Sean Meighan
Welcome => Do You Need Help? Post it here => Topic started by: thigdon on April 29, 2020, 08:20:15 PM
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Hello!
New to Xlights, and trying to figure out how to get my Enttec OpenDmx to talk properly with my lights. I don't have any fancy controllers or such, just have a usb coming out of my computer to the OpenDmx, and running a dmx cable to my par can. Its a Chauvet Slim Par, set to 3 channel mode.
I tried a few different configurations in Xlights to get it to talk to my light. First thing I tried was adding a DMX floodlight to the model group, set it all properly to just live in Universe 1, channel 1. So when I take it into the sequencer tab, I see it populate in the timeline just fine. I get a dmx signal, I output to lights. Channel 1 (red) works fine, I can move the slider up and down and I get a red light. But next is problem. It seems as though channel 2 (which should be green) does not respond, and in fact, makes my red light (channel 1) flicker. BUT when I take up channel 3 (which should be blue), then I see green light! I am very confused. I tried the "remap channels feature" below, but nothing worked.
Next method I tried to do is make it a "single line", with just one pixel. But the same issue arises from above.
I am very confused and I looked all over the internet for a possible solution. I am not sure if the OpenDMX is the problem, and it just doesn't communicate properly? Is there a suggestion out there of something else I should be using to get this to work properly?
Thank you in advance!
Tom
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Are you sure about the channels on your dmx prop. They are often much more complex than just rgb. There may be multiple modes which can also change the number of channels it expects.
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Thank you for the reply,
Yes I am certain about the channels. I am using a DMX par can, it has 3 channel and 7 channel modes. I have it set to the three channel mode, although the 7 channel mode has the same configuration for channels 1,2 and 3, which RGB. Its a Chauvet slim par fixture and has accurate documentation online, which I double checked.
I have used the fixture for other applications and with other stage lighting software and they have worked fine for years with those applications.
Would the issue be with the OpenDMX dongle?
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While not impossible. I doubt it. Are you sure the xlights config is correct
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I suspect it's a config issue as well, or DMX address on device is not matching up with Setup some how?
Could you post screen snip of you controller and layout tabs in xLights?
You could try testing using https://www.da-share.com/software/da_tester/ (https://www.da-share.com/software/da_tester/) that might verify the dongle and open dmx isn't the issue?
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It could be the config. I am still trying to figure out the proper way. I followed the manual but I am not sure. I attached screen shots of my setup.
I did download and test with the da_tester and it worked fine. The first three channels, responded as they should.
Again, I appreciate all the help
Tom
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Does it work in test mode. Are you using the right dmx mode.
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I have the blue Entec OpenDMX USB dongle so I know it works. I can't remember which protocol option I select but I would just cycle through all of them and try. Granted I haven't tried it since all the controller tab changes
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Hmm okay, well I just tried it in the test mode, and I ran the R-G-B test pattern, and it worked!
But the problem still lies within the dmx control when i bring it into the sequencer.
I tried different models, with three channels, but all is the same problem.
Tom
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So it?s not a dmx problem it is more likely a model setup issue. Do you have the start channel right.
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In the model tab, I have my start channel set to 1. I clicked the ... button, and tried to change a few things, like changing it from abosulte, to universe, to controller. But all the same result.
In the controller connections dropdown, I made the sure the port was set to 4 (that was the only port that didn't give me a warning when I clicked the 'output to lights' button).
The protocol was set to "dmx-open", and the dmx-open channel is set to 1.
Under the DMXFloodlight Tab, the # Channels is 3, Red is set to 1, Green is set to 2, and Blue is set to 3.
Do you think I may be missing a button or selection somewhere along the way?
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Use test tab. Drill down to channels and turn them on one at a time until the prop responds. From that you will be able to work things out.
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Alright here is what happened in the test tab.
Drilled down to the channels as you said.
In the standard tab, by selecting the background tester, Node {1} turns on Red, Node {2} does nothing, and Node{3} turns on green.
When I test in the RGB tab, The same happens when I check the nodes on and off. Channel 2 does nothing.
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Right so you need to set up your model correctly to match how your prop responds.
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Is it possible the device expects 16 bits per channel?
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Is it possible the device expects 16 bits per channel?
I don't think so because the light itself is set to 3 channel mode, there is a 7 channel mode, but even then, the first three channels on the lights are still rgb.
Right so you need to set up your model correctly to match how your prop responds.
Could you perhaps offer some insight on how to properly set up the model?
I've seen online, a e.131 to dmx bridge device. Do you think that might give me more reliable results?
Thank you all for the help, I really appreciate it.
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Set the r g and b channels to match what the prop responds to. I don?t much are what you think it is set up to do the facts don?t lie. If it responds to green on channel 3 then green is channel 3. Refusing to accept this will get you nowhere.
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I would just create a simple single line model with 7 single channel lights. Drop a DMX effect on it and start moving sliders to figure out how your channels respond. If channel 3 fires green then what does channel 5 do? What do channels 2, 4, and 6 do? If it really was a 16 bit output the even channels would be the low byte so they would be the equivalent of a fine knob whereas the odd channels would be the coarse knob.