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Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 3rd, 2017, 6:15 pm
by Jackson75
I bought some FTDI chip based (FT232RL) based interfaces, making USB to serial conversion. Then a MAX485 RS485 chip acts as DMX line transmitter.
In Windows there will be a USB to serial converter in device manager.
It seems there are a lot of those cheaper interfaces using the FTDI chips, so I wonder if there are some setting for 'Generic interface' in Freestyler setup?
I tried to use the Eurolite USB DMX and it seems to 'work' somewhat but should be better to know.

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 3rd, 2017, 6:46 pm
by sync40
You should use the "Enttec Open DMX" setting.

How may of these interfaces do you bought? Only one? Maybe two of them?

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 3rd, 2017, 6:48 pm
by sync40
Also do not forget (if necessary) to install FTDI drivers. May not be necessary. If you computer has used some FTDI FT232RL chip in the past -like a USB to Serial converter- your computer should had installed drivers for it before.

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 5th, 2017, 10:12 am
by Jackson75
Thanks. It worked.
I bought 4 of those interfaces and I will add isolation to them also.

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 5th, 2017, 5:55 pm
by sync40
What happen if you connect two, three or all four interfaces to your PC at the same time? Do Freestyle setup treat each interface as a distinct unit? If so, you could assign different unverses to each interface. I will do tests next week (since I am still soldering the PCBs) but if you already have several interfaces at hand, it would be very useful if you test that. At least Jinx! software treat each interface a a disctint unit (it is recognized by its FTDI serial number; something like "F67JYU8" for example; every FTDI chip has a different number).

Regards.

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 5th, 2017, 5:58 pm
by sync40
Could you share for example screen captures of the FreeStyler setup showing several interfaces?

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 5th, 2017, 8:24 pm
by Jackson75
I can check tomorrow. And I will share some screenshot of setup.
But I guess there will be possible to add one interface per universe, since this is already support from setup.

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 6th, 2017, 7:13 pm
by Jackson75
Unfortunately I was not able to get two interfaces working in one universe each.
Freestyler failed to init two interfaces at the same time.
At some point, I managed to get two universe out by selecting Eurolite USB-DMX on one channel and Enttec open DMX on the other.
But it was hard to get it up and running.

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 7th, 2017, 1:26 am
by sync40
Very interesting (and thanks for your time to make the tests). As soon as my interfaces will be finished I will also test them and post results. Using Jinx! software I was able to connect two Enttec Open DMX and asign different universes to each. I do not know if other software can accepth this setup (Madrix, Glediator, etc.)

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: November 7th, 2017, 9:49 am
by Jackson
I have designed a new interface which I will build and test very soon.
It's an isolated interface using FTDI chip.
Post results later on.

Re: Generic FTDI chip based interfaces

Posted: July 1st, 2019, 10:54 pm
by FestivaPNA
Hola tengo una placa adaptadora usb a RS485 la cual la he comprado a distintos proveedores y noto que una solo emite señal dmx con polaridad invertida y otra con las dos polaridades de señal... por qué sucede esto? Se puede modificar? Gracias