Hello!
I am a newbie here when it comes to light automation and currently run my show using projectors and static AC 120V (USA) lights, like flood lights and string lights. I am looking to grow my show, hence why I am here, and either incorporate some type of controller in to dim/turn the flood lights off and on as well as operating other DMX based lights or device such as a fog machine. I am open to replacing the AC string lights with pixels however I do not know if I can get the hardware in time for the season with all the shipping delays. My main focus is currently getting the flood lights off by dimming them down or turning them off 100%, running my projection mapped show, then enabling them when it has finished all to repeat it again every so many minutes.
Here are my thoughts... I would like to hear some critique and criticism, new ideas etc..and appreciate it!
PC to play the projection mapped video that outputs HDMI to 3 different projectors. (I have this and it works GREAT). Use a USB to DMX dongle like ENTEC openDMX or DMX pro to DMX AC relay (https://www.stagelightingstore.com/adj-dimmer-relay-packs/81281-adj-4-channel-dimmer-relay-pack ). Output DMX from that device into either another one or daisy chain DMX lighting/devices like a fog machine etc then terminator at the very end. Use xLights to sequence the basic show and possibly xSchedule to play. This should get me one more step further than last years show of using Alexa to manually turn off AC lights, play show, then Alexa to turn them back on. I would of course remove the Alexa smart plug device from the line if using a DMX AC relay.
Am I missing something here? Does there need to be a DMX controller or does the dongle take care of that part? Perhaps there is a better way to do this?
I am a newbie here when it comes to light automation and currently run my show using projectors and static AC 120V (USA) lights, like flood lights and string lights. I am looking to grow my show, hence why I am here, and either incorporate some type of controller in to dim/turn the flood lights off and on as well as operating other DMX based lights or device such as a fog machine. I am open to replacing the AC string lights with pixels however I do not know if I can get the hardware in time for the season with all the shipping delays. My main focus is currently getting the flood lights off by dimming them down or turning them off 100%, running my projection mapped show, then enabling them when it has finished all to repeat it again every so many minutes.
Here are my thoughts... I would like to hear some critique and criticism, new ideas etc..and appreciate it!
PC to play the projection mapped video that outputs HDMI to 3 different projectors. (I have this and it works GREAT). Use a USB to DMX dongle like ENTEC openDMX or DMX pro to DMX AC relay (https://www.stagelightingstore.com/adj-dimmer-relay-packs/81281-adj-4-channel-dimmer-relay-pack ). Output DMX from that device into either another one or daisy chain DMX lighting/devices like a fog machine etc then terminator at the very end. Use xLights to sequence the basic show and possibly xSchedule to play. This should get me one more step further than last years show of using Alexa to manually turn off AC lights, play show, then Alexa to turn them back on. I would of course remove the Alexa smart plug device from the line if using a DMX AC relay.
Am I missing something here? Does there need to be a DMX controller or does the dongle take care of that part? Perhaps there is a better way to do this?