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The Porch / Re: I guess someone did not like my show.
« on: January 02, 2015, 06:56:15 pm »
In addition, if you are collecting money (especially for yourself), the use of music without compensation "can" become an issue.
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Lynx Zeus / Re: setting channel assignments?
« on: December 18, 2014, 06:53:04 am »
But E1.31 is a transmission protocol for DMX (which is in part a transmission protocol as the spec defines the electrical transmission as well). The more general SACN is flexible, but E1.31 is sized to 512 channels. So I think the point of what was being said is valid.
In fact, that is one of the things I don't like about E1.31, the small packets, that are uncoupled from each other. One has to stitch them together, but with no definition of when all may arrive (if they arrive), the order, etc. Not the best suited for synchronized high speed control of large counts (as seen by some networks getting overload). It works, but not an ideal situation. Truthfully, for most light show needs, they didn't need the "DMX" framework when they went to large shows, so that E1.31 "universe" legacy of DMX, will eventually become more of a hindrence then a help.
In fact, that is one of the things I don't like about E1.31, the small packets, that are uncoupled from each other. One has to stitch them together, but with no definition of when all may arrive (if they arrive), the order, etc. Not the best suited for synchronized high speed control of large counts (as seen by some networks getting overload). It works, but not an ideal situation. Truthfully, for most light show needs, they didn't need the "DMX" framework when they went to large shows, so that E1.31 "universe" legacy of DMX, will eventually become more of a hindrence then a help.
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The Porch / "Future of DLA"
« on: July 19, 2013, 09:15:29 pm »
For those that could not make the Academy, is there any information available on the "Future of DLA" event that was on the agenda.
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The Porch / Re: ED performance over USB dongle
« on: February 14, 2013, 02:38:27 pm »
Just an fyi, the USB doesn't get saturated until tens of thousands. I have run my own USB dongles with up to 8192 channels at 25msec update over a USB without issue. So, I can't speak for the Lynx dongles, but the USB can handle at least 8192 channels.
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The Porch / Re: software choices-time for me to make changes
« on: January 22, 2013, 08:15:01 pm »Quote
Ascii data is easier to make exchangeable between sequencers. base64 can store a 3 byte rgb in 4 ascii characters. This is why Vixen 2.1 format is pretty compact. The issue is it is harder for someone to generate base64 from excel, vb, and such.
Not that it is probably a concern for this discussion, but although base64 is readily available as a library call for windows developer, it isn't on a Mac. One has to code the translation themselves. Not terribly difficult, but just another task one has to do. A another contributing factor perhaps along with ability to generate from excel, etc.
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The Porch / Re: What Sequence Software Are Tou Using?
« on: November 24, 2012, 03:37:44 pm »
I replied other, as I use a series of software utilities I wrote to analyze the music file and generate a formatted binary output file.
I also use LOR and convert/merge that with my data to produce the output file.
I also use LOR and convert/merge that with my data to produce the output file.
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Lynx Conductor / Re: Trigger implementation idea: basic push button
« on: September 23, 2012, 10:49:56 am »
If you are going to do a "jukebox" concept, you can combine it with a vending machine concept for food donations.
THe concept is simple, one puts a can in a slot, which powers the selection buttons. This allows one to to request a song to be played next.
Now I don't know if the trigger function is only for shows, or if it allows one to interrupt a show playing to plays a single show and then continue one. But that is how the show player I have works, and it would seem to be somewhat adaptable to the conductor. One may have to may a series of small shows for it to work.
THe concept is simple, one puts a can in a slot, which powers the selection buttons. This allows one to to request a song to be played next.
Now I don't know if the trigger function is only for shows, or if it allows one to interrupt a show playing to plays a single show and then continue one. But that is how the show player I have works, and it would seem to be somewhat adaptable to the conductor. One may have to may a series of small shows for it to work.
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Lynx Smart String / Re: Is SSC pixel count important? I now think think so...
« on: September 12, 2012, 07:08:20 pm »
Fair enough, forgot it was in terms of pixels, not channels.
Either way, it is the update rate that is critical. The time difference within a frame shouldn't be a factor, or then one couldn't sync their display with elements on low starting addresses and devices on high addresses. If that time difference is noticeable, then one has larger display issues.
Either way, it is the update rate that is critical. The time difference within a frame shouldn't be a factor, or then one couldn't sync their display with elements on low starting addresses and devices on high addresses. If that time difference is noticeable, then one has larger display issues.
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Lynx Smart String / Re: Is SSC pixel count important? I now think think so...
« on: September 12, 2012, 06:37:40 pm »
If I have my 16-pixel SSC configured for 128-pixels -- then RJ's firmware will wait on the data for all 128 pixels to arrive before releasing the channel commands to the strings. That means that the strings will be more sluggish compared to having the SSC accurately reflect the true pixel count.
Does anyone think this conclusion is wrong?
There are two times one has to consider, the time within a frame of data (4096) and the time between the same byte of data between frames. Pixelnet is said to support 50msec. So regardless of how much sooner within a frame, the maximum change it could support is 50msec.
Now, pixelnet is 1Mbps, 1 stop bit (or so I understand). So there are 10 bits for each channel (one start bit, 8 data bits, one stop bit). The delta in time between sending it out after 16 channels versus sending it out after 128 channels is 112 channels (the delta between between 128 and 16) * 10 bits * 1usec (1 Mbit), or effectively 1.12 msec difference within a frame, but the time for update either way is still 50msec.
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Lynx Smart String / Re: Support for the WS2811 pixel controller.
« on: August 30, 2012, 10:41:39 am »
Why does it have to a new firmware? Couldn't the SSC setup utility make that an option, the pixel type? The pic on the SSC would seem to have enough flash to handle outputting several different pixel formats.
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The Porch / Re: Arduino programming
« on: August 01, 2012, 03:33:39 pm »
I dont want to give the wrong impression. you can program with Assembler on the PIC. In face, for the 8 bit and 24 bit PICs, I use assembly.
There are also the Freescale micros to consider.
There are also the Freescale micros to consider.
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The Porch / Re: Arduino programming
« on: July 31, 2012, 07:36:44 pm »
WIth modern C compilers they get rather good, especially if the micro has instructions for a C compiler. As an example, even microchip expects PIC32 programming to be in C (perhaps a few routines in assembly). All their examples, and their libraries for the PIC32 series are in C.
Regardless, not trying to sidetrack to a C versus assembly discussion.
I have used the Arduino, and it is a fine development platform, especially for hobbyists. The PICs have quite a few development boards (from other vendors beside microchip as well) that are available.
Regardless, not trying to sidetrack to a C versus assembly discussion.
I have used the Arduino, and it is a fine development platform, especially for hobbyists. The PICs have quite a few development boards (from other vendors beside microchip as well) that are available.
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The Porch / Re: Arduino programming
« on: July 31, 2012, 05:54:11 pm »
Well, if you want something more related to DLA, Microchip sells a the MicroStick development kits, for like 30 dollars. You can do both 8, or 16/32 bit PICs. The 16 and 32 PICS are readily programmed in C, and the PIC32, one rarely uses the assembler. 8 bit pics, are still a lot of assembly .
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Getting started with Light Animation / Re: I need some help! Just starting.
« on: July 31, 2012, 01:46:51 pm »
I am may be wrong, but I am not sure DLA items can be used for a city light show. I am sure others will correct me if I am wrong. May want to check the TOS for the products.
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The Porch / Re: Express -C what is it?
« on: June 21, 2012, 05:41:43 pm »
I wouldn't understand why not to license it, but that is of course a personal decision.
The only thought I would have, is that expectations will be higher if a commercial product. There are few behavior things with the express that might want to be addressed (or perhaps the literature be more specific). For instance, the express currently does not let the top few channels be programmed for the light curve values. The dongle is seems to require a full universe written to it every time (which is not exactly entec pro consistent). The start code value field is not used. None of these are issues for a DIY, but if commercial, I would expect those items to be addressed, or documented clearly.
But clearly, the LE is a nice product, no reason not to make it available.
The only thought I would have, is that expectations will be higher if a commercial product. There are few behavior things with the express that might want to be addressed (or perhaps the literature be more specific). For instance, the express currently does not let the top few channels be programmed for the light curve values. The dongle is seems to require a full universe written to it every time (which is not exactly entec pro consistent). The start code value field is not used. None of these are issues for a DIY, but if commercial, I would expect those items to be addressed, or documented clearly.
But clearly, the LE is a nice product, no reason not to make it available.