Bug in HolidayCoro AlphaPix firmware

[bobschm]

I believe I've encountered a serious bug in the AlphaPix firmware ZIG function. 

AlphaPix 4, of which I have two, will not work if you use the Zig function AND you have null pixels in line.

Holiday Coro has suggested a workaround which I have not tried yet. But Holiday Coro didn't actually admit to testing the bug or confirming that an AlphaPix board will function properly with BOTH Zig and Nulls in use.  They just said they hadn't heard of any issues. I find it unlikely that I got the only two boards that malfunction when both nulls and zig exist.

What appears to happen is the zig will start counting at the first pixel in line, rather than the first ACTIVE pixel. So your matrix display will be off zig by the number of null pixels you declared, in my case 4 null pixels.

Their workaround is to change the start address from channel 1 to channel 13 ( 3 RGB channels x 4 null pixels = 12 channels of null).  My ultimate workaround will be to relocate the board and power supply so null pixels will not be needed.

Anyone considering a Holiday Coro controller should get this clarified before committing to purchase.

MOVED FROM INCORRECT FORUM  6NOV2017

UPDATE: Just informed by HC that this bug has been confirmed and firmware update is in the works. I can heartily recommend these boards if new firmware is provided, or if null and zig are NOT required simultaneously  The output drivers on these boards are blazing! I've gone 30 feet from the board without null pixels! Of course, your results depend on the wire, routes, and area interference you may encounter. But way better than my Sandevices can do.