Understanding this concept

[Blackbeard]

Am I to understand that to make this work, a non-dimming set of channels is needed and that is why the "manual" mentions the Grinch? Is that what all the RS485 connectors are for? I read where one is input, but don't understand at all.

I'm about ready to change my username from Blackbeard to Clueless.

[TimW]

Grinch and Ledtriks... similar origin but different things.

The manual mentions the Grinch because the Grinch and the Ledtriks both use the same chips... and because they were both designed by the same guy (RJ)!

The Ledtriks is a different board because it has to control a matrix (panel) of 768 leds instead of 64 channels. Obviously to do that it also does a couple of hardware things differently to the grinch.

Ledtriks and grinch boards both work of the parallel port. However there is an option to make the Grinch board dimmable using a 'REN-C' which connects between the Grinch and a serial port.

It is also possible to run the Ledtriks off a serial port (which reduces the load on the computer significantly for some minor trade offs in speed). The little board that adds on between the ledtriks and PC to do this is called a 'TRIKS-C'

The ledtriks runs off a different vixen sequence type to the rest of the controller boards - so you can draw pictures and scroll text.

[Blackbeard]

TimW,

Thanks for the very complete answer. I'll review the TRIKS-C stuff now.

I hope everyone is fairly tolerant of us noobs on this list. It seems, at least for now, that one question and answer leads to another question. My impression of this hobby was that it was a very straight forward when I first came upon it, but I now see there are so many options and ways to accomplish things.

My hat is off to all the people who make this all happen and provide the know-how for others. I remember Christmas as a magical time as a youngster, and I'm a half century away from those times now, and would love to make it what I remember it was for kids today.

[TimW]

Looking around this forum there are some really helpful people here. So my advice would be keep reading the wealth of information that is already here and asking questions. Thats the fastest way to learn - and how most people start! Usually someone will be able to explain all the bits and pieces (collectively there's a LOT of experience here). I guess if we didn't like talking about all this stuff nobody would post anything....!

So I'd say you're in the right place! Keep going! :)