pstrimbu
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DMX com channel error with multiple VSA routinesI have a home haunt with 3 scenes and a lightshow. Each scene is controlled by its own VSA routine with an Exorcist box to manage the whole setup. The scenes have serial servo and relay controllers plus dmx-controlled lighting. I'm using Enttec.com's open dmx usb controller to control 6 dmx dimmer packs (24 channels).
When two VSA routines with DMX lighting try to access the USB DMX controller at the same time, I get a generic "communications error" popup in Exorcist (it actually pops up behind exorcist -- you have to minimize the main exorcist window to see the error). We had a similar problem with the serial relay controller for com port sharing. We were able to solve this with a virtual serial port sharing program.
Has anyone else experienced problems sharing a usb dmx controller across multiple simultaneous VSA routines?
We only discovered the source of the error last night and we're T minus 6 hours to treak-or-treaters. We have a workaround in place to only run one of the light-enabed scenes at a time, but I'd like to get the full automation working again. Any quick help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Peter
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Phoenix
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sorry for not replying sooner, my Halloween is 7 hours ahead of yours, so when you were just setting up, I was already scaring the local kids.
This is a known issue, and is addressed on page 15 of the Exorcist user manual.
You cant share ANY component between two routines that may potentially play simultaneously, ie you cant use a single servo control board to control two sets any more than you can use a single DMX interface between multiple sets, this is because the DMX unit is a serial interface and isn't capable of understanding two streams trying to address it simultaneously.
To control multiple sets then each set would need its own DMX interface.
HOWEVER......
When the dust settles from this years haunting one of the projects on my to-do list is a port sharing program specifically designed to enable multiple VSA instances to simultaneously address a single com port, couple this with our new DMX servo card and some DMX relays this will hopefully mean you can control everything via a single DMX cable, with a 1000' range.
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crazybob
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Has there been any progress on solving this problem yet? I was really looking to use DMX to control the entire haunt with dimmer packs, and when I read this it kinda put a damper on my plans 
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Phoenix
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Sadly not, it has yet to be established that there is sufficient interest to make the project worthwhile, at this moment in time I doubt there will be any progress before Transworld.
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pstrimbu
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dmx optionsFrom what I've learned so far, it looks like the only current solution is to use 1 dmx controller per scene, then use a dmx "combiner" to join the signals going to any lights common to multiple scenes. ENTTEC's Datagate looks like a good option for a 7 to 1 combiner, but is $1500 (a bit on the expensive side for a home haunter). Let me know if anyone finds a cheaper alternative.
The virtual serial port program we used for our serial relay controller board worked great. So, I believe a software-based virtual dmx port program would still be the best option.
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Phoenix
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Yeah its a variation on a VSP that I have in mind, the program would create up to 8 VSP's on the computer and then combines the streams into a single DMX output.
As with everything it boils down to time/cost, writing such a program from the ground floor up may take 200 hours, so we would need to be sure there is the interest out there to cover that..... and in the mean time we already have a new software project in development, and taking on something new before that one is put to bed could prove to be a mistake.
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pstrimbu
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How do you manage dmx control in your haunt? Do you use multiple DMX controllers from a single PC or do you run from multiple PCs?
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Phoenix
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I tend to use multiple PCs, Ive a number of custom written programs that control sets in different ways, and since Ive got a surplus of PCs it makes more sense to use them rather than try to use just one
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