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How to use smart differential receivers with Falcon controllers
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2024
- In this video, I explain how to use smart differential receivers in your light show with falcon controllers. I show how to setup the software end, the hardware end, and then run a test with them. Coming soon, a new playlist of videos for beginners wanting to use pixels covering things from programing the lights, to setting them up. So stay tuned! Use the timecodes at the bottom of the description to skip to the part of the video you want to see.
Smart differential receivers from Pixel Controller: www.pixelcontr...
Smart differential receivers from Wired Watts: www.wiredwatts...
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
01:11 - What is a differential receivers?
02:54 - Closer look at the differential receivers
04:12 - Connecting the differential receivers to a controller
07:35 - What each switch does on the receivers
12:30 - Powering the receivers
15:14 - How to program the receivers on the board
25:07 - How to test the pixels with the receivers
28:45 - Finishing up
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For more information about the show, or to see it in person, visit our Facebook page at: / bridgeportsbrightestli...
Dude I'm 34 and have a degree in electrical engineering and this video was still very helpful as I just picked up two of these differential receivers. Great video!
You're welcome and thank you! I'm glad my videos were helpful!
Esp32 mcu boards will do the same or a teensy 4.1 wirh some Middleware for shifting array data in binary form. I don't have a degree though. Not meant to be a troll brother. An ee degree is on my bucket list.
Thanks. I was having trouble with the differential receivers and watching your video fixed it!
Thank you. For that ease explanation for the falcon differential receiver i been watching lot of videos about this but not body get close to you. To explain everything in one video. Great job. This video is what i need for doing permanent light around my house.
Thank you so glad I could help!
Thanks for making it easy to understand my dad and I just got these and are going to use them for our lightshow this season
Nice! Glad the video helped!
You just saved me from buying a completely new controller, before this I didn’t even know these existed 😁
Another great video, thank you for helping those of us just getting started. Your hard work shows through your video's. Great job my friend.
Love it! Keep up the good work! I learn lots from you.
I have 2 diff receivers I need to setup, and this video was super helpful. Thank you!
You're welcome, glad you found it useful!
Thank you great video.👏👏👍
You packed a lot of knowledge transfer in this video. Great detail and video!
Thank you so much! Glad you found it useful!
Never mind, you answered my question, thank you (LOL)
Great video, keep them coming!
Thanks! Very helpful!!
Signal integrity must have a pretty generous slew rate from 0 to vcc for shifting bits to keep things straight, the design looks iffy. Id like to see it scoped. Decoupling caps are cheap and so are single ic solutions. Wow.
Your doing a great job. Like the videos.
Thanks, glad you enjoy them!
Thanks for the tip on the serial output page. however, i fount that when using all 4 jacks on the SR, i had to select 1-4 to all be pixel data, . probably because i had all 4 jacks connected, where #3/#4 covered the jacks you have connected...
Thanks for this, very helpful! I am a bit confused though on what ports you lose when using receivers. You showed that you would no longer be using ports 1-4, however I've found some Falcon documentation that seems to contradict that. It states the following: "One can also be directly connected to a F16V2/F16V3 (This replaces outputs 13-16 and all DMX ports)." - Any ideas?
So I'm going to be honest, I'm not 100% sure since I haven't used receivers this way in a while. I do know that some information in this video is wrong and I plan on updating it sometime this year. If I recall correctly, there's a setting called the port index in the serial outputs tab you need to setup on the F16v3 for it to work. The mode for each of the 4 outputs on that page needs to be set to pixel data, and then the port index is set to whatever ports you want to go to the receiver instead of the controller. For example, if I wanted the receiver to be sent the data for pixel ports 1 through 4, I would set the port index to one for the first output on the serial outputs page, then 2 for the second, 3 for the 3rd, and then 4 for the 4th. This would now send any data that would be going out of pixel ports 1 through 4 to the receiver. However, if I wanted pixel ports 13 through 16 to go to the receiver, I would set the port index of the #1 output to port 13, the second output to port 14, 3rd to port 15, and 4th to port 16. Now ports 13-16 would be disabled but the data would go to the receiver. In this video, I showed only outputs 3 and 4 being set to pixel data, but that is not correct. All 4 of them should be set to pixel data. Did this help at all or are you still confused? I know I was really confused when I first learned about receivers so I completely understand 😂
Thanks for getting back with me I really appreciate it. will the star still do it's own sequence since it is at the connected at the end of the tree string. Thanks again.
It should as long as you program it correctly. You'll probably have to power inject since you have a lot of pictures on one port
Thank you for the helpful video! I understand when using a single differential receiver using the serial port, when you hit the blue plus sign, the first 4 ports on the controller are disabled and their data transfers instead to the differential receiver. When you hit the blue plus sign the 2nd time and see ports 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, does that mean that next 4 ports on the controller are disabled as well? So, ports 1-8 are disabled on the controller? Or, are the number of pixels just divided over the two differential receivers instead of just the one...and still only 4 disabled ports on the controller? Thanks again!
When it says 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a, those are all the ports on the 1st receiver. 1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b are all the ports on the 2nd receiver. All 8 of the ports will only disable 4 ports on the falcon, but you will have the max number of pixels split on the receivers. For example 1a and 1b will be split, so each can only have a max of 512 pixels. Same with the rest of the ports on the receivers. Hope this helps!
@@How2Pixel Thanks a ton!
Great explanation video. What box is that and what mounting kit for the HP Common Server PS?
I found it on a website called all things pixel. They sell the entire kit and hp power supplies there too.
Great video kid. Keep up
Thanks!
do you have a dip switch map for the new SRx1-PSU SmartReceiver??? thanks.
Sorry, but I do not. I haven't done a ton of research about any of the new receivers or the V4/V5 controllers. I only have an F16v3 and the older receivers, but I am considering getting an F16v5 this October when they start shipping out. Maybe ask on a forum like Falcon Christmas and someone can help you out there.
Nice Video!!!
Thanks!
Hey this helps out a lot but being new to all this , there is something maybe stupid i need to ask as i have no clue if I'm honest , each string off each receiver , how many can you add to each string , if you had a few sets on it they need power injection i get that , but how do you get the other power injection supply to come on the same ? , i see many using receivers with separate power supplies to them but how do you get these power supplies to come on the same time as the controllers ? .
So I'm not sure about how other people turn all their power supplies on, but I can tell you how I do it. I have 4 power supplies that all have extension cords that go to them. All the extension cords go into our garage and are hooked to a surge protector. That surge protector is then plugged into a smart plug that is on a schedule to turn on and off for the show. Now for the power injection part, you should use the power supply that the lights are plugged into for power injection. For example, lets say you have 200 lights plugged into a differential receiver, then that differential receiver is plugged into a power supply. You should use that same power supply to power inject your lights. You can even use other power supplies in your show, but then it gets more complicated. You'll have to cut the positive wire on your pixels between power injections so the power doesnt back feed into a different power supply. So I'd recommend just using the power supply the strand of lights are on to power inject that strand. I hope this helps!
@@How2Pixel This helps me understand so thanks for your time and effort getting back to me because unlike yourself and others it can get very confusing for beginners like myself but I understand a lot more of the process behind it now , keep up the good work .
I redid my layout and put 2 in the strands box. when I go to nodes layout it alternates blue, green. strings . For making it easier to connect is there a way to layout the tree so 1st have is all blue and the 2nd half is green.so the 1st 6 strings can connect together and go in 1 port and the 2nd 6 strings can connect together and go in port 2. Thanks
So now you should put 6 in the strands/strings setting, and set the nodes a string to have of how many pixels are in the tree and that should work.
Ok. What happens when in the serial drop down only gives the option of only DMX. No more . Just one option. Not 4
I'm sorry for the late reply, I didn't see your comment until just now. I honestly have no idea why only the dmx option would be there and my recommendation would be to ask that question of Falcon Christmas. There're a lot more experienced people there and I'm sure they'd be able to help you.
Great video. I've watched several on this topic and this was by far the most informative. I'm experiencing something weird. I have my my receiver configured, is shows up on my string port tab of my falconf16v3. 4 data led's light light up. When I connect a string of lights, it lights up automatically. Only a few lights or all but they are dim. This occurs weather the cat5 cable from the controller is connected or not
Is the receiver connected to the extra receiver port built into the f16v3? Or is it plugged into an expansion board? If it's the first one, you probably need to go to the serial outputs tab and set up that. You need to go under one of the 4 ports on that tab, set the mode to pixel data, and put the first channel of data sent to the receiver. For example, if the reciever is only for a tree and the tree's start channel is 1,000, put 1,000 into the start channel. The only problem is I don't know which output on that tab is for the receivers. I had a hard time setting it up myself. I recommend just setting them all to pixel data and the start channel. Now if you have the receiver on a differential expansion board, I don't really know what the problem could be. Hopefully this helps!
@@How2Pixel My set up has one expansion board connected to the extra receiver port. On the serial port tab all are set to pixel data, port index set #1-port 5, #2-port 6, ect. I'm using port 5a-8a and that is displayed on the port configuration tab. I have a 50 node string connected. port 5a shows the string on the port configuration tab, has a universe and node count from xlights. xlights shows the controller and the port is set to 5
Are you using the new blue receivers or the older white ones? One thing to check is if the terminator is on and it's set for the right mode. If you have a dumb receiver you don't need to worry about that but if you have a smart one then check the mode and terminator. Since it's just the one receiver the terminator should be on and it should be set for normal mode.
I'm using the blue boards. I'm fairly new and have a simple house outline and some props. After some head scratching, I was able to trace my problem to a bad power supply. First time I have experienced one. Now I know what to look for. Thanks so much for the follow ups. All is working well now gearing up for Halloween.
@@gregmartin5062 I'm glad you got it fixed and good luck on the show!
I got 12- 100 pixels strings and going 50 up and 50 down .To make 24 strands around the tree that I got set at 270 degrees .with a 90 pixels star. So could you tell me the best way to put it in the layout in xlights. I had a 800 pixels tree last year and ran it off of one port. but I'm stump this year. Thanks for your help.
If I remember correctly you said you have 2 ports with 800 pixels max. I would have 600 pixels, so half the tree, on one port. Then I'd put the other half first on the other port, then hook the star on the end of those 6 strings. So make sure to set the tree to 2 strands in xlights (aka setting it to use 2 ports)
Love the intro lol!
Thanks!
Cost ? This wouldn’t be a bad idea lol 😂
I'm not sure what you mean by cost. Do you mean just the differential receivers or a power supply and enclosure with the differential receivers? The differential receivers are usually $22 a peice, a power supply for them is $30 (you should need only 1, maybe 2 at max), and a enclosure is $25 for a total of $77. It does have benefits of using differential receivers instead of long lengths of wire such as you can test just the props on the receivers if you want to, and you need less data boosters.
Excellent explanation. Thank you. I bought one of these last year but next Christmas will be my first year using it.
Thanks! Good luck with your receivers!
So you can use the same power supply to multiple differential receivers? Thanks for the quality videos!
Yes you can. My box has 2 recievers on one.
@@How2Pixel Great! Thank you for the reply. I have watched numerous videos and have found yours to be the most helpful. Please keep tossing them out!
@@How2Pixel I really need a better understanding of how power injection works. From the connection to the power source.
I wish I had a video on it but I dont. It's a lot to explain, but this video helped me understand it so I recommend you check it out: ua-cam.com/video/bvN91XDH2V0/v-deo.html
is there a video on how to connect or chain a second controller to the main first controller, thanks
Sorry but I don't have a video about that. I'm sure there are other videos online that talk about that. I might be making a video like that though in a few months from now cause I may need to do this sort of setup for the display this year.
Thanks I got everything lined out in my layout with my 1290 pixels coming out of 2- ports 600 out of port 1 and 690 out of port 2.I'm running my pixels at 30% with the 2- ports about how many power injections do you think I need? Thanks again.
You're definitely going to need 3 power injections for each. One at the end and 2 in the middle. You may even need 3 in the middle but I think you should be ok 2.
I have a falcon pi hat with 2- ports that i think can handle 800 pixels. I got a tree with 1200 pixels , and a star with 90 pixels . when I look in the visualizer on xlights it shows 1200 on port 1 and 90 on port 2. Is there a way to put more pixels on port 2 ? Thanks a lot for your videos
I'm not the best at answering these types of questions since I can't see the problem, but my guess is you need to go into the layout of the tree and set 2 strands on it. That way you can have 600 pixels going to one port, and then the other 600 on port 2. Then you can hook you star onto the end of strand 1 or 2. Hopefully this helps!
My F16V3 uses ports 1-3 to power some 5V props and 9-15 for 12V props. If I added 3 smart receivers, would I be able to use them off ports 5-8 so I don't lose any of the 12V ports on the controller? and use them for 12V props? Thank you!
I'm assuming you'd be using the extra dmx output for the receivers built into the board, right? If so, you can go into the serial output tab in the controller, and set all 4 outputs to pixel data, then use the port index to select which ports you want the receiver to run on. This will allow you to choose any ports you want, so you don't mess up your other props. Hope this helps!
I also forgot to mention, yes you will be able to use 12-volt props as long as you have 12 volts going to the receiver.
@@How2Pixel this definitely helps, I really appreciate it. I have one more question. Considering the fact that both expansion boards and diff receivers force you to split the number of pixels each port can run, what options are available to increase not just the number of ports but also the number of pixels in your show? Just getting a second controller? To me it looks like the diff receivers get you closer to the props and increase the number of ports if you don't need to run many pixels per port. And expansion boards increase the number of ports. But neither gives you more ports AND more pixels. Thank you!
You are correct and neither do increase how many pixels you can use. They were meant to help reduce power injection and spread out all the pixels the board can use. Each port can run 1024 pixels (a little less if you use 40 FPS sequences) but that's impossible unless you power inject. Whereas if you have differential receivers or expansion boards, you can get access to all 1024 pixels (now spread across multiple ports) easier with less power injection. Now if you're looking to run more pixels, I'd recommend either getting a second controller or selling your controller and getting a new V4 from Falcon. The new V4s can run over 32,000 pixels (if you get an expansion board) instead of 16,000 with the V3. Now the only difference with the V4 is if you use an expansion board, you get more pixels instead of splitting them. So you could have 32 ports with 1024 pixels per port. If you expand it a 3rd time, however, then it splits the pixels to 704 per port with 48 ports. It will probably be hard to get your hands on a new controller though, because they are all sold out.
HI I enjoy watch your video, can you help me setup the F16V4 I can't get the output port on the F16V4 it only show port #1 but doesn't show all the other ports. How can I add port #2 to #16 pixel ports? F16V3 shows all 16 ports pixel output. Can you help me?
Thank you
I'm not 100% sure how the F16v4 works cause I don't have it, but it sounds like you haven't setup the channels correctly on the second port. Have you setup anything on that port?
👍🏽
Oh I forgot to tell you I got 12 volt pixels
Good video but most of the RJ-45 jacks are NOT Ethernet ports. The differential controllers do NOT have any Ethernet ports and the 3 black RJ-45's on your controller are also not Ethernet ports. Calling them Ethernet ports is incorrect and may confuse people and as you said, if someone plugs one of these ports into an actual Ethernet connection, they will probably damage something.
Sorry, I didn't know they weren't ethernet ports. Some information I read online said that they were, but I guess there not. I'll leave something in the description about it so people don't get confused. Thanks for pointing that out.