Message
Re: solved: MFX3+ works again :-) - A warning re. its card cage guiding rails. Notes on functionality, user interface etc.
2016-07-16 by dkevefnzs@yahoo.com
The remaining error messages (including: "DCC software incompatible", multiple timeouts when starting mdr... processes) could be cured by (as I guess) mainly by reseating all DCC cards and front connectors (again), and the SYNC card.
The latter was a bit tricky, because the platic of the guiding rails was broken, so basically its lower rail fell off.
A few other rails must also be broken (the black portion), even if the cards are still in place, because I found plastic and aluminium parts in the bottom of the machine.
It is probably a good idea to never pull the cards out completely in this machine and its direct relatives, because putting a card back with non-continuous guiding rails is difficult, and putting the rails back together, is difficult, too.
The dead Dallas chip has the effect that the NVRAM config must be entered on every power up, but the remainder of the configuration apparently rests on the hard disk, so the machine boots fine thereafter.
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First usage experience:
I've restored a few projects from MFX2 8mm tape. That went absolutely smoothly. The software looks more complete in MFX3+ 15.2.06 than in MFX2 11.39; with restore/backup/housekeeping functionality nicely available and making good use of the MFX keys, and faster than on the CMI. Multiple display windows are now accessed by BLUE+A..Z. Alltogether nice (incl. realtime debugging info), and interesting to look at the evolution of the interface.
(I've been interested in efficient man-machine-interfaces for a long time. For contrast, take a look at modern "Ribbons", or "Menu buttons in title bars": These are very, very poor and usually also overloaded contraptions in comparison, which need constant visual checking after every single action to check where you might want to click/tap, or what you're actually doing [...]).
I'm also curios to see the networking abilities: There should be an MS Windows (NT) server software which the MFX3+ should be able to connect, and it provides servers/daemons itself to be connected via Ethernet or RS232. As it handles a variety of disk formats and even master and burn CDs, it might be a nice data interchange hub. Given all that, it's a pity it's limited to 48kHz/16 bit (and has 4 fans, and 2 PSUs, but only 1 switch...).
Re I/O: Neither can the CMI III 3x25pins analog breakout cable be reused, nor do the digital outputs provide TDIF format... so more cabling +- hardware will sadly be needed. These Fairlight machines have a certain tendency to grow my inventory :-(
Ok. For now, I'm closing this.
Kind regards, Joerg