HADESWRAITH Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 34 minutes ago, Mr. P said: No, comm listener port should be 8837. Why do you have a bunch of ports with Universe 1? Where do you see acomm listener port with "8837"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 3 minutes ago, PhilMassey said: Presumably it is an ethernet switch, but it MIGHT be worth checking the manual before you just plug it in and hope. Hey that's a good point. All the controllers I have bought in the past came with little paper manuals pertaining to the controllers..... These did not.... or did they.... Let me go check the boxes..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 It looks like the new FLEX controllers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMassey Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 (edited) Your 1st picture, protocol/port 2811 is the pixel type. Port should be 8837 These days manuals are usually online. Edited November 23, 2019 by PhilMassey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 The Flex controller can use expansion boards/receivers so I think that may be what the extra rj45 is for, I could be wrong but I haven't seen anything about a built in switch for daisy chaining. The Flex is a new HC controller so I don't know much about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 34 minutes ago, Mr. P said: It looks like the new FLEX controllers. Yes, that is what they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 One is an Ethernet IN port and the other is an Ethernet OUT port. They are labeled in fine print. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 OK, on todays episode....... I downloaded XLIGHTS and ran through the "TEST" section and I can control both controllers, and each individual light string in the test program.... (To confirm, these controllers ARE DAISYCHAINABLE).... I have only used LOR Sequencer for all my shows..... Is there a way (if I decided that I wanted to start all over with Xlights) to convert LOR Sequence files so they will work on Xlights? I have like 25 sequences and I am not going to rebuild just so they work with Xlights. I will just figure out why I cant get the pixels to work in S5.... Which I still can't figure out. And I CAN NOT figure out how to run a test on these controllers in S5 Hardware wizard... Unless I am doing it right, and there is something stopping the lights from turning on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJD Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 I don't know how much help I can be since I use the older Alphapix models (and have just started with these this year). I did not bother trying to find a way to use the LOR Hardware program for any of my Alphapix stuff. To test, I created a S5 Preview that only has the props that use the Alphapix controllers I want to test. This weekend we are going to try and get the 3 new Alphapix4 controllers working with the new pixels on our gazebo. There are 8 strands of HC pixel icicles, 100 HC "Billiant Bulbs" and 3 sets of snowflakes. (Personally, I think its going to be visible from space, but my husband really is excited LOL) I configured the controllers first since I need the Universes to be set before setting up the props in the preview. Each has it's own IP of course and the universes start at 33 (because my 2 Alphapix16 are using 1-32). These have 33-36, 37-40, 41-44. Next step is the Network configuration. This is where I have most frequently screwed up by typo-ing an IP or universe number. Then I setup my test preview making certain the correct universes are matched up to the individual props. Finally, I create a test sequence using the test preview that just turns things on/off, changes colors, etc. If you think it would help, I can do some screen shots of my setup - just post if you would like them and I'll get them posted later today. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMassey Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 You had the wrong port setting in the LOR Network config. Did you correct that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrown1972 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 19 hours ago, HADESWRAITH said: Does anything here look out of whack?? See the bottom of your picture? Put the comm port as 8837. Also when you are trying to test the lights in S5 you must have the comm listener running you do that by clicking control panel in LOR. After that make sure you have control lights selected in the sequencer just below the preview button on the sequencer. Let us know if you get it working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 You absolutely CAN control the pixels using the pixel console in the Hardware Utility in S5. First start the Hardware Utility, then select the Pixel Console (Red arrow). By default, the Pixel console will come up with controller type of CMB24 and Unit ID of 01, like this: Select Controller type of DMX Pixel (E1.31) (the green arrow) You may get warning messages about needing to have the Control Panel running, and also about the show being unable to play. I did not take screen captures of that, but they are normal. Select the universe that you want to test with the dropdown (pink arrow). The console will only show you 8 RGB channel sets, but using the slider for pixel group (the green arrow) allows you to select which 8 RGB channel sets that you see. I recommend NOT checking the Zero values box (the red arrow). If you scroll the pixel group slider, you can see what channels are selected at the top (inside the light blue oval). That will show both the pixel number and the channel numbers for that RGB channel set. You can fade individual channels using the sliders (inside the brown oval), or use the Master (the yellow arrow) to adjust levels. In addition to the individual and master channel controls, there is also select buttons (inside the orange oval) that will turn all channels in that universe to the selected color. Note that turning on one color does NOT turn off the other colors. For example, if you turn on Red, and then turn on Green, you will get yellow. Use the "All off" to turn the channels off. Also note that if you turn on some lights, and then select another universe, that does NOT turn off the colors in the first universe. For example, when I was doing these screen captures, I turned on all of Universe 11 to Green, then selected Universe 12 and set it to Red. Walked outside to look and the first universe was green and the second was red. Exiting the pixel console did turn off all the lights when I tested that. If you have a show scheduled (for example my evening landscape lighting show), remember to Enable the show schedule in the Control Panel after you are completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 I GOT IT!!!!!.....So I was under the impression the E131 networks were all individual "controllers" meaning. Each IP address was allowed it's own set of Channels in the full E131 Universe. It appears not. I thought that if IP address 192.168.0.50 was set up as a 16 channel controller then those channels would be 1-16......and the same was true for IP address 192.168.0.51..1-6 channels. But it turns out that is incorrect. The issue was all in LOR in the Network set-up. I deleted the second IP (will be adding that back today, assuming i will need to continue in numerical order.... But this is how I got it to work.... MATRIX WORKS!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 The next Alphapix I have connected has 16 channels but only 8 will be in use for house RGB strip lighting....per the above, I assume I will need to set it up as "Channel 13 thru 20" on the DMX Start univeres... right? Also, when I turned on #2 Alphapix for the house RGB pixels, all 8 strings tested fine....EXCEPT half of one string on channel 4.... It is stuck on blue. the other half of the string runs and changes as it should. I have swapped plugs on the pci and it appears to be the string and not any part of the controls. i also unscrewed the wires from the green plastic connector and reinstalled. i have had these make a loose connection before on my Pixies... no go. So I just ordered a few more pixel strips. i hope these last longer than those cheap led strips you get at walmart or from china... Just curious if anyone has ever had a string get "stuck". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJD Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 I'm glad you are getting it all worked out Yes, you need to continue with unique numbers for the next controller. Just in terms of keeping your life sane in the future, as you add more to your setup, you might want to consider starting at 17 so that 13-16 could be used on #1 in the future. It is going to get very confusing down the road if #1 is something like 1-12, 33-36 and #2 is 13-20, 37-44. Personally, I would make #1, 1-16 and just not use 13-16 and #2 as 17-32 and just not use the last 8 ones there. If later you add something new that needs a pixel controller, you can use those numbers and it all stays relatively simple. I have been labeling my controllers as I set them up. Both with the name I'm using for them and the universes defined. So I have "Pixel Tree #1: 1-16", "Pixel Tree #2: 17-32", "Gazebo #1: 33-36", "Gazebo #2: 37-40" and "Gazebo #3: 41-44". Hopefully, this will make it easier during setup next year. Afraid I can't answer about the strips - we are using HC pixel strings (Icicles, Brilliant bulbs, and regular pixels for the snowflakes) and so far (crossing my fingers) we haven't run into any issues. The pixel trees use the HC strip that you put your own pixels into (again, HC pixels since we are trying to keep it all consistent so far...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 OUTSTANDING!!! You just confirmed everything i did. I am one step ahead. I did exactly as you said as far as going ahead and extending the channel numbers..... This is #2..... #1 goes to 16 now... ALSO, I have a 16x50 Mega Tree from Coro with the Push in Pixels, that was last year (thumbs have finally healed)..hahaha... and we also used the same pixels in out Arches... I didn't get a lot of support from the family when i announced a "Pixel Pushing Party" this year... But the pixels in the Matrix kit were the square ones and they pushed MUCH easier... I REALLY like the 24x50 Matrix.. CORO has really good stuff!!! Now I gotta get these new sequences added to my shows...... Any suggestions for making easy "house outline" sequences? Thank You all for your help!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 Real quick.... The LOR Network preferences should mirror this methodology correct..... #1 1/16...#2 17/32..........And then the sequencer will "just know" which controller is which?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJD Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Yes . My somewhat simplistic understanding is that when a prop is used in a sequence, the Universe assigned to the prop is looked up in the Network config to find the IP of the controller and then the info is sent to that controller which takes the Universe number and sends it to the correct output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 9 hours ago, HADESWRAITH said: Real quick.... The LOR Network preferences should mirror this methodology correct..... #1 1/16...#2 17/32..........And then the sequencer will "just know" which controller is which?? The sequencer does not know or care what the controller IP is for any given universe. The comm listener does care. That takes it's settings from Network Preferences. This is my understanding of the "behind the scenes" stuff going on. Here is a screen capture I just took of the Comm Listener on my show computer: They don't open in DMX order, but you can see that Universes 1 & 2 use 192.168.131.99, universe 5 use 192.168.131.98, universes 11 - 20 (not all shown in this image) use 192.168.131.91, and 21 & 22 use 192.168.131.92. This is just a small portion of the Comm Listener display. Right now there are something like 145 universes in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 26, 2019 Author Share Posted November 26, 2019 I got it, ran a test last night and everything is a GO!! Now,.......Where can I get some of those motorized spot lights that guy with the Star Wars Theme has on the peak of his roof????...HAHAHAHA!!!! Thank You!! I still like my LOR network, much easier, but hey, if I can run parallel networks that's just more toys to add!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJD Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 33 minutes ago, HADESWRAITH said: I got it, ran a test last night and everything is a GO!! Now,.......Where can I get some of those motorized spot lights that guy with the Star Wars Theme has on the peak of his roof????...HAHAHAHA!!!! Thank You!! I still like my LOR network, much easier, but hey, if I can run parallel networks that's just more toys to add!!! Glad it's all working! I think what is "easier" has a lot to do with what you are used to using. I think the LOR pixel stuff is rather confusing, but E1.31 & DMX make sense to me. This is probably because I haven't been using LOR for years like so many others. Up until recently, my husband did all the light stuff himself. The only experience I had was doing a couple sequences for stuff he already had setup (all traditional lights). When we decided to go pixels and I agreed to take on the "software" side of this, we did some research. We both have spent many years working with computers (I have a MS in Computer Science and he has been in IT Project management for years). Ethernet and IP addressing and such is almost second nature. We have had very few hiccups getting the pixels up and running. (Biggest issue was the 2 of the 5 Alphapix controllers had their outputs labeled wrong - that took us a few hours to figure out what was going on! They are the 2 Alphpix4 that handle the 8 strings of Icicle lights.) I see the same thing here on the forum in the S4 vs S5 discussions. I think those of us who are pretty much new and starting from scratch, find S5 to be pretty straightforward and easy to use. Those who are coming from S4 and are used to a very different system are finding it more difficult. I think the hardest part for a newbie is that there are so few "how to" videos that use S5 - so they end up watching tutorials for older versions and THAT gets confusing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADESWRAITH Posted November 26, 2019 Author Share Posted November 26, 2019 You nailed it. I started with S3....then S4.... and now the jump to S5 (hindsight I should NOT have jumped to S5 in November).... and having to find where everything is again. I have (3) CTB16 120v Controllers, (2) Pixie16 Controllers (LOVE THEM for my Mega Tree and Arches), and these 2 Alphapix....hey wait, I think I have a brand new Alphapix in my shed ( I think I got it with my tree and at the time was so new I couldn't understand how to use it, so I got a pixie.... Hmmmmmmmm..... wonder if an Alphapix16 would run motorized spot lights???.. DMX is DMX right??..... How many Watt lights should I get to be visible shooting a beam on top of a roof? I don't want to blind aircraft and have the FAA and NSA show up at my door. Actually the first controller I got was a completely wireless set up, I think it was called Easy Lights.... Great in theory, just wasn't gonna do what I wanted, and there wasn't a lot of control as I remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMassey Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 44 minutes ago, HADESWRAITH said: Hmmmmmmmm..... wonder if an Alphapix16 would run motorized spot lights???.. DMX is DMX right??..... Way overkill and a waste for a moving light fixture. All you need is a spare LOR usb adaptor (a slow one) and a crossover cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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