gonzo1 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 What exactly is needed to control scans from your pc?Obviously your pc,then your leads,but what else please.Also what is the easiest software to use as I new to all this,should I be getting a simple lighting desk? Info would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 What exactly is needed to control scans from your pc?Obviously your pc,then your leads,but what else please.Also what is the easiest software to use as I new to all this,should I be getting a simple lighting desk? Info would be much appreciated. Your Scanners want USITT DMX 512 controll. This is a form of RS485 serial data. If your PC is an old PC there is a chance it has a RS232 serial port. I don't know of any PC that can produce RS485 data without buying extra hardware. A number of people make external boxes to produce RS485 data out of something the PC can produce (eg RS232 serial, Parallel, USB, MIDI etc) If you buy a box that can produce USITT DMX 512 that your PC can talk to you need to get some software to be able to controll it. A number of companies make interfaces, software and combined packages. Not all hardware will work with all software so it is worth checking, or if you are not sure buying a combined package. Try looking at Hog PC or Martin Lightjocky. Or buy a simple lighting desk you plug in and switch on and doesn't need complicated configuration. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich newby Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Yep I would look at some of the Daslight software and USB-DMX interfaces that I really like, and not to expensive either. I have a friend who has a bluelight interface and from what I can tell he is really impressed with it, he is on blue-room so im sure he will be along soon to tell you about it. What is your budget range? Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCoster Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Hmm... Although mods are going to lock this topic as soon as they read it :blink:... You need a type of converter to convert an output from your PC to a DMX signal. I personally use Open-DMX by Enttec (cost me around £40 from PLASA), which you plug into your USB port. It has a 5-pin DMX output but can easily be converted to 3-pin. What software can I run a show from and what about USB-DMX Dongles? There are lots of PC based lighting control products, the good, the bad and the ugly. Most are bad or ugly, good to look at are... PCStageLightFactoryHorizonChamsys MagicQBlueLite I personally use Chamsys MagicQ for scanners. Whether or not you should use a simple lighting desk depends on how many channels each scanner use and then how many scanners you plan to use. Most DMX interfaces can handle one universe (512 channels of DMX) or more, whereas - and assuming you have little budget - you will probably only be able to afford a 24- or 48- channel desk. It all depends on quantities and then ease of use, i.e. if you're touring would it be easier to carry a laptop then a full desk? I find computer interfaces often more reliable then desks as well i.e. you can specify the 0-255 range exactly whereas on a (simple) desk it's harder to do, and your cues may be slightly misaligned if you get what I mean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayselway Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 From BR Search.... This Topic Another one This one also HTH :) /me runs away from the dancing locks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Thanks, Jay, your skillful use of the search function has saved us the trouble of looking for the old topics (into which questions about PC-based control should be posted)! Which, of course, gives us more time to drill the dancing locks display team into a tightly-knit unit. Go get 'em, boys ...:) :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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