DMXtreme Mini MOnitor is a simple software tool intended for the monitoring of DMX channel values.  It works in conjunction with the DMX512 Transceiver (or Receiver) hardware from Holo-Spectra Inc.  This hardware connects to the DMX stream via 5 Pin XLR and requires 9-12VDC,center pin positive.  It connects to your PC via a DB9 serial cable.  Here are technical specs.

As per USITT DMX512. 5 Pin XLR style female connector, pin 1 is common, pin 2 is tx-, pin 3 is tx+, pin 4 is rx-, and pin 5 is rx+.  The DMX transceiver is wired as DCE (Data Communications Equipment) and hence is connected to the host computer RS232 port (DTE, Data Terminal Equipment) with a 1:1 cable, i.e. no cross-over. A total of 7 wires are necessary for successful operation, they are detailed in table 1 of the manual. Note that there is no problem using a cable that has all 9 connections present. Gender of plug for DMX transceiver is male, host computer is female.  Your computer serial port needs to be set to 115,200 baud with 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity.  RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR handshake is on and DCD and XON/XOFF is off.

This program is very useful for testing DMX sending devices and monitoring DMX communication streams.  You could also use the DMX inputs to perform useful software functions on your PC.  This is a reasonably simple programming task or we can create a custom program for you.

First thing to do in the software is to set the serial port to the number of the port your cable is connected to.  When you have the correct port and the DMX512 Transceiver is connected, you will see the message in Status box - DMX Transceiver connected OK. You can now do reads of up to 5 specific DMX channels or a full range of DMX channels can be listed with their channel values.

To read individual channels, select the DMX channel number on the slider.  You can read the channel number on the button below the slider.  Clicking on the slider will move in increments of 10 while the side advance and retreat buttons move by an increment of 1.  YOu can also use keyboard PageUp and PageDown for movement by 10 or the cursor arrows for movement by 1.  Click the button that says Read Channel X to get the value for Channel X in the box at top.  You can also get continuous DMX readings by checking the box at the far right; readings are made 10 times a second.  Status box will indicate any errors.

If you want to check the value of a wide range of DMX channels, you can get a listing of each channels value by setting the lower start channel at the left and the upper end channel at the right.  Selecting the channel is done as above.  You will get a full listing in the large list box at right by clicking the List Ch X-Y button.

This program is programmed by and copywritten by Bill Arkin, Holo-Spectra Inc., 2001.  All rights reserved.  It is only licensed for use to owners of the DMX512 Transceiver or for demo considerations.  Further product information or requests for DMX based programs can be sent to 

Bill Arkin
Holo-Spectra Inc.
www.lasershs.com
info@lasershs.com
818 9949577