Newbie

[Jem]

Hi Woody

Give me a call when you get a chance and i'll talk through a few things with you.

I'll also give you the opportunity to take a look at my QM2000 along with all the associated software including LivePRO etc.

I think you've got my number, but if not, send me a PM on here and i'll ring you.

Cheers

Jem

[norty303]

they told me they dont require a DAC for their software, but ive also been told that plugging the laser directly into the PC could damage the laser or the PC so i wasnt sure if i should try it.

I'm not sure how they can control their lasers via the ILDA standard without a DAC. Certainly the older versions of Zion had a PC card for control (the DAC).

I think that one of these scenarios could be happening:
1. They've informed you that you can try the demo, and don't need a DAC to use it (some DACs are also dongles to make the software work - Pango FB3 for one) Although you won't need a DAC, you won't be able to output anything as you don't have a DAC! If you could download a demo and output laser output without a DAC, everyone would be using Zion right now!

2. They use projectors with built in DAC's that are either USB or ethernet controlled. Either way, the DAC still exists, its just not in a separate box like you might expect.

3. They use DMX for their laser control. I find this one the least likely for a company doing what they do - and having seen and used Zion/Millenium.

If you read their website under software, you'll see that they say:
Zion:

Zion comes complete with USB, PCI or NETWORK interfaces,

Millenium:

comes complete with USB interface to run from any computer, even your laptop

The bottom line is, you are not going to get output from demo software (no matter how much you wish it to be so! ), but you can use the time to familiarize yourself with the user interface, so you hit the ground running at the gig.

[Woody07]

i didnt think it was possible jem to be honest. wayne is coming next week to take me to york for the week, if its ok could we meet up with you before we go to york, to have a play with the QM2000 and pangolin software please? id like to get a grasp of the different sotwares out there so i can make an informed decision when it comes time to buy our new laser and software.