xDONGLE

USB to DMX Dongle Fully ENTTEC Pro Compatible

User Manual

40 State Route 23 North Suite 1A Riverdale, NJ 07457 P: 973-831-2822

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the xDongle. The kit contains all the parts necessary to construct a fully functional xDongle. This device, used in conjunction with any computer, will create one full 512 channel DMX network. This fully Enttec compatible DMX dongle is a great alternative for a DMX dongle. The device features a USB-B connector on the input side and a 3 pin XLR connector or DMX standard Cat-5 connector on the output side. Power and DMX status LEDs help the user see when the device is power and when DMX data is being transmitted. The device comes in a fully anodized aluminum case and features fully isolation to keep your DMX devices and your computer safe. FTDI USB processor and drivers ensure reliable operation on either a Windows based PC or a Mac based operating system. Please take the time to read the following sections of this manual. Enclosed in this document is information regarding driver installation and usage of each xDongle. Be sure to fully understand all the information provided in this manual before powering any xDongle units. Failure to understand the information provided here could render your unit useless.

*Disclaimer! This device uses potentially deadly voltages in operation. If you do not feel it is within your ability to work with these voltages please stop and get assistance, or purchase a ready built product. Improper use of this equipment could be hazardous to life and property and the suitability of use is your responsibility. Seasonal Entertainment assumes no responsibility in the use or operation of this equipment.
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In the Box
When you receive your xDongle the package should contain the following: Circuit Board, component parts and enclosure (if a DIY kit) Fully assembled, xDongle in its enclosure USB Cable

The most recent copy of both the Assembly Manual and User Manual can be found at www.seasonalentertainmentllc.com. Click on the Downloads page and locate the product you are working on.

Applications
The xDongle is part of our full line of commercial DMX lighting products and lighting control products. This device, with the use of countless pieces of software, allows the end user to have a USB bridge to your DMX devices. The xDongle is powered by the USB cable and your computer to ensure proper power to the device. The device also features 3 pin XLR jacks and a Cat-5 standard DMX jack to allow easy connectivity to almost any DMX device on the market. The unit also features two LEDs to indicate power and DMX activity. Microprocessor control allows for reliable operation, even on the oldest computers. Furthermore, each device is fully isolated at 1000 volts for safe operation of DMX products indoors and out. DMX lighting control Protocol bridge Computer software control

*The remainder of this manual assumes you have fully assembled your xDongle unit. If you have not done so, please fully assemble your unit as per the instructions in the Assembly Manual.*

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Understanding xDONGLE
Each xDONGLE is a full featured USB to DMX Dongle. The device features a two sided design to ensure easy connections between components. One side features a USB-B connection which will power the device as well as send data. On the same side there are two LEDs labeled PWR and DMX. (More on the lights operation later on in the manual.) The other side of the device features a DMX standard 3 pin Female XLR Jack and a DMX standard Cat-5 or Modular Jack. (Output connections are described later on in the manual.)

USB Connection

Power LED

DMX LED

DMX XLR Jack

DMX Cat-5 Jack

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USB Connections
Every xDONGLE, whether purchased as a DIY Kit or a fully assembled unit will come with its own black 6ft USB-A to USB-B cable. This cable, or any cable like it, will send data from your computer to the DMX dongle. This USB data will be transformed into DMX data, which can then be used to control any DMX device. The USB cable also will power the xDONGLE. There is no need for an additional external power source or additional wiring. The length of the USB cable should be kept as short as possible but never exceed 15ft.

DMX Connections
The xDONGLE features two different types of DMX connections. Both types of connections follow the DMX standard set forth by USITT. The connection types are as follows: 1. 3 pin Female XLR Jack 2. Cat-5/Modular jack connector The xDONGLE gives you the ability of using any combination of those connections to create you DMX universe. You can use either the XLR jack or the cat-5 jack for DMX data connections. The connection you use does not matter and can be changed at any time. What is important to remember is you cannot use both connection points on a port. For example, the xDONGLE is not a DMX splitter. There is only one data stream coming out of the xDONGLE and therefore you can only use either the XLR jack or the cat-5 jack at any one time.

Status LEDs
Power LED
The Power LED, labeled PWR, is red in color and used to indicate when power is successfully applied to the device. When initially powering up the device that LED will not immediately turn on but rather wait for the computer to recognize the device that was just connected.

DMX LED
The DMX LED, labeled DMX, is green in color and used to indicate when the dongle is in standby mood and/or transmitting data. When in standby mood the green LED will flash about twice per second. When transmitting data, the green LED will flash at a rate about double that speed. The device is not transmitting any data is the green LED is not flashing.

Isolation
The xDONGLE is fully optically isolated at 1000 volts to protect the user and the attached computer. At no time should any fault in the data line affect your computer.

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Installation
DO NOT IMMEDIATELY CONNECT YOUR XDONGLE TO YOUR COMPUTER WITHOUT FIRST READING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS SECTION!

Windows based driver installation

The xDONGLE uses FTDI Virtual Drivers that are readily available and easy to install. Any Windows based computer with Windows Vista or later (Mac information to follow) that is connected to the internat should go out and retrieve the drivers automatically. If your computer is running a Windows operating system before Windows Vista, please follow the link below to download and manually install your drivers. Furthermore, any Linus or Max OS X computer should also follow the link to download the correct driver for their operating system. http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm To begin installation first plug your xDONGLE into an available USB port on your computer. You will hear your computer make a noise indicating it is connected. Once You will notice that your computer has indicated it has found new hardware and is going to locate the drivers for the hardware. You should see a pop up in your task bar like this:

When you click on the pop up you will see a window such as below. Allow Windows to search Windows Update and locate the correct drivers.

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It will take a moment for Windows update to locate and install the drivers. Once it has located the correct USB Serial Converter it will show you that is ready to use.

Once it has installed the driver successfully it will tell you that Your Device is ready to use. You may want to take note of the COM port listed. Certain software like Madrix, Light Show Pro and Vixen will care about the COM port being used.

Your xDONGLE is now ready to use. You will notice that once the driver has installed correctly the green DMX LED will begin to blink at a rate of about 2 flashes per second. This is indicating that the drivers are installed, the device is connected to your computer and it is transmitting a DMX network, although not sending any commands.

Mac OS X based driver installation

Mac OS X driver installation is very similar to the Windows installation except the drivers will not download automatically. Chances are pretty good that your Mac OS X system will be able to handle the xDONGLE without the need to install additional drivers but you should any way. Begin by downloading the driver appropriate for your system. You can get the drivers at the following link: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

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Once you download the correct driver the .dmg file will be located in the appropriate folder.

Open the file and select the newest driver version.

Extract the file by double clicking on it. Follow the installation guide step by step.

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Let the drivers completely install after entering in your system administrator password.

Once the driver has installed successfully you will get the following message.

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Software Configuration
Light-O-Rama
Begin by going to Edit>Network Preferences. The following window will appear.

Under Adapter, Select the appropriate adapter listed. (All xDONGLEs will have different ID numbers but all will always start with A)

Under Protocol, select the ENTTEC DMX USB Pro.

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Click Apply and your settings will be saved. Be sure to open the Control Panel so the DMX COM Listener opens. Once connected to the xDONGLE it will show a connection in the DOS Window.

Light Show Pro v2.5 or later

Click the Options tab then click on Configure Outputs. The following window will appear. Click on Add Output

Select the hardware protocol as Enttec DMX Pro (DMXUSBPro or Lynx). Your Zone or Network should be whatever universe you are creating. If you are only using one universe, leave it set to 1.

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Next select the device you have just added. You will not it says Not Configured. Highlight that device and click on Configure Output.

Follow the steps for configuring the output as follows:

You can get your COM Port from the driver installation window. Should you have forgotten that port, you can find the information in your System Properties under Device Manager. Look under the Ports section.

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Once complete the output will show as configured in our Output Configuration Manager. Adding additional xDONGLEs is as simple as clicking Add Output and adding an additional dongle. Just remember to change the zone/network to reflect what universe you are now creating.

Madrix
Open Madrix and click Preferences>Device Manager. The following window will appear. Click on Rescan for Devices if your dongle is not already listed. Madrix will automatically locate and install all the xDONGLEs connected to your computer and assign them to the appropriate universe.

Once complete, click Apply and then OK to complete setup.

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xLights
Begin by opening xLights. The first window that appears will be your device configuration screen. Click on Add USB.

In the window that opens click DMX should already be selected. If it is not, click on the drop down menu and select DMX. The port selection will depend on what port your device is installed on. You can get your COM Port from the driver installation window. Should you have forgotten that port, you can find the information in your System Properties under Device Manager. Look under the Ports section.

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Once you click OK your DMX network will be listed in the Lighting Networks section of xLights. Adding an additional xDONGLE is as simple as following the setups listed above.

Youre Done!
Thats it. You have completed the installation of your xDONGLE. Now just sit back and enjoy the light show!

Troubleshooting
If you are having a problem, check out the Downloads page on www.seasonalentertainmentllc.com. There you will find a list of common problems that should be able to help you along. In the event that doesnt answer your question, do not hesitate to send an email to support@seasonalentertainmentllc.com

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