Event Master Devices - EC-200/EC-210 Philosophy

12.12 EC-200/EC-210 Philosophy

General

The EC-200/EC-210 introduces a new way of programming a Video controller in parallel with a more traditional way. In order to understand what is possible a small session on philosophy is in order.

About programming on the EC-200/EC-210

The use of a control system is typically divided in the following major tasks:

Configuration and Setup of Unit and System.
The Configuration menu is available on the touchscreen monitors. The actions to configure the system, however, are performed with trackball (mouse) or touch and drag operations on the touchscreen, rather than by using control surface buttons.
Programming creation/edit.
- Creation is when information is added into the system
- Edit is when parameters are changed or adjusted and then saved.
Execution playback/live control-edit.
- Playback is when memories and cues are recalled to be executed
- Live control is when memories are recalled and modified or expanded with direct interaction, either in Preview (normal) or direct on program if LIVE is selected.

Note: Programming will typically happen on the right side of the desk, and Execution will still be possible to the left, like selecting Layers and sources and record presets. The user is of course free to mix these concepts according to the user’s own workflow preference.

A word about the hardware

There are two main parts in the EC-200/EC-210 controller. The Left side is dedicated to the industry’s feedback on many buttons and Encore like presentation switching. The Right side is inspired by some of the ideas from the lighting industry, which has a much longer tradition of managing large numbers of instruments. We will need this in order to effectively use our E2 and its family members, including other devices like projectors and playback devices.

General guidelines

Selection

By using the Numpad of the console we will allow for the selection of several parts of the system and once selected allow them to be manipulated (apply an action via function buttons).

The primary group of Function Buttons are located just above the Numpad.

The following buttons are available:

Button	Description
Dest	Destination refer to the most downstream location in the chain, usually a screen.
Layer	Layer refers to a layer that can hold live video (source).
Source	Source refers to an image source, such as a Source file, Still image, and more.
Device	Device refers to devices in an Event Master System. At present, this button has no functionality assigned.
Preset	Preset refers to Presets stored, as viewed in the Event Master Toolset.
User Key	User Keys are building blocks of settings for the Layers.
Time	Time refers to the timing parameter of the selected Top Functions (Destination or Layer).
Cue	Cue refers to Cues stored, as viewed in the Event Master Toolset.

With these function buttons a syntax can be applied to make a selection that is then used for further action.

For example, a selection can be made like:

DEST 1 ENTER This syntax will Select the Destination 1, just like clicking on the Tab in the destination.

Further there are modifiers to the syntax:

DEST 1 + 3 ENTER This syntax will select Destination 1 and 3.

Or:

DEST 1 Thru 3 ENTER This syntax will select Destinations 1 thru 3.

You can probably see how efficient this is when you have lots of destinations.

Your modifiers are:

– , +, Thru to add or subtract from the selected function.

Note: There are several examples below in this manual to understand how this can work in favor of the user.

Numbering

Destination, Layer, Source, Cue, Preset, and Userkey all have a number and a name that are independent from each other. The Default name include the number, but does not need to remain in order to recall over syntax.

There are further functions that can be controlled with syntax like screens, layouts and such. This is further described below.

There are also a range of combined button presses that is meant to speed up the programming and control.

Contextual Buttons

The 12 Contextual Buttons to the left of the numpad are used to add situational functionality to the syntax. Certain button presses change the naming of the displays and the functions of the buttons. They are referred to as CD1 thru 12 per row from the top left.

General rules

Note that all possible syntax is not supported.

A few general rules:

Any Syntax entry must end with ENTER.
Any Syntax is max 3 Functions deep before ENTER.
In the case of unsupported syntax it will just not work or register.

Note: The Syntax Feedback line in the Controller Menu Page is a huge help to understand what is supported and not.