Feature Request: Send Heartbeats while Converting a Sequence

[Steven]

I have a background sequence that keeps a channel on with inflatables and other stuff.

If I update a sequence (or even worse, the Preview), the show player will stop everything while it converts and compresses that sequence. During this time, it seems to stop the background sequence, and even stops sending heartbeats on the network, meaning all the lights, inflatables, radio receiver, etc. shut down for a while. This is not a disaster, but it happens near the beginning of the show when we are most likely to be watching.

I don't mind the show pausing for a bit, but it would be really nice to keep the static stuff on. This would mean the show player would still send heartbeats to keep the channels turned on. Is that possible?

[PhilMassey]

Just use sequence compressor to make the playback files, then there won't be a delay

[dibblejr]

It’s one Reason I run my show before it actually starts and I do use file compressor.

I learned those very quickly

JR

[Orville]

8 hours ago, Steven said:

I have a background sequence that keeps a channel on with inflatables and other stuff.

If I update a sequence (or even worse, the Preview), the show player will stop everything while it converts and compresses that sequence. During this time, it seems to stop the background sequence, and even stops sending heartbeats on the network, meaning all the lights, inflatables, radio receiver, etc. shut down for a while. This is not a disaster, but it happens near the beginning of the show when we are most likely to be watching.

I don't mind the show pausing for a bit, but it would be really nice to keep the static stuff on. This would mean the show player would still send heartbeats to keep the channels turned on. Is that possible?

This is why I have specific items that are plugged directly into an powered outlet and NOT a controller. 

Many folks actually modify their inflatables so the light and motor are separate and plugs the light into a controller, but the motors may be put on a timer that will turn on 10-15 minutes before the light show starts.   This way the inflatables never go down if there is an issue with a sequence or something may go amiss in and during the show. 

Some folks even just run the motor in the inflatable to keep it up 24/7 during the season, and, again, only the inflatables light{s} are plugged into a controller channel.  Most inflatables the motor and light{s} are tied together, it's not difficult to separate them to do the above modification.

Edited January 1, 2021 by Orville

[MattBrown]

I have certain items plugged into a USB-controlled relay (you can find them on Amazon). I have an "Equipment On" sequence with a Windows command that turns on the relay when my show begins, and a corresponding "Equipment Off" sequence at the end of the show.

Just another approach to go along with the suggestions already posted.

Matt