Program stops responding during show

Well if you computer is kinda low on RAM like 1gb or less do no run the 3D if you have the actual lights hooked in also. There is no point really. Have you watched the u tube videos?
www.youtube.com.mydmxtech

how long is your DMX run? Are you using actual DMX cable? These factors can tie into data issues.
Sincerely,

I have 2 GB of ram on a 2.1 ghz machine. I was not running the 3d visualizer. I have heard different opinions of using "dmx" cables verses "mic" cables. I am using "mic" cables at this time. One thing I have not tried is a termination connector on my lights. I was told the the venue lights did not need to have a termination (connector with resistor). Installed at the end of the run. Maybe thats causing a data signal mix up.

DMX vs Mic cable isn't exactly an opinion. Mic cable has a completely different resistance value then DMX cable does. DMX is also a digital signal and uses digital cable, where as Mic cable is an analog cable.

Termination is sometimes needed, sometimes not. But using Mic cable, a terminator will not work as well. A terminator uses a 110/120 ohm resistor to match the resistance of DMX cable, so reflections are not pasted back down the DMX line. Since Mic cable has a different resistance value, you would need a somewhere between a 300-600 ohm resistor.

Mic cable can also be selective as to when it works as DMX. At one venue, a Mic cable of 25' from console into a Pixel Drive caused lose of signal. Everywhere else I have done that same setup, it has been fine. When I swapped that Mic cable for a DMX cable at that venue, the Pixel Drive received DMX just fine. So even a small run of 25' can cause issues direct from the console into a single unit.

Thanks for the info. I'll start looking for some DMX cables.

Update: I replaced all my Mic cables with "Data" cables installed a terminator plug, and I am still getting the lights hanging up during some scenes. Then I noticed that eventually it will start to work again. I am only using 4 venue par 64 led lights which I verified the profile values. The screen saver and power saver modes are not running, so i'm still trying to find a reason for the hang ups.

Hmmm, how long of a run of DMX are you using? I would assume less then 500 feet, but I have heard of signal strength issues with dongles before for less then 500' runs.

If it is a short distance, say less then 50' or so, then it might be a faulty dongle. I would get the serial off of it and call AMDJ service on Monday if this is the case. Also, is the light on the dongle reading normal when the lights stop responding? (Not 100% sure what normal is for the MyDMX dongle light, jingles?) This could help narrow the problem down.

I'm using a 25' cable from the dongle to the first light, then 4' cables from light to light on the truss. Only 4 lights. The program interface shows the sliders moving to different colors, the lights just aren't responding or hanging up

What operating system are you using?

Share any other programs you have loaded, especially those that like to litter up the system tray and otherwise like to gobble up resources.

Two quick concerns:
I'm running a BAD situation, at least one that isn't normal. I'm running a MacBook Pro 17" with Boot Camp and XP Home. Both OS's are latest. MyDMX works fine.

Disabling wireless can be helpful. Recently, one of my idiot neighbors takes delight in landing on the same wireless channel I am using, so it causes me all sorts of grief. Obviously, they aren't using their wireless for anything constructive. Spammer a-holes, what cna you expect? But, what I'm really addressing is that your wireless may be trying to reconnect and disconnect constantly, which can confuse things and it definately wastes resources. I've recently been lazy and not been disabling wireless and I'm having good results.

As SerraAva says, and I am in complete agreement with, USE DMX cabling. Also, use an OptiBranch/4 splitter, it will boost your signal. I switched from mic to DMX cabling last year and invested more last last year. My only regret: NOT labelling the DMX cables so they sometimes get mixed in with microphone cables. I've used white electrical tape to resolve that issue now. White for lights. So much for low profile, eh? But I think the problem is before the dongle.

Try swapping out for a better FLEXIBLE USB 2.0 cable. Try other USB ports as maybe you got a flaky port. Are you on a USB hub? Is it POWERED?(not passive?)

No terminator COULD be causing problems. I always recommend using one no matter what and it's become part of my standard operating practices. Unfortunately for a while, losing those terminates also became standard practice. I've gotten more careful. When I build, I build in pairs: one to use and one to lose. Now I have a surplus!

Other hints, since people aren't reading them anyways:

For best results with MyDMX, boot with the dongle DISCONNECTED. After booting and BEFORE you run MyDMX, plug the dongle in and wait for it to be recognized and then launch MyDMX. Works fine every time when I do this.

Keep your anti-virus current. RUN and maintain Spybot Search & Destroy(latest) as it is the only spyware killer that actually works.

How do you connect to the internet? If you say directly to your cable modem or ADSL modem(or even an analog modem these days, abusers are getting desperate), then the answer is "WRONG!!!" although with a modem you do have your hands tied. Software firewalls on XP, 2000 and Vista suck and don't work. On 2000 Server and 2003 Server, firewalls CAN and DO work, but you need a real 3rd party software option. Broadband users NEED to use a broadband router to protect their machine from outside attacks.

Also, I've been finding and getting all sorts of grief since installing Internet Explorer 8. I have not had problems with MyDMX and MSIE 8, but ProTools and Sony Vegas Pro hate it, so I had to down-grade. I really didn't care for MSIE 8 being as bug riddle as it is and trying to impose a new web standard tht was flawed upon the universe. That's another place to check. Otherwise, keep all your updates current.

I am using windows vista 32 bit. I have the latest Mydmx updates. The USB is a 2.0, dedicated line. I have all DMX Cables as well, and am using a terminator plug. I have not tried to disable the wireless feature which may be a cause for the hangups. And also I'll try disabling any programs that are not needed. I'll let you know how it goes.
Thankyou for everyones inputs and ideas.

OK, so, I have some more ideas, but you haven't given the additional information yet. I'm throwing these ideas your way so you can continue troubleshooting.

Double check your DMX addresses. If you're using profiles in MyDMX(not necessary but make things easier for you to relate to the fixture), make sure the profile is lined up properly to the channels.

Another concept to wrap your head around:
How many times are you looping your scenes?

In my example, I'm using 2 banks of Par 64 LED Pros(ADJ). I am having them go "Left to right". I have 4 per tree, and two trees. Each light has its own unique address. I have the scene have 4 steps. Left, left middle, right middle, right. Both sides match each other as far as what they are doing. So I don't have to deal with it, I set it to loop "always", so it's on me to change scenes.

I'm thinking that maybe you've made your washes, then maybe set your loop number too low.

Another question:
When you experience the problem, HOW did you boot up? Was the MyDMX interface plugged in or not?

I SOMETIMES have problems when I boot up with the interface plugged in. Typically, my problems reveal themselves by acting SUPER slow. I'll typically start with my blackout scene, then hit "w" for my WHITE scene, then often "r" for my red scene. If any of that is SLOW, I quit MyDMX, unplug the dongle, reboot, plug in dongle and then go. It has always resolved the issue WHEN time allows me to do this.

I can't see where having a terminator plugged in would CAUSE problems.

Just keep trying things and reporting back.

I've seen the Venue brand of lights at Guitar Center. While the price is attractive, I'm not really interested. I'll stick with ADJ. I have good results with ADJ and I intend to stick with them until I need to move into the Elation line.

Thanks Chris, I have not had to use my lights lately due to playing venues and festivals that have their own lighting. I do have a show coming up later this month that I will use them. I did check with Jingles about the dmx address for the Venue lights, So that should be good. Most of my scenes are set repeat 2-3 times, then move on to the next scene, then ultimately start over from the beginning. I boot up the program with the dongle plugged into the usb.
I think having the wireless feature on may have been an issue, so I will try turning it off at the next show.
I'll report back next time I use the program. Have a great summer.
Paul

Please don't wait for your next show to run into problems. You can run MyDMX with the dongle and no cabling and still test to see if you have issues. In my experience, the 3D Visualizer has helped me spot many problems that, thankfully(for lack of a better term) were mirrored by real life, so the MyDMX product has been a real sanity saver/wrecker.

Check your profiles, and even see if Jingles will check them for you. In the meantime, test often.

Again, don't wait for show day to discover problems. Do some tests off-line but otherwise in full show mode(dongle attached). If you see mega slow movement, it's time to quit, unplug dongle, reboot, plug in dongle after start up and then launch MyDMX and try it again. Come up with a standard operating procedure and stick with it like a cult-type mentality.