​Enttec OpenDMX not working on Windows 10 Pro

[Armando]

@zentinel For a long time I had a similar problem with my enttec mk2. I solved it installing the demo verison of EMU (enttec software) that installed the right drivers. Are you sure You have installed the right drivers ? Try that I have no problems with it now.

[zentinel]

Hello @armando, thank you very much for the hint. I installed EMU and also the FTDI's drivers for their FT232BM chip (a USB to Serial converter). Unfortunatelly, the problem persists.

@dbini thank you, we work with PC and Mac so any help is welcome!

@DusX, is this something common? Shall I get the Enttec Pro dongle as a solution? 

[DusX]

@zentinel said:

Shall I get the Enttec Pro dongle as a solution?

 I don't have any experience with this item either. The openDMX product, I know has been problematic for a number of users over the years.
Myself, I've been working mostly with products from DMXking. They are enttec compatible, and I have never had any issues.

[zentinel]

Thank you @dusx. We have been talking and we are definitely considering the DMXKing dongles you refered, or either the Enttec DMX USB Pro.

Please, what's your opinion on the eDMX2 MAX? If this USB-to-DMX dongle (that works with ArtNet/sACN as well) could be handled by Isadora without hassle, this would definitely be our way.

Besides (excuse so many questions), do we know if these dongles are buffered? Our current dongles seem to work with the FT232BM chip, which relies on the computer's CPU, no data buffer, so if the CPU ever gets too busy, our lights tend to fail (with another software).

[Juriaan]

@zentinel

So this is my hot-take, I would personally always opt-in to get a ArtNet device that outputs to multiple different protocols.

Why:

- They are easier to mount in a rack

- They are self-contained and use standard protocols that we use in the industry to output / input to lighting consoles

- They have their own DC power supply, so they don't require any power from the host

- You want your USB ports free for sensors / other media related input devices.. Please do not ever put multiple high-bandwith devices on the same USB lane.

- You can mount them in a trust, and just have a large Ethercon / Ethernet cable run that way, instead of requiring them to be close by your computer..

Regarding devices:

1. Enttec ODE Mk3
2. Showtec NET - 2/5 Pocket

Also make sure that you have the following on-hand:

1. Converters from 5 to 3 if needed
2. Terminators that you use at the end of the chain, if they are not self-terminating.

[Woland]

@juriaan said:

this is my hot-take

 When it comes to lighting, I don't see anything @Juriaan says as "hot takes"; I see anything that he has to say about lighting as straight-up solid advice.

[Armando]

@juriaan said:

Regarding devices:
1 Enttec ODE Mk3
2 Showtec NET - 2/5 Pocket

Also make sure that you have the following on-hand:

1 Converters from 5 to 3 if needed
2 Terminators that you use at the end of the chain, if they are not self-terminating.

 

I was just about to buy c couple of Enttec ODE MK3. Already have the converters but no terminators. How do I know it I need a terminator ? I have Pavotube nanlite 30 x led tubes. Any idea ? Thanks

[dbini]

@armando
as far as i know, its worth trying the setup without terminators. if it works fine, then you don't need them. if its glitching, you may fix the glitching by terminating the DMX properly at the end of the chain. DMX terminators are cheap, but am I right in remembering that the Pavotubes have little DMX sockets and you need to use adaptors? you would probably need an extra adaptor to plug in a terminator.

[dbini]

i'm currently building a control setup for an artist who has bought 4 x LED tubes that have RJ45 DMX sockets. I guess DMX over XLR is just too bulky for some of today's fixtures. Does anyone know of a small, simple, cheap DMX device with ethernet out? - either USB to DMX or a standalone, programmable controller.

[zentinel]

@juriaan said:

Showtec NET - 2/5 Pocket

This looks exactly like what we are looking for. Thank you very much, it solves a lot of hassle.

Haven't tried ArtNet and Isadora yet, but I guess it is not hard to set up, right? I am checking the ArtNet plugin. Is it as easy as setting ArtNet device's IP and sending a matrix of values to the plugin?

I am really glad this thread is solving such hassle. I hope it helps more people as well.