Last month we had the chance to combine a pair of firmware versions – our MIDI to DMX Converter and the DMX-Massaging Slowdowner to help a client in Europe with a tricky installation. Both firmwares are running simultaneously in the same chassis, which can be very useful in situations like this.
Unbranded DMX decoder doesn’t like strict DMX timing.
In his words,
My company provides complete computer solutions to the broadcast industry specifically within the gameshow market. As such I frequently visit countries all over the world and have to interface computers with many different types of dimmers and decoders.
The equipment I used to supply has become obsolete so I got in touch with Engineering Solutions. Their Decabox interested me and with the Midi to DMX interface was exactly what I required.
It’s always a concern when changing over to new kit but I was reassured by quick responses to email and the phone support offered which was very fortunate because I have just finished a Job in Eastern Europe where the ‘slow’ firmware has just basically saved the show.
I had to connect my system to a ‘working’ lighting rig, already tested by the lighting engineer with his Martin lighting console. I superficial inspection of the rig revealed unbranded decoders (photo attached), each controlling three desks of 12. The RGB feeds all wired into one channel (I only need to switch desks lights on/off). All I was told was that the decoders were manufactured in Turkey!
Firstly all appeared well during the usual channel configuration etc. but soon I began to experience some rather unusual effects. ‘Desk’s’ 5 and 6 could not be controlled independently i.e. when switching on desk 6, 5 would flicker at random. The same happened for desk 9 and 10. I could re-create the exact same problem using my ENTTEC controller connected directly to my PC but strangely the lighting engineer had no problems whatsoever using his Martin lighting console. Further, I was not able to fix the problem by dropping the DMX refresh rate, even as low as 20Hz.
Finally, after advice from John, I changed to the ‘DMX Slowdowner’ firmware which solved the problem immediately. I was staggered by this apparently simple fix and extremely grateful for the expertise and experience of Engineering Solutions.
The moral of this tale – In future I will be much more wary of unbranded kit!
Thanks again for all you help,
Jeffrey Bowman
iUK Systems Ltd
Thanks, Jeff, for the chance to work with your company on this project.
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