ChamSys Ltd MagicQ

Installing and using MagicQ PC

System requirements

• Pentium or higher processor

• 512MB RAM
• Minimum 800 by 600 screen resolution, 16bit or 24bit colour
• Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, 2000, Vista, Windows 7
• For Visualisation we recommend NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT or better.

Installation

To install MagicQ PC, simply download the .exe file (e.g. magicqpc-v1_4_0_0.exe) and run it. It
uses standard InstallShield software to install the software on your PC. You can uninstall at any
time using the Control Panel Add/Remove programs option. Uninstall previous versions before
installing this version.

To view the manual in PDF format use Start, Program Files, Chamsys MagicQ PC, MagicQ
Manual.

To start Magic PC click on Start, Programs, ChamSys MagicQ PC, MagicQ (inc Vis). This will
open the combined version of MagicQ and visualiser. If you do not wish to use the visualiser then
click on Start, Programs, ChamSys MagicQ PC, MagicQ.

Using MagicQ PC

There are several demos shows provided in the demo folder of the installation including shows that
use the MagicQ visualisation. There are also demo shows for Clay Paky, Robe, and Varilite
moving lights and also demos for pixel mapping and connecting to media servers.

For example, the robe demo show includes

• 45 Generic lights (profiles and pars)

• 4 Robe Spot 1200s
• 4 Robe Wash 575s
• 400 generic LEDs arranged as a 20x20 matrix

Press the VIS button in the top right to open the Visualisation Window.

There are 10 programmed playbacks. Raise the faders to see some output in the Visualisation
window.

To view the patch, left click on the PATCH button.

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When you have finished with the demo show, you can erase the show and program your own. At
any time you can reload the demo show using the LOAD SHOW soft button in the Setup Window.

Using MagicQ PC with a MagicQ Wing or MagicQ USB interface

To use a MagicQ Wing or MagicQ USB interface with a PC follow the instructions below. Exact
sequence of events may vary according to the version of Windows running on the PC.

• Power up and connect the MagicQ Wing - the blue LEDs should come on in turn and then flash.

• Windows should detect the Wing and ask for drivers. Select the drivers in C:\Program
Files\ChamSys Ltd\MagicQ\MagicQ Wing Drivers.

• For the PC Wing Compact use the drivers in in C:\Program Files\ChamSys

Ltd\MagicQ\MagicQ Wing Drivers\PC Wing Compact.

• If Windows does not ask you for drivers but installs them itself then you will need to force it to
install the correct drivers – go to Control Panel, System, Device Manager. Find the ChamSys
device and select Upate Driver and browse to C:\Program Files\ChamSys Ltd\MagicQ\MagicQ
Wing Drivers.

• Start up MagicQ PC software.

• In Setup, View Settings, Ports make sure the MagicQ USB Wings & Interfaces is set to “Yes
(auto DMX)”.

• The blue flashing LEDS on the MagicQ PC wing should stop flashing and the faders and
encoders should have control.

• For ChamSys USB Twin DMX Interface, go to Setup, View DMX I/O and configure Universe
1 and Universe 2 to be Cham USB.

Note that Windows may attempt to use its own drivers – this will not work. You must uninstall
these drivers and explicitly install the drivers provided by ChamSys in the C:\Program
Files\ChamSys Ltd\MagicQ Wing Drivers folders..

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Installing on Vista and Windows 7

On Vista and Windows 7 if your system is set with User Account Control enabled (default is
enabled) then any shows you create in the show folder will be stored in Windows virtual store
rather than in the show folder under C:\Program Files\ChamSys Ltd\MagicQ PC\show.

This means that if you use another program like Windows Explorer to look for your show files you
will not find them. Instead you need to look in

C:\users\yourusername\AppData\local\VirtualStore\Program Files\ChamSys Ltd\MagicQ PC\show.

MagicQ PC limitations

MagicQ PC is based on exactly the same software that runs on MagicQ consoles, and hence can be
used to run live shows using all 16,384 channels just as with MagicQ consoles. Unlike MagicQ
consoles, MagicQ PC does not support slave playback masters on input universes.

MagicQ PC only supports full screen Execute Window, Scheduled Events, Remote
Communications Protocol (serial and network), Iphone Remote, Playback Synchronisation, sound
detection, web server editing, and Playbacks controlled by DMX when connected to a MagicQ
Wing or MagicQ USB interface.

Mouse controlled pan/tilt is only supported when connected to a MagicQ PC Wing or MagicQ
MaxiWing.

MagicQ PC software shows “Demo Version” in the title bar when not connected to a ChamSys
MagicQ product.

MagicQ supports 3rd party USB DMX interfaces such as the Enttec Pro on Universe 1 only.

We are always pleased to receive suggestions for improvements to support@chamsys.co.uk

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