Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

If you do go that route, consider making the CC a module that can be controlled via another device (Bluetooth, usb, wifi, etc.). Or a port on a device (if it's a bigger touchscreen CC) you can send serial commands to. It's a little bit of added cost, but would allow some really cool custom UIs on tablets, smartphones, etc. or even a 24" panel w/ 32 knobs if someone doesn't want to read a screen in direct sunlight as I'm sure someone will complain about ;-)
Even an SPI or I2C port on the current CC you could send commands too would let people do alternative UIs for it. I thought about hacking the joysticks, but remote controlling a joystick UI would be a realllly ugly hack :-P

<Continuing the thread jack, sorry OP!>





Truth in advertising, I am not a Cyber Commander customer yet, but I am trying to flush out it's capabilities (other forum posts) while I make up my mind (payday is coming up soon). As such, take my comments for what they are worth :)

I 100% agree that a bigger Cyber Commander needs to exist. And I think Kenyee's idea of Bluetooth/Usb is the perfect way to go about it. I don't know about everyone, but my assumption is that if you have $2K or more in lighting gear (a few Einsteins say), you probably also have a smartphone (which has Bluetooth) or a computer / tablet that can act as a USB host. Adding a $5 bluetooth chip and using a USB OTG capable microcontroller would enable the CC to remain small (for on-camera use), but interface to a much larger (4"-10" phone/tablet or 15+ inch computer) screen: the best of both worlds.

The biggest challenge to a wireless CC would likely be battery life. That being said, if a CC version 2 is in the works, I would like to see a physical on/off switch, as well as a third AAA slot, so we can use common NIMH rechargables, and get more battery life.
(Also add a beep, and a red/geen LED, but those are unrelated. Bonus points for adding Canon/Nikon pins to trick the camera into displaying 'flash ready' status in the viewfinder.)

I use the CST to trigger the flashes, and the CC to adjust the lights, if I have time (no clients breathing down my neck). If I need to adjust just one light (power, on/off) I leave the CC set to that channel. Then it takes just 2 clicks to either turn it off, or adjust the power.
I adjust the other lights manually, and use the CC for a light I can't reach easily (high on a boom for example).
You have to play a little with the CC to get used to it, but for the price, it is pretty amazing!

Markus

Regarding "The biggest challenge to a wireless CC would likely be battery life. That being said, if a CC version 2 is in the works, I would like to see a physical on/off switch, as well as a third AAA slot, so we can use common NIMH rechargeables, and get more battery life.", I would likely use a rechargeable Lithium battery.

But don't hold your breath for a CCV2 . . this would be a long development time project.

As for accessing a mobile device with the current CC, battery life could be a big problem . . . keeping the bluetooth and the uP running full time waiting for a remote control signal.

Unfortunately, this sort of programming is beyond my pay scale (age scale), but we have several new young engineers that can easily handle this sort of challenge.

Short of redesigning the CC, wouldn't it be possible to simply make it so the "Refresh" function didn't turn on the Einsteins if they're in standby mode? Or make it an option?

That seems to be the one function that trips up people the most, lights get turned on when people don't expect it. It's easy enough to unplug lights when not in use, but it would be nice if I didn't have to.

a couple thoughts...

How much flexibility do you have with the UI of the existing CC?

Most photographers (myself included) probably get stuck right out of the gate. Just distinguishing the basic screens can be difficult at first because they aren't easily identifiable reading from the top down. My guess is that after there is a familiarity with the basic screens then the learning curve is much faster. And this leads me to think that reworking the layout so that it is easier to read would be of benefit.

The next thing that I might consider would be to a rework of the manual with some quick how-to's with a variety of example setups. And, consistent full size screen grabs.

just some thoughts.