SMPTE time code sync / slave

[lasersmith23]

Hi,

Are there any plans to include SMPTE or MIDI timecode sync to the program?  I am using this setup to operate a megatree and would prefer to have it sync to the other computers and systems which are slaving to the same SMPTE reference. 

The plan would be to use the same .wav / .mp3 file in the sequencer that would be playing during the show as a timing reference for programming the tree.  Afterwards, the sequencer would be set to slave to SMPTE.

Thanks!

[Gilrock]

No because we don't run our shows from xLights.  The Falcon Pi Player will do all that synchronization for us.

[lasersmith23]

Thanks for mentioning the Falcon Pi Player.  I had heard of it but didn't research its capabilities.  I've been in the forums and watched the assembly and programming of the Raspberry Pi unit but I haven't found any mention of SMPTE or MIDI timecode sync.  Which methods of sync are available with the Pi unit?  If I could feed it DMX cues to fire off a series of 'looks' that would be fine as well.

Thanks!

[JonB256]

You can run A RasPi in a Master mode. It can then control dozens to hundreds of Remote RasPi units. (Also, the BeagleBone Black or Green units can do both modes). The master sends out Sync pulses to the remotes. Those pulses are not the same as SMPTE but do keep the units synchronized.

[lasersmith23]

Thanks for clarifying.  Is there any way the unit can run as a slave? Are there external triggers which can be fed to the Pi (MIDI, DMX, etc.) for starting a show, playlist item or individual cue?  I have several SMPTE/MIDI DMX recorders but none are capable of recording E1.31 data for synchronized playback.  I've scoured the internet for one with no luck and would like the reliability of a standalone (preferably rackmount) setup if there is something out there. 

[Phrog30]

You will definitely get better help over at falconchristmas.com.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[JonB256]

Yes, about FalconChristmas. They are the programmers that would add SMPTE input as a possible source.

[lasersmith23]

Thanks again for the replies!  So, I have the F16v2 Pixel Controller and have had good luck running xlights / nutcracker through my laptop.  Just to clarify, if Falcon Christmas updates their pc software to read SMPTE then will the Pi version automatically have the same ability?  I was going to ask FC if they were going to add this feature but I've also been wanting to get away from the PC if possible and use a standalone unit which could play back the show I programmed in Nutcracker.  So far the only solution online is the Pi unit.  If anyone knows of a setup which could either sync to timecode or read a set of cues from a DMX, MIDI, etc. cue and 'fire off' patterns without the need for a PC (I would rather rely on a hardware solution over a PC crash any day), it would be appreciated.

[Gilrock]

Falcon Christmas doesn't have any PC software.  They write the FPP code that runs on a Pi.

[Gilrock]

Are you trying to run a home christmas show or a concert?  That SMTPE stuff is what I understood is used for concert type lighting control and it's quite unnecessary for a home christmas show.  Maybe learn how we are doing it.  I control any type of DMX device from xlights and you put the effect on the timeline for when you want it to happen.

[lasersmith23]

I'm trying to add a megatree to an existing outdoor show.... concert-level.  I bought the E1.31 controller from falconchristmas.com, so that's why I assumed they made both hardware and the software which supports it.  I was told to contact them which I am currently doing. 

I have an existing SMPTE stream I would like to sync the megatree's sequences to.  It's not a home Christmas show but this is the only stand-alone solution I've found online so I thought maybe I'd get some help or pointers from people who could answer my questions instead of telling me to do it their way.  Hopefully someone will have a positive suggestion and I can make a solution work for this upcoming project.

[Gilrock]

So I asked how you were using it and suggested "maybe" learn how we are doing it and you reply like I commanded you and that I'm not positive.  Well good luck getting help.

[lasersmith23]

I appreciate that you were the original post pointing out the Pi unit... thanks.  I just hope this is a project that could be explored and hopefully implemented in the future.  Not sure who's developing software or a software/hardware solution capable of doing this.  I do, however have a display at my home during Christmas and now plan on using the Pi unit.... it's a great fit for both e1.31 and DMX!

There's a lot of $$$ potential for commercial use and I currently have a client who inquired about it.  No harm, no foul.  Thanks for your input.

[lasersmith23]

BTW, just curious from those of you using the Pi unit... does it ever crash?  Is it more reliable than the PC version of Nutcracker/Xlights?  I could see encoding the audio file to have mono audio on the left channel and SMPTE timecode on the right, sending a timecode to the rest of the units waiting for a 'tone'.  The web interface is cool.  Can you skip to certain times in the soundtrack or do you need to jump through the playlist and start each song at the beginning?

Much appreciated!

[Gilrock]

Maybe since I don't have a signature it wasn't clear I am one of the main xLights developers so I'm one of the guys that could actually get something like this done.  We've typically not focused on our show player because the Falcon Pi Player has worked so well for all of us.  This isn't the first time I've seen a request for SMTPE and last time I thought the Falcon developers were considering it.

So I'm not completely following how the functionality should work.  Do you want to have short sequences you've already created and they get fired off at a certain time?  How does that time work because I know a concert might not start on time so is there some way to trigger starting points so its really a relative time being sent out?