Can Vixen communicate with AL Controllers

[Mr B]

I contacted AL and I am told that I can send my controllers in to then and they will convert them to DMX type controllers. However, they also indicate that I have to have something that they call a "DMX talker/converter" to communicate with the controllers. My concern is that it appears that if I have my controllers converted to DMX type controllers, I would not be able to use my controllers with my standard LED lights. I may just be totally confused but I am really trying to understand this whole thing.

Thanks in advance for any more info.

[ctmal]

DMX is just the protocol(language) they will be talking. It shouldn't affect what type of lights you can control with it.

[ErnieHorning]

However, they also indicate that I have to have something that they call a "DMX talker/converter" to communicate with the controllers.

Typically we use a USB to DMX dongle but depending on which one you get, you may need to make a special conversion cable or just attach the wire to a connector.

Here is a chart from DIYC Wiki (located at http://doityourselfchristmas.com/wik....php?title=DMX).


Here an AL document with their pinouts.
AL XLR to RJ45 DMX Adapter 1-5-2007.pdf


It took me awhile searching for the AL document. They don't seem to be very forthcoming on how to use their stuff and AL users don't seem to being interested in figuring it out or sharing anything if they did.

[budude]

One minor comment on that chart - the Ren48LSD is exactly the same as the other Renard controllers - not sure why it's in a separate column - pins 1/2 go to ground just like the others... I updated the Wiki but can't edit the picture - which should probably be a standard Wiki table instead...

[angus40]

This may help to setup your al controller as /for dmx

http://www.animatedlighting.com/support/faq_dmx.asp

[Shockwave]

I'll assume you are a novice with electronics Mr. B. So if I sound like I'm talking down, I'm not -- I'm trying to explain.

Electrically the AL system and DMX is the same thing -- twisted pair wire transmitting digital data on RS485. It is a simple inexpensive hookup and inexpensive microcontrollers can listen to the data and process whatever data is meant for it and it alone. What you have today is a computer, an adapter to that computer, and modules that you will plug that special cable into to control them with the computer. You'll have the same thing with DMX.

What makes DMX different from AL is that DMX is a very rigidly defined set of timings and bitrates. The DMX system sends a break, then a null byte, and then everything after that is simply the byte of data for channel 1, then 2, then 3, then 4... and so on up to the maximum for DMX of 512 channels.

You may be wondering why you should bother with DMX when it's really no different than the AL proprietary system. I have an easy answer for you -- expandability. Today, you may be happy with what you have. Tomorrow, you may want to quadruple the number of channels or add Bogie lights (DJ stuff) or syncronize with a DVD player or be able to use a different sequencing program than AL's. That is very easy to do with DMX based gear. There are literally thousands of companies that make DJ lights that are DMX and light controllers that are DMX. How many companies build AL proprietary stuff? (Holds up one index finger). And in the unfortunate case if that company goes bankrupt, what will you do then?

Making the move to DMX stuff and away from AL's stuff is a cost, I know. And if you aren't planning to outgrow your system or do anything truly crazy with it then your current rig and sequencing program is fine. But changing gear to DMX gives you more companies to be able to buy stuff from and more abilities. You can even add steerable lights from DJ supply stores if you want. It's all a question of what do you want to do today, and what can you reasonably want to do tomorrow. If you are thinking your lights will double next year, keep your current rig and spend the money to make it all DMX this year, and then spend the money to do the doubling next year. That way you'll be able to expand with DMX hardware and have huge numbers of resources available that you aren't able to use in AL's system.

[Mr B]

I wanted to update this thread for those that might come across it in the future.

After doing a lot of searching and reading, I have made some decisions.

First let me say: I did contact Animated Lighting and I just say that they were very helpful and gave me a lot of information about the subject. They did confirm that the controllers that I currently have are not DMX compatible, but they offered to convert all of my controllers to be DMX compatible for a very reasonable price. However, after looking at the entire situation, I have decided that for the time being I am not going to convert my AL controllers to be DMX compatible. The primary reason is that I really have no plans of starting to use DMX in the near future.

I also was able to confirm on very good authority that there is no plugin available now nor will there be one in the foreseeable future for Vixen to communicate with AL controllers.

Having this information I am now planning to purchase and build at least 2 or 3 24 channel Renard controllers. I will need a box for each of these controllers. I have already been able use the downloadable demo version of LSP to create a test sequence. I have purchased a USB to Serial converter and connected to my AL controllers with not problems. I was able to control various lights successfully. I will be using Light Show Pro software for programming any new sequences for my show. I also have successfully imported one of my existing sequences from Maestro into LSP. (These Maestro sequence files (about 20 of them) are actually in the Vixen format so I could just rename my sequences with the correct extension and import them into LSP.) I will still have to tweak and expand my original sequences but it should not be like starting over.

Thanks to all of you who attempted to help me. After reading your responses I found that I could move forward with more confidence.

It's my hope that by posting my findings and my decision, that someone else can benefit from my effort to resolve my situation.

[kevin]

What cost did AL quote you for updating your controllers to DMX? Drew will convert the AL controllers to use the LOR firmware. That enables the AL boards to use the LOR protocol or DMX protocol. Drew offers this for $79 per board. I'm coursios as to how this price compares to AL DMX conversion. From what I understand the AL conversion makes the boards a DMX protocol only.

Thaks.