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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

iShow DAC is slow

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What controls DAC speed?

When I send a smaller ILDA image to my REKE 500RGB through the iShow DAC, it draws pretty well. If it has 200 points, I can see it draws pretty fast. So fast, I cannot count the revolutions.

7617-ildatest.png


But, when I send the ILDA Test Image, containing over 1000 points, it draws it like two times a second. Really slow. I am not talking about scanner speed, or how much error there may be in my slowish scanners. I am referring to the DAC’s ability to pump the signals into the ReKe. I just don’t get it.

I suspect that my system is too slow, or the DAC is too slow. But I am really uncertain. I am driving my scanners at 12K, and I expect to see some error and I do.

The system: Windows XP, iShow, iShow DAC, ReKe 500RGB.

I'll try to take some video and see if I can demonstrate what I'm talking about. Also, sending DWGs to the ReKe from iShow is really fast, although if I over drive my scanners, there is considerable error. But there is no perceived slowness in sending the signals to the ReKe.
 
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I made a video to demonstrate my theory that the ILDA Test image is drawing slow, because it has over 1000 points in it.

In the following video, I demonstrate a drawing with only 16 points compared to the SAME drawing, with 900 more drawing points added to the center.


I suspect the drawing bottleneck is outside the projector. From Windoze XP, through the iShow software, down the USB cable to the iShow DAC, and from there into the ILDA port on the ReKe-500RGB projector.

I suspect once we get to the ILDA cable, we are driving the PJ in an analog manner. The "slowness" I perceive in the ability to draw it must line somewhere up the chain from ILDA, right?
 

ARG

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Have you considered trying *********? This may be a software problem. It works with the iShow DAC and is not to much, though I think the author of it discontinued support for it. (There is a pirated version around here IIRC)

Edit: Whoops forgot the name was redacted after the crack was posted.

S.
P.
A.
G.
E.
T.
T.
I.
 
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I've considered working out a deal to evaluate Pangolin's QuickShow software and the bundled FlashBack 3 USB DAC. I wish I could try out the pasta one, just to see. USB is not to blame, so it's either the DAC or the software (or my PC, but I doubt it.)
 
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There's also Dr. Lava's LSX. I've got a copy, but really haven't put it to good use.

Quickshow might be nice if you're going for the whole DAC + software package though.
 
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Can someone explain to me something about ishow. Does it give you the abilty to save the changes you make on the laser machine or do you have to run the software everytime you want to bring up what you have made.

I would like to make my changes and store them onto the laser machine and not have to run the ishow when I want to bring them up just hit the dmx number and there it is.
 
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that can be done with a DMX controller in which a SD storage card contains the drawings.

Using iShow and other ILDA control software, you can design images and save them to your hard drive... or the SD card and then plug that card back into the D!X controller. The DMX controller hooks up to the ReKe or other projector.
 
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I heard that those SD machines just loop the stored effects with no control over what you choose is that correct? SD sounds like it would be a great way to go to load what you need and then pull it up when ready..but not sure how it is accessed.
 
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DMX is the thing you want to google. It allows for manipulation of lighting devices and accessories, such as RGB projectors, lighting, fog machines, you name it.

Maybe I have my facts wrong. This site: http://www.dmx512.ch/ implies intelligent controlling using a memory card.

It may be possible I am thinking of some RGB projectors, that store the drawings on an SD card, internally, and it's the DMX controller that chooses which one is displayed and when.

iShow connects (through its DAC) to the ILDA port on the projector. The ILDA port gives direct control of the mirrors (x,y coordinates) and manipulation of the laser beams (ttl, on and off, in most cases) Using iShow, and many other (better) software, one can enter "play" mode and assign different drawings to different keys on the keyboard. Then, as the music plays, one can tap the desired key to play the drawing.

A DMX controller (using a simpler interface, not the ILDA) can choose built-in drawings, on demand, or in-time with some music.

Some of the better software, Pangolin's QuickShow being considered the best, allows setting up whole shows and controlling the music and the projector (via the ILDA connector) and an optional DMX controller (to control other devices, such as fog machines) But, it is all done through a computer or laptop.

You indicated specifically you did not want to load iShow (who can blame you) and I presumed did NOT want to use a computer. In order to do this, you will need a way to store your drawings, such as a projector with writable memory (SD card) and some kind of human device (not unlike a Midi keyboard.) But that Midi keyboard will be using DMX to select the drawings to display. If you want a whole show configured ahead of time, so the show plays more or less hands-off, I don't think this can be done WITHOUT a computer.

I am still learning this, too. So if you find something that contradicts what I've said, I would welcome discussing it.
 
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I think the way that it works with the built in SD cards on these laser machines is that you can store creations and bring them up on the back panel. If anyone has one of these lasers can you also bring up the SD card through a DMX channel?

Trying to get a manual and have it in English is a tough go so I thought I try passing it by all of you.
 

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ARG

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The REKE does not have a built in SD card. I took mine apart and never saw one.
 
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Yea I do agree also...however with the models with the SD card I wonder if it allows a DMX channel to access the SD card so you then can bring up the ones that you created not just having to go to the back of the unit everytime you want to change a pattern.
 

benp

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I have a couple of LASER-UK ILDA club lasers that have SD cards, you can only access the SD card from DMX, sadly the machines will not allow you to run shows off the SD card using onboard configuration.
 
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Well I guess for the price we can't have it all...I just picked up ishow and yes it has some quirks but not bad for the price. But if you wanted to do production or commercial work then go for a product designed for that.
 

benp

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have just tried the "pasta" prog with the iShow DAC, seems ok to me, and runs ok at 30000, but seems quirkly smoother at 20000!!!
 




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