DMX / LED fixture setup.

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djrummer
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue May 02, 2017 17:07

DMX / LED fixture setup.

Post by djrummer »

(CP in FB forum)

Looking for some setup validation... I use the Enttec Pixelator Mini for my LEDs, which runs 2U off one controller. I have 8 controllers, but 16U in total.
When I am setting up my LEDs, the middle fixture will span over the two universes.

If I am addressing a full run of 1024 channels, off one controller, i have to split the fixture that overlaps into two different fixtures, right? (if I am starting at 500. And have a 50 LED fixture, I split one at 12, and one at 38)

And then, I just have to resize the two different fixtures to match what I am trying to create with the 50LED fixtures. Is there a better work around? Thanks!

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Arvol
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Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 17:36
Location: Oklahoma, USA

Re: DMX / LED fixture setup.

Post by Arvol »

I'm not really following what you're getting at. Nor do I know the specific controller you are using, But I'll try to give an example of how I connect my setups to see if you might be able to pull some info from that??

You get 512 DMX Channels per DMX Universe, and 15 DMX Universes per DMX Subnet, and 15 DMX Subnets.
So that's that's 512 DMX Channels per DMX Universe, 7,680 DMX Channels per Subnet, and 115,200 DMX Channels overall (there's actually more, but we'll not get into that here...)
You should be able to run all of these over a single Ethernet cable from your Resolume machine.

I'm going to use an Epix Strip as an example for this.
An Epix Strip LED fixture (controlled via DMX), like many fixtures or LED controllers, has different Channel control modes.
You can use every pixel (which eats up a TON of DMX Channels real quick), or start to group pixels (in groups of 2,4,10,20,etc...)

If I was to use an Epix Strip in it's full mode of 300 DMX Channels, I could only use 1 Epix Strip per DMX Universe, as 2 Epix Strips is 600 DMX Channels and there are only 512 DMX Channels per DMX Universe.

Typically I would use the DMX 75 Channel mode for these fixtures, which groups every 4 pixels and makes all 4 pixels act like 1 single pixel., This takes a 300 DMX Channel fixture and now makes it 4 Channels.
So... Now I can get 6 of these Epix Strips on 1 DMX Universe. 75 DMX Channels * 6 = 450 DMX Channels.
If I wanted 7 fixtures, it would be 525 DMX Channels, and there are only 512 DMX Channels per universe, so I'm 13 DMX Channels over my limit. 7 * 75 = 525

The more pixels you group together, the smaller amount of DMX Channels you take up, which results in more fixtures per DMX Universe.


So with this information, I typically try to group sections together in the same universe, sometimes you can't do it, but when I can, I try to.

The controllers I've used only allows a fixture to operate within a single universe, meaning If I had a 300 DMX Channel Epix Strip I couldn't make the first 150 pixels receive data from DMX Universe 1 and have the second 150 pixels receive information from DMX Universe 2. Maybe there's technology out there that lets you do it, but I haven't seen it.


Does this make sense? Does it remotely help you? haha.
Sorry, if you already know this, and this is all very basic information. I'm just not sure where you're needing help, so I thought by breaking it down, there might be something in there that could help.

Let me know if there something I missed or something I can go into further detail with you on.
Hope you get it working quick :)

djrummer
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue May 02, 2017 17:07

Re: DMX / LED fixture setup.

Post by djrummer »

Hey Arvol!!
aom1.PNG
IMG_3934.jpg
Here's my set up and layout - so you can (hopefully) specifically help me!
each drum has a 32 pixel fixture. Top and Bottom. So, when I hit the 6th fixture, I can't add a 6th fixture of 32 LEDs. (Where this gets confusing to ME is that in mad mapper, not to start an argument, I could address fixture #6 at 1:481, and it would autocomplete the finish to 2:66.) So, In the past, regardless of where it was patched, It would be one solid fixture.

As I'm sure you notice in the other post - I Think I will need to rely heavy on Slice Transforms, and right now, I'll have two slices for one fixture. Which, is manageable. BUT< with resizing and anything beyond the initial setup, I just had to do 'more'. If I could link them together, or something... it would be great.

I am running the LEDs in on the bottom left and bottom right of the drums. I inject power half way though, then again at the end. Stopping a fixture early, and controlling with a new universe can't happen with my setup. SO, i'm just trying to set my infrastructure up as efficient as possible.

For your questions, Yes. Computer to 'controller hub' one ethernet. Out of That, I have 8 cat5 out. Each controls TWO universes via their own mini controiller. Cat5 in, +, gnd, Data out. I power those, and the LEDs with the same power supply.

Im running each pixel as its own fixture, because it looks awesome. SO, your post was helpful, but I do understand most of that. Its more how to physically implement what I am trying to do as best as possible. I know its possible - but it seems my questions are far beyond the manual.
:o)

Does this clarify MY end a little better?
THANK YOU
V

Zoltán
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Re: DMX / LED fixture setup.

Post by Zoltán »

djrummer wrote:So, when I hit the 6th fixture, I can't add a 6th fixture of 32 LEDs. (Where this gets confusing to ME is that in mad mapper, not to start an argument, I could address fixture #6 at 1:481, and it would autocomplete the finish to 2:66.) So, In the past, regardless of where it was patched, It would be one solid fixture.
Yeah, Resolume doesn't do that yet.
djrummer wrote:with resizing and anything beyond the initial setup, I just had to do 'more'. If I could link them together, or something... it would be great.
Multi selecting the fixtures and then scaling them works in the Advanced output, does that help you with this?
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