Go Back   ControlBooth > CB Discussions > Lighting
 
    Advanced Search

Notices

Lighting For any discussions related to lighting


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old April 30th, 2007, 12:22 PM

 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 100
Thanks: 12
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

Our facility (built in 1998) was not wired for DMX distribution, other than from the console to the dimmer racks. I looked at running traditional cable, Ethernet and some of the proprietary Ethernet (Pathport, ETCNet) distribution schemes, but recently came across the Wireless Solutions http://www.wirelessdmx.com/ line of wireless DMX transmitters & receivers. It is much less expensive than most of the other equipment I've seen. It uses GSM cell phone technology instead of the WiFi technology some other companies use, and is built into rugged, metal cases. So far it rocks! I bought a package of one transmitter (transmits a full 512 channel DMX universe) and four receivers. Setup is a breeze; push one button on the transmiiter and all the receivers sync to that transmitter. It has battery backup, so even if you remove power, it retains the sync when you power it back up. I've been able to get full signal strength from one end of the building to the other! Check out the new Generation 3 series for some added features not available in he S1/T1/R512 models. Although Generation 3 is shown on the home page, they apparently have not updated the website Products or Downloads pages to incorporate the Gen3 line. Wireless Solutions claims their systems can support up to 16 DMX universes. TMB is the US distributor.

If anyone else is using wireless DMX, please share your experience.
Reply With Quote
Old April 30th, 2007, 02:34 PM
Footer's Avatar
Senior Team
 Premium Member 
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Posts: 3,752
Thanks: 1
Thanked 134 Times in 129 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

I have yet to work on the show that I have felt needed it. I'm still a hard line person, and will be for a long time. However, when that show comes along that has that moving set piece that is loaded with gear, I will be looking the wireless DMX way. I have heard very good things out of the city theatrical product.
Reply With Quote
Old April 30th, 2007, 02:57 PM

 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Kilmarnock, VA
Posts: 1,069
Thanks: 41
Thanked 41 Times in 39 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

This is about the easiest and least expensive way of having wireless DMX.



Each unit is both a transmitter and receiver. Two are required as a minimum. MAP price is $ 179.99 per unit.
__________________
Thanks,
Bill - ESC
Entertainment Systems Corporation
Innovative production assistance since 1973
Sales - Rentals - Design - Consulting
800-582-2421 - bill@entsyscorp.com
Reply With Quote
Old April 30th, 2007, 03:05 PM
wakkoroti's Avatar

 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 43
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

Speaking from experience here. Do not use wireless DMX until you have exhausted every avenue for running wires. While in most theatre environments, the likelihood is low that you'll have an interference problem, it is still just one more thing that can stop working and give you grief.
Reply With Quote
Old April 30th, 2007, 11:53 PM
Senior Team
 Premium Member 
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,416
Thanks: 5
Thanked 81 Times in 66 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

Yup, thick walls tend to block sygnals. Wirless DMX works well in going from DMX to Ethernet say than converting back but it all as a concept depends upon the ability for both stations to either connect with something out in space or in as if wireless microphone, something sort of line of sight in a place that no doubt has 18" thick walls to say the least.

Was involved in doing Millenium park in Chicago wireless a few years ago, no huge walls.

It's an option but as said, not the first choice if at all possible in running pipe and cable. At this point, given somewhere well over a dozen or two eight universe DMX front of house snakes, two 28 universe DMX snake and just having goine fiber optic for three more front of house snakes, none of our operations are wireless. Perhaps one or two but them is never used if other than absolutely necessary.

Not dependable by way of line of sight. Avoid wireless DMX unless line of sight or absolutely necessary.

Why do you want to do this anyway? Is there a real reason other than doing so because it's a concept?
Reply With Quote
Old May 1st, 2007, 04:21 AM
What Rigger?'s Avatar

 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Top of some mountain.
Posts: 291
Thanks: 3
Thanked 19 Times in 13 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

Gawd, I hate being sworn to secrecy! My gig uses wireless DMX. I can tell you it's been very reliable. I just can't tell you what it's for. Job requirement and all.

Let's just say we go very, very fast with it.
__________________
"Dig through the ditches, and burn through the witches and slam in the back of my Dragula!"-Rob Zombie/"Dragula"
Reply With Quote
Old May 1st, 2007, 04:43 AM

 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 363
Thanks: 8
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

Quote:
Originally Posted by What Rigger? View Post
Gawd, I hate being sworn to secrecy! My gig uses wireless DMX. I can tell you it's been very reliable. I just can't tell you what it's for. Job requirement and all.
Let's just say we go very, very fast with it.

hmmmm....my guess is the pan/tilt on the cameras mounted in nascars.
__________________
It's all about the out!
Tom
Uptown Lighting and Sound
Production Services and Equipment Rentals
Now Renting the New SMARTFADE ML
[url]www.uptownlightingandsound.com[/url]
Reply With Quote
Old May 1st, 2007, 08:27 AM
len len is offline
 Premium Member 

 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,396
Thanks: 8
Thanked 32 Times in 28 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

I used some Martin stuff a couple years ago. It was line of sight, but far, about 700 feet. Worked fine. Can't remember much else about it. But like everything else, the technology is now better and cheaper.
__________________
http://www.chicagolightingdesign.com
"I don't feel it's healthy to keep your faults bottled up inside me." - Bucky Katt
Reply With Quote
Old May 1st, 2007, 10:52 PM
Senior Team
 Premium Member 
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,416
Thanks: 5
Thanked 81 Times in 66 Posts
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

thus is true, probably can also have the antenna mounted in front of the main drape so as to get reception.

It does work as a system if needed to be used.
Reply With Quote
Old May 2nd, 2007, 02:36 PM

 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Durban, South Africa
Posts: 90
Thanks: 3
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Send a message via Skype™ to Thomas
Default Re: Is anyone else using wireless DMX?

I use the identical system pacman mentions starting this thread, and I've got to say I want at least two more- there's nothing easier than plugging your lights into a wireless receiver and rocking out!

I'm in the staging market now, so it'll all get-in, set up, plot, busk, strike, sleep for 30 mins and start again, and popping a receiver on every truss I pull up saves me searching for the one buggered cable in the rig, and being able to plot from any position makes life SO much easier, I don't think I'll ever hardwire by choice again!

For marquee gigs its vital, for massive arenas is a must, for anything with a bit of distance its absolutely mandatory and for simple ease of use its unbeatable- but in a theatre? Come now, run cable, it'll cost you so much less, and why bother? Get a DMX isolator at the end of the cable from your desk and send a line up each LX and life will be good.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
dmx, wireless

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Wireless? Sound 23 January 21st, 2009 04:16 PM
DMX Lighting dangreaves Lighting 8 July 28th, 2006 09:24 AM
The DMX World zac850 Lighting 11 February 26th, 2004 09:06 AM


All times are UTC -4. The time now is 10:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.1 
Advertisement System V2.6 By   Branden

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80