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Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3216		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  kenyee [ Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:17 am ]
Post subject:  Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
I was wondering if TS or PCB can give me a hint on how to read the power level from the RJ-11 plug or ideally inside the CSRB+ receiver. Ideally, I'd have a 7 or 8-bit digital value, but if it's just an analog voltage, it might be ok.

I got tired of waiting for Radiopopper to release a JrX Studio Einstein receiver, so I'm looking at speedlight/strobe mixing from the other direction.
I think this can be done w/ just a bit of hardware (no software) and I can make it handle multiple speedlight types better than Radiopopper did. I'm not asking you PCB to add this support...just trying to figure out if it's workable and then I can do a Kickstarter project to build a bunch for people if they want it. If it works, it'd also have the advantage of testing power levels individually which I always found to be a pain w/ the RP JrX system.

p.s., asked support to forward this to Paul, but I guess he went on vacation for a bit. Glad he's taking a bit of time off for R&R ;)
Author:  Technical Support [ Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
I would consider this propritary information. Given this, I will not be able to answer the question. Paul would have to answer this, if he chooses to do so. Also, considering the control would be via the CC, we (as a company) would probably be hesitant to offer such, as folks would be coming to us for support (since it uses our product).
Author:  kenyee [ Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
Technical Support wrote:
I would consider this propritary information. Given this, I will not be able to answer the question. Paul would have to answer this, if he chooses to do so. Also, considering the control would be via the CC, we (as a company) would probably be hesitant to offer such, as folks would be coming to us for support (since it uses our product).


FWIW, I'm willing to sign an NDA (yes, I do freelance development, so it does mean something...not out to do anything w/ that info besides what I described).
You wouldn't be offering it for sale. The end result, if this works, would be a separately modified CSRB+ that would be sold to anyone w/ the stipulation that any speedlight control issues would not go to you folks. You'd sell more CSRB+ and Cybercommanders if it works too. Seems like a win-win for everyone...

Please give Paul a heads up when he gets back from vacation. Support has my email address or if he can spend a few minutes on the phone w/ me, I'll bounce the idea off him.
Author:  mkp [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
This would be absolutely incredible!!! Please make this happen somehow.

I image this would be useful to many users on many levels. In fact, I'm in the unfortunate position of having to look for a secondary triggering system at the moment so that I can do just that: integrate speedlights into my AB setup. I'm sure this could win over great deal of potential pocket wizard users as well. Such a system would also enable users wishing to use flashes cross platform with remote control. I could now use my Nikon flashes with remote control ability on any body!

I could go on...but these are just the uses I would immediately have for this. There are many others that come to mind too. Either way, if this was developed a user like myself would immediately purchase another few cybersync receivers.

This is a huge vote for me for someone to develop something like this. I wish I had the knowledge to help directly, but I could definitely use this in day to day work.

Hoping to hear some good news one day. Keep up the great work. And thanks Ken for your suggestions so far.

Marc
Author:  phil.g00 [ Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
I understand the radiopoppers can change the power levels of alien bees and old-style TTL speedlites.
Doesn't the RP cube have an RJ11 socket?
Has anyone plugged a CSRB+ into the RP cube and a speedlite and tried to adjust the power level?
Perhaps it works.
Author:  Technical Support [ Sat Feb 18, 2012 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
To my knowlege, the RP cube is a 3.5mm stereo. There is no direct comparison in how an Alien Bee's power is controlled and how a speedlite's power is controlled. Therefore, it take more than just a pinout translation.
Author:  mkp [ Sat Feb 18, 2012 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
Good suggestion. Yes, the RadioPopper JrX does have the ability to control Alienbees in a rudimentary way. Not nearly as powerful as a Cybersync though. That and I think most users would prefer to not have to invest in two separate systems with separate control interfaces. Though at least it proves that one device "can" control both. It would just be infinitely more powerful if it were the Cybersync that was doing it. Wink ;)
Author:  phil.g00 [ Sat Feb 18, 2012 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
To Tech support,

The RP cube has both outputs, a 3.5mm and a RJ11 if recall correctly.
The RJ11 is labelled not to be used as it is for future functionality, or words to that effect.
See: http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/d ... 579352955/

I think the JRX's control TTLspeedlite power by controling the time between switching the 'Fire' and the 'Quench' pin on a speedlite.
The question is does the AB RJ11 control operate on the same principle. and is this actually already connected inside the RP cube.
This is actually a likelyhood given there is cross platform control already.
If so, there may already be an off the shelf solution available.
Author:  kenyee [ Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
phil.g00 wrote:
The question is does the AB RJ11 control operate on the same principle. and is this actually already connected inside the RP cube.


Answer is nope.
I figured out how to map power off the RJ11 already ;)
Just need to figure out how the quench timings is....I'm trying to get access to a digital storage scope in the Boston area to get that info so I can fix what I thought was one of the RP JrX's shortcomings...
Author:  phil.g00 [ Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Read power level value from RJ-11 or inside the CSRB+?
'Nope' to which part of my statement or both parts?
Caveat: All the rest this rambling was sourced on the WWW,not by testing:

A little googleing would indicate that:

The AB Rj11 maps out at :
1. Sync/ Fire
2. Ground
3. Power control
4. Model light control.

The first two seem to be capable of being directly mapped with any strobelight, the last one (the model light control) is redundant.
So wire 3 is the puzzle.
Again, a bit of google:
It would seem Nikon's switches the quench pin to ground after at time to control the flash pulse length.
Canon Speedlites would appear to switch a voltage high onto the same quench pin, and do the same thing.
I'd be surprised if it's neither of these.

Other options would be analogue magnitudes, say 0-5Vdc, resistance between 3 and ground (2), or even frequency, but my money is still on one of the conventional TTL methods.

Let us know how you get on.
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