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Network Synchronization Overview
Network Synchronization allows for certain functions of the fixture to be synchronized over an Ethernet network. This can
be extremely useful when using the Collage Generator to ensure a seamless image across multiple media servers.
Network Synchronization is accomplished using a reference server that sends information about its current state. The
term Reference Server, Master Server, or Sync Target Server all refer to the same concept. Different manufactures use
different terminology for the same concept. The sync information is transmitted via an Ethernet network to all listening
server. This information contains playback information and other effect timing information.The other listening servers, or
slave servers use this information to set their playback states to match the reference server. This process is based on a
global time clock using time offsets.
Network Synchronization is not Control Mirroring. With Control Mirroring, the fixtures are controlled with the same source,
but do not communicate with each other. At times this method yields acceptable results, but to properly use network
synchronization, all attached servers must have a unique control source. This can be via DMX or via Art-Net
Network Synchronization Requirements
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In order for Network Synchronization to function properly, there are a few requirements that must be
adhered to in the set-up of the fixtures:
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All of the servers must be linked on an Ethernet network. This network can be set up with Auto-IP
addresses or DHCP addresses.
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The Fixture ID for each media server in the network must be unique. The Fixture ID is used to assign the
master and slave servers. Having multiple media servers with the same ID will cause Synchronization to
fail.
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All video content to be used in a Synchronization scenario MUST adhere to the High End Systems
requirements for encoding custom content. If the content is not encoded correctly Network
Synchronization not function. Specifically all image information must be present at all frame locations.
Highly compressed video does not contain all image information in every frame, but only the changes
from a key-frame previously encountered in playback.
Network Synchronization Capabilities
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Movie playback as perceived. (Frame locking and Gen-Locking is not currently supported in the
MMS100, Axon HD, Axon HD Pro)
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Synchronization is used between multiple servers for Collage applications
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Synchronization is used between multiple servers playing the same movie clip on different projection
surfaces.
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Certain effects in the graphics engine can also be synchronized between servers. Effects such as the
ripple effects, object wobbulation, or color cycle effects need to be synchronized between servers to
appear correctly in Collage usage scenarios.
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