Re: iPad based lighting rig
I have used the luminaire system many times. It is a pretty cool piece of software. Relatively easy to program. For hardware, all you need is an airport express and an enttec open dmx Ethernet interface. The USB version will NOT work. So with software and hardware, not including the iPad, you will need to invest about $500. Add in the cost of an iPad, and you are at nearly $1000.
Now, one of the limitations of the software are that you cannot easily tap to adjust the speed of a chase that you have created. This is a fairly standard feature available on standalone controllers.
I have found the software quite reliable as long as you have a good wifi signal. If wifi signal is lost, the dmx signal will shut down. What the lights do will depend on the light. Some lights will go to blackout mode, some will stay at the last setting they heard.
The iPad must be set to never sleep for the program to stay running. It can chew up the battery pretty quickly, so it's best to run it plugged into the charger when at all possible.
I use my system primarily for aiming purposes, or for very small, non critical shows. In reality, standalone controllers with similar funcionality (minus touch screen and wireless, of course) are far less expensive.
