Light Show Software-Parallel port?

Hi have a Chinese laser scanner/driver/showcard set. All mounted and so far as the included firmware demo shows it works fine.

However I want to control it with software and everything I can find so far seems to use either USB or Serial however the show card uses parallel port input.

( It also has a DAX connector but there is no documentation on using that input so I don't know what pins to what or how to connect it to the PC. )

Does anyone know of a free software that can output to parallel port? I did order a USB to parallel adapter but that could take weeks and I want to PLAY NOW !! :crackup:

Also if anyone has one of these Chinese show cards and has found better documentation I would appreciate that knowledge. Google has not turned up much except more people on eBay selling them. The seller never replied to my request for more information.

Thanks in advance for any help.

paulkruger said:

Hi have a Chinese laser scanner/driver/showcard set. All mounted and so far as the included firmware demo shows it works fine.

However I want to control it with software and everything I can find so far seems to use either USB or Serial however the show card uses parallel port input.

Click to expand...

I'm assuming that what you're referring to is the DB-25Male "ILDA" Connector. This is not a parallel port. This is a proprietary interface used on a majority of laser projectors to connect to a DAC. A quick google search led me to this thread: http://laserpointerforums.com/f47/how-do-ilda-laser-projectors-work-82504.html. Post number 2 has a great pic of the ilda interface pinout.

( It also has a DAX connector but there is no documentation on using that input so I don't know what pins to what or how to connect it to the PC. )

Click to expand...

Not sure what this connector is, maybe a DMX input?

Does anyone know of a free software that can output to parallel port? I did order a USB to parallel adapter but that could take weeks and I want to PLAY NOW !! :crackup:

Click to expand...

The last software that I used that had a parallel port DAC was PCLite. That was back in the mid-90's. Today, it's either a PCI card or USB DAC. A very inexpensive way to create a DAC would be with a modified sound card. There's a thread here on LPF that describes how to make one. Then, you'd need the software to interface with your DAC. I'm not sure of anything that's free, but there are some very inexpensive programs out there. One of which is banned from this forum, but is still pretty good software.

Also if anyone has one of these Chinese show cards and has found better documentation I would appreciate that knowledge. Google has not turned up much except more people on eBay selling them. The seller never replied to my request for more information.

Click to expand...

I don't know much of anything about these little show cards found in projectors except that they apparently contain some very basic queue's that can be triggered via DMX. It sounds like the first thing I'd remove from a Chinese projector, if I were to ever purchase a Chinese projector.

The show cards are total crap, but they get you started. Like DJZ said the connector is NOT a parallel port. If you want to use it you'll have to get/make a DAC.

Thanks. I will look at this thread. Yes I meant to type DMX, don't have a clue why I typed DAX, must he senility setting in.

I know it is a cheap card but I am cheap and this is just a toy to play with. I suppose I will work on upgrading at some time but it gives me a starting point to learn with at relatively little cost.

I got a great case at no cost, had a nice little open frame 12 V power supply for the laser module. Did pay about $120 for an 800mw RGB module Won't have more than about $225 in the whole display.

Will be updating my project page with more plus images soon. CLICK FOR: Paul's Projects

Thanks for ideas...keep 'em coming everyone !