I think the KISS principle and standardization of RGB pixels, IMHO, should be receiving a lot more attention than just lowest price per pixel does. Many are understandably looking for the cheapest solutions but when you look back in 5 or 6 years ... do you want a show with 12 types of RGB pixels, all of which have their own characteristics (good, bad, color, injection, chipset, voltage, performance, reliability, etc.) or something where its fairly consistent, simple and interchangeable? This same principle can be applied to your show hardware. RJ and DLA has a wide array of hardware thats designed to be flexible in how its used. Some may view DLA as "less technical" or perhaps "limiting" ... but trust me, its there to protect you from yourself and as you grow your show, you will likely be glad you followed the guidance that DLA provides and protections and simplicity that RJ designs into his hardware.
To me, the DLA wiki provides a great array of choices that the average person would be wise to stick with. I know its not for everyone -- but its really good for a lot (very approachable) -- and they keep it less technical on purpose, to make it approachable to a wider audience than many DIY boards might. Those other boards are great also. In fact, DLA probably provides more hardware choices than you'll ever need, because even I have not used all the boards offered here -- but that said, I think staying with the newest boards is probably a good idea for most. Part of my own personal KISS principle is to not have every board offered even on DLA, let alone all the boards offered elsewhere.
For someone just getting started, I would give the following BIASED advise just based on what has worked well for me. There are other options (honorable mention to falconchristmas) but being a huge fan of this site in particular, the average not too terrible technical person who can built a few things ... but doesn't want to get into overly complicated technical or DIY issues -- this list is intended for you. This list isn't necessarily for the bleeding edge folks who can handle that stuff ... but it might be a good starting point for a lot of you, I hope.
Perhaps this list can help someone new get an idea of which COOP items they might want to purchase in 2014. That is my goal. I'm not trying to tell anyone that I'm right or your wrong -- I'm just trying to give an opinion and share my experience which is that KISS is a good thing and you can apply that to your show. If you do, I think you'll waste less money and be happier in the end.
MY TOTALLY BIASED - KISS LIST.
LIGHTS
- for RGB lights: use the wiki approved RGB smart string lights ... listed under Wiki -> Smart Strings/Pixelnet ... then SS Lights Info Chart and Ordering Links. Plan on shipping taking (up to) a month. Always have Ray give you a price quote ahead of time instead of using the website -- to save of shipping costs.
- for traditional lights - again using mini lights, C9(s) or a good brand of LED(s) is the way to go, but try to keep
them as consistent as possible. this can be hard with how the lights are changing so much each year and perhaps
a reason to go with RGB lights instead (just more colors for the money)
- I'm not a big advocate of "dumb" RGB lights, but they can save you a little money up front and simplify programming
some, but I think the ROI on regular "smart" RGB lights is better in the long run (YES, I AM BIASED!)
CONVENTIONAL LIGHTS (AC) CONTROLLER
- Lynx Express 16 (aka LE) - DMX AC controller of choice, also available from minleon pre-assembled;
I would use this over older boards as its a really a sweet spot for cost per channel and just a reliable
work horse for traditional AC channels (controlling strings of incand. or (non rgb) LED lights).
SHOW COMPUTER INTERFACE (DONGLE)
- Lynx Etherdongle - E1.31 PC interface to run your show, 16k channels of pixelnet per unit, connect to PC via. ethernet
fast, reliable and not complicated. Because via. smart string active hub(s) you can convert pixelnet into
DMX ... this can easily control your LE controllers (wired or wireless with a DMX TX)
SHOW SOFTWWARE (SEQUENCING)
- xlights (w/nutcracker) -- its free and very powerful. You can also optionally combine it with a sequencer
of your choice: for example, I use LOR and xlights together.
xlights plays with almost everything. If your getting started, xlights only is likely fine.
RGB CONTROLLER HARDWARE
- Smart String 16 port Active Hub - provides up to 16 power injected outputs (16 SSCs) and a single PC power supply
runs it and does the injection. No complicated injection if used with wiki Smart String
RGB nodes from Ray; Provide a DMX universe output (pixelnet -> DMX512) and
also has a built in pixelnet splitter (1 pixenet in, 2 pixelnet out)
- Smart String Controller V4 (aka. SSC) - for distributed RGB display elements, use with a Smart String Hub
these are great for rooflines, windows, and RGB display items which
may be located all over the place. Generally 100' range from hub to
SSC and then 10' from SSC to RGB lights.
- Smart String Zeus 16 Controller - great for connecting concentrated RGB display elements, such as Matrix and PIXEL trees
generally within 10' of the controller, so RGB strings connect direct to Zeus ... like having
16 SSC(s) onboard, easily replaceable fuses
WIRELESS OPTIONS
- Lynx Wireless Tx/Ex - you need one to transmit your DMX512 universe to the rest of your show ... more if you want
multiple universes or range boosting. Once has worked for me across two homes without issues.
- Lynx Wireless Ex/Rx - you need one per LE controller, if you want those controllers to be wireless controlled.
note: you can make the first LE wireless, then connect to nearby LE controllers wired, to save$
FLOODLIGHTS
- Lynx Aether
OR
- traditional floodlights on an AC channel also work fine (most simple, cheapest), 1 color per channel
