Allen&Heath DR66 USER GUIDE - Manual (Page 36)

36 DR66 & DR128 Installer User Guide
Appendix A : Earlier Version 1 Operating Software
This user guide refers to the newer Version 2 operating software for the DR66 and DR128. The
DR unit hardware is the same for both versions (except for SysNet).
The last release of Version 1 at the time of print was V1.83. This can be loaded into the DR unit in
place of earlier versions or the later Version 2.
Version V2.00 and later software releases are not compatible with V1.83 and earlier. Configuration
files and patches saved from Version 1 cannot be used with Version 2. New files must be created.
Versions earlier than V1.80 cannot be loaded into DR units with V1.80 or later software. There is
no reason to do this. If you are maintaining a Version 1 installation based on an earlier release
then you should update this to the latest V1.83 if convenient. Remember to save the configuration
file to disk before carrying out the update as the settings are overwritten during this procedure.
Because Version 2 introduces significant changes to the way the patch memory system is
structured, and to the front panel setup menu, and a different SysNet protocol, the installer may
wish to continue to use Version 1 operating software when adding to or duplicating an existing
installation. For this reason V1.83 software is available from Allen & Heath and can be loaded into
the DR66 or DR128 to replace the current version.
Main Differences between Version 1 and Version 2
These are the differences that affect whether to choose Version 2 or Version 1 for the existing or
duplicated installation. There are many additional features and benefits that make Version 2 the
best choice for the completely new installation. Refer to the Release Notes provided with the
software for details on the release history.
Patch Memories Version 1 provides 16 full patches. All the DR settings are overwritten when a
patch is recalled. Version 2 provides up to 99 patches dependent on how much information is
stored in each. Both ‘full’ and ‘partial’ patches are available. While a full patch overwrites all
storable DR settings, a partial patch can be programmed to overwrite selected settings only.
Front Panel Setup Menu Version 1 allows control of many of the matrix PE parameters. WinDR
is used to set up the resource parameters. The setup menu is password protected. Because
Version 2 is so much more flexible and has extended parameter control it is not possible to access
these using a simple panel key menu system. Instead full control is provided using WinDR while
the front panel setup menu is reduced to LCD contrast, clock and day adjustment. These are not
password protected.
SysNet Protocol Version 1 requires that an optional circuit assembly with dedicated connector is
fitted into the DR unit. This runs a protocol based on custom messages suited to communication
with industry standard remote controllers such as AMX
® as well as dedicated remote control
interfaces such as those provided by audace (www.audace.co.uk). Version 2 does not require the
additional circuit assembly. Instead, it uses the existing RS232 port and runs a much faster MIDI
based protocol, suited to these controllers as well as other remote equipment communicating Allen
& Heath MIDI style messages. Note that it is not possible to run both an installation PC and the
SysNet controller at the same time.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE INSTALLER: Before updating the
operating code of a DR unit in an existing installation ensure that the configuration
file is available to be edited. If it is not available, you will need to communicate
with the DR first to save the existing configuration data. This may require having a
previous version WinDR installed on your computer. We recommend you confirm
the operating code version of the installed unit before planning the visit to the site.
You should also have the Windows ® HyperTerminal application installed on your
computer. This is used to send the operating code binary file to the DR unit.
Contact Allen & Heath tech support should you have any queries regarding this.