DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Panther DMX Player => Topic started by: TexasStingray on March 16, 2013,
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Version B2 of the Panther DMX Player is now available. Freatures include the use of a control file "CONTROL.TXT". The control file is a comma delimited file.
Meanings & Values of the Control file are as follows:
StartupDelay, values are in milliseconds. Acceptable value are from 0 to 4294967295. 1 second would be 1000, 10 seconds would be 10000, and so on.
RepeatCnt, value is the number of time to actually run thru the show. Acceptable values are from 0 (infinite) to 4294967295.
RepeatDelay, values are in milliseconds. Acceptable value are from 0 to 4294967295. 1 second would be 1000, 10 seconds would be 10000, and so on.
SequenceDelay, values are in milliseconds. This is the time to wait before playing the next sequence. Acceptable value are from 0 to 4294967295. 1 second would be 1000, 10 seconds would be 10000, and so on.
example of CONTROL.TXT for 10 second startup delay, repeat count of 3, repeat delay of 1 minute, and a sequence delay of 5 seconds would look like this;
10000,3,60000,5000,
Show File "SHOW.TXT" Reserved Word Usage:
Reserverd Words & Meanings
--STOP--, When the Panther DMX Player reaches this word in the show file the the show will stop playing.
NOTES: During any delays or stops the DMX Signal will stop being sent. What that means is that on equipment that has a DMX Signal indicator like the Lynx Express the indicator (LED) will not show a signal being received.
Download Links for firmware
Panther DMX Player B2: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/58620146/PantherDMXPlayer/PantherDMXPlayerB2.hex
Panther DMX Player B1: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/58620146/PantherDMXPlayer/PantherDMXPlayerB1.hex
I used an USBASP programmer that I picked up off ebay to program program the reprogram the chip in a standalone configuration of a arduino. I sure that you can use an Arduino to upload the new sketch (hex) file, but I have not done that.
The command I used to program it was: avrdude -c usbasp -p m328p -u -U flash:w:PantherDMXPlayerB2.hex
In the next release of the Panther I will provide a ISP header.
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Quick question. "RepeatCnt" if set to 1 will the sequence files be run one time and then the Panther will stop? example 0,1,0,0, which would cause the player to run the sequences one time and stop?
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YES, exactly
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Burning the latest release of the Firmware with an arduino UNO i used the following command.
C:\arduino-1.0.2\hardware\tools\avr\bin\avrdude -CC:\arduino-1.0.2\hardware\tools\avr\etc\avrdude.conf -patmega328p -carduino -P\\.\COM5 -b115200 -D -Uflash:w:C:\Temp\PantherDMXPlayerB2.hex:i
You'll have to substitute your values for; arduino-1.0.2, COM5, and C:\Temp.
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Has anyone loaded the new firmware yet? I seem to be hitting a wall with my computer.
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Has anyone loaded the new firmware yet? I seem to be hitting a wall with my computer.
What kinda of issue are you having. I'll be traveling this afternoon but maybe we could get this resolved tonight.
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Working on B3: It will add 5 trigger pins that will:
1. Interrupt the current sequence.
2. Play the associated sequence.
3. Continue with the next sequence in the SHOW.TEXT file.
Sequence Names must be:
TRIGGER1.SEQ
TRIGGER2.SEQ
TRIGGER3.SEQ
TRIGGER4.SEQ
TRIGGER5,SEQ
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Still waiting for my programming dongle to arrive from China.
Version B2 is working "out in the shop" non-stop. As long as you keep the file name length correct and be sure to have the correct number of carriage returns in the SHOW file (oops), it is solid.
I look forward to B3 and triggers.
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Anyone have any step-bystep instructiosn with an arduino (just got one for Christmas so I am a total noob). :)
I see the command in here, but is it as simple as taking the chip that is on the arduino out and putting the one from the panther in?
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is it an UNO and what com port does the PC report it using?
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It is an UNO...have not connected it yet.
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Dan,
THESE INSTRUCTION ARE IF YOU ARE USING AN ARDUINO FOR UPLOADING A NEW FIRMWARE, you do not do these if you have a USBASP Programmer.
The ATMEL329PU-P Chip may not have the Arduino Bootloader Loaded. What I would do first is load the arduino software on the computer. I use version 1.0.2. Then plug the arduino UNO. From the menu select TOOLS >> SERIAL PORT and select the correct comport. Then open the example blink sketch from the menu select FILE >> EXAMPLES >> 01.BASICS >> BLINK. Then enable some verbose debugging for upload so you can see the actual command used to upload the sketch FILE >> PREFERENCES then check show verbose output during upload. Then click on the upload tool icon. when I do this the upload command looks like this where my arduino is on com port 5.
avrdude -CC:\arduino-1.0.2\hardware/tools/avr/etc/avrdude.conf -v -v -v -v -patmega328p -carduino -P\\.\COM5 -b115200 -D -Uflash:w:C:\Users\SCOTTW~1\AppData\Local\Temp\build9203390013273991049.tmp\Blink.cpp.hex:i
So from there I open a command windows. I navigate to folder where I have the PantherDMXPlayerB2.hex file. Then I issue the following command:
C:\PantherDMXPlayerTools>avrdude.exe -V -F -p m328p -carduino -P COM5 -U flash:w:PantherDMXPLayerB2.hex -vvvv
You'll want to pull the chip out of the Panther and us that one when you issue the above command.
If the chip does not have the BOOTLOADER installed you'll need to load it. I followed these instructions.
http://learn.adafruit.com/arduino-tips-tricks-and-techniques/arduinoisp
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The chip from the panther fails saying it is out of sync....When I try it with the chip that comes with the UNO (assuming they are the same) it does a lot, says verifying and that is successful, but when I put that chip in the panther still no green led.
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Lets not worry about reflashing it for now, it should be fine with the firmware I loaded on it which was B2 version.
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Yea....I was more concerned that it might have lost it's programming in shipping and that might be my problem....just pursuing as many angles as I can. :)
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If you are developing B3 software for trigger a sequence on the SD card will we be able to jumper/modify the current board layout to use this mod? I am assuming this will require some input usage on the at mega chip with pull up resisters and some sort of contact? Any info or thoughts on how this will be done....
I know you are doing a board layout with the programming header and had talked of using the conductor trigger option is that the way your going? Looking forward to the next phase of the Panther.
Have been busy the last few days am trying to keep up with all that is going on with this and have been running my Panther as a test DMX output device for some time now have only noticed the voltage reg chip getting warm - do not think it is any problem and has worked out great for me ...
Ted K
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Yes, I will provide some instructions on how to mod the current board. It will require 4 pullup resistors. I don't have a trigger board, but plan on just ordering the diodes and us a prototype board to keep my cost down when I place my next Mouser order. I don't really need the easy connectors that are on the trigger board.
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Ok, some good new to report. I have made some progress on uploading a new sketch (firmware) to my Arduino UNO from and SD Card. Next will be to do some more testing then port it over the the Panther. This will make it easier to upload a new version of the firmware to a WORKING Panther chip. not a blank one, you'll still need a programmer to load what is called the bootloader, then you can use the SD Card to load the firmware.
Anyways thanks everyone of helping out.
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This will make it easier to upload a new version of the firmware to a WORKING Panther chip. not a blank one, you'll still need a programmer to load what is called the bootloader, then you can use the SD Card to load the firmware.
Anyways thanks everyone of helping out.
Does this mean I should now also buy an UNO?
-Paul
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No, the USBasp can be used to upload the bootloader using a different set of options.
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Version B3 of the firmware is now available, TRIGGERS.TXT now added. When I get the Trigger PCB from RJ. I will post a mode instructions. This will be the last version of the Beta Firmware. When I post the V1 version I will provide instructions to mod the Panther to support the V1 version. V1 will have the Red led converted to be a STOP triggered.
The below zip file contains the TRIGGERS.TXT file and 15 Trigger SEQ files.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/58620146/DMXPlayerSampleSEQ.zip
New Firmware:
Sorry Had to pull it for now.
Thanks for being a beta tester.
Scott
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OK I'm lost trying to upload b3 software to panther with arduino
note the b3 firmware is located in directory with avrdude.exe file
can someone check the attached photo and see what i missed
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I believe you are missing -C<configfile>
here is what mine should when I tried to upload a sketch.
-CC:\arduino-1.0.2\hardware/tools/avr/etc/avrdude.conf
replace the C:\arduino-1.0.2\hardware/tools/avr/etc/avrdude.conf with the full path to your path to where avrdude.conf is.
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where would this go in command string ?
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I believe it does not matter but put it after COM4
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got it flashed today had to copy avrdude.conf to root to c: drive then it worked so i'm officially at b3 firmware will get some testing done this week sorry it took so long but been busy with life and grand babies.
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got it flashed today had to copy avrdude.conf to root to c: drive then it worked so i'm officially at b3 firmware will get some testing done this week sorry it took so long but been busy with life and grand babies.
Sabie,
I too will be using an Arduino to upload future firmware, can you post the steps you used please?
Thanks,
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I'll be using the Arduino as well....been trying to get the bootloader flashed on there using the breadboard method and so far I have not quite gotten there.
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I got this to flash my chip for version 3 using arduino
I attached a jpg file to show my command line
hope it helps
I moved the avrdude.conf to the root of c: drive before executing command
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Sabie,
Which method did you use to get the bootloader on there? That's the part I am having trouble with. I have been trying the breadboard method with internal clock, but so far have not gotten it to take.
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i just reflashed the firmware have not had to install a bootloader
if your panther was working correctly when you first got it you should not need to load a bootloader
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Dan, is the arduino the only programmer you have. It's possible that I did not load the boot loader on the chip because its not needed.
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Yeah...for this chip anyway....probably going to grab the one you mentioned as well, just figured I should be able to get it on there.
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ok, give me some time to set up the environment. I will post how to load the boot loader on to the panther. after that you should be able to pull the chip out and put it in the arduino to load the sketch (hex file). it will be later this evening.
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Ok, Here is how to load the boot loader on the Beta Panther. You must have a working arduino to to this. Follow the steps below
1.) Install this sketch on your arduino. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/58620146/ladyada_bootloader.ino
2.) Us this photo to setup the 6 required wires on your Beta Panther. http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11614.0;attach=11289;image
3.) Connect the wires as described below from the Beta Panther to the Arduino.
Panther Arduino Pin
White - Green Stripe 10
Brown Ground
Green 5V
Blue 11
White - Orange Strip 13
White - Blue Strip 12
Do not hook up the to the arduino until you have the sketch loaded to the working arduino.
After you have completed all the above from the arduino ide under "tools > programmer" select "Ardunio as ISP". Then select tools burn bootloader.
Once you have done that then put the panther chip in the ardunio and run avrdude to load the sketch. Here is the command I used to load.
C:\arduino-1.0.2\hardware\tools\avr\bin>avrdude -V -F -p m328p -carduino -P com4 -CC:\arduino-1.0.2\hardware\tools\avr\etc\avrdude.conf -U flash:w:PantherDMXPlayerB3.hex -vvv