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Looking to get a Catalyst

I am somewhat a beginner to media servers, but have taken courses on the Green Hippo and soon the grandMA console. I am looking to possibly purchase a Catalyst to rent out and also run with some local bands.

I was curious if this unit for sale is a good deal?
www.gearsource.com/products.cfm/ns/72/cat/Video%20Equipment|Media%20Servers/pkid/12113.html

Thanks in advance!
Best,
B. Rod.
  • Well even then with a GrandMA you can use Artnet!! I love products that can use artnet straight out of a console...
  • Awesome, thanks for the tip... Any specific artnet devices you would recommend to use with the catalyst?
  • Well anything artnet will work. Artnet is a protocol that was specified by Artistic License and pretty much any device that is supposed to speak artnet.. will.. But every once in a while someone messes up on some little piece of the code. I have heard a lot of good things about the ENTTEC devices. Something like the ODE is nice because its a very inexpensive 1 port device. And of corse Artistic License products works well..
  • I was looking at those enttec devices, they look neat... but quick questions... Lets say I want to pixel map moving flames onto these lights:
    pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/OmniSistem-LED-EColor-Moving-Yoke-DMX-LED-Panel?sku=801728

    I would need a high end artnet device like the that can send and recieve DMX at the same time correct? rather then this one way enttec device? Would I need one of these from AL:
    www.artisticlicence.com/index.php?mode=products&sub=category&action=&category_id=4&product_id=&project_id=&policies_id=&cart_id=&order_id=

    I really appreciate all your help!
    Thanks.
  • Well artnet boxes come in many flavors. Enttec has 1 out, 2 out and 8 out as well as ins. Artistic License has the same flavors as well as more outputs, plus multiple input/output frames. Anything Artistic License will work because it is their protocol.. Pretty much any device will work.

    The only thing with that fixture is it appears to only be a single cell. If you had like a studiopix, you can use each little LED as a cell so it appears more movie like. It does take a lot of universes. One thing to keep in mind is that the Pro version of Catalyst will only do 10 universes. You can expand for additional costs though.
  • [quote=beardedbil;35870]I was looking at those enttec devices, they look neat... but quick questions... Lets say I want to pixel map moving flames onto these lights:
    pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/OmniSistem-LED-EColor-Moving-Yoke-DMX-LED-Panel?sku=801728

    I would need a high end artnet device like the that can send and recieve DMX at the same time correct? rather then this one way enttec device? Would I need one of these from AL:
    www.artisticlicence.com/index.php?mode=products&sub=category&action=&category_id=4&product_id=&project_id=&policies_id=&cart_id=&order_id=

    I really appreciate all your help!
    Thanks.

    Unless you need to go to 5-pin DMX somewhere, you don't need any type of ArtNet box.

    You can go directly into the Mac for the Catalyst from the ArtNet port of a console (DP-8K....RHFB...GMA....whatever you like) with a crossover cable.

    If you also need output from the Catalyst for pixelMAD, simply put a cat-5 switch in place and use regular "straight" cables.

    Again....this is only if you don't need 5-pin to your fixtures, and can send them ArtNet "natively".

    Hope this helps. :)

www.etcconnect.com