Control/Dimming DMX to CD-80 control?

[shiben]

So question about the wall station support. Would it interface with our Lithonia system that is already in place? The system we have speced would have dual control, a preset computer system and a DMX512 input so that we could use our Congo Jr.s or Ion (and possibly the Element that is also in red tape right now) to control the system, and if we can hook it right into the Lithonia system, we could deal with smaller groups that dont need a full crew out, and our sound op can turn on the lights for them.

 

[Darthrob13]

So question about the wall station support. Would it interface with our Lithonia system that is already in place? The system we have speced would have dual control, a preset computer system and a DMX512 input so that we could use our Congo Jr.s or Ion (and possibly the Element that is also in red tape right now) to control the system, and if we can hook it right into the Lithonia system, we could deal with smaller groups that dont need a full crew out, and our sound op can turn on the lights for them.

I suspect that you're Lithonia system is hooked to the racks via the DMX converters (unless I am sun-burnt from being at the beach all week and remembering incorrectly that you have converters). If this is the case, then you will just have to make sure that the dimmers are still being addressed by the Lithonia system in the same place.

 

[DimmerDotCom]

I would like to add though, if you have an issue with the Johnson Systems stuff, its a call and shipping to Canada to get it fixed. I had a part out for over a month and a half without a spare a few months ago.

Sounds like more an issue with your dealer than JSI. FActories are inherently slow. Sometimes the lowest bid gets you that and nothing else. I service the JSI equipment I sell. I try to stock chips and what not and repair assemblies to the component level - even warranty. I sell the JSI line across the country and into South America.

I had a PT-PACK failure this year from a customer in Alabama. End user shipped it to me, repaired it quite easily, and sent it back pre-paid overnight. Factory wanted to question how it failed and whether it should be covered under warranty (protection transorbs on the DMX input took a hit from an external source most likely). Me, as Emlight, I don't have the time and energy to deal with these issues. Send it to me, I'll fix it under warranty and I'll deal with the other end with the factory - the end user should not have to. Do you send your Honda Civic to the Honda factory in Ohio when it needs repair under warranty?

 

[rschwimmer]

I have used both the CD2000 upgrade and the C21 upgrade for CD-80's. The CD2000 upgrade does what it needs to do. It does have a few frills such as wall station support. The C21 upgrade does have some nice features as well. Shownet support is great (Is it ACN Yet?). Also, you get a login to the actual rack to detect errors, etc. All in all, both do the same thing, it just depends on what you need.

I would like to add though, if you have an issue with the Johnson Systems stuff, its a call and shipping to Canada to get it fixed. I had a part out for over a month and a half without a spare a few months ago.

I agree with your last statement. I have heard of replacements, or fixing of the Johnson System's has taken time. On the same hand, I have heard that we have previously been known to not have good customer support, or product support. Since the move to Dallas, Strand has really stepped up its game with Technical/Customer Support. I can only see it getting better and better from here on out.

 

[coldnorth57]

I am sorry BUT I have a CD 80 SV that has writen on the front "A" MUX and "B" MUX BUT that it runs on DMX as well as many other inputs check the manual

 

[derekleffew]

I am sorry BUT I have a CD 80 SV that has writen on the front "A" MUX and "B" MUX BUT that it runs on DMX as well as many other inputs check the manual

shiben's rack is a CD-80 (non-SV). I believe the CD-80 Supervisor was the third iteration of control cards for those racks.http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/members/shiben.html

 

[Darthrob13]

CD-80 (Original)
CD-80 AE (Advanced Electronics)
CD-80 SV (Supervisor)

The real advantage of C21 over Johnson is that if you need to update your wallstations, you can jump to VisionNet. With the Johnson unit (redundant?) you will need a DMX converter.

 

[rschwimmer]

CD-80 (Original)
CD-80 AE (Advanced Electronics)
CD-80 SV (Supervisor)

The real advantage of C21 over Johnson is that if you need to update your wallstations, you can jump to VisionNet. With the Johnson unit (redundant?) you will need a DMX converter.

Good information. I did not know that. Rob is the man, so when the real deep questions arise, you should always ask Rob, we miss him here

 

[DimmerDotCom]

CD-80 (Original)
CD-80 AE (Advanced Electronics)
CD-80 SV (Supervisor)

If you need to see pictures of the CD-80 electronics see my profile here and look at my picture albums.

As for which retrofit to go with, request a demo be installed in front of you from each manufacture. It'll open you eyes.

 

[ptero]

At our college, we began renovating our main concert hall.

<snip>

Can you convert a CD-80 rack to DMX for not a lot of money? We know of a full overhaul which would run around 30k, we were hoping for much less than that. Thanks for your help.

As others noted, a DMX > AMX converter should work. As long as a DMX port is available. I have been successfully driving three AMX CD-80 racks through an ETC converter, with a DMX Strand console, for some 20 years. Rock solid.

After a MLP, we bought one of the early 520's. Aside from the DMX ports, it came with one AMX port, but it wouldn't drive the Strand CD-80's very well. Some software clock issue was going on and they would all blink/burp every so often. Taking a DMX port through the ETC Converter resolved it. So the Strand dimmers preferred an ETC signal. Go figure.

The story we got was the engineers grudgingly included an amx port by spec with pressure from sales to not abandon the protocol. But they didn't bother to test it with their own legacy equipment. Dunno know how much of a story that is. Sounds good.

We also have a Strand-built AMX to Analog converter, for the really old rack, picking up it's AMX from the same DMX>AMX box. The darn things keep working.

Anyway, Good Luck.

 

[DimmerDotCom]

The story we got was the engineers grudgingly included an amx port by spec with pressure from sales to not abandon the protocol. But they didn't bother to test it with their own legacy equipment. Dunno know how much of a story that is.

Actually true. The Strand digital pack controllers have the same problems with Strand LBM's. The first dip switch on the controller is an AMX re-sampling enabler - its labelled reserved. There is also a potentiometer on the main board near the CPU that lets you tweak the timing of the AMX receive circuit. AMX equals bad in my book. Spec was so wide you could have two pieces of equipment within spec but not talk to each other.

As for C21 retrofits, how long is Strand gonna provide support on that like they did with SLD and SV, hmm? I'd wait for the new Phillips Strand products as they don't consider the old stuff their problem. Ask any hotel casino show venue in Vegas whether Strand will be allowed back in soon.

 

[Rob]

The rack conversion kits are definitely the way to go if you have a large number of existing dimmers. The CD 80s do have a reputation for longevity and the Johnson conversion has proven itself as well. I'm not familiar with the Strand conversion kit, but see no reason why it shouldn't last a long time too.

But if you're only trying to extend the life of a couple of racks that aren't going to be heavily used, as seems to be the case here, protocol converters are probably a better choice. For $1500 or less, the Fleenor DMX2AMX or our own Ultimate Converter will give you up to 384 channels of DMX to AMX control, and should last the remaining life of those dimmers.

Robert Armstrong
Technical Sales
Pathway Connectivity

 

[ptero]

For $1500 or less, the Fleenor DMX2AMX or our own Ultimate Converter will give you up to 384 channels of DMX to AMX control, and should last the remaining life of those dimmers.

Robert Armstrong
Technical Sales
Pathway Connectivity

Agreed. We have been heavily using our AMX CD-80 paks for 20 years with an ETC DMX>AMX convertor. The dang setup keeps working. As does the mid-60's vintage Model 300 Century Rack of 6K's by way of that same convertor - to a Strand AMX>Analog convertor - to the rack.

 

[Lotos]

Agreed. We have been heavily using our AMX CD-80 paks for 20 years with an ETC DMX>AMX convertor. The dang setup keeps working.

You can ditto that...
We've got two DMX>AMX convertors... A 'Protocol Converter Gray Box Interface' that we used to use, and an ETC Response Converter that we currently use. The AMX is nessecary because 3 of our 6 Strand CD80 Packs are AMX.
(We had to switch out and purchase the ETC... As the Marquee ILC we were using for a year or two didn't like the Gray Box we had... Near as I can tell... Gray Interfaces became, was bought by, is part of Pathway Systems these days...)
Trust me, the irony of an ETC product sitting in line between our Strand Control Board and our Strand Dimming System is not lost on me...

Occasionally the AMX will kick out... Usually a result of a nasty power fluctuation... (Last occured when there were Tornados in the area) at which point the boxes need to be manually power cycled... But that's about it...

Vintage CD80 Packs are INDESTRUCTABLE!