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PARALINX ARROW - Wireless Uncompressed HD Transmitter System. Ships June 15th 2012

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I purchased the Paralinx Arrow last week from Abel LA. Powered up the transmitter and receiver with the supplied ac power adapters and everything worked just fine.

Then I powered the transmitter with the supplied usb to d-tap (and a redbyte decimator 2 also via d-tap to get sdi) on a steadicam rig.

The arrow transmitter fried because its 5V... (redbyte was fine, cause its 12V). I knew it's 5V because its labled on the side of the unit.

Apparently, the supplied paralinx usb to d-tap does not regulate or down-convert 12V to 5V. Did not find this documented anywhere in the manual. Just assumed this would work like every other d-tap camera accessory I own does, but that's what I get for assuming.

Brought it back to Abel LA for warranty repair and upon my surprise, some other units that had suffered the same problem were there for repair. Abel will be selling a 12V to 5V voltage regulator soon to fix this issue.

In the mean time, don't fry your transmitter, like I did.
 
Hi Steve,

Thanks for Posting.

I think you may have some incorrect information, or at the very least perhaps the P-Tap to 5V regulator cable you received was faulty. (this could be tested by applying a DC voltmeter to the USB power output of our included P-Tap cable - all of the 5v dongle cables are designed to regulate down to 5V - perhaps you received a bad one)



As I'm understanding it may be possible that you connected a 12-14v power source directly to your _receiver_ not your transmitter, (5V barrel jack)

We include a P-Tap to 5V USB regulator in the package, and it is specifically made to regulate 12-17vDC down to 5V for the Transmitter side (or the receiver side if you have the appropriate USB to 5V 3.5*1.35mm barrel as I illustrated in the previous post).

Just to clear the air and make sure there is NO confusion about the product:

Our Transmitter and receiver both accept a MAXIMUM of 5v DC input.

our Transmitter powers via 5v usb B mini cable.

our receiver powers via a 5V DC barrel jack 3.5*1.35mm with center pole positive.

If someone applies 12v dc to the barrel jack on the receiver your unit will no longer function.

the Power Tap units that we INCLUDE in our package are designed SPECIFICALLY to regulate 12-17vdc down to 5v DC for your usage - they were all tested carefully before shipping - but sometimes a regulator can fail. We will test Steve's as soon as we receive it in RMA.

I just wanted to make sure there is no misunderstanding that something is not being correctly shipped or explained with the product.

Abel has not yet contacted us with an RMA for this particular unit, or actually any unit from Abel - so, just wanted to let everyone know where that stands.

Best,

Dan
PARALINX
 
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I just want to add that we want to offer the best possible customer support, and frankly it would be pretty dumb of us if we gave people cables that didn't have a regulator in them don't you think?

feel free to email me personally about this at info@paralinx.net if you want to chat about it off the forum.
 
This is the first I'm hearing about this incident. I'll look into it on Monday. I have had a handful of clients with technical issues in setting up their Paralinx Arrows and have put them in contact with Dan for support. His assistance has consistently been proactive and helpful.
 
@steve - I power my Paralinx transmitter with the supplied PTAP to USB from a RedBrick with no issues at all. Disappointing that you had a bad experience; hopefully it turns out to be a fluke.
 
Hey Dan,

It's without a doubt, the transmitter and not the receiver. The receiver lives on my cart with the provided power supply. (Also, steadicams normally transmit picture and do not receive). It's hard to setup video village on the steadicam. ;)

I did pull out my multimeter and tested the steadicam d-tap output before connecting the transmitter and the sled was reading 14.3V powered by Dionic 90s. Well with in the limits of 12-17V. Good to know that the usb to power tap units are regulated. I was told otherwise.. Frankly, it would be pretty dumb not too.

In the mean time, paralinx arrow owners should test there P-Tap to 5V USB regulator the way you mentioned above, just in case it is faulty. You guys supply two, which is nice.

I have been anticipating a product like this for the last the 5 years... Can't wait to get it back and put it to use.

p.s. Mitch, i'm in LA and not NY.
 
Hey Steve, if you have time Monday to swing by the Paralinx office with your unit I can get you fixed up ASAP - or I can meet you at Abel in Burbank.

Sorry to hear about this, and happy to get you up and running ASAP.

Let's be in touch via Paralinx email.

Best,

Dan
 
Dan Kanes said:
Hey Steve, if you have time Monday to swing by the Paralinx office with your unit I can get you fixed up ASAP - or I can meet you at Abel in Burbank.

Sorry to hear about this, and happy to get you up and running ASAP.

Let's be in touch via Paralinx email.

Best,

Dan
Click to expand...
thats an A class support sir :)
 
I have an unreleased earlier version fo the Parralinx using some parts from Dan and other parts that later became part of the Parralinx. His stuff is top quality, and his service impeccable. I can also vouch for the fact that he is too smart to not put a regulator in there - must be a fluke. Dan knows his way around a set and production - there is for sure no "dumbness" to be found in the design.
 
Hi Dan,

Can multiple receivers pair with the same transmitter?
If not, when, approximately, do you anticipate such functionality?

Congrats on bringing a compelling product to market!!
 
Dan visited AbelCine yesterday to check on Steve's Paralinx Arrow set as well as the rest of our inventory. It appears that there was a single bad P-Tap to USB regulator that got through. We have received no other complaints and know of no other failures. It is woth noting that when a replacement power converter was mounted, that same Paralinx Arrow transmitter and receiver pair powered up and functioned properly.

We're certainly sorry to hear that a client received equipment that was not functioning properly. Paralinx has been very proactive in addressing this and any other situations. Dan says that all of the product is checked before it is shipped to us but it appears that something slipped through. We're all human and this so far is an isolated incident.
 
Hi Paul,

Thank you for the compliment.

Currently our transmitters and receivers work in a one to one functionality.

One To many Functionality is something we are exploring - there has been no timetable set, and when it seems like is is ready for primetime we will give a decent advanced notice on it.

Best,

Dan
 
Mitch Gross said:
Dan visited AbelCine yesterday to check on Steve's Paralinx Arrow set as well as the rest of our inventory. It appears that there was a single bad P-Tap to USB regulator that got through. We have received no other complaints and know of no other failures. It is woth noting that when a replacement power converter was mounted, that same Paralinx Arrow transmitter and receiver pair powered up and functioned properly.

We're certainly sorry to hear that a client received equipment that was not functioning properly. Paralinx has been very proactive in addressing this and any other situations. Dan says that all of the product is checked before it is shipped to us but it appears that something slipped through. We're all human and this so far is an isolated incident.
Click to expand...

Make that two. I sent Dan a photo of the problem I had with the P-tap. He did reply but I'm still waiting for a replacement. Thanks
 
In fairness Ramesh, you received two p-taps, one of which was missing a screw according to the photograph.

So, we sent you two additional PTaps free.

Post to India is not lightning fast in all fairness to both of us.
 
Dan Kanes said:
In fairness Ramesh, you received two p-taps, one of which was missing a screw according to the photograph.

So, we sent you two additional PTaps free.

Post to India is not lightning fast in all fairness to both of us.
Click to expand...

India? I'm in Ghana, West Africa. What address did you use?

Kindly reply via my email address.

Thanks
 
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