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Problem with Freestyler and Enttec Pro

Posted: 31 Oct 2011, 19:41
by spdj20
I'm not sure if this is a problem with the DMX Pro or Freestyler or my lights, but here's what's happening...

Saturday I went to do a show, and I check to see that Windows sees the DMX Pro, and Freestyler can connect to it. I look down and the green light is flashing. All should be fine.

Lights are 4 Martin SCX500 and 4 Optoma iLED64 Pars. I've used these countless times before with FS and the DMX pro but the last 2 shows I've done. I've had problems which ultimately have been forcing me to put the SCX500s into music trig mode.

I go to play my cues and only the first 2 scanners respond. The other 2 and pars aren't changing at all. On the scanners I notice that the data light is only flashing on the first 2. All the lights are addressed correctly and I'm using only Accu-Cable to wire them up. and I have a terminator on the end. I tried swapping the positions of the scanners, but still no luck.

Putting the scanners into music trig mode and removing the incoming DMX cable from the Pro does allow the 4 lights to communicate with each other so I don't think it's a problem with the lights, considering I also swapped each of them around to different positions. I also tried swapping the DMX cables around just in case it might have been the cable going to the 3rd scanner.

After about an hour of trying to fix it, I finally decided to just run the scanners in music trig mode and run the pars via DMX through Freestyler. It worked for awhile, then I noticed the colors stopped changing. I look down and Freestyler is still running the show, but the DMX Pro flashing green light is off.

Last week I did a show and it was actually the opposite. I had the scanners working fine but couldn't get the pars to stop strobing, so I manually set colors for the pars and just ran the scanners but then after about an hour, the scanners started to act up. One by one they went into a kind of stand by mode, where the mirrors would turn to the right and the light would shut off.

In an attempt to fix this, I've re-done the firmware multiple times and the Pro utility software says my DMX pro is working fine, but if it's not that, and it's not Freestyler and it's not the lights, then what is going on here?

Please help. I need to get this resolved before my next event on Saturday. My Enttec DMX Pro is still under warranty as i bought it in February so if you think it's the interface I'll have to get it fixed or replaced.

Thanks

Re: Problem with Freestyler and Enttec Pro

Posted: 01 Nov 2011, 03:25
by buttza
Sounds like the Entec Pro Driver might be corrupt? Have you uninstalled the USB Driver and reinstalled? Also you didn't mention if you have changed the USB cable between Laptop and Interface. If that is stuffed can cause issues too. Run an antivirus scan on your computer just to makesure no nasties. :) Also if you have a second interface that you know works, try that with too just to eliminate another part of the hardware. Let us know how you go.

Re: Problem with Freestyler and Enttec Pro

Posted: 01 Nov 2011, 09:32
by spdj20
Yup I've tried uninstalling and re-installing the driver, swapped USB cables, ran an AV scan. I don't have a second interface.

I'm really leaning more toward it has to be the interface hardware (DMX Pro) Tonight I attempted to run a music sync'd show via another program (initials are VM) and the interface would work (flashing green) then it would stop after any where from 1 to 15 min. When this happened it would also hang the program. I could unplug and plug back in and it would pick up where it left off, but that got annoying. Something tells me between that, and the DMX not outputting more than 16 channels since only my first 2 scanners would pick up the signal. I'm really leaning toward the hardware (DMX Pro) failing in one shape or form as the cause of all this

Problem with Freestyler and Enttec Pro

Posted: 04 Nov 2011, 22:50
by Kings
I had problems with a DMX pro that just wouldn't connect to the computer until eventually it wasn't recognized at all. Talk about hours of frustration. I eventually replaced it with a Velleman unit and have had 0 problems.

With regard to your problem, it's a longshot but try changing the output rate of the pro via the utility software. It's probably the only variable you haven't tested yet. If you still have problems insist on a replacement. Good luck!