Here is a direct link to download the latest version of the software. once you click on it it wil begin to download.
COMPU LIVE LATEST SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD
in each DMX universe you have 512 channels. so if u had 512 pars you could all of them on one universe. but on all of out dongles you get 2 universes of control by getting a special adapter to change the in to an out and on the software you can assign the DMX in as a second universe. sorry if this is all a but much. download the software and check it out. if you have any more questions or if i didnt answer yours post em. sincerely,

BTW. yes it is a trial version only. you will need the DMX to usb interface if you want to control any moving lights outside of the 3D visualizer.
sincerely,

so this trial version wouldn't work for me. it would just give me an idea of how it works? Then If I liked it I shoulg go buy a more expensive version, such as the elation compu 1024EC ($600 doller model). And this package includes the dongle that will work for me?

I am using 2 elation 250 wash lights and several smaller led lights. I will be purchasing other things in the near future however... fog machines, and moving bogos (elation 250 spot).

The demo allows you to try before you buy. you can learn the software and if u like it and it works for you you buy it. what you get is a CD rom that has the latest version of the software and also has the Dongle. so what your downloading is a the real software but is limited cause the dongle is not hooked up. understand?

Your understanding of how DMX universes work is correct. Each universe can control 512 channels. You will find consoles with one, two, three, four, or with add on units like the DP2000 to add even more universes. One universe for pretty much everyone is fine, two it nice to have however. Any more then that is over kill for pretty much everyone.

Ok I'm back... sorry for all of the dumb questions.

I am expecting 2 power wash 250's in the mail (should arrive any day now), and now need to look towards buying the rest of my equipment.

I was going to try to purchase American DJ PAR64 LED's (8 of them to be exact), and the compulive software (Elation Compu 1024EC PC DMX Lighting Control System).

I would then hang the pars ona couple of trees.

Would this set up work? Is everything compatible? I was looking at teh forum on American DJ's website (I was surprised to find jingles there too ) and several people were having troubles with there led p64's working in conjunction with there DMX controllers (due to them bieng intelligent lights and not just standard pars). I want to make sure that everything that I am looking to purchase is compatible, and if not, try something else in it's stead.

Any help would be greatly aprreciated, thanks !!

Ya everything is compatible. and yes i work for both ADJ and elation. so like i said everything should work as long as it is addressed accordingly to how it is set up. if you do run into problems. thats what the forums are for. sincerely,