DVW-500 layback problems

[PHead14006]

I have a G4/800 with a Keyspan USB-serial adaptor for Machine Control, PT24 Mix Plus, PT 5.1.1.
I have not tried to do a Digi-Beta layback since moving to G4 from 9600. Tried today for a couple hours...

Machine is recognized as "generic". Manually switched to "DVW-500" setting. Tracks armed OK. Upon triggering layback (both PT and Machine "online" and transport=machine) the machine will cue to the beginning of the selection and stop. After trying different machine names (including the other DVW-500)it now only tells me "no tracks were armed for record" no matter what I do. The machine insert keys are lighting up. Of course a manual insert locally with PT chasing will always work, but I need my layback capability back! Restarts and relaunches have no effect.

Advice much appreciated.

[gaz]

in my experience...

PTools not seeing the actual machine name usually indicates some kind of 9-pin conflict. no machine name = bad news, even if some functions still work after a fashion.

i remember a specific dBeta deck which would sporadically balk in a similar fashion; my temporary workaround was to enable and disable the "serialize timecode" function a couple of times, which would seem to "reset" something, and the deck would then function normally for awhile. this wasn't MY deck, so i don't know how/if the problem was ever resolved.

also: is the deck wired directly to the Mac? any patchbays involved? any adapters/gender changers in the wiring chain?

[PHead14006]

There is not a patchbay but some involved cabling from Mac to Digi-Beta. In my experience with machine control it either works or it doesn't where wiring is concerned...two balanced lines and a ground. Thanks, I'll try cycling the TC Serial button.