lights from a computer

[simchapup]

ok the theatre im working at has an old leperchaun light board and i was wondering if there was anyway to plug my computer into that and then run it that way so i could program pre set cues if any one knows any thing please help

 

[len]

None of which I'm aware. It is possible to control dmx via a pc or a mac, but either requires a hardware interface. The various interfaces could run from under $100 to over $1,500. Software is typically downloadable for free. Do a search on this forum for pc dmx and the like.

 

[Pie4Weebl]

A program I am learning right now is Whole Hog II PC, the software is free but the usb adapter costs $75 a week to rent. The software is also more focused on moving lights.

 

[soundman]

magic Q is free and an open usb converter is like $54. I kind of like the magic Q software but have never used it in a show.

 

[len]

A program I am learning right now is Whole Hog II PC, the software is free but the usb adapter costs $75 a week to rent. The software is also more focused on moving lights.

To speed up the learning curve on that, try and get 2 (3 is even better) monitors and find the hotkey/shortcuts panel. Once you get the pc version in your fingers, the actual Hog II, III, and iPC are much easier to learn.

 

[Footer]

leprecon is famous for not having any type of control possibility outside the board.... google lanbox for a cheap DMX computer based controller

 

[jfitzpat]

ok the theatre im working at has an old leperchaun light board and i was wondering if there was anyway to plug my computer into that and then run it that way so i could program pre set cues if any one knows any thing please help

All of our interfaces, including our 'mini' include a DMX input precisely for this purpose. Many schools and churchs have been using us to add intelligent lighting to their existing theatrical setup, but you could also use us a mechanism to add 'presets' (what we would call 'cues').

We didn't originally develop the product line for theatrical applications. We were looking at people who really needed a Hog or Grand MA, but lacked the staff, space, or capitol. However, since we have been filling the niche as a theatrical add-on we have been adding more theatre oriented features.

UKSLC.org just reviewed us here (with our 4 universe X1, not our 1 universe mini), and noted that we are already a lot more theatre friendly than most PC offerings, which seemed geared towards DJ usage. (Though, to be honest, I think that many of the offerings don't do a particularly good job of servicing the DJ market either.)

I do suggest trying before buying, you can run us with a demo version of LewLight's Capture or ArKaos VJ DMX without any hardware and get a real feel for how the software operates.

-jjf

 

[Foxinabox10]

All of our interfaces, including our 'mini' include a DMX input precisely for this purpose. Many schools and churchs have been using us to add intelligent lighting to their existing theatrical setup, but you could also use us a mechanism to add 'presets' (what we would call 'cues').

We didn't originally develop the product line for theatrical applications. We were looking at people who really needed a Hog or Grand MA, but lacked the staff, space, or capitol. However, since we have been filling the niche as a theatrical add-on we have been adding more theatre oriented features.

UKSLC.org just reviewed us here (with our 4 universe X1, not our 1 universe mini), and noted that we are already a lot more theatre friendly than most PC offerings, which seemed geared towards DJ usage. (Though, to be honest, I think that many of the offerings don't do a particularly good job of servicing the DJ market either.)

I do suggest trying before buying, you can run us with a demo version of LewLight's Capture or ArKaos VJ DMX without any hardware and get a real feel for how the software operates.

-jjf

Please watch the advertisement of one's own product on the forums. This is against the rules and although you are trying to help, I believe you crossed the line by touting your product and talking about the positive reviews. Seperate yourself from the company and just throw it out there as a suggestion.

 

[jfitzpat]

Please watch the advertisement of one's own product on the forums. This is against the rules and although you are trying to help, I believe you crossed the line by touting your product and talking about the positive reviews. Seperate yourself from the company and just throw it out there as a suggestion.

I'm sorry, I thought all were relevant, DMX->PC, PC application in theatre, etc. were all brought up in the thread.

I honestly wasn't thinking in terms of 'advertisment', that is why I was frank that theatre was not the primary target when I initially designed the product.

'Seperate' seems a bit dishonest. I generally try to keep it completely clear that I am speaking from a specific company point of view so that readers can be forewarned. Simply making a recommendation without making my relationship clear makes me uncomfortable.

If I wasn't concise, my recommendation was 'try before buy' for all the products, not just ours. The myriad of offerings vary wildly in terms of quality, features, and approach.

In re-reading my post the one line that I do regret was sharing my opinion on user value of some products. It was an honest and, I would hope, not an entirely subjective opinion - but one best not publicly expressed.

-jjf

 

[AVGuyAndy]

I'm sorry, I thought all were relevant, DMX->PC, PC application in theatre, etc. were all brought up in the thread.

I honestly wasn't thinking in terms of 'advertisment', that is why I was frank that theatre was not the primary target when I initially designed the product.

'Seperate' seems a bit dishonest. I generally try to keep it completely clear that I am speaking from a specific company point of view so that readers can be forewarned. Simply making a recommendation without making my relationship clear makes me uncomfortable.

If I wasn't concise, my recommendation was 'try before buy' for all the products, not just ours. The myriad of offerings vary wildly in terms of quality, features, and approach.

In re-reading my post the one line that I do regret was sharing my opinion on user value of some products. It was an honest and, I would hope, not an entirely subjective opinion - but one best not publicly expressed.

-jjf

The rule on the LAB is that you can't comment on your products unless someone else brings up your specific product first. I think that would be a good rule for here too? Dave?

 

[Pie4Weebl]

To speed up the learning curve on that, try and get 2 (3 is even better) monitors and find the hotkey/shortcuts panel. Once you get the pc version in your fingers, the actual Hog II, III, and iPC are much easier to learn.

Yeah I have been working some on my home pc which has two monitors, got the hang of switching between them on the laptop though, since that is what I will be running the show off of. After reading throught the whole manual this week I can see how it would be a snap to control an actual hog 2 board and not so hard to learn to use ipc or hog 3. I can't wait to get my hands on the fixtures on monday. Woo for my first time using movers. I would have rented the iPC but the difference was $75 v. $3xx.

 

[jfitzpat]

The rule on the LAB is that you can't comment on your products unless someone else brings up your specific product first. I think that would be a good rule for here too? Dave?

Again, I had been trying to use the 'in appropriate response to an question/subject' standard, since I saw other vendors and resellers making direct responses/product recommendations in other threads.

But whatever the rules are, I'm happy to comply, regardless of what others do.

-jjf

 

[bdesmond]

I don't know what the official rule is nor can I speak for Dave, but, I don't see the problem given the poster identified himself as a stakeholder in the organization which makes the product he was promoting...