Extra lights coming on when playing back a sequence?

[Guest guest]

I am using Windows XP Home Edition, WMP version 11.0.5721.5280 don't know how this affects other Windows systems or WMP versions. And the controllers are the CTB16PC's.



So, I had installed the LORVis plug-in for Windows Media Player (WMP), and since the LOR Software Suite also uses the WMP for playback of the MP3, well, I just had this happen, was having other decor or lights flicker or light up only momentarily, even though NOTHING was in the sequence for that particular item.



At first this had me scratching my head trying to figure out why the heck is that turning on? Especially when I KNOW it's NOT sequenced anywhere.



Well if you have the LORVis visualizer plug-in installed and just happen to FORGET to disable that particular plug-in, it can still control those lights that aren't yet sequenced, they won't come on for long, just flicker on for a short time, then go off, seems (in my case using CTB16PC controllers) if the LORVis plug-in is not disabled in WMP, and you code a new sequence, it will still pick up some of the beat from the LORVis plug-in, hence turning on a light or display item.



If you're having "ghosting" (as I like to call it) of lights turning on, and you have LORVis installed, you just need to do this:

Open Windows Media Player

Click the Now Playing tab

Right click in the WMP screen display area

Disable all visual plugins by clicking on the option "No Visualizations".



As a side note, if WMP IS using any visualizations, it can also slow down the LOR Animation window making it appear that your lights are not sequenced correctly.

NOTE: LORVis MAY NOT be the only culprit here, you may have other issues that could be creating this issue, so if you disable LORVis, and you still have this issue, you need to look deeper into your sequence for other errors.



Unfortunately this still does not correct or stop the "out of sequence" scrolling effect when using multiple tracks and you scroll down as the sequence plays viewing each track section.



But I just wanted to pass this little tidbit on, just in case someone else is using the LORVis plugin and is having lights come on when playing back a sequence and couldn't figure out why, as LORVis can trigger any unused channel(s) on a CTB16PC controller if it is active in the WMP software.



Now I can't say for other type controllers, but I'd still recommend DISABLING visualizations in the WMP software.

[George Simmons]

I'm not sure I completely follow all that you're saying, but keep in mind that LORVis is not from LOR. As such, I'm sure there are many possible sources and combinations of incompatibilities. Random lights turning on, though, has most commonly been traced to noise contamination in the comm signal, a controller needing re-setting, a computer needing rebooting, or something like that. Are you using the LORVis at the same time you're playing a sequence?

I'll be curious to hear a LOR code expert chime in because I can't see how changing the visualization settings in WMP would have any effect whatsoever on running a sequence, unless maybe if you're trying to use WMP at the same time the LOR software is using it.

And no, this procedure you describe wouldn't affect the out-of-sync track issue in any way because it can't possible be related.

[Guest guest]

George, the LORVis program was operating as the plug-in in WMP. Now remember this, LORVis was not designed for the CTB16PC controllers. And no I wasn't running WMP at the same time as the sequencer. WMP was not open at the time.

However, it seems if the LORVis plug-in is enabled in WMP, when the LOR sequencer plays the file, LORVis still turns on items that have not been sequenced, blank/empty channel. Doesn't affect a channel where a sequence of events has been placed (I know, that's very strange).



I was doing a new sequence tonight and when I played the sequence back to check it, I was having other items turning on and off, there was only one item(channel) sequenced.

I had forgot to turn off the visualization plug-ins in WMP, and so when the sequencer was calling it, apparently LORVis thinking it should still function, did so.

After I went and opened the WMP software, disabled all the visualizations, closed it back down and re-ran the same sequence, hadn't changed or done anything else to the sequence, the other items no longer turned on/off that were not, and had not been sequenced on those blank channels.

No rebooting, no resetting of controllers needed.

Just disabled all my plug-ins in WMP and everything worked normally.