Greetings All -
I've been a little quiet the last few weeks and months as I was working on many new things. In a perfect world they would all be done and shipping by now but we also had a very rough time with a supply line snafu for almost the entire month of August that put a major crimp in our plans.
Things are finally straightened out and product is flowing through the pipeline and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as things come out.
There has also been a realignment of the boards here at ACL and several iterations of those. We have moved all NEW discussion and announcements of our products to this subsection of community projects. It is not a perfect solution but is probably the best of many possible solutions. We are asking the moderators to lock the old EthConGateway section but leave it in place for historical value and search engine queries.
In the next few minutes I would like to inform you of the status of ALL of our projects. This is to educate you to our current stocking and expected release of products as it may effect any pending purchase decisions.
All information will be qualified, to the best of my ability, so you can make an educated decision based on the best information we have as of this moment.
------------------------------------------
The past .... Joshua 1 Systems introduced two major products last year and added one new one early this year. These are ongoing and supported products and their status is as follows:
--------
ECG-DMXRen8 - our first product
This is a sold as a kit of parts for a DIY oriented consumer to assemble an eight port E1.31 to DMX/Renard device. it is fairly large and uses through hole technology plus a pre-assembled Master controller plugged on top. Originally shipped with ECG-M24H as master. Now uses our ECG-M32MX as master. We will continue to support and sell this device but do not really recommend it for new purchases. We feel our other products are more cost effective and offer higher performance.
Status: Kits in stock. ECG-M32MX in stock. Need to finish ECG-M32MX release and ship as needed. Time to ship 1-2 weeks ARO.
--------
ECG-DR4 - the workhorse
After the success of our DMXRen8 we saw the need for a smaller mostly SMD version with 4 ports. This is an assembled and tested unit and was used in many displays last year. Still our primary product.
Status: In Stock. Shipping 1-2 days ARO.
--------
ECG-PIXAD8 - new in 2011
We saw the need for an E1.31 pixel solution and late this spring introduced the ECG-PIXAD8. Formally it is the ECG-M32MX/ECG-PIXAD8 since the M32MX is the master controller and the PIXAD8 is an adapter board for pixel use. It uses two SPI channels from the M32MX in a round robin mode to support a total of 8 strings of pixels. Support for 6803 and 2801 is fully functional. We are working on updates to include TM180x and expect it to be fully functional by the end of September. We introduced TFTP firmware updates with this product and expect to use it in all future products and retrofit it ASAP to our existing products.
Status: 1st production run sold out. 2nd production run completed and in route to us. Expected shipping 1-2 days ARO AFTER 9/20 arrival.
-----------------------------------
The now .... Today we are formally announcing three new products that should be in and out of production in 1-2 weeks.
--------
ECG-D4 - smaller form factor, a little cheaper
We have a baby brother to our ECG-DR4. The new ECG-D4. It is not a replacement to the DR4. They still remain in production and stock. The best way to describe it is by comparison.
Smaller: Same width, but 7cm deep vs 11cm deep for DR4, available with optional case
Includes TFTP updates today vs. future for DR4
Does NOT include DMX/Renard jumper blocks like DR4. We are providing optional DMX->Ren adapter cables (see below). Still supports Renard in software.
DIP switches have been moved to the rear panel for ease of setting without opening optional case.
Reset button added. On rear panel also.
USB-mini-B potential added. All new products have a USB-mini-B port. The chip we are using includes a USB controller and we copied the design from the evaluation board. BUT no software support for it at this time and it is possible that it may never occur or that we may have to make a field upgrade to the hardware to fix some design flaw. Our theory was to add the potential and see how it would be used. Maybe to help make updates and configuration easier for new users and maybe even a USB plugin for software to emulate some dongles. But for 25 cents for the connector and another hole in the case we couldn't resist the urge to add it.
Status: Prototype tested, test batch of 5 production units in FedEx to us now. 50 more production units done and waiting for approval of the 5 test units. If ECOs needed they will be made by the factory and then shipped ASAP. Expected 1-2 day shipping ARO AFTER 9/22.
--------
ECG-D8 - papa bear sized
We have a papa bear size unit to compare to our ECG-DR4. The new ECG-D8. It is not a replacement to the DR4. They still remain in production and stock. The best way to describe it is by comparison.
Same width, same 11cm depth as DR4, but with 8 ports!!
Includes TFTP updates today vs. future for DR4
Does NOT include DMX/Renard jumper blocks like DR4. We are providing optional DMX->Ren adapter cables (see below). Still supports Renard in software.
DIP switches have been moved to the rear panel for ease of setting without opening optional case.
Reset button added. On rear panel also.
USB-mini-B potential added. All new products have a USB-mini-B port. The chip we are using includes a USB controller and we copied the design from the evaluation board. BUT no software support for it at this time and it is possible that it may never occur or that we may have to make a field upgrade to the hardware to fix some design flaw. Our theory was to add the potential and see how it would be used. Maybe to help make updates and configuration easier for new users and maybe even a USB plugin for software to emulate some dongles. But for 25 cents for the connector and another hole in the case we couldn't resist the urge to add it.
Status: Prototype in final test, 50 bare board are waiting for production release. Expected 1-2 day shipping ARO AFTER October 1st.
--------
ECG-P12R - the new pixels
After the success of the PIXAD8 we thought about a rework of the design dedicated to pixels. We also wanted a more consumer friendly optional case that would make it appeal to a wider audience. The result is the ECG-P12R. It has all the features of the PIXAD8. The best description is by comparison.
P12R does the same round robin technique but now has 3 SPIs vs 2 SPIs on the PIXAD8. Each SPI supports 4 strings.
The P12R divides the 12 strings into two sets of 6 for power distribution vs the PIXAD8 two sets of 4. So for some very high current usages the PIXAD8 could still be best choice.
Approximately same size. P12R is a little smaller in width and depth but a just a little taller.
Optional case with front panel for P12R.
Same DIP switch rearrangement, reset switch, USB-mini-B as D4.
Status: Prototype in final testing. So far no snags. It is just a rework of PIXAD8 so no real new technology. Expect to rush a first production run through in the next 2 weeks and hope for shipping to commence by the end of September.
---------------------
The future .... very near we hope
We have samples of the DMX/Ren adapter cables in route. More info ASAP. It will be a 6in cable with a male RJ45 that is design to plug into a DMX port and a female RJ45 that will be the Renard standard. Expect to sell in sets of 4 for a reasonable price.
We are making up spare parts kits for PIXAD8/P12R that include extra plugs and fuse for easy field replacement.
You may have noticed the 'R' in the P12R. It was originally going to be just the P12. Over Labor Day weekend (Sep 3-5), while camping, we tested a software/hardware driven SPI controller solution that will work in Parallel to output all of the SPI signals simultaneously. Similar to some other products from other vendors this will include the restriction that groups of 4 strings must be configured for the same type of pixel string and SPI speed. This is a hot product. We are rushing a prototype through production and expect to rush an initial production run through by October 15th. Maybe too late for some people this year but we are still pushing for it. It will be known as the P12P and use the same form factor, power distribution board, case etc. and include all features of the P12R.
After some discussion in chat the other night we are rushing a SIMPLE 5V 1.5A solution for differential pixel string driver/receiver pairs that should allow 100+ feet between the PIXAD8/P12R/P12P and a SHORT (25?) string of 5V pixels. This will supply the power to the pixels. If you are willing to provide the power locally to the pixels the same boards can drive a pixel string of any length. We think this will help a lot of people as they finalize their pixel design for this year. RUSH, RUSH, RUSH and hope to announce VERY SOON!!! If the design is desirable we will also rush through a special P12PD that will include 12 differential drivers directly on the board!!!
----------------------
Well enough for now. I haven't mentioned pricing or shown any pictures of the parts I already have in hand. I will work on those today and post ASAP. I just needed to lay this banquet of information at your feet to assist some folks in making informed buying decisions.
-Ed
I've been a little quiet the last few weeks and months as I was working on many new things. In a perfect world they would all be done and shipping by now but we also had a very rough time with a supply line snafu for almost the entire month of August that put a major crimp in our plans.
Things are finally straightened out and product is flowing through the pipeline and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as things come out.
There has also been a realignment of the boards here at ACL and several iterations of those. We have moved all NEW discussion and announcements of our products to this subsection of community projects. It is not a perfect solution but is probably the best of many possible solutions. We are asking the moderators to lock the old EthConGateway section but leave it in place for historical value and search engine queries.
In the next few minutes I would like to inform you of the status of ALL of our projects. This is to educate you to our current stocking and expected release of products as it may effect any pending purchase decisions.
All information will be qualified, to the best of my ability, so you can make an educated decision based on the best information we have as of this moment.
------------------------------------------
The past .... Joshua 1 Systems introduced two major products last year and added one new one early this year. These are ongoing and supported products and their status is as follows:
--------
ECG-DMXRen8 - our first product
This is a sold as a kit of parts for a DIY oriented consumer to assemble an eight port E1.31 to DMX/Renard device. it is fairly large and uses through hole technology plus a pre-assembled Master controller plugged on top. Originally shipped with ECG-M24H as master. Now uses our ECG-M32MX as master. We will continue to support and sell this device but do not really recommend it for new purchases. We feel our other products are more cost effective and offer higher performance.
Status: Kits in stock. ECG-M32MX in stock. Need to finish ECG-M32MX release and ship as needed. Time to ship 1-2 weeks ARO.
--------
ECG-DR4 - the workhorse
After the success of our DMXRen8 we saw the need for a smaller mostly SMD version with 4 ports. This is an assembled and tested unit and was used in many displays last year. Still our primary product.
Status: In Stock. Shipping 1-2 days ARO.
--------
ECG-PIXAD8 - new in 2011
We saw the need for an E1.31 pixel solution and late this spring introduced the ECG-PIXAD8. Formally it is the ECG-M32MX/ECG-PIXAD8 since the M32MX is the master controller and the PIXAD8 is an adapter board for pixel use. It uses two SPI channels from the M32MX in a round robin mode to support a total of 8 strings of pixels. Support for 6803 and 2801 is fully functional. We are working on updates to include TM180x and expect it to be fully functional by the end of September. We introduced TFTP firmware updates with this product and expect to use it in all future products and retrofit it ASAP to our existing products.
Status: 1st production run sold out. 2nd production run completed and in route to us. Expected shipping 1-2 days ARO AFTER 9/20 arrival.
-----------------------------------
The now .... Today we are formally announcing three new products that should be in and out of production in 1-2 weeks.
--------
ECG-D4 - smaller form factor, a little cheaper
We have a baby brother to our ECG-DR4. The new ECG-D4. It is not a replacement to the DR4. They still remain in production and stock. The best way to describe it is by comparison.
Smaller: Same width, but 7cm deep vs 11cm deep for DR4, available with optional case
Includes TFTP updates today vs. future for DR4
Does NOT include DMX/Renard jumper blocks like DR4. We are providing optional DMX->Ren adapter cables (see below). Still supports Renard in software.
DIP switches have been moved to the rear panel for ease of setting without opening optional case.
Reset button added. On rear panel also.
USB-mini-B potential added. All new products have a USB-mini-B port. The chip we are using includes a USB controller and we copied the design from the evaluation board. BUT no software support for it at this time and it is possible that it may never occur or that we may have to make a field upgrade to the hardware to fix some design flaw. Our theory was to add the potential and see how it would be used. Maybe to help make updates and configuration easier for new users and maybe even a USB plugin for software to emulate some dongles. But for 25 cents for the connector and another hole in the case we couldn't resist the urge to add it.
Status: Prototype tested, test batch of 5 production units in FedEx to us now. 50 more production units done and waiting for approval of the 5 test units. If ECOs needed they will be made by the factory and then shipped ASAP. Expected 1-2 day shipping ARO AFTER 9/22.
--------
ECG-D8 - papa bear sized
We have a papa bear size unit to compare to our ECG-DR4. The new ECG-D8. It is not a replacement to the DR4. They still remain in production and stock. The best way to describe it is by comparison.
Same width, same 11cm depth as DR4, but with 8 ports!!
Includes TFTP updates today vs. future for DR4
Does NOT include DMX/Renard jumper blocks like DR4. We are providing optional DMX->Ren adapter cables (see below). Still supports Renard in software.
DIP switches have been moved to the rear panel for ease of setting without opening optional case.
Reset button added. On rear panel also.
USB-mini-B potential added. All new products have a USB-mini-B port. The chip we are using includes a USB controller and we copied the design from the evaluation board. BUT no software support for it at this time and it is possible that it may never occur or that we may have to make a field upgrade to the hardware to fix some design flaw. Our theory was to add the potential and see how it would be used. Maybe to help make updates and configuration easier for new users and maybe even a USB plugin for software to emulate some dongles. But for 25 cents for the connector and another hole in the case we couldn't resist the urge to add it.
Status: Prototype in final test, 50 bare board are waiting for production release. Expected 1-2 day shipping ARO AFTER October 1st.
--------
ECG-P12R - the new pixels
After the success of the PIXAD8 we thought about a rework of the design dedicated to pixels. We also wanted a more consumer friendly optional case that would make it appeal to a wider audience. The result is the ECG-P12R. It has all the features of the PIXAD8. The best description is by comparison.
P12R does the same round robin technique but now has 3 SPIs vs 2 SPIs on the PIXAD8. Each SPI supports 4 strings.
The P12R divides the 12 strings into two sets of 6 for power distribution vs the PIXAD8 two sets of 4. So for some very high current usages the PIXAD8 could still be best choice.
Approximately same size. P12R is a little smaller in width and depth but a just a little taller.
Optional case with front panel for P12R.
Same DIP switch rearrangement, reset switch, USB-mini-B as D4.
Status: Prototype in final testing. So far no snags. It is just a rework of PIXAD8 so no real new technology. Expect to rush a first production run through in the next 2 weeks and hope for shipping to commence by the end of September.
---------------------
The future .... very near we hope
We have samples of the DMX/Ren adapter cables in route. More info ASAP. It will be a 6in cable with a male RJ45 that is design to plug into a DMX port and a female RJ45 that will be the Renard standard. Expect to sell in sets of 4 for a reasonable price.
We are making up spare parts kits for PIXAD8/P12R that include extra plugs and fuse for easy field replacement.
You may have noticed the 'R' in the P12R. It was originally going to be just the P12. Over Labor Day weekend (Sep 3-5), while camping, we tested a software/hardware driven SPI controller solution that will work in Parallel to output all of the SPI signals simultaneously. Similar to some other products from other vendors this will include the restriction that groups of 4 strings must be configured for the same type of pixel string and SPI speed. This is a hot product. We are rushing a prototype through production and expect to rush an initial production run through by October 15th. Maybe too late for some people this year but we are still pushing for it. It will be known as the P12P and use the same form factor, power distribution board, case etc. and include all features of the P12R.
After some discussion in chat the other night we are rushing a SIMPLE 5V 1.5A solution for differential pixel string driver/receiver pairs that should allow 100+ feet between the PIXAD8/P12R/P12P and a SHORT (25?) string of 5V pixels. This will supply the power to the pixels. If you are willing to provide the power locally to the pixels the same boards can drive a pixel string of any length. We think this will help a lot of people as they finalize their pixel design for this year. RUSH, RUSH, RUSH and hope to announce VERY SOON!!! If the design is desirable we will also rush through a special P12PD that will include 12 differential drivers directly on the board!!!
----------------------
Well enough for now. I haven't mentioned pricing or shown any pictures of the parts I already have in hand. I will work on those today and post ASAP. I just needed to lay this banquet of information at your feet to assist some folks in making informed buying decisions.
-Ed
