rmturner54 Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 I have used a director in the past for operating the show, just because it was very close to my office which was in the front of the house. Now due to certain situations I have had to relocate to the very back of the house. The director is still very convenient for show operation. Not so for having to run show on the computer if I have director issues(which has happened). So Iam leaning towards putting a mini pc or laptop back in my garage. Which is where I started years ago with a laptop that is now outdated (win xp) for the software. I have looked at the computer reguirements and have a fairly good idea of is required. My programming computer is too bulky to move. Looking for suggestions/options. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 Something like this would work just fine: https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Desktop-Computer-Support-Ethernet/dp/B0BVLS7ZHP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 As a dedicated show computer, it takes far less than a sequencing computer. I looked at Don's link above and it would be fine. For years I have bought either Dell factory refurbished computers or lease return refurbished from Tiger Direct. Unfortunately TD is no longer in business. Personally I recommend a small desktop over a laptop. A comparable desktop is going to be less expensive, far easier to make changes and repair (add or replace RAM, hard drive, audio card, etc), will almost certainly have more built in ports than a laptop. Also, a desktop will survive 24 x 7 operation for a couple months at a time far better - mostly due to better ability to stay cool. I have a dedicated show computer that I turned on last weekend and it will be powered up until sometime in January - at which time the power cord will be unplugged. Either can be largely set up for remote operation, so once initially configured, you do not generally need a monitor, keyboard, or mouse connected. The computers in my data cabinet are that way. Although there is a monitor, keyboard, and mouse on a KVM, they are almost never used. Instead I use TeamViewer, VNC, or a remote management software that I use. I can access them from anywhere (with the right router magic). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Pomana Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 I've been using 2 copies of this mini HP Desktop (1 for programming and 1 for running the show): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KSGKHVS I really appreciate how compact it is, the great specs (considering the price), and I find HP to be a trustworthy brand. The not-so-great is that the WiFi dongle can be spotty (if you're using the LOR mobile app, or using remote desktop software this is important) and this PC does not support Windows 11 (I prefer Win10, so this is a perk in my opinion .) Next year, I'll look into a more recent iteration of the HP EliteDesk that has WiFi built in for my show PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremiah Ackermann Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 (edited) 2 hours ago, Don said: Something like this would work just fine: https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Desktop-Computer-Support-Ethernet/dp/B0BVLS7ZHP I am using this exact model for my shows this year. It’s run great and relatively cheap for the show I have. You can quickly use up the USB ports it has, so if you have more than a single LOR network, I would get a PixieLink. My setup is E131 only as I mostly have pixels. However I do run LOR AC controllers off the DMX bridge the pixel controller has. I have this Beelink show computer and my pixel controller wired directly to my home router/network. Edited October 26 by Jeremiah Ackermann Added networking details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmturner54 Posted October 27 Author Share Posted October 27 19 hours ago, Don said: Something like this would work just fine: https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Desktop-Computer-Support-Ethernet/dp/B0BVLS7ZHP You must have read my mind. I have been looking them for a while now. And this was is in my wish list. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrant Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 I use my programming computer as my show computer. Yes, too bulky and connected to move so I elect to route wires through the wall to the outside and a waterproof/water resistant box. From there, I can connect as needed. E1.31 goes quite far as does RS485. Yes, depending on how your home is configured, this may or may not work for you but it does save having to use and configure another computer in your garage or other location. I don't see distance as an issue, within reason. Let me add, if its distance from a pixel controller to the pixels, there could be distance issues which is why my controllers are in weather proof boxes and mounted close to the pixels. For E1.31 communications, I simply run a cable from the wall box to a GB Switch mounted in a local weatherproof box then come out of it with the multiple Cat5/6 to each device. RS485 is daisy-chained but out of the wall box to the first controller then onto the next one. I do run two RS485 networks, one standard speed and the other high speed but the daisy chain still applies. Just FYI, LOR does offer a RS485 splitter that will send commands two different directions for dasiy-chains and I can verify that it does work on both standard speed and HS networks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 I don't even own a desktop anymore so I run my show off a 2012 MSI I7 gaming laptop so it's very convenient. Being a gaming computer it has six usb ports and I only use one as I only run one LOR RS485 network and on E1.31 network for my show with about 60 total controllers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmturner54 Posted October 29 Author Share Posted October 29 3 hours ago, dgrant said: Just FYI, LOR does offer a RS485 splitter that will send commands two different directions for dasiy-chains and I can verify that it does work on both standard speed and HS networks. I could not find the splitter in the store Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 17 minutes ago, rmturner54 said: I could not find the splitter in the store https://store.lightorama.com/products/usb485booster?_pos=2&_sid=14608db9f&_ss=r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmturner54 Posted October 29 Author Share Posted October 29 Since the xmas show is getting close. I think I am going to just run a cat5 cable thru the wall to run my show. And then address a more permanent situation after the season. Thank you to everyone who replied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 1 hour ago, rmturner54 said: Since the xmas show is getting close. I think I am going to just run a cat5 cable thru the wall to run my show. And then address a more permanent situation after the season. Thank you to everyone who replied. Run it out a window with flat cat5/6 and you can still close the window. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 A number of years ago I took my entire front yard down to bare dirt. While it was empty, I put in almost a quarter mile of conduit under the dirt. Keep in mind that my yard is just under 80 feet in the longest dimension. In other words, there is conduit all over the place. I also have conduit from the data cabinet in the garage (where the show computer is) into the family room, and to multiple places on the front of the house. That means that I have conduit paths to everywhere I need to run network cable for either LOR networking or Ethernet LAN. This also includes 120 volt AC power in multiple places that did not have it when we bought the house. Some of the conduit has wire in it year round, and some is just used for Christmas. For anyone who has the opportunity to do something similar, my suggestion is to put in more and larger conduit than you think you will need. In the grand scheme of things, PVC conduit is cheap. You will thank yourself later for having it there. And yes, I have a CAD drawing showing where all the conduit is buried. And a separate drawing that shows what is in every conduit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmith37064 Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 1 hour ago, Mr. P said: Run it out a window with flat cat5/6 and you can still close the window. Remember to buy a spare. The pinch could break the cable if it's an Amazon special. Been there and done that. But I do love being able to close the window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 1 hour ago, Mr. P said: Run it out a window with flat cat5/6 and you can still close the window. Somewhere on YouTube someone shows using a Pool Noodle to pass cords and seal windows (Put a security block to keep them from being opened further. A great seal, 1 (key)hole per cord.. IMHO Brilliant. Should work with Double hung, Casement or Sliders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrant Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 In my case, my home is brick. A masonry drill bit, wire(s) then silicone to seal. On the inside, I mounted a multiple keystone wall plate/box which allows me to label the ports as needed and I changed the colors of the keystone jacks themselves. Every house is different. What works for one home, might not work for another so if you choose this path, please research and do whatever works for you and your home. Yes, I could have mounted a computer out in my garage but the huge temperature swings, humidity(out here), dust, bugs and you name it, didn't feel like a great idea too me. I do have an audio amp/receiver mounted out there and it shows these concerns are valid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 8 hours ago, dgrant said: <snip> Yes, I could have mounted a computer out in my garage but the huge temperature swings, humidity(out here), dust, bugs and you name it, didn't feel like a great idea too me. I do have an audio amp/receiver mounted out there and it shows these concerns are valid. Rotating disks do not like fast swings. I remember our order of POS computers got delayed (by snow), so when the arrived, we unboxed, powered them up to get them ready for installation 2 days away. Over 50% of the HD failed within hours (never happened in hundreds of systems we had done). If you change temps more than 5 degrees F , wait at least 1 hour Per 5 before applying power. Never leave your Laptop in the car in cold country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmturner54 Posted October 30 Author Share Posted October 30 When I first stsrted I used a laptop with Win XP until LOR software changes prevented me from running XP, Especially if I wanted to stay with the times on the newer software. I had zero problems running the show from the garage. It was very easy to get cables out side and more importantly getting an audio cable outside to my FM xmitter for better reception/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmturner54 Posted October 30 Author Share Posted October 30 Thought on FM xmitter location. 1. What is maximum lenght recommendation for audio cable from a computer to the FM transmitter. I did test the transmitter from my office in the back of the house, sitting in a window. The reception was good in spots and static in other spots driving my truck back and forth in front of house. I could run an audio cable thru the wall, mount a weather proof box to the underside of the soffit close to the hole in the wall . And put a hole in the box to protrude the antenna. Or run a longer audio cable to the front along with my cat 5 that I will have to run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMassey Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 If you are going to be running cable anyway, why not run coax to an outside antenna. No weatherproofing required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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