Page 1 of 1
DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 29 Jan 2010, 21:30
by yofo
Hi,
I use freestyler
and my controller is a homemade oksidizer USB DMX512
My problem is, sometimes, then I bump into the controller or something, the lights die on me, so?
is their a way, that I can make it so, that if I unplug and plug the usb plug of the DMX controller back into the pc, that the lights will continue with their stuff, without going offline. and the same with if I power down my laser and power it on while the programs is running, then the thing is messedup, but If i take out the DMX cable from the laser and plug it back, then the laser continuous with it stuff
TO fix with problem, I have to unplug everything and power on power of everything until it works again, and I have to restart the program, that is not cool..in a live situation

Re: DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 13:09
by yofo
thx for the reply, I'm still new to the dmx thing, so I'm still sorting out some stuff.
I use a DMX cable, not audio
I dont use a terminator on the line tho?
is this important?
my laser works without it, that wil the problems be if I don't use one?
To get a powered stand-alone mode on my homemade controller, will this fix the problem of the laser being killed and none responsive until I manually reset everything?
I can probably build a external 5v well regulated power supply for it
USB positive frm PC----( diode > ) -----( positive from power supply here ) ----to controller DMX positive line
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- data
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- data
usb negative from PC-------------------------------------------------------negative to dmx controller
Re: DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 15:00
by dmxlighting
As onge says there is what you should do and what is often the real world case.
You should terminate but like many others I never bother also the power cable thing, it should not be a problem to run them together but some will say keep them appart, I never have much choice on the matter. On the whole it will not make any difference if you use the correct grade cable to link your lights or a balanced mic cable. It should work as long as they are all correctly wired pin for pin. Normal standard dmx is pin1=screen, pin2=DMX-, pin3=DMX+.
Make sure that your fixtures are looking for DMX+ on pin3, if they are looking on pin2 then make up and label well a x-over cable to swap +3 to +2. I think you can buy these pre made on fleabay.
Also I'll mention your inteface. From your posts this is a 'build it yourself' project ?
You should maybe consider a factory build device and I, along with many others, would always reccommend an Enttec Pro device, worth every penny!
If that is out of your price range then there are a few other very good and reliable units avalible at less money but be careful not to buy certain ones!
Im sure someone will post a list of reccommendations
Re: DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 15:33
by yofo
A online friend made me the dmx controller, and it works well, all that I know is, the thing stops working at random times, very random times, maybe it just needed a terminator, I'll build one, then I get that plug connector and that 100ohms resistor. that might take a week to get for me
So I have no idea about that "pin1=screen, pin2=DMX-, pin3=DMX+." you said, will it worked if the wires are wrong? because my dmx laser works,. so I assume the wires are correctly connected on the DMX output on DMX controller?
Re: DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 16:08
by yofo
yo man, I have no idea whazup with my rig? but it's annoying, its always happens then I dont want want is to happen, can power dippeds influence something, because I have a air con on the same power line, but to cut that theory, I have had a 4~6 hours show running without any problems in the same place,
how about, can something interfere on the USB connectivity from my USB connection from DMX controller to PC ?
Re: DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 16:36
by yofo
I'm using XP on everything with a CPU and Southbridge in it

Re: DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 18:06
by dmxlighting
yofo wrote:yo man, I have no idea whazup with my rig? but it's annoying, its always happens then I dont want want is to happen, can power dippeds influence something, because I have a air con on the same power line, but to cut that theory, I have had a 4~6 hours show running without any problems in the same place,
how about, can something interfere on the USB connectivity from my USB connection from DMX controller to PC ?
I think there is a loose wire on your usb-dmx device. If there is no pattern at all to when it goes wrong and I see on your first post about ' bumping into it' and its a homemade controller (not that this is a bad thing, its just easy to fluff up a solder joint on a pcb). If you know someone else who has one of these or maybe your friend can build a second one or look at the first one ? Try that. Its not going to be an FS problem (well I doubt it anyway)
Re: DMX coltroller and software problems
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 18:21
by yofo
I also want to think it's a loose wire, but can't be. but then my friend mailed me the device, I re soldier all the wires and then clued the wires like I always do that it can't break of and inserted it in a better plastic casing...so I thought that somewhere on FS, there is a setting that cause the device to freeze, I can't exactly tell you then it freezes, because it's so randomly...so I think we need to ask someone who also have the same DMX controller then I have, if he also have the same problems
http://www.freestylersupport.com/fsforu ... f=6&t=1499