DMX and other features

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   I have commited to expanding my Xmas display with DMX controllers and it will be imperative for this funtion to be available soon.  I would really like to weather the times and stay with Aurora for my display, but I really need certain functionality to continue on this ship.  I was at this exact point 2 years ago when I jumped the spectrum/LSP ship over to Aurora.  Show scheduling has been almost flawless, but the sequencer needs some much needed refinements.  Some of these refinements were available to the "beta" testers and they used them for their shows in 2009.  The rest of us were left with broken promises.  When will the following be available?

DMX-512 support (LYNX and LOR)
Improved Copy&paste and clipboard C&P to allow intersequence C&P
Less sequencing crashing, which improved but happens.
Port output seems to need optimization (port captures show some improvements needed in this area).
Channel grouping or tabbing (tabbing would be better)
Timeline grouping/tabbing/color coding.
For the most part I have enjoyed using Aurora, since there was nothing better to use.  In the recent months there have been some contenders that have made their presence know.  I would love to keep my loyalty with Aurora, but features and functions are making it hard.   I would like to be patience and wait until September, but reality is we all need to work on our sequences way before then.  I would like to do a halloween show and waiting until September for an update would be unacceptable.  I know that Aurora staff was on vacation until the 21st, but should be back now.  When can we expect an update with all improvements?  say early February, at most March??? maybe?

I hope not to touch any "nerves" or "ruffle" many feathers, but I have to decide if I want to continue waiting for changes to materialize or if I should "jump ship" once again.  I hate jumping ship...

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cstrang Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Pre-Order User Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Quote Reply Topic: DMX and other features Posted: 24 Jan 2010 at 10:28pm
	I have commited to expanding my Xmas display with DMX controllers and it will be imperative for this funtion to be available soon. I would really like to weather the times and stay with Aurora for my display, but I really need certain functionality to continue on this ship. I was at this exact point 2 years ago when I jumped the spectrum/LSP ship over to Aurora. Show scheduling has been almost flawless, but the sequencer needs some much needed refinements. Some of these refinements were available to the "beta" testers and they used them for their shows in 2009. The rest of us were left with broken promises. When will the following be available? DMX-512 support (LYNX and LOR) Improved Copy&paste and clipboard C&P to allow intersequence C&P Less sequencing crashing, which improved but happens. Port output seems to need optimization (port captures show some improvements needed in this area). Channel grouping or tabbing (tabbing would be better) Timeline grouping/tabbing/color coding. For the most part I have enjoyed using Aurora, since there was nothing better to use. In the recent months there have been some contenders that have made their presence know. I would love to keep my loyalty with Aurora, but features and functions are making it hard. I would like to be patience and wait until September, but reality is we all need to work on our sequences way before then. I would like to do a halloween show and waiting until September for an update would be unacceptable. I know that Aurora staff was on vacation until the 21st, but should be back now. When can we expect an update with all improvements? say early February, at most March??? maybe? I hope not to touch any "nerves" or "ruffle" many feathers, but I have to decide if I want to continue waiting for changes to materialize or if I should "jump ship" once again. I hate jumping ship...
	Charles

Comporder1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Location: Brookhaven, MS Online Status: Offline Posts: 163	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 9:30am
	I would like to echo this post. I don't see myself jumping ship, but I still hope to see a new release SOONER, rather than later. The list above are really must haves to keep up with the times. I know Michael doesn't want to release a buggy product, but that may be the only way to force the progress of Aurora. Carey
	www.williamsonworkshop.com

crichter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 07 Aug 2008 Location: MN Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 9:40am
	I am in the same boat and would request the same answers. I am currently running a demo of LSP and find it to be much more stable. I also heard that the DMX feature in Aurora will cost $$$. If so how much? Because at this point in time I am thinking that the little price difference between Aurora DMX upgrade and LSP will tip the scale in favor of LSP. Curt
	Curt

bdkeen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Beta Testers Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Location: Easton,PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 380	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 10:30am
	I too echo the sediments here. It's pretty much a given that DMX is in Aurora's future since we've seen it in some folks 2009 displays. Plus the 'Coming Soon... DMX' still remains on the site web page. I personally like Aurora and wish to remain dedicated and loyal. There appears to be a fair number of folks moving foward toward DMX. At least what about a product update status much the same as was done in the pre 1.0 days?


Jonathan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Beta Testers Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Location: SoCal Online Status: Offline Posts: 1237	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 11:35am
	Because this is common knowledge now I will say that yes, several members of the beta group ran DMX this last season (myself not included), but this was done via a "hack" that is not supported. If every Aurora user were to run this hack, I guesstimate (just my opinion) maybe 75% would be successful and we all know that's just not good enough which is why it wasn't released. I don't have answers to all the questions but I can tell you that an Aurora specific adapter will be required, release date and pricing TBD, but I'd expect the price Michael originally charged for the adapter will be similar or unchanged. I know that other products are already supporting DMX and that Aurora had plans to support is last year, but for reasons I can't divulge here it was necesary to delay releasing it. I hate "just trust me" messages as much as you do, but you will have to trust me that this delay is necessary and it will result in a much better product. Testing will commence very soon on the next version of Aurora, and it will include some exciting improvements, not just DMX. The new Aurora (as planned) will much more advanced and as such requires significant code changes. I am just as inpatient as the rest of you but remember that unlike Microsoft who has thousands of technicians and still releases buggy products, Aurora is written and maintained by one guy who also has to make a living himself. I am not Michael and I (nor do any of the other beta testers) have the inside information you are all hoping for. But for those who absolutely cannot wait to run DMX, I'd suggest contacting Michael directly. If you ask nicely, he MAY, keyword MAY, be inclined to let you try the same DMX hack that some of the beta testers successfully ran. Understand that IF he chooses to let you do so, you must understand that as a hack, there is no support and if the hack doesn't work, you are on your own. That means making a system backup, making seuqence backups, and doing a non traditional installation. If you are up for that, then try asking. The worst he'll say is no, but if you are, say, running a Valentines Day show and you need DMX, you may get it. Otherwise, just stay tuned. The new Aurora will be worth the wait.
	~Jonathan

deweycooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Development Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Location: League City, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 674	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 1:37pm
	I had some DMX in my display this past Christmas using Aurora. If you're watching the LE co-op, you might notice that I'm picking up some more controllers. Hopefully that speaks for itself for what I think Aurora will be doing this year. PS - don't mention anything about more controllers to my wife.
	Aurora Lights Wiki

Bigindian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Beta Testers Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 373	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 2:15pm
	I got in for a few too. I am hoping to use 2 or 3 intelligent fixtures too. Don't tell my wife... bigger and brighter for 2010
	The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Albert Einstein

cstrang Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Pre-Order User Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 4:47pm
	I'm in for 4 and made the mistake of not making my mind up on upping to 8. You may tell my wife, she supports this hobby 100%....
	Charles

dowdybrown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Location: Spring, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 5:34pm
	I'm in for 6 LE boards. Plus I've got 6 existing LOR boards I'd like to run in DMX mode. Plus I need two DC boards (Lynx or LOR, haven't decided yet). Please, please, please support the Lynx dongle! Honestly, paying for the next version of Aurora doesn't bother me if it helps get it out faster. However, LSP is my backup plan, and June is my personal deadline for deciding which software I'll use next Christmas. Matt
	http://gleannlochchristmas.com/

Slinkard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Location: El Cajon CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 243	Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jan 2010 at 9:57am
	Where the heck is this co-op at? Am I missing it or what.
	Coming soon www.computerizedlights.com