Author Topic: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding  (Read 3657 times)

Offline klaasb01

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xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« 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.

Offline tbone321

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Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« Reply #1 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. 
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline caretaker

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Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« Reply #2 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.
Jeff Squires
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Offline mmciver

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Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« Reply #3 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.
650000 lights!
160 Channels - 2010 numbers
RGB elements
Combo Mega Tree
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Offline tbone321

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Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« Reply #4 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.
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline mmciver

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Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2016, »
So as long as I keep good documentation and do not bridge any of the universes I should be good?
650000 lights!
160 Channels - 2010 numbers
RGB elements
Combo Mega Tree
Never enough lights!

Offline tbone321

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Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« Reply #6 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. 
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline mmciver

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Re: xlights + EtD + my lack of understanding
« Reply #7 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
650000 lights!
160 Channels - 2010 numbers
RGB elements
Combo Mega Tree
Never enough lights!