If something goes wrong
Common problems
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| “Not responding: unplug it and plug it back in” | The DMX interface has hung: unplug and replug the USB cable. The engine picks it up again on its own |
| “The port won't open” | Is Lightkey open? Close it. The first time, macOS may ask for permission for the USB accessory |
| “The show is running” | Stop it to adjust live. You can still save changes |
| A scene lights nothing | Is the setup the active one? Does the scene have levels? Do the lamps have the right channels? |
| The show won't start | A scene has no action: the page says which one |
| Phrases aren't recognised | Check the microphone in the Microphone menu and that the language model is there |
| A phrase fires too early | It appears earlier in the text: choose a longer phrase. See the simulation |
| The video doesn't show | You need a second screen on Extend, and the file must be projectable: see Sounds and video |
| QLab or Lightkey can't be reached | Are they open? Are the address and port in the outputs right? Is the firewall blocking them? |
Commands from the network
By default the engine listens only to this computer. Output engine → Accept commands from the network (for a control booth tablet)) opens it to other computers. Anyone on the same network can then start a scene: keep it off if you don't need it.
Asking for help
Help → Create diagnostics package… saves a zip with version, system, devices, setups and logs, to send to whoever is helping you.
It doesn't contain the text of the scripts or passwords, and recognised lines are removed from the logs. It does contain the names of setups and devices.
With File → Show log you read the program's log directly. In Help → About you find version and build: they're the first thing to report.
Limits to know about
- Windows and Linux have not yet been tested on a real computer.
- The installers aren't signed, so the system warns you on the first launch.
- Recognition has been tried with synthetic voices, not yet with real actors.
- A DMX USB port carries only one universe: to get more, you need the network.
- When you copy a script to another computer, you have to choose the projector's screen again, and the USB port if it is not on «Automatic».