Lighting packs are Strand CD-80 with the aftermarket Johnson Systems DPC-24 control modules, so yes, it's definitely DMX-512
Ah okay! I thought that was pretty early for DMX-512. I remember I had some Intellabeam fixtures and they were said to "mostly work with DMX-512." I used it with a LPT dongle someone made using a PIC and it worked, then got the Entec. I've had the Entec for some 10+ years and it's had the crap kicked out of it at events and held up well. No regrets, though the Entec Pro has a bit more support (the laser show software I use, Pangolin Beyond, I think only supports the Entec Pro -- but I don't use it for DMX so not an issue for me.) The cheap dongle is these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-USB-TO-TTL-RS485-FTDI-Interface-Board-FT... They're everywhere. You have to wire it out. Also, note that "real" interfaces like the Entecs usually have a 5 pin XLR connector that is real DMX standard versus the 3 pin mic style that is usually used (at this point Cat5 RJ45 would be much better.) On the vintage tip -- I have a Status Cue console from High End Systems and am looking for the ISA card that goes in the PC that goes with it. The software is freely downloadable, I have a luggable Pentium 1 but can't find the ISA card anywhere. - Ethan