stubborn matrix

C

Cygnusyyc

New elf
Joined
Jun 27, 2025
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22
Hello,
Genius pro 16, using a 50 x 100 pixel matrix, 5 channels, 5000 pixels total. So far I've had it about 50 / 50 right side up vs upside down. I know this is a pretty basic thing, but my matrix seems to have a mind of it's own.
I've tried moving the starting location in the layout tab a million times. It should be Top right, but no... Cycled through Top left, Bottom left and right, saved each time, still upside down.
Even attempted to change direction, vertical vs horizontal, changes nothing. I finally decided "if you can't beat em, join em" and I rotated my images and re-loaded everything to the faces tab upside down. Patting myself on the back for my genius was short lived however, the images still appear upside down. It works great except for the upside down part.
Aaaaaaaaaaggghhhhh.....
Any Ideas fellas?

Thanks in advance,

Cyg.
 
First thought is "be careful". The controller may be able to do 1000 pixels per output but there's only enough time for about 800 pixels to get data at 40 fps. If you're happy running 25fps sequences then that fine. If you want 40fps sequences then you're going to have to use more outputs.
After you do the layout changes are you doing a "render all"?
Can you post screenshots of your matrix settings? A picture showing the way in which your matrix is wired may help as well.
 
Wow. Well that was simple. Lesson learned, thank you both so much!
Your additional thoughts about only using 5 channels for 5000 pixels explains much. You are correct saying it will work, but I had wondered about the choppyness of the image, only being 25 fps explains a lot. This weekend I'll add 2 additional channels, that will put it at 714 per. Hopefully that will boost the fps level.
Thanks again for taking the time for us learning types.
Cyg.
 
With regard to choppiness...
1. Players (FPP, xSchedule) tend to be much better than "output to lights" from xLights, so before getting too excited try with your real show player.
2. Yes, there's a theoretical limit, 700-800 per port is going to allow 40FPS on many controllers
3. Genius is, unfortunately, not one of those controllers. (Barring a miraculous, late-breaking firmware release.)
4. Any network or other issues will keep it from doing its best, check the controller screens to make sure it is seeing all the frames and no errors
 
I just built a 50 x 100 matrix this year. I’m using a falcon f16 and using all 16 ports. Working great! And yes, works better from the fpp versus the output to lights. Another bit of advice….. watching it outside from a distance is WAY different than testing it in your basement! I know it sounds obvious but effects that did not look good in the basement look great outside! Best of luck!
 
I was about to post that 2 additional channels bringing my total to 7 ports for 5000 lights @ 714 per But I now realize that's not gonna divide well (therefore impossible). I'm realizing the only way this is gonna work out is with an additional 5 channels, bringing me to 10 @ 500 each. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it working out evenly is a MUST. Unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean about using all 16 ports for a 5000 light matrix. Do you mean 10 ports for the matrix, 6 more for the rest of your show? That makes sense to me, or have I missed something again? Absolutely agree about viewing it from a distance, night and day for me. Sharp and clear.
 
Working out evenly is not a MUST, just slightly more advanced, so it's about how much new stuff you want to learn.

You have to use a custom model, which can be obtained by taking your matrix, exporting it as a custom model, then importing the custom model in place of the original. The custom model allows you to set any start points you'd like. Or use 10 ports of 500 for simplicity... that'll work nicely too. You can always get more controllers when you run out of ports :-D
 
Well, gee I wish I hadn't messed with this. Had everything working great with 5 channels going to my matrix, 4 others to the remainder of my show. Decided that Ahh was right, I should increase my channels to my matrix to be realistic about the number of pixels I was asking my Genius pro 16 to get data. @ 5 channels it was 1000 pixels. Working sure, but at 25 fps if I was lucky. So, I added another 5 channels, so now 10 @ 500 pixels each, hoping for 40 fps.
Adjusted all my data, re-sorted models positions when I visualize, life is good. Go to controller output and test features. Make sure everything is re-configured there correctly. Run all the test patterns even on pure white. All good, everything as bright as can be. Its like daytime on my lawn. Launch x-lights, now Matrix is only half lit on the bottom 5 channels (which makes no sense as that's half the old channels and half new) but the top is black. The bottom is garbled to boot.
Yes, I'm rendering all every time I change anything, alas, it's giving me the proverbial middle finger. So I'm left with I didn't tick or bop something correctly and although I'm loth to admit it, my patience has run thin.
Sorry fellas, guess I'm not as smart as I thought I was.
Ideas?
 
It will be something simple ... You did upload to controller? Did you check the DDP start channel is right - somehow that is a common point of disagreement between the genius and xLights, depending on the versions of each...
 
I have no doubt it's something simple. To be honest I haven't tried uploading controller. I'll let you know, a thousand thankyous.
 
Whoa... this is new. Couldn't upload to controller, so shut down x-lights, re-opened it and my order for channels/models placement is all over the map.
Yikes.
Obviously this is the problem. No clue why it didn't appear before. Thanks for the uploading controller suggestion, may never have seen this otherwise. Once again, Cyg feels hopefull this will solve things.
Thanks.
 
Are you letting xLights manage everything? Everything meaning that, once you set the number of strings/ports, assign controller ports (possibly with the help of the visualizer), then let xLights upload all that to the controller? This workflow is very easy (as long as you do all the simple steps - upload, render all, save) and works well with your controller (and most of the others).
 
Well, it's close. After re-sorting start channels in both the controller and x-lights, making sure the output channels are correct, then using the visualizer to make sure it's correct I uploaded the controller. Yay, it's working. However... When I run the show, the matrix image now has a side/side issue. I'm pretty sure I understand the problem, but not sure how to fix it. Prior to this, the matrix was 50 x 100 (4 x 8 feet) all being fed from LHS looking from the rear.
5 feeds of 1000 pixels each. All 5 feeds down the lh side. Image on matrix perfect form and size.

Now, the matrix is being fed by 10 channels, Odd #'s down the left, Evens on the right. 1-500 Left, 501-1000 Right, 1001 Left etc.
The image looks like it's being pulled side/side. First channel, image goes left, 2nd, right, 3rd, back left etc.
Since I know the image is fine, it's obviously the sizing on the matrix.

Sizing of images/matrix is my Kryptonite. If I go to layout tab, click on my matrix, 10 strings, 500 Nodes/string, 5 Strands/string.
Screenshot attached.
It's something small, stupid and I'm gonna kick myself when I find it.
Ideas?
 

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Well... the xLights matrix model doesn't allow this setup (with half the connections on the left and the other half on the right).
What you'd do is:
1. Go set the matrix back how it was, 5 strings of 1000, 10 strands/string.
2. Export this as a custom model
3. Import that custom model
4. Replace a model with this model, to put the custom model in place of the matrix.
5. Change the number of strings on the custom model to 10.

This should break up your original wiring in more places, which is what you want.
 
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