Remote control software for Studers

[q-tip]

I tested the software on the A810 again today and this time the counter was working. I don't know why it didn't yesterday.
The Trans button is also usefull to select the different winding speeds. This doesn't work either.

I don't know the software version of the C270. It's not displayed on startup.

[dc300a]

Can you tell if the settings do force polling mode ?

For the Trans button: it will never control wind speed. The software's features are based on what the protocol allows. As explained in message #1, Trans is used solely for locator functions. The library wind, when possible, is activated using the fast wind buttons and the Ctrl key (not possible with the A810 and C27n models).

The C270 software version should be displayed in the application status bar.

Thanks

[edit]
I don't notice a delay of about 1 second between the hardware and the application. I shot a short video with the two displays side by side. The frame rate is 30 frames per second. Even in the worst case (polling), it takes 6 frames to update the timer and get the same value for the seconds. That's about 180 ms. In this mode, at 9600 baud, the total amount of data needed to update the timer requires a transmission delay of about 12.5 ms over the cable. The polling mode set to 50 ms uses a round-robin method to obtain different values, including the timer value, from among 4. I'm afraid it's not possible to do better with such a low serial bit rate. If the delay you're experiencing is really 1 second, I'll need the logs to understand why this is happening.

From the video NLE timeline:
       

The video is here

[havox]

Hello,
what should I say   Nearly everything works!

Drive functions FFW,RW, Play, Stop, Rec work 
Counter functions  Counting, Set zero work
Locator functions: Zero loc, Locstart, Loc 1, 2, 3, 4 work (amazing, since I have only Loc1 assigned on my A807)
Audio settings: Inp, Rep, Sync, Safe, Ready, TapeA/TapeB work
Library wind (Ctrl + Wind) does not work. Winding runs with full speed. But I think the command is not implemented for the A807.
Rollback does not work, probably not available on A807s

What may be added to the settings: Grey out the  „Code“ column. I think, many A807s do not  have it installed.

All in all, to my knowledge,  this is the best remote control software for Studer 

Thank you so much for programming this gem!

By the way - the WNR XXXX and WNF XXXX commands for selectable winding speeds do not seem to be available on my A807, although it is checked in the command list - probably only the MKII provides this feature. Philip van der Matten shows it in a Youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ubs_Zba2n8

[dc300a]

Hello Hans-Volker,

Rollback should work as it is a simulation, I'll check this one.

For WNR/WNF, I can confirm that these commands do not exist for MkI 10/89. There were two subsequent updates: 20/91 and 20/92. Based on the limited information I have, 20/92 is also the first version used for MkII and it includes these commands. I would tend to think that 20/91 or 20/92 introduced WNF/WNR on MkI, but I have nothing to confirm this.

I'll see what I can do about the TC channel controls... 

The next step is beta-4, which should be sufficiently complete and ideally bug-free.
I will then focus on redesigning certain low level parts of the user interface so that it adapts better to resizing according to screen resolution. Once done, I will then add management for a tape settings preset library.

All in all, to my knowledge,  this is the best remote control software for Studer 

Given the considerable amount of time I have devoted to it, this is the kind of comment I really appreciate. Thanks for the kind words  !

[havox]

I thought of using a serial switch to use my Studer remote counter and the Laptop+software alternatively without unplugging and replugging connections.
Unfortunately, Studer put the 24V power on pin 5, which is „normally“ GND. At least my (cheap) switch understandably does not switch GND between outputs, furthermore pin 5 is connected to the shield.
The consequence is a short of the 24V supply once the switch is connected.   .Fortunately, no damage results apart from a blown fuse…

[q-tip]

For WNR/WNF, I can confirm that these commands do not exist for MkI 10/89. There were two subsequent updates: 20/91 and 20/92. Based on the limited information I have, 20/92 is also the first version used for MkII and it includes these commands. I would tend to think that 20/91 or 20/92 introduced WNF/WNR on MkI, but I have nothing to confirm this.

As fair as I know 10/89 is the newest version for the MkI. 20/91 and 20/92 were only available for the MkII

[Linus]

Hi!

Did my tests now as well.

Studer A810 (Software 1/88):
Rewind, Fast Forward, Play, Stop and Rec works
Zero Loc works
Trans doesn't work
Reset timer works
Ready/Safe/Inp/Sync/Rep works
I have the three speed version and selceting speed doesn't work
NAB/CCIR does not work
Tape A/Tape B doesn't work
Timer works
A810 detected from the beginning.

Overall: Due to filtering of the echoed commands the app works now smooth and fast, no delays.
I would also underlinea working Trans and Winding command as it represents good comfort of the machine.

Big step ahead.
Linus

[dc300a]

Hello Linus,

Thank you for the feedback. I'm glad it runs better for you.

Unfortunately, controlling the wind speed with the Trans button does not work. As I explained to q-tip, the Trans key is only used to freeze and transfer certain timer values to loc keys 1 to 4. If the A810 was capable of this, you could fast wind at reduced speed with Ctrl + << or Ctrl + >>. Even the latest version I have (25/91) does not allow this (no WNF/WNR commands).

The A/B tape selection cannot work with the A810 (no STA, STB commands) and the buttons should appear grayed out because they are supposed to be disabled.

Automatic detection of the A810 should not occur, unless the 01/88 software I have is not what it should be. Looking at the code, I don't see "MT?" in the table of available commands. This command is present in version 25/91. Isn't the tape recorder model forced in the application configuration?

NAB/CCIR and speed selection should work. May I ask for a level 2 debug to help me understand what is wrong with eq and speed selection ?

[dc300a]

@havox

Would such a representation of the disabled TC channel controls be acceptable ?
The buttons and LEDs are then inoperative and this could be set as the default.

   

[havox]

Yes, that looks nice! Thanks for your effort!

[dc300a]

Beta-4 is available, same password as before: https://fromsmash.com/rm8xx-beta4


User interface:

• Fixed a random application crash when changing the polling mode interval in the settings.
  
• Ability to disable TC channel controls. The controls are disabled by default.
  
• Mode buttons: default behavior changed to allow changes without pressing the Ctrl key.
  
• C27x and A810: the 4 speed change buttons are locked and only used as indicators. Dedicated high/low speed selection buttons are located next to the equalization standard selection.
  
• Added a window to display application log messages. To open it, click the configuration button while simultaneously pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys.
  
• Enabled user settings for the shuttle wheel, library wind max speed, and rollback emulation.
  
• For models or software versions that do not offer this feature, the shuttle wheel function is disabled and displayed in gray.
  
• Redesign of the “elastic” slider logic used to mimic the shuttle wheel. Elastic return interval increased to 250 ms and drag resistance reduced.
  
• Correction of the logic for the LED indicators on the buttons for some of locator functions.
  
• For some models / versions: optimization of the polling code that updates the status of the recorder.
  

RTR manager:

• Fixed capabilities for A807: MkI 10/89 has transport status streaming feature, MkII starts at 06/90.
  
• Fixed rewind emulation that was not working for some models.
  
• With compatible recorders, when you click the fast forward or rewind keys while holding down the Ctrl key, library wind mode is activated.
  • Three speeds are available in a cycle upon button press: each click on fast wind buttons while holding down the Ctrl key selects the next speed.
    
  • Changing direction maintains the current library wind speed to avoid tape stress.
    
  • In the configuration window, Maximum library wind speed setting is a percentage of recorder maximum wind speed.
    
  • First reduced speed is 100% of maximum library wind speed, next is 50%, then 25%, then 100% again, then ... ad libitum
    
• Locator keys combined with the Ctrl key engage playback mode after the location is reached.
  
• Locator keys combined with the Ctrl+Alt keys engage recording mode after the location is reached.
  

OTHER:

• Fixed the problem of saving serial port settings in the configuration file.
  
• Compilation without debugging code, no more console window.
  
• Fixed an issue with windows not closing when the application is shut down.
  
• Fixed application icons: shortcuts, binary and taskbar should display a Revox metal reel.
  

KNOWN BUGS:

• Led logic for locate buttons is not totally fixed.
  

Maximum library wind speed and maximum shuttle wind speed are both set as a percentage. This percentage is relative to the recorder maximum wind speed.

   


Buttons ribbon for C270 & A810 (with shuttle wheel disabled)

   

[havox]

While testing the Beta4 on my A807,  I see a few things regarding the „lights“.
Initially 3.75 is illuminated while on the machine 7.5 is selected. Lights switch after clicking on 7.5 though.
Tape A/B both dark. After clicking on either of them, the selected lights up.
Transport lights: STOP is blinking all the time, no change after selecting a drive function.
Ctrl + locate to autoplay works. Nice 

Happy programming!

[Linus]

Hi!

Tested it on my A810
-Speed is now displayed corretly
-Locaction with Play and Rec works as well
-Shuffle greyed out. Good
-Rest of standard functions: Good

Problem: Intially good responstime, gets slower and slower after pressing a button. Actually it feels like each time after pressing a button the response time is doubling. This was not an issue with beta3!?

Many Regards
Linus

[dc300a]

Hi, guys !

Thanks for the feedback. Apparently some hiccups here ... 

Initially 3.75 is illuminated while on the machine 7.5 is selected. Lights switch after clicking on 7.5 though.
Tape A/B both dark. After clicking on either of them, the selected lights up.
Transport lights: STOP is blinking all the time, no change after selecting a drive function.
Happy programming!

As for the speed indicator LEDs, they should synchronize with the recorder's settings once the polling sequence is complete. This may take 2 seconds or more, depending on the recorder model and the protocol's capabilities. There is a simple test you can perform: change the speed from the recorder’s control panel and verify that the display in the app matches.

The indicators for tape type A/B cannot light up until you click on them to change the speed; only the “big three” are equipped with a protocol that provides a command to retrieve the current tape type selection. For these, I chose an arbitrary initial state, as with those used for local/remote, mono, etc.

An always blinking STOP is an interesting "feature". I am unable to reproduce this. The application expects transport status codes that are shared among all models but the A810.

For this issue, I'm afraid I'll need some debugging information. You can launch the application from the command line with the -d1 option; it will then start generating a debug log that isn’t too detailed. Once the Christmas tree lights up, you can use certain transport commands and stop logging by clicking the [Z-LOC] button while holding down the Ctrl+Alt+Shift keys. Next, open the log console by clicking the [Setup] button while holding down the Ctrl+Alt+Shift keys. The pop-up window includes a [copy] button that allows you to select all logs and copy them to the clipboard; you can then simply paste the contents into a file or similar container of your choice.

"Happy programming" Yes, it's nice to see this project being enhanced with new features, especially since there are people willing to give up a little of their time to help out.

Problem: Intially good responstime, gets slower and slower after pressing a button. Actually it feels like each time after pressing a button the response time is doubling. This was not an issue with beta3!?

I tried to reproduce this behavior with my recorder configured with echo mode enabled, but I don’t see any issues at all. In the [Advanced] tab of the settings window, the Timed polling interval value should be set to 50 ms. If it isn’t, set it to 50 ms and try again. If it still doesn’t work as expected, I’ll need Level 2 debug data. You can follow the suggestion I sent to Hans-Volker; in your case, the only difference is to run the application with the -d2 option instead of -d1. Once it is slow enough, stop logging with the [Z-LOC] button trick and use the logging console window as explained above.


Thanks a lot for reporting the issues.