DiyLightAnimation

Software => xlights => Topic started by: klaasb01 on December 19, 2016,

Title: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: klaasb01 on December 19, 2016,

Brand new at this PixelNet stuff and I'm not putting it together
Been trying to understand how to setup the network in xlights with my hardware. (EtherDongle, 16 port ActiveHub)

I'm a little confused the Wiki says the EtD does 4 universes at 4096 channels, but xlights only allows you to set 512 channels per universe.
How do you setup xlights to support 16,384 channels that the EtD can put out?

I tried but could only 512 channels from the DMX out on the ActiveHub and nothing out on the Pixlenet.

Title: Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: tbone321 on December 19, 2016,

E1,31 is DMX over Ethernet and the limit of one of these universes is 512 just like it is in the serial RS485 version.  The EDT (EtherDongle) simply puts a group of these E1.31 universes together to form a PixelNet universe.  Just configure 32 multicast E1.31 universes in XLights starting at Universe 1 thru 32 and the EDT will put them together for you and output your 4 PixelNet universes.  Keep in mind that each of those 4 universes is on a different pair coming out of the EDT which is why the hub has the two PixelNet universe jumpers on it.  Both need to be set to the same universe number.  If you want to access channels from multiple universes, you will need a separate hub for each one. 

Title: Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: caretaker on December 19, 2016,

If you have an EtherDongle that you need to set up Xlights with 32 universes of E1.31 of output with each universe being 512 channels. You also need to set the output device as multicast.

Title: Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: mmciver on December 21, 2016,

As a follow on to this thread I also have a question.

I understand the 32 - 512 channel universes and actually have it setup and running, but I have also seen something about only using channels 1-510.  Does that sound right or can I use all 512 channels?

Mike.

Title: Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: tbone321 on December 21, 2016,

You can go either way. The purpose of using 510 is to prevent the control channels of a RGB node from bridging a PixelNet universe which can't be done.  You can also get around this with some creative E1.31 definitions.

Title: Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: mmciver on December 21, 2016,

So as long as I keep good documentation and do not bridge any of the universes I should be good?

Title: Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: tbone321 on December 22, 2016,

That is correct.  You have a choice of methods with the easiest being defining the universe size to 510.  Another would be to just not use the pixels that cross the PixelNet universe boundary. 

Title: Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
Post by: mmciver on December 22, 2016,

This is all great information, thank you.

just to be clear, we are talking about the 4096 boundry of pixelnet?  or some other universe boundry?

MIke