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I am running FS 3.5.5 on a windows XP laptop. I am using the Enttec Pro as the dongle. Here's the setup: 3) Elation DP-415 dimmer (each one running 4 par cans), 2) Venue LED Par 64's, 2) Venue Thin Par 64's.

The issue I'm having is that once everything is hooked up, the lights on the first dimmer in the chain (DMX channels 1-4) flicker when turned on. This issue only seems present when the LED's are in line. If I only hook up the dimmer packs, everything seems fine. I am using a terminator on the last Thinpar in the chain. Not only is the issue present within Freestyler, but also when I'm just running the "pro utility" to test the DMX sends. Again, this only happens with DMX channels 1-4 on the first dimmer. Everything else in the chain behaves as expected.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

It sounds like the LED fixtures are the issue. Have you checked all your cables? I've found in the past that it's normally a dodgy lead to blame.

Yes, the cables have been swapped out with known good ones and the problem persists. I should also mention that I'm using a 5pin-3pin cable coming out of the Enttec as the dimmers only accept 3pin DMX. Beginning to wonder if you might be right about the LED lights. I have read on some other forums about the "cheaper" LED lights causing problems and these are definitely not top of the line. I have also re-updated the firmware on the Enttec (currently running 1.44) which didn't seem to help either.

Yeah, I found that there are "good" LED fixtures and "rubbish" LED fixtures. I would recommend asking around the forum for help when coming to LED fixtures, as many people have them and they have had experience with em

[UPDATE] Tonight I tried just one Venue LED Par 64 in line and everything works fine (even with no terminator). Plug in the 2nd LED light and Dimmer 1 (DMX ch. 1-4) flickers again. Same situation with 1) Venue ThinPar 64, everything fine. Hook up the 2nd one and the problem is back

Also, I should mention that this exact same setup works flawlessly when i run it with a standard DMX console (Lightronics TL-5024). Issue only appears when i try to run from laptop using Freestyler.

[Solution] After trying several different configurations of wiring, switching cables, and termination methods, I decided to try the only thing i hadn't thus far. I ran straight from the Enttec Pro into the LED lights FIRST, then looped out to the dimmers so they were last in the chain. This worked successfully and all lights are now behaving as expected with no flickers. I can only assume that having the LED's at the end of the chain where sucking up the DMX signal and not letting it cycle back to the first dimmer in line.

Also, for anyone else using the Venue Thinpar 64, i selected the ADJ MegaPar profile (also 7 ch. dmx) and it worked perfectly for this fixture.

Thank you Nathan for the suggestions on this issue.

More than welcome. What I'm here for