FreeStyler X2 and uDMX - Setting up second universe

[gferrero]

Hello: I am trying to use FreeStyler X2. I have 2 dongles (uDMX). I connect each dongle to a USB port. I set uDMX to universe 1 and it works. When I try to assign the other dongle to universe 2 (I select uDMX also) I get message "Interface already used".

It seems FreeStyler X2 is "seeing" only one dongle.

I tried changing USB port where dongles are connected to (at different USB concentrators) but no way, I get always the same message.

First: Is it possible to use FreeStyler X2 with 2 dongles of the same brand (uDMX in this case) connected at different USB Ports?

Second: If previous answer is "yes". Is that tricky? I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I was trying some hours, any help is welcome.

Thank you.

[gferrero]

UPDATE: even with no one DMX controller connected to USB ports I get message "Interface already used". If I select uDMX on Universe 1 cannot select the same controller for Universe 2.

I checked also using uDMX on Universe 1 and other brand (lended) controller on Universe 2 - FreeStyler worked well with the 2 Universes. But I need making it work with two uDMX. Any idea or workaround for it? Thank you again.

[buttza]

Check the com port.

uDMX if installed correctly would have mapped to 2 different com ports.

Back sure one COM port is selected for one universe and the other for the 2nd universe.
Eg:

Universe 1: Com2
Universe 2: Com3

[gferrero]

Thank you "buttza". uDMX seems well installed (I am able to use FreeStyler with it - one Universe - anyway I uninstalled it and installed it last version of the controller - the issue persists). I checked in my PC (Win 7 - 32 bits) USB ports where 2 DMX controllers are connected. They are mapped to 2 different ports:

Port_#0002.Hub_#0005
Port_#0003.Hub_#0005

There is no COM selection option for uDMX at FreeStyler Setup.

Note: even with no one DMX controller connected to USB ports, I can select uDMX for one Universe, but if I try to select uDMX for the other Universe also, I get message: "Interface already used". (I get the same behaviour with or without DMX controllers connected to USB ports).

[gferrero]

UPDATE: I've tested the same on another PC (a laptop with Win XP in this case) and got the same behaviour.

[buttza]

I just noticed that the option is not available with 2 uDMX.

If you select 2 DMX King uDMX you will see that the com port option shows up. It's possible that the generic uDMX drive doesn't allow the 2 uDMX devices to run simultaneously. This will be a problem. Sorry can't help you with that one I am afraid.

[gferrero]

Yep, no solution found by now (but I'm still searching). uDMX cannot recognize 2 dongles on the same computer. A workaround for using FreeStyler X2 is:

Universe 1: uDMX output on the same computer whch runs FreeStyler.
Uneverse 2: Art-Net with a node running in a second computer, which host the other dongle.

Thanks.

[gferrero]

Finally, I've found a solution to this problem. It's possible to connect not only two, but many uDMX dongles on a single computer.

The core of an uDMX dongle is an Atmel Atmega8 microcontroller. Firmware of each microcontroller has a SERIAL NUMBER value, which was set in the codes before compiling.

So, in this case, it's needed to open two instances of Art-Net node "uDMXArtnet" (1) provided by ilLUTZmination.de:

uDMXArtnet.exe -s <serial1>
uDMXArtnet.exe -s <serial2>

One instance will connect to dongle with serial <serial1> and the other to dongle with serial <serial2>. If you (like me) face problems passing Art-Net data from FreeStyler to uDMXArtnet, then use "uDMXcapture" (2) instead:

uDMXCapture -s <serial1>
uDMXCapture -s <serial2>

At this point you should have two Art-Net nodes, each one connected to a different dongle. Set, in example, Art-Net Node 1 for working with Universe 0 and Art-Net Node 2 for working with Universe 1. Configure the two FreeStyler's Universes for Art-Net output (Universes 0 and 1 also - those chosen for Art-Net nodes).

Well, it should be working now. FreeStyler will send DMX data to Art-Net nodes and each Art-Net node will send data to each dongle.

* You can know the serial number of your dongle's firmware executing uDMXArtnet.exe with no commands, only one dongle connected at a time, and setting verbose to highest value "9".

** If serial number of two dongles is the same, you should change serial number in codes (at least for one dongle), recompile and burn again the Atmel microcontroller firmware.

Hope it helps other guys. Thanks a lot to LUTZ from ilLUTZmination.de for his kind help.

(1) http://illutzmination.de/fileadmin/down ... Artnet.zip
(2) http://illutzmination.de/fileadmin/down ... apture.zip

[smokeandlasers]

First of all thanks for figuring this out, this is exactly what I'm trying to do! I need to run 2 universes on two separate uDMX dongles. I downloaded the uDMXArtnet program but I could use a little help getting started, I haven't set nodes before. I'm not seeing the serial number value you mentioned in the uDMX node feed, it has the line that says serial number but it just says "illLUTZminator001" or is that the number? If so what do I do with it exactly?

Thanks!

[gferrero]

Yes, "illLUTZminator001" is the serial code. In example, you should have a dongle with serial code "illLUTZminator001" and onther with serial code "illLUTZminator002". If the two both DMX dongles have the same code, you should re-compile the microcontroller source code with a different serial code and burn one of the microcontrollers with this new firmware - That's not easy for most users, knowledge in programming and electronics are needed, but this is the only option for running two uDMX dongles on the same computer.

[smokeandlasers]

Thanks for the reply, yeah I was afraid of that. They are both that serial and while I could get the both to work individually using uDMXCapture they won't work at the same time, even though my device manager sees them as separate devices Freestyler and the uDMX programs only see them as one. I've done firmware on phones but never usb devices. Looks like I'm getting a Velleman K8062 instead lol

[gferrero]

That is because uDMX search for one USB dongle only. The first one it finds. However...

While testing this issue I found a tricky solution for getting 2 dongles with same serial codes working on the same computer. It works on some computers. It does not work on all computers and I (really) don't know well why it works, but you may test it on your PC:

1) Open Freestyler X2. Set Universe 1 to ArtNet output 0-0-0 and Universe 2 to output 0-0-1.
2) Close FreeStyler X2 and open it again.
3) Connect one of the dongles to a USB port.
4) Execute "uDMXCapture.exe" and set it to Universe 0
5) Connect the other dongle to another USB port.
6) Execute a second instance of "uDMXCapture.exe" and assign it to Universe 1.
7) Try managing fixtures on both Universes from FreeStyler.

Well, it works for me on some computers. Please try it. If you get it work and have some time, please try to find some pattern to this behaviour and share it.

good luck!

Gustavo.

[smokeandlasers]

So unfortunately this didn't work for me. Even with these steps, and a few other variations I tried, no matter what the two instances of uDMXCapture would fight over control of the fixture, so the first instance would work and then the next instance would start fighting for control once I set the universe to 1. Then it would alternate sending universe 1 and universe 2 to just the first dongle I plugged in never recognizing the second (regardless of port order)

If it helps anyone the two dongles I have are these:

http://g01.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1jdPvHVXX ... roller.jpg

http://g02.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB11o74HVXX ... ontrol.jpg

The 2 most common inexpensive usb to dmx that are out there. They look different so I got the second one thinking it would be a different model hoping to avoid the problem I'm having now. Turns out they're exactly the same.

So for anyone out there who is planning on adding a second universe to Freestyler and is running on a uDMX dongle, go ahead and get a Velleman or DMXKing or something that will for sure show up as a separate interface in Freestyler to skip all this, the extra $ is worth it lol


Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

[gferrero]

Yes, those two dongles run the same firmware. A cheap solution may be buy another dongle for second universe (assure first it's not uDMX - there are many cheap dongles working great).

In my own conceit, there is a commercial driven myth about quality of DMX-512 controllers. USITT DMX 512 protocol is very simple and uses slow rates compared with the capability of today's electronic microcontrollers. So, a well designed dongle may bring the same performance and stability than the most expensive controller.

Cheers!

[smokeandlasers]

UPDATE:

The Velleman VM116 has proved to be quite noticeably slower than the uDMX dongles and for some reason when I send the command to use the built in macro movements for my moving fixtures they just sit there, it seems like they are always at the start point of the individual macro and never move. Total bummer. Found info on correcting it but it requires replacing the firmware AND the chip inside interface

So how hard exactly would it be to replace the firmware on the uDMX dongle to change the serial no.? lol

(also the only dongles I could find under $40 were uDMX, if you know of others that would work with Freestyler please share)

[gferrero]

For replacing firmware on uDMX device you will need to access source code of the microcontroller - done by ilLUTZmination.de - later change the serial from code and compile again.

After you have the new firmware compiled, it's needed to upload it to the microcontroller. So, you will need a programmer (hardware) for ATMEL ATMEGA8L microcontrollers.

For other part, I don't know where are you from. I live in Argentina and here DMX becomes very popular between DJs and LJs. Some small local companies developed different (and cheap) DMX512 dongles. After all, USITT DMX 512 is a relatively simple protocol. Maybe in your country the same is happening.

[pisach]

Hello,
I have two different types of these "DMX512 USB cables", one is FTDI based, one is with Atmel's Atmega8.
Now I'm playing with the second. I want to replace the Chinese firmware with the firmware from illutzmination.de. I have AVR USB programmer, I can download the code, read "fuses" etc. so I guess it's connected correctly, moreover I don't do this for 1st time.
When I upload the new firmware nothing happens, it seems it has some protection. Any idea how we can "hack" it?

Thanks!

[gferrero]

Hi: usually the chinese firmware is the illutzmination.de firmware (no modifications at all). For other part, maybe the microcontroller is write protected. It's not easy (if possible) hack that. A simple fix is burn a new Atmel's Atmega8 and replace the original - these "chips are cheap"

[pisach]

Hi,
Here is what we have:

Code: Select all

DLL version:	0.1.12.1
Driver version:	3.0.7.0

bus/device  idVendor/idProduct
bus-0/\\.\libusb0-0255--0x03eb-0x8888     03EB/8888
- Manufacturer : AVLdiy.cn
- Product      : D512
- Serial Number: AVLdiy.cn0001

This doesn't look as original code. Actually the problem is in the PID/VID, the illutzmination software expects vid=0x16C0 pid=0x05DC, not 0x03eb/0x8888.
As I know the PID/VID is in the code, not in the software, but this is beyond my knowledge

Thanks

[gferrero]

Are you sure your dongle is uDMX? This thread is only for ANYMA uDMX compatible hardware (http://www.anyma.ch/research/udmx/) and software and modifications in microcontroller code done by Illutzmination.

Perhaps your dongle uses the same Atmel's Atmega8, but it's not a uDMX development.

[pisach]

I use uDMX drivers, it sold as uDMX, so it should be uDMX...or at least the seller offers it as uDMX.
In other words, I have USB dongle with Atmega8, how to install FW from illutzmination/ANYMA on it?

[gferrero]

If microcontroller is not write protected, you can burn the new code over your current Atmega8. If you can not write on existent Atmega8, you can use a new blank Atmega8, upload the Illutzmination on it and finally replace the cheap on the board.

Important: you must be sure that your dongle is fully compatible with the anyma hardware.

[pisach]

it's a $15 controller, it's not worth to replace the chip. It looks same as Illutzmination, one chip, one oscillator and a few diodes/resistors. I don't think it's write protected, probably I don't do it right, I don't know...
What about the "bootloader"? I don't understand the difference. Does it have the same function as the bootloader of the OS? From where I can download bootloader image?

[pisach]

You can see that it's the same as the programmer, the only difference is is the MAX485 chip....it is just a USB to RS485 converter. It works with other software without problems, I'm trying to run it on Illutzmination SW, that's all.

[gferrero]

You can see the Lutz modified hardware from http://www.illutzminator.de/udmx-mod.html?&L=1 and check if it's the same of your dongle. I see your hardware uses a SMD microcontroller; in my case Atmega8 is a Dual In Line package inserted in a chip socket, so it's easy to remove.

Unfortunatelly I can not really give tips about bootloader because I never used that. But you may check at https://www.obdev.at/products/vusb/usbasploader.html

The important information is: "The difference is that USBaspLoader presents itself as USBasp
programmer to the host.". So you don't need a programmer because the bootloader USBaspLoader
simulates a programmer. So the programming software should be able to write to uDMX
directly.