V16 Pro - What s New? Welcome to the V16 Pro. If you re an experienced V16+ and WinScript user, the V16 Pro and WinScript Live will seem like old friends. In fact, the new V16 is designed to be plug compatible with the old one, and your old scripts can easily be converted to the run on the new WinScript Live. But there are hundreds of new features to explore! This guide will quickly familiarize you with the most important enhancements our engineers have made. (If you re new to our show control products, we suggest you start with the tutorial in the User s Guide.) Enjoy! Hardware Display and Knob The most obvious difference between the V16+ and V16 Pro is that big knob. It lets you change settings such as IP address, timecode operation, and monitor what s going on in the box. You can also password protect those settings to prevent them from being changed. There s also a much larger display (8 lines by 42 columns), and you can do more things with it. Indicators We ve added some front panel indicators to show you when the V16 Pro is receiving video or timecode sync. Ethernet activity indicators are at the rear. 1
Compact Flash Storage Scripts are now stored on a removable Compact Flash Card, so maintenance personnel don t need WinScript to swap show scripts. The CF slot is on the rear and covered by a security plate so it can be secured. The Compact Flash card is much larger than the show memory in the V16+, so scripts can now be millions of lines long. Unlike the V16+, the source code for multiple scripts may be stored and selected from the front panel. The script can also contain a password that must be entered in Winscript Live before editing or viewing. Ethernet Perhaps the most important new feature is the addition of dual Ethernet ports. This allows you to isolate local traffic from wide area traffic. Both ports let you send and receive any kinds of messages you like using a variety of protocols. Usually one of them will connect to the outside world for control and monitoring, and the other will connect to equipment within the attraction, but you can really use either of them in any way you like. The faster communications speeds mean you can monitor the unit and edit scripts on the fly. Serial Ports All sixteen serial ports may now be software configured for either RS-232 or RS-422/485. Timecode We ve added linear timecode in and out. We support all standard rates of SMPTE or EBU, and a few odd ones as well. The output level is software configurable, and the input is balanced and isolated. When the V16 Pro is receiving timecode it regenerates a clean version on its timecode output. Timecode is displayed on the front panel in either the custom user screen or the menu wheel screen. 2
Video Sync In The video sync input now accepts both composite and black burst sync at PAL or NTSC rates. Real Time Clock The built in real time clock keeps the time of day and date, even when the power is off. Time of day, day of week, date, or even sunrise and sunset can be used to trigger sequences. For increased accuracy, the time may be synchronized to an Internet time server via NTP. The clock can be set to automatically adjust for daylight savings time. Versatile Inputs Each input may be software configured for contact closure or voltages, and any voltage from 5 to 24 volts will trigger the input. They re also very resistant to over-voltage and misconfiguration, with protection up to 60 volts. Still the Perfect Outputs We didn t change these. They re still dry contacts with self-restoring polymer fuses rated at 0.9 Amps each. Software Configuration Of... Well, Everything There really are no user serviceable parts inside (no more jumpers!). Everything can now be configured in software. There is no need to ever open the box. USB Scripts can also be downloaded using USB. Control the V16 Pro using a simple command set (Start Sequence, Set Variable, Get Version, etc) over USB. 3
WinScript Live No Limits Because of the larger memory sizes and higher communications speeds, scripts and sequences may now be very, very large, and you can have thousands of variables and sequences. More Sophisticated Protocols As with the V16+, you can create your own outgoing protocols, but now they re defined using XML, giving you the ability to do some powerful variable manipulation and insertion. Multiple excel-style functions are available for to achieve string manipulation and checksums. For example, you can use this feature to query a projector s lamp hours and then send a notification to maintenance personnel. The protocols can include both serial and Ethernet messages in a single file. Protocol files are now stored with your script for easy archiving. Unsolicited Messages Most importantly, you can now also create your own incoming protocols. Using regular expressions you can parse incoming messages, extract content, and use the information as variables in your scripts or to start sequences. The protocols work for both serial and Ethernet messages. 4
Built-In Ethernet Protocols You can transfer scripts to and from the V16 Pro using FTP. The V16 Pro can act as a web server, so your user interface might just be a web browser. NTP will keep the real time clock accurate via an Internet time server. And SNMP provides comprehensive remote control and monitoring. Timed and Logical Sequences In WinScript you d often create sequences with every event at timecode zero in order to perform logic. WinScript Live adds a new type of sequence that has no timecode. Just select between No Timecode, Internal Timecode, or SMPTE/EBU Timecode Sequences Locked to Timecode WinScript Live also lets you lock sequences to timecode. This means that as the timecode is scrubbed back and forth, the sequence will follow, forward or backward in time. New Variable Types In addition to bytes, you can now create 32-bit integers, decimal, strings, times, dates, timecode, and manipulate them with math and comparison functions. Use the V16Pro s internal variables such as timecode, time of day, and last error codes within your script as you would a custom variable. Display these variables on the front panel easily and without extra formatting using the LCD wizard. New Event Types Mathematical functions such as divide, multiple, bitwise and/or, etc, can be performed on variables. Strings variables can be manipulated with additional functions such as concatenate or created with variables using format. New Condition Testing In addition to the existing support of If testing for variables, inputs and outputs, WinScript Live now supports Else and EndIf testing to maneuver through a sequence. 5
Editing Environment The sequence editor is more versatile and auto-fills more information for fast editing. Real-Time Monitoring of Variables WinScript lets you monitor and change the value of variables in real time as your script runs in the V16 Pro. Real-Time Monitoring of LCD Display You can also see what s on the V16 Pro s LCD display right on your computer, without going to the equipment room to find out! Real-Time Monitoring of Sequences WinScript also lets you monitor the sequences that are running, their current time, and what event is next in line to be executed as your script runs in the V16 Pro. Output Forcing Outputs may be forced to a specific state for use during programming and testing. 6
Thanks For Using the V16 Pro! We hope this overview of what s new in the V16 Pro has whetted your appetite! You ll find lots more new features as you explore. And as always, if you think of a something else that will make your job easier or more fun, let us know, and we ll consider it for a future update. Enjoy! 3300 S. Hiawassee Rd. #105 Orlando, FL 32835 T (407) 296-5800,,1252 F (407) 296-5801 support@alcorn.com http://www.alcorn.com 7