[Solved] Tearing out hair

[bentaxle]

Hello everyone

I am in the middle of a show and I am getting quite disturbed about how many things have gone wrong with this system.

I run version number 11.8.5 and the show is mostly a series of videos and stills shown alternately, as backdrop to a play. The videos are short and each one cross fades into a still which is then played continuously until the next video is initiated on a manual cue. The system is run on an Acer lap top, which is about 4 years old.

Last night was typical - everything went well till the last video cue, which refused to play. I clicked on the cue with the mouse which seemed to bring it back to operation, but by then the ship had sailed and the cue was late. This has never happened before or since on this cue. On another night, I hit a manual cue to start a video and it showed the video for maybe 1 second then skipped ahead two cues. I have had only one night so far without some sort of problem. I have never managed to duplicate a problem by running it again later, so maybe it is nothing to do with my setting up of the cue file?

I am a comparative newcomer to setting up and running this system, and I also don't know if our lap top is the problem, but I would really like some pointers as to what I may be doing wrong please. I thought of downloading the latest version of the software but am reluctant to change too much in the middle of a season.

[jmgordon]

Sorry to hear of your problems. In due course Mike will be along to help and will probably ask you to send a Diagnostic file.

Meanwhile, my go-to first response to erratic behaviour is to do an over-the-top re-install of the existing version, in case the program has become corrupted in some way. You mention you are using version 11.8.5; have you included the LAV filters in the download, recommended for working with video files?

In normal circumstances are you advancing through the cue list in a linear fashion, using the Go button (Space), or clicking "play" on individual cues? Some people do so, not understanding the operating principle, but it can lead to erratic behaviour.

In 'Options and Settings - General', what is the number in 'Max. No. of Video/Image Files to Pre-Open"? The default is 20 (or is on the latest version), but see the Tip in the Help file about making this choice. Useful to consider to inform this choice is the amount of memory available and the size of the video and image files. If a completing cue has not released memory the next video may not load.

One can avoid surprises by keeping an eye on the 'State' of upcoming cues and checking that the next is 'Ready'. As you have found, if it is not, clicking on the cue will make it so.

HTH.

Malcolm

[Mike Daniell]

'bentaxle' has reported the problem solved with the latest version of SCS (11.9.4).

[bentaxle]

Just wanted to say thank you for a prompt and expert response to my request. I have not often seen such excellent support as I have received with this system.

Cheers
Mike