Lighting Software and DJ Software Conflict Issues Using One Laptop?

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ahoustondj

ahoustondj

Mac Daddy DJ
Aug 13, 2007
20,235
3,465
Texas
I will be purchasing the Chauvet Show Express 512 Plus. I have a question, is there anything wrong with running the following Programs simultaneously on the same Laptop or is it highly suggested to have a separate one for lighting? Has anyone who uses a DMX Software and Interface experienced any problems? My Laptop is pretty new and powerful. (I can't remember the specs now)
These are the most Programs I may be running at any one given time.
Traktor
Karaoke Program such as Show Presenter (Sax n Dotty)
Windows Media Player
Chauvet Show Express.
 
I've heard a bunch of guys proclaim to never use light-control software on the same PC but I've run audio, DMX and slideshow stuff regularly off my laptops with zero issues (and keep in mind I'm using fairly base-level machines). myDMX has given me hassles before about losing connection with the dongle but I've always been able to knock the app down and re-start without any impact on the audio or slideshow.
 
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There shouldn't be an issue running all those together (other than software bugs or idiosyncrasies that Rick mentioned). Video playing, maybe, but DMX software isn't that compute bound or I/O intensive (updates are relatively slow). However, running it on 2 separate laptops gives you 2 benefits: An immediate hot backup (assuming both are configured similarly) as well as 2 full screen interfaces (you could do that with a second monitor, but that might get in the way of karaoke and the 2nd laptop isn't that much more to take).
 
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Not recommended but it will work. I ran traktor and LightJockey on the same laptop without issues before. This was mainly due to limited set up area and for a small show.
As for USB dongle dropping out, make sure you change your configuration in windows power management settings to "always on". This is normally hidden in extended menu in windows 7/8.
 
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steve149 said:
There shouldn't be an issue running all those together (other than software bugs or idiosyncrasies that Rick mentioned). Video playing, maybe, but DMX software isn't that compute bound or I/O intensive (updates are relatively slow). However, running it on 2 separate laptops gives you 2 benefits: An immediate hot backup (assuming both are configured similarly) as well as 2 full screen interfaces (you could do that with a second monitor, but that might get in the way of karaoke and the 2nd laptop isn't that much more to take).
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That is a good point about the 2nd Laptop doing Double Duty as backup, however my MEP is really not only my Active Controller but also Stand Alone backup if the Lappy goes down.
 
Randy A said:
Just curious why you chose ShowExpress over Freestyler/Other?
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Because I do business with people who I know. The Chaps down the street from me is where I bought 6 of the Lights that I have, all Chauvet. I have gotten to know the Chauvet Rep in my area (He authorized a deep discount for me the night I attend the Chauvet/Rane Show and they have spent a considerable amount of time answering my questions. I repay that favor by giving them my business. I will be getting the Showexpress Plus, the one with the Remote Controls.

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SoftJock Rick said:
Run the programs in separate user spaces.

If you are a computer DJ, you should already know how to do that.

If not -- buy a couple turntables, because you have no clue what you're doing. :rolleyes:
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I never asked IF it could be done. I asked if there were any issues. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
ahoustondj said:
Because I do business with people who I know. The Chaps down the street from me is where I bought 6 of the Lights that I have, all Chauvet. I have gotten to know the Chauvet Rep in my area (He authorized a deep discount for me the night I attend the Chauvet/Rane Show and they have spent a considerable amount of time answering my questions. I repay that favor by giving them my business. I will be getting the Showexpress Plus, the one with the Remote Controls.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, I just wondered...no need to lecture me.
 
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Spread them lights ...
 
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I use one laptop for my music (MBP) and a Dell with Light jockey for lighting duties. A separate laptop for your lighting software is the best route to take. You may run into an issue while programming your lights right before the start of your event. At least with two machines, one can be playing music while the other is rebooting. Lighting software can be fickle sometimes. Running your lights on the same computer with your music is like bringing 1 speaker to a gig to do the job of two speakers. I don't recommend it.
 
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A Houston DJ: Virtual DJ 7.3 (running 95% videos from an external 2tb 7200rpm eSata III enclosure via USB2.0) and either FreeStyler with an UltraDMX or Vellemon controller or Lumidesk 2.0 with the Nano controller (4 channel dmx and 24 fixtures) via USB 2.0 on a single Win 7 64-bit HP dv7-1468nr machine w/7200rpm internal drives.

No issues...ever.

BUT...I run a 10" Dell mini-netbook with the DMX software separately just because. No other reason. Just because. It also has my backup Photo Booth software on it. Dual purpose piece of basic junk that works.
 
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My Applications for Gigs will be
1. Karaoke + DJ + Windows Media + Few lights in Sound Active mode (Non DMX).
2. DJ + Lights (DMX Controlled)
3. DJ + Windows Media + Lights (DMX Controlled)
I am starting to lean towards using my Main Laptop as Backup + Lighting and my Pioneer MEP 7000 for DJ only. The MEP usually controls Traktor anyway, all it really needs is the MP3s/songs. So since it has an input for an External HD, I really don't need the DJ software but will be limited to two decks instead of 4.

My other option is, once I start DMX Lighting, I will raise my rates and hire help to run Lighting like I used to do years ago.
 
ahoustondj said:
I never asked IF it could be done. I asked if there were any issues. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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Anything can be done, if you want to do a Rube job.

Me, I would probably use separate computers. A couple of the programs you mentioned, use direct hardware control, bypassing Windows abstraction layer, which is designed to protect you from yourself...

When you are logged into Win 7 as an Admin, processes are supposed to run in separate user spaces. If they bypass the abstraction layer, they will be running in the same user space. So for example, MIDI could conflict with HID, hard drive access can be compromised, etc...

So, it depends on how much risk you are willing to take...
 
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I used a desktop system running OtsAV and Light Jockey for years. I ran a desknote desktop replacement for backup audio, and opted to go without dmx lighting should the primary system fail. Never happened. Since my Light jockey isn't supported in Win 64 systems due to no 64 bit drivers for the LJ2 dongle, I've moved to Freestyler, and again, haven't had any issues. Granted, it's a desktop system, not a laptop, but today, the laptop systems are nearly as powerful as the desktop systems. I wouldn't have second thoughts myself.
 
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It's not a so much a matter of how powerful laptop is. As it was mentioned recent lappy's are powerful enough these days. It's a matter of software conflicting with each other and crashing. That's why I do not recommend doing it. I've done it myself and it worked but did not feel at ease doing it.
 
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That, IMO, is why you need to do thorough testing of your configuration before taking it live. If you are not confident in your system being stable, then yes, you should absolutely not use the configuration on a single machine live.

However, the software on seperate machines may not work properly as well. It's not just that the 2 softwares conflict, it may be a conflict of the hardware with the software you are trying to use. IRQ conflicts as an example, are rare these days, but still a possability.

Personally, I have run several apps at an event, only because I've tested them together on the machine I intended to use them on, for hours, as I intended to use them at a gig, but at home, for both practice using everything tegether, and to build confidence in my setups configuration.

As an example of what was running... I've had an apache server running on my system for remote access control, OtsAV running video with remote access control enabled, Opera to access the apache server PHP pages requested, Light Jockey, and Autohotkey (various control scripts used to control Ots via an XKeys controller. If I weren't running video, then I was running a milkdrop plugin for visual effects.

The last few events I've done, have not been as aggressive, as I no longer use the apache server. I've replaced it with a script that creates a gui, and accesses the Remote access control in Ots to query and display info directly. It's a bit easier on resources, and just as stable IMO. I also don't use milkdrop any longer, opting for the built in image slideshow if video isn't present. I am confident in my system. Are you of yours is the question you need to answer.
 
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