DMX and other features
Printed From: Aurora
Category: Aurora Sequencer Software
Forum Name: Aurora & DMX
Forum Discription: The place to discuss using DMX with Aurora
URL: http://www.aurorashow.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1008
Printed Date: 12 Mar 2025 at 3:11pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: DMX and other features
Posted By: cstrang
Subject: DMX and other features
Date 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?
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 |
Replies:
Posted By: Comporder1
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 9:30am
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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 ------------- http://www.williamsonworkshop.com - www.williamsonworkshop.com |
Posted By: crichter
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 9:40am
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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 |
Posted By: bdkeen
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 10:30am
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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? ------------- 
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Posted By: Jonathan
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 11:35am
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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 |
Posted By: deweycooter
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 1:37pm
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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. ------------- http://www.deweycooter.com/wiki/index.php/Aurora - Aurora Lights Wiki http://www.aurorashow.com/"> 
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Posted By: Bigindian
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 2:15pm
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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 |
Posted By: cstrang
Date 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 |
Posted By: dowdybrown
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2010 at 5:34pm
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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/ - http://gleannlochchristmas.com/ |
Posted By: Slinkard
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2010 at 9:57am
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Where the heck is this co-op at? Am I missing it or what. ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/"> 
Coming soon www.computerizedlights.com |
Posted By: deweycooter
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2010 at 12:58pm
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http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?board=13.0 - DIY Light Animation
------------- http://www.deweycooter.com/wiki/index.php/Aurora - Aurora Lights Wiki http://www.aurorashow.com/">
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Posted By: Slinkard
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2010 at 2:52pm
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Err this time I got the dollars just a day short! DOH
Damn - Well if any of you want to part way with one I am interested. I'll keep an eye out for the next Coop. Lee ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
Coming soon www.computerizedlights.com |
Posted By: Bigindian
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2010 at 4:06am
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Slink,
I would suggest sending RJ the Admin there a pm. He may be able to help you out.
He is a almost as good as Michael is here! ------------- The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Albert Einstein |
Posted By: Slinkard
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2010 at 9:45am
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Will do thanks for the heads up :) ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
Coming soon www.computerizedlights.com |
Posted By: Rod R
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2010 at 7:28pm
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It might be a good idea for Michael to get a hold of RJ over at diylightanimation.com it seems that a lot of people are going that route he sold 529 controllers on this years COOP already and the site is getting more members everyday. There will be many more coops moving forward into this year as well. The Lynx Express controller seems solid and has some really nice features. I would like to make sure that Aurora could support RJ DMX Dongle too. Maybe even a topic listing like the other software has on the site. RJ is a really nice guy and easy to work with so I'm sure that Aurora and Lynx could work well together. I've been using Aurora since D-light dumped Spectrum and really like the features that Aurora has and its been running fine for me. |
Posted By: bdkeen
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2010 at 8:47am
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DIY has the dongle coop running until 5 Feb. Now would be a good time to know if Aurora will plan on supporting the Lynx dongle or if it's a waste of good dollars for those of us dedicated to Aurora.
-------------
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Posted By: LightsOnLogan
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2010 at 11:22am
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The Aurora DMX dongle will be required for Aurora's DMX support.
------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/"> 
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Posted By: Rod R
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2010 at 12:11pm
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So does that mean that there will be not support for the Lynx line of controllers since they use their own Lynx Dongle. I would suggest that you contact RJ at http://www.diylightanimation.com/%20 - http://www.diylightanimation.com/ . He sold over 500 Lynx Express controllers just this past month and the site is growing in new members added everyday. I think it would be a mistake not to see what you could workout as far as support goes. I need D-light support and the Lynx support or I'll have to look at different options. I really like Aurora and have been using it since Spectrum died but really need to have the options on the supported controllers. |
Posted By: LightsOnLogan
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2010 at 12:24pm
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Aurora will be supporting the Lynx DMX controllers... my answer was about the dongle only. The Aurora dongle will be required to communicate with the Lynx controllers. ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
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Posted By: Slinkard
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2010 at 12:29pm
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Hey some where do I get a Aurora Dongle? or is that a beta tester thing still. ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
Coming soon www.computerizedlights.com |
Posted By: bdkeen
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2010 at 12:30pm
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Will the dongle be comming out in pre-sale (like it did before) again anytime soon?
If you can't answer this - that's ok.
I'm getting the Lynx dongle in order to insure the controllers work once built but since I'm both committed and dedicated to Aurora will just have to sit and wait till it's available.
Thanks -------------
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Posted By: Rod R
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2010 at 12:30pm
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Sounds great, thanks for clearing that up. There will be a lot of happy people including me since I love using Aurora since I have not had any stability issues. It was cost per channel driving me towards the Lynx controllers. Keep us post on cost and when its available. Do you know if the Aurora Dongle will support the Lynx wireless transmitter as well not sure if you thought about it or not? |
Posted By: deweycooter
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2010 at 2:10pm
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Do you know if the Aurora Dongle will support the Lynx wireless transmitter as well not sure if you thought about it or not? Once the signal exits the dongle, it doesn't matter what is downstream from there - the signal is DMX. So yes, the Lynx wireless tranmitter will be (is) supported. Computer - USB Cable - Dongle - Cat5 - [DMX devices: Lynx Express, wireless transmitters, etc] ------------- http://www.deweycooter.com/wiki/index.php/Aurora - Aurora Lights Wiki http://www.aurorashow.com/">
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Posted By: TheQueb
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2010 at 5:29am
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Because I was reading about everyone getting all excited about DMX I decided to look around at what was available as far as fixtures and what i might like to use in my display. There's alot of stuff out there but I didn't find anything that wouldn't make my house look like a school dance setup... What fixtures are you using or what would you like to use? So far, it's hard for me to get excited about spending this much money on the fixtures themselves. ------------- 80 D-Light-ful Channels http://www.SoutheastTexasLights.com - Southeast Texas Lights http://www.frappr.com/dlight - D-Light Users |
Posted By: Slinkard
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2010 at 11:19am
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TBH this for me is to lower the cost of the boards. I just got 2 Lynx Express's (16 channels each) for 135 dollars. they operate via DMX protocol so with Aurora supporting DMX I can now start adding more boards at a way lower cost.
Well I guess I can also add my snow blowers to a channel too, but thats just added bonus
 Slink ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
Coming soon www.computerizedlights.com |
Posted By: ChrisL1976
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2010 at 4:55pm
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How much do DC boards cost? How many channels can you get them in? 16/32/48? Just wondering.
------------- Chris www.lightsonsixth.com |
Posted By: bdkeen
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2010 at 5:03pm
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I got 4 LE's and some cheap 3 channel (RGB) DMX boards (12vdc) that are originally intended for led strip lighting.. These all working good with the lynx dongle and Vixen at the moment. -------------
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Posted By: Slinkard
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2010 at 5:18pm
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I got all the stuff to start the dongle but am wonder what the Aurora dongle will require. Are we 100% going to need one for aurora? Also will aurora support be able to support both d-light boards and LE's via thier dongle? ------------- http://www.aurorashow.com/">
Coming soon www.computerizedlights.com |
Posted By: Bigindian
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2010 at 4:25am
Chris,
The cost of a MR16 board kit varies with how many people want them when a coop runs. Currently, the parts alone less the printed circuit board is around 50 bucks. Your best bet is to watch DIY to see what coop runs and then get on board when it goes.
The first coop saw savings of over $15K for the 500 plus members that were in on it. It is based on parts discounts for quantity purchases.
The MR16 unit is a 16 channel controller specifically designed for MR16 lighting. It is DC type controller.
See http://www.diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page - Here for the info page on the LYNX DMX controllers
Cheers
------------- The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Albert Einstein |