary switches. You set them up as GPIO action in the AP20 automation setup dialog. We used an existing three wire line from the previous CP65 remote pot. For a new installation, I would probably put a CAT5 line in and add some more functions like format, mute, etc. The AP20 is quite capable with it's automation, it can even forward/relay actions to the server or Jnior. - Carsten  |  IP: Logged Aleksandar Obradovic Expert Film Handler Posts: 125 From: Belgrade, Serbia Registered: Oct 2012 posted 05-02-2013 03:10 PM                     I have similar solution but it seems that PLC which controls everything has a little bit of lag so i have to press a key as many times as i need volume up/down. Problem happens when someone of staff keeps key down. If someone do this AP will lower volume to 0 or it will be high in the skies. I think that remote control box in auditorium needs some changes. Where did i put my soldering iron?!?!  |  IP: Logged

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