Advanced Pixel guide - Revision history

RobBaldwin: /* I hooked everything up right and still is not working (basic troubleshooting) */

2016-06-07T02:37:11Z

I hooked everything up right and still is not working (basic troubleshooting)

RobBaldwin: /* Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups */

2016-06-07T02:32:32Z

Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups

RobBaldwin: /* Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups */

2016-06-07T02:26:06Z

Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups

RobBaldwin: /* Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups */

2016-06-07T02:25:48Z

Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups

RobBaldwin: /* Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups */

2016-06-07T02:25:02Z

Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups

RobBaldwin: /* I have my lights and controller now what? */

2016-06-07T02:12:45Z

I have my lights and controller now what?

RobBaldwin: /* I have my lights and controller now what? */

2016-06-07T02:12:29Z

I have my lights and controller now what?

RobBaldwin: /* Choosing the right show computer for me */

2016-06-07T02:10:04Z

Choosing the right show computer for me

RobBaldwin: /* I have my lights and controller now what? */

2016-06-07T02:09:46Z

I have my lights and controller now what?

RobBaldwin: /* Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups */

2016-06-07T02:08:00Z

Networking for lighting a basic knowledge of network setup for E1.3x set ups

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 Next turn the board on in test mode, make sure all your rgb lights are lighting correctly. If none of the rgb pixels work try flipping the strands see if you are inputting data on the outs. If some of the lights work or all do but the colors are wrong its a setup issue, refer to your boards manual to verify setup is correct.
-Next run a test pattern from the computer, now lets see if data is making it from the computer to the board. If you don't receive the data or not all the lights are lit ect, check the configuration of the computer/network to ensure the packets are going to the correct ip address (e1.31 unicast) that the universe numbers are correct (e1.31 both) and that channel counts inside universe's are correct (e1.31 both). Or if you are running serial make sure the usb dongle is configured correctly (renard needs you to swap a couple pins on the output of the dongle or swap the wires in a custom made cat 5 cable), make sure the computer is outputting the data to the port of the usb dongle.
+Next run a test pattern from the computer, now lets see if data is making it from the computer to the board. If you don't receive the data or not all the lights are lit etc, check the configuration of the computer/network to ensure the packets are going to the correct ip address (e1.31 unicast) that the universe numbers are correct (e1.31 both) and that channel counts inside universe's are correct (e1.31 both). Or if you are running serial make sure the usb dongle is configured correctly (renard needs you to swap a couple pins on the output of the dongle or swap the wires in a custom made cat 5 cable), make sure the computer is outputting the data to the port of the usb dongle.
 Next run a test sequence, if the lights are incorrect, check the "patching" in the sequencer verify start channels of all props/models.
 If these steps did not solve the issue post on the forums for some help

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 '''Mac address''' - each ethernet port has a unique mac address, usually manufacturers are assigned a start mac address number and they then change the last numbers of it for every card they make. Most ethernet equipment has these set inside a chip on the ethernet board generally we do not need to worry about it.
-'''subnet mask''' - this allows for each network to have more than 256 computers hooked up to it, by adjusting the subnet mask a packet can be routed to up too several hundred thousand computers on one network. Since our show will have less than 256 boards the subnet mask is not needed/changed and default is fine.
+'''Subnet mask''' - this allows for each network to have more than 256 computers hooked up to it, by adjusting the subnet mask a packet can be routed to up too several hundred thousand computers on one network. Since our show will have less than 256 boards the subnet mask is not needed/changed and default is fine.
 '''DNS''' - This is primarily used on the internet. It allows for you to type walmart.com into your browser and the dns converts that into the correct ip address for walmart's website. This is not used on our small network we will be sending info either directly to an ip address or to all the ip addresses on our small network. If a dns is asked for in your board / computer setup you want the dns to point to the first IP address on the network. (192.168.1.1 if our network was 192.168.1.xxx)

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 There is also things like dns, subnet mask, mac address, and a myriad of other things that are needed for a true network to function. Briefly here they are:
-Mac address - each ethernet port has a unique mac address, usually manufacturers are assigned a start mac address number and they then change the last numbers of it for every card they make. Most ethernet equipment has these set inside a chip on the ethernet board generally we do not need to worry about it.
+'''Mac address''' - each ethernet port has a unique mac address, usually manufacturers are assigned a start mac address number and they then change the last numbers of it for every card they make. Most ethernet equipment has these set inside a chip on the ethernet board generally we do not need to worry about it.
 '''subnet mask''' - this allows for each network to have more than 256 computers hooked up to it, by adjusting the subnet mask a packet can be routed to up too several hundred thousand computers on one network. Since our show will have less than 256 boards the subnet mask is not needed/changed and default is fine.

@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 Mac address - each ethernet port has a unique mac address, usually manufacturers are assigned a start mac address number and they then change the last numbers of it for every card they make. Most ethernet equipment has these set inside a chip on the ethernet board generally we do not need to worry about it.
-subnet mask - this allows for each network to have more than 256 computers hooked up to it, by adjusting the subnet mask a packet can be routed to up too several hundred thousand computers on one network. Since our show will have less than 256 boards the subnet mask is not needed/changed and default is fine.
+'''subnet mask''' - this allows for each network to have more than 256 computers hooked up to it, by adjusting the subnet mask a packet can be routed to up too several hundred thousand computers on one network. Since our show will have less than 256 boards the subnet mask is not needed/changed and default is fine.
-DNS - This is primarily used on the internet. It allows for you to type walmart.com into your browser and the dns converts that into the correct ip address for walmart's website. This is not used on our small network we will be sending info either directly to an ip address or to all the ip addresses on our small network. If a dns is asked for in your board / computer setup you want the dns to point to the first IP address on the network. (192.168.1.1 if our network was 192.168.1.xxx)
+'''DNS''' - This is primarily used on the internet. It allows for you to type walmart.com into your browser and the dns converts that into the correct ip address for walmart's website. This is not used on our small network we will be sending info either directly to an ip address or to all the ip addresses on our small network. If a dns is asked for in your board / computer setup you want the dns to point to the first IP address on the network. (192.168.1.1 if our network was 192.168.1.xxx)
-Static vs dynamic IP addresses - Most modern routers have a DCHP this automatically assigns the next IP address to a device as its connected to the router. In this your computers IP address on your home network may change every time you start up the computer. This is fine for a computer where we are sending and receiving without direct control of the data. In our little network though we are going to want to control what IP address everything is. Turning off DCHP and setting the IP address we want that board to be every time it connects is setting it to a static IP address. This is advantageous as most of the modern boards use a browser based interface, to get to that you must know what IP address to direct your browser to.
+'''Static vs dynamic IP addresses''' - Most modern routers have a DCHP this automatically assigns the next IP address to a device as its connected to the router. In this your computers IP address on your home network may change every time you start up the computer. This is fine for a computer where we are sending and receiving without direct control of the data. In our little network though we are going to want to control what IP address everything is. Turning off DCHP and setting the IP address we want that board to be every time it connects is setting it to a static IP address. This is advantageous as most of the modern boards use a browser based interface, to get to that you must know what IP address to direct your browser to.
-Unicast vs Multicast - You have probably seen this on your boards description xx universes multicast and xx universes unicast. All this means is in multicast we do not specify what IP address the packets are sent to, instead the network router rebroadcasts that packet to all the boards on its network. The boards then receive the packets and decide based on universe number if the board is to use it or not. In unicast we specify that packets are directed only too a certain IP address. In this way the router just sends those packets to the IP address referenced in the packet. If we are using unicast then static IP addressing is a must.
+'''Unicast vs Multicast''' - You have probably seen this on your boards description xx universes multicast and xx universes unicast. All this means is in multicast we do not specify what IP address the packets are sent to, instead the network router rebroadcasts that packet to all the boards on its network. The boards then receive the packets and decide based on universe number if the board is to use it or not. In unicast we specify that packets are directed only too a certain IP address. In this way the router just sends those packets to the IP address referenced in the packet. If we are using unicast then static IP addressing is a must.
 As stated this is a general knowledge of networking and not a degree. If you wish to know more about networking or are having difficulty in setting one up ask on the forums where more specific help can be given.

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 DNS - This is primarily used on the internet. It allows for you to type walmart.com into your browser and the dns converts that into the correct ip address for walmart's website. This is not used on our small network we will be sending info either directly to an ip address or to all the ip addresses on our small network. If a dns is asked for in your board / computer setup you want the dns to point to the first IP address on the network. (192.168.1.1 if our network was 192.168.1.xxx)
-Static vs dynamic IP addresses - Most modern routers have a DCHP this automatically assigns the next IP address to a device as its connected to the router. In this your computers IP address on your home network may change every time you start up the computer. This is fine for a computer where we are sending and receiving without direct control of the data. In our little network though we are going to want to control what IP address everything is. Turning off DCHP and setting the IP address we want that board to be every time it connects is setting it to a static IP address. This is advantageous as most of the modern boards us a browser based interface, to get to that you must know what IP address to direct your browser to.
+Static vs dynamic IP addresses - Most modern routers have a DCHP this automatically assigns the next IP address to a device as its connected to the router. In this your computers IP address on your home network may change every time you start up the computer. This is fine for a computer where we are sending and receiving without direct control of the data. In our little network though we are going to want to control what IP address everything is. Turning off DCHP and setting the IP address we want that board to be every time it connects is setting it to a static IP address. This is advantageous as most of the modern boards use a browser based interface, to get to that you must know what IP address to direct your browser to.
 Unicast vs Multicast - You have probably seen this on your boards description xx universes multicast and xx universes unicast. All this means is in multicast we do not specify what IP address the packets are sent to, instead the network router rebroadcasts that packet to all the boards on its network. The boards then receive the packets and decide based on universe number if the board is to use it or not. In unicast we specify that packets are directed only too a certain IP address. In this way the router just sends those packets to the IP address referenced in the packet. If we are using unicast then static IP addressing is a must.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
   '''Dumb RGB''' - In these you will find that you have 4 wires (unless your using rgbw which has a fifth wire for white)
- '''Note''' your color of wires may differ though they are the same functions.
+'''Note''' your color of wires may differ though they are the same functions.
 Red = + voltage

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Lets start by connecting the lights to the controller (work backwards applying power at the end makes sure if you accidentally touch something nothing gets fried).
-'''Dumb RGB''' - In these you will find that you have 4 wires (unless your using rgbw which has a fifth wire for white) '''Note''' your color of wires may differ though they are the same functions.
+ '''Dumb RGB''' - In these you will find that you have 4 wires (unless your using rgbw which has a fifth wire for white)
 Red = + voltage
@@ Line 21: / Line 23: @@
 If you haven't noticed there is no direction here as far as which way the string goes, in dumb rgb it doesn't matter you can feed the string from either side. Another note there is a limit as to how many strings you can hook together before the voltage drops, unlike rgb pixels we cannot just inject more power as this will overpower the grounds from the board and will make the entire string series light wrong. Instead we use a power amplifier, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMPnfBlXM9A] . These are available inexpensively around the net.
-'''RGB Pixel''' Pixels are either 4 wire or 3 wire, generally the industry is moving towards 3 wire. '''Note''' your color of wires may differ though they are the same functions.
+ '''RGB Pixel''' Pixels are either 4 wire or 3 wire, generally the industry is moving towards 3 wire.
 Red = + voltage

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 == '''Choosing the right show computer for me''' ==
- '''Laptop/desktop''' A lot of people opt for this option
+'''Laptop/desktop''' A lot of people opt for this option
 If you have a spare computer that will not be used during the duration of your light show this is an excellent way to run your show. The benefits of this is you have a full blown computer running a scheduler (usually attached to a sequencer) it is interfaced at the laptop/desktop. Drawbacks - computers tend to be expensive 300+ dollars each so if you don't have a spare already there are other options available.
- '''Falcon player/lor show director''' These are gaining popularity in the community
+'''Falcon player/lor show director''' These are gaining popularity in the community
 These are inexpensive SOC (system on a chip) computers that can fully run your show. The added bonus of these is their low cost and ability to synchronize them means that you could avoid ground clutter of cables by placing several of these throughout your show and let them handle controller boards close to them. The draw back is they wont have the full access right at them, either by using web interface or switches on the back is how they are interfaced.

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 This will cover a basic knowledge of networking (enough for you to get things set up)
-'''A breif overview''' Internet Protocol (IP) is a standard for communication of computers. It divides the information up into packets then addresses the packets to ensure that the packets get to the correct computer. These packets can go through many different computers and servers before arriving at the correct computer. E1.31 (there is a new protocol out of E1.33 but it is not fully implemented yet) puts dmx data into the packets and sends them just like any other data being sent.
+'''A breif overview''' Internet Protocol (IP) is a standard for communication of computers. It divides the information up into packets then addresses the packets to ensure that the packets get to the correct computer. These packets can go through many different computers and servers before arriving at the correct computer. E1.31 (there is a new protocol out, E1.33 but it is not fully implemented yet) puts dmx data into the packets and sends them just like any other data being sent.
 Things that we need to be aware of - we are sending a bunch of packets out every second our show is running, this can interfere with our home network if the show is ran over the home network. Its best to set up the show on its own network.