p12s now able to do 24 universes!!!

Benslights

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ok did you do the master and the 2 slave chips?? if you only did the master then that is the issue
 

Baf05

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Did both, I think my issue has been trying to run too many pixels, I found some over run errors today. I was hoping to be able to run 332per output and use all 12 outputs, but that seems to be an issue for the chips.... still playing, but I do believe I am using 3.4b.

This is an issue as I was hoping to use the P12S to run my megatree, but it seems that it wont run the number of pixels I would like..... might be looking at a falcon with a 4 port differential receiver....
 

lithgowlights

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It will run 340 on every output with no problems - I tested that here 3.4b and have no issues, but I am running 2801 chips and that may be the issue.
 

Baf05

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yes I think it will run 2801 with no issues, but 2811s cause a problem. ....

Update to read me file

With ASIC_p12s_v3.4b code we removes the WS281x limit. You can now do 2x FULL universes per string. So please ignore those details below about its limitations

16 Dec 2014

This is a limited release update for P12S products. It adds a simple/limited dual universe option for all 12 strings.

Current limitations:

Only WS2801 and WS281x fully tested. Others may work.

Approx. 240 pixels per string (total 2880) for WS281x. This limit is a buffer space problem that we are working on. Individual strings can do 340 pixels (2x 170) but the total mix can’t exceed about 2880 pixels. The actual limit is a double buffering space limitation on the ASICs. So each ASIC can only handle about 1440 WS281x pixels. There is no limit for WS2801, LPD6803.

that's from the read me file, which would seem to suggest that it can now run 2811s fully too, on 3.4b, but I seem to be running into issues. I have it doing 2 universes which is what I wanted, now I need to figure out the max pixels I can run. I am happy with where it is for now, but will come back to it next week to try and find the limit.
 

Benslights

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anyone running 2811 340 pixels of one output so we know for a fact that is works as i only have enough 2801 that i have tested on it
 

Baf05

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I have run 340 from one output and had it work, however as soon as you load it up full there is an issue. I think I can get four outputs full and leave to empty and it will work.

I will do some more testing during the week
 

Baf05

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This board has now officially p'd me off! 2 universe per my butt.

I have built some new props, 300 pixels each, and there are 5 of them, the board will run the first 4 but not the 5th. I have set the board to 150pixels per output.

Best I can do so far is run 150pixels on the first universe of the 5th prop, setting the second universe to 1pixel.... That's not even the same number of pixels the board can run of 12 outputs of 1 universe!

Looks like I will be building that falcon and moving away from this sooner that I expected.

Seems under 3.4b you can still only run 1350 pixels over the whole board. I am sure, no I am positive I ran more than this over 12 output last year. so this is in fact a regression...

Is anyone still in contact with Ed? I don't blame him for moving away from Christmas light stuff, I do wish he would still support his products.
 
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Baf05

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NEWS!!! I got an email from Ed. He is still supporting his existing units! According to his email he is working on some new improved products, (no mention if that is Christmas light related) and then plans to revisit software upgrades for existing units! (no mention of a time frame).

Hopefully sometime soon (ish) we will have some news, I would really love to be able to still use my P12's in my display!
 

lithgowlights

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Well I am running a mega tree of 8 outputs, each of 252 pixels, plus an additional 50 pixels on the 9th, totalling 2066 pixels, but they are all 2801's, not 2811's, so that is likely where the issue lies. As for Ed, I really hope that he is supporting the existing units, but I got the same email in january LAST year, new firmware in a month or so etc etc....
 
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