Mixing LOR and pixels

[Cmotaval]

I have 2 dumb 16 channel LoR controllers and looking to add a pixel mega tree to my setup this year. Was wondering if the LOR Pixiel16 was the way to go or if I should use a DMX controller from another company. I am redoing all my sequences this year and haven't decided on which software yet.

 

[MikeKrebs]

My opinion is that you should get anything you can get RIGHT NOW. However, the controller should accept e1.31, artnet or ddp input over ethernet (my opinion). Some of the pixie products use a proprietary lor protocol using something like RS485 (LOR network).

Here is page of links to many related things (see pixel section in particular).

Links

For People New to Pixels / RGB Displays PLEASE read/watch these links, as it will likely answer most questions people have! Christmas Lighting 101 Manual (PDF) (FREE Registration required) Canispat…

www.sjlights.com

I've had good experience with wired watts (not paid by them nor an employee) and I like their web site especially their build a kit page. Unfortunately, it looks like they are out of stock on several things that complete the kits but it would give you a shopping list if you used the page.

Pay close attention to connectors as the pigtails, the extensions and the pixels need to be exactly the same connectors.

 

[Skymaster]

Mike has nailed it on the head, don't get stuck in the LoR ecosystem, the hobby will suck enough money from you; you wont want to be spending it on additional licensing and proprietary hardware.
For software, Look into (actually, no, just use) xLights- it's the software used by most people; and has a great online community support.

Can't comment on vendors to actually purchase from, being in Australia, however.
In no particular order, any controller from Falcon/PixelController, Advatek, Genius, iLightThat/Baldrick, would do you very well.

 

[uncledan]

I used LOR until I found ACL almost a decade ago now.. As others have said, think outside of the LOR universe . You'll regret buying a pixie in the future. xLights doest care what controller you use.

 

[merryoncherry]

What model is the LoR dumb 16-channel? You can probably run it from the DMX port on many controllers via xLights, so you wouldn't lose those if you decided to make the switch. Essentially you'd have a pixel controller for the megatree, that would pass the data to the LoRs also... but if you have a big investment in LoR sequences I can see why you might not want to take the leap at this time of year...

 

[ryanschristmaslights]

In the interest of keeping doors open to future expansion (because who could resist more pixels in future years?), I advise against the Light-O-Rama Pixie range, since they can only ever be used on a LOR (RS485) show network (except the smaller Pixie4, which can be used on a DMX (RS485) network). If you must choose something from the Light-O-Rama range, their Aurora Core E1.31 Controller has an Ethernet input. Outside of LOR there are other brands available (see Skymaster's post above).

Do know that you cannot (should not) connect any Ethernet controllers into your LOR show network, because RS485 and Ethernet are not compatible with each other. I run a mix of LOR (dumb) 16 channel controllers and E1.31 pixel controllers, with separate RS485 and Ethernet networks. In saying that, if the Ethernet pixel controller you choose has a DMX output on it then you have the option to run your 16 channel LOR controllers off of that DMX output (but you may need an adapter if the controller does not have a built-in jumper to change between DMX/LOR pinout).