DMX on a VERY low budget

[God of Thunder]

Hi all

First post here.

I have a very limited knowledge of DMX, and I'm only doing this as a hobby for occasional use (i.e. Halloween, parties etc), and I need advice on a cheap as chips DMX setup.

I have an iPad and will run luminair on it (£89), I will get one or two showtec par cans at approx £36 each. So far, all cost effective, even allowing for cables/terminators etc.

Here's where I get stuck;

It seems I only have a choice of either (cheaper option) 1. open USB connected to iMac and running off a long cable to first fixture, but this seems to (almost) defeat the purpose of using the iPad to make it a 'wireless' control setup as I'm still limited to where the iMac is sited.

Or

2. Buying the more expensive Ethernet to DMX converter and running show wirelessly. Which I really can't justify as I am currently unemployed and wish to stay married to my lovely wife! ** laughs out loud **

Are there any other options I've overlooked?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Mark

[Wol]

If its just for halloween and parties, why do you want a wireless setup? Whats wrong with just a laptop and a cheap USB>DMX dongle and a DMX cable?

 

If you want a cheap as chips setup, then an iPad and an iMac probably isn't the greatest starting point!

[AndyJones]

Don't use luminair. Instead get a Magic DMX dongle (£10) and download the ChamSys software. You can then get a VNC application for your iPad. So you can control the iMac.

[God of Thunder]

Hi thanks for both replies.

@wol - already have the iPad and iMac for business use, so costs of those are covered.

@ andyjones - I'm going with luminair as the interface suits my way of working. I will possible get it or the lights as a birthday present. The pricing of these items I am ok with, it's the 'bit in the middle' that I wanted to see if there was a workaround for. http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

So on the basis of luminair on iPad in relation to my original query, it is safe to assume I only have the two choices of USB or Ethernet to DMX? http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif

If there isn't an option I haven't come across yet, I will probably use LCompanion on the iMac and an open USB to DMX converter connected to a long DMX cable to first fixture.

Once again thanks for prompt replies.

Mark

[themadhippy]

How about a wirless uusb extender,o and the open usb dongle may cause your lights to flicker as it relies on the computer to genarate the usb timings.personaly instead of wasting £89.99 on luminar I'd put the money to a chamsys magic DMX dongle for £60 and buy DMX cable with the savings

[Ross Bristo]

Chamsys MagicQ and a VNC app for your Ipad should do the job (you cannot use the Chamsys Ipad app without purchasing some Chamsys hardware).

 

Ross

[God of Thunder]

Thanks for replies, it's giving me some good ideas, I will certainly look at the magicQ as a contender.

Thank you

Mark

[rossmck]

Agree with the above advice - although Luminair is a great little app, MagicQ would probably be a better solution in this case.

 

If you want remote control from your iPad I would seriously consider AirDisplay in preference to VNC, it's much more responsive from my experience (I use it regularly with both MagicQ and Avolites Titan software)

 

 

[God of Thunder]

Thank you

Mark