Best way to add pixels to LOR and DMX networks

[rmturner54]

I hope this is the best place to ask this question.

I am running a LOR network and a DMX network using a Entec Pro dongle. So both of the USB outputs on my show laptop are used up. Really interested in adding pixels for next year on a small scale to start with like arches or a couple of smaller trees. 

Based on my research with LOR if I used say 1 of the 3 options

1. Pixie 4/8/16 controller that would suit my needs, however I dont have another USB port on the laptop.

2.  Pixie 16 advance which also has pixel capabilities and 4 dedicated DMX ports

3. Pixie 4/8/16, and do away with the Entec Pro dongle(since my DMX universe is extremely small of 12 channels), that would free up the USB port, then I could convert those DMX elements to pixels

Any input would be appreciated , thanks for the help

MERRY XMAS, Richard

[PhilMassey]

If you need to keep the Entec universe, and just want to add a red high speed adaptor, you can add an inexpensive powered USB hub to give you more ports.

You will want to go with the red HS adaptor for pixels.

[rmturner54]

I did not think about that, thanks. After asking the question I was sitting here thinking(dangerous)...I know. My 4 DMX elements are very simple. It might be better to just adapt those to pixels

Just a thought.

[PhilMassey]

What sort of lights are involved, wattage?

[rmturner54]

I assume your talking about the DMX universe. I have 4 north poles with DMX globes, each has 3 dumb RGB modules, 12V at 150ma(3modules), So total of approx 600ma

[Mr. P]

Since you are wanting to get into pixels you may want to consider upgrading to a Pro license. Most pixels off of a pixie will require a high speed enhanced network which is only available with a Pro license.

Edited December 24, 2020 by Mr. P

[rmturner54]

2 minutes ago, Mr. P said:

Since you are wanting to get into pixels you may want to consider upgrading to a Pro license. Most pixels off of a pixie will require a high speed enhanced network which is only available with a Pro license.

I did not know that. Thanks

[PhilMassey]

Pixels could work for that, plus it would give you the option to do color fades within the globe, Just a thought. The only issue would be lead length and dedicating all or part of a Pixie port to a just a few pixels. Might be best to leave the dmx alone alone until you get a better idea of how pixels work in practice.

As Mr P says, go Pro and while your at it update to the latest version.

[rmturner54]

We watched a guys show last night at his house and it was all pixels.  He didnt have a super large number of elements but boy was it impressive.

[rmturner54]

1 minute ago, PhilMassey said:

Pixels could work for that, plus it would give you the option to do color fades within the globe, Just a thought. The only issue would be lead length and dedicating all or part of a Pixie port to a just a few pixels. Might be best to leave the dmx alone alone until you get a better idea of how pixels work in practice.

As Mr P says, go Pro and while your at it update to the latest version.

Yea...Iam a little behind the times on the version. Its worked for me with no glitches so I have left it alone. The pixel thing came up with the grandkids at the show last night

 

[rmturner54]

48 minutes ago, PhilMassey said:

Pixels could work for that, plus it would give you the option to do color fades within the globe, Just a thought. The only issue would be lead length and dedicating all or part of a Pixie port to a just a few pixels. Might be best to leave the dmx alone alone until you get a better idea of how pixels work in practice.

As Mr P says, go Pro and while your at it update to the latest version.

I am not quite understanding what you mean. I can already do color fades in the globes with the DMX

[PhilMassey]

I was thinking a sort of rainbow effect across several pixels within a single globe. Might not work, just a thought.

[rmturner54]

26 minutes ago, PhilMassey said:

I was thinking a sort of rainbow effect across several pixels within a single globe. Might not work, just a thought.

That might work. Having said that about the globes probably not going to gain a whole lot by converting from dumb to pixels since I can already color change etc...The only thing I can think of gaining is doing away with the DMX univ and going pixels only. Which would be one less technology to deal with. Otherwise I would have to add a powered USB hub.

So which of the 3 options would you go with if you were in my situation. 

[dibblejr]

2 hours ago, rmturner54 said:

I hope this is the best place to ask this question.

I am running a LOR network and a DMX network using a Entec Pro dongle. So both of the USB outputs on my show laptop are used up. Really interested in adding pixels for next year on a small scale to start with like arches or a couple of smaller trees. 

Based on my research with LOR if I used say 1 of the 3 options

1. Pixie 4/8/16 controller that would suit my needs, however I dont have another USB port on the laptop.

2.  Pixie 16 advance which also has pixel capabilities and 4 dedicated DMX ports

3. Pixie 4/8/16, and do away with the Entec Pro dongle(since my DMX universe is extremely small of 12 channels), that would free up the USB port, then I could convert those DMX elements to pixels

Any input would be appreciated , thanks for the help

MERRY XMAS, Richard

Hmm I must check out this new "pixie16 advance" controller.

Just kidding, there is no such thing.

You add a usb NW Hub and get more ports to use the RS485 LOR network adapters or an ethernet switch to do the same for DMX controllers.

JR

[rmturner54]

My mistake, i meant pixcon 16 advance 

[rmturner54]

So the only real difference between the pixie 4/8/16 vs the pixcon 16 is the addition of the 4 DMX ports?....basically.

[PhilMassey]

It depends on your layout and distances from controllers to your lights. Your globes would need to be fairly close to your new pixel prop if you convert them.

If you are going to buy pixels and a controller you can play around with it and test adding a group of pixels for your globes with actual lead lengths.

If you are considering the Pixcon 16, that is a very advanced controller, but it does offer the capability to use the Ethernet port of your pc. It does require some basic ethernet networking  knowledge. It can also run as a lor network, but not both at once

 

[dibblejr]

3 minutes ago, rmturner54 said:

My mistake, i meant pixcon 16 advance 

 

Just now, rmturner54 said:

So the only real difference between the pixie 4/8/16 vs the pixcon 16 is the addition of the 4 DMX ports?....basically.

The pixie is much easier to set up and pretty soon the release of the pixielink may be out and that will offer those of us with pixie controllers to use them as DMX.

JR

[rmturner54]

1 minute ago, PhilMassey said:

It depends on your layout and distances from controllers to your lights. Your globes would need to be fairly close to your new pixel prop if you convert them.

If you are going to buy pixels and a controller you can play around with it and test adding a group of pixels for your globes with actual lead lengths.

If you are considering the Pixcon 16, that is a very advanced controller, but it does offer the capability to use the Ethernet port of your pc. It does require some basic ethernet networking  knowledge. It can also run as a lor network, but not both at once

 

The distances from my show computer to the DMX props is longest run of about30ft max

 

[rmturner54]

I am really liking what your telling me about the pixies. The only reason I went DMX to start with was way back when pixels were coming into the decorating scene and felt at that time DMX was easier to get stated.