Lightware Device Controller
New look and feel
The new Lightware Device Controller application is now available with further upgraded features and a completely new, redesigned look. The LDC is more intuitive, user friendly, smarter and has a more modern interface.
Tile View - A new way of matrix handling
A brand new crosspoint view is designed to give a more intuitive way of handling Lightware matrices. It gives the opportunity to have a more detailed port status for as many ports as possible in the same view; including the name of the port, the connection status, the presence of the signal and the signal type. It also introduces a new way of crosspoint switching: multiple switches can be made in a single step. Tile View overcomes the slightly awkward crosspoint handling of the Grid View, especially in the case of large matrices.
Dynamic crosspoint layout
The new Lightware Device Controller can adapt to different screen sizes. It makes the application easy to use on touchscreen devices like tablet PCs, laptops and also on desktop PCs as the layout of the tiles are optimized for the actual device.
Auto update
When LDC is used on computers which have internet access, there is no need to bother with manual updates. The software can check if there is a newer version available online and will update automatically. This function can be disabled if required.
Cross platform support
The new Lightware Device Controller is available for both Windows and OS X operating systems, compatible with the latest touchscreen laptops and Apple computers.
Device specific layouts
When controlling an extender or an interface with the new Lightware Device Controller, port parameters for the devices can be accessed directly without messing with crosspoint views. Multi input extenders like the UMX transmitters or the UMX4x4-Pro standalone matrix have their own special layout for more intuitive control.
User friendly preset view and LOG Translator
The new LDC has a user friendly, more transparent and quicker way of preset handling compared to the older versions. Presets can be loaded quickly by one click from a separate preset view, which also gives an overview of the saved connections in the same time.
Another user friendly feature helping support activities for both support and client sides is the Log Translator function of the LDC error log screen. This feature ‘translates’ the sophisticated error codes of error logs to actual English language error descriptions, making it easier for users to understand, which can greatly help identify and resolve problems in support request scenarios. Read about this feature in more detail under the ‘LDC LOG Translator’ tab.
Matrix built-in websites
The built-in website of the matrices will soon be amended to have the same look and feel as the desktop application. Users will have the same user experience and functionalities to control their matrices and it will also be optimized for handheld devices.
Advanced EDID Editor and Easy EDID Creator
Lightware Device Controller includes the Advanced EDID Editor which provides a professional, very detailed, but still easy to use EDID creation and editing tool. It allows users to create their own EDIDs from scratch or to edit existing EDID data provided from the connected projectors or monitors. System engineers can save the modified EDIDs to files (.bin, .dat and .edid file formats are supported) allowing them to use it with 3rd party manufacturers’ AV products or as a backup. The EDIDs can also be uploaded to the matrices right from the editor. The Easy EDID Creator is a wizard that helps the user to create a new EDID in a simple and intuitive 4 step process.
Product support and compatibility
The new software supports all currently selling Lightware products except MODEX and 25G families (which have their own control application). Functions and features have been tested device by device thoroughly with the latest firmware package available since May, 2014. If any malfunction or bugs are seen, please upgrade the firmware of your device. The Lightware Device Controller completely takes over the earlier Matrix Controller software. The earlier version will be available for download, but any new features and products will be supported only on the new platform.
LDC Log Translator
When we have a support request we usually ask for a log file generated within the Lightware Device Controller (LDC) application containing the actual product’s configuration, firmware version, the installed board types of the modular matrices, voltages and temperatures, error codes and many other data, which greatly help us in assessing the problem.
The problem is that the error code script is full of short error code letter combinations, hexadecimal parameters and other ’coding magic’, which might be clear and simple for some developers, but it’s all nonsense to some of us and most of the customers.
So the customers come to us, and our support experts go to the developers sometimes to find out what an error code means.
The support team has been working for a while on a solution which would make life easier for us all by transforming the log file script into something that is easier to comprehend.
Finally we have created a log translator module, first included in the v1.10.1 version of the LDC which has just been released. In the Log Viewer screen of the LDC now there are two view options to choose from, one is the usual code under ’Debug’ and the other, newly developed ’User Information’ view.
After starting LDC, in the bottom left corner you will find a ’Tools’ button, which allows for viewing log files even when the LDC is not connected to a device. When a device is connected, then the same view is also available by navigating to Settings/Log.
In the User Information view the various error codes are translated into English (human) language and the severity of a detected problem is signified by different colours. In some cases there are also some hints and information on how to eliminate an actual error.
Lightware Device Updater
Overview
The Lightware Device Updater can be used to update your Lightware devices to the latest available firmware so you can get the most out of your devices. This is a fairly simple process, all you need to do is connect your device and let the software do the rest.
Universal operation
The software can be used to update our recent and upcoming products - check the compatible product list on the What’s new page. There is no need to download, install and use different software for specific devices, only the Lightware Device Updater is needed.
Firmware packages
All supported devices have their respective firmware packages, a single file that contains all necessary information needed to update your device. Firmware packages are frequently released and can be obtained from our support team ( support@lightware.eu).
Wizard user interface
A familiar user experience makes the Lightware Device Updater easy to use. The software is based on the popular Wizard operation, the user is guided through the process one step at a time.
Auto update
From now on when LDU is used on computers which have internet access, there is no need to bother with manual updates. The software can check if there is a newer version available online and notifies you to download and run the updater internally. This function can be disabled if required.