Controller connection--Port-Protocol

[Santacarl]

Hey all,


Not having ever used XL to output to lights (use FPP instead) ... I'm doing some cleanup of my setup while adding new props and I'm wondering about the section in the XL Layout tab labeled "Controller Connection. 
Before I start filling in a bunch of stuff I won't use I just wanted to make sure I'm not going to miss out on some improved performance....  Searched the user manual but didn't see anything.

The Controller Connection section is obviously dealing with the controller properties and I was wondering about a couple of things. 

1.  If you set a "Port #"  from the selection drop down is it actually functional or is it just for your reference?  Using the FPP I've always just left it at "0" (zero).... If it's functional I'm guessing it's for outputting with XL itself and since I'm using the FPP it won't matter if I ID the port # in XL?

2.  Under "Protocol" I've never entered a pixel protocol type (WS2811 etc.) and have always left it blank.   Is there a reason I should set the protocol since I'm using the FPP as an output source?

Thanks for helping my learning curve.... I'm peddling as fast as I can!   

[Gilrock]

The easy way to define channels now in setup is you have 1 line per controllers.  Define a block of E1.31 universes and in the dialog pick the controller type and select use auto start channels.  Then in your model properties you can now select that controller, define the port, protocol, color order, brightness, null pixels, etc. and then you can have xLights automatically upload everything the controller needs to run.  From setup right click that  output and upload E.131 input definition and upload the output info.  You should goto videos.xlights.org and find the video on the death of start channels.

[Santacarl]

The easy way to define channels now in setup is you have 1 line per controllers.  Define a block of E1.31 universes and in the dialog pick the controller type and select use auto start channels.  Then in your model properties you can now select that controller, define the port, protocol, color order, brightness, null pixels, etc. and then you can have xLights automatically upload everything the controller needs to run.  From setup right click that  output and upload E.131 input definition and upload the output info.  You should goto videos.xlights.org and find the video on the death of start channels.

Woah....I thought I was asking for a garden hose and got the fire hose!  Most of that went right over my punkin head....Haha....

I haven't bothered with uploading other than to play around with it a bit to upload to a spare FPP since everything has pretty well been set up from previous years.  I'm not a big fan of 'breaking' what works for something that is the latest greatest...  Not sure how much easier it is than using what I have...LOL....  But I'll go see if I can find the video.....maybe it will make me a believer....

But given that I have trouble 'seeing' some of my controllers on my home network without changing a bunch of stuff I'm not sure of the outcome.

Thanks Gil....you're the human WIKI....and much appreciated for keeping me on the right path. 

[ebrown19721972]

I am new to Xlights and love the way you can build your model and then just select what port that model is on. One thing I am not sure about is how to setup the serial ports from the layout tab. If I want to model a 16 string tree and use a differential receiver board to run the tree, how do I set that up? If I just pick a port then it will just place it on that port and not the serial port. I'm sure there is an easy way to do this but I am having a difficult time figuring it out. Thanks

[Gilrock]

I am new to Xlights and love the way you can build your model and then just select what port that model is on. One thing I am not sure about is how to setup the serial ports from the layout tab. If I want to model a 16 string tree and use a differential receiver board to run the tree, how do I set that up? If I just pick a port then it will just place it on that port and not the serial port. I'm sure there is an easy way to do this but I am having a difficult time figuring it out. Thanks

I'm not in front of the program to remember the exact steps but yes it should be simple.  Its gotta be in the same area where you assign the other port info.  It could be something that changes the protocol type to DMX or something that says serial.

[ebrown19721972]

I am new to Xlights and love the way you can build your model and then just select what port that model is on. One thing I am not sure about is how to setup the serial ports from the layout tab. If I want to model a 16 string tree and use a differential receiver board to run the tree, how do I set that up? If I just pick a port then it will just place it on that port and not the serial port. I'm sure there is an easy way to do this but I am having a difficult time figuring it out. Thanks

I'm not in front of the program to remember the exact steps but yes it should be simple.  Its gotta be in the same area where you assign the other port info.  It could be something that changes the protocol type to DMX or something that says serial.

Selected dmx and it put it in on the serial port. Thanks Gil