TP3244 Software

[Tabor]

Please update the firmware with this version as soon as you get your TP3244

Here is the software for the TP3244.
In the zip is the hex file to flash the PIC chips and the configuration program.

I will post a video to step through setting up a TP3244.

I will keep this post updated with the most current versions.

http://www.xmasinperth.com.au/TP3244/TP3244_V32.zip

[dmoore]

A few issues I've discovered:

* Does not appear to go over COM13 (I've plugged a lot of stuff into my computer)

* The Total Channels and the "DMX Channels used:"  used do not seem to update when you change "Number of Pixels".  Not sure if it should change or if I'm doing something wrong.

* If selecting "none" in the protocol - should it gray out the other information?  Was not sure if you needed to manually set number of pixels to 0 when setting "none".  In the output/debug window it seems to still send a start/end even when the mode is "none"

* This is really minor but the tab order is random

It would be wonderful if on another tab there was a test output with chase, all on and all off - maybe even a slider that could be pulled up and down the DMX range.  It would also be useful if the TP3244 could do some flashing sequence when it had successfully received an update (it appears you need to power cycle to get the new config?).

Question - does it really matter if you don't put the actual universe number in?  Is Universe only used for HyperDMX?

Thanks for all your hard work on this!

[Tabor]

Hello D

* Does not appear to go over COM13 (I've plugged a lot of stuff into my computer)
More can be added if needed, Com port is only for use with USB - dmx dongles

* The Total Channels and the "DMX Channels used:"  used do not seem to update when you change "Number of Pixels".  Not sure if it should change or if I'm doing something wrong.
Hit Enter to update counts. Could code on change event if I get time. Please be aware and before anyone else points it out, that is your channels overlap the the counts will be wrong. Again will be changed if I get time.

* If selecting "none" in the protocol - should it gray out the other information?  Was not sure if you needed to manually set number of pixels to 0 when setting "none".  In the output/debug window it seems to still send a start/end even when the mode is "none"
Just select None. Nothing else will grey out. You dont need to change any of the numbers, it will just blank out the pixels.

* This is really minor but the tab order is random
Yep David_AVD pointed this out to me, easy fix.

It would be wonderful if on another tab there was a test output with chase, all on and all off - maybe even a slider that could be pulled up and down the DMX range.  It would also be useful if the TP3244 could do some flashing sequence when it had successfully received an update (it appears you need to power cycle to get the new config?).
It would be wonderful and can be done, again the time factor. Please remember you can actually be running a sequence while updating the configuration. You will see the change instantly. Led 4 will flash for about half a second when the config is done. The TP does not need to be power cycled.

Question - does it really matter if you don't put the actual universe number in?  Is Universe only used for HyperDMX?
The universe number is used if you have the TP3244 connected to a different universe on the ECG. So for example if you have 4 TP's connected to a DR4, instead of changing cables you can just send the config to a different universe and the TP on that particular circuit will update.
Nothing to do with HyperDMX.

[David_AVD]

* Does not appear to go over COM13 (I've plugged a lot of stuff into my computer)

David, you can also change the virtual port port number in the Windows device manager.  I've done this before for older software that only supported COM1 ... COM4.

[Tabor]

When you receive you TP3244, please update the firmware to the latest version in the first post.

[dmoore]

In my testing I was unable to get a version 1 and version 2 Lynx dongle to program with the application, though when used with the ECG it seems to program just fine.  Can anyone else confirm this?

[dowdybrown]

In my testing I was unable to get a version 1 and version 2 Lynx dongle to program with the application, though when used with the ECG it seems to program just fine.  Can anyone else confirm this?

Doesn't work with my Lynx dongles either. I looked at what is being sent with a serial port monitor. I see two packets being sent. The first packet has a DMX start code of 0x91 and the second one has a start code of 0x00. I believe the Lynx dongle will only recognize the start code of 0x00.

Matt

[Tabor]

I have performed all my testing with an ECG and an RPM dongle.

If the Lynx dongle does not support alternate start codes then it will not work for setting the configuration.

I may need to add a jumper to force the TP to wait for a configuration packet.

[dowdybrown]

I have performed all my testing with an ECG and an RPM dongle.

If the Lynx dongle does not support alternate start codes then it will not work for setting the configuration.

I may need to add a jumper to force the TP to wait for a configuration packet.

Anything you can do to get it to work with the Lynx dongle would be greatly appreciated! Thanks,

Matt

[David_AVD]

The Lynx dongle is the problem.  Only the person who has the code for that (RJ) can fix it.

[dowdybrown]

The Lynx dongle is the problem.  Only the person who has the code for that (RJ) can fix it.

Just sent a PM to RJ requesting a fix.

[dowdybrown]

FYI - just checked and RPM is out of stock on dongles (boards and kits).

[Tabor]

Dont worry

I should have a different version of the firmware today some time.

[dowdybrown]

Dont worry

I should have a different version of the firmware today some time.

Who me? Worry?   

Seriously, thank you very much Tabor for your help!

Matt

[dowdybrown]

Can't get the 3244 to drive my pixel strips...

My boards are loaded with the 28 Nov firmware that Tabor uploaded earlier today. I took my boards over to David Moore's house to set the configs via his ECG. When the long strips that I will be putting on the house didn't respond, I took the controller inside. To eliminate points of confusion, I've now hooked a few spare pixels directly to output 1 of the board. The board powers on, the 1 sec heartbeat flashes, the DMX data led flashes rapidly, but my pixels just stay in their power on state, as if they are receiving no data. I am using 6803 based strips from Ray Wu and I've confirmed all pixels are working via test programs on an Arduino board.

I can't play with the 3244 configuration since the config program won't work with a Lynx dongle, which is all I have.

Any ideas?

Matt