Intermediate pixel guide - Revision history

Admin: /* Bringing it all together- the link to the next wiki and other readings */

2016-06-10T01:33:57Z

Bringing it all together- the link to the next wiki and other readings

Admin: /* Bringing it all together- the link to the next wiki and other readings */

2016-06-10T01:32:56Z

Bringing it all together- the link to the next wiki and other readings

RobBaldwin: /* Ok so I know what pixels what protocol and what controllers I am interested in now what? */

2016-06-05T19:41:09Z

Ok so I know what pixels what protocol and what controllers I am interested in now what?

RobBaldwin: /* Now lets see how all this new found knowledge applies to the controller boards themselves. */

2016-06-05T19:28:35Z

Now lets see how all this new found knowledge applies to the controller boards themselves.

RobBaldwin: /* Whats up with these Protocols? */

2016-06-05T19:23:21Z

Whats up with these Protocols?

RobBaldwin: /* Now lets see how all this new found knowledge applies to the controller boards themselves. */

2016-06-04T22:30:22Z

Now lets see how all this new found knowledge applies to the controller boards themselves.

RobBaldwin: /* Now lets see how all this new found knowledge applies to the controller boards themselves. */

2016-06-04T22:28:03Z

Now lets see how all this new found knowledge applies to the controller boards themselves.

RobBaldwin: /* Which RGB is right for me? */

2016-06-04T22:22:03Z

Which RGB is right for me?

RobBaldwin at 18:13, 4 June 2016

2016-06-04T18:13:03Z

RobBaldwin at 18:07, 4 June 2016

2016-06-04T18:07:44Z

@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 == '''Bringing it all together- the link to the next wiki and other readings''' ==
-*:'''[[Advanced Pixel guide]]''' - This is a link to the next wiki in this series
+:*'''[[Advanced Pixel guide]]''' - This is a link to the next wiki in this series
 Other wiki pages that expand on what was discussed here
-*:'''[[DIY Display Construction]]'''
+:*'''[[DIY Display Construction]]'''
+:*'''[[Selecting Smart Pixels]]'''
-*:'''[[Selecting Smart Pixels]]'''
+:*'''[[Wiring Smart Pixels]]'''
+:*'''[[Protocols]]'''

@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 Other wiki pages that expand on what was discussed here
 *:'''[[DIY Display Construction]]'''
 *:'''[[Selecting Smart Pixels]]'''
 *:'''[[Wiring Smart Pixels]]'''
 *:'''[[Protocols]]'''

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 Now you have the "necessities" from the forum (did you remember zip ties?) and a pretty good idea of what you can afford/realistically sequence, you also have a decent knowledge of what is needed as far as controllers, pixels, and such. Its time to:'''hit the forums'''!!!?! (wait were not buying stuff yet?) A good place to start is to ask if you have everything correct by posting, in the correct forum (renard stuff in the renard sections), your diagram including controllers, pixels, bridges, and power outlets. While these wiki's gave you a general knowledge the individuals here can help you to refine your diagrams add stuff you didn't think of or something not covered in these wiki's. '''NOTE''' you will receive a lot of different ways to accomplish what your wanting, if someone suggests something your unfamiliar with then ask them for clarification or "google" it and see if that may be a way for you to go, there is no right way to control your show '''its up to you to decide''' on the final design.
 Once you have the final design then start ordering stuff (remember some of this stuff may need soldering, may be coming from overseas, or may just be out of stock and you may need to wait before receiving the items or using them). After you have the items begin testing them then assembling them (this is where the zip ties come in) after you have everything assembled and tested that its working correctly, run a few sequences that you have made on them, fine tune your sequences to the actual lights now instead of the preview (there may be a slight delay in the real stuff that wasn't in the preview) after you have everything done, you then can set it up outside when it gets closer to your show start date (weather may play a big part of how soon stuff actually goes up), remember just because it worked in the basement doesn't mean it will work outside you may have to trouble shoot some stuff after set up outside (allow yourself plenty of time is what this is basically saying, well and plenty of zip ties too)
 After that sit back and watch people oooogle at your handiwork and bask in the glow of the twinkling lights.
 == '''Bringing it all together- the link to the next wiki and other readings''' ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 5 June 2016
Line 69:		Line 69:
	'''Stand alone controller''' - For lack of better name, these are where you have a light pixel concentration that is 2-7 universes. There really isn't many boards out there in this range, mostly if your needing something in this size it will be things like arduino boards with modified sketches and such to give you what you want. While these boards are inexpensive there is generally not a lot of support for them. Most people opt for aux boards and the extra channels/outputs just ignored or looked at for future expansion.		'''Stand alone controller''' - For lack of better name, these are where you have a light pixel concentration that is 2-7 universes. There really isn't many boards out there in this range, mostly if your needing something in this size it will be things like arduino boards with modified sketches and such to give you what you want. While these boards are inexpensive there is generally not a lot of support for them. Most people opt for aux boards and the extra channels/outputs just ignored or looked at for future expansion.

−	'''Single Universe wireless''' here in the last few years these have become very popular, its very easy to use a wireless one universe controller somewhere and put pixels just about anywhere in your yard/house. Here there is several solutions, Komby wireless, these are based on the nordic nrf and use ardunio processors, unlike the stand alone these are greatly supported by komby and others on the forums. Another option sporatic has ~~epixelsticks~~, these use wifi to get their data. Once again great support on these. The nice thing about the single universe stuff is the receivers are generally small just an inch or two by 3/4 of an inch boards... they can be tucked away and will let you have that corner where there is nothing suddenly has a universe or two of pixels.	+	'''Single Universe wireless''' here in the last few years these have become very popular, its very easy to use a wireless one universe controller somewhere and put pixels just about anywhere in your yard/house. Here there is several solutions, Komby wireless, these are based on the nordic nrf and use ardunio processors, unlike the stand alone these are greatly supported by komby and others on the forums. Another option sporatic has espixelsticks, these use wifi to get their data. Once again great support on these. The nice thing about the single universe stuff is the receivers are generally small just an inch or two by 3/4 of an inch boards... they can be tucked away and will let you have that corner where there is nothing suddenly has a universe or two of pixels.

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 '''Serial RS232''' - This is the oldest and slowest protocol, it is not used in pixels due to its baud rate limitations. Though it can be used in traditional lighting systems as it is very inexpensive for equipment.
-'''Serial RS485''' - This is the first usable protocol by pixels, serial data is put out either by the serial ports on the back of your computer (some modern computers have eliminated one or both of these so your computer may or may not have these) or on the USB (universal SERIAL bus) we need a piece of equipment to convert the serial data to RS485 protocol, typically these are either a plug in adapter using the serial ports on the back of your computer or a "dongle" on a unused USB port. Both of these function the same converting serial data to the RS485 protocol. RS485 is a standard that supports up to 32 drivers and 32 receivers on a single computer output. Its data rate can vary from 100kb/s to 10mb/s making it very flexible for use in large pixel displays. You will find that a lot of the commercial controllers use this (light o rama uses this protocol almost exclusively).  The biggest draw back for this protocol is the 32 controller (universe?) limit, at first you may not need that many but as your show grows you may find you need more than 32. You can always add another dongle increasing your controller limit though. This is widely available and relatively inexpensive.
+'''Serial RS485''' - This is the first usable protocol by pixels, serial data is put out either by the serial ports on the back of your computer (some modern computers have eliminated one or both of these so your computer may or may not have these) or on the USB (universal SERIAL bus) we need a piece of equipment to convert the serial data to RS485 protocol, typically these are either a plug in adapter using the serial ports on the back of your computer or a "dongle" on a unused USB port. Both of these function the same converting serial data to the RS485 protocol. RS485 is a standard that supports up to 32 drivers and 32 receivers on a single computer output. Its data rate can vary from 100kb/s to 10mb/s making it very flexible for use in large pixel displays. You will find that a lot of the commercial controllers use this (light o rama uses this protocol almost exclusively).
 '''E1.31/ACN''' - This is refered to as DMX over ethernet. This is a suite of protocols that is most commonly used to control theatrical lighting, audio and effects. ACN can be combined and configured with other standard protocols. It can be implemented on a variety of networks, typically using Ethernet (E1.31). This is a form of carrying data, but not the final form, meaning we need a bridge to have the DMX512 sent to the boards. Its rates can vary from 256kb/s to 100mb/s. This uses the same protocol as your internet connection on your computer. E1.31/ACN data is not recommended to be broadcast on your home wired or wireless network as the amount of data going through it will interrupt or bring your internet to a crawl. Instead we typically use a private network to run this protocol. Because this uses Ethernet, a knowledge of ip addressing as well as mac addresses is needed to configure this, making this a little more difficult for a new person to grasp right away (unless your the I.T. guy). This being the newest protocol its availability is lower and costs are higher than using older technology. This can support over 63,000 universes making it a very future proof way to go.

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 '''Auxiliary controller''' - These are still very channel heavy boards, handleing between 7-12 universes each. These are smaller boards where you have a cluster of decent density (rooflines with house outlines and windows) The boards included here would include the SanDevices e6804, alphapix 4, and other 7-12 universe boards. These boards typically have higher counts on individual outputs than the central boards, though they typically have only 4 outputs.
-'''Stand alone controller''' - For lack of better name, these are where you have a light pixel concentration that is greater than 2-3 universes. There really isn't many boards out there in this range, mostly if your needing something in this size it will be modifying things like aduino board sketches and such to give you what you want. While these boards are inexpensive there is generally not a lot of support for them. Generally aux boards are used in these situations and the extra channels/outputs just ignored or looked at for future expansion.
+'''Stand alone controller''' - For lack of better name, these are where you have a light pixel concentration that is 2-7 universes. There really isn't many boards out there in this range, mostly if your needing something in this size it will be things like arduino boards with modified sketches and such to give you what you want. While these boards are inexpensive there is generally not a lot of support for them. Most people opt for aux boards and the extra channels/outputs just ignored or looked at for future expansion.
 '''Single Universe wireless''' here in the last few years these have become very popular, its very easy to use a wireless one universe controller somewhere and put pixels just about anywhere in your yard/house.  Here there is several solutions, Komby wireless, these are based on the nordic nrf and use ardunio processors, unlike the stand alone these are greatly supported by komby and others on the forums. Another option sporatic has epixelsticks, these use wifi to get their data. Once again great support on these. The nice thing about the single universe stuff is the receivers are generally small just an inch or two by 3/4 of an inch boards... they can be tucked away and will let you have that corner where there is nothing suddenly has a universe or two of pixels.

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 '''Dumb RGB vs RGB Pixels and how this applies to your show.'''
-Dumb RGB as you know only take up 3 channels per strip/string so sequencing them is much easier, the major factor in going for these is the cost vs future needs. While the dumb RGB stings, no matter the profile, are less expensive. Adding several of these may require several controller boards to get the color pattern your looking for. Their savings on the strings may be offset or even make them more expensive than going with RGB pixels due to the number of controllers. Dumb RGB were the first RGB strings introduced, and generally are being replaced by the RGB pixel. If you decide on the dumb RGB strings you will know why you chose these.
+Dumb RGB as you know only take up 3 channels per strip/string so sequencing them is much easier, the major factor in going for these is the cost vs future needs. While the dumb RGB stings, no matter the profile, are less expensive. Adding several of these may require several controller boards to get the color pattern your looking for. Their savings on the strings may be offset or even make them more expensive than going with RGB pixels due to the number of controllers. Dumb RGB controller boards typically control around 8-32 strings (24-96 channels).  Dumb RGB were the first RGB strings introduced, and generally are being replaced by the RGB pixel. If you decide on the dumb RGB strings you will know why you chose these.
-RGB Pixels take up a lot of channels depending on how many pixels you use, making sequencing a lot more challenging (their are tools built into most sequencing software to help deal with the vast number of channels used in smart pixels). RGB pixels can be controlled like a dumb RGB string in that we can individually turn several pixels in a row the same color. If at some point in the future you are going to want to change from dumb RGB to RGB pixels on a prop, eave, or window outline, due to the effects that RGB pixels allow, the suggestion is to get the RGB pixels and control them like dumb RGB. To change from dumb RGB to RGB pixels at a later time means repurchasing the strings and the controller boards. Right now RGB pixel strings are about 10-30% higher in cost, the controller boards are about 50% more expensive, but as was stated above you may have far less controllers. When choosing RGB pixels you understand the higher possible initial cost will allow the effects your wanting either now or in the future.
+RGB Pixels take up a lot of channels depending on how many pixels you use, making sequencing a lot more challenging (their are tools built into most sequencing software to help deal with the vast number of channels used in smart pixels). RGB pixels can be controlled like a dumb RGB string in that we can individually turn several pixels in a row the same color. If at some point in the future you are going to want to change from dumb RGB to RGB pixels on a prop, eave, or window outline, due to the effects that RGB pixels allow, the suggestion is to get the RGB pixels and control them like dumb RGB. To change from dumb RGB to RGB pixels at a later time means repurchasing the strings and the controller boards. Right now RGB pixel strings are about 10-30% higher in cost, the controller boards are about 50% more expensive, but as was stated above you may have far less controllers. RGB Pixel boards range from a single universe (512 channels) to 64+ universe (32,000+ channels). When choosing RGB pixels you understand the higher possible initial cost will allow the effects your wanting either now or in the future.
 '''5 volt vs 12 volt what this really means.'''

@@ Line 92: / Line 92: @@
 Other wiki pages that expand on what was discussed here
-*:'''[[Pixels a beginners guide]]'''
+*:'''[[DIY Display Construction]]'''
 *:'''[[Pixels a beginners guide]]'''
 *:'''[[Pixels a beginners guide]]'''
 *:'''[[Pixels a beginners guide]]'''