Old DMX Controller Tech Resurection. Can it be done?

[Techno_11]

I recently found this ETC Horizon HZ-SWP controller board:

https://imgur.com/a/91jkIHm

and this Parallel-to-DMX box:

Exterior: https://imgur.com/a/pXwkSQX

Interior: https://imgur.com/a/2X08vGv

 

At the auditorium in which I work. They used this several years before I came there.

I have spent a few hours trying to find documents about these or applications that may be able to communicate with these. If you think I am crazy for trying to resurrect something this old when I can buy a simple FTDI-based USB-to-DMX on amazon ( http://a.co/1cwhgZs) on the cheap, I agree. Nevertheless, I think it would be cool if I could get it to work. I was using an HP Win10x64 laptop connected to a dock that had Parallel (Printer port) and a Serial connection on it with no luck. I tried many open-source and free DMX controller softwares as well. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

(BTW this is a direct copy of my post on /r/technology, but I am a reddit noob and don't have enough karma so that post got deleted RIP)

[Julian5]

On 7/6/2018 at 1:19 AM, Techno_11 said:

I recently found this ETC Horizon HZ-SWP controller board:

https://imgur.com/a/91jkIHm

and this Parallel-to-DMX box:

Exterior: https://imgur.com/a/pXwkSQX

Interior: https://imgur.com/a/2X08vGv

 

At the auditorium in which I work. They used this several years before I came there.

I have spent a few hours trying to find documents about these or applications that may be able to communicate with these. If you think I am crazy for trying to resurrect something this old when I can buy a simple FTDI-based USB-to-DMX on amazon ( http://a.co/1cwhgZs) on the cheap, I agree. Nevertheless, I think it would be cool if I could get it to work. I was using an HP Win10x64 laptop connected to a dock that had Parallel (Printer port) and a Serial connection on it with no luck. I tried many open-source and free DMX controller softwares as well. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

(BTW this is a direct copy of my post on /r/technology, but I am a reddit noob and don't have enough karma so that post got deleted RIP)

I actually would rather have that old ass board over usb, Having dimmers is the best thing to do on live shows and I mean who does not want to slide those things up and down like a pro. I just contacted some people on lighting forums who might know what software to use. Is the submaster connected to the DMX/ paraller interface or are they seperate? Apparently, you can even run the software on Windows 7 with compatibility but I can't find a download link. I remember using a system similar to this but it would output VGA itself with no need of a pc.

[Ahoy Hoy]

On 07/06/2018 at 12:19 AM, Techno_11 said:

I recently found this ETC Horizon HZ-SWP controller board:

https://imgur.com/a/91jkIHm

and this Parallel-to-DMX box:

Exterior: https://imgur.com/a/pXwkSQX

Interior: https://imgur.com/a/2X08vGv

 

At the auditorium in which I work. They used this several years before I came there.

I have spent a few hours trying to find documents about these or applications that may be able to communicate with these. If you think I am crazy for trying to resurrect something this old when I can buy a simple FTDI-based USB-to-DMX on amazon ( http://a.co/1cwhgZs) on the cheap, I agree. Nevertheless, I think it would be cool if I could get it to work. I was using an HP Win10x64 laptop connected to a dock that had Parallel (Printer port) and a Serial connection on it with no luck. I tried many open-source and free DMX controller softwares as well. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

(BTW this is a direct copy of my post on /r/technology, but I am a reddit noob and don't have enough karma so that post got deleted RIP)

If its all working my only guess why it didn't work on your windows 10 computer is probably operating system compatibility.

I dont think this is worth chasing. You have to purchase the software and it isnt cheap. Also the company has done anything for over 15 years.

http://www.horizoncontrol.com/html/512_interface.html

Thats their website but half the links dont work and many things are dated.

 

If you're after a cheap way into dmx lighting. There are many options like Avolites T1 or Chamsys and I believe MA lighting has a PC system.

[Ahoy Hoy]

19 hours ago, Julian5 said:

I actually would rather have that old ass board over usb, Having dimmers is the best thing to do on live shows and I mean who does not want to slide those things up and down like a pro. I just contacted some people on lighting forums who might know what software to use. Is the submaster connected to the DMX/ paraller interface or are they seperate? Apparently, you can even run the software on Windows 7 with compatibility but I can't find a download link. I remember using a system similar to this but it would output VGA itself with no need of a pc.

4

Just going to correct a few errors.

"I actually would rather have that old ass board over usb, Having dimmers Faders  is the best thing to do on live shows and I mean who does not want to slide those things up and down like a pro (Faders by them selves is not always the best, a combination of faders and buttons is what is best). I just contacted some people on lighting forums who might know what software to use. Is the submaster connected to the DMX/ paraller interface or are they seperate (Sub master is so you can have two lights pointing at one spot and then only have to slide one fader to two both lights on).? Apparently, you can even run the software on Windows 7 with compatibility but I can't find a download link. I remember using a system similar to this but it would output VGA itself with no need of a pc."

[Julian5]

1 hour ago, Ahoy Hoy said:

Just going to correct a few errors.

"I actually would rather have that old ass board over usb, Having dimmers Faders  is the best thing to do on live shows and I mean who does not want to slide those things up and down like a pro (Faders by them selves is not always the best, a combination of faders and buttons is what is best). I just contacted some people on lighting forums who might know what software to use. Is the submaster connected to the DMX/ paraller interface or are they seperate (Sub master is so you can have two lights pointing at one spot and then only have to slide one fader to two both lights on).? Apparently, you can even run the software on Windows 7 with compatibility but I can't find a download link. I remember using a system similar to this but it would output VGA itself with no need of a pc."

I don't see why you had to correct my previous post but sure.  Apparently, the Unit shown in the picture is referred to as "submaster" by some documentation. 

 

I agree on the unit being too old to try scavenging free software or any for that matter, you can probably find cheaper DMX  controllers online for under 100$. I recall using a DMX Starville master 3 a couple years back for basic shows.

[Ahoy Hoy]

1 hour ago, Julian5 said:

I don't see why you had to correct my previous post but sure.  Apparently, the Unit shown in the picture is referred to as "submaster" by some documentation. 

 

I agree on the unit being too old to try scavenging free software or any for that matter, you can probably find cheaper DMX  controllers online for under 100$. I recall using a DMX Starville master 3 a couple years back for basic shows.

Submaster is not the name of the device or model its a title of the faders so you know what the faders are.

[Techno_11]

On 6/9/2018 at 8:42 PM, Julian5 said:

I actually would rather have that old ass board over usb, Having dimmers is the best thing to do on live shows and I mean who does not want to slide those things up and down like a pro. I just contacted some people on lighting forums who might know what software to use. Is the submaster connected to the DMX/ paraller interface or are they seperate? Apparently, you can even run the software on Windows 7 with compatibility but I can't find a download link. I remember using a system similar to this but it would output VGA itself with no need of a pc.

The Diagrams point to there being a computer to convert the Submasters to the parallel interface.  I actually tried connecting the submaster board directly to DMX via the parallel link, and nothing happened.  I will grab an old dell 760 from my work which I know already has windows 7 and a native Serial and Parallel port built in.  Also not opposed to going back to windows XP. A few of the programs I found were originaly written for Win xp anyway so it probably wouldn't hurt to try. Thanks for the help!

[Julian5]

9 hours ago, Techno_11 said:

The Diagrams point to there being a computer to convert the Submasters to the parallel interface.  I actually tried connecting the submaster board directly to DMX via the parallel link, and nothing happened.  I will grab an old dell 760 from my work which I know already has windows 7 and a native Serial and Parallel port built in.  Also not opposed to going back to windows XP. A few of the programs I found were originaly written for Win xp anyway so it probably wouldn't hurt to try. Thanks for the help!

The original software is native to W95 so I would recommend XP or earlier, Good luck!

[Techno_11]

15 hours ago, Julian5 said:

The original software is native to W95 so I would recommend XP or earlier, Good luck!

The original computer used to run this tech may still be in a closet somewhere, the people before me weren't to keen on throwing anything away (clearly) so maybe I can track that down.

[Julian5]

16 hours ago, Techno_11 said:

The original computer used to run this tech may still be in a closet somewhere, the people before me weren't to keen on throwing anything away (clearly) so maybe I can track that down.

Hopefully! 

[Techno_11]

Can't seem to find the OG lighting computer. Will try windows XP soon, though.