Hi,
This is sort of part of a topic I have going -- from the POV of other concerns.
First, computer control. As others have stated - probably not with your board in-line. BUT, cheap
DMX control is out there. There are USB>
DMX boxes under $100, maybe even under $50 on ebay.
Here is one example: (I don't know this product, but ask people here and someone should have tried it.)
LIGHTFACTORY Starter Pack
and another for $85.
VELLEMAN USB DMX Interface Software Lighting PC Controller DJ
My
point is maybe you can cut the control corner - as it were.
Now, I know you have "no money." Everybody is in the same boat. None the less, the Student Council often has funds just for students' use. Ask them for some. Also, people can sell flowers (or souvenirs or tours) at the show - the flowers often net more than $100 at our shows. I think you get my
point.
Another source is the computer club - or the gathering of the geeks (meant in a good way) at your school. Notice that there is a DLL provided for writing your own control software. Hmmmmm. I think anyone with a computer to
play with might know how to raise $100. Someone might even consider this approach really fun.
Aside: We needed a sound computer. We found the biggest geek on campus and challenged him to
build it. He did the research, design,
etc, and then we set out to get the parts. It wasn't as hard as it sounds, and it was totally "outside of budget." It is still in service 4 years later.
DXM cable length and the quality of the cable do matter. 200 feet or shorter to one
dimmer pack is not likely to cause a problem. Going over 300-400 feet with multiple devices has cause me some issues. Furthermore, I only run spec'd
DMX cable.
I have never tried the
cat5 solution, but now I want to. That is much cheaper than
5 wire insulated cable I use.
You may have seen this:
"The
DMX512 signal is transmitted via the industry standard interface EIA485, more familiarly known as RS485. RS485 is a balanced connection. The standard wiring is a twisted-pair, shielded, low-capacitance data cable designed for RS-485 -- never use standard
microphone cable. Recommended cables are Belden 8227, Belden 9156, Belden 43906 (European
DMX Cable Version)."
site:
About DMX-512 lighting protocol - Pangolin Laser Systems
I can tell you I have spent a good part of a week (time fit into an already busy tech week schedule) looking for that offending piece of equipment that was issuing a blip in our
DMX line. You really don't want your
DMX fixtures resetting during a touching scene - or anytime during the show, really. The moral of this story is to give yourself plenty of time to "
chase the demons."
I hope this helps.
John