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Xlights Setup / Last years playlist
« Last post by Geod on December 06, 2024, 11:26:31 AM »How can I find the playlist I used last year on xlights scheduler?
Recent Posts
42
Xlights Setup / Re: Xlights scheduler
« Last post by MikeKrebs on December 05, 2024, 07:53:51 PM »I think you might find the current speaker in the windows settings/sound.
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Xlights Setup / Xlights scheduler
« Last post by Geod on December 05, 2024, 03:06:11 PM »I am currently using xlights scheduler and the music is playing on my laptop. I have external speakers and would like to have the music play on them. Where do I go in scheduler to change the music from PC to speakers?
44
General hardware / Re: Max wire length (extension) for RGB Pixels
« Last post by jond on December 02, 2024, 09:20:34 AM »Here is my question though. Even though this prop has a total of 1200 pixels, they will most likely never be lit at the same time. For example, it may only be one (or 3) of the singing faces singing. Or it may just be the arches lit.
Your thinking is not incorrect, but what happens next year when you want all of them white at the same time? Will you want to rework everything, or even remember they are under powered. I personally power everything to handle full white at 70% power, and only run 30-40%. That leaves me a cushion and I never have to troubleshoot power issues each year. Are you trying to get by for a few days until more parts arrive, or are you trying to make this permanent? I would do it right if you can, but you can push it if you need/want to.
I'm assuming that the power limitation would only apply if I light ALL of the pixels at once? Not if only certain elements/pixels are on at once?
Correct, but see above answer.
Per the power calculator from WiredWatts, in theory, a 350w power supply "should" be able to power ~900 pixels at 50%. Still not enough to turn every pixel on at the same time, but possibly enough to run it in a show?
I run 2000+ pixels off a 350w at 30-40% power. Depends on the lights, but would expect 900 lights to easily run off 350w
My other question is if you have any information you can share on power injection. Like how do you house and wire the additional power supplies?
I try to keep my strings small enough I do not have to power inject. Some models need to be power injected or the programming effects do not look right, such as long straight strings on my eaves. When I need to power inject I use an empty controller port. Not the cheapest solution, but I can move the model from controller to controller with ease and makes everything easy to hook up. I basically take a 3-3-3 tee and remove the data pin from the power injection source with pliers. Not suggesting you do the same.
There is no right or wrong answer provided it works. Some have dedicated power injection boxes, some install power distribution boards in their controller box. Really depends on the individual needs and preferences. Since I rarely power inject, I would not be the best source on this.
Your thinking is not incorrect, but what happens next year when you want all of them white at the same time? Will you want to rework everything, or even remember they are under powered. I personally power everything to handle full white at 70% power, and only run 30-40%. That leaves me a cushion and I never have to troubleshoot power issues each year. Are you trying to get by for a few days until more parts arrive, or are you trying to make this permanent? I would do it right if you can, but you can push it if you need/want to.
I'm assuming that the power limitation would only apply if I light ALL of the pixels at once? Not if only certain elements/pixels are on at once?
Correct, but see above answer.
Per the power calculator from WiredWatts, in theory, a 350w power supply "should" be able to power ~900 pixels at 50%. Still not enough to turn every pixel on at the same time, but possibly enough to run it in a show?
I run 2000+ pixels off a 350w at 30-40% power. Depends on the lights, but would expect 900 lights to easily run off 350w
My other question is if you have any information you can share on power injection. Like how do you house and wire the additional power supplies?
I try to keep my strings small enough I do not have to power inject. Some models need to be power injected or the programming effects do not look right, such as long straight strings on my eaves. When I need to power inject I use an empty controller port. Not the cheapest solution, but I can move the model from controller to controller with ease and makes everything easy to hook up. I basically take a 3-3-3 tee and remove the data pin from the power injection source with pliers. Not suggesting you do the same.
There is no right or wrong answer provided it works. Some have dedicated power injection boxes, some install power distribution boards in their controller box. Really depends on the individual needs and preferences. Since I rarely power inject, I would not be the best source on this.
45
General hardware / Re: Max wire length (extension) for RGB Pixels
« Last post by jwilliams31 on December 01, 2024, 09:26:43 AM »Slightly off topic, but related. As if it wasn't obvious pixels are new to me, I have some questions regarding power.
I was trying to get started with 1 controller with a 350w power supply. I completely did not research the power thing, I just assumed it would power everything since that's what I'm used to with my older AC controllers. I also got a bit ambitious with the prop I bought. Not sure if you (or anyone else on here) has seen it, it's an arch with 3 singing bulbs in the middle from Holiday Coro. Anyway, in total it's about 1200 pixels. Now I know that there is no way I am lighting and powering this thing off of a single controller/power supply.
Here is my question though. Even though this prop has a total of 1200 pixels, they will most likely never be lit at the same time. For example, it may only be one (or 3) of the singing faces singing. Or it may just be the arches lit.
I'm assuming that the power limitation would only apply if I light ALL of the pixels at once? Not if only certain elements/pixels are on at once?
Per the power calculator from WiredWatts, in theory, a 350w power supply "should" be able to power ~900 pixels at 50%. Still not enough to turn every pixel on at the same time, but possibly enough to run it in a show?
My other question is if you have any information you can share on power injection. Like how do you house and wire the additional power supplies?
I think that at this point (December 1) I am not going to get the prop integrated into my show this year, but I'm trying to understand how this all works so I can prepare for next year and get what I need to be successful with this and other future props.
I appreciate any additional information you could provide.
Thank you.
I was trying to get started with 1 controller with a 350w power supply. I completely did not research the power thing, I just assumed it would power everything since that's what I'm used to with my older AC controllers. I also got a bit ambitious with the prop I bought. Not sure if you (or anyone else on here) has seen it, it's an arch with 3 singing bulbs in the middle from Holiday Coro. Anyway, in total it's about 1200 pixels. Now I know that there is no way I am lighting and powering this thing off of a single controller/power supply.
Here is my question though. Even though this prop has a total of 1200 pixels, they will most likely never be lit at the same time. For example, it may only be one (or 3) of the singing faces singing. Or it may just be the arches lit.
I'm assuming that the power limitation would only apply if I light ALL of the pixels at once? Not if only certain elements/pixels are on at once?
Per the power calculator from WiredWatts, in theory, a 350w power supply "should" be able to power ~900 pixels at 50%. Still not enough to turn every pixel on at the same time, but possibly enough to run it in a show?
My other question is if you have any information you can share on power injection. Like how do you house and wire the additional power supplies?
I think that at this point (December 1) I am not going to get the prop integrated into my show this year, but I'm trying to understand how this all works so I can prepare for next year and get what I need to be successful with this and other future props.
I appreciate any additional information you could provide.
Thank you.
46
Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: How to create a model using multiple strands and universes?
« Last post by MikeKrebs on November 30, 2024, 08:48:13 PM »Are you saying you wired your tree horizontally and it is one continuous string? How are you going to use three ports on a continuous string?
It would not make sense via the tree model to have equal lengths of lights running horizontal. I am far from an xLights guru but it sounds like you built a custom tree. Maybe a picture of the tree with each strand noted?
It would not make sense via the tree model to have equal lengths of lights running horizontal. I am far from an xLights guru but it sounds like you built a custom tree. Maybe a picture of the tree with each strand noted?
47
Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: Issue with House Preview and Importing/Converting a Vixen Sequence
« Last post by jwilliams31 on November 30, 2024, 07:00:27 PM »Hoping to bump this because it is frustrating me. I now have lights and controllers up. The preview is correct, nothing is on the preview and nothing is being output to the lights. I ran a simple test and my lights and controllers are working with xLights, it's just something with these sequences no functioning properly.
Here is the really odd thing though. If I select a portion of the program on a single channel, the preview will light up, then that element starts working. However, this trick does not seem to be working for every channel/element.
I looked at the sequence file and I cannot find anything different between an element that seems to be working properly in the preview and one that doesn't. Everything in the sequence file looks "normal". At least no oddities stand out.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, otherwise, it looks like I'm running Vixen again this year.
Here is the really odd thing though. If I select a portion of the program on a single channel, the preview will light up, then that element starts working. However, this trick does not seem to be working for every channel/element.
I looked at the sequence file and I cannot find anything different between an element that seems to be working properly in the preview and one that doesn't. Everything in the sequence file looks "normal". At least no oddities stand out.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, otherwise, it looks like I'm running Vixen again this year.
48
Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: How to create a model using multiple strands and universes?
« Last post by driedel13 on November 30, 2024, 09:54:33 AM »Thank you very much! I'm able to select the universes I want based on your direction. I'd like to have one continous strand (starting at the base of the tree and making it's way to the top) made up of three strings of 100. Instead I have three strands of 100 each starting at the bottom of the tree and each making their way to the top. What am I missing?
Thank you again!
Thank you again!
49
Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: How to create a model using multiple strands and universes?
« Last post by MikeKrebs on November 29, 2024, 08:45:24 PM »Do you need to control the universes?
Make your tree as 3 strings 100 pixels 2 strands per string and drop it on your controller in the visualizer. It will distribute the 3 strings across three ports. If you do this for your whole display, xLights will "take care of it".
If you want to do it yourself, then you need to setup "Use start channel" on the model for controller, check Indiv Start Chans. Once the strings are shown, click the drop down on the right and you can select a bunch of options.
If all this is confusing, the zoom room will fix you up in a few minutes once they get to you.
Make your tree as 3 strings 100 pixels 2 strands per string and drop it on your controller in the visualizer. It will distribute the 3 strings across three ports. If you do this for your whole display, xLights will "take care of it".
If you want to do it yourself, then you need to setup "Use start channel" on the model for controller, check Indiv Start Chans. Once the strings are shown, click the drop down on the right and you can select a bunch of options.
If all this is confusing, the zoom room will fix you up in a few minutes once they get to you.
50
Do You Need Help? Post it here / How to create a model using multiple strands and universes?
« Last post by driedel13 on November 29, 2024, 02:29:44 PM »I'm trying to create a tree in xlights using three strands of 100 pixels, each on different controller ports and using their own universes. Xlights is setting the model up using 510 channels on the first universe and 90 on the second (instead of using 300 channels on each string/universe). I'd like it to use 300 channels on the 1st universe, 300 on the 2nd and 300 on the 3rd. I'd appreciate any help you could offer. Thank you! (I have the same problem trying to create an icicle model using two strands of 100 pixels on two universes)