DMX Interface which one?

[biggus]

Hi All,

I'm still quite new to the DMX world and I'm in the market for a USB to DMX interface, I've done my reserch and I've found alot of people recomending the enttec pro interface, If i were made of money I would buy this but my budget is limited, after a little bit more searching I found this SPlabs USB-DMX 512 controller

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-DMX-512-I ... 415de4ef67

The reason I like this unit is that it has a microprocessor circuit to give perfect timings, otherwize I might of gone for the enttec open DMX.

Do any of you guys feel I shouldn't buy this? if so why not and what should I buy instead?

[wardomon]

Save yourself all potential problems. Scrimp. Save. Don't go to the coffee shop for a month. Do what ever you have to. Buy an Enttec Pro. $132.99 with free shipping on eBay right now (Oct. 4th, 2011 - 10:30pm - Central Standard time - USA). You will be really glad that you did.

[Spirit]

here the same as wardomon keep in mind the dongle will be the device that translates the Usb signales to DMX, and realy you Wish to have a Stable one.

[biggus]

ok i'll save.. are cheaper ones really that bad

[biggus]

OK guys i've given it some thought and some more investigating... im going to bite the bullet and folk out for the enttec pro.. I found somewhere in my country that sell them

http://www.shockshop.co.uk/product/USB_ ... e_ENT70304#

[Spirit]

no i'm not going to say that cheap one's, are just bad.

one the url it say the cheap one is the same as the enttec pro.
but jus to say that ALOT of people uses the enttec pro en i have never had any problems. before that i used the Enttec Open and it's Realy a Pain in the ass. but some other poeple realy like the enttec open.

you can try it but don't blame us if the dongle doesn't work that well.

[biggus]

Thanks for that sprit, I'm going to go for the pro now from what i've read and people have recommended.

Just one question there seems to be two pro units.

this one (one I'll be able to afford to buy)
http://www.shockshop.co.uk/product/USB_ ... e_ENT70304

and this one (really out of my price leage)
http://www.shockshop.co.uk/product/RDM_USB_Pro_ENT70530

whats the diffrence and will I be ok with the first one.

Kind Regards

[Spirit]

Yes the first one will be enough for you.


RDM = a Singnal that a Fixture can send to you Dongle/pc.

So as example your doing your show and out of nothing a Fixture stopts moving or the light goes off.
Now if the fixture also Support RDM it can send a message to the laptop/pc and can tel you why he stopt moving or why the light goes off. becuase it's overheated or something else.

/spirit

[biggus]

oh the first one is enough then me thank for all your help the enttec will arrive in the morning can't wait to play

[dmxlighting]

Just to add my thoughts...

I sell sound and lighting equipment to schools and businesses. If some wants to control lights from a PC I tell the to download FS and then sell them an Enttec Pro. Never had a problem.

[wardomon]

The only problem I've ever (thought) I had with the Enttec Pro? It mysteriously stopped working. I restarted FS several times. That didn't do it. Scratched my head for about 10 minutes, tracing DMX cables, jiggling connectors, etc. I finally checked the USB cable. It got into the lid brace for my front end case and cut a couple of the wires. Nice going! Replaced the cable and Bob's your uncle, back working.

I learned 2 things:

Always carry spares.
I'm a dope.