Upgraded skull

Ocula · Upgraded skull

Sent my skull back to be upgraded from usb to dmx due to many usb errors from last season, plus saving my pennies for a future skeletron purchase perhaps.

Got the skull back, but the eye mount is free floating in the skull (matter of fact the eyes are pointed up and on the top of the inside of the skull cap. Looking through the eye sockets and can also see an unconnected wire with a black connector. Looks like it is from the servo on the very back of the skull.

Moreover, there was supposed to be some sort of adapter that hooks up the set of two wires coming out of the neck to the DMX/entex(spelling ?) usb hook up...that was not with the skull. I see no way of hooking up the two black connectors to the DMX without some sort of an adapter.

Should I contact Jerry and send back the skull ?

I hope it would get back before halloween, I sent the skull for the upgrade in early July and got it back today.

What should I do ????

Phoenix

contact Jerry ASAP and get the skull sent back, it sounds line one of the pivot pins have come adrift during transit.

Jerry will also explain how the the connection works

mrwizzer

No worries, Ocula.

Jerry'll take good care of you. Your skull will indeed be performing for you and your guests on Halloween.

If ever a skull is received having been damaged in shipping, give Jerry a call right away. Sometimes the fix might be simple enough for him to walk you through it over the phone. Sometimes it may require shipping it back.

Most importantly, never wait until the last minute to hook up and test your skull. You don't want to find out at 5pm on Halloween night that your skull got damaged in shipping! ; )

Mike

Ocula

called Jerry and as usual I got to talk with him the same day. He desires to get the skull back to repair it and will send me a note on how to get the dmx connections to work. So once again, an A+ (as usual) from skulltronix.

BTW, how do the two cords (not the other power cords), that go to the dmx eyes (two black connectors), get hooked up ? I don't see any adapter to go from the skull to the computer.

Phoenix

The skull fits onto the same DMX chain as the lights. so you can connect the skull to the lights using the 3 pin DMX cable which in turn connect to the computer

Ocula

Here is my Marty Feldman skull

[/img]

Connectors

Connectors

no adapter it looks like to me

mrwizzer

You are correct sir!

Let Jerry know and he'll be sure to ship you out the half of the cables that carry the XLR cannon plugs. No worries! : )

Mike

Ocula

got it back,repaired and with connections. Thanks all, pretty quick turn around despite being so close to halloween.

Thanks again Skulltronix.

Ocula

OK got some issues. All new routines are made with VSA 4, I got my VSA from last year and when I run the new routines it says these routines were made from a new version and might not work. After configuring the port and setting things to the correct ports, then I get a screen with a ton of configuration errors. It asks to fix or ignore, attempting to fix doesn't work. If I upgraded the skull, shouldn't I get the upgraded version of VSA ? I went to the Brookshire site and can only download a demo version.

Next, the set-up seems straight forward. DMX skull with DMX lights. Enttec USB into the computer. One of the skull lights connectors into the ENTTEC USB with the 3 to 5 pin converter. Then the other three pin female connector to the DMX light DMX in, use the long DMX cable to the DMX out to the other DMX light DMX in and the use the DMX terminator on the DMX out. The one question I have, is.............coming out of the skull there are the two DMX connectors and the power connection, then there is black box with a single female speaker like connector. What is that for ?????

One other observation, after re-mounting the skull to the bucky, I noticed the range of motion going straight back (skull looking up -- anterioposterior movement) is not as great as it was prior to the upgrade. His motion is now about parallel to the collar bone plane with respect to his inferior border of his mandible)----meaning can't tilt back beyond perpendicular to the ground. Is the normal ??

Thanks in advance

Ocula

here are the errors (not corrected by hit "fix")

WARNING: Track 0 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 2 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 4 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 6 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 8 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 10 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 1 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Relay devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 11 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 12 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 13 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 14 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 1 and track 2 both use the same port, but DMX Relay devices and MiniSSC Servo devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 1 and track 4 both use the same port, but DMX Relay devices and MiniSSC Servo devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 1 and track 6 both use the same port, but DMX Relay devices and MiniSSC Servo devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 1 and track 8 both use the same port, but DMX Relay devices and MiniSSC Servo devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 1 and track 10 both use the same port, but DMX Relay devices and MiniSSC Servo devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 2 and track 11 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 2 and track 12 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 2 and track 13 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 2 and track 14 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 4 and track 11 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 4 and track 12 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 4 and track 13 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 4 and track 14 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 6 and track 11 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 6 and track 12 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 6 and track 13 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 6 and track 14 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 8 and track 11 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 8 and track 12 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.

Phoenix

What routines have you got, we can send you vsa 3.1 versions of the routines.

The extra black box is a sound to motion driver for magic motion, if you dont have magic motion then ignore it.

are you saying the skull cant look up beyond horizontal?

Ocula

I have magic motion---but won't play with that until after halloween......

Yes won't look above horizontal.

I've have purchase all of the single skull routines (host, seance, pirate, rules)--last disc I received was REV4-all.

I also PM'd you regarding exorcist --see below as I want to run the seance scene next to the bust but obviousl not together.

Anyway, if you can email the routines, including the "template" routine for set up for the DMX skull rev 3.1 that would be great.

copy of the exorcist PM

1.0.1.30 is the version under misc drop down menu I get :

io board info serial no. <Empty>
under it is a # however 0xxxxx

not sure if that helps.

Even though I got it last year, just now opening it up, trying to figure out how to run the bust routine first then the seance skull routine.

thanks,

What is that other black box coming out of the skull for ?????

Phoenix

Ive sent you an email

To loop video (ghost bust) and the skull you need to build a profile similar to below.

best have your projector connected to the PC and configured for dual monitor (extension of desktop NOT duplicate) before you start exorcist

Ghost Bust Video
Trigger on function 1
reset on timer 1 active

Timer 1
trigger on Ghost bust video done
reset on VSA routine Active
dwell 50 (5 seconds

VSA Routine
trigger on Timer 1 done
reset on Timer 2 active

Timer 2
trigger on VSA routine done
reset on Ghost bust video active

Function 1
Input 1 OR Timer 2 done

Ocula

so my set up was correct then ???

Could you send along the template rev4 vsa 3.1 as well just for setting things up ??

Thanks a lot Bryan !!!!!!

---Update----

got the file "all" zip. Ran the program, same errors, "this routine was created using a newer version of vsa. vsa may be not be able to open the routine properly."

same errors

WARNING: Track 0 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 2 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 4 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 6 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 8 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 10 is a serial device, but is not associated with a COM or RAPU port.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 1 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Relay devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 20 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 21 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 22 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 23 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 44 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 45 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 46 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 47 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 48 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 49 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
WARNING: Track 0 and track 50 both use the same port, but MiniSSC Servo devices and DMX Dimmer devices are incompatible.
....

IS the range of motion thing normal ????????

Phoenix

You can make your own template by deleting all the motions and sound file from a routine and save the now blank file

I never saw your message so I don't know what setup you had

The extra black box is a sound to motion driver for magic motion, when you go through the MM documentation you you find reference to it, for non MM use just ignore it

Ocula

no problems mate, I have vsa 3.012 I think. Sorry to be such a pain, just didn't want to have to call Jerry as he's gets overwhelmed so close to halloween. Thanks for all your help. As for the range of motion, I don't remember it being so little looking up...

Ocula

wouldn't the simple solution be to get me a copy of VSA 4.0 ????

Ocula

ordered VSA 4.0 from brookshire, will see if that works. People that upgrade from older skulls (2007 and prior) should be forewarned about this issue.

Phoenix

Im not sure I understand what the problem is rev 4 skulls work fine with VSA3.1

Ocula

I've discussed the issue with Jerry, the errors I listed above are due to incompatibilities between programming the routines using VSA 4 or later and trying to run them on a machine with VSA 3 or earlier. He's sent me a few other files and all elicit the same errors. He said there is no other remedy except to get VSA 4 which I had to purchase. The VSA version I had was 3.012, perhaps 3.1 will work---regardless, Brookshire doesn't offer that upgrade anymore as they are on the 4.0 platform now. So perhaps I'm in the catch 22. But 59.00 isn't too hard to swallow to bring my skull back to life.

I'm hoping I wasn't steered in the wrong direction. So I will try and see later today if the VSA 4 solves all the issues.

Phoenix

hang on did you have VSA3.102 or VSA 3.012?

VSA 3.0nn may actually have been a little old... its a pity that Brookshires abandoned support for VSA 3, otherwise they could have let you upgrade to 3.1nn. rather than have you buy VSA 4.0

Ocula

Phoenix

Yeah, this is a new issues, before now you could have got a free upgrade to VSA 3.1 from Brookshire.

Ocula

well 4.0 made the skull come alive without issues. However the dmx lights will not work.

Take the seance routine, only dmx light channes are 44-51 correct ? on enttec 0 port (like the jaws, eyes, etc.)

Light one dip settings 5,6,10 and light two 3,4,6,10. One connection from skull goes to light one in dmx in and then a connector from light 1 dmx out to dmx in of light two and a terminator in dmx out. The other connection from the skull goes into the usb enttec box using the 5 to 3 pin convertor. I think that is correct.

There must be a setting I'm missing in VSA somewhere.

So close now, sorry to be a pain, but like I told Jerry (and he admits he's one of them as well), I tend to be an attractant for the products of the terminal end of the colon.

Phoenix

what brand of lights are these?

try 1,4,6,10 and 1,3,4,6,10

Ocula

same dmx lights that came with last year's skull and those were the settings that worked, but will try these ones.

Ocula

tried with no luck on those settings

Could it be the cables ???

Lights are PAR LED DMX

Phoenix

try connecting the DMX lights directly to the enttec box without the Skull, if that works then connect the skull to the last Enttec light

Ocula

that worked !!!. Now I wonder if that means one of the cables from the skull is bad or the 5 to 3 pin convertor is.

Thanks Bryan

Phoenix

probably the cable!

Ocula

Bryan, thanks so much for your persistence in this matter. You really helped me out. Now wait til I start playing with magic motion (its still sitting in the box).

mrwizzer

Very likely the cable. In order to meet the last minute rush, Jerry had a 3rd party vendor create the cables for the Skulls. We discovered a huge batch of them were soldered incorrectly. We thought we'd caught all the bad ones, but it's possible one or two got away from us.

Check the following, Ocula...

Unscrew the black plastic end of the cable that's located where the cable meets the end plug (its between the cable and the silver part). You can then slide the cable and all the soldered connections out of the silver jacket. Look at the wires where they're soldered to the pins.

If you hold the cable so that the middle solder connection is on the bottom instead of the top, (looks like a V shape), and the solder connections are facing you, (as opposed to the holes on the other side facing you), the silver wire should be attached to the left prong, the red wire should be attached to the center prong, and the black wire to the right prong.

If it's different than that, call Jerry and have him send you a new pair. If you're in a hurry, (and who isn't this time of year), you can easily have it fixed in five or ten minutes if you want to re-solder the connections yourself. I'm a lousy solderer, (that's why Jerry assembles the skulls), but I managed to do it in no time when I was in a fix.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Seems like whenever you turn to someone else to lend a hand, things sometimes go a little awry.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Ocula

I'm a good solder man. HOwever for halloween, the set up going to the light back to the skull is do-able with the scene for the skull. I will take a look at it after halloween as I'm really far behind. I forgot how long it takes to carve a skull, spine, clavicle, humerus, radius, ulna, metacarpals and phalanges out of styrofoam and foam board. Tried to use a latex prop on a pneumatic prop, but simply too heavy with the 7 foot lever arm, so had to go to foam. Carve it, latex, paint it----what a pain !!!!!!!!!

mrwizzer

Send me pics when it's done. Sounds great!

Ocula

Phoenix

If you cant do dual monitor then Exorcist uses the main screen, this isn't the most ideal method as if you need access to the control panel you have to bring it to the front of the screen.

Ocula

if the program works properly, I hopefully would not need access to the screens, correct ??

Phoenix

correct, it will run completely in the background

Ocula

thanks, hopefully I will get this running. However, as many have experienced, I had several props stolen and the ones they couldn't get out that of course did their best to destroy them. I just don't understand it. So have little time to put together something now. At least the bigger props were still in the garage.

Phoenix

Really sorry to hear about your theft and vandalism, its sickening when this kind of thing happens, and it can be hard to regain your motivation and put together a recovery.

Just take a deep breath and do your best, don't get too despondent about stuff that doesn't work, at the end of the day ive found the punters to be a lot easier to please than I am.

Good luck and remember these wise words, 'don't let the bastards get you down!'

Ocula

can you email me a copy of that exorcist routine with IR trigger and like a 1minute delay after a routine triggers so I can see what you are doing as I'm running out of time since my little incident. It would be much appreciated. I pm'd you my email.

Thanks Bryan, you've been so helpful.

Ocula

well programmed the routine then armed, you could see it trying to load the video for the bust, then boom, window exception error. Oh well, fired every thing manually----work OK