Friend of mine has a band and is looking to start doing lights for it after like 15 years without.
Been a while since I have been on that side of the fence or did much reading into such things so now I'm asking.
He is looking at a cheap PC based computer program light board that he can use on a lap top. Don't know what brand but its cheap.
Says it is USB to DMX in adaptor that I cannot see. Done ethernet to DMX adaptors but not the other.
Anyway, anyone use or have such things as the PC based laptop light board program? Any use, can you use it as per a normal light board such as beyond bump buttons, cues etc, go into patching etc? We are not talking Hog PC here, something on the market for really cheap.
How would one go about making a USB to DMX adaptor of would one best buy such a thing? I know Ethernet to DMX adaptors used in some Color Blast power supplies simply use the first three pins of the ethernet in parallel but am not aware of pins for USB.
Next he is choosing between Chauvet or American DJ for four channel small dimmers. Which is better if either and any further notes beyond getting what you pay for (keep in mind liable in playing nice for personal experience). More in general or base and not official noting of this brand sux type overall stuff.
by the way, gee thanks for the advice in stuff I no longer stay much in touched with the market on. Been a few years since the last time I heard about the PC light board, than as with now I already noted to him the advantages of if such a PC had various patch and hook up screens as a proper light board would be of advantage (possibly not given an economy version), but on the other hand a cheap light board while it would not have as much options and features might be easier to control during the show as a major advantage. This the overall advice. It's not as if you can use a tablet, template and stylist pen to control the lights off a PC, or can you off a cheap lighting program that no doubt than wouldn't speak Auto Cadd DXF the tablet might want to.
Reminds me of a computer and tablet way back when.... (off subject....) a friend would be using my mouse, I would grab the pointer on the tablet and take over control, loved that feature.
Been a while since I have been on that side of the fence or did much reading into such things so now I'm asking.
He is looking at a cheap PC based computer program light board that he can use on a lap top. Don't know what brand but its cheap.
Says it is USB to DMX in adaptor that I cannot see. Done ethernet to DMX adaptors but not the other.
Anyway, anyone use or have such things as the PC based laptop light board program? Any use, can you use it as per a normal light board such as beyond bump buttons, cues etc, go into patching etc? We are not talking Hog PC here, something on the market for really cheap.
How would one go about making a USB to DMX adaptor of would one best buy such a thing? I know Ethernet to DMX adaptors used in some Color Blast power supplies simply use the first three pins of the ethernet in parallel but am not aware of pins for USB.
Next he is choosing between Chauvet or American DJ for four channel small dimmers. Which is better if either and any further notes beyond getting what you pay for (keep in mind liable in playing nice for personal experience). More in general or base and not official noting of this brand sux type overall stuff.
by the way, gee thanks for the advice in stuff I no longer stay much in touched with the market on. Been a few years since the last time I heard about the PC light board, than as with now I already noted to him the advantages of if such a PC had various patch and hook up screens as a proper light board would be of advantage (possibly not given an economy version), but on the other hand a cheap light board while it would not have as much options and features might be easier to control during the show as a major advantage. This the overall advice. It's not as if you can use a tablet, template and stylist pen to control the lights off a PC, or can you off a cheap lighting program that no doubt than wouldn't speak Auto Cadd DXF the tablet might want to.
Reminds me of a computer and tablet way back when.... (off subject....) a friend would be using my mouse, I would grab the pointer on the tablet and take over control, loved that feature.