DiyLightAnimation

Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: rrowan on November 24, 2010,

Title: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 24, 2010,
Hi Folks,

Since its a "busy" day at work. During my "lunch" I put together a possible layout plan for next year. Going with its never too early to plan.

Anyway I can only go by what RJ has already posted and maybe just maybe these plans will stay the same or really change. So this is only a start point mixing in some of what I already have and how I understand the Smart Strings work and interconnect.

Using Visio 2007 I threw this together.

So what you do you? Good starting point or not

Cheers

Rick R.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 24, 2010,
Hi Rick

Looks ok but I/We forgot to mention something

OOPs,

So the Smart String coop could go like this for me/us (whatever)
1 - PixelNet Hub
5 - SSC
300 - Nodes (need 260 but and extra 40 just in case)

Cheers

Rick R. or the other Rick R.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: Night Owl on November 24, 2010,
Do you need the splitter before going out to the expresses?  Somehow I got the impression that you could connect an express to the PixelNet hub. 
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 24, 2010,
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Do you need the splitter before going out to the expresses?  Somehow I got the impression that you could connect an express to the PixelNet hub.  

Nope the splitter just allows me to run cat5 to different parts of the yard. Its really not need since the first controllers are now the LE's with onboard splitter. I have one so its still there. I could easily go away.

Cheers

Rick R>
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: batdive on November 24, 2010,
Looks good.. i like the idea of the SS around windows and trees for the chasing (barber pole effect).

Dont forget about a matrix add some scrolling text/graphics also  ;D
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 24, 2010,
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Looks good.. i like the idea of the SS around windows and trees for the chasing (barber pole effect).

Dont forget about a matrix add some scrolling text/graphics also  ;D

Good idea, I have two columns in front of my front door which I could do the barber pole effect)

Thanks

Rick R.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: fjaust on November 24, 2010,
looks good !!

there are going to be so many great things you can do with these SmartStrings it's going to be hard to know where to start.  ???
i don't have a megatree yet (this is my first year doing lights) so that's what i want for next year - somewhere in the 10-15ft range. plus a matrix or two for text, pictures etc.

forward planning is a great idea, especially since the coop will be open sometime early next year.

Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 24, 2010,
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looks good !!

there are going to be so many great things you can do with these SmartStrings it's going to be hard to know where to start.  ???
i don't have a megatree yet (this is my first year doing lights) so that's what i want for next year - somewhere in the 10-15ft range. plus a matrix or two for text, pictures etc.

forward planning is a great idea, especially since the coop will be open sometime early next year.



Totally agree,

I am a visual person so that is the reason for the layout diagram

This is my 3rd year doing a light show and I don't have a mega tree

and RJ still has a few more surprises so things will be added

It does come down to time and money. I have some time and less money LOL

Cheers

Rick R.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: Greg on November 24, 2010,
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Hi Rick

Looks ok but I/We forgot to mention something

OOPs,

So the Smart String coop could go like this for me/us (whatever)
1 - PixelNet Hub
5 - SSC
300 - Nodes (need 260 but and extra 40 just in case)

Cheers

Rick R. or the other Rick R.

Uh Rick, (yes, both of you Ricks) you know you shoudn't be sneaking those green and black pills... Just stick with the white ones with the little cross on them until your display is up and running okay?

Greg
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 24, 2010,
Sure Greg

the other me took the blue pill

I took the red pill

and boy do I hate it when my show runs away

Cheers

Rick R.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: csf on November 24, 2010,
Glad to know I am not the only one thinking about next year... I am currently thinking of using 20 strings, 2,192 nods for next year :)
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: mahoo313 on November 25, 2010,
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Glad to know I am not the only one thinking about next year... I am currently thinking of using 20 strings, 2,192 nods for next year :)

Is there any ball park figure on the cost to set up the "Smart String Dream."
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 25, 2010,
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Glad to know I am not the only one thinking about next year... I am currently thinking of using 20 strings, 2,192 nods for next year :)

Is there any ball park figure on the cost to set up the "Smart String Dream."

RJ posted estimates in the main SS thread. Of course the prices will change in a coop

Going by memory
Hub 16 - @ $30 each
SSC - @ $8 each
Nodes - @ $0.63 each (nodes = each RGB LED)

Of course this is also the cost of cat5 cables and a power supply for the hub if you don't have them. Oh and something weather tight for the hub/power supply to go into and the pvc pipe and end caps for the SSC.

Hope that helps

Rick R.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: Night Owl on November 25, 2010,
I was in the process of building my megatree and was going to order a ton of LED lights when I first read about the Smart Strings.  I am SO happy I didn't place my order earlier.  I went to Walmart and got 16 strings of the cheap minis to put on the megatree just so I didn't end up with a lonely metal pole in the yard.

16 strings with 48 nodes each, 16 SSC, one hub, power supply etc looks to be around $700.  Which initially looks like a huge number until you take into account that I was looking at almost $200 for each color I wanted on the tree for the LEDs.

Of course my wife won't see it that way.   ;D





Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: ronniek on November 29, 2010,
I would like to see a common size tree that we could exchange programming with each other. I’m sure it will take a lot of time to program smart strings and this would save a lot of time for everyone. Do you think this could be possible?
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: Rainlover on November 29, 2010,
I really doubt that everyone would build the same size tree, but I am willing to bet that the people in this forum would share their sequences and help us learn how to sequence thousands of channels with whatever software is able.

John
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: rrowan on November 29, 2010,
I guess it would come down to how many channels and nodes per channel

Of course for the basic stuff. If your tree is smaller or larger than someone else. Just adding or subtracting as needed would work

Like copying a 8 channel arch for a 7 channel arch I just don't use channel 8
or 8 channel to 9 channel arch - copy the 8th channel and shift it right or left as needed

clear as mud??

Cheers

Rick R.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: ronniek on December 01, 2010,
No one would ever think that everyone would build the same size tree; my thought was that some would be willing to say how many channels and nodes per channel they were building and willing to share programming. I would think that could help some in the group with the project.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: lineman on December 01, 2010,
I thinking the SS would do great for a fireworks display  >.d9
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: warspyder on December 02, 2010,
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No one would ever think that everyone would build the same size tree; my thought was that some would be willing to say how many channels and nodes per channel they were building and willing to share programming. I would think that could help some in the group with the project.

I think somebody should write a little program to create the sequences for a mega tree. It could ask for the height, diameter, no. of strings, nodes per string, and effect desired. (spiral, radar, etc)

Mark
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: combustionmark on December 22, 2010,
I found this on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDKl9W9LGWA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONrjVfx4GC8

I like what I saw, did a google on the software mentioned.

well
$300 for the cool software
$130 for more sequence software
$3000 for the 12 ribbons

$3430

I really hope the smart string becomes reality..



Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: sakkk05 on December 22, 2010,
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I found this on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDKl9W9LGWA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONrjVfx4GC8

I like what I saw, did a google on the software mentioned.

well
$300 for the cool software
$130 for more sequence software
$3000 for the 12 ribbons

$3430

I really hope the smart string becomes reality..




WOW I had better start sucking up to the wife for some smart strings LOL!!!
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: PJNMCT on December 22, 2010,
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I found this on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDKl9W9LGWA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONrjVfx4GC8


WOW!!!

Let's go software guru's!!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!

-Paul
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: mikedbom on December 22, 2010,
wow!!!  love that tree...especially the galaga show at the end.  very cool
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: mmulvenna on January 05, 2011,
Quote from: dmoore

Prancer (see here on DIYLA) is the closest thing yet to Object Oriented Sequencing (OOS)  

Prancer looks promising but unless I am misunderstanding it is not even out of alpha testing yet. Anyone....... please correct me if I am mistaken.
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: Rainlover on January 05, 2011,
Prancer is being alpha tested. I am sure that Cas will start working on Prancer again when he is done with this years show stuff.

John
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: richardb on January 08, 2011,
When making a mega tree....
To make sequencing easy, each line up the tree should be a separate controller...
BUT, it would be nice to be able to use once 128 unit string and go up and down and up and down so as to reduce the number of controllers...
But there in lies the problem with increased complexity in sequencing...
Unless some one knows a trick that would make this easier?  Maybe move the channels around or something?
I've done 1 Halloween and 1 Christmas, and use LSP.. So I am learning...
I would appreciate feedback and thoughts from the Seniors out that, (Not necessarily in age, but in experience).

R
Title: Re: Smart String Dreaming
Post by: NavyGator on January 08, 2011,
When talking about mega trees and sequencing with nodes I have a fairly ignorant question. Using the traditional method of running strings vertically what is the average spacing of the strings at the base of the tree? About 3-6in?

Second question, although more difficult to set up initially, could the strings be wrapped in a circle?

Rich