Leap Frog 96 4 Universes? (Question)

[KidNation]

Hi all,

I've recently acquired a LeapFrog 96 and was wondering what these two pin headers are for on the motherboard (imaged)? They are labeled DMX C and D, it may just be for so you can add 3 pin DMX for your two universes but it would be cool if you could get four universes on an old LeapFrog. 

Cheers.

 

[iank99]

The Mainboard was common across the more recent LeapFrog/Solution series and the Frog 2 from memory (& probably the server boxes too). The connections are probably there for the Frog 2 which did support 4 universes.

The boards are soft configurable to the unit/chassis they're being mounted in to but I suspect that "flipping the switch" to make the board believe it's in a Frog 2 (which would be the only way to enable outputs 3 & 4) would cause issues as the software/hardware would then hang looking for the touchscreen and the display hardware to support it.

If you really need 4 universes then FLX would be a better way of doing it - more recent hardware design inside, better front panel features AND it still runs ZerOs so you won't need to relearn lots

[KidNation]

1 hour ago, iank99 said:

The Mainboard was common across the more recent LeapFrog/Solution series and the Frog 2 from memory (& probably the server boxes too). The connections are probably there for the Frog 2 which did support 4 universes.

The boards are soft configurable to the unit/chassis they're being mounted in to but I suspect that "flipping the switch" to make the board believe it's in a Frog 2 (which would be the only way to enable outputs 3 & 4) would cause issues as the software/hardware would then hang looking for the touchscreen and the display hardware to support it.

If you really need 4 universes then FLX would be a better way of doing it - more recent hardware design inside, better front panel features AND it still runs ZerOs so you won't need to relearn lots

Thankyou for your reply! Ah I see. It was just to see if it could be done to be honest. Two universes are plenty enough for me but you just never know when you need more. A FLX would be amazing for me here, only issue is the price for me and only being 16 😅

[iank99]

21 hours ago, KidNation said:

only issue is the price for me and only being 16 😅

Never say never - when I was your age - I was operating one of these - Strand Sunset  and electronic control was a dream but 15 years it happened. Don't be in a rush - take it all in and enjoy yourself, if you're doing it "right" you'll end up with thousands of good memories.

[Edward Z88]

Hi @KidNation

To be able to make use of DMX C and DMX D, you would need a DMX output card. This would allow you to link your pictured connectors to the card, giving XLR outputs. This does not increase the console's fixture limit. The DMX Output card can be ordered from a Zero 88 distributor, part code 1214599.

As @iank99 mentions, it is the same board used by consoles that have 4 physical XLR connectors fitted.

With the card fitted, you would then be able to output to DMX ports 3 and 4, by configuring the outputs in SETUP -> Universes -> Desk Universes. For more information, please see the link below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/setup/universes/desk-universes 

I hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know.

Edward