Weird output.

[Onge]

Hi guys and gals,

I have a bit of a weird thing happening with my RGB laser, that I just cannot think would be causing it.

If I start up the laser in stand-alone mode it outputs it's patterns absolutely fine.

If however I connect it up to my Medialas DAC and try and use the Mamba Black software the output is extremely erratic. If I try and display the ilda test pattern the best way to describe what is happening is that it is display each line, circle etc in turn and certain parts are not being displayed at all. i.e. I am not getting the full picture all at once. I have checked the scan speed and that is correct.

So I tried my other DAC, not sure what it is but it came with iShow and that does exactly the same.

If however I turn the speed up from 12K whichwhat the scanners speed is meant to be, up to about 41K then I get the complete picture but obviously the galvos do not like it at that speed, very quick test. I slow it down below 12K and the dsiplay gets worse.

I then tried my DMX SD DAC and everything works fine.

The only thing that has changed in this whole set-up is getting the new version of Mamba Black. Other than any Windows XP patches that have occured since the last time I connected it all up.

I am using the same ILDA cable for each of the 3 tests I did.

It is very strange.

I know you are going to ask for pictures of video, I will try and get some done.

Any suggestions as to possible causes ?

Many thanks in advance,

Onge (André)

[allthatwhichis]

Gonna have to ask for pictures of this one...

[daedal]

Gonna have to ask for pictures of this one...

Agreed... Pictures are needed on this one

No wiring changed on the scanners though? Perhaps the scan angle? My galvos don't like it when I do a wide scan (gonna have to figure this out at FLEM )

--DDL

[-bart-]

And ...
... what are your output / color settings ?

[Steve Milani]

Did you try to uninstall and re-install Mamba software and DAC dll-drivers?
A missing or "phantom" ground on pin n°25 ?

[Onge]

Thanks for all your replies guys,

Mamba Black was recently updated, but iShow has not been changed at all since it was installed. Mamba Black has been un-installed and re-installed many times before the update as it was not working properly (saving as ILDA), so could not create shows with it in ILDA format to save to the SD card had to use iShow

Nothing changed in the enclosure, has not been used since October as I was intending to change the galvos, amps and power supply to 30K ones, but never got time, have just fired it up to check it out with the intention of using for a gig this weekend.
Luckily I have all the shows I want on the SD card so can run them from the DMX SD DAC, which does work. This is my normal way of doing it as it can be controlled from my lighting console, no need to have another program running and having to flip between the two.

The scan angle is quite small as was testing in doors and target was quite close, but did wind it up to see if it improved and nada, as said strange that the stand alone works OK, and also strange that the DMX SD DAC also works. So in my mind the laser is working fine, the ILDA cable is fine because the DMX SD DAC is working fine.
It is only when I use the USB DACs and their associated software and try and control it live that the output is garbage. Have trried different USB cables, using the ones that came with the DACs and others that are known OK.

Mamba Black
"Color settings" - Everthing unticked.
"Output settings"
All default values except ther Max. scanspeed which is set at 12000
Tried playing with them but made no difference that I could see as had no solid picture. Was running the ILDA12K test pattern and what you could see was the laser scanning all the lines and circles, so it actually looks like a dot racing around.

I have captured it with my video camera, sorry it does not seem to pick up the colour of the lasers, it all seems white in the video, maybe a setting in the camera needs adjusting.
See video here

Onge (André)

[oliverst14@hotmail.com]

have you tried a different out put computer?
i had a problem with my laptop usb and getting a new usb card worked a treat.
give a different pc a go.
unsure other than that mate. never seen it before. i only get that if i turn my scanner speed right right down.

im guessing the master scan speed on the drivers have not been touch at all?



cheers ollie

hope you sort it out mate

[allthatwhichis]

have you tried a different out put computer?

That was going to be my suggestion...

[Onge]

Will give that a go next week as gigging this weekend.

Thanks everyone,

Onge (Andre)