Cinebot Mini/Max — Ubuntu Kernel Upgrade¶
Who Needs This?¶
Cinebot Mini and Cinebot Max operators only.
If you do not have a Cinebot Mini or Cinebot Max, this upgrade does not apply to you.
What Is This and Why Does It Matter?¶
The Cinebot Mini and Max controllers run Ubuntu Linux (not Windows). The Linux operating system on these controllers needs a special version of its core — called a real-time kernel — for Flair to work correctly.
What is a real-time kernel?¶
Think of the Linux kernel as the referee between the operating system and the hardware. A standard kernel handles tasks in flexible, approximate timing — fine for most computing. A real-time (RT) kernel enforces strict timing guarantees — every motion control command is processed within a precise window, with no delays allowed.
Without a real-time kernel, Flair cannot reliably coordinate multi-axis moves. The result is timing errors, axis trips, or Flair refusing to run at all.
Why does the kernel need upgrading?¶
Ubuntu periodically releases new major versions. The Cinebot controllers originally shipped with Ubuntu 22.04, but this version has reached the end of standard support. The upgrade moves the controller to Ubuntu 24.04, which is the current long-term support release, paired with the correct real-time kernel (6.11-rt).
Do I Need This Upgrade?¶
You need this if any of the following apply:
- Flair shows a "real-time kernel" warning on startup
- Your Cinebot controller is still running Ubuntu 22.04 — see below for how to check this
- Ubuntu auto-updated itself and is now running kernel 6.14 — this version is not yet supported by the RT patch, which breaks Flair's real-time requirement
If Flair is running normally with no warnings and your controller is already on Ubuntu 24.04 with the 6.11-rt kernel, you do not need this upgrade right now.
How to Check Your Ubuntu Version¶
The Cinebot Mini/Max controller is a Linux PC — it doesn't have the familiar Windows interface. To check its software version you need to open a terminal, which is simply a text window where you type commands.
There are two ways to access a terminal on the controller:
Option A — Connect a monitor and keyboard directly to the controller PC¶
The Cinebot Mini/Max controller is a small PC mounted in the equipment rack (or in the Cinebot case itself). It has standard video output (usually HDMI or DisplayPort) and USB ports.
Plug the monitor in BEFORE powering on
The controller PC detects connected displays at boot time. If you plug a monitor in after the machine is already running, the display signal may not be detected and you will get a blank screen. Connect the monitor (and keyboard) first, then power on the robot.
- Plug a monitor and USB keyboard into the controller PC before powering on
- Power it on — you will see the Ubuntu desktop (or a login screen)
- Once logged in, open the Terminal application:
- Right-click on the desktop and choose Open Terminal, or
- Press the Super key (Windows key) and type
terminal, then press Enter
Option B — Connect over SSH from your laptop (same network)¶
If the controller is already powered on and connected to your network, you can access its terminal remotely from your own laptop — no extra monitor or keyboard needed.
On a Mac or Linux laptop, open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight or Applications) and type:
On a Windows laptop, open PowerShell or install PuTTY, then connect to 192.168.1.18 with username mrmc.
The default password is usually mrmc or mrmoco — check with whoever set up your system if neither works.
Run the version check¶
Once you have a terminal open (by either method above), type this command exactly and press Enter:
You will see output something like this:
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS
Release: 22.04
Codename: jammy
Look at the Release line:
- 22.04 → you need this upgrade
- 24.04 → your Ubuntu is already current (check the kernel instead — see below)
To also check the currently running kernel version, type:
The output will be something like 6.11.0-25-rt-amd64 (good — this is the correct real-time kernel) or 6.14.0-15-generic (problematic — this is a non-RT kernel that will cause issues with Flair).
What Does the Upgrade Package Contain?¶
The download includes:
- MRMC's kernel update scripts (pre-configured for Cinebot systems)
- The Ubuntu 24.04 upgrade path configuration
- The correct real-time kernel (6.11-rt) and its installation files
The full upgrade procedure — including how to boot into GRUB Advanced Options to recover from a 6.14 kernel auto-update — is documented in the how-to guide below.
Download¶
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Cinebot Mini, Cinebot Max |
| Ubuntu upgrade | 22.04 → 24.04 |
| RT kernel installed | 6.11-rt |
| Download size | ~1.5 GB |
Download CinebotMiniMax-ControllerUpgrade.zip
Full upgrade procedure and GRUB 6.14 workaround →
Do Not Upgrade On Set
This is a significant system upgrade that replaces the controller's operating system kernel. Allow several hours for the process and test thoroughly before a shoot. Do not perform this upgrade on set or with a job the next day.