DAC vs. DMX and where to buy - Laser Pointer Forums

Event_Horizon · 07-14-2008, 05:21 PM

Hey guys, I am looking into making my own laser show. I currently have some scanpro 20s lined up, but I have a couple things I need clarification on regarding control methods.

I am currently under the impression that DMX is basically a pre-programmed unit that comes with some simple images as well as some beamshow patterns. And that a DAC connects to a computer allowing you to program specific patterns and stuff. Is this correct? If I want to produce mainly images, then a DAC is what I need, right?

And also, where would be a good place to get a DAC? I looked at laser man's website but the link is expired or something and they want all kind of personal information for a price list.

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

am currently under the impression that DMX is basically a pre-programmed unit that comes with some simple images as well as some beamshow patterns. And that a DAC connects to a computer allowing you to program specific patterns and stuff. Is this correct?

yep correct

Quote:

I looked at laser man's website but the link is expired or something and they want all kind of personal information for a price list.

what link? please let me know so i can correct it?

Quote:

And also, where would be a good place to get a DAC?

this is the best dac money can buy,

http://www.pangolin.com/LD2000/index.htm

or the hobby kit

http://www.pangolin.com/flashback/flashback3.htm

moncha and fiesta

http://www.showtacle.com/

easylase dac

http://www.jmlaser.com/products_engl..._kurzinfo.html

mamba to run on easylase

http://www.medialas.de/showlaser/sof...mbablack_e.htm

and lds to run on easylase

http://www.jmlaser.com/software_engl...ignstudio.html

riya laser

http://www.riyalasers.com/news.htm

http://www.riyalasers.com/riya_usb_sa.htm

and a random one!

http://www.lumax.de/

general info

http://hobby-lasers.startpagina.nl/

Event_Horizon · 07-14-2008, 05:42 PM

The link is on your 15k scanner page here
http://www.laser-man.co.uk/2006/inde...4&Itemid=6

and the broken link is the clickable I-top link right above the pictures of the dac.

And holy crap that was a huge amount of information and was really fast. +1 man

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 05:50 PM

ah thats cos you cant get the i-top anymore.

also i would trying my hardest not to let you buy it, its so so so so so so so so so so shit

Event_Horizon · 07-14-2008, 05:56 PM

What one would you recommend as the best bang for the buck? I don't have a whole lot of money but I want to keep me options open.

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 05:59 PM

pffffffffffffffffffff no theres a question...........

pangolin fb3 - does everything you need and lots lots more. pretty complex, but good for creating shows as well.

moncha - very very easy to use, mainly geared up for beam shows. but you cant really create animations.

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 06:00 PM

they also do a moncha lite which is limited to 12k speed

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...:IT&ih=019

FokoF · 07-14-2008, 06:01 PM

DAC's give me headaches :'(
Pangolin FB3!!!! is the way to go!! I'm saving for one... do pangolin give student discount? :P

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 06:19 PM

lol i very much doubt it!!!

dacs ara a pain.

Event_Horizon · 07-14-2008, 06:21 PM

Looks like the Pangolin FB3 evaluation kit is what I'm looking for. Comes with the board, dmx, usb, memory card and livequick software. $600 though.... more then the cost of everything else combined! I guess I'll start saving up then...

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 06:25 PM

see how much the next one up is that includes livepro.

its pangolins daddy software.

i hate to brag..... but dacs arent a problem for them when you own -

fb3 with livepro
moncha
fiesta
easylase - with mamba and lds

Event_Horizon · 07-14-2008, 06:34 PM

Livepro looks like it is another $500 on top of the $600 for the other stuff. I think I'll just stick with the basic version for now.

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 06:36 PM

ah i see, fair enough.

livepro is licensed for doing shows, liveq is not

so if you dont plan on doing commercial shows it will be fine

FokoF · 07-14-2008, 06:37 PM

Andy you bugger! ;D we all hate you now

not really just dam jealous!!!!

andy_con · 07-14-2008, 06:40 PM

lol

Event_Horizon · 07-14-2008, 07:01 PM

I don't plan on doing commercial shows. If I end up doing some, just..... don't tell anyone!

keeperx · 07-14-2008, 10:26 PM

nobody has mentioned
norms dac http://74.58.33.200:81/
the sound card dac,
or the (not yet released) LavaDAC
An there is also linux laser http://www.linux-laser.org/

FokoF · 07-15-2008, 09:53 AM

I'm keen to see Dr.lava's DAC

should be very good and cheaper than other brands... oh and chinese department store has a really cheap DAC... I think its a i-top!!! haha andy your favorite ;D http://www.chinesedepartmentstore.co...oducts_id/2854

Things · 07-15-2008, 11:10 AM

If you want, you can try building a audio card DAC. They are the cheapest you can go, and there is some open source software that supports it.

andy_con · 07-15-2008, 11:17 AM

LOL

i would say to anyone DO NOT BUY the itop

its not worth a £1

keeperx · 07-15-2008, 12:04 PM

The chinese department stire dac cant be that bad, its paired with a nice laser...
http://www.chinesedepartmentstore.co...oducts_id/2788
but then thats not saying much.. maybe ill buy one to see what its like...

lamborgini8 · 07-15-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeperx

The chinese department stire dac cant be that bad, its paired with a nice laser...
http://www.chinesedepartmentstore.co...oducts_id/2788
but then thats not saying much.. maybe ill buy one to see what its like...

I heard bad things about iShow. Bloody awesome laser though :O

andy_con · 07-15-2008, 04:15 PM

you would be mad to buy a scanner like that then use ishow!!!

EVERYONE TRUST ME DO NOT BUY ISHOW

Things · 07-16-2008, 05:25 AM

Sounds like Apple made it, along with iPod, iPhone, iCrap ;D ;D ;D

andy_con · 07-16-2008, 11:43 AM

bloody iphone!!!

nokia made an iphone (n91) well over two years ago.

with wi-fi and G3. apple are only just bringing it out!!! WTF

nokia made the n95 with sat nav well over a year ago now, apple are only just bringing it out!! WTF

07-14-2008, 05:21 PM	#1
Event_Horizon Class 2 Laser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 326 Rep Power: 4	DAC vs. DMX and where to buy Hey guys, I am looking into making my own laser show. I currently have some scanpro 20s lined up, but I have a couple things I need clarification on regarding control methods. I am currently under the impression that DMX is basically a pre-programmed unit that comes with some simple images as well as some beamshow patterns. And that a DAC connects to a computer allowing you to program specific patterns and stuff. Is this correct? If I want to produce mainly images, then a DAC is what I need, right? And also, where would be a good place to get a DAC? I looked at laser man's website but the link is expired or something and they want all kind of personal information for a price list. __________________ www.laserglow.com

07-14-2008, 05:42 PM	#3
Event_Horizon Class 2 Laser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 326 Rep Power: 4	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy The link is on your 15k scanner page here http://www.laser-man.co.uk/2006/inde...4&Itemid=6 and the broken link is the clickable I-top link right above the pictures of the dac. And holy crap that was a huge amount of information and was really fast. +1 man __________________ www.laserglow.com

07-14-2008, 05:50 PM	#4
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy ah thats cos you cant get the i-top anymore. also i would trying my hardest not to let you buy it, its so so so so so so so so so so shit __________________

07-14-2008, 05:56 PM	#5
Event_Horizon Class 2 Laser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 326 Rep Power: 4	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy What one would you recommend as the best bang for the buck? I don't have a whole lot of money but I want to keep me options open. __________________ www.laserglow.com

07-14-2008, 05:59 PM	#6
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy pffffffffffffffffffff no theres a question........... pangolin fb3 - does everything you need and lots lots more. pretty complex, but good for creating shows as well. moncha - very very easy to use, mainly geared up for beam shows. but you cant really create animations. __________________

07-14-2008, 06:00 PM	#7
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy they also do a moncha lite which is limited to 12k speed http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...:IT&ih=019 __________________

07-14-2008, 06:01 PM	#8
FokoF Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 509 Rep Power: 10	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy DAC's give me headaches :'( Pangolin FB3!!!! is the way to go!! I'm saving for one... do pangolin give student discount? :P __________________ 5mw Greenie 30mw Module(RIP) 300mw Module ScanPro20's 803T@125mA Dual Red Setup @ 400mA each

07-14-2008, 06:19 PM	#9
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy lol i very much doubt it!!! dacs ara a pain. __________________

07-14-2008, 06:21 PM	#10
Event_Horizon Class 2 Laser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 326 Rep Power: 4	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy Looks like the Pangolin FB3 evaluation kit is what I'm looking for. Comes with the board, dmx, usb, memory card and livequick software. $600 though.... more then the cost of everything else combined! I guess I'll start saving up then... __________________ www.laserglow.com

07-14-2008, 06:25 PM	#11
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy see how much the next one up is that includes livepro. its pangolins daddy software. i hate to brag..... but dacs arent a problem for them when you own - fb3 with livepro moncha fiesta easylase - with mamba and lds __________________

07-14-2008, 06:34 PM	#12
Event_Horizon Class 2 Laser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 326 Rep Power: 4	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy Livepro looks like it is another $500 on top of the $600 for the other stuff. I think I'll just stick with the basic version for now. __________________ www.laserglow.com

07-14-2008, 06:36 PM	#13
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy ah i see, fair enough. livepro is licensed for doing shows, liveq is not so if you dont plan on doing commercial shows it will be fine __________________

07-14-2008, 06:37 PM	#14
FokoF Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 509 Rep Power: 10	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy Andy you bugger! ;D we all hate you now not really just dam jealous!!!! __________________ 5mw Greenie 30mw Module(RIP) 300mw Module ScanPro20's 803T@125mA Dual Red Setup @ 400mA each

07-14-2008, 06:40 PM	#15
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy lol __________________

07-14-2008, 07:01 PM	#16
Event_Horizon Class 2 Laser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 326 Rep Power: 4	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy I don't plan on doing commercial shows. If I end up doing some, just..... don't tell anyone! __________________ www.laserglow.com

07-14-2008, 10:26 PM	#17
keeperx Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 553 Rep Power: 5	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy nobody has mentioned norms dac http://74.58.33.200:81/ the sound card dac, or the (not yet released) LavaDAC An there is also linux laser http://www.linux-laser.org/

07-15-2008, 09:53 AM	#18
FokoF Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 509 Rep Power: 10	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy I'm keen to see Dr.lava's DAC should be very good and cheaper than other brands... oh and chinese department store has a really cheap DAC... I think its a i-top!!! haha andy your favorite ;D http://www.chinesedepartmentstore.co...oducts_id/2854 __________________ 5mw Greenie 30mw Module(RIP) 300mw Module ScanPro20's 803T@125mA Dual Red Setup @ 400mA each

07-15-2008, 11:10 AM	#19
Things Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cairns, Australia Posts: 4,283 Rep Power: 147	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy If you want, you can try building a audio card DAC. They are the cheapest you can go, and there is some open source software that supports it. __________________ Problems with LaserChat?

07-15-2008, 11:17 AM	#20
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy LOL i would say to anyone DO NOT BUY the itop its not worth a £1 __________________

07-15-2008, 12:04 PM	#21
keeperx Class 2M Laser Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 553 Rep Power: 5	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy The chinese department stire dac cant be that bad, its paired with a nice laser... http://www.chinesedepartmentstore.co...oducts_id/2788 but then thats not saying much.. maybe ill buy one to see what its like...

07-15-2008, 04:15 PM	#23
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy you would be mad to buy a scanner like that then use ishow!!! EVERYONE TRUST ME DO NOT BUY ISHOW __________________

07-16-2008, 05:25 AM	#24
Things Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cairns, Australia Posts: 4,283 Rep Power: 147	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy Sounds like Apple made it, along with iPod, iPhone, iCrap ;D ;D ;D __________________ Problems with LaserChat?

07-16-2008, 11:43 AM	#25
andy_con Class 3B Laser Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,982 Rep Power: 146	Re: DAC vs. DMX and where to buy bloody iphone!!! nokia made an iphone (n91) well over two years ago. with wi-fi and G3. apple are only just bringing it out!!! WTF nokia made the n95 with sat nav well over a year ago now, apple are only just bringing it out!! WTF __________________

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