Michael Mcdowell Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 pro vs pc[line]what dose the stand alone mean will it start upon power up? will it operate another controller that is a pc? how big of a show? Do I have to buy a pro to get the starter kit? I wanted to just buy the pc kits.
Don Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 "Stand Alone" means the ability for a controller to run an animation (no music!) sequence without being connected to anything else. (Anything else = Computer, MP3 Director, etc.) In "Stand Alone" mode, you download the sequence directly to the controller.You could buy the following two items, which would get you the controller, basic software, and an adapter.http://store.lightorama.com/spk800.htmlhttp://store.lightorama.com/ctretogonoas.html
Michael Mcdowell Posted January 3, 2011 Author Posted January 3, 2011 I was thinking that I would solder them myself but I think I have to buy The pro. I just brought 6000 led lights and some led snow cicle lights. I have decided to use only led and will be asking one stupid question after another.
Surfing4Dough Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Michael Mcdowell wrote: I was thinking that I would solder them myself but I think I have to buy The pro. I just brought 6000 led lights and some led snow cicle lights. I have decided to use only led and will be asking one stupid question after another.I am curious why you think you have to buy the pro?You have 2 different kits to choose from:http://store.lightorama.com/ctb16pcpage.htmlhttp://store.lightorama.com/ctb16kpage.htmlBoth will control lights/LEDs the same way, and if you are planning to synch to music then both need to be hooked to either a computer or director (i.e. not stand-alone).On this page there is a chart that summarizes the differences between the Showtime Pro controllers and the PC controllers. http://www.lightorama.com/ShowtimePC.htmlFor residential use, most find that PC controllers are more than adequate for our displays. And you save a lot of money with these so you can buy more stuff!
dalewalt Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Michael Mcdowell wrote:I was thinking that I would solder them myself but I think I have to buy The pro. I just brought 6000 led lights and some led snow cicle lights. I have decided to use only led and will be asking one stupid question after another.Michael, I'm another newbie (so take my thoughts with a grain of salt), but I ordered this yesterday: http://store.lightorama.com/ctascpa.htmlNo soldering, seems pretty reasonable in price, and from my investigation, and what others have said on here, it's going to do what I want... and it sounds like it'll meet your needs also... hook it up to a computer, load some sequences on the computer (via the LOR software) and you're off and running.
dalewalt Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Sorry, I should've noted... you need to by the LOR software also. this package http://store.lightorama.com/spk800.html should give you the software and adapter you need. The only thing you may need to add is a longer Cat5 cable (depending on the distance between the computer and the LOR controller).But please... someone else correct me if I'm wrong ;-)
dalewalt Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 One other thing... I bought the basic plus software (extra $18); cause I plan on adding more channels in the future.
Lester Stone Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 dalewalt wrote: One other thing... I bought the basic plus software (extra $18); cause I plan on adding more channels in the future.trust me the adding more channels happens quite a bit. 80 channels for first year, 80 more this year..
dalewalt Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Lester Stone wrote:dalewalt wrote: One other thing... I bought the basic plus software (extra $18); cause I plan on adding more channels in the future.trust me the adding more channels happens quite a bit. 80 channels for first year, 80 more this year..yeah, I can believe that. I've started planning for a St. Patrick's Day show; I'm already thinking "well, if I had 32 channels instead of 16..."
caniac Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 dalewalt wrote: Lester Stone wrote:dalewalt wrote: One other thing... I bought the basic plus software (extra $18); cause I plan on adding more channels in the future.trust me the adding more channels happens quite a bit. 80 channels for first year, 80 more this year..yeah, I can believe that. I've started planning for a St. Patrick's Day show; I'm already thinking "well, if I had 32 channels instead of 16..." I know the feeling, did wowlights 32 channels and now thinking "if i bump up to 48 or even 64 then hmmmmmmm . . . ."
testraub Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Just so you know.... There is no such thing as a stupid question. There are however stupid answers. You can use the search feature and that can answer some basic questions. Have fun, work hard on the sequenceing and for crying out loud... BUY EXTENION CORDS or SPT WIRE TO MAKE YOUR OWN! Best of luck!Tom Straub
papap Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Why are you odering controller now and not waiting for the Summer Sale? Just asking.
TechMan Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 I was going to ask that very question, but I'm a noob to LOR as well, so...
George Simmons Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 testraub wrote: Just so you know.... There is no such thing as a stupid question. There are however stupid answers. Geez Tom, is my reputation starting to precede me these days?
Michael Mcdowell Posted January 4, 2011 Author Posted January 4, 2011 I want to play around and test lights for fade and twinkle effects hopefully I will be ready for Christmas so I need a controller to do this. Note where do you buy the wire for your cords and what do you recommended? I will be running led and I don't think any run should be over 80 ft.
George Simmons Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Michael Mcdowell wrote: I want to play around and test lights for fade and twinkle effects hopefully I will be ready for Christmas so I need a controller to do this. Note where do you buy the wire for your cords and what do you recommended? I will be running led and I don't think any run should be over 80 ft.SPT 1 by the spool wherever you can find the best deals. M/F vampire plugs for the ends.I know exactly how you feel. Getting that first controller is a big deal and now you can enjoy seeing up close and personal what you're doing. It's the way I did it too.
testraub Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 Mr. Simmons I meant no dis-respect to you as you are well aware. You have been nothing more then helpful to all Newbies (Just look at his post #'s) :shock:
Michael Mcdowell Posted January 4, 2011 Author Posted January 4, 2011 OH to get the price break on the starter package you need to buy a controller and being new I did not understand the difference between the pro and the pc and to be honest still not sure.
Michael Mcdowell Posted January 4, 2011 Author Posted January 4, 2011 fast 2 reply's wile I was typing sp1 where do you get yours from? Thank you for being so helpful.
George Simmons Posted January 4, 2011 Posted January 4, 2011 testraub wrote: Mr. Simmons I meant no dis-respect to you as you are well aware. You have been nothing more then helpful to all Newbies No offense taken. I figured you were trying to innoculate Mr. McDowell from the likes of Jim S and me, the riff-raff that we are...Michael- the difference is you need a PC to run the CTB16PC controllers and Showtime models can do standalone stuff. I own 23 16-channel controllers and they're all the PC models. For me, there's no reason to spend more for the 1602 models.Many of us get 1000' spools of wire from online vendors like CDI and others find deals at Lowes, Home Depot, etc from time to time.
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