This is topic Controlling DMX lighting system with Barco 20C in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Edgar Prass (Member # 7558) on 11-18-2014, 06:00 AM:
So how could I make the 20C talk DMX language to automatically control lights with cues? Obviously I need some sort of gadget to be the "translator". But which one? On projector could I connect it to GPIO pins, RS232, USB or ethernet? Could you point me in the right direction?
Some Ethernet to DMX gadget https://www.enttec.com/?main_menu=Products&pn=70305
USB to DMX https://www.enttec.com/?main_menu=Products&pn=70303
Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 11-18-2014, 06:11 AM:
Does your Barco have a built-in server/IMS, like the Doremi IMS oder the Barco alchemy module? Because normally you would control lights/DMX from the server, not the projector.
There are various interfaces between ethernet/RS232/GPIO and DMX available. Depends on the capabilities of your server which one you will need. E.g. Dolbys can't do it over ethernet because they have no raw ethernet capability to set up commands. Other servers/IMS have no RS232. Ethernet/RS232 usually is capable to send more complex commands, while GPIO usually will only support some very basic things like lights up/down. So, depends how complex the control job for the DMX is, wether you also want manual interaction options (e.g. a small light desk, some push buttons, etc.). I don't see any real options to use USB devices, as no server offers custom controls over USB.
- Carsten
Posted by Edgar Prass (Member # 7558) on 11-18-2014, 09:58 AM:
Yes, we have the Alchemy module. So using ethernet is a possibility?
Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 11-18-2014, 10:33 AM:
Ethernet is possible. You need an Ethernet to DMX gateway though, one that works with the somewhat rudimentary interface available on your IMB. One that accepts simple strings via TCP/IP over Ethernet.
If you're in for some experimenting, you could build one yourself using OpenLighting and something like a Raspberry Pi ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
.
Posted by Edgar Prass (Member # 7558) on 11-21-2014, 11:44 AM:
Did some further research on the topic. If I got it correctly then Alchemy can only output simple ASCII strings to a port of a IP address. Just as it communicates with our CP750.
The RS232 port on the Alchemy seems to be input-only.
But all those ethernet/DMX boxes on the market seem to speak some other languages (like Art-net), not ASCII. The only gadget I came upon is this http://www.cinetix.de/interface/english/etdmxgen.htm But it seems that this company has recently closed down for good.
Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 11-21-2014, 12:16 PM:
Most cinemas don't need the complexity of DMX, therefore automation is often limited to some simple relays or circuitry via GPIO, or stuff like JNIOR for the more sophisticated automation.
I guess what you want is a DMX controller which you can pre-program with several modes/scenarios, as you probably do not want to address each and every DMX device in your universe separately. Those modes should be callable via your IMS.
The question is, how adventurous are you? Do you want to buy something off the shelf that works with a little bit of tinkering or are you willing to do some custom "hacking" so to say?
Posted by Edgar Prass (Member # 7558) on 11-21-2014, 02:23 PM:
Sure I don't need all the complexity of DMX, but as we are a multi-purpose venue (theatre, concerts, cinema etc) DMX is the system we have and actually need. I usually use only 2 channels, one for lighting up the seating area and the other for the "stage" area in front of the screen.
Now I'm thinking of using a separate computer (a 24/7 online server) to receive the ACSII strings (or GPIO signals) for triggering the pre-programmed modes and outputting DMZ over a cheap and simple USB/DMX stick.
Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 11-21-2014, 05:11 PM:
Well, that's why I pointed at OpenLighting on a RaspberryPi. It's cheap and you don't need a fully fledged server running. You will need to hack a lot of stuff together though.
If budget is not a problem, you could have a look at one of these. It won't be cheap though. But Alcorn McBride products have a reputation to last forever. And maybe, it can actually be useful for other purposes too.
Posted by Jesper Meng (Member # 7575) on 11-22-2014, 08:27 AM:
In our cinema we have installed two ELC AC612 DMX controller. The curtain light, 12 rgb fixtures on one, and house lights, 32 rgbw on one. They are controlled by outputs from 3 jnoir devices. We have programmed different light scenes, so we can have pink,rainbow,blue or small animated curtain lights for mood enhancing. Pink for 'girlish' movies f.ex. It also controls a 4 ch. dimmer for light for a speaker, and that is programmed in one button = easy on the projectionists.
Also when house lights are dimmed there is a small rainbow moving from the screen through the cinema. :-)
The software runs both mac, pc and linux and it is free. The programming file stays in the device, so it is not depending on the installer. It takes minutes to be up and running, but 32 4ch. devices on individual addresses takes a lot of time.
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 11-22-2014, 10:47 AM:
Check into your lighting board manual (with a multi use theatre and DMX lighting, you have a lighting board) as many boards have external dry closure inputs that can activate scenes. This eliminates the hassle of multiple DMX controllers on a universe (that is not a trivial hassle, DMX was designed to have only one controller). If the board is always shut off during cinema shows you may be able to piggyback another controller... but expect trouble if both are accidentally on at the same time.
Posted by Jesper Meng (Member # 7575) on 11-22-2014, 02:47 PM:
Btw, if you are doing a live show and the preprogrammed scenes are not right, your laptop connected to the ACS works as a light console.
The ACS is a lot like programming a playlist
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