grages > This is Tremendous news! Thanks but lets hold off too much excitement until a little more testing is done. There could still be bumps in the road on it.
knguyen916 > omg you did not post this : Yes I did but not sure why you are crying?
;D I'm crying because I don't have it and will have to wait so long for it to become production
If one used a different controller program that Vixen will this wireless unit still work?
Tom
"Backwards compatable to be used on current equipment"....
RJ,
Does "current equipment" include Sean Bowf's SSR design?
Waiting to celebrate (if the answer is yes)....
Brad
"Backwards compatable to be used on current equipment"....
RJ,
Does "current equipment" include Sean Bowf's SSR design?
Waiting to celebrate (if the answer is yes)....
Brad
The SSR's by sean are not controllers so getting wireless DMX to them would not do anything for you. The SSR4 with the DMX option on the other hand are controllers so you will be able to add wireless to them to use.
RJ
My controllers are Freestyle and Grinch driving 32 Sean Bowf style SSR's
Brad
My controllers are Freestyle and Grinch driving 32 Sean Bowf style SSR's
Brad
The Freestyle yes it will make it wireless. the grinch only if it is got a DMX convertor on it.
RJ
Congratulations RJ
I still don't know how you find the time to do even a 1/10th of what you achieve.
So many of us owe you so much for all the hard work you put in.
Cheers
Phil
As most of you know I had to put this project on the back burner long enough to get the Lynx Express and my show done. There is no problem with the wireless but the priotities had to shift for the moment. I will be back on it as soon as the Express and the show is done.
RJ
RJ,
you said that the new Freestyles will have the wireless DMX will they also have the lights normalization? I like the idea of wireless DMX that way I dont have to get cat5 cable but i also would liek to use both LED and standard lights with dimming. thanks
I like the idea of wireless DMX . . .
I like the idea of wireless DMX . . .
I LOVE the idea.
My system is a bit wacky as the signal goes from DMX to MPX and out into the yard.
Count me in when you release AND thanks RJ!
Greg
I have to agree with Greg. When do you have time for all of this? Do you have a "real" job? If so, how to you manage the time. I get up early just to check on the forums, let alone be able to build anything. Thanks for all your hard work, I know I can speak for everyone when I say we all greatly appreciate your work. Wish I could be of some help in some way.
Branden
So you have talked about a range for "line of sight".....but what about wall penatration? Having the PC in the garage or the front room without a single wire having to go outside, I would think that is the goal for most of us. Also the other thing that has crossed my mind on this is what kind of protocol are you using, for those of us with wireless networks at home is this going to present a problem?? Heck I can do a search right now on my laptop and see 6 wireless networks from my living room and 3 of those are unencrypted!!!!
Now if we can get it to write the seqences for us, we would be set! ;D
RJ
Question:
Great new on the wireless project. Being you have made the DIY stuff so flexible and multi-purpose (SSR4-dmx). Is there any thought of having a option of "DMX in" on the transmitter. The tranmitter could then be put anywhere on the DMX line and out of the basement! Then they would have even more range to wirelessly extend to other controllers. It would basically be a wireless DMX "wire" What goes in comes out.
Just a thought.
KEN
PS What wireless frequency range and or system is this using 900mhz, 2.400ghz, 5.8ghz, 802.11B, Zigbee, ect just wondering.
I priced out the parts for the receiver and the parts come to $16 for one. The pcb's will run about $1.80 each if we can get an order of 200 units. So it will be under $20 to build.
The transmitter will be not much more just some connectors and such that add some to it.
Can this be used for all dmx items, or just the express?
-Mike
Can this be used for all dmx items, or just the express?
-Mike
I could be wrong on this, but I think if you go wireless out to your express, you can then daisy chain from there to a complete universe.
RJ
Is there going to be a cat5 output on the transmitter? Or is a person going to have to use a splitter before the transmitter if they want to run another DMX line out of the house?
Russ
OK. Back to the back of the class for me. Apparently I missunderstood what was being said. Disregard my previous post.
Larry.
RJ,
I'm building my first LE right now that I purchased last December. I have the parts for the Version 3.0, but the one I'm building currently is a Version 2.0. I'm not seeing how I am to add the additional parts. Am I to modify the board some how? A little explanation might help me here. I have soldered up through the fuse holders, so am I too late?
Thanks -
steve
Hi Steve,
If you need dmx out while using the up and coming wireless module then what RJ was saying was you need to take the parts off of the ver2 pcb and put them on ver3 pcb.
If you don't need that and/or not using wireless than just build the ver2 board. There is no other difference (besides the 2 leds).
Rick R.
Blackbeard,
You need the Version 3 PCB. If you had the parts kit from Ver. 2 and put those on a Ver. 3 board, then added $2 in parts you would have a Ver. 3 board. Now, I could be wrong in what I read, but I do believe this is what has been said. I hope this helps.
Branden
Hi Steve,
If you need dmx out while using the up and coming wireless module then what RJ was saying was you need to take the parts off of the ver2 pcb and put them on ver3 pcb.
If you don't need that and/or not using wireless than just build the ver2 board. There is no other difference (besides the 2 leds).
Rick R.
Rick,
Now I'm really confused. Which parts do I take off if they weren't on the Version 2.0 originally?
Maybe I'm not explaining myself very well. Here's my equipment:
1 Version 2 PCB
1 Version 3 PCB
2 Version 3 parts kit
I'm going to have parts left over when building the V2 board. If I understand it correctly, there isn't a place on the V2 board for the additional RS485 chip and the other components that will be left over. Did I misunderstand RJ when I thought he said I could make my V2 a V3?
Sorry to be so dense on this one. It's actually not a big deal as I will more than likely use the V2 wired instead of wireless, but if I could make the V2 like the V3, why shouldn't I?
Thanks for the help.
steve
If you have a ver 2 PCB that you need this on and it is not built yet you can use your parts and change just the PCB out. All the parts are the same. Then add three parts for about $2 and you have a version 3 unit. If you do not need this you are missing nothing.
RJ
If you have a ver 2 PCB that you need this on and it is not built yet you can use your parts and change just the PCB out. All the parts are the same. Then add three parts for about $2 and you have a version 3 unit. If you do not need this you are missing nothing.
RJ
Sorry to have caused such a ruckus. The above quote was what I misunderstood. I'm OK with the Version 2 as it is, as I said, but just thought if I could "convert" the V2 to a V3, why not.
Thanks so much for all the input. I'll shut now.
steve
Boy,.. that is sweet RJ!
Although I can't quite tell, looks like probably same size as the dongle?
Leon
I cant wait to see the new features for next year. Especially the one where you dont have to use any extension cords,,, completely wireless.... RJ you are the best.
Pics of the Receiver as promised. PCB is god no changes other than spelling but I am going to use different sockets than I planned for the Express where it plugs in. There were not the right size and did not fit at all well.
RJ
Ok, Since I just finished a channel by channel test of the wireless to insure all 512 channels work and it passed that its time to say we have a working solution.
Time for an accountability meeting on where we are compared to the goals set for the wireless. In one of the first post of this thread I outlined my goals so lets review them and compare the outcome :
Goals
Outcome
Single Full DMX Universe over wireless at 50ms.
Single Full DMX Universe over wireless at 25ms
Cheap enough recievers to afford enough to do away with cat5 in a show
Receivers for about $20
Transmitter that connects USB and is under $70 to build.
Hooks to DMX and cost about $50
Range of a least 500 ft to insure it is a usable system in the real world.
At Least this in open line of sight operation
Works with Vixen (Of Course).
Works with any DMX application
Could run the shows we already have with no changes.
Does this
Average DLA user can build with little effort.
Believe we meet this easy
Backwards compatable to be used on current equipment.
No Problem
Able to be incorporated into a Lynx cheaply.
Yes
And of course the most important one: "Be Cool enough that everyone wants them!"
Only you can tell me this but I think it is pretty darn cool!
I think we did well on this one.
RJ
I must say im pretty impressed. nice work RJ.
i just hope the RF modules from microchip dont have a stock problem. should be ok but you never know.
have you done any interferance testing with other things? (cordless phones, wireless networks, bluetooth etc etc.)
hopefully the released version of the receiver module ends up being a but smaller. but overall nice job.
Peter
All I can say is when does the COOP start?
Really GREAT RJ!
Forgive me as I'm positive I've not read this entire thread. In your testing so far,.. any interference between your FM transmitter and your LYNX Wireless DMX Transmitter? I think I already know the answer to this but thought I'd be consistent and ask. My appologies in advance. :-[
Leon
I must say im pretty impressed. nice work RJ.
i just hope the RF modules from microchip dont have a stock problem. should be ok but you never know.
have you done any interferance testing with other things? (cordless phones, wireless networks, bluetooth etc etc.)
hopefully the released version of the receiver module ends up being a but smaller. but overall nice job.
Peter
I just reread the entire thread, and didn't see any reference to my question I'm going to ask, but it's early in the morning, so here goes.....
I think this is amazing, so amazing that people who see my display may want to do this also. After all, I started getting hooked on this due to word of eye (can't use word of mouth here because I saw this on the internet, not heard it). If I do well enough, word of mouth is a source of bringing in new users also. Although I live on a fairly large piece of land, I could see the potential problem of conflicts if a nearby neighbor decides to use this system. Each of us could supposedly use a different universe, providing what I think is 3 possible solutions to the conflict with the universe-select jumper. But am I wrong in assuming this is the only solution right now?
With the simplicity of the RJ-developed stuff out there, they could really become the standard for home designed light displays. In a community like mine, I could see many users once they see the results of RJ's magnificent mind. If I were to see a display, I know I would ask how it was done and probably want to use the same equipment.
steve
All I can say is when does the COOP start?
Hi Peter
Just curious why you think the module should be smaller? The board is designed to fit into the solder pads that is already on the LE pcb.
Thanks
Rick
yep,
thanks for the info RJ, the initial command was only a casual remark so don't take it to seriously . Looking at the pic in the manual you linked my guess is you have exceeded the minimums setout by microchip by quiet a margin, not a bad thing i guess. i guess my only comment would be that it seems that the antenna is the only part that needs to overhand not the entire wireless module.
Also i noticed that it looks like the antenna would have a much more uniform reception and probably better range if mounted vertically. something to keep in mind when doing the final max range tests.
thanks again for the info RJ, allways good.
Peter
Ok, Since I just finished a channel by channel test of the wireless to insure all 512 channels work and it passed that its time to say we have a working solution.
Time for an accountability meeting on where we are compared to the goals set for the wireless. In one of the first post of this thread I outlined my goals so lets review them and compare the outcome :
Goals
Outcome
Single Full DMX Universe over wireless at 50ms.
Single Full DMX Universe over wireless at 25ms
Cheap enough recievers to afford enough to do away with cat5 in a show
Receivers for about $20
Transmitter that connects USB and is under $70 to build.
Hooks to DMX and cost about $50
Confirming Transmitter is DMX in?
Range of a least 500 ft to insure it is a usable system in the real world.
At Least this in open line of sight operation
Works with Vixen (Of Course).
Works with any DMX application
color=green]Confirming Transmitter is DMX in? [/color]
Could run the shows we already have with no changes.
Does this
Average DLA user can build with little effort.
Believe we meet this easy
Backwards compatable to be used on current equipment.
No Problem
Able to be incorporated into a Lynx cheaply.
Yes
And of course the most important one: "Be Cool enough that everyone wants them!"
Only you can tell me this but I think it is pretty darn cool!
I think we did well on this one.
RJ
I am going to ask everyone to start with a few of them and try them out for your use.
I have also decided with the help of a few people beating me up on it, that I will make the wireless avaliable to any DLA member not only Lynx equipment owners.
As I understand it, the transmitter is the dongle from the computer, the receivers go on the express and receive the signal, what is the rx board for? Also, how many express boards can I run off one Transmitter?
Thanks
Brad
TX - sends it got it.
EX/RX - receives it for expresses got it.
RX - Huh? So if I have a freestyle this recieves a signal to make my freestyle wireless? Or a SSR4 with DMX? Basically plug a little cat5 cable into the RX and I am receiving the DMX signal? Does the SSR have to have DMX? Or can I just use the SSR?
Adam
RJ / whoever,
first of all this is not about the express receiver. its about the standalone box.
im wondering if we need/want to have 3 different devices, doing a little bit of guessing here but isnt the RX device similar in hardware to the TX device but running different firmware? Is there a reason these couldnt be combinded into 1 device with maybe a firmware change depending on its job in life.
as i said i am guessing a little bit here as i have not seen pics of the RX but im figureing they will have the same basic hardware in them.
anyway im sure you have thought of this and have reasons for different devices .
Peter
I thought you were taking your Plane?
Either way have a safe and fun trip
Cheers
Rick R.
Ok I have a setup to allow you to use the cheaper EX/RX module in SSR4's and Freestyles. It will cost you an additional $1.11 to do it above using one in the Express.
It is simple and I will be posting about it soon. You can only run the unit you put it in as it will not have an output on the SSR4 and freestyle to run other items.
RJ
Here's a video of me testing the wireless using N1ist's grid he loaned me. Neat tool!
Got to have a couple.
Looks like the Wireless DMX is a GO!!!!!!!
RJ
Whoa,....... The conductor? Did I miss something?
Please,... Sir RJ, what is the LYNX Conductor?
My shoes are getting wet!!!!!!
Leon
WOW, that is a serious tease!!! RJ gave us some very good clues. If the Conductor is anything close to what I'm thinking, it will be sweet. When the time is right, this will be a big time announcement. This is a fun ride...Bill
When its ready
Do we need to wear black tuxedo with tails and get a small stick to wave around?
:D
Rick R.
P.S, Trust me that would be better then me trying to sing
The Updated PCB's with all of the improvements that where made during beta should be here the end of next week. We will build them and test as soon as possible and if all works well we will be able to close the beta and order the PCB's for all.
I already have a rough manual and will begin a new updated one with the PCB's that are on the way. This way the manual will be avaliable before the PCB's are.
We owe the beta's a hand for all the work they have put in. They have really improved the units in a number of ways to make it a great setup. I do not think for the money it cost there is any Wireless that will compete with it. I expect it to be a major player in the Lynx line up right there with the Expresses and Dongles.
With the release of the Lynx Conductor next year the line up will compete with systems many times it's cost and require no computer or cables other than power to operate. Another step on the way to where we are going! hang in there the ride is just getting going.
RJ
The Updated PCB's with all of the improvements that where made during beta should be here the end of next week. We will build them and test as soon as possible and if all works well we will be able to close the beta and order the PCB's for all.
I already have a rough manual and will begin a new updated one with the PCB's that are on the way. This way the manual will be avaliable before the PCB's are.
We owe the beta's a hand for all the work they have put in. They have really improved the units in a number of ways to make it a great setup. I do not think for the money it cost there is any Wireless that will compete with it. I expect it to be a major player in the Lynx line up right there with the Expresses and Dongles.
With the release of the Lynx Conductor next year the line up will compete with systems many times it's cost and require no computer or cables other than power to operate. Another step on the way to where we are going! hang in there the ride is just getting going.
RJ
Gang,
Sounds like RJ has gone off the deep end....Conductor???? wireless???? (that's an oxymoron???) .....No Computer????
What the????? Now what do I do with the dedicated-to-Christmas-Light-Shows computer, in the garage????? Sheesh....
Guys, and gals, it sounds like RJ will have a Plug-and-Play system for 2010....HOW COOL IS THAT?? ;D
RJ, please know this is all in fun....can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve.
...and oh yeah....you beta testers rock too. I really enjoyed following the Beta thread.
Thanks Guys,
Brad
Sounds a lot like the Helix system. The on board MP3 player is pretty neat. I was just thinking the other day that I can't wait for a similar design for the Lynx.
RJ,
Anything I could help with on the case for this unit?
regards,
Richard Konnen
R.E.K. machine & Mold