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501damian501
12-02-2009, 01:27 PM
hi, I have just been wondering, how would i be able to go about making an usb to dmx cable, i understand you need some transistors or sumthing along the lines, but i am £100 or so is quite expenisve for a wire. cheers damian

DiscoPromotions
12-02-2009, 01:36 PM
Recommend PC DJ DMX for £199 when we brought it. Does the the job.

Software and hardware is included.

Jiggles
12-02-2009, 01:37 PM
Its far more than a few transistors. Its has a USB to serial converter in it and all that. More than just a wire too.

501damian501
12-02-2009, 01:56 PM
Its far more than a few transistors. Its has a USB to serial converter in it and all that. More than just a wire too.

this just looks like a wire to me, maybe sumthing hiding in one of the plugs, i dont know, but check it out http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB2DMX-JMS-USB-Interface-for-PC-Laptop-512-DMX-Channel_W0QQitemZ150326297609QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item150326297609&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1309



or maybe this thing

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Enttec-Open-DMX-USB-Interface-PC-Based-512CH-70303_W0QQitemZ170282389420QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item170282389420

Jiggles
12-02-2009, 02:03 PM
Yes all the gubbons are in the XLR plug.

501damian501
12-02-2009, 02:12 PM
Yes all the gubbons are in the XLR plug.

i cant see much fitting inside that xlr plug, as theirs not much room inside them or unless their micro parts.

Jiggles
12-02-2009, 02:15 PM
Well obviously! :bang:

501damian501
12-02-2009, 02:36 PM
Well obviously! :bang:

have you ever seen a usb serial convertor small enough to fit a xlr jack ?

Daryll
12-02-2009, 05:28 PM
yes.

There is a 8 pin DIP package hard wired in the XLR body.
The only problem with the compact design is there is no protection against power surges in the data or power lines.

daryll

501damian501
12-02-2009, 05:40 PM
yes.

There is a 8 pin DIP package hard wired in the XLR body.
The only problem with the compact design is there is no protection against power surges in the data or power lines.

daryll


so basicly one of these could blow up my investment ?

nigelwright7557
12-02-2009, 08:22 PM
this just looks like a wire to me, maybe sumthing hiding in one of the plugs, i dont know, but check it out http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB2DMX-JMS-USB-Interface-for-PC-Laptop-512-DMX-Channel_W0QQitemZ150326297609QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item150326297609&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1309



It requires a USB microcontroller and a DMX signal output converter.

Jiggles
12-02-2009, 08:24 PM
That lead works right out the box.

nigelwright7557
12-02-2009, 08:26 PM
yes.

There is a 8 pin DIP package hard wired in the XLR body.
The only problem with the compact design is there is no protection against power surges in the data or power lines.

daryll

WHy would there be a power surge ?
USB is regulated 5 volts.

Daryll
12-02-2009, 09:00 PM
WHy would there be a power surge ?
USB is regulated 5 volts.

Correct , but what voltage do the lights work at.
A fault in the light electronics could sent a mains voltage spike down the DMX cable.

There is a very slim chance of this , but most USB/DMX converters have the protection built in.
In Enttec pro achieves this via opto isolators.

Daryll

Daryll
12-02-2009, 09:04 PM
so basicly one of these could blow up my investment ?
Very slim chance damian , but the risk is there.
Bit like a fuse , you can have a piece of equipment for years and never blow a fuse , but its peace of mind.

Daryll

nigelwright7557
12-02-2009, 09:09 PM
Correct , but what voltage do the lights work at.
A fault in the light electronics could sent a mains voltage spike down the DMX cable.

There is a very slim chance of this , but most USB/DMX converters have the protection built in.
In Enttec pro achieves this via opto isolators.

Daryll

Well that would horrify me as your not only risking the USB to DMX converter but your PC too !

I once connected a PC to an RS232 monitor and blew up the RS232 chip in the PC !

Daryll
12-02-2009, 09:25 PM
Spot on nigel.
as has been said on these forums many times "you get what you pay for".
Dongles/converters with protection may be a bit more expensive at the start , but.............you know the rest.

Cheers

Daryll