CTB16D vice CTB16PC - 100% Functionally Equivalent?

[matt_grooms]

Everything I read indicates the CTB16D and CTB16PC are functionally equal, but while reading the online user manual for the CTB16PC

http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/CTB16PC_Man_Web.pdf

I found this in the second to last paragraph of page four.

" The CTB16PC must be used with the LOR Windows Showtime Software Suite."

Contrast that statement to the same portion of the online CTB16D user manual which states:

http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/CTB16D_UserGuide.pdf

"A CTB-16D can be used in many ways:

• By daisy chaining it off of an LOR1602MP3 Show-in-a-Box lighting controller with Show Director

[align=left]• By connecting it to your PC running the LOR Showtime Windows software[/align]
[align=left]• By connecting it to one of LOR’s Show Directors (DC-MP3 or mDM-MP3)[/align]
[align=left]• By running a stand alone set of commands loaded into the controller’s flash memory[/align]
[align=left]• By daisy chaining it off of another controller that is either running stand alone or getting its commands from one of the other sources listed above."[/align]
[align=left] [/align]
[align=left]Quite a difference in stated capabilty between the two manuals. I'm hopeful it's just different docukmentation but it's got me worried.[/align]
[align=left]Can anyone confirm that my two CTB16PC's, and my two CMB16D's can indeed be daisy chained from my LOR1602MP3 and function together as an 80 channel 'domain' and all channels be controlled by the DC-MPC that's part of the LOR1603MP3?[/align]
[align=left]OR, is the CTB16PC manual correct and the CTB16PC boards can only fuction while attached to a PC and under LOR software control?[/align]

[Guest guest]

Matt, all your equipment CAN be daisy chained and will all work perfectly fine together.

I have a CTB16PC and I operate it by daisy chaining my ShowTime MP3 Director to it and it's NOT CONNECTED to my PC in any way!

The ONLY reason a PC is needed for the CTB16PC is to set the ID number of the unit, once set, it can be used stand-alone (in a sense), as long as it is connected to a ShowTime MP3 Director, LOR1602W or any other LOR stand alone Controller, LOR1602W Director unit, etc.

I do have to use my PC and the LOR Sequence Editor, Simple Show Builder and/or the Hardware Utility to get my shows on the SD card that goes into the ShowTime MP3 Director unit. After that, it's all pretty much stand-alone, no PC required. And again, LOR makes all their equipment to be daisy-chained and work happily together.

So no worry, everything LOR makes will interface with each other via the daisy-chain cat5 cable or ELL (wireless linkers) method.

And the MP3 director unit or control unit can also be anywhere in the mix, it does not need to be, or even require to be the first unit in the chain of command.

[matt_grooms]

Thanks Orville. I felt certain that was the case, but panicked for a moment when I read the intro to the CTB16PC manual.

I'm a rank beginner with LOR (or any light control) and my first project must be ready by mid April.

I've got loads to do besides the lighting, and the thought of having purchased some incompatible equipment ran a chill up my spine. Thanks for setting me straight.

Just dropped a demo file on the included chip and popped it into the DC-MP3 (LOR1602MP3) and it ran like a champ.

[-klb-]

The only one on that list that the CTB16D does that the CTB16PC does not is:

[align=left]• By running a stand alone set of commands loaded into the controller’s flash memory[/align]
[align=left]All the rest should be equally true on both controller types. [/align]

[George Simmons]

Being a CBT16PC is kind of like being a guy living in a house with his wife, daughter and mother-in-law. It doesn't matter which one of them does it, but there's always going to be someone else telling you what to do and when to do it, and your job is to keep your mouth shut and follow instructions.

[matt_grooms]

Hahahhahha

George, I just stumbled on to your site a couple of minutes ago and really enjoyed what you did with Brain Damage. Quite beautiful, actually. Pink Floyd's a natural choice for a light show!

That's the sort of material that will work good for my project as well.

[Guest guest]

matt_grooms wrote:

Thanks Orville. I felt certain that was the case, but panicked for a moment when I read the intro to the CTB16PC manual.

I'm a rank beginner with LOR (or any light control) and my first project must be ready by mid April.

I've got loads to do besides the lighting, and the thought of having purchased some incompatible equipment ran a chill up my spine. Thanks for setting me straight.

Just dropped a demo file on the included chip and popped it into the DC-MP3 (LOR1602MP3) and it ran like a champ.

Don't feel bad Matt, I did almost the same thing when I ordered the ShowTime MP3 Director. From reading the CTB16PC, I thought, oh crap, it's NOT going to work with my controller. Methinks LOR maybe needs to update the CTB16PC documentation so it doesn't confuse new folks coming into this stuff. I just started myself in December 2009 when I bought my first controller (used), the CTB16PC, so I e-mailed LOR to make sure I could do what I wanted, because like you, after reading the info, I thought, crap, I've got a controller but it won't interface with the ShowTime MP3 Director I just ordered, so, like you, a wee bit of panic set in.

And that's partially how I came to know some of what I do about this stuff. Also the fine folks here on the LOR forums have also been a great asset just by reading through their posts and of asking questions of the old pros around here that's been doing this for awhile.

But glad I was able to put your panic to rest.:cool:

Welcome to the "addiction!":D