DiyLightAnimation
Forum Info => Getting started with Light Animation => Topic started by: foxtrot7 on November 19, 2011, 01:46:04 pm
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Hello. I am just starting out learning DMX...I mean JUST starting out and a bit clueless. I want to learn DMX and dont want to waste a lot of money as I learn. I purchased the Enttec Open USB controller and now I'm at a loss for which software to use. I downloaded Freestyler, but havent a clue how to use it. Any suggections on how I can start slow and learn this stuff? At this point, I really only want it to develop small shows using lasers. I'll take on more as my comfort level grows. Thanks for any help offered.
F7
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Well most of us use the dmx dongle http://www.diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Equipment#DMX_Devices which is around 60.00 dollars to build is similar to the enttec dmx pro device. And most of us use vixen http://www.vixenlights.com/downloads.html as a starting point for the software.
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thanks for the links!
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Heres a dongle for sale, but you better hurry up if you want it. http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=6562.0
Just pm the guy if you want it.
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Thanks...I have the controller...but need lots of help with software and getting started. I'm usually pretty good about figuring out software, but i cant seem to get this stuff. I cant even seem to get one laser to wake up. I think my problem is getting the fixure identified correctly.
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Well there's a reason why we don't use a open dmx device. Heres a link to a question about the open dmx when i first got started. http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=4752.msg79457#msg79457
Heres a link saying why the dmx pro is better. http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=1662.0
Way i understand it, people has had a lot of problems with the open dmx in what we do.
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Way i understand it, people has had a lot of problems with the open dmx in what we do.
I think it isn't so much "problems" with the ENTTEC Open type DMX dongle. It's more like trying to do 90 mph in a Ford Fiesta compared to doing 90 mph in a Camaro. Everything just has to work harder.
I have had nothing but positive use of my ENTTEC Open (while I waited for LOR S3 to finally support the Lynx dongle).
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Thanks everyone!!! This is good stuff...hearing from those that know. I made huge strides tonigh just by f'in around with things. Your posts and the links attached may have already confirmed something for me. The OPEN does seem to have a bit of a timing issue. Put that together with a low priced laser from China and...well, lets just say I'm not headed for precision work. I realize a bunch of this could be me though. Next, I think I'll post a question about finding well-priced lasers from companies to trust. Thanks again!
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Yea i have a laser from china also. It has 4 lasers to it. The dmx doesn't seem to work at all. I just use it in the music mode when i want it to run.
Might wanna use a dmx tester such as this http://www.ebay.com/itm/DMX-Tester-Terminator-3-Pin-XLR-USA-Seller-/170730699113?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c057b969 to test the open dmx for signal output.
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Thanks...I'll check it out. Definitely be handy to have. I also want to get a laser power output meter.
I have another laser coming from China which is supposed to be one of their higher end products (if there is such a thing). I should mention...I just dont know enough about where and who to buy these lasers from, so in their defence: I'm sure there are plenty of quality products out there; I just havent found them yet. Any suggestions?
I also want to add to my original post by saying I'm slowly getting this figured out. I've been able to get the laser to respond through DMX OPEN; my problem was getting the fixture built in my library. Now I'm trying to learn how to assign scenes..then put them to a score. The Freestyler software seems a bit limiting for doing this. I probably just need to skip the budget route and pony up the $500 for decent software.
Thanks again everyone!
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Does the laser use an XLR connector? And are you using a Cat5 converter?
If so, try swapping the two data wires.
Sent from my DROIDX
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Does the laser use an XLR connector? And are you using a Cat5 converter?
If so, try swapping the two data wires.
Sent from my DROIDX
Hes using a enttec dmx open device, which has xlr connectors on it, and the lasers have xlrs on them. So theres no adapter required.
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He might want to switch to a Lynx or Entec Pro dongle as both are smart dongles and work much better at putting out DMX packets.
Hes using a enttec dmx open device, which has xlr connectors on it, and the lasers have xlrs on them. So theres no adapter required.