Newsgroups: rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Subject: Windows Vista and DMX-512 interfaces + software 

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). 

-- 
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at 
http://www.epanorama.net/