I was having a similar flash when fading a gen 1 Colorblast (yes the one with 278 leds) off of a Lil DMXter. It went away when I switched to a console. I wonder if the output signal of the iDMX is wavering and adding an additional start command or if ocassionally it is sending 513 addresses.
Might just be time to put an iDMX on a scope and see what the signal looks like.
Greg -
how are you running the iDMX - is it from a usb->LOR or a DB9(serial)->LOR Is the usb port a version2 or 1? -if it applies
I was having a similar flash when fading a gen 1 Colorblast (yes the one with 278 leds) off of a Lil DMXter. It went away when I switched to a console. I wonder if the output signal of the iDMX is wavering and adding an additional start command or if ocassionally it is sending 513 addresses.
Might just be time to put an iDMX on a scope and see what the signal looks like.
Dr. Jones,
That is a good point. I emailed my Chauvet rep to see what he thinks, but he hasn't anwered me yet. After he replies we can put our heads together and try to get to the bottom of it.
I doubt Greg has a hard console he can connect to.
J_Plak wrote: OT
Greg,
How are you be using the Chauvet colorstrips in your Display?
Jerry Plak
Jerry:
I was hoping to use them as a colorwash on the front of the house, to match the diamonds I have on the outside of windows (which are solid colors of red, blue and green LEDs)
I was having a similar flash when fading a gen 1 Colorblast (yes the one with 278 leds) off of a Lil DMXter. It went away when I switched to a console. I wonder if the output signal of the iDMX is wavering and adding an additional start command or if ocassionally it is sending 513 addresses.
Might just be time to put an iDMX on a scope and see what the signal looks like.
Greg -
how are you running the iDMX - is it from a usb->LOR or a DB9(serial)->LOR Is the usb port a version2 or 1? -if it applies
do the flashing colors flash at full intensity?
Hi Dr Jones:
I forgot to mention earlier these strips only use 4 channels.
I am using a LOR 4858 USB unit from my winXP pc..
Yes the colors that flash seem to do it at full intensity, but they are so brief it is hard to be sure.
I talked to our AV guy in town today (at the local high school), who has one of the same Chauvet colorstrips! He said them dim fine using standard DMX consoles, and thinks my issue is coming from the software/DMX interface unit....
I was having a similar flash when fading a gen 1 Colorblast (yes the one with 278 leds) off of a Lil DMXter. It went away when I switched to a console. I wonder if the output signal of the iDMX is wavering and adding an additional start command or if ocassionally it is sending 513 addresses.
Might just be time to put an iDMX on a scope and see what the signal looks like.
Dr. Jones,
That is a good point. I emailed my Chauvet rep to see what he thinks, but he hasn't anwered me yet. After he replies we can put our heads together and try to get to the bottom of it.
I doubt Greg has a hard console he can connect to.
Charles
The school has a console, but they can't get at it until the fall semester starts.
Based on what the AV guy told me, his strip dims fine. If mine do on his console, that would rule the strips out.
Having 3 strips I really doubt it is an issue with all 3 of them, which brings me back to an issue with the interface at some level (pc/software/IDMX 1000)..
I was having a similar flash when fading a gen 1 Colorblast (yes the one with 278 leds) off of a Lil DMXter. It went away when I switched to a console. I wonder if the output signal of the iDMX is wavering and adding an additional start command or if ocassionally it is sending 513 addresses.
Might just be time to put an iDMX on a scope and see what the signal looks like.
Dr. Jones,
That is a good point. I emailed my Chauvet rep to see what he thinks, but he hasn't anwered me yet. After he replies we can put our heads together and try to get to the bottom of it.
I doubt Greg has a hard console he can connect to.
Charles
The school has a console, but they can't get at it until the fall semester starts.
Based on what the AV guy told me, his strip dims fine. If mine do on his console, that would rule the strips out.
Having 3 strips I really doubt it is an issue with all 3 of them, which brings me back to an issue with the interface at some level (pc/software/IDMX 1000)..
Greg
Greg,
Here is the response from Chauvet.
"Charles,
Dwight is out of town, but I have looked at your e-mail and have the following questions –
What kind of console is your friend using?
Are the fixtures sharing DMX channels?
If is a fader board, can he try changing the DMX channels to see if the problem moves with the channels or if it’s a problem with the fader
If he is using a computer console – is the DMX line terminated?
It almost sounds like a DMX reflection problem or a bad data line. Can he change the line from the controller to the first fixture?
If none of these suggestions work, please give me a shout.
Thanks,
Michael Graham - Sales Support Manager"
____________________________________________________________________
Greg,
Can you get your hands on a dmx console to check this out? If not, then I would call Dan or John at LOR and see what they think.
Please keep us in the loop on this.
Charles
Last edited on Fri Aug 15th, 2008 06:48 am by Charles Belcher
Dwight is out of town, but I have looked at your e-mail and have the following questions –
What kind of console is your friend using? LOR IDMX 1000
Are the fixtures sharing DMX channels?No, I am only using one for testing
If is a fader board, can he try changing the DMX channels to see if the problem moves with the channels or if it’s a problem with the fader
If he is using a computer console – is the DMX line terminated?Yes, it's terminated with a 120 ohm 1/4 watt resistor between the data pins (2 and 3)
It almost sounds like a DMX reflection problem or a bad data line. That was my initial thought alsoCan he change the line from the controller to the first fixture?I could make up another brand new line, but I made this one myself, and know it is good.
If none of these suggestions work, please give me a shout.
Thanks,
Michael Graham - Sales Support Manager"
____________________________________________________________________
Greg,
Can you get your hands on a dmx console to check this out? I can, but not until September, once school is back in session!If not, then I would call Dan or John at LOR and see what they think. Dan/John - have you either of guys been reading this thread?
Please keep us in the loop on this.Will do, as I expect others may run into this problem along the way as well, which is why I posted it.
CharlesThanks for following through on this Charles!Greg
I emailed your answers and some further comments to Mike at Chauvet. I will let you know what he says.
My guess is that everything will work correctly with a hard console. I had some similar problems when I was programming my DMX Demo for the Texas Workshop. They weren't exactly what you are experiencing, but wierdness in general that went away when I hooked up a DMX console. I never did isolate the problems, I just danced around them.
Charles
Last edited on Fri Aug 15th, 2008 08:35 pm by Charles Belcher
I
Might just be time to put an iDMX on a scope and see what the signal looks like.
Dr. Jones,
I am going to have my bench tech put a iDMX-1000 on the scope next week. He has some advanced DMX testing equipment so hopefully we can see what is going on. I will post the results when I get them.
" From: tech3 Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 4:22 PM To: mike Subject: RE: LED strips
Check if there is a polarity switch on the converter box or check if the converter is receiving or sending dmx.
From: mike Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 3:35 PM To: Charles Belcher Cc: tech3 Subject: RE: LED strips
I will forward this on to the technical department. I have not seen this before and I want to make sure that we can help you out.
Thanks,
Michael Graham - Sales Support Manager"
____________________________________________________________________
I am sure you have done this but I have to make sure we are covering all the bases.
Have you tried switching the polarity switch to both positions? The "normal" position is towards the center of the iDMX. I haven't answered this email yet.
Charles
Last edited on Fri Aug 15th, 2008 10:31 pm by Charles Belcher
I tired switching to the other polarity on the IDMX 1000 as well. I should have mentioned that, bit it slipped my mind. No change with that switch in either position.
I also noticed, and perhaps this is relevant, or perhaps this is just normal operation, that the data light on the DMX input/output side of the IDMX 1000 box is contantly flashing, sending out packets of information I assume.
This occurs constantly, even when I am using the LOR console in the HWU and not changing any of the slider positions.
I have assumed this just means that the IDMX 1000 sends out the same packets repeatedly, as there are no acknowledgments sent back from the end devices..
Dr. Jones wrote: The blinking led is normal operation
Data LED
Blinks once for every 40 DMX packets transmitted if
no DMX input detected on the
DMX In connector.
Steady on when a DMX input signal is being passed
through to the DMX output.
That's what I thought, but it as that LED continuosly blinks, whether I am sending DMX commands out via software/HWU, or not, I just wanted to be sure...
Here is today's reply from Chauvet after my last email to them.
____________________________________________________
From: Charles Belcher [mailto:charlesb@onstagesystems.com] Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 2:42 AM To: tech3 Subject: Re: LED strips
tech3,
Yes, there is a polarity switch on the converter box, and when in the "normal" position, the fixture has the problem. The converter has a light that blinks when receiving and/or sending DMX and the box is working with all other DMX devices.
Charles
And today's reply.
From Tech3
It sounds like the dmx output on the converter box is bad.
___________________________________________________
That sounds like the official "blow-off" response from Chauvet. Without having the iDMX and the LED, they are at a loss on how to troubleshoot any further.
I guess the next step is to try the hard console in September. Sorry, I couldn't get you further down the road.
I talked to the school AV guy. the school will be open the first week i nSeptemeber, which is not that long to wait.
He doesn't know LOR, but is willing to bet me that the strips will dim fine using the school's DMX console. Given that all 3 strips act the same way, I find myself agreeing with his assessment.
