Why does the fibreACE card have a "convert" option?

Forums Forums dLive Forums dLive General Discussions Why does the fibreACE card have a "convert" option?

This topic contains 2 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Profile photo of MJCElectronics MJCElectronics 2 years, 7 months ago.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #102833
    Profile photo of Dave
    Dave
    Participant

    If the built-in gigaACE ports have to be used to connect a MixRack and surface, wouldn’t an outboard converter box be better since that wouldn’t take up a slot? If the built-in gigaACE ports don’t have to be used, why bother with the conversion and jumper cables at all?

    For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, see page 3 of https://www.allen-heath.com/media/fibreACE-fitting-note-AP10843.pdf

    #102847
    Profile photo of Showtime
    Showtime
    Participant

    The convert modus is that the build in giga ace can be converted to fiber.

    https://www.tp-link.com/nl/business-networking/accessory/mc200cm/

    This is a cost alternativ.

    #102851
    Profile photo of MJCElectronics
    MJCElectronics
    Participant

    The primary surface must connect to the built in GigaACE ports.
    A FibreACE card in a slot is a different logical set of ports so you can’t connect the primary surface to a card configured in a slot.
    To connect the primary surface via fibre you need to use a media converter for the onboard ports and this is the option A&H have given you with switching a card to convert mode.
    It’s a useful option to have in an emergency but if you’re planning a system the TP Link converters that Showtime refers to do the same job for a fraction of the price and without chewing up a card slot.
    I use the MC220L versions which have the advantage of being able to swap out the SFP+ laser module so you can switch between single mode and multimode should the need arise, again these are a fraction of the price of a FibreACE card even when you take the cost of the modules into account.
    The card option is neat if you need to make a GigaACE connection over fibre to a secondary surface or another mixrack but this can also be achieved with media converters and a copper GigaACE card for less money at the expense of a couple of extra small boxes to deal with.
    Additionally I think you should be able to connect a dLive GigaACE to other A&H console SLink port over fibre using media converters, I don’t think you can do that with the FibreACE card.

    In short the cards are a nice idea but they are just too expensive, there are cheaper ways to achieve everything they do.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.