Bluetooth Vixen to Arduino?
- Thread starter Tlcinc
- Start date
StickyWicket
Supporting Member
I don’t think what you are trying to do will work. I could be wrong, but I don’t believe Vixen will work with Bluetooth.
joeytx
Supporting Member
You can Google "Bluetooth serial transparent transmission". You would need a transmitter and a receiver. But the real question is what is to be achieved; Bluetooth is designed for 1o meter transmission (you can get cables that long). You would be better off looking at an ESP8266 over WiFi, just my opinion.
josephkoen
New member
I used FPP last year to control some bluetooth lights for a Bluetooth Light Show last year. This might help.
dirknerkle
Supporting Member
If you use an external USB-bluetooth adapter, it *might* work with vixen via the serial port..... I'm just guessing here but that's how XBee worked.
Upon reading this request, a question comes to mind...
Most of us know about lag within the Bluetooth stream (the reason why you should not use Bluetooth headphones to sequence) that is OK when just listening to music and not trying to sync sound to actions. What kind of problems would be noticed if used to send synced signals to a light string(s)?
Most of us know about lag within the Bluetooth stream (the reason why you should not use Bluetooth headphones to sequence) that is OK when just listening to music and not trying to sync sound to actions. What kind of problems would be noticed if used to send synced signals to a light string(s)?
josephkoen
New member
I have 8 BLE lights in my show. It works pretty well, there are definitely some lags, and if I try adding more lights it becomes noticeable.Here is my Halloween 2024 show. Sorry there is no sound, it is copyright material. The only time I really run into issues is trying to fade out and change colors. But the strobe effect works well.
ErnieHorning
Supporting Member
I wonder why the lag is so prominent in Bluetooth. It's in the same frequency band as 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi. 
So far, the only thing that I can attest to is the variable speed used to develop the stream (on the fly) in the Bluetooth world. The same holds true for some music formats that do not use a set frequency.I wonder why the lag is so prominent in Bluetooth. It's in the same frequency band as 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi.
ErnieHorning
Supporting Member
A bit of investigation... Your bluetooth needs to be version 5.3 or newer.
I have Kvidio wireless headphones model WH201A, currently $18.84 on Amazon.
A slick latency test on YouTube will help you to determine the delay. Mine is about 50mS. These headphones also have a wired connection if you feel you can see the delay.
I have Kvidio wireless headphones model WH201A, currently $18.84 on Amazon.
A slick latency test on YouTube will help you to determine the delay. Mine is about 50mS. These headphones also have a wired connection if you feel you can see the delay.
I need to fess up on this one. I have two different JBL headsets (one at each desk, upstairs and down) that I love to listen to music with. Great bass, highs are crisp and all the frequencies between are as we used to say "sweet". After 50 years providing sound in many different forms (MC, DJ, "sound man for too many concerts", it is nice to hear the nuances without being tied to the computer. (i.e., moving around the house).
Unfortunately, I was a slow learner when it came time to sequence. I won't say how long it was, but after answering the question of "is the music out of sync" too many times, I discovered the use of that cable they send along with the headphones. Since then, everyone seems to be "happy!"
I can see where these bluetooth controlled lights would be a good thing for those just running them. To get them to sync with the music sequences we do, I don't know.
Just a few thoughts of an "old" guy.
Unfortunately, I was a slow learner when it came time to sequence. I won't say how long it was, but after answering the question of "is the music out of sync" too many times, I discovered the use of that cable they send along with the headphones. Since then, everyone seems to be "happy!"
I can see where these bluetooth controlled lights would be a good thing for those just running them. To get them to sync with the music sequences we do, I don't know.
Just a few thoughts of an "old" guy.