Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

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Mon Dec 12, 2011 10:53 am

Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:33 am
Posts: 49

As I requested when the CC was released, I would see the use of a simple USB transceiver (a CSRB with a USB or serial chip for instance) and a published API to let the community develop software for it. Based on this platform, I'm sure you may see people adding a micro-controller and bluetooth/Zigbee/Wifi chip to open other controlling device.

As you know the power of open source community is often helping the manufacturers to increase their sale due to good open source support.




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Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:38 am

Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:25 pm
Posts: 43

bobk wrote:
Well, not a shoot goes by that I don't curse the interface on the CC. If you're dead-set against a connected system, let me offer two specific improvements that could probably be accomplished in firmware:

The main menu screen cursor is moved by one stick or the other. I can never remember which one I'm supposed to move, and sometimes I have to push up when I want it to go left. List the choices in a column above the stick that moves it, for heaven't sake. Up, down.

The light setup screen has one stick for "parameter" and one for "setting". Mildly confusing, but worse, the screen cursor for each stick is the same color. Make one cursor blue and one red, put red & blue markers above the respective sticks.

I don't have my CC at hand, this is just recalled from my nightmares. But it's just basic interface design, I'm sure somebody more competent could suggest further improvements.


Bob, I find the CC extremely simple to use. There is not much at all to "remember" as far as stick functions go. I'm a little surprised that anyone would complain when the CC interface was clearly designed with simplicity in mind. I'm sure if you spend a little more time with it, you will memorize the stick functions quite easily and not curse anymore as it becomes second nature for you.




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Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:58 pm

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:09 am
Posts: 73

What's intuitive about pushing a stick upwards to move a menu selection to the left? Why would I want that to become second nature?

The settings screen needs better color coding... don't see why that's even debatable. I have a thousand things on my mind during a shoot, and the last thing I want to think about is whether I should be changing the Setting of a Parameter, or changing the Parameters of a Setting.




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Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:07 pm

Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:25 pm
Posts: 43

You use up or down for the function button on the back of your Einstein, don't you? Do you find that requiring much thought as it jumps side to side for different function settings? The CC interface is very simple to use and it quickly becomes second nature. Not sure why it's so difficult for you but you probably haven't used it much yet. Give it some time.




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Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:40 pm

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Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:49 am
Posts: 1432

Look at your TV Remote. Likely has left/right buttons for up/down volume and up/dn buttons for channel up/dn, yet 3 year olds figure it out in a split second. Are they smarter than photographers?




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Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:58 am

Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:35 pm
Posts: 119

1. I have a 3-year-old and can safely say that sometimes, the answer is yes.

2. Coolest thing would be the equivalent of a Cyber Commander's insides but minus the screen or controls. Would plug into the bottom of the iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and controls would be on-screen. Many people would buy that product just so they could use their iPhone as a light meter. The ability to control PCB lights with it would just be the icing on the cake and would promote sales. You could call it the iCommander. Or maybe the iFfub. These suggestions are free of charge. ;)




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Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:29 am

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Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:49 am
Posts: 1432

Nice $1,000,000 development project, particularly the part about obtaining 1/4000 second latency in and out of the non existent precision 16f range flash sensor replete with connections in all iDevices. I could maybe recoup my investment in 20 years . . . as long as iDevices didn't change during that time.




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Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:41 am

Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 3:39 pm
Posts: 9

Luap wrote:
... about obtaining 1/4000 second latency in and out of the non existent ...

Paul! Why do you need 1/4000 latency on iPad/iPhone/computer remote control?
I am interested in flash remote management from iPad/iPhone/computer.
And I don't want to trigger flashes from iDevice. May be only for measurements.
I have CC, but use it only to manage flashes. And its interface outdo me often. May be I should practice more.
If you create hardware part, I think community will help with software.
I can try to help with software part.
Best regards,
Boris




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Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:31 am

Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:25 pm
Posts: 43

You guys who are having trouble with a very simple and intuitive layout just need to spend more time using the unit. It doesn't get much easier than what it already is and it WILL become second nature with a little practice. Very little practice actually.

Also, why would anyone want a big ol' Ipad for adjusting lights when the Cyber Commander is right sized already? Just for the cool factor or for bad vision? What is it? An Ipad is just another relatively big piece of equipment to worry about on a shoot. It sure doesn't fit in your pocket or on your camera.




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