Compatibility
"I'd
like to have some simpler software for planning
the show, but it needs to work for all the shows
I do, not just for the ones I do with your system."
The
Firelinx choreography and site planning software
includes beep track voice output for manual
shows, and can import and export CSV or comma
separated value or Excel spreadsheet files.
This means that if you like to do your main
choreography in another system, its cues can
probably be imported into Firelinx to make use
of its special features and site planning reports.
The system's beep track allows you to choreograph
manual shows for other systems, but still get
the benefits of the site planning. The beep
track synthesizer is included in the system
price, not as an extra option.
"I
know my existing system really well, and I want
to keep using it (I can't afford not to), but
it's got too few cues for some of the shows
I do. Can I use both systems together?"
The
Command Module has an External Trigger input,
which can be used to expand the capability of
another system. The firing wire of one cue from
another system is attached to the ET input.
When the Command Module detects a high current
pulse (from the other system firing, the continuity
test low current won't set it off) it starts
the Fire sequence just as if the user had pushed
the button. This allows Firelinx to expand an
existing manual or automatic system, as each
current pulse can initiate an entire sequence
of wireless automatic programming -- sort of
like a fireworks subroutine.
Wish:
"I don't want to have to buy new slats
to use your system -- they're a huge investment
for me. Show me how I can re-use as much
as possible."
Rather
than putting high voltages on the E-matches
and connecting the grounds through a switch,
Firelinx always grounds the E-match leads and
switches power to ignite the match. In some
cases, Firelinx switches power AND ground. This
gives us some interesting capabilities. First,
the Firelinx firing modules are the only modules
with main connectors that can be replaced in
the field if one gets broken or hopelessly fouled
with mud, sand, etc. Then we took it to the
next level, and designed the system so that
you don't need to replace the old connector
with the same kind. You can choose either a
36 or 50 pin Centronics connector, making the
module compatible with a wide variety of slats
and connector boxes already in service. On four
of the ground connections, the firing module
also has solid-state switches. This allows us
to switch power and ground simultaneously. This
turned out to be useful for interfacing to ATF
(Trademark of Advanced Technique Fireworks)
12-cue slats. You can hook up to four 12-cue
ATF slats to a firing module, extending its
firing to 48 cues (although not all can fire
at the same time in this configuration). The
only connector boxes that won't work with Firelinx
modules are those which put power on the main
lines and switch ground, AND have diodes in
place to prevent reverse current.
"I
know this is such a simple thing, but I always
have to screw around trying to get the right
connector for the audio sync signal. Sometimes
it's XLR, sometimes RCA, sometimes it's on the
left channel, sometimes on the right. I never
seem to have what I need."
On
the Firelinx Command Module, we couldn't decide
which input connector was most important, so
we put on both. The audio sync signal can be
connected on RCA or XLR connectors. Going one
step further, we've included a Left/Right switch
so the audio can be on either channel and, well,
it just works.
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