my lights all work, but show seems to lag... Time for a new CPU?

[ace_master]

I've been playing shows to test out my display this week and I'm finding that some sequences are missing flashes, and some fast changing parts of the song become laggy, missing a tree here and there.

I have disabled most of my start-up programs and have closed all programs and run a sequence, and still get the lagging a bit... Is it time to upgrade the PC already?


My computer:

Windows 7 (64 bit)
CPU - Core 2 CPU E6600 - 2.4 Ghz/2400Mhz
Motherboard - Gigabyte 965p-DQ6
4GB Memory
Solid State HardDrive

CDI Pro LED lights
2xCTB16PC controllers.

[CUTTHEMUSIC]

I highly doubt it is your pc. I am running fine on a pentium III with XP and 512mb of ram.

[ace_master]

Ill try the same sequence on my g/fs laptop and see how it goes... that should hopefully confirm or exclude a PC specific issue if.

[Brian Mitchell]

Sounds more like a communication problem than a processor problem. check for loose cables and Do resets on the controllers.

[rstately]

In the sequence editor,

try going into "Edit" "preferences" "network preferences" and set it to the highest speed.

hope this helps?

[TJ Hvasta]

Is your computer connected to wifi or a network? Disable any and all networking connections.

If it's a dedicated show computer, bring up the Task Manager, (Cntrl-Alt-Del) click Processes and look thru see what else is running.

If you arent using the computer for anything else, click Start, Run, msconfig, Startup tab, and uncheck everything (first, make a note of what is checked). Uncheck everything, click Apply, Ok, then restart.. run your show again, see if that fixed the lagging.

[-klb-]

Make sure the audio files are excluded from any on access virus scan.

Make sure your computer is free of viruses or other malware.

I run a couple hundred channels on a 700mhz machine, and only rarely see a glitch. The glitches may relate to a weather watcher that I don't really need.

[TJ Hvasta]

If it's not network connected, you shouldn't have AntiVirus programs enabled. Dont just exclude media files, disable any scanning you have going.

Only other problem I can possibly see is using a SSHD, yeah, 'funny as that sounds..

[ace_master]

Thanks for all your suggestions... my neighbor also noticed that on fades... the lights with the longest extension cords kind of flickered at very low brightness... he mentioned that it may be because I have all 32 channels running off one breaker, lol... I thought because my entire setup was LEDs that it shouldn't matter... but maybe...


I did as you suggested about "network speed" settings rstately. I am running all CAT6 cables anyways, and they are no longer and 40 ft lengths.

I have gone through the task manager and turn virtally everything off that wasn't something I needed on. I am going to have to run through it again tomorrow with security software disabled and, as well as run another extension cord to another outlet for one of my controllers.


It's 2AM here, and I don't imagine the others in the house would like the flashing lights in their windows at this hour. I will try again tomorrow night after work and post back how things went.

[TJ Hvasta]

'have another idea, are you sure your LEDs are dimmable? flickering at low settings sounds like LEDs being compatable with LOR.. try adding a snubber (resistance added) to keep the load visible to the controller.. add an Airwick room freshener to the line (pine scent ), it's presence will keep a steady load on the triacs for dimming.

As to disabling AV scanners, make sure you turn off networking (disable the network card) so it doesnt try to go online for AV and MS Updates..

[ace_master]

The LEDs are dimmable... so Creative Displays Incorperated claims, lol. I can dim the lights just fine... it just seems to happen to the lights that are on a 100ft extension cord (on the edge of the property... so the first ones the viewer sees) that are having the issue.

Ive never even heard of a snubber... would that have an effect on the flicker and missing cells without disrupting the experience of the show at all? But until I hear back from you I'll go hook up that pine air freshener and see what the Christmas gods can do for me, haha.

[JBullard]

TJ Hvasta wrote:

'have another idea, are you sure your LEDs are dimmable? flickering at low settings sounds like LEDs being compatable with LOR.. try adding a snubber (resistance added) to keep the load visible to the controller.. add an Airwick room freshener to the line (pine scent ), it's presence will keep a steady load on the triacs for dimming.

He stated he was using LEDs from CDI. They ARE dimmable, I have over 700 strings, (40,000 plus) and they all dim very well. Have never had to use snibbers with mine.

I agree with the advice Brian gave. Communication issue. First I would do a reset on the controllers.

If that didn't solve it, then make sure none of the Cat6 cables are running in the same direction too close to 120 volt power cables.

Make sure each Cat6 in securely inserted on each controller.

Last, test each Cat6 cable, I've had brand new cables that have gone bad

[TJ Hvasta]

well, yeah, he didnt say they were CDI's until after I asked, so he may not need the snubber.

[JBullard]

TJ Hvasta wrote:

well, yeah, he didnt say they were CDI's until after I asked, so he may not need the snubber.

In his first post, next to last line.

CDI Pro LED lights
2xCTB16PC controllers.

[rstately]

I did the same thing. I just typed the first thing that I thought of.
Now that I see it's only two controllers, I would not have said "network speed settings".

More likely, bad cable, reset controller, network cable running along side a power cable?

( another couple years at this, and I may be able to help someone?)

[ace_master]

I have done virtually everything suggested in this thread... I then opened up LOR Hardware and using the Test Console I brought that controller up from 0% to about 10%... and somewhere in that 10%... all of the lights that were on cords longer than 90ft went from off to 100% on (while the rest functioned just fine)...
I went back to my controller and pulled the plug on a light that was working fine and plugged one of the misbehaving ones into that socket and that tree still acted the same... So I've narrowed it down to either the strings or the extension cords (I'm thinking extensions)...

I find it very odd that they go from 0% to 100% brightness with only about a 7% increase in power.

Anyone ever had this with their extensions?


I'm having about 50 people come by 1 week from today to give me constructive criticism on my setup/show... I really don't want to have to dick around with this more than I have to, as I have much to do before then.

[-klb-]

As a test, try plugging some mini lights, or a C7/9 into the end of the cord with the misbehaving lights. Is it a grounded cord? Try an ungrounded cord, or at least an adapter to isolate ground.

[ace_master]

I was able to figure out the issue by unplugging 1 string of lights on each of these trees and they worked fine...
after discovering that there was too much load on those long cords... I had to move that controller to a more central position (and re-route all of my extension cables).
I hooked the controller up to a 12 gauge extension cord. And after about 3-4 hours of messing around... everything works but one tree... which should be fixed by shorter extension cords... yet another trip to the store, lol.

I wish I could just tap into the hydro lines out front, lol.

[cmoore60]

The problem you are describing is very similar to mine. I use CDI LED lights and string them end to end on my roof. With about 7 strings end to end the dimming gets wierd. I use a single C-9 bulb between the 100ft extension cord and the first sting of lights. This is enough resistive load to allow proper dimming. When all set up the roof lights are approx 17 strings end to end.

Chuck