Beginner Question on different controllers and differential receivers

[Bhrudwo]

Beginner Question on different controllers and differential receivers

• Can you mix differential receivers from a single controller board?
  • e.g. falcon board with a falcon smart receiver and a kulp receiver
  • Or do they have to be brand to brand differential?
• Benefits of a differential setup out to a separate enclosure (smart receiver with separate power supply) over running a controller and power supply in the enclosure?
  • Both setups would need comms (ethernet cable) and power run to the enclosure, so I am not understanding what one has over the other. Are differential receivers cheaper than a similar port controller board?
• Are Falcon and Baldrick the only locally available controllers?
  • Wanting to go local for my first one or two controllers, and other bits, so I can source and talk locally

Cheers

 

[tooms]

Generally, Falcon receivers work with Kulp controllers, I dont believe Daniel Kulp makes any receiver boards himself, as for alphapix or expeirence lights type brands, I've never tried.

I've moved away from differential receivers and over to smaller controllers, it uses the same cabling anyway, I guess it just comes down to preference, both require a power supply and an ethernet cable.

Advatek Pixlites are local also, albeit not seen much anymore because of the price and I think they're focusing more on commercial displays, Alan Hanson sells some of his own built and designed controllers (hansonelectronics), along with the Baldrick boards

 

[Katekate]

Beginner Question on different controllers and differential receivers

• Can you mix differential receivers from a single controller board?
  • e.g. falcon board with a falcon smart receiver and a kulp receiver
  • Or do they have to be brand to brand differential?

Kulp receivers are made by Falcon.

The original "dumb" receiver protocol is all the same.

Falcon and Kulp have different protocols for Smart receivers, but the newer receivers support both.

• Benefits of a differential setup out to a separate enclosure (smart receiver with separate power supply) over running a controller and power supply in the enclosure?
  • Both setups would need comms (ethernet cable) and power run to the enclosure, so I am not understanding what one has over the other. Are differential receivers cheaper than a similar port controller board?

Yeah it used to make sense when the controller smarts were the expensive part, but there is quite a few cheaper options these days. Baldrick 8 was somewhat intended as an alternative to smart receivers. Just another place in the hobby where there is multiple correct answers.

• Are Falcon and Baldrick the only locally available controllers?
  • Wanting to go local for my first one or two controllers, and other bits, so I can source and talk locally

Cheers

You can get Falcons from aus.pixelcontroller.com

You can get Baldricks from Hanson Electronics.

Alan Hanson also has his own controllers.

If you want a Kulp or Genius you will have to order from the US.

 

[tterbo_1988]

I can’t talk to falcon controllers. I decided to do a show in September. I have a Baldrick 8 and 17 they haven’t skipped a beat and have been really easy to set up.

I have a Raspberry pi running FPP (falcon pi player) the Pi is connected to my home network via wifi. The pi is then plugged into a network switch via an Ethernet cable. I then have my two controllers plugged into the switch. I haven’t had any issues with them for my first season.

I have planned another baldrick 17 for the mega tree next year.

I have found Greg’s videos really good.

Greg Macaree

Instructional and information videos about Christmas / Holiday Lighting..

youtube.com

 

[Indigogyre]

I have to agree with @tooms about moving away from the receivers to small controllers, Baldric 8s to be precise. I feel they are giving more expandability and adaptability with the smaller controllers. They are isolated so are not attached to a large controller that might fail and take down the receivers with it. They offer twice as many ports for HD props. You do not need to worry about balancing ports across receivers.

I've added three Baldrix8s to replace receivers and plan to replace my last receivers next year.

 

[merryoncherry]

+1, got rid of all smart receivers in favor of 8- or 16-port controllers and it made my life better. Still have some dumb receiver boxes that were customized for the power and port needs of specific props. Those receivers are very easy to use, compatible across all controllers (though Hinks / Alphapix peeps will need to swap 2 wires, a convenient place is in the bulkhead connector).