1-1. Principles and practices¶

This week I worked on defining my final project idea and started to getting used to the documentation process.

Assignments and Assessment this week¶

- Plan and sketch a potential final project¶

Final project sketch¶

This is a sketch of my first final project idea. It’s to build a device to test stage lighting signal systems. What I’ll actually build is a tester with a monitor function that checks the DMX signal status (pictured in the middle), and it will display the signal status of four universes at once. If I have time, I’d also like to build a DMX signal output device to check its operation, and a DMX input device that can receive DMX signals and perform some action.

Reason¶

Why do I need it? The reason is that my work often involves checking DMX. Is the signal line connected? Is the DMX signal to live or not to libe? That’s the question.

Furthermore, the days of checking only 512 channels and one universe are over. The controller can output more than 2 universes simultaneously. No matter how many oscilloscopes I have, it’s never enough.

Next Plan¶

First, I’ll build a controller that outputs a minimal DMX signal and various simple devices that operate using DMX input (such as an RGB LED strip or a servo-driven projector shutter). Next, I’ll build a monitor to monitor the movement of the DMX 512ch x 4 universe signal, which is my ultimate goal. If I have time, I’d like to build a larger controller or a DMX-controlled device. Here’s a list of what I make: