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Author
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Topic: Automate/Device Set Up – NEC NC900, GDC SX3000
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Leo Enticknap
Film God
Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 10-03-2017 10:28 PM
Taylor - if you haven't done so already, download and save settings and configuration files from your projector, audio processor and any other machine in your booth that allows you to do so. If the ICP in your projector dies tomorrow and has to be replaced, then if you don't have a settings package (or clone file, as Barco calls it), you're looking at having re-do all the macros, screen files, lens files ... basically, an entire reinstallation of the projector (apart from the physical positioning). Same thing with your audio processor and re-tuning the room.
Did your tech and/or GDC advise you to pull a settings/configuration backup from the deceased SX-3000 before returning it? If neither did, that's disappointing.
Whenever I do a service call anywhere now, I pull and save the settings/clone file from the projector, server and audio processor of every house I work on, so that if a situation like this does happen, I (or one of my co-workers, if they are assigned to the call) at least have something to restore as a starting point, even if it might be out of date by the time it's needed. At the last theater I worked, I made these backups monthly, or whenever any major change was made to any settings (colors shot, room tuned, that sort of thing).
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Leslie Hartmier
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 100
From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 10-13-2017 12:42 PM
I'm not telling anyone how to do anything, but in the case of any hardware (and I have been doing this very thing since I had the ability with anything, including BIOS from computers), I back up the settings of anything I am changing before I change it, then I back it up after I change it.
For example, with the NEC NC900C: 1) I back up the settings using DCC for S2 including the firmware version in the filename 2) I apply the firmware upgrades 3) I reload the settings that I saved (this was a result of finding that, for some reason, on ONLY SOME of the new firmware updates, it would reset SOME settings to default. 4) I backup the settings again, in case the new firmware changes some settings 5) I test all macros, channels, and functions to ensure that everything remains as it should. 6) I pull logs to examine later, just because I always pull logs. 7) I make a copy of settings for location on a USB drive, and leave it with the manager/owner/etc. 8) I upload to our FTP server as soon as I can (if internet exists on-site, immediately)
That list looks like it takes longer than it does. However, once I have left a location, I am utterly confident that the machine I was messing with works as it should.
Same basic routine with GDC machines with differences in ability to do certain things.
1) I boot into Rescue (if possible) and back up the drive image of the old version. 2) I boot into the SMS, back up logs and configuration. 3) I update the server. 4) I reload the settings from the logs and configuration 5) I reboot. 6) I test the server functions, and examine the configuration settings. 7) I reboot into Rescue and back up the OS image. 8) I make a copy of settings for location on a USB drive, and leave it with the manager/owner/etc. 9) I upload to our FTP server as soon as I can (if internet exists on-site, immediately).
I do this whether it is a single-screen or a multiplex. It really doesn't take long, despite what it might look like. It might add ten minutes to the entire process.
As far as I am concerned, if you are unable to back up the settings yourself, you have a right to expect/request the settings and the configurations in case someone else from your maintenance company comes, you have to use a different company, or you just need to reload the settings yourself for some reason.
My thoughts anyway,
Leslie
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