DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: RJ on March 14, 2011,
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Full information about the EtherDongle will be released once it's full capability is ready to be shown. The EtherDongle plugs in to ethernet and outputs a multiverse (4 universes) of pixelnet or 16384 channels on one cat5 cable. This is the equivelant of 32 universes of DMX.
This part is finished and functional at this time as a proto on the bench. The proto pcbs are not here for it yet. It is DIY and the soldering you will need to do is all easy through hole work. I have tested it with a number of different software packages at this point and it works with them all.
It is expandable with the addition of daughter cards.
The work is progressing on the next stage which is a daughter card that plugs in and allows it to do some really cool stuff we all have been waiting to have. It will be very conductive to your show I believe.
I will put more out when it is time.
Thanks
RJ
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so excited!!!!
<pop..
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Looking forward to this
<pop..
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Guess I am getting confused here. I was under the impression the Lynx Dongle pic could be reflashed to give the 16K channels, but this thread mentions 'proto' PCB's - so is a new PCB required after all? Also, I thought I recalled a 'dmx out' on the hub boards. Can we have pixelnet and DMX from the same dongle?
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The Lynx dongle can be reflashed to output 1 universe of pixelnet data. No extra hardware required. The etherdongle is a new device that gives you 4 universes, so it is at least as good as four dongles, plus it connects via Ethernet (not USB) and looks like it will have other new features.
The 16 port Smart string/pixelnet hubs do have dmx output, but it costs you some of your pixelnet data (512 channels) so yeah you can get pixelnet and dmx from the one dongle if you have at least one hub.
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So I should stop on my USB dongles then....
I will need 4 USB dongles flashed to pixelnet when available- and I have completed two already.
But if this is available THIS year before Christmas, I could use ONE of these- right?
Rusty
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i'm keeping my dongles, as later, i might want to use just dmx somewhere, without lugging out the pixelnet hub.
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So I should stop on my USB dongles then....
I will need 4 USB dongles flashed to pixelnet when available- and I have completed two already.
But if this is available THIS year before Christmas, I could use ONE of these- right?
Rusty
If you really need 4 pixelnet universes worth of channels then yes, 1 EtherDongle will provide 4 Pixelnet universes or over 64,000 channels.
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Wooohooo, where do I send the money.
I need one of these.
Can't wait to see what RJ has up his sleeve. <pop..
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So I should stop on my USB dongles then....
I will need 4 USB dongles flashed to pixelnet when available- and I have completed two already.
But if this is available THIS year before Christmas, I could use ONE of these- right?
Rusty
If you really need 4 pixelnet universes worth of channels then yes, 1 EtherDongle will provide 4 Pixelnet universes or over 64,000 channels.
This is incorrect. Please read my post above. The EtherDongle outputs 16,384 channels not 64,000 channels.
RJ
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LOL, my mistake. I mixed up the EtherDongle output of 16K with the 4K Pixelnet universe and multiplied the 16K by 4 instead of the 4K. Even after I typed it I was thinking that 64k WAS A LOT OF CHANNELS but didn't put it together that I simply multiplied the wrong number. Thanks for for the correction.
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I guess no one has caught the pun yet. very conductive??? :)
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built in conductor? Maybe no PC needed? The show is stored on the daughter board?
This would be so cool................
Ron
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RJ is doing magic again. I can feel my wallet getting lighter already.
John
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Hurry hurry hurry.....getting that new credit card soon
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Does the ether dongle use standard ethernet packets?
Can I use my WiFi Hub as a distribution point and use a wifi bridge to get wireless? >.d9
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very conductive, looking forward to this :)
I thinking I am overloading on Popcorn <;d <pop..
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Does the ether dongle use standard ethernet packets?
This begs another question - unicast or multicast?
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Will this be able to output DMX as well or just pixelnet? I know I can get dmx out of the hub.
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If it works like the current Dongle with pixelnet, then you'll be able to designate some of those pixelnet channels for a DMX universe .... and then just connect DMX devices to the DMX out on the SS Hub.
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Will this be able to output DMX as well or just pixelnet? I know I can get dmx out of the hub.
I doubt that it will output both as there really is no need. If all you need is DMX then the current dongle already exists.
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Will this be able to output DMX as well or just pixelnet? I know I can get dmx out of the hub.
I doubt that it will output both as there really is no need. If all you need is DMX then the current dongle already exists.
Not entirely true. I am still up in the air as to how I want to handle the gutters on my upper roof and the Holdman Star that I plan on putting up there. I probably will go just straight RGB instead of Pixels (I already have straight RGB on the lower gutters). I already have ethernet connectivity up to the attic, but would need to do some work for a DMX run. Also, I can think of several instances where this could used. This could be a substitute for an Ethcon Gateway.
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Well, if you are using straight RGB and want to use DMX, then you could just go wireless DMX for your upper roof. The idea is to keep the costs down and adding another output and support circutry for the etherdongle to support both protocols at the same time would probably be far more expensive than most would like and increase the complexity of the unit as well.
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I do not think there are many users able to go strait RBG this year. There for the ability of this dongle to be a conducter with a daughter board would be a waste for most, if it cannot output DMX. I speak only from my point of view other members may think diffrently.
Shaun
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Correct me if I am wrong, but if you need both the computer can handle both dongles. Yeah, you have to use another USB port, but most people have more than enough, or you can get a hub if you don't.
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[/quote]
This begs another question - unicast or multicast?
[/quote]
I read up on the E.131 standard and according to that, each DMX universe is mapped back to IP by using a distinct IP Multicast address per universe.
Hope this helps.
Mike.
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Correct me if I am wrong, but if you need both the computer can handle both dongles. Yeah, you have to use another USB port, but most people have more than enough, or you can get a hub if you don't.
The perpouse of a conducter is not have too use a computer it would be stand alone.
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Correct me if I am wrong, but if you need both the computer can handle both dongles. Yeah, you have to use another USB port, but most people have more than enough, or you can get a hub if you don't.
The perpouse of a conducter is not have too use a computer it would be stand alone.
But RJ mentions nothing of it being a conductor, I thought this was just a dongle that would connect to ethernet over cat5, or I would assume it would work with a wireless access point and you would still need a computer to run the sequence. Now someone else did mention wanting there to be a conductor on it, and there is mention of options, but no details given.
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RJ hinted at the end of the first post that it would be very conductive to our shows
Shaun
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RJ hinted at the end of the first post that it would be very conductive to our shows
Shaun
Ok, yeah, I guess he was hinting, I didn't read it that way at first.
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I cant wait till we can get our hands on them.
Keep up the good work, RJ!
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The EtherDongle + extras sounds awesome.
Will the Etherdongle support art-net or some other protocol? I am looking for a way to control DMX lights using a C# library + ethernet (art-net). Any ideas?
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Assembling 1st protoboard for testing.
RJ
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Hi RJ
Looks Great
Can't wait to hear its ready for a coop :)
Cheers
Rick R.
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Will this be a mix of SMT and through hole like the Aether? Looks like some fine soldering with the two IC chips. It does look like fun.
Ron
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Well Rick, perhaps you should add that pic to the WIKI. It could always be updated when the final version is released.
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Look's GREAT!!! Way to go RJ!!!! Look forward to the CoOp / PCB purchase.
Harrison
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Uh oh, the dreaded surface mount technology rears it's head. I guess it's a necessary evil these days for anything repetitively complex. Looking forward to hearing more details.
-Mike
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Firing up the griddle now.. >.d9
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For some reason I was under the impression that this was going to connect to the computer via an Ethernet port but looking at RJ's picture I only saw one rj45 jack and what looks like a USB jack.
On second look maybe there are two different types of RJ45 jacks?
Help me understand what I am seeing?
P.S. Ohhhh no not SMD!!!!
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For some reason I was under the impression that this was going to connect to the computer via an Ethernet port but looking at RJ's picture I only saw one rj45 jack and what looks like a USB jack.
On second look maybe there are two different types of RJ45 jacks?
Help me understand what I am seeing?
P.S. Ohhhh no not SMD!!!!
Looks like an active (My term - with indicator lights) & passive jacks - I agree not excited about SMD but hopefully those can come DONE - looks WAY small for my skill.
Harrison
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The one in the upper left is a magjack (RJ45 for ethernet with integrated magnetics). As for SMT, more and more parts are only available in that form. As many who have built Aethers have found out, it's not too bad. The TQFP100 or 144 at the right is a little challenging getting lined up, but doable, even with an iron.
I'm a bit confused by the clump of caps in the lower right...
/mike
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The intent is for the pcb to arrive with the SMD on the pcb for you.
RJ
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The intent is for the pcb to arrive with the SMD on the pcb for you.
RJ
That's a major relief. Not that I'm not up for a challenge every now then, but one less thing to worry about, the better.
-Mikr
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LOL
I been wanting to tell everyone to relax but couldn't
Cheers
Rick R.
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Don't forget the key word here .... Intent. THe main issue with that right now will probably be the cost to have that done and if it gets to expensive.....
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Don't forget the key word here .... Intent. THe main issue with that right now will probably be the cost to have that done and if it gets to expensive.....
So do you know something I don't ?
RJ
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The intent is for the pcb to arrive with the SMD on the pcb for you.
RJ
WTG RJ!!!!!
Harrison
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So do you know something I don't ?
RJ
I sure hope not. Maybe I just read more into this than what you were saying but to me "intent" is not the same thing as "will be done". The only reason that I could see why you wouldn't be absolute on it would be due to the cost of having it done may be on the high side.
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So do you know something I don't ?
RJ
I sure hope not. Maybe I just read more into this than what you were saying but to me "intent" is not the same thing as "will be done". The only reason that I could see why you wouldn't be absolute on it would be due to the cost of having it done may be on the high side.
Good you made me nervous! I thought there was info I did not have.
RJ
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So...... 32 days have gone by now. Any more news on this R.J.? <yk..
>.d9 >.d9 >.d9
Ron
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Can not break my vow of silence yet! ;D
RJ
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Don't speak the words and break thou vows, just type it. ;D
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Ok,
After some minor arm twisting!
We have Video <pop..
http://vimeo.com/23736133
RJ
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Cool Video RJ
I can't wait to start using it
Cheers
Rick R.
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Part #2 of the video.
http://vimeo.com/23737977
RJ
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Thank you for the 2 videos. As with the others, they were very informative.
Thank You So Much.
Ron
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RJ, Thank You So Much for the info's. I am glad that I am planing this for my 2012 display >.d9
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RJ...any chances you can release which the "number of different software packages" you have tested it with?
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I know LSP and Vixen were tested with. There was another a high end software that RJ tested with the demo version.
Just curious why the question ponddude
Cheers
Rick R.
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Well Rick as I am sure you know I am an LOR user and mix in all DMX stuff. I am trying to come up with the most economical way of implementing the SS's into my display this year. I already know I am using them in my snowflakes and I am also trying to create a video screen of sorts out of the pixel strings. LOR has announced that they will have ethernet support this year and was hoping/wondering if RJ had a chance to test it with their software. However, if the EDongle isn't out this year the whole idea is shot and I need to use the dongles. I am hoping that everything will work out OK with xLights as my last resort as well.
Just trying to gather up some information to make some final decisions for 2011.
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Greg since the Lor support for Ethernet is not out yet I have not tested it with it. We have to see what they release and if it is a standards based or something they come up with.
RJ
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Thanks RJ...appreciate the info!! ;D
Also, they have stated they will be using the industry standards and it will support E1.31 and Artnet, so I am hoping it will be good.
I think I am not going to wait and just use xLights. Seems to be a great solution to my display this year.
edit: spelling :-\
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Any ETA on availability of the EtherDongle? Any chance it will be available for this season?
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Any ETA on availability of the EtherDongle? Any chance it will be available for this season?
DLA Teamspeak conference in one week. (5 days now)
I bet we hear about all the good stuff coming out and when.
Ron
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Any ETA on availability of the EtherDongle? Any chance it will be available for this season?
RJ does not normally give out ETA's on new equipment, especially something like the EtherDongle. I would suspect that after he is happy with it he will set it up for beta testing and since there is no set time on how long that will take .....
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Well Rick as I am sure you know I am an LOR user and mix in all DMX stuff. I am trying to come up with the most economical way of implementing the SS's into my display this year. I already know I am using them in my snowflakes and I am also trying to create a video screen of sorts out of the pixel strings. LOR has announced that they will have ethernet support this year and was hoping/wondering if RJ had a chance to test it with their software. However, if the EDongle isn't out this year the whole idea is shot and I need to use the dongles. I am hoping that everything will work out OK with xLights as my last resort as well.
Just trying to gather up some information to make some final decisions for 2011.
Greg,
Keep me posted on what you find out, I am interested... switching back to LOR for 2012 and hope i can use the SS with LOR and etherdongle.
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Well Rick as I am sure you know I am an LOR user and mix in all DMX stuff. I am trying to come up with the most economical way of implementing the SS's into my display this year. I already know I am using them in my snowflakes and I am also trying to create a video screen of sorts out of the pixel strings. LOR has announced that they will have ethernet support this year and was hoping/wondering if RJ had a chance to test it with their software. However, if the EDongle isn't out this year the whole idea is shot and I need to use the dongles. I am hoping that everything will work out OK with xLights as my last resort as well.
Just trying to gather up some information to make some final decisions for 2011.
Greg,
Keep me posted on what you find out, I am interested... switching back to LOR for 2012 and hope i can use the SS with LOR and etherdongle.
After weighing all the options and realizing that neither LOR or RJ can give a firm date as to when the ethernet systems will be available, I am going to just use xLights. I have been playing with it and it works really well. Once my strings get here from Ray I am going to test the entire system out, but from what I can tell there should be absolutely no issues.
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xlights doesn't support pixelnet yet, but is supposed to (this year) ...
I honestly have the most confidence in xlights this year. I guess Vixen (converted from LOR) is another option.
If LSP 2.0 delivers ... I'll be happy ... but I'm skeptical still and waiting to get on the beta testing team.
I've been thinking about using LOR and perhaps using LSP as an RGB effects generator (and then export back into LOR, similar to how superstar lights worked in 2010) ... just convert them all back into LOR16 controllers, and then map out actual hardward and protocols used in xlights.
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xlights doesn't support pixelnet yet, but is supposed to (this year) ...
I honestly have the most confidence in xlights this year. I guess Vixen (converted from LOR) is another option.
If LSP 2.0 delivers ... I'll be happy ... but I'm skeptical still and waiting to get on the beta testing team.
I've been thinking about using LOR and perhaps using LSP as an RGB effects generator (and then export back into LOR, similar to how superstar lights worked in 2010) ... just convert them all back into LOR16 controllers, and then map out actual hardward and protocols used in xlights.
I totally understand your concerns about LSP. I am taking the year off this year, and next year plan to use LOR again, simply because the scheduler in LSP did not perform. although it does look nice have you seen the new video?
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Totally understand.
I lot of people blame the complexity and learning curve ... but trust me, LSP 1.8.x has more than just complexity and learning curve issues. LSP 2.0 sounds promising, but there was a lot to fix. To me, version 1.8 isn't usable unless you threshold for pain is extremely high or your happy doing one or two songs and thats it.
Thats why I'm trying to become a beta tester for them.
I've worked with really buggy software before and helped the author get it rock solid ... so much so I got me name in the user manual when it was all said an done. If LSP would take my help, I'm offering.
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Glad you all said something, I was thinking about LSP 1.8 ( cause its on sale). This is my first year mixing lynx and Lor. I have big $$ tied up in Lor boxes and sequences but want to use SS and a few Lynx boxes this year.
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I agree on the LSP sentiment. I like the software and think it is great for the world of 200-350 channels like I was on just my LOR controllers. But though it has promise on the RGB, it is not there yet.
A little disappointing but I will stick with it to see where it goes. Cannot use it this year of course for all the RGB planned (60 smart strings worth) but...
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I agree on the LSP sentiment. I like the software and think it is great for the world of 200-350 channels like I was on just my LOR controllers. But though it has promise on the RGB, it is not there yet.
A little disappointing but I will stick with it to see where it goes. Cannot use it this year of course for all the RGB planned (60 smart strings worth) but...
Was that comment based on the older V1.8 LSP that was available at the time this thread was being discussed or the current V2.0 LSP? Seems like the V2.0 reports being posted are much more positive regarding RGB support.
-Mike