Non-Proprietary Systems

As an AV provider, we are regularly asked about non-proprietary systems. Is it just another buzzword to confuse laymen? What are non-proprietary systems – and if such a thing exists, why should we consider using them?

Well – we’re not much into jargon – so we will first of all get rid of that issue. Let’s start with the first part of that question. Non-proprietary systems – what are they? Here is the definition of the word:

non·pro·pri·e·tar·y ˌnänprəˈprīˌterē/ adjective

  • adjective: non-proprietary
    (especially of computer hardware or software) conforming to standards that are in the public domain or are widely licensed, and so not restricted to one manufacturer.
  • not registered or protected as a trademark or brand name; generic.

Basically and in practical terms as it relates to entertainment and control systems, it essentially means using standard computer hardware systems that can be obtained from more than one supplier, so that in case of failure these parts can be replaced without being dependent on a very specific part from a very specific manufacturer.

Using non-proprietary equipment helps if you have an equipment problem – there are usually no problems with 6+ week delays on trying to get a new unit. By making sure that you select components from a commonly used source with regular upgrade paths, you can provide a good level of future-proofing. If you compare this to using specialized equipment that can only be purchased from one specific manufacturer, such as show controllers or other similar equipment, then you are dependent on that manufacturer for maintenance and upgrades, and you have to hope that that part will still be available in 5, 10 or even 15 years time. With non-proprietary and very commonly available equipment, that problem is usually a lot more manageable. There are of course exceptions, with manufacturers who will continue to support equipment 10-15 years after they stopped selling it, but it is rare, so keeping extensive spares should be an essential part of your long term strategy for keeping your system alive.

Mad Systems has specialized in non-proprietary systems more or less since the company was first started. From providing video to generating audio, from show control to other special functions, using a PC means that there is always an upgrade path. Software doesn’t wear out – but hardware can and will. A hard disk failure? No problem, you’ll be able to get another one, and the format will just be that used by ’normal’ computers. Complete computer failure? You’re unlikely to be somewhere where you can’t lay your hands on a PC in a hurry. Spares? By using one or two computer types and configurations, it’s easy to keep spares without breaking the bank – the basic computer hardware can be common throughout the venue. Need someone to understand some of the functionality of the system? By basing your system on PC like hardware wherever reasonably possible, you’ll usually be able to find someone local who will be able to understand what is going on. Even if we use our remote log-in facility to have a look at the system and talk to the tech on site, at least the level of ‘magic’ is manageable. PCs are not that scary – you are, after all, already using a PC of some sort while reading this and quite familiar with at least the basic functionality.

There are always cases where the ’non-proprietary’ approach needs to be changed or enhanced. A good example is where safety critical systems such as ride or motion base controllers are concerned. It is essential that we all always remember that we’re playing with other people and other people’s kids – and safety is and had better be the #1 never-to-be-broken rule in our lives. It is imperative that where life safety critical installations are involved, a second heavy duty industrial rated safety system is implemented, and that should not ever be based on PC equipment: considering that the average number of lines that goes into a Windows or OS based operating system is now well into the millions, if not tens of millions, the likelihood of there being a bug in there somewhere has moved from the ‘possibly’ realm far into the ‘we are absolutely certain’ area. For ‘normal’ operations this is not an issue, and it is manageable – but for safety control interfaces for motion rides and similar applications other methods and tools need to be used that override the PC that would be used to actually program and control the ride itself. A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) based solution would be incorporated in the system that, should anything go awry, will override the computer and make sure the ride is safely discontinued. Using a PLC from a major manufacturer is a good option – yes, it is proprietary, but it could always relatively easily be replaced with another model if it became necessary to do so.

Other tools that still are in the ‘custom’ and ‘proprietary’ areas involve devices such as Digital Signal Processors. Ultimately, however, they tend to be easier to replace than show controllers should there ever be a need.

For most of an average AV system, the ubiquitous PC is definitely the best tool to make sure that the system, once handed over, is easy to maintain by our clients; and that is obviously a primary consideration when designing and implementing AV systems. So: non-proprietary systems are good, and we will continue to recommend them whenever the question comes up.

#non-proprietary #nonproprietary #computer #showcontrol #videoserver #audioserver #binloop

非专利系统 Non-Proprietary Systems

作为一个音视频供应商，我们经常被问到非专利系统。这到底是不是一个搞晕外行儿的流行词呢？那么，非专利系统是什么？如果它存在，我们为什么考虑使用它？

我们不喜欢说术语绕弯子，让我们从第一个问题开始。非专利系统——它们究竟是什么？这里是其定义:

非专利的/形容词

形容词：非专利的
* (特指电脑的软硬件)在公共域建立标准或被广泛许可，不为一家制造商限制。
* 不是注册或受保护的商标或品牌名称，非商标的。

在与娱乐业和控制系统相关领域的实际应用中，即，使用可以从多于一家供应商获得的标准电脑硬件系统，这就意味着如果有配件损坏，其替换不必依赖指定厂家的指定配件。

当你设备出现问题时，使用非专利设备就很容易，通常6周多时间就可以替换新配件。你可以从最通常渠道选择构件，并使用常规升级路径，这样你就能拥有不过时的技术。比如演出控制器或类似装置，如只能从某个指定制造商购买指定配件，其升级和维护你就只能依赖这个制造商，你就不得不盼着这个配件能用上5年、10年或者15年的时间。使用非专利和普通可获得的设备，问题就易控的多。当然也有例外，比如有制造商停售该产品的10-15年后还持续提供支持服务，但这种情况极少。所以保留昂贵的备件是你保持系统长期运行的基本条件。

从公司成立之初Mad Systems就专业研发非专利系统。范围从视频系统到音频系统，从演出控制系统到其他功能，使用PC就意味着总有升级路径。软件没有耗损，但是硬件会。硬盘坏了？没关系，你能得到另外一块，格式将适用于通常电脑。整个电脑瘫痪了？你可能没法马上就维修，需要备件吗？其实通过一两台电脑和配置很容易就完成备件的组建，而且不用高昂的花费。场馆内普通电脑硬件非常容易获取。需要有人会用系统的功能吗？通过在PC硬件上建立你的系统，无论身在何处对于大多数人这都是很容易进行的，你只需雇佣有此常识的当地员工。甚至我们使用我们远程登陆帮你看一下这个系统，然后和现场的技术人员直接沟通，这是很容易操控的“魔法”。PC机并不可怕，使用PC阅读此文章的人至少已经具备基本的操控本领。

总会有非专利系统需被改变或增强的案例。很好的例子就是对游艺设施或动感设施控制器的安全关键系统的关心。极为重要的是，我们永远记得我们的工作是与人与孩子们紧密相连的，所以安全第一是我们永生遵守的规则。有关生命安全关键的安装是不可避免存在的，有关安全系统的第二个沉重责任是实施，这永远不应使用PC设备：设想进入基于Windows或者OS操作系统的平均代码是几百万，如果不是千万计的，那么从某处移除一个错误程序的可能几率远远达不到我们要求的“我们绝对确信”的标准。对于一般操作，这不是个问题，也很容易操作，但是如果是用于动感游艺设施和类似应用的安全控制界面就需要弃用PC，使用其他方法和手段控制该设施。一个PLC（可编程逻辑控制器）解决方案可以与该系统同时使用，如果出现任何错误，将弃用电脑从而确保游艺设施安全不中断。使用主流制造商的PLC是很好的解决方案，是的，这是专利，但是这总是很容易被其他模式取代，如果出现更好用的、有必要替换的时候。

其他方式还是“定制”和“专利”领域，包括如数字信号处理器。最终，当然它们趋向更简单地取代演出控制器，当这已成为一种需求时。

对于大多数一般的AV系统，普遍存在的PC肯定是确保系统运行最好的硬件，当完成项目客户交递后，这个系统容易由客户自己维护，这显然在设计和实施AV系统时是首要考虑的。所以：非专利系统很好，我们将继续推荐它们，直到出现问题。

#non-proprietary #nonproprietary #computer #showcontrol #videoserver #audioserver #binloop

Non-Proprietary Systems

As an AV provider, we are regularly asked about non-proprietary systems. Is it just another buzzword to confuse laymen? What are non-proprietary systems – and if such a thing exists, why should we consider using them?

Well – we’re not much into jargon – so we will first of all get rid of that issue. Let’s start with the first part of that question. Non-proprietary systems – what are they? Here is the definition of the word:

non·pro·pri·e·tar·y ˌnänprəˈprīˌterē/ adjective

  • adjective: non-proprietary
    (especially of computer hardware or software) conforming to standards that are in the public domain or are widely licensed, and so not restricted to one manufacturer.
  • not registered or protected as a trademark or brand name; generic.

Basically and in practical terms as it relates to entertainment and control systems, it essentially means using standard computer hardware systems that can be obtained from more than one supplier, so that in case of failure these parts can be replaced without being dependent on a very specific part from a very specific manufacturer.

Using non-proprietary equipment helps if you have an equipment problem – there are usually no problems with 6+ week delays on trying to get a new unit. By making sure that you select components from a commonly used source with regular upgrade paths, you can provide a good level of future-proofing. If you compare this to using specialized equipment that can only be purchased from one specific manufacturer, such as show controllers or other similar equipment, then you are dependent on that manufacturer for maintenance and upgrades, and you have to hope that that part will still be available in 5, 10 or even 15 years time. With non-proprietary and very commonly available equipment, that problem is usually a lot more manageable. There are of course exceptions, with manufacturers who will continue to support equipment 10-15 years after they stopped selling it, but it is rare, so keeping extensive spares should be an essential part of your long term strategy for keeping your system alive.

Mad Systems has specialized in non-proprietary systems more or less since the company was first started. From providing video to generating audio, from show control to other special functions, using a PC means that there is always an upgrade path. Software doesn’t wear out – but hardware can and will. A hard disk failure? No problem, you’ll be able to get another one, and the format will just be that used by ’normal’ computers. Complete computer failure? You’re unlikely to be somewhere where you can’t lay your hands on a PC in a hurry. Spares? By using one or two computer types and configurations, it’s easy to keep spares without breaking the bank – the basic computer hardware can be common throughout the venue. Need someone to understand some of the functionality of the system? By basing your system on PC like hardware wherever reasonably possible, you’ll usually be able to find someone local who will be able to understand what is going on. Even if we use our remote log-in facility to have a look at the system and talk to the tech on site, at least the level of ‘magic’ is manageable. PCs are not that scary – you are, after all, already using a PC of some sort while reading this and quite familiar with at least the basic functionality.

There are always cases where the ’non-proprietary’ approach needs to be changed or enhanced. A good example is where safety critical systems such as ride or motion base controllers are concerned. It is essential that we all always remember that we’re playing with other people and other people’s kids – and safety is and had better be the #1 never-to-be-broken rule in our lives. It is imperative that where life safety critical installations are involved, a second heavy duty industrial rated safety system is implemented, and that should not ever be based on PC equipment: considering that the average number of lines that goes into a Windows or OS based operating system is now well into the millions, if not tens of millions, the likelihood of there being a bug in there somewhere has moved from the ‘possibly’ realm far into the ‘we are absolutely certain’ area. For ‘normal’ operations this is not an issue, and it is manageable – but for safety control interfaces for motion rides and similar applications other methods and tools need to be used that override the PC that would be used to actually program and control the ride itself. A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) based solution would be incorporated in the system that, should anything go awry, will override the computer and make sure the ride is safely discontinued. Using a PLC from a major manufacturer is a good option – yes, it is proprietary, but it could always relatively easily be replaced with another model if it became necessary to do so.

Other tools that still are in the ‘custom’ and ‘proprietary’ areas involve devices such as Digital Signal Processors. Ultimately, however, they tend to be easier to replace than show controllers should there ever be a need.

For most of an average AV system, the ubiquitous PC is definitely the best tool to make sure that the system, once handed over, is easy to maintain by our clients; and that is obviously a primary consideration when designing and implementing AV systems. So: non-proprietary systems are good, and we will continue to recommend them whenever the question comes up.

#non-proprietary #nonproprietary #computer #showcontrol #videoserver #audioserver #binloop