Connecting Lights to Adj MyDmx

This really hasn't been asked hardly at all. But that's OK. I am tech support and I say there are no stupid questions. The stupid question is not asking at all and damaging your gear. Your answer is yes all dmx 512 compatible lights can go on the same daisy chain dmx line. your good to go.
Sincerely,

Jingles:
You've probably since learned there are stupid questions. Fortunately, for the original poster, he's just asking newbie questions, none of which are stupid at all.

This is how you'd hook things up:
Loking at the back of your lights(or at least images online), you'll notice a DMX IN and a DMX OUT. It's simple signal flow after that. Connect the SENDING signal(from your MyDMX hardware) to the first light's DMX IN. Take that DMX OUT to the next light, so on and so forth. Serra Ava says to try to limit your runs to 32 fixtures to preserve signal integrity. To me, that seems a bit of a high number, but he's got more experience there.

If using expecially long runs, the signal strength from the MyDMX dongle might not be sufficient, so Elation has a good solution for that, which also offers many other features that I won't go into. What I will say is I have the Elation OptoBranch/4, and I recommend it to all lighting people.

The thing is, with DMX, it's a data communication protocol. This ins't like audio, where you have to have sepparation. So, just think of one long data cable run being chained between fixtures.

You're familiar with MIDI? Think about the IN-THRU relationship, except without the 3 device limitation(after 3 devices, the delay becomes too noticable to me to be usable anymore for any devices further down the line)

OK OK fine yes there are stupid questions. haha Also it was not my intention nor was I implying the original poster was asking a stupid question.
Sincerely,

I was observing a rig being brought in while I was in school for audio, and one girl asked "Are we going to fly these?"
(also in the class).

Uh, no rigging points, no motors and no hardware and cabs not meant for flying....

Nope, original poster is not stupid. Just another new guy who needs lots of help.

Be better that more ask those questions then come back ranting about their own ignorance hosing them up.

Hi Jingles & Chris

Many thanx for your reply..WooHoo so they do go on the same line!, i can get started & thanx for mentioning it wasn't a stupid question

If i may ask this also which has just come to mind from connecting LED parCans together and using them briefly under master/slave before i recieved my MYDmx Hardware

To connect all 12 of my ParCans i was told by someone here in Australia i can use my normal XLR cables to connect lights...SO I DID CONNECT my ParCans Only on a seperate line & did the smae on seperate line with other types...they were working in SYNC together....but i read somewhere i believe on these forums that we're supposed to use special DMX cable for lights not standard XLR's used for Mic's.....if they worked ok why would i need to spend more money to change over from the heaps of XLR leads i currently have?

At this point i only have 12 Led ParCans used for such things as Uplighting as well as on stands & Tri-Trusses
I have a couple of ACME Dynatwin 250's & 2 ACME Astro's
When they arrive i will have also 2 ADJ JellyFish & one Revo Sweep...all total including ParCans around 19 lights..the Dynatwins are what i've been told are "Old School: lights and i should get away from these to go fully LED...is this correct?..as i want to buy some "Spot" not "Wash" moving heads when i get some extra cash....the Old school lights are so much cheaper to buy now...but i guesss globes eventually make up the difference from buying LED's?

Once Again...Many Thanx, Your Help Is Very Much Appreciated

Kind Regards
Mike

Just watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4f7WxnMa0Q
chris may explain the difference between XLR and dmx cable.
but watch the video and if you have more questions post them.
Sincerely,

Well, if you want a higher error rate, by all means use XLR cabling. DMX cabling doesn't cost that much more and at 120 ohms, it's rated for data applications. DMX-512 is a data protocol, I let you make your own choices. Me, I go with DMX cabling all the way.

I mean, let's look at it this way: You can crap in a bucket, and it works, but is it really the right way to go about evacuating your bowels? In a pinch, sure, but ideally no.

XLR is for mics. DMX is for lighting. Put a DMX cable on a condenser mic(especially a really good quality one) and it will suck the life out of that signal.

I used XLR for my DMX cabling for years with no problems. But, now I'm just in the mode of doing it right, which has meant I gotta pop for some cabling here and there. So be it. Just because I was doing something one way didn't make it the right way. Now I can make it the right way.

Really, I think the issue is you're seeing something work with the wrong stuff, so you can't justify BUYING additional cabling of the right type. On the plus side, DMX cable is DMX cable, either 5 or 3 wire. Just buy the right type. 3 and 5 wire are interchangable via simple adaptors you can buy or build.

When I've compared prices of quality DMX cabling to a quality XLR cable, the price differences are negligible. They prices swing back and forth by amounts in either direction that to me can't justify me buying the wrong cable for the job. I am planning a 200 to 300 foot cable buy fairly soon of various lenghts(mostly 25's and a few shorter lengths). I also try to buy 200 to 500 feet of new XLR cabling a every few years because it's not possible to have too much. I also repair damaged cables and replace ends as the need arises.

Onto "old school" lights: I have no issue with these. Granted, DMX is a bit better, but with a power pack(like a PP-DMX20L) or the newer dimmer/switcher packs(the latest DP-DMX20L's), you can get at least on/off control over those "old school lights" which should be sufficient. Sometimes, you just flat out can't get what you want by going with DMX, and these "old scool" lights work quite well and avoid that self-test procedure stuff.

Going fully LED is your choice. It's a direction I'm heading it. It may not be a total transition for me, but it's achievable. Let YOUR CHOICE in lights be what determines what you buy, adn if it's LED, the so be it. I'm rather pleased with LED lighting.

Focus on getting DMX cabling and get or build a DMX terminator, it's good to have around.

On the positive side, congratulations on your success. Build on that. You obviously got things down and you're in the right direction.

Hi Jingles & Chris

Just a brief note to say from me "Thankyou Very Much"...you guys are awesome in your replies and how quik you reply too, i only wish i had 30 hours in a day,with holding down a fulltime job 6 days a week,trying to market my small DJ & Karaoke business, keeping the "Mrs" happy is a fulltime job too but(not what ya thinking either LOL!then the household chores...its tough..i seriously need those 30hrs in a day!....i'm sure i'll be back not too long with something else i need to find out.

Once Again...Thankyou

Kind Regards
Mike

Mike you are Very welcome. Come back to chat with us when you can.
Sincerely,