Recent content by tcahall

I once took a course from a developer that built top secret heads up displays for the air force (years ago). They had multi hundred million dollar devices and, when they acted up, they turned them over and pounded on them. While a bit extreme, most of these kinds of problems are connectors or...

Two things come immediately to mind. The first is that, while it is inadvisable to run 2300W on a 2400W circuit unless it is specifically designed to do so, you can, very likely, run 2300W of lights at 80% on any 2400W circuit for a very long time. Second, while you are quite limited in your...

I picked up 4 1kL 20-40 zooms for a bargain price and am quite happy with them. They probably weigh more than twice the weight of a 360Q (definitely a better choice in the used fixture market), but do the job. I have not experienced the field or focus problems mentioned (although the...

I am a huge fan of MagicQ on PC. However, for your application and population, get a conventional, two scene hardware console that has some patching and programming ability. You will be much happier in the long run. If you are working larger rigs, movers, LEDs (especially if you are putting...

I agree that MagicQ is a full blown moving lights console in the category of the Hog III, Jands Vista and the GrandMA (without inciting a flame fest on which is the best console). If you are looking for a quick PC focus capability, it will certainly do that, but is not optimized for it...

I use both Freestyler and MagicQ and they are not anywhere near the same level. MagicQ is a true, full blown, lighting console. Freestyler is a useful lighting software that does support moving lights efficiently. You can only run one cue at a time on Freestyler (so you either have to build...

The CAT 5 vs CAT 6 argument gets very technical, and very esoteric, very quickly. If you are planning on running gigabit Ethernet to the bars, then CAT 6 is a good idea. If you think 100 Mb/s will transport your lighting control signals for the foreseeable future, CAT 5 or CAT 5e is fine...

Take a look at Openoffice.org You can download a complete, very, very functional version of all of the office applications for free. Tim.

With regard to your DMX cabling, if you put one drop per pipe, you are setting yourself up to purchase a DMX splitter as DMX is a daisy chain network. Since you are using CAT 5, it is pretty inexpensive to place a CAT 5 drop at each end of the pipe with a home run connection to the dimmer room...

Actually, the LightLock answer may be a great solution. One of these attached to the electric should be able to steady the entire pipe during focus. You could then remove it and move it to the next and so on. Of course, removing the LightLock might change the hang, so you may want to leave it...

I apologize for hijacking the thread, but, based upon the above quote, I followed the link to dimmerDotCom's page. I was not aware of his son's current issues. I don't know Maurice personally, but thought the group should be aware.Tim.

QLooks like interesting stuff. I didn't want to end up with anything that was "Christmas show" specific. Also, I already had the dimmers and dongle. If you want the programming to be song specific, you can use MagicQ and MIDI triggers to have more precise programming. The "built for...

I actually have one of these running at a local shopping mall. Since we are in a mall environment, I can't just use music on my iPod, I have to use the Muzak they already have. I use an Enttec Pro dongle (usually backing up MagicQ) and Freestyler software (free). It allows you to sense the...

Has anyone heard of or seen a simple dmx protocol analyzer that is PC based? I am thinking of using an Enttec dongle with some software that will allow me to see what is coming down the DMX channel. If no one has heard of one, does anyone think this would be of value? I realize that there...

...with a shield. Pin 1 of the standard is for ground. Tim.