New Products

[(iCe)]

Yes I understand although this is all ultimately Avo's decision and so comment/speculation here is only that.

True, but I do hope they listen to our thoughts though

But don't forget my point about playbacks on presets being an argument for extra fixture pages. Sometimes simply to park things out of the way. A recent example of mine being chases that were actually all fired by an autoload list. I had no real need to access them but they did need to exist somewhere. Similarly you might like some extra palettes that are only used for building cues (in particular for the multi-cell fixtures). General shunting around of fixtures/palettes and perhaps wanting to have an entire page of playbacks for quick access during the running of a show are other reasons.

Well I can swear I haven't ever used up all pallets or playbacks, so maybe my shows just aren't big enough

And for the multi-cell fixtures pixel-mapping might be key. This removes the need for silly numbers of handles while avoiding the problems navigating attributes. That is why I highlighted the importance that pixel mapping must be able to recognise the cells as if they were individual fixtures.

To come along with competition, I agree such a feature should become possible. As you might remember I had a large number of multicell blinder fixtures some time ago and pixel mapping whould have been great then.

Regarding handling large numbers of fixtures, when you say that other consoles work in much the same way this is precisely it. So no reason not to IMO. You could always create macro shortcuts to pages too.

That's exactly what scares me. The Pearl shouldn't go from it's own good and distinctive base to become just another hog or MA. Saw the same thing happen with Zeros Frog. Owned one and loved it, but they just started shoving too much complicated things in because the users were requesting it. And then its successor came which was even a greater look-a-like. It adapted so much hog-style things that you'd be way better of buying a second hand Hog with finished (well mostly finished) and proven software then a console which had frequent software updates to get everything straight. I've seen the thing only on display at shows, never in real life; that says enough if you ask me.

The D4 has the LCD's and the extra playback buttons amongst other additions which are significant hardware distinctions especially with complex rigs and so I don't agree that the Expert software needs to be limited as well. It would be up to the user how far they pushed the control surface limitations instead. This is how most of the other consoles approach the matter after all.

If the Expert stays the way it is and future software improvements include only additions: fine. And if you guys really want 500 pallets and over 1000 playbacks, why not. I'm sure not going to use them (and I think a lot of users arent), but I don't care if they're there. What I do care about is sticking development time into features only 5% of the user base will use, whilst there are other feature requests which 95% might use which then fall behind. Now I know enlarging the number of pages probably isn't such a big deal, but still; priorities should be looked at carefully if you ask me.

Console linking in theory could be reasonably easy to do given that everything works on Usb interfaces and the way Titan works with handles. In fact, looking at just the hardware side I would imagine that a Usb link from one of the motherboard ports on the master console to the first showsafe backup socket on the slave with the switch in remote position would make all those panels visible to the master console (assuming they did not have conflicting ID's which can easily be changed). Of course the software side might not be so simple....

I find it an interesting idea and I don't know why this approach has been abandoned (mostly all analog consoles featured such options). It's not a small feature to implement either, that's true, but it would be one differentiating the Pearl from it's rivals again.


To be clear on things: I don't intend any flame and untill now the Titan upgrades have been great and I'm sure the future ones will be. Just trying to weigh in a bit on the decision making at Avolites and hoping that someone reads along and picks out the little jems some of us might post here.

[niclights]

Firstly I hope I can safely reassure you that prioritisation is already well established as fundamental in the decision process for the development program. But of course everyone wants different things and I am certain it is not a simple matter to please all. So posting here discussing features and personal requirements is exactly the right thing to do. I just wish more people would do so!

Regarding additonal fixture pages I really don't think it is a case of becoming more complicated though. Nothing changes except you could have a few more pages if you want.
Groups/numeric selection etc. have always been there but it is up to you if you want to use them, just as the additional pages themselves.

And while I have filled all the playback masters it was on an unusually complicated job. Instead, my example of wanting a fixture page for playbacks wasn't really about running out of masters but more about busking where you can keep all the building blocks from your main pages available for instant access.

I do understand your concerns about development resources but in this case I don't think it would be significant.
Console linking however....

[(iCe)]

Console linking however....

I just knew that was coming

By the way: if they want more user involvement via things like a forum, they should actively participate themselves. Numerous topics without an official Avolites reply (you're not officially Avolites, are you?) doesn't really give users the idea they're comments are picked up I think.

[Olie]

I am reading them but busy writing the software.

[(iCe)]

I am reading them but busy writing the software.

I get that, perhaps someone else could do the reading for you and just give you the heads up on things which are usefull for the software development. I can imagine you don't want to waste time reading all the topics here, but do keep in mind that users asking questions here expect Avolites to read and answer those questions. And in most cases they don't want to wait either offcourse Nowadays Niclights is answering most questions and I think most users may even mistake him to be an Avolites staff member. Good job by niclights there, but I do think Avolites themselves should also have an active role in these discussions.

And I know exactly what you're coping with; I'm a software engineer myself and find it hard to listen to customers and get everything done in time. And once you've got it done, users start complaining again that it's not exactly what they wanted (even though it probably is..)


Ah well, I might sound a bit negative, but again: I'm very pleased with our Avolites consoles and I'm sure the future will bring more cool stuff.

[Olie]

I do try to answer the question I can help with. It is difficult for me to add anything to a thread like this where it is speculating on a future function.

We do take all your points on view but our development cycles work over a 6 month period and it is very difficult for me to immediately answer or respond to feature requests.

nicklights is extremely helpful on this forum and I appreciate that allot. Normally if there is something he feels I should answer he will send me a txt

[(iCe)]

Ok, clear Keep up the good work!

[niclights]

Of course I like to help people where I can, which is why I answer here. But I am conscious that I answer so many and sometimes it's not really my business or at least is a grey area.

I know that Olie reads and responds but it would be nice if others did too, especially as many of the questions are not the sort of detailed development discussions as we might be having in this thread. There's only really an average of one post a day and far fewer on the 'other' forum.
It was interesting to hear a comment recently that someone found it quite odd how, for such a friendly, helpful and approachable company, Avolites are strangely mostly absent from forums. I think it is perhaps not recognised how some users see forums as a first point of contact. Perhaps more importantly certain other console manufacturers do and their activity surely gives a good impression? But I've said all this before to various people so I'll stop. This is off topic from something that was already off topic.

PS. Feel free to call me Nic. Getting 'niclights' on flights and hotels etc. is bad enough. My fault I know...

[(iCe)]

Hehe ok Nic, will do. And as for your reply: totally agree. Forums and the Internet in general is causing interaction with customers to change radically. People nowadays expect companies to actively participate on forums and networking sites. And more and more transparancy is seen all over; therefore I find it odd that Avolites' development process is still rather hidden untill things are officially released. I mean; what would be wrong with a list of features which will be implemented in the next software release? Gives users an idea of what you're doing and gives you a reason to actually stick to that list