Thelightinggal
Member
So, I have always wondered this, how do you make a DMX terminator? Is there a guide, or does someone here know? I want to know how to make them...thank you!
Some older equipment, as well as modern DJ grade equipment use 3 pin connectors since pins 4 and 5 are not typically used in most DMX applications.
AH makes sense, now for another question..what are pins 4 and 5 used for when they are used? Just trying to understand as much as possible....
There really never has been a "standard". In the past, it has carried a "dimmer overtemp" signal other related events designed to give feedback to the board operator. In my understanding, DMX 4 & 5 have been a "free for all", except in cases where those pins carry power, which I believe is highly discouraged.
3-pin DMX is just designed to cut the costs where they aren't being utilized. Several companies make adapters so you can use 5-pin cable for 3-pin lights and vise-versa (as long as those conductors aren't being used).
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/21566-dmx-5-pin-3-pin.html#post191872Do you know why it was forbidden?
(Is ET still in business? Why does every link on Entertainment Technology require a User Name and Password? Seems to me they don't appear to want to advertise their wares or sell anything.)
I can help fill in some of those blanks. Van will no doubt fill in the rest. (It's a short but sordid history, and similar to, but much more convoluted than ColorTran, Berkey Colortran, LEE Colotran, NSI Colortran, Leviton.)
I can help fill in some of those blanks. Van will no doubt fill in the rest. (It's a short but sordid history, and similar to, but much more convoluted than ColorTran, Berkey Colortran, LEE Colotran, NSI Colortran, Leviton.)
ET was originally sold only by Rosco, starting in 1995?
The agreement ended in ? and ET was its own company.
At some point I believe ET merged with Horizon Controls.
One of the non-working links on the ET site above is titled "Philips Completes Acquisition of Genlyte, 1.29.08.
You may recognize Genlyte as the purchaser of Vari*lite in 2002, and other semi-familiar brands such as Lightolier, Stonco, and Bronzelite.
At LDI 2008, I asked the ET booth, "Why do you have the Marquee console here, and across the aisle is Strand's Palette and LightPalette lines, both being derived from Horizon Controls?" They answered, "Honestly, we're asking ourselves that same question."
More is probably at the collab article, Memory Lighting Control Systems, History - ControlBooth , but I haven't time to check.
As for the pros and cons of dimmer, IGBT , see the thread http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/9344-sensor-vs-et-intelligent-raceway.html .
It's been a whiloe since I was in contact with any of the folks at ET. I was an ET feild tech for several years, specificallyt for Horizon and Vista control systems and for all forms of IPS < Intelligent Power Systems> Dimmers. They did have a couple of addresses in Portland. It's possible tht if you have dims with and "Front St. " address I might have assembled them. After The Phillips / Genlyte deal I lost track of Gordon. I should probably email him just to stay in touch. Gordon Pearlman who was the president / owner of ET seemed to keep moving around with the company. When they merged with Rosco, he kept the company here. When Genlyte bought them they wanted the whole kit and kaboodle in Texas. < No, Thank you. I do not wish to move there again.> After that I would occasionally see Gordon at ART functions and he would cryptically say things were really cooking at Genlyte. That's all I really know.As someone with install of over 400 ET dimmers and running Horizon, I can tell you that they split a long time ago. I recently had occasions to contact Horizon tech support after the recent sale, they are no longer providing support at all. I believe ET dimmers are no longer available. I have recently had to have 2 repaired. After an 11 week turn around, they came back with a return address with a Strand contact.
~Dave
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