Could you offer me some advice as to the best DMX interface for my needs? I'm also slightly confused about differently branded versions of DMX interfaces.
First of all a few general question about the USB cable type interfaces including yours:
- Is it that that these put more load on the CPU of the host computer compared to the more expensive boxes?
- And if so is this because these interface cables have (virtually) no buffer of their own and that the PC becomes responsible for maintaining proper timing of the actual binary data stream?
- Is this also why there is a limit on the number of channels and fixtures (although that last one strikes me as arbitrary) and why it can't do 3d visualization at the same time as sending actual DMX data?
The above is rather important to me as I'll be using the software on an Atom powered Netbook. It may or may not run my own sound switching software at the same time (which will trigger your software through MIDI), I have a second Netbook and could run my software on one of them and yours with DMX interface on the other with just a MIDI cable between them.
I'm also confused about the various boxes. Let me list the ones I have found:
- EUR XXX, ShowTec SweetLight D512
Is this yours and is it the same as the Chauvet Xpress 512 and your D512?
I'm a bit surprised that they put ShowTec in the name (the product photo only has SweetLight D512 on it).
Recently I heard that some EuroLite fixtures are actually the same as some Chauvet offerings. It would surprise me if both ShowTec and EuroLite 'share' products with Chauvette but I realize that connections between companies can be 'intricate' in some industries. - EUR XXX, Chauvette Xpress 512
- EUR XXX, Chauvette Xpress 512 Plus
The only thing I like over the D512/non-PLUS version is that it offers electrical isolation. Don't think I need any of the other extra features - EUR XXX, Chauvette XFactor
Has in input and output but no isolation??? - EUR XXX, Sweetlight BOX DMX Lightcontrol Software Box Version 512 Channel
Same as the Chauvette XFactor one but EUR XXX cheaper?
Futher complicating the choice is that I read here on this forum that the BOX version with both input and output is EOL. I wouldn't want to purchase an interface (assuming the suppliers above have them in stock) if it's going to be replaced with a newer improved one or if it's replacement is going to use different drivers.
I'm not yet sure what I could use it for but I can imagine that having a DMX input available might be useful. I do have an old Leprecon DMX controller that I could connect to it but I'm not sure how useful that would be.
Optical isolation may perhaps be more useful but on the other hand it appears you can buy a 4-way DMX splitter with isolation for EUR 58.
Finally there is the choice between Chauvette and your own brand. I'm in Europe but as you can see I can get some models from Chauvette and some models with your brand on it. I get the impression that the hardware and software is developed by you guys in Europe (France?) and that Chauvette is simply using your products (although 'Chauvette' has a very French ring to it). As such I think I would prefer it to have you brand on it but the Chauvette Xpress 512 is the cheapest in my list above and I don't know where to get your version for such a good price.
Can you somehow simplify my choice?