Who uses more than 10 controllers and has xlights running their show?

[rando1957]

Yes DMX is the best solution, but not sure I can turn it around for this season.

[CaptainMurdoch]

Mate Buy/borrow another dongle to split the load into separate outputs just for the season until you can switch to DMX?

[rando1957]

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.

[Lights On Fifth]

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

[rando1957]

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.

[Lights On Fifth]

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

[rando1957]

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?

[rando1957]

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]

[Lights On Fifth]

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

[rando1957]

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]

[Lights On Fifth]

Rando I sent you a message

[rando1957]

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.

[Lights On Fifth]

Randy play with the delay between seq I was having some issues as well but got everything working perfect

[rando1957]

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

[Lights On Fifth]

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.