Would this work

[lalder]

http://www.soh.cz/en/products/usb-dmx-module

Looks like it would and it's roughly 39$. not sure about shipping & handling

[rokkett]

Looks like it is a fairly standard USB2DMX device. Probably is enttec pro or open compatible to be so widely supported, so Vixen should find it and work with it just fine. Maybe someone can verifiy this, but you need to check before you invest.

But I would suggest looking at RPM's USB2DMX dongle from this site or a Lynx DMX dongle and try assembling one yourself.

The dongles use of the XLR3 connector is odd. XLR5 would have been a more standard choice for professional applications. Here in the hobbyist side of things, we would tend to use a RJ45 connector.

[dmcole]

Actually, I believe this is a USB-RS485 converter with a XLR3 connector, which -- as Rockett points out -- isn't what you want for Christmas lighting; you want an RJ45 connector.

This is what we call a "non-intelligent" DMX dongle and will require that your PC provide the constant DMX signal to your show. Many have experimented with these "non-intelligent" dongles (also known as DMX Open Dongles) and have found that a sophisticated Christmas-lights show won't operate properly with these devices. But maybe you have a slow-paced show or a really hunky PC.

YMMV.

If I were going to try out using a DMX Open-type dongle, I'd probably buy one from China over at eBay. Search for "USB RS485" -- you'll find they run about $13-$15 with shipping. They output to a DB9 but universally seem to come with a screw-down adapter, which you could easily attach to a female RJ45. The problem there, of course, is that it won't be here for Christmas.

The guaranteed way to go, again as Rockett says, is with a dongle from RPM at http://shop.martinxmas.com/ or from RJ at http://www.diylightanimation.com/ ... though I believe at this time they are both out of stock.

Best of luck.

\dmc