I am trying to build a DMX-512 receiver circuit. What I want to build is a
stable DMX receiver that I can use as a base for various, simple control
tasks.  I was thinking of using a MAX1480B receiver / transmitter chip
going into a UART then into a PIC controller. I haven't decided on a
controller yet, I was thinking of using a PIC16C62A because its high speed
and the 16 bit counter (addressing?).  That brings up another question I
have; how do you accomplish addressing with DMX? I was thinking of using
the 16 bit counter to count valid channels (i.e.. 512) and comparing that
to the address switch setting. The counter would be reset every time the
start code was sent. Another question, how do I recognize the DMX start
code?

 I am very new to using pics, any help you could give me would be greatly
appreciated.

-Jason