GMA TimecodeScreen - FAQ

TUTORIAL

  • make sure your grandMA2 session is started
  • connect your Mac computer to your grandMA2 session
  • use wired ethernet or a fast WiFi router without multicast filtering
  • before starting the app, make sure there is only the grandMA2 session network interface active

ERROR “NO SESSION” IS DISPLAYED

The most common reason for this error is a 2nd active network interface. Unfortunately, if you have more than one active network connections on your Mac, the multicast framework uses the interface with the highest priority to listen on.
If you have a wired connection to your grandMA2 network and another WiFi connection for internet access, the WiFi connection is used by default (and vice versa).
In this case just disable the internet connection while starting the app. Once the app has started and connected to a session, you can re-enable your internet connection again.
Pro-tip: The hotkey CMD-R restarts the listener without closing and re-opening the app.


GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING

If you experience any malfunction of the app (no or unstable timecode), please try the following steps:
Connect your Mac computer or WiFi access-point directly to your console (without network switch and other networked devices).
Try a new (empty) showfile and just start a TimecodeSlot pool object (or start your external timecode source).


TIMECODE IS JUMPING / NOT RUNNING SMOOTHLY?

Please use a wired ethernet connection or a fast WiFi connection, and disable all multicast filtering or bandwidth management function on your network infrastructure (switch, access point, …). Also ensure your Session Speed is “Fast”. You can try the “Jitter reduction”.


TIMECODE IS NOT RUNNING?

Check your settings (Session and TimecodeSlot) and ensure at least one TimecodeSlot is running. Please make sure you are connected to the same network (MANET2) in the same IP range.


So far, I successfully tested this app with BomeBox. But every access-point with at least 100MBit and no multicast filter should be fine. Do not use a router.


1GBit unmanaged network switch, all network management (multicast filtering, bandwidth throttling, …) should be disabled.


CAN I USE VPN WHILE USING REHEARSALBUDDY?

GMA RehearsalBuddy requires exclusive access to WiFi network connection. This is conflicting with most VPN connections. I would say: NO. But give it a try. Maybe it works under certain circumstances.


CAN I SEE THE CURRENT ACTIVE CUE NUMBER?

No. Sorry. This is because of the solution how the timecode is captured from the network session and there is no way to read out the cue status. Also a “current cue” is not always unique because more sequences can be triggered at the same time. This feature is in consideration, but there is no roadmap or planned release date.


WHAT ABOUT WINDOWS?

The whole app is developed with Windows as target platform in mind, but there is no roadmap or planned release date.


WHAT ABOUT SUPPORT FOR GRANDMA 3?

MA3 is very new on the market and not every communication interface is implemented or finished. Also stuff changed from grandMA2 to grandMA3. Even if I can not provide a release date for MA3 support, it is planned for near future.


IS THERE ANY PROTOCOL/BACKEND DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE?

No. Sorry! It just took a long time do figure out how grandMA2 speaks timecode over network …