DMX control of old analog lighting panel ?

[dvsapp]

Guys, don't really know where to post this, so here goes...

I got involved with doing an upgrade to the interior lighting system in my church.

Existing system is an old analog Prestolite system from around 1989. We are looking at using a DMX based controller such as the Chauvet Obey 40, but the idea has come up on also using a PC controller with Q Light Controller software. I've seen USB to DMX converters out there, but not sure if there are any that would allow the user to easily switch between a panel such as the Obey 40 and a PC.
The reason for this is the PC to be used is also used for doing live video mixing/recording of the church services for the shut-ins. Not every church service is recorded, so the PC is not used all the time.

Welcome input from anyone who deals with this kind of thing. Also, since it's a church situation, we are looking for lower-dollar solutions.

[bluto]

Re: DMX control of old analog lighting panel ?

How many channels of dimmers are you trying to control? Since you mentioned your existing dimmers are analog, you will need a DMX to analog (0-10v) demultiplexer to connect to them. This is probably a good one: http://www.pathwayconnect.com/content/view/31/29/

I would recommend a real light board like an ETC smartfade or even just a 'dumb' board like an Leprecon or Leviton/NSI over a PC based solution. The board that you mentioned seems like overkill since it is meant to control 'moving' lights with up to 16 DMX channels per light.