Thread: DMX questions

There are several USB to DMX dongles out there and now there are also many E1.31 dongles too. Here is the difference between a USB to DMX dongle and a E1.31 Ethernet to DMX dongle, a USB to DMX dongle is limited to 512 channels (1 universe) of DMX. Need more DMX channels? You either have to add another USB to DMX dongle OR get a E1.31 Ethernet to DMX dongle with will output 4 to 8 DMX universes (groups of 512 channels).
Where to get a dongle and how much to pay depends a lot on whether you can assemble (solder) a kit and build your own or if you have to buy one already made.
For kits one of the best out there is the LYNX USB dongel v2 or the new Lynx ether dongle. Both can be got at DIY Light Animation DiyLightAnimation - Index For the USB dongle you must purchase a PC board from RJ (information is on the board) or you can wait for the next coop for the Lynx ether dongle. BTW the USB dongle is similar in operation to the Entec Pro DMX dongle.
Pre made dongles can be bought from a number of pro audio/pro light stores the two main ones are the Entec Pro and the Entec open dongles. The difference between them is that the Pro has a microcontroller built in which does a better job of sending out DMX packets then the Open version does.

Very nice thank you.

They do have an ouchy on the price tag though. But it is the bottle neck everything has to surf through. Thats why I was wondering if that one I posted prior to your post would work. 36 dollars aint to bad.

I have went to these devices E1.31 from J 1 systems. and have not noticed any difference on performance from the enttech pro vs E1.31 . In Fact i prefer the E1.31 device do to the versatility.

This is my first show i have ever programed LSP and E1.31 Test-Show

Mike

Those are much higher end RGB LED strips yes? It looks like you can program the pixels rather than just RGB blends, and fades. I think it will be much easier for me to go with the cheaper and simpler versions next year. Then if I have the funds, and time Ill look into the higher end, higher effect LED's.

Originally Posted by ydeardorff

Very nice thank you.

They do have an ouchy on the price tag though. But it is the bottle neck everything has to surf through. Thats why I was wondering if that one I posted prior to your post would work. 36 dollars aint to bad.

I built a Lynx USB dongle for about $60 with a case. The dongle you had the link to is based on the Entec Open DMX dongle and considering it is coming from the Czech Republic it would be a little leery of the support you would get. For $133 you can get a 4 port (4 DMX universes) E1.31 gateway from Joshua 1 Systems ECG-DR4 Bottom line is you need to find if your Dongle is supported by the software you intend to use. If your serious about putting on a show for a charity I would contact the charity and talk to them to lay out what you want to do and get permission to use there name in conjunction with the light show, then go to local businesses and solicit donations in exchange for small ad's placed in the display to better fund your project.

Hmm, I didn't think of that. Good idea.

This isn't for a big charity though. It's to help local struggling families that have been hit hard by the lumber mill shutting down. Our town is only about 1200 ppl. But the Mill like the grinch that it is, lays everyone off, 3 weeks before Christmas. Aint that just cheery!
I'm retired so that doesn't affect me. But, I'm on a fixed income while being a full time student, so...

I am leary of asking for money on a display Ive never done before. If it flopped a lot of people would be upset. I think I'd rather try it on my own this year, see what I can do, and if people like it, then maybe the following year put out for donations.

Were making the move to LED's for energy conservation, and so we can run more lights. Right now we get people driving by and pausing for a moment to take in the meager 6 channel display. Its what I call the red neck Christmas out front. It just a lot of stuff we got very cheap, that I may not include in next years display. Kind of tacky.

Im obviously going to have to find a dongle, but Id like to go with a cheaper solution for my tinkering this year in the off season. But if a better one is needed I can do that during tax return time.

One recent thing that kind of shocked me was someone had the angry birds theme on their Christmas display, and posted it on you-tube, and now they are being sued for using it publicly.
I know thousands of people do every year without hearing from the man so to speak, but it still makes me worry about it. I wonder if a screen out front displaying the song title, and author of the song would remedy that? Or at least quell it.

Once the holidays are over, I will start my hardware/software procurement phase.

My current plan is to get LSP V2, or V3 if it comes out before I buy V2. 5 and 6 solsticewerks 16 channel control boards, a USB to Ethernet dongle, and about 20 - 3 channel RGB DMX controllers. Not to mention about 10 miles of extension cords which I may just make myself if its cheaper.

My wife wants the leaping arches, too. Id like to find an RGB LED way of doing this. if possible. I know it will involve much more expensive LED strings, and controllers. But I think in the end it will be simpler to deal with in regard to wiring, and sequencing.