Transcript PROGRAMMING YOUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ANDREW KONKOL TECHNICAL ARCHITECT AT SENTRY INSURANCE CREATOR/DESIGNER OF THE KONKOLS CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW.

PROGRAMMING YOUR
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
ANDREW KONKOL
TECHNICAL ARCHITECT AT SENTRY INSURANCE
CREATOR/DESIGNER OF THE KONKOLS CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW
CLAP
Christmas
Light
Addiction
Problem
MUSIC
• Turns flashing lights into Magic
• Classics, Pop, Rock
• TSO: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
SEQUENCING/SCHEDULING SOFTWARE
• Ties lighting effects (on/off, fades, chases, etc) to a timeline, in sync with music
• Bitmap vs. Vector
• Popular Free
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Vixen (2.1, 3.0, Vixen+)
HLS
Nutcracker
xLights
Not free
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Light Show Pro (LSP) – $100-$400
Light-O-Rama (LOR) - $50-$400
COMPUTER
• Most software is Windows-based
• Needed for Sequencing
• Needed for controlling the show and playing music during
showtime
• Unless you are using a stand-alone controller
POWER (ELECTRICITY)
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AC
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Dimming requires zero-cross detector
DC
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Traditional incandscents, LED lights from the store
Needed for modern LED-based lighting
5V, 12V common
PC Power supply works well for this
Need to consider total power required (Amps/Watts)
Outdoor = GFCI
ZERO CROSS DETECTION
FM TRANSMITTER/ANTENNA
• Gets music into the warm cars of visitors
• Low Power (avoid attention of FCC)
• Dipole antenna
• www.radio-locator.com
• RDS (Radio Data System)
PROTOCOLS / INTERFACES
• RS-485-based
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DMX
Renard
LOR
PixelNet
• Ethernet-based
• E1.31 (DMX-over-Ethernet or Streaming ACN)
• Pixel protocols
• WS2801, TM180x, WS2811, TLS3001, GE Color Effects
• Protocol converters
• Examples: Etherdongle (takes in E1.31, outputs PixelNet), E1.31-to-DMX/Renard bridges, etc.
CONTROLLERS
• Takes in information on a protocol bus and turns it into blinky-flashy
• Use microcontrollers
• PIC by Microchip
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Programmed in C or Assembly; flashed with PicKit
• Parallax Propeller
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Programmed using proprietary “Spin” language; flashed with “Prop Plug”
8 Cores
• Arduino
CONTROLLERS – AC
• Uses Solid-State Relays (SSRs)
• On-board: AC switching happens on the same board as the protocol processing
• Off-board: AC switching happens remotely – 5V signal connects SSRs to main board
• Fancy power-strip
• Examples include Renard SS (8, 16, 24), Renard 64, Lynx Freestyle, Lynx
Express, Helix, LOR
CONTROLLERS - DC
• May either switch a DC power source (using DC SSRs), or provide power
directly
• Commonly controls RGB floodlights, strips, or “dumb” RGB strings
• Examples include Renard4Flood, Ren48LSD, Renard 64, PixelNet Dumb String
Controller (DSC)
CONTROLLERS - PIXEL
• Takes input protocol and produces pixel protocols to control “smart” RGB
nodes
• Provides constant DC power, plus a “data” signal to tell individual nodes to set
RGB output levels (providing 256^3 = 16M color possibilities)
• Examples include PixelNet Smart String Controller (SSC), PixelNet Zeus,
SanDevices E68x series, J1SYS EthConGateway (ECG), RPM Pixel Bridge
CONTROLLERS – STAND-ALONE
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Some controllers can run the whole show
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No computer needed at showtime
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Theoretically could provide a more robust platform (Windows is not a real-time OS)
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Files (MP3, sequences) stored on removable media
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Just hook up other controllers, lights, and an FM transmitter, and you’re set
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Examples include Helix and EtherDongle with Conductor daughter board
LIGHTS!
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Incandescent
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AC LEDs
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1 channel per string
DC LEDs, including “dumb” strips/strings/floods
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1 channel per string
RGB strings typically use 3 channels per string
Pixels (“smart” strips, strings, modules)
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Typically use 3 channels per node, so a string of 50 would use 150 channels
TOPOLOGY
• How does it all connect together?
• It all depends!
• What protocols, controllers, lights are you using?
• Centralized versus decentralized
• Data and power connections
TOPOLOGY OF MY SHOW
RESOURCES
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www.doityourselfchristmas.com – General DIY lighting forum. Renard, Vixen, E68x, Audrino, HLS
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www.lightorama.com – Commercial (non-DIY) lighting control products
www.diylightanimation.com – Lynx, SmartStrings, Etherdongle, LSP, xLights
www.diyledexpress.com – Lots of LED-based products, boards, kits, enclosures
www.holidaycoro.com – Corrugated plastic props, DMX-based stuff, RGB
www.aliexpress.com/store/701799 - Ray Wu’s store – lots of RGB products, direct from China (message Ray
direct to get a combined shipping quote)
www.lightshowpro.com – Home of LSP
www.vixenlights.com – home of Vixen, including latest 3.0 releases
www.auschristmaslighting.com - Australian forum – lots of DC-based stuff (RGB, etc)
Don’t forget to check out the Wikis – most forums have one
QUESTIONS?
• [email protected]
• https://www.facebook.com/KonkolsChristmasLightShow