Newsgroups: rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Subject: Re: Windows Vista and DMX-512 interfaces + software
References: 
Tomi Holger Engdahl  writes:

> I have eariler used DMXcontrol software ( http://www.dmxcontrol.de/)
> and kristofnys parallel port to DMX-512 adapter 
> ( http://www.epanorama.net/dmx512pp/index.html ) 
> running on Windows 98 and Windows 2000 PCs.
> this has worked as expected.
> 
> Now when the old PC running that Windows 2000 has been replaced with a
> new PC that runs Windows Vista and does not have a parallel port, the
> question is what is the best software and hardware
> combination to get it to control DMX-512 equipment. Prefereably
> free/cheap designs.
> 
> I have tried a variation of Enttec Open USB to DMX-512 adapter and
> several software but without too much success. It seems that
> DMXcontrol software runs on Vista when you run it with Admin rights
> but was unable to communicate to my DMX-512 hardware. Freestyler
> failed to work on my Vista system, although some messages have
> mentioned that it works for them on Vista.
> And several other simpler control programs supporting that USB
> interface fail to find the adapter hardware (question is the problem
> Vista drivers or some bug on my hardware). 

I got something to work well on Vista. 
My adapter works well on Vista with FTDI D2XX Direct Drivers
and Open DMX Theater software from http://dmxtheater.plekkie.net/
This is enough for initial testing.
 
-- 
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at 
http://www.epanorama.net/