Support Forum

I have been observing some problems with FS.
I possess the following requirements:
- Notebook Toshiba Satellite with Pentium M 2.0 and 1 giga of memory.
- DMX Interface K8062
- 2 Moving Head ACME IM250S
- 1 laser GLOW PL60 G/2
- 1 Strobo TecPort 3000
- 1 fog machine TecPort FX1500

The problems that I have been noticing are the following:
1 - of times in times is necessary I to restart FS because the apparels start to not to answer more to commands DMX
2 - when I position a moving in a certain place (for instance a globe), this moving is executing random movement, as if commands were sent wrong DMX for the same. The moving is hopping.
3 - the fog machine was not possible to be addressed so that the window of Fog could activate using the timmer.
4 - when I address one of the moving for the address DMX 1 this moving doesn't answer correctly to the commands. If I address this same moving for another address he works correctly.
The version of FS that I am using is 2.96h
Thanks.

Some things for you to try.
1. terminate Dmx lines to reduce echo's and move away from power lines, usually the foggers and strobes can make devices become unresponsive.
2. Possibly the same issue.
3. Could be a fixture issue, ensure the fixture is set as fogger. Address the fogger as a normal fixture.
4. V odd. User error? Do other fixtures respond incorrectly on that address?

Doctordj, have you been using the same interface/same drivers , same equipment, on the same machine, with another software without these problems?
The problems you describe look rather like DMX problems rather than in Freestyler. FS has "some" problems (....) but the ones you describe really don't seem software related.
Does the fixture which is hopping have electronic DMX channel setting or dip switches? If it is dip switches, check there is not a bad contact in one of the bits by touching them during operation for example. If DMX channels jump/change their value due to a bad contact in a dip switch, it can cause this kind of behavior. Of course, dozens of other reasons can cause it, too. It <could> be a reason for problem 4, too, the bad contact could only happen on a given bit when the fixture is set to channel one..
For problem 1, I had the same during my first party with FS on saturday. Had several times to close FS, unplug/replug the DMX interface (Enttec pro) and restart FS to get back control. But I'm almost sure it is not related to FS but to the interface/electric parasites, or the USB layer...

Bug 1 - The problem of having to restart FS possibly can be solved if has an option in the program to restart the interface DMX/USB because this way all of the parameters will be restarted and probably the problem will finish.
Bug 2 - In my moving net I put a terminator with resistor of 120 ohms in the last moving but the problem still happens. I made the test only with 2 moving with small cables and the moving are still with the same problem.
Bug 3 - In the creation of the fixture I didn't find any option to define that the apparel is a fog machine.
Bug 4 - This problem is intermittent because after restart the computer and FS the moving started to answer for the address 1. All my moving are addressed in a digital way not being possible to happen keying errors.

Possible solution : K8062 isnt that the Vellemen Interface?? Thats a kit?? How do you know 100% that you built it correctly or someone built it correctly for you???

Create a new fixture file.
Select Fogger.
Enter channel numbers and create channel descriptions.
Save.

Add fixture into FS.
Open the output window.
Open fog window, select FOG

The output window should show the fogger channels working.

If this is the case, will be a hardware problem. Check addressing, polarity etc.

Ok. Really I had not observed the option well of selecting the fog type in the initial screen of the fixture creator. Resolved problem.
Yes, the interface is Vellemen K8062 obtained directly saw internet in the site of Velleman therefore it is an original product. With the program that accompanies the kit (DMX-Light Player) the moving perfectly work.