Sean Meighan
Software => LOR => Topic started by: Lights On Fifth on November 22, 2014, 03:44:53 PM
-
If you are running more than10 Lor controllers and xlights is running your show I need some some help, I am running 15 Lor controllers 240 channels all converted to DMX xlights reads the first 7 controllers but does some thing really weird to 8 & 9 then seems to be ok at the OA controller. lights stay on when they shouldn't be, they are not firing when they should be, but yet when I disconnect my E131 and reload Lor in my tray and run a Lor seq from there everything fires correctly. I am done banging my head on the wall for today.
-
Hi, Don...
I replied on another thread... I'm running 21 LOR boxes (DMX) from XLights with no issues... The only thing I can suggest is to make sure your DMX numbers for the LOR controllers are correct...
Dan
-
Hi,
I'm running 9 of my 13 LOR controllers so far with no problems, but I still have them defined as LOR in my xLights setup. Is switching them to DMX as simple as changing the Network Type of that line under the xLights setup tab from LOR to DMX? From what I have read, the controllers will detect what kind of data they are receiving and adjust appropriately, is that right? I have all Gen3 controllers.
Martin
-
Hi, Don...
I replied on another thread... I'm running 21 LOR boxes (DMX) from XLights with no issues... The only thing I can suggest is to make sure your DMX numbers for the LOR controllers are correct...
Dan
Hey Dan I am running 15 Lor controllers all in DMX they are all in universe 1 they are numbered sequentially from 1 through to 240 with 1st controllerfrom 1 to 16, 2nd controller from 17 to 32 etc ect. what else should I be looking for, xlights works great all the way up to channel 112 and then for some reason is skipping channels 113 to 144 and s up again at 145 I have changed the firmware on controller 8 and 9 to to the latest and still it will not work
-
Do those controllers use HEX value switches or are they set electronically?
(Not that it should matter since you aren't using 0A 0B 0C etc.)
If switches, then I'd physically cycle them a few times
-
Are you taking into account the 'dead' channels you get when using a LOR8 Channel controller? All the LOR in DMX mode need to be in multiples of 16. I have three 8 Channel controller where I've thrown away 24 channels.
-
Do those controllers use HEX value switches or are they set electronically?
(Not that it should matter since you aren't using 0A 0B 0C etc.)
If switches, then I'd physically cycle them a few times
Controller 10 has an ID # of OA, 11 is OB and so on, after talking to a couple of guys we are now ditching the E131, I have the usb 485 adapter hooked up to my computer, I have 12 controllers plugged in, and everything seems to be working, I still have 3 more controllers to go, not sure if there will be any lag or problems, we think the 131 is either not receiving the info from the computer, or it is not sending any info out past control 8, be that as it may after a couple of hours on the phone I decided I had to get some stuff set up and plugged in. Once I have everything hooked and running I don't think I want to chance having my show quit on me so if I have to use the adapter I will for now.
-
Hi, Don...
I replied on another thread... I'm running 21 LOR boxes (DMX) from XLights with no issues... The only thing I can suggest is to make sure your DMX numbers for the LOR controllers are correct...
Dan
Dan how are you running everything? E131 or are you using the 485 usb adapter?
-
I'm using an etherdongle from diylightanimation.com (e131) thru an active hub from the same site for DMX output to the LOR boxes, and pixelnet out to all the RGB pixels... I'm probably not too typical in that I normally program the AC channels in LOR, import those channels into LSP to add some effects and then export that to a conductor sequence which I import into XLights/Nutcracker to add some more effects... However, I have directly imported LOR sequences to XLights and added effects with no problems...
Let me know if more explaination is needed...
Dan
-
I'm using an etherdongle from diylightanimation.com (e131) thru an active hub from the same site for DMX output to the LOR boxes, and pixelnet out to all the RGB pixels... I'm probably not too typical in that I normally program the AC channels in LOR, import those channels into LSP to add some effects and then export that to a conductor sequence which I import into XLights/Nutcracker to add some more effects... However, I have directly imported LOR sequences to XLights and added effects with no problems...
Let me know if more explaination is needed...
Dan
In your lor network preferences can you tell me how you have that set up, with the Lor and the Dmx a screen shot of both would be helpful, and then if you could give me a screen shot of your xlight Lor model IE: start channel and end channel, and finally in xlights a screen shot of your set up.
thanks Dan, I want to compare it to my set up.
-
Hi, Don...
I sent info in a direct email... I think you replied that you got it... Just didn't want people to think you were ignored and also didn't want to clutter-up this thread 😊
Good luck !!!
-
Hey Dan thank you for sending that, it gives me some insight on how you are using Xlights to incorporate Lor into your show. I will be looking at the setup today, I have been setting up lights like crazy
-
I only 7 controllers (112 channels) and converted everything over to XL for running my show. I just started it and noticed significant delays in lights to the music. None is using DMX. I am seeing a significant delay in my lights to the music. My singing trees are not at all in sync with the words. I set up in XL the LOR channels with baud rate 115200. Any suggestions on what could be causing the timing delays?
-
Not sure what you mean by "stage branch" - is this in LOR? For the most part, this occurs on all songs but really shows up the longer the song -the longer the 'out of sync.'
-
Flip the controllers to DMX, you'll be much better off.
The LOR protocol is much larger for the way xLights sends data (can be nearly 3x larger) and at 115200 baud, using a much slower data rate (DMX is 250000). Thus, it's likely getting caught trying to get all the data out. Definitely flip to DMX if you can.
-
Yes DMX is the best solution, but not sure I can turn it around for this season.
-
Mate Buy/borrow another dongle to split the load into separate outputs just for the season until you can switch to DMX?
-
After sleeping on it, I decided to buy a LOR/DMX adaptor. Should be here in a couple days. Next I need to run through LOR SE and do some conversion. I need to find a forum on how that is done. Then update XL setup for DMX. May be a few extra days of out of sync music/lights, but might as well bite the bullet.
-
Flip the controllers to DMX, you'll be much better off.
The LOR protocol is much larger for the way xLights sends data (can be nearly 3x larger) and at 115200 baud, using a much slower data rate (DMX is 250000). Thus, it's likely getting caught trying to get all the data out. Definitely flip to DMX if you can.
Dan are you saying the baud rate for lor in Dmx should be set at 250000
-
Also, do I have to go into LOR and update all the sequences for the DMX channel or can I just modify the XL setup for DMX? Not sure what is in the LOR sequence file before it is converted in XL.
-
Also, do I have to go into LOR and update all the sequences for the DMX channel or can I just modify the XL setup for DMX? Not sure what is in the LOR sequence file before it is converted in XL.
you have to go into Lor and change your config to DMX each seq has to be changed, is very easy to do change your master seq and then export channel config, open up a seq you will be using and import the new channel config. make sure to do al your seqs before converting to xseq
-
Thanks Don,
Also in XL setup tab, I need to update the LOR network type to DMX. I assume that will be Universe 1, with last channel 112 (7 LOR controllers). Given my e121 SANdevice is Universe 1 now, I have to change it to Universe 2 etc. Is this correct?
-
Would someone review this document to see if I captured the steps for using DMX instead of LOR protocol. I have a couple questions that I added in red and would appreciate input. After it is complete, I can post this in a new thread for others to use.
UPDATE: I received my crossover cable from Seasonal Entertainment, connected it to my RS485. I am now receiving error in LOR Hardware utility about not recognizing COM port. I also update XL for DMX network type with the same COM3. Testing of lights was unsuccessful. Any ideas? Thanks
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Would someone review this document to see if I captured the steps for using DMX instead of LOR protocol. I have a couple questions that I added in red and would appreciate input. After it is complete, I can post this in a new thread for others to use.
UPDATE: I received my crossover cable from Seasonal Entertainment, connected it to my RS485. I am now receiving error in LOR Hardware utility about not recognizing COM port. I also update XL for DMX network type with the same COM3. Testing of lights was unsuccessful. Any ideas? Thanks
You do not need a crossover cable for your Lor stuff if you are using a 485 adapter use a regular cat 5 cable, in Lor network preferences go to or and check none, then go to Dmx and check none if you have done the convert properly xlights will run Lor stuff and your pixel stuff
-
Thanks Don - I guess I read I needed a crossover cable so I sure was confused.
Anyway, did what you said (see attachments) but I still can not run a test in XL with the DMX configuration. Any ideas? (I removed the crossover cable and rebooted PC).
Also, just for clarification. I originally had my e131 devices starting at Universe 1. Given I moved the LOR channels to DMX, are they now Universe 1 and the e131 needs to be updated to Univ 2....etc?
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Rando I sent you a message
-
Thanks Lights on Fifth and everyone else that has offered assistance.
All my LOR sequences are converted to DMX universe 1 and network preferences in LOR updated.
My XL setup still shows the LOR, COM3 115.4k baud and my show runs. However, I have terrible sync between music and lights. So I am not sure what else to do. I would have thought XL would want the setup to be DMX network type, etc. but when i do that I can not control my lights.
I only have the RS485 adaptor connected.
-
Randy play with the delay between seq I was having some issues as well but got everything working perfect
-
Don,
I GOT IT TO WORK WITH DMX. Yeah!!
The solution was so simple. The hardest part is converting all the sequences to DMX via channel configuration which I knew I did correctly. After that:
1) Update LOR Network Preferences - LOR tab - none on regular network; DMX tab - this should find the RS485 dongle, select it and RAW DMX.
This actually does not affect the XL execution of sequences but it is an easy way to test in LOR SE to see if your DMX set is working. I ran a sample sequence in LOR and the lights worked fine so I knew I had the DMX setup correctly.
2) XLights - Setup tab - this is key, I changed the LOR network type to OPENDMX with my com3 port. That was it.
3) Convert your LOR sequences in DMX config back into xseq, combine your RGB models and run.
I was trying to use the DMX network type with my RS485, but it needs to be OPENDMX. That was the difference. By default, it uses baud rate of 250000.
Just passing this along in case it helps you and anyone else.
Thanks for helping me earlier this week. I do appreciate it.
Randy
-
Don,
I GOT IT TO WORK WITH DMX. Yeah!!
The solution was so simple. The hardest part is converting all the sequences to DMX via channel configuration which I knew I did correctly. After that:
1) Update LOR Network Preferences - LOR tab - none on regular network; DMX tab - this should find the RS485 dongle, select it and RAW DMX.
This actually does not affect the XL execution of sequences but it is an easy way to test in LOR SE to see if your DMX set is working. I ran a sample sequence in LOR and the lights worked fine so I knew I had the DMX setup correctly.
2) XLights - Setup tab - this is key, I changed the LOR network type to OPENDMX with my com3 port. That was it.
3) Convert your LOR sequences in DMX config back into xseq, combine your RGB models and run.
I was trying to use the DMX network type with my RS485, but it needs to be OPENDMX. That was the difference. By default, it uses baud rate of 250000.
Just passing this along in case it helps you and anyone else.
Thanks for helping me earlier this week. I do appreciate it.
Randy
Good info I will try this after show season, it is working now so no sense playing with it.
-
I agree - don't mess while it is working. The only issue I am having now (other than the rain) is the last LOR controller in the chain works sporadically. So I separated the cat5 cable from the AC cords to see if that was causing conflicts. No change. Tomorrow I will move the cat 5 to another controller and check to see if that makes a difference (read something that you need to terminate the last DMX controller, but not sure). What is real odd is that the lights on this controller (#4) only come on when my singing trees are lit (they are controller 1 and 2). No idea why, but even then they are in sync with music. I will keep playing with it.
-
After spending several hours yesterday, I swapped an LOR controller with the one that was not working and now everything is working fine. The 'bad' controller was the only commercial LOR controller I have, first one purchased, so it may need a firmware upgrade or something. That is this week's project.
Anyway, the OPENDMX solution did the trick for me and it was easy to do in XL.
-
Just an update. I worked with my 'bad' controller and found out it was fine. This was the only commercial LOR controller I have and you need to manually set the DMX address for the unit. All the residential ones are fine as they recognize the signal sent. I reset DMX address to d081 and the lights fired right up. Anyway, hope this helps someone else.
Randy
-
Yep this got me the beginning of the season. I have 3 LOR Pro controllers and 5 of the LOR CCR controllers. To start at channel 17 on the CCR controller you program it to 02 so I set my Pro controller the same way but on the Pro controller you actually set it to D0017 for the actual number you want. Caused me a ton of confusion and the sad thing is I had it all running the year before but the controllers didn't get placed in the exact same locations and I messed up the settings when trying to fix it.