rs485 Archives - DIYProjects

DMX RS485 Wrong Board Fix

Posted on April 2, 2014by Steven

This guide serves as an important update and fix to my previous tutorial titled “DIY USB DMX Interface for Under $10“. Since that tutorial was published, it has become clear that there are multiple versions of this USB-DMX interface board circulating in the market. Depending on where you purchased your board, you may have received one with a chip that doesn’t function properly or is incompatible with the standard DMX data output. This can be frustrating if you were expecting a plug-and-play solution but found yourself with a non-working device instead.

For those who find themselves stuck with such a non-functional chip, this guide offers a practical solution. Thanks to the discovery by GermAndy, it is now possible to modify your existing board to enable proper DMX data transmission. Rather than having to buy a new interface or give up on your project, you can follow these instructions to tweak your board and get it working as intended. This fix ensures that even if your board was sold with a defective or incompatible chip version, you can still achieve reliable DMX control without additional expense.

Hardware

DIY USB DMX Controller for under $10

Posted on March 15, 2014by Steven

The DMX protocol, widely used in lighting control systems, operates on the same communication standard as the RS485 protocol. This means that any RS485 USB converter can be repurposed to send DMX signals, allowing you to control DMX-compatible devices such as stage lights, dimmers, and other effects. By leveraging this compatibility, you gain a versatile and cost-effective way to interface your computer or lighting software with professional lighting equipment without the need for specialized, often expensive DMX hardware controllers.

Traditional DMX controllers tend to be costly, which can be a significant investment for hobbyists, small venues, or independent artists. This guide provides an alternative approach, showing you how to save money by using an affordable RS485 USB converter as your DMX interface. The money saved on expensive DMX controllers can instead be redirected towards enhancing your setup with additional hardware, such as a MIDI controller for your lighting software, offering more hands-on control and creative possibilities for your lighting projects.

Hardware

DIY USB DMX Interface for under 10$

Posted on May 11, 2013by Steven

The DMX protocol, widely used for controlling stage lighting and effects, is fundamentally based on the RS485 communication standard. This means that any standard RS485 USB converter can be repurposed to send DMX signals to compatible devices. By leveraging this compatibility, you can bypass the need for expensive dedicated DMX controllers and instead use more affordable, readily available hardware to manage your lighting setup.

Typically, DMX controllers come with a higher price tag, which can be a barrier for hobbyists or small venues. This guide shows you how to save money by using an RS485 USB converter as a cost-effective alternative. The funds saved can then be redirected towards enhancing your lighting control experience, for example by investing in a hardware MIDI controller to interface with your lighting software more intuitively and creatively.