Controllers
Intro
There are many different types of controllers used for RGB lighting effects. The most common fall into two different categories:
- Pixel Controllers
- Dumb RGB Controllers.
The different controllers also can be broken into categories based on the type of data communications protocols used to speak to them from the sequencing computer. The main categories of communications protocols are:
- Renard (using either RS232-serial or RS485)
- E1.31 (DMX over Ethernet)
- DMX A traditional stage lighting protocol
- Programs stored on SD memory cards
- Lightorama LOR compatable gear
When choosing a Pixel controller it is important that you confirm that your selection is compatible with you system design. Critical properties to consider include are:
- Communications Protocol (E1.31, Renard, DMX, LOR, Etc.)
- Pixel Voltage (5VDC vs 12VDC)
- Pixel Type (WS2801, WS2811, GECE, LOR, Etc.)
- Number of Pixels to be Controlled
- Number of Connectors and Number of Strings that can be Physically Connected
- Advanced Features
- Grouping (ability to treat multiple Pixels as one)
- RGB Ordering (ability to correct the physical RGB order to match the software sequence order)
- ZigZag (Ability to treat physical strings as multiple logical strings)
- Reverse order (ability to reorder the channels on a string so the most distant one is the first channel)
- Etc.
Generally you also need to add an Enclosure to the Pixel Controller to protect it from the weather. You will also need a Power Supply to power the Pixel Controller and Pixels. There are several ways to connect the Power wiring and there are also several types of Pixel Connectors that can be used to simplify the wiring.
Disclaimers
The standard disclaimers pertaining to the information contained on this wiki page are listed here.
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND IS NOT COMPLETE!!
These are selected Pixel Controllers and other devices from the various vendors with a mix of properties. Visit their sites for the latest information and to see their entire product catalog.
PLEASE CONFIRM ALL DETAILS WITH VENDOR BEFORE ORDERING!! ALL OF THIS DATA IS SUBJECT TO CONSTANT CHANGE AND MAY BE WRONG!!!
Pricing is in US $. Pricing is as of 1-29-13.
PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING, TAXES OR IMPORT DUTIES!
Shipping from overseas can be expensive, check with your vendor.
PIXEL CONTROLLERS
Renard Protocol (RS232 or RS485)to SPI (Pixel Communication)
Renard PX1 Pixel Controller Under development
E1.31 (Ethernet) to SPI (Pixel Communications)
These interfaces accept an E1.31 (Ethernet) input and typically drive one or more pixel strings.
SanDevices
(USA Based run by DIYC user jstjohnz)
E68X-to-DMX#Converter_Configuration
Default IP Address: 192.168.1.206
Model | Max Pixels | DMX Universes | Pixels Supported | Output Connectors | Max Channels | DMX Universes per Output | Image | Link | Price | Manual | Note |
E6804-4 | 2040 | 7Multicast / 12Unicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 4 Fused (1x4 Electrical, 4x1 Logical) | 6120 | Up to 12 | link | Assembled/Tested: $99, Full Kit: Price $69 Presale | Owner's Assembly | Size is 2.5" x 4", mounting holes on 2"x3" centers, compatible with CG series enclosures. Announcement | |
PS-1 | 1020 | 6Multicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 3060 | Up to 6 | link | Turnkey System: $399 | Owner's | Assembled E682 with power supply in an Enclosure | |
E682-12 | 2040 | 6Multicast / 12Unicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 6120 | Up to 12 | link | Assembled/Tested: $180, Full Kit: Price $109 | Owner's Assembly | To be released shortly | |
E682-6 | 1020 | 6Multicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 3060 | Up to 6 | link | Assembled/Tested: $180, Full Kit: Price $109 | Owner's Assembly | Original E682, Before Firmware Upgrade | |
E681-12 | 2040 | 6Multicast / 12Unicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 6120 | Up to 12 | link | No Longer Available | Owner's Assembly | Firmware To be released shortly, requires UP1 upgrade | |
E681-6 | 1020 | 6Multicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 3060 | Up to 6 | link | No Longer Available | Owner's Assembly | Original E681, with Firmware Upgrade and UP1 upgrade | |
E681-4 | 680 | 4Multicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 2040 | Up to 4 | link | No Longer Available | Owner's Assembly | Original E681, without Firmware Upgrade and without UP1 upgrade | |
E680-12 | 2040 | 6Multicast / 12Unicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 6120 | Up to 12 | link | Partial Kit: $19 (PC Board + EEPROM) needs additional parts to function | Owner's Assembly | To be released shortly, requires UP1 upgrade | |
E680-6 | 1020 | 6Multicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 3060 | Up to 6 | link | Partial Kit: $19 (PC Board + EEPROM) needs additional parts to function | Owner's Assembly | Original E680, with Firmware Upgrade and UP1 upgrade | |
E680-4 | 680 | 4Multicast | GECE, Native DMX, TM1804, 1903, WS2801, WS2811, TLS3001, CYT3005, LPD6803(+8bit), 8806, 9813, and others | 16 Fused (2x8 Electrical, 4x4 Logical) | 2040 | Up to 4 | link | Partial Kit: $19 (PC Board + EEPROM) needs additional parts to function | Owner's Assembly | Original E680, without Firmware Upgrade and without UP1 upgrade |
Joshua 1 Systems (J1SYS)
(USA Based run by DIYC user j1sys)
Default IP Address: 10.10.10.10
Model | Max Pixels | DMX Universes | Pixels Supported | Output Connectors | Max Channels | DMX Universes per Output | Image | Link | Price | Manual | Note |
ECG-P12R | 2040 | 12Unicast | LPD6803, WS2801, WS2811, TM180x, TLS3001 | 12 Fused (2x6 Electrical, 3x4 Logical) | 6120 | 1 | link | Assembled Board: $175 | Owner's Notes | ||
ECG-PIXAD8 | 1360 | 8Unicast | LPD6803, WS2801, WS2811, TM180x, TLS3001 | 8 Fused (2x4 Electrical, 2x4 Logical) | 4080 | 1 | link | Assembled Board: $155 | Owner's | ||
ECG-P2 | 1360 | 8Unicast | LPD6803, WS2801, WS2811, TM180x, TLS3001 | 2 Unfused (2x1 Electrical, 2x1 Logical) | 4080 | 4 | link | Assembled Board: $68, Assembled Board w/case: $77 | Owner's |
Stellascapes
(New Zealand Based run by DIYC user mrpackethead)
Model | Max Pixels | DMX Universes | Pixels Supported | Output Connectors | Max Channels | DMX Universes per Output | Image | Link | Price | Manual | Note |
E16-II Green | 672 | 6Unicast | Stella-green | 16 Fused (? Electrical, ? Logical) | 2016 | ? | link | Assembled Board: $1296 | 16 Character LCD Display for diagnostics and identification information. | ||
E16-II Commercial | 672 | 6Unicast | Stella-black | 16 Fused (? Electrical, ? Logical) | 2016 | ? | link | Assembled Board: $1995 | With power supply and 16 400mm "tails" with waterproof screw up connectors | ||
E16-II Pro | 672 | 6Unicast | Stella-black | 16 Fused (? Electrical, ? Logical) | 2016 | ? | link | Assembled Board: $?? | With power supply and Neutrik XLR, power and ethernet chasis connectors | ||
E2 | 170 | 1Unicast | Stella-black | 2 ? | 512 | ? | link | Assembled Board: $?? | With power supply,operates on low voltage DC (12-48V) |
DMX512 to SPI
These interfaces accept a DMX input and typically drive one or more pixel strings.
Joshua 1 Systems (J1SYS)
(USA Based run by DIYC user j1sys)
Model | Max Pixels | DMX Universes | Pixels Supported | Output Connectors | Max Channels | DMX Universes per Output | Image | Link | Price | Manual | Note |
DCG-P2 | 170/680* | 1DMX/*4HyperDMX | LPD6803, WS2801, WS2811, TM180x, TLS3001 | 2 Unfused (1x2 Electrical, 1x2 Logical) | 512DMX/*2048HyperDMX | 1 | link | Assembled Board: $53 | 2 Pixel Outputs share 1 DMX or 4 HyperDmx input channels | ||
uDCG-P2 | 170/680* | 1DMX/*4HyperDMX | LPD6803, WS2801, WS2811, TM180x, TLS3001 | 2 Unfused (1x2 Electrical, 1x2 Logical) | 512DMX/*2048HyperDMX | 1 | link | Assembled Board: $42, Assembled Board w/Case: $48 | 2 Pixel Outputs share 1 DMX or 4 HyperDmx input channels |
Ray Wu
(China Based)
- Mini protocol Decoder;DMX to WS2801,512 dmx address decoded Manual
- DD-100 series mini DMX protocol decoder;support WS2801 protocol control signal Manual
- LT-DMX-1809(WS2811) DMX Decoder;support WS2811,TM1804,TM1809,TM1812 driving IC;DC5V-24V input Manual
- LT-DMX-2801 DMX-SPI Decoder;support WS2801,WS2803 drving IC Manual
- LT-DMX-3001 DMX-SPI Decoder;support TLS3001, TLS3002 driving IC Manual
- LT-6803 DMX Decoder;DC5-24V input;LPD6803 specific protocol output signal;Max256 steps Manual
- LT-DMX-9813 DMX-SPI Decoder;support P9813 drving IC [Manual
- DD-1000 series DMX protocol decoder;support WS2801 IC;can decodering 512 address Manual
- DD-1000 series DMX protocol decoder;support LPD6803IC signal;can decodering 512 address Manual
HolidayCoro
(USA Based run by DIYC user dmoore)
DIYB
(USA based) Run by DIYC user charleskerr
Electron Design
(Israel based)
AVD
(Australia Based run by DIYC user David_AVD)
- Audio Visual Devices APC718 Single SPI (2801 / 6803) output
ACL
- TP3244 Pixel Driver 4 SPI (2801 / 6803) outputs
The Tiger Protocol Bridge (TigerPB) TP3212 is a small controller for use with RGB LED lights and LED strips that utilise driver chips like the 6803/2801/3005. These are the currently targeted protocols and it is possible that other 2-wire and single wire protocols could be supported with firmware upgrades. This will provide future proofing of your controller.
The initial release will accept a standard DMX512A data stream and provide control for 170 RGB Pixels (510ch). There will be dual buffered outputs that will allow you to split the 170 pixels into say 100/70 and run them in different directions and yet control them as a single 170 pixel string. Each dual buffered output will also allow for the parallel connection of the same number of pixels allowing for two strings to be used with the same patterns. If these are run in opposite directions they would provide for mirrored effects. Each of the Dual outputs will be able to drive different protocols if required.
If ran with ECG product line from http://www.j1sys.com you can use hyper-DMX and this controller can be expanded to running 4 Universe's off each controller.
More info to Follow and at this point this controller is no longer sold. It has been talked about coming back out. As the information comes in it will be updated. If you can get one used, they are still very nice units and work well.
More info at http://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/board,34.0.html
Onumen
- Onumen Controllers (note that the start address of the DPP controllers cannot be fixed)
RPM
(USA Based run by DIYC member RPM)
Stellascapes
(New Zealand Based run by DIYC user mrpackethead)
- T3: DMX512 - SPI Bridge
The T3 controller provides a bridge between DMX512 and 4 strings of RGB pixels.
More details at http://www.stellascapes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=62
SD Memory Card to SPI
Ray Wu
(China Based)
- SD LED pixel light controller;support2,3,4wire
- led controller for WS2801 IC dream color led flexible strip
- SD card-DMX compatible-intelligence controller for pixel RGB module,support CYT3005 IC.512 output gray scale;Max2048 pixels
- T-100K-B SD card led pixel controller;AC85-265V input
- T-200K online led pixel controller,can be controlled via PC;suppor many kinds of IC;8ports*512pixels=4096pixels
- T-300K;SD card led pixel controller;AC85-265V input;can control more than 6000pixels via PC,8 ports output
- T-1000A,LED sd card pixel controller,DC5-24V input
- T-1000B,led pixel controller,support WS2801,LPD6803,WS2811,TM1804,TM1809,LPD8806.Etc;max 2048pixels controlled
- T-1000S SD card led pixel controller,2012 new version
- T-1000Stand SD card led pixel controller,2012 new version;AC110V/220V input
- T-4000 LED SD card led pixel controller;can max control 4096 pixels
- T-8000C SD card led pixel controller;AC85-265V input
Light-O-Rama (LOR) to SPI
Light-O-Rama (LOR)
(USA Based)
PIXEL Extenders
Joshua 1 Systems (J1SYS)
(USA Based run by DIYC user j1sys)
- ECG-PPX
ECG-PPX is a combination of small adapter boards that can be used in conjunction with our pixel oriented products (PIXAD8, P12R, etc.) to extend the pixel signals over much longer distances. They should also work with most other brands of pixel drivers. The ECG-PPX system also will distribute a modest power envelope over the same cable for optionally powering the pixels without the need for local power supplies at the pixel strings. More details at http://www.j1sys.com/ecg-ppx/
- ECG-PPD-A – Powered Pixel Driver - 7VDC – 12VDC input range
- ECG-PPD-B – Powered Pixel Driver - 7VDC – 40VDC input range
- ECG-PPD-C – 4 Channel Powered Pixel Driver - 7VDC – 40VDC input range on Channel 1
- ECG-PPR-A – Multi-Mode Powered Pixel Receiver
- ECG-PPI-A – Powered Pixel Injector - 7VDC-40VDC Input, 5VDC 1.5A output
E1.31 Bridges and DMX Dongles
E1.31 (Ethernet) to DMX or Renard Output
DIYLEDEXPRESS
(USA Based run by DIYC user tjetzer)
Joshua 1 Systems (J1SYS)
(USA Based run by DIYC user j1sys)
RPM
(USA Based run by DIYC member RPM)
USB to DMX512 Output
USB DMX dongles are commonly used in conjunction with PC software to output a single universe (512 channels) of DMX.
- Audio Visual Devices or http://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/index.php/USB485RJ-ISO
- Enttec Open DMX USB
- Enttec DMX USB Pro
- RPM DIY USB to DMX Adaptor
- HolidayCoro ActiDongle - Active DMX Dongle (Enttec Pro Compatible)
- RJ's LYNX DMX DONGLE
FTDI drivers for dongles:
- FTDI VCP Drivers
- Install Guides for FTDI Drivers
- Updating a FTDI dongle's EEPROM
- USB2DMX (which also goes by the name Yet Another DMX Adapter, or YADA)
Dumb RGB DC Controllers Feature Comparisons
Manufacturer | Model | Pre-built | DC Voltage | Channels | Channel Current | Total Current | Protocol(s) | Total Price | Per Ch Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Light-O-Rama | CMB16D | Yes | 5V - 60V | 16 | 4A | 20A per 8 Ch | LOR, DMX | $119.95 | $7.49 |
Light-O-Rama | CMB16D-QC | Yes | 5V - 60V | 16 | 4A | 20A per 8 Ch | LOR, DMX | $99.95 | $6.24 |
TigerDMX | TigerDMX48 | Yes | 9V - 55V | 48 | 2.5A | 30A per 24 Ch | DMX | $145.00 | $3.02 |
TigerDMX | TigerDMX120LC | Yes | 12V - 36V | 120 | 100mA | DMX | $125.00 | $1.04 | |
AVD | DC48 | Yes | 12V - 36V | 48 | 2A | 20A per 24 Ch | DMX | $199.00 | $4.15 |
AVD | DC24 | Yes | 12V - 36V | 24 | 2A | 15A per 12 Ch | DMX | $129.00 | $5.38 |
Audiolight Intl | HD-714 [1] [2] | Yes | 12V - 24V | 3 | 2A | 6A | DMX | $8.95 | $2.98 |
Audiolight Intl | HD-712 [3] [4] | Yes | 12V - 24V | 27 | 1A | 15A | DMX | $44.21 | $1.64 |
Leynew | LN-DMXMODEL-3CH-LV12 Bare Leads CAT5 Input [5] | Yes | 12V | 3 | 2A | 6A | DMX | $7.49 | $2.49 |
EUChips | PX24506 | Yes | 12V - 24V | 3 | 3A | 9A | DMX | $22.32 | $7.44 |
wjohn | DMX3 | No | 9-35vdc | 3 | 2A per Chn | up to 6A | DMX | $9.00 | $3.00 |
wjohn | DMX16DCSSR | No | 12-24vdc | 16 | 2A per Chn | up to 10A | DMX | $48.00 | $3.00 |
wjohn | REN64 | No | 9-35vdc | 64 | 2A per Chn | up to 7A per SSR | RS232/485, DMX | $67.50 | $1.05 |
Renard | Ren48LSD | No | 5,9-24vdc | 48 | 400mA | 9.6A x 2 | RS232/485, DMX | $44.66 | $0.93 |
Related Links
Different Styles of Pixels
Pixel Wiring Colors
Dumb RGB or Intelligent Pixels??
Things You Will Need To Get Started With Pixels
Power Supplies
Pixel Connectors
Choosing a Pixel Voltage: 5V vs 12V
Power Injection
Waterproofing Pixels
Null Pixels
E1.31 Network Setup and Configuration