TM technical questions

[lumi]

First, I would like to say I'm really satisfied with Titan Mobile. But I'm in lack of technical answer:
Is there any "ram" or "DSP" in Mobile, or is it just like a midi interface? In this case what does the panel updating improve ?
Also, I'm in doubt with USB: with V6.1 is it ok with only one USB cable or better with two? Wouldn't the use of an external power DC be more reliable
in case of multiple, or longer DMX?
Thanks in advance.
Alex.

[icke_siegen]

Hi,

even without any technical insight, one can easily deduct what the TitanMobile is: an interface, between USB and
- DMX In
- DMX Out
- MIDI In
- faders, buttons, encoders, LEDs

As such - and very much alike to any plain USB-to-MIDI interface - there must be a little controller inside, and of course such a controller needs a program to run on: the firmware. That being said, it should be clear that there might be numerous reasons for updating the firmware. E.g. in the beginning, there was no DMX input possible with the TitanMobile. This came with version 5, and required a firmware update. And - again without knowing anything about the technical details - when finally RDM will be implemented (as shown on PLASA last year, and on Prolight&Sound in April) it will certainly involve another firmware upgrade, since additional functionality of the DMX driver is required. And very finally, in order to provide proper support, it's recommended to always have a fully updated system. (Imagine at the beginning of each support call, you need to go through all the different versions: firmware of various boards, software, OS...)

As for the 1 vs 2 USB cables: the second USB cable was for a built-in hardware dongle only (you'll easily find this when you open your Mobile). Thus it wouldn't improve anything regarding power or such. In the past, those hardware dongles proved to be not exactly realiable (there is an ECN for the larger consoles covering this). Hence, Avolites invented their own dongle system - and now, the old hardware dongle isn't needed any more (provided you have a fully updated system - see above ). From my experience, I'd always recommend to use only one USB cable:
- the second cable doesn't help anything regarding power, ground connection, cable length or such
- the one-cable-solution is regarded more reliable
- finally, it looks more neat, doesn't it?

External DC power is only needed if your computer cannot reliably deliver the required power via USB. From all the clients I do service for, I know only one guy who went for external DC, due to a weak laptop computer. Btw., he then soon went for a new laptop computer and tossed the external DC...

By definition of the DMX signal chain, more power doesn't help neither for longer cables, nor for more fixtures in the chain.

The only thing which might be onsidered in certain circumstances is a separate ground connection (that special socket underneath the DC power intake). E.g. if you have multiple DMX runs to several distinct drains (e.g. two lines to the stage which is run from mobile power, another line to the house lights which are fed from totally different power, and the fourth being used for DMX in, again with a different ground reference), then it might be good to have a reliable and definite ground connection for your Mobile.

I hope this gives you some hints...

[lumi]

Thanks a lot for your long answer. It's very useful, It makes things clearer for me now.

[sunlightevent]

Hi

Well , Yes great answer , thanks

You're talking about upgrading firmware, I tried dmx in but with no result , maybe my firmware is not good so , How can I know the version of my TM and How to upgrade it

thanks

[niclights]

Version is in system (Avo + Disk). Latest is 6.1.

For firmware launch Usb Expert and go to the Service tab. If there are any updates they will show here.