Here you will find information about the different options available to control your Light-O-Rama light show.
First, let us define some terms to ensure we are communicating at the same level.
A '''LOR Animation''' is a programmed sequence of events that LOR controllers will respond to over a defined time period. The sequence specifies which channels on one, or more, LOR controllers will be active and what the effect will be, eg: On, Off, Shimmer, Twinkle, etc. LOR Animations do not have any form of audio soundtrack associated with them.
A '''LOR Musical Sequence''' is similar to a LOR Animation, however the duration of the sequence is based on some form of audio soundtrack and the sequence is normally synchronised to the music or sound for visitors to listen to.
In both situations the sequence is prepared through the use of the LOR Sequence Editor software on a MS Windows based computer.
==Starting and Stopping a Show==
There are several ways to start and stop shows.
===Scheduled Shows===
Most people start and stop their show at a specific time. For example their show may be set to start at 9:00PM and set to stop at 11:00PM. Depending on which option, below, is chosen this may be achieved using the Light-O-Rama Show Scheduler software, utilising the show computer's on-board clock, or it may use something like a Kambrook Timer to physically switch power on / off to some of the equipment.
===Trigger Based Shows===
[[Image:LorTrigger.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Trigger]]Trigger based shows are relatively new to LOR, but are based on some sort of switch being activated before the show starts, stops, or even changes the way the show behaves.
Trigger switches can comprise motion detectors, push buttons, light beam breakers, remote control systems, or any other type of device that can be switched.
==Running a Light-O-Rama Show==
===Option 1 - Storing a Sequence on an LOR controller===
The CTB16DWHS, CMB16D and CMB16D-QC controllers contain a small amount of on-board memory that can store a relatively simple LOR Animation. The sequence can be set to play by applying power to the controller or through an external trigger (eg: push button, motion sensor, etc). The controllers can only store LOR Animations and do not support storage of LOR Musical Sequences.
* Pros: Operates independently of any computer system.
* Cons: Only supports relatively simple LOR Animations.
===Option 2 - Running a Show from a computer===
[[Image:LorScheduleEditor.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Schedule Editor]]The LOR suite of software includes 2 pieces of software to allow a show to be run from a computer. The LOR Show Editor allows one or more sequences (both Animations and Musical Sequences) to be selected for inclusion in a Show. The Show Editor specifies the order that the sequences will be played in, as well as specifying start-up and shut-down sequences. The LOR Show Editor allows multiple Shows to be created containing different sequences, therefore it is possible to have a Show defined for use on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and another Show, containing different sequences, for other nights.
The LOR Schedule Editor specifies the start and finish times for a Show to be played as well as the days that the Show will run on. Some people have successfully integrated video clips into their sequences and project them using a data projector in synch with their lights. Other users have used their computer to send [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Data_System RDS] information to their radio transmitter containing information such as the name of the music and artist currently playing.
* Pros: No extra cost as it is included in the LOR suite of software. Easy to change a Show or Schedule on the fly.
* Cons: The computer must always be on at Show time. The computer must be connected to the rest of the network through cables or an Easy Light Linker. If LOR Musical Sequences are included in the Show then the audio from the computer must be audible to the visitors.
===Option 3 - Running a show from a LOR Mini Director with MP3 Player===
(http://store.lightorama.com/midiwimp3pl.html)
[[Image:LorMiniDirector.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Mini Editor]]The LOR Mini Director with MP3 Player is a little black box that plugs anywhere into an LOR network via CAT5 cables. Up to 9 unique Shows (containing LOR Animations and LOR Musical Sequences) can be configured, through the LOR Hardware Utility (that comes with the LOR suite of
software) and are stored on a SD Memory Card. The Mini Director can be configured to play a Show when power is applied to the unit (either physically or via something like a Kambrook timer) or through one of three trigger inputs. The Mini Director comes fitted with a 3.5mm stereo phono connector that can be plugged into a sound system or some radio transmitters for visitors to listen to.
* Pros: Cheapest of the LOR Director products. Self contained unit in a box. Once programmed can operate independently of a computer. Can be placed anywhere in a LOR network.
* Cons: Requires an external method to start a Show (eg: power on, or externally triggered event). Currently does not support video or RDS transmission.
===Option 4 - Running a show from a LOR MP3 Show Director===
(http://store.lightorama.com/dicawimp3pl.html):
[[Image:LorMP3ShowDirector.jpg|225px|right|thumb|MP3 Show Editor]]The MP3 Show Director is the big brother to the Mini Director. The main differences are that it comes as a fully assembled printed circuit board, requiring an enclosure, it can support up to 6 triggered inputs and it has an on-board clock. When configuring up to 9 shows, through the LOR Hardware Utility, each Show can be configured to start / finish at specific times on selected days using the on-board clock.
* Pros: Can support up to 6 triggered events. On-board clock can be used for scheduling of Shows. Once programmed can operate independently of a computer. Very reliable. Can be placed anywhere in a LOR network.
* Cons: Most expensive of the LOR Director products. Requires some form of enclosure. Currently does not support video or RDS transmission.
[[Category:Light-O-Rama]]
First, let us define some terms to ensure we are communicating at the same level.
A '''LOR Animation''' is a programmed sequence of events that LOR controllers will respond to over a defined time period. The sequence specifies which channels on one, or more, LOR controllers will be active and what the effect will be, eg: On, Off, Shimmer, Twinkle, etc. LOR Animations do not have any form of audio soundtrack associated with them.
A '''LOR Musical Sequence''' is similar to a LOR Animation, however the duration of the sequence is based on some form of audio soundtrack and the sequence is normally synchronised to the music or sound for visitors to listen to.
In both situations the sequence is prepared through the use of the LOR Sequence Editor software on a MS Windows based computer.
==Starting and Stopping a Show==
There are several ways to start and stop shows.
===Scheduled Shows===
Most people start and stop their show at a specific time. For example their show may be set to start at 9:00PM and set to stop at 11:00PM. Depending on which option, below, is chosen this may be achieved using the Light-O-Rama Show Scheduler software, utilising the show computer's on-board clock, or it may use something like a Kambrook Timer to physically switch power on / off to some of the equipment.
===Trigger Based Shows===
[[Image:LorTrigger.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Trigger]]Trigger based shows are relatively new to LOR, but are based on some sort of switch being activated before the show starts, stops, or even changes the way the show behaves.
Trigger switches can comprise motion detectors, push buttons, light beam breakers, remote control systems, or any other type of device that can be switched.
==Running a Light-O-Rama Show==
===Option 1 - Storing a Sequence on an LOR controller===
The CTB16DWHS, CMB16D and CMB16D-QC controllers contain a small amount of on-board memory that can store a relatively simple LOR Animation. The sequence can be set to play by applying power to the controller or through an external trigger (eg: push button, motion sensor, etc). The controllers can only store LOR Animations and do not support storage of LOR Musical Sequences.
* Pros: Operates independently of any computer system.
* Cons: Only supports relatively simple LOR Animations.
===Option 2 - Running a Show from a computer===
[[Image:LorScheduleEditor.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Schedule Editor]]The LOR suite of software includes 2 pieces of software to allow a show to be run from a computer. The LOR Show Editor allows one or more sequences (both Animations and Musical Sequences) to be selected for inclusion in a Show. The Show Editor specifies the order that the sequences will be played in, as well as specifying start-up and shut-down sequences. The LOR Show Editor allows multiple Shows to be created containing different sequences, therefore it is possible to have a Show defined for use on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and another Show, containing different sequences, for other nights.
The LOR Schedule Editor specifies the start and finish times for a Show to be played as well as the days that the Show will run on. Some people have successfully integrated video clips into their sequences and project them using a data projector in synch with their lights. Other users have used their computer to send [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Data_System RDS] information to their radio transmitter containing information such as the name of the music and artist currently playing.
* Pros: No extra cost as it is included in the LOR suite of software. Easy to change a Show or Schedule on the fly.
* Cons: The computer must always be on at Show time. The computer must be connected to the rest of the network through cables or an Easy Light Linker. If LOR Musical Sequences are included in the Show then the audio from the computer must be audible to the visitors.
===Option 3 - Running a show from a LOR Mini Director with MP3 Player===
(http://store.lightorama.com/midiwimp3pl.html)
[[Image:LorMiniDirector.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Mini Editor]]The LOR Mini Director with MP3 Player is a little black box that plugs anywhere into an LOR network via CAT5 cables. Up to 9 unique Shows (containing LOR Animations and LOR Musical Sequences) can be configured, through the LOR Hardware Utility (that comes with the LOR suite of
software) and are stored on a SD Memory Card. The Mini Director can be configured to play a Show when power is applied to the unit (either physically or via something like a Kambrook timer) or through one of three trigger inputs. The Mini Director comes fitted with a 3.5mm stereo phono connector that can be plugged into a sound system or some radio transmitters for visitors to listen to.
* Pros: Cheapest of the LOR Director products. Self contained unit in a box. Once programmed can operate independently of a computer. Can be placed anywhere in a LOR network.
* Cons: Requires an external method to start a Show (eg: power on, or externally triggered event). Currently does not support video or RDS transmission.
===Option 4 - Running a show from a LOR MP3 Show Director===
(http://store.lightorama.com/dicawimp3pl.html):
[[Image:LorMP3ShowDirector.jpg|225px|right|thumb|MP3 Show Editor]]The MP3 Show Director is the big brother to the Mini Director. The main differences are that it comes as a fully assembled printed circuit board, requiring an enclosure, it can support up to 6 triggered inputs and it has an on-board clock. When configuring up to 9 shows, through the LOR Hardware Utility, each Show can be configured to start / finish at specific times on selected days using the on-board clock.
* Pros: Can support up to 6 triggered events. On-board clock can be used for scheduling of Shows. Once programmed can operate independently of a computer. Very reliable. Can be placed anywhere in a LOR network.
* Cons: Most expensive of the LOR Director products. Requires some form of enclosure. Currently does not support video or RDS transmission.
[[Category:Light-O-Rama]]
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