A couple recommendations?

[massarosareloud]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum but not on any forum. I actively participate in the camerahacks.10.forumer.com/forums (which has unfortunately seen better days), as well as audiokarma.org and dpreview.com.
My current annual light setup consists of icicle light strands which are attached to the 1^st floor rain gutters of my house; which invariably ends up with me hanging out my 2^nd story window to get the light strands which have blown onto the 1^st story roof. Needless to say, this setup simply does not suffice. Now I don’t want to go head on into the LOR scene with a 128 channel system as I have seen around here, I’d like to start small with 16 channels. Not to mention that money is tight around here, and although I wish I could unleash my creativity, my wallet would not appreciate that. I have a few concerns that I would wish to express, and hope that someone can help reassure me.
First off, I am worried that I might do all this work and nobody will see it. Do you normally experience that lots of people hear about the show and come out to watch it, and tell their friends?
Like I mentioned earlier, money is tight, and so if anyone is interested in selling their CTB16PC I would be interested and a PM would be appreciated.
I remember reading something that mentioned waiting for a sale or something that happens annually and apparently everyone here on the forums waits until that time to purchase their equipment. Can anybody fill me in on that one? Also, where would you buy your CTB16PC if not buying it used from someone? Would you buy it direct from LOR?
As far as I know a RS485 and a Cat5e connection is involved here. Can you program and run the CTB16PC using an Ethernet wire? I don’t have any way to connect an RS485 with my computer without using an adapter of some sort.
Thanks a bunch!

[jimswinder]

massarosareloud wrote

First off, I am worried that I might do all this work and nobody will see it. Do you normally experience that lots of people hear about the show and come out to watch it, and tell their friends?

**"Build it and they will come"**

I remember reading something that mentioned waiting for a sale or something that happens annually and apparently everyone here on the forums waits until that time to purchase their equipment. Can anybody fill me in on that one?

**Next sale will be sometime this month. Go here to add yourself to the mailing list: http://www.lightorama.com/JoinMailList.html


Also, where would you buy your CTB16PC if not buying it used from someone? Would you buy it direct from LOR?

**Yes..or WOWLights: http://www.wowlights.com/

As far as I know a RS485 and a Cat5e connection is involved here. Can you program and run the CTB16PC using an Ethernet wire?

**Yes you use an Ethernet wire..but you also need the RS485, which has a standard USB plug at one end that goes to your computer**

I don’t have any way to connect an RS485 with my computer without using an adapter of some sort.

**See above...you can also use an MP3 Director instead of a computer...
http://store.lightorama.com/lowishdiandm.html

could you also add your location to your profile so we know where you are located??

THANKS!!

[Guest guest]

jimswinder wrote:

massarosareloud wrote

First off, I am worried that I might do all this work and nobody will see it. Do you normally experience that lots of people hear about the show and come out to watch it, and tell their friends?

**"Build it and they will come"**

Your first year, however may be disappointing to you, but don't let that stop you! The first year is always the smallest, however it will grow within time! So don't expect large crowds your first year/display. Many of us do this for ourselves, the community and/or the children that live in the neighborhood. As word gets out, you'll see more folks visting. Many newbies to this are somewhat disappointed the first year because they may not see much activity or visitors to their newly redesigned and animated display. Don't let it get you down, as each year passes and you add to your display, folks will come, many will show up year after year and bring friends. So give it time and just don't be too disappointed the first time through. We've all been there at one time. Just give going and don't give up!

I remember reading something that mentioned waiting for a sale or something that happens annually and apparently everyone here on the forums waits until that time to purchase their equipment. Can anybody fill me in on that one?

**Next sale will be sometime this month. Go here to add yourself to the mailing list: http://www.lightorama.com/JoinMailList.html


Also, where would you buy your CTB16PC if not buying it used from someone? Would you buy it direct from LOR?

**Yes..or WOWLights: http://www.wowlights.com/

As far as I know a RS485 and a Cat5e connection is involved here. Can you program and run the CTB16PC using an Ethernet wire?

**Yes you use an Ethernet wire..but you also need the RS485, which has a standard USB plug at one end that goes to your computer**

Yes, you have to have an RS485. Does your computer have a serial port? If so, then you can use this one SC485-RJ45. See link: http://store.lightorama.com/scseco.html Only issue is it MUST be within 100 feet of the first controller. And you will also need to buy an serial cable to use with it, as it does not come with any cables. This is the cable you need for an computer that may not have any USB ports:
http://store.lightorama.com/db9exca6ft.html

I don’t have any way to connect an RS485 with my computer without using an adapter of some sort. See my responses above in Blue and the links supplied for what you need for an older computer WITHOUT USB ports.

**See above...you can also use an MP3 Director instead of a computer...
http://store.lightorama.com/lowishdiandm.html

could you also add your location to your profile so we know where you are located??

THANKS!!

Good Luck and Welcome to the forums and the insanity of the rest of us here that decorate for the Holidays.


BTW: If you need cat5 cable, here is the best place to get it:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10208

All sizes, great prices and a variety of colors too.

[travis p]

you might as well look into a low power fm transmitter or you can put speakers in your yard so the visitors can hear the music your lights are dancing to or with this will be my first year as well if you do decide to do this once you get charted spread the word ask friends to stop by and see it when it running.heres a link for the radio i use this one will be hard to beat.http://www.edmdesign.com/orders.html

[jimswinder]

t purser wrote:

you might as well look into a low power fm transmitter or you can put speakers in your yard so the visitors can hear the music your lights are dancing to or with this will be my first year as well if you do decide to do this once you get charted spread the word ask friends to stop by and see it when it running.heres a link for the radio i use this one will be hard to beat.http://www.edmdesign.com/orders.html

also...you will find guys (and gals) on both sides of the fence here...but if you WANT the attention (and sometimes the headaches that go along with it) promote yourself...

contact your local newspapers, blogs, radio and tv stations. That's what I did...contacted a very well known and much read blog in West Seattle...they did a story and within days had a local TV station wanting to do a story.

BUT...make sure your neighborhood can handle the traffic...and that your neighbors are on aboard about it...disgruntled neighbors can and have brought many a display down...

[massarosareloud]

Ok, these are all important things to consider and I appreciate everyone getting back to me.

What does the RS485 cable do specifically? Can its purpose be replaced by using the Ethernet cable? I'm just not following why both an Ethernet and a RS485 are needed. My computer is newer and thus has USB ports but no serial port. It also has an Ethernet port.

[jimswinder]

massarosareloud wrote:

What does the RS485 cable do specifically?

per the LOR Website (have you visited it?)

http://www.lightorama.com/index.html





The USB485 converts the short range USB output of the computer into the industry standard, long range RS485 protocol. It is used to communicate between the PC and LOR light controllers. Only one USB485 is used to operate an entire network of LOR controllers.

[caniac]

massarosareloud wrote:

Ok, these are all important things to consider and I appreciate everyone getting back to me.

What does the RS485 cable do specifically? Can its purpose be replaced by using the Ethernet cable? I'm just not following why both an Ethernet and a RS485 are needed. My computer is newer and thus has USB ports but no serial port. It also has an Ethernet port.

all of the LOR controllers connect via ethernet but to communicate to the controllers from your PC you have to use the USB port to convert the signals to RS485 protocol, the converter allows that signal to run on an ethernet network.

[massarosareloud]

Yes, I have visted the LOR website but I couldn't find the listing or picture you mentioned jimswinder. So is my understanding correct that the order of wires goes Computer > USB Wire > RS485 Converter > Ethernet wire > LOR Controller?

[Guest guest]

massarosareloud wrote:

Ok, these are all important things to consider and I appreciate everyone getting back to me.

What does the RS485 cable do specifically? Can its purpose be replaced by using the Ethernet cable? I'm just not following why both an Ethernet and a RS485 are needed. My computer is newer and thus has USB ports but no serial port. It also has an Ethernet port.

No it won't work from your computers ethernet port, that is basically for CableModems, Routers (standard cat 5 cable connection) or Peer to Peer computer connections with a specialized cross-over cat5 cable.

The LOR Controllers if used from the computer REQUIRE the USB485 Serial interface adapter, without it, you can not contol your lights through the controller(s) from your computer. It goes like this: USB cable to USB485 dongle to Cat5 cable which plugs into your first controller. If you have more than one controller, the first controller would then get a standard cat5 cable plugged into the next cat5 slot and then go to controller #2 and on down the chain.

However, you can use an DC-MP3 Showtime Director Unit to operate and run your display. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can get one that is simple and would require an external timer or a bit more expensive that has a built in clock in it. Which is programmed by inserting an SD card with your show on it.

The more expensive unit will run your shows via the times set when you set up your show(s) on the SD card. You set the clock initially through your computer using the LOR HardWare Utility, which also lets you control and test your controllers and lights that are plugged into them. If you use the more expensive DC-MP3 SHowtime Player, you will also need the USB485B, note the B, this has a booster in it that supplies power to external devices through the cat5 cable, for example the MP3 player or ELL's (Easy Light Linkers). It also gives you further distances that the RS485 unit can be away from the controller. If I recall, without looking it up, the RS485B has a range of 1000' from the first controller(this info is not in the spec sheet listed below).

This is the USB485B unit:(and the one I use)

http://store.lightorama.com/uscoadwivobo.html

Data Sheet here:

http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/RS485_Adapters.pdf

This is the Showtime MP3 Director with Real Time Clock unit I use:(and is the more expensive one)

http://store.lightorama.com/inmp3di.html

Data Sheet:

http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/DC-MP3.pdf

This is the Mini Director (MP3 player and less expensive, NO REAL TIME CLOCK):

http://store.lightorama.com/midiwimp3pl.html



Hope some of this info helps you make an informed decision on what you want to purchase for your display.

[caniac]

massarosareloud wrote:

Yes, I have visted the LOR website but I couldn't find the listing or picture you mentioned jimswinder. So is my understanding correct that the order of wires goes Computer > USB Wire > RS485 Converter > Ethernet wire > LOR Controller?

yep

[massarosareloud]

It sure would be convenient if you could just plug the Ethernet cable straight from your computer into the LOR Controller. But the LOR protocol wouldn't be established, so that wouldn't exactly work out too well But I think I understand now.

Thanks everyone a bunch for your help! I appreciate it and will probably be stopped back here, as I have become addicted.

[james campbell]

massarosareloud wrote:

It sure would be convenient if you could just plug the Ethernet cable straight from your computer into the LOR Controller. But the LOR protocol wouldn't be established, so that wouldn't exactly work out too well But I think I understand now.

Thanks everyone a bunch for your help! I appreciate it and will probably be stopped back here, as I have become addicted.

you should just get the starter kit it has all cables ,adapters ,software,I think If you buy it with a controller the basic software is free

[Steven]

Jeff Millard wrote:

or, they can be subsitiuted for 6 conductor pre-assembled phone wire on the cheap.

4 conductor phone wire is sufficient.

massarosareloud wrote:

It sure would be convenient if you could just plug the Ethernet cable straight from your computer into the LOR Controller.

Ethernet, over twisted-pair, as we know it today, is point-to-point. One cable for each Ethernet device. If LOR used Ethernet, we would need a separate cable from each LOR controller to an Ethernet hub/switch.

The RS485 network that LOR uses is a "bus" network, so you can string out a (electrically) single cable and attach several dozen controllers without extra hardware.

[PaulXmas]

You had better start sequencing!

There is a little bit of a learning curve.

Extension cords! You will need one for each channel from the controller to the element. they could end up costing more than the controller!

Start small and build up.

Don't worry about other people seeing your display word will get around and you could be back asking how to clear the traffic!



Oh and HAVE FUN!

[cmoore60]

massarosareloud,

If you will modify your profile to show your location. There may be someone near that can help you out in person and guide you along the way. Someone that you might be able to pick their brain and get ideas.

Chuck

[Surfing4Dough]

massarosareloud wrote:

Yes, I have visted the LOR website but I couldn't find the listing or picture you mentioned jimswinder. So is my understanding correct that the order of wires goes Computer > USB Wire > RS485 Converter > Ethernet wire > LOR Controller?

yep.




Your personal computer communicates to the controllers using a device (#3 485 converter) plugged into your computer's USB communications port. The blue line shows the standard serial output of your computer (RS-232 or USB) out of your PC where it enters our converter that transforms the signal to the native Light-O-Rama network protocol (the green line, Cat5 AKA "ethernet cable", or phone cable) that connects to our various types of controllers over standard computer network wire.


Using FM Transmitter:



Since somebody mentioned using a Director to run the show rather than a PC, here is that setup:


Sources:
http://www.lightorama.com/TypicalSetups.html
http://www.lightorama.com/BuildYourOwn.html

[Cray Augsburg]

james campbell wrote:

you should just get the starter kit it has all cables ,adapters ,software,I think If you buy it with a controller the basic software is free

DERAIL ---

Really like the new avatar, James. Must be a Kentucky thing! :cool:

BACK ON TRACK ---

[james campbell]

Cray Augsburg wrote:

james campbell wrote:

you should just get the starter kit it has all cables ,adapters ,software,I think If you buy it with a controller the basic software is free

DERAIL ---

Really like the new avatar, James. Must be a Kentucky thing! :cool:

BACK ON TRACK ---

thanks

[PAnorthpole]

Well I am a new member here as well and looking to take the LOR plunge.

First I must commend everyone here for being such a great help to us newbies. I have learned much tonight from just reading the posts. I am having concerns I am getting in over my head but it looks like everyone here is very helpful.

I have been patiently awaiting the sale and have been signed up for notification of the sale. The sale at the beginning of the year sold out before I could check out.
I would prefer to buy new and start with a basic 16 channel controller and required accessories

Secondly I am considering going to a remote director to avoid dedicating my only computer to operate a show. I would be very devistated if I messed up this computer.
Qusetion 1 Any pros or cons on this method of thinking?
I would like to order the director that is operated with a SD card and capable of audio and remote activation.

Thirdly I believe they make a Show Time with MP3 and director built into the controller. Seems awesome but much more costly for a first timer and I am not sure this is the direction to go first.

I would appreciate any recommendations for a first time user with limited computer knowledge. No one in my area could help guide me into this new adventure, so my training wheels are off and riding solo

Thank you for your anticipated help

PAnorthpole