Triks-c, Putting it all together

[crperryjr]

One of the most frustrating and time consuming parts of getting the Triks-C up and running is chasing down the posts with all the great info and files you need. So, in a few posts, (There's a limit of 5 files per post) I hope to put everything here. (BTW, if anyone can figure out how to create an account on the WIKI, I'd sure like to attempt putting a page together..With TimW and WJohn's permission of course.) These are the latest files I could find as of this posting.

Here is the parts list, schematic, board layout, .hex and .asm files.

Here is the WIKI!!!
http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Electronics_Hardware#Triks-C

[crperryjr]

And here is the LTC program, and other programs to help you make the Triks-c come alive.
Command line info for the LTC program:



************************************************** ************
* LEDTRIKS-C COMMAND LINE INTERFACE PROGRAM *
* BETA RELEASE 05/9/10 Tim Wells V0.11 *
************************************************** ************

This version can drive up to 2x2 TriksC/Ledtriks panels

USAGE: LTC [filename] command [filename] [command]
Commands:
#CLS = clear screen
#BLK = blank screen
#SHW = Show screen
#RL = Roll to Left (EDGE TRANSMISSION)
#RR = Roll to Right
#RD = Roll Down
#RU = Roll UP
#FRM = Whole Frame

#RPTxxxx = Repeat all xx times
#DLYnnnn = Wait nnnn ms
#LOOP = Repeat until keypress
#FDLnnnn = Delay between Frames nnnn (ms)
#HDLnnnn = Delay for Horizontal scroll (ms)
#VDLnnnn = Delay for Vertical scroll (ms)
#RDLnnnn = Delay for Rotate (ms)
#NPx = Number of active panels (1-4)

#TIME = Display time to execute this file

#ROTR = Rotate Clockwise (right)
#ROTL = Rotate AntiClockwise (left)
#RINCnnn = Rotation Steps (nnn degrees)
#RTOnnn = Rotation Angle (nnn degrees)
#RXCnnnn = Rotate Center X co-ord
#RYCnnnn = Rotate Center Y co-ord


#STA = Send TRIKS-C to stand alone mode
(until next command received)

#CALxxx = Coundown timer (2panels) xxx secs
#CLKxxx = Clock (1 Panel) for xxx secs

PIX-C commands:
#P_PROGRAM = Assign PIXC board to a panel
#P_FSpff = Display frame ff on panel p
#P_FWpff = Store into frame ff on panel p

(OR LTC [filename] with no params to run a script file
with 1 command per line)

(TRIKSC.DAT stores comport in use- delete it to choose comport)

When connecting the Triks-C to the LEDTricks, make sure to set the jumper (JP6) appropriately for what you'd like to do:

##You need ONE Triks-C for EACH LEDTricks you would like to run (4 LEDTricks=4 Triks-C)##
To set Triks-c to Stand Alone mode: (XX=Jumpered)
JP6
00
XX
00
00

To Set Triks-c to run the first LEDTricks:
JP6
00
00
00
00

To set Triks-c to run the Second LEDTricks:
JP6
00
00
00
XX

To set Triks-C to run the Third LEDTricks:
JP6
00
00
XX
00

To set Triks-C to run the Fourth LEDTricks:
JP6
00
00
XX
XX



All LEDTricks boards should be set to run as if they are by themselves. ( Jumper 1)

Compete documentation on the Triks-C can be found HERE:
http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/images/4/42/TRIKSC_CONTROLLER_v.0.1_manual.pdf

I hope this helps someone. And thanks so much to all!!

[kmc123]

Thanks!!!
I got my boards but haven't even attempted this one yet - This will speed me up for sure!!!

[crperryjr]

The following is for NEW ATTINY2313 chips...not the chips being shipped with the '08 COOP board. COOP chips are pre-fused, pre-programmed and ready to go.

Here's some great info on using AVRDUDE to burn the .hex files into your ATTINY2313 using the ADAFruit USB programmer:
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=46
http://www.ladyada.net/make/usbtinyisp/use.html
http://www.ladyada.net/learn/avr/avrdude.html

Gotta set the fuses on those new ATTINY2313 so it uses the external crystal and accepts commands from the computer:

avrdude -c usbtiny -p attiny2313 -U lfuse:w:0xEF:m -U hfuse:w:0xDF:m -U efuse:w:0xFF:m

Putting Timw's (or your custom) .hex file into the ATTINY2313, I use this:

avrdude -c usbtiny -p attiny2313 -U flash:w:triksc02.hex

[Murl]

I just spent a while looking for this post, so I thought I'd add it here:


As Dave has pointed out - you 'll need a cable..

For standard serial port use its the same cable (signal wise NOT power wise/ZC wise) as a renc/ren64


PC
RS232 TRIKSC-IN
[DB9] [RJ-45]
Pin 3 (TXD) ------------------------ Pin 4
Pin 5 (GND) ------------------------ Pin 5

or

PC
RS232 TRIKSC-IN
[DB25] [RJ-45]
PIN 2 (TXD) ------------------------ Pin 4
PIN 7 (GND) ------------------------ Pin 5

or

PC
RS422/485 TRIKSC-IN
[RJ-45]
(485B-) ---------------------------- Pin 4
(485A+) ---------------------------- Pin 5

[stanward]

What is "COOP?"

Can one Triks-C control 4 LEDTrik panels?

Stan

[kmc123]

What is "COOP?"

Can one Triks-C control 4 LEDTrik panels?

Stan

A "COOP" or "Co-Op" is short for cooperative buy or is also called a "Group Buy" - It's where a bunch of people pool their parts need together and buy as a group to get the quantity discounts...

One Trkis-C can currently control 2 LEDTriks panels

[rlilly]

One Triks-C controls one LEDtriks panel. If you have two panels, you'll need two Triks-Cs (one for each LEDtriks board).

Tim, please correct me if I'm wrong, but currently there is a limit of two LEDtriks panels that can be controled together

[daviddth]

Unless the design has changed, 1 Triks-c per Ledtriks is correct. That one Ledtriks requires 3 of the led holder boards from the last coop (or 768 led's connected in some other way)

Last time I heard the triks-c still had a 2 panel limit. i.e. you could only use 2 at one time on the 1 serial port, but Tim was going to look at that

[stanward]

I emailed the creator of the LEDtriks, John Wilson. I got one response from him, but I guess he is so busy, he never responded to my question above.

I do not know much about the Triks-C. I think it can do a standalone and not require my PC to control it? I want that functionality, as I am running an LOR setup and want to be sure there are no other apps running that could interrupt it.

I do not know much of Vixen either, as I was sort of hoping to have LOR S2 interface with Vixen, to display song title and artist while they were playing. That would make for great feedback from the public (they would know which song was their favorite, etc.). I'm not sure if anyone has done an active display of showing title and artist, either thru a display like the Triks or with RDS over a radio. But not everyone has an RDS-equipped radio in their car.

Stan

[daviddth]

If LOR has the ability to run an external program then you should be able to run the ledtriks as that is how we do it under vixen.

Oh john did not create the ledtriks alone, but I. Do believe the board design is his ( john is extremely good at taking a design and creating a cheap and small board from it that we all can use )

[kmc123]

Sorry for the confusion!
What Bob said (rlilly) is what I meant :) I have 2 Tricks-C's for 2 LedTriks panels (1 for each) and that is the current limit...

[stanward]

Thank you for the help everyone. I'm glad that everyone on this board is so helpful!

Can the 2 Trix-Cs talk to each other? So you can get one really long LED message board?


Sorry for the confusion!
What Bob said (rlilly) is what I meant :) I have 2 Tricks-C's for 2 LedTriks panels (1 for each) and that is the current limit...

[TimW]

Thank you for the help everyone. I'm glad that everyone on this board is so helpful!

Can the 2 Trix-Cs talk to each other? So you can get one really long LED message board?

Hi Stan

Yes. The current driver software connects the 2 panels together so they behave as one big panel.

The two board limitation is just in the PC software (LTC) at the moment. Each Triks-C is addressable (up to 4 per port) and it is possible to run multiple ports... so its not a hard limit. Probably there will be more development this year... I hope ultimately it goes back into Vixen so it can be programmed and controlled from the one source.

Triks C is relatively new (although the Ledtriks panel originally designed by RJ has been around for longer). The hardware is pretty straightforward so I'm hoping we can catch up with the software this year.

Tim

[Jeff Millard]

I emailed the creator of the LEDtriks

Just so we are all clear on who the honors of creation actually go to... RJ was the creator of the LEDtriks display.

Jeff

[Ronp]

Robert Jordan(RJ) is the developer of the ledtriks wjohn created the co-op pcb and sells them.
The answer is One Triks-C controls one LEDtriks panel. If you have two panels, you'll need two Triks-Cs (one for each LEDtriks board).
Once it is programed it will run stand alone to a point.
as far as lor your on you own there..

[Ronp]

Jeff your to quick for me

[wjohn]

Like they said....

RJ designed the first LEDTRICKS, and the cct idea was first published on CC.com

The COOP board was design by me, in collaboration with RJ (there were at least 6 revsions before the first COOP) Both our names are on the silkscreen, but the headline on the board correctly identifies RJ as the person behind the LEDTRIKS.

A number of people gave feedback and suggestions on the COOP version.

TimW came up with the concept of TRIKSC, I helped with the final design and PCB layout, however it is 90+% Timw's work. The comms section was added to the board to allow 232, as the original board proto was 485 exclusively.

[stanward]

Sorry, what is "cct idea?"

[TimW]

Stan that would be 'circuit idea'

CC is 'computer christmas' a website that started a lot of people into this hobby.

have a look here (http://computerchristmas.com/christmas/link-how_to/HowToId-112/LowLimit-0)

Tim

[wjohn]

ah, just my shorthand....

[stanward]

Stan that would be 'circuit idea'

CC is 'computer christmas' a website that started a lot of people into this hobby.

have a look here (http://computerchristmas.com/christmas/link-how_to/HowToId-112/LowLimit-0)

Tim

Hahahaha, I use ckt as an abbreviation for the word "circuit." Anyhow, that is beside the point. Thank you for letting me know.

Does anyone know if there will be a new revision for the LED triks or Triks-C? Because of the cost of shipping, I was planning on purchasing 4 of each board, but I was only going to populate 2 of them for now (and hold off on the other 2).

Stan

[wjohn]

Stan,

the current boards are available, no specific plans for changes at this time.

[knguyen220]

Hey Stan to answer your question, there are no revisions to the LEDtriks, but there is currently an idea out there for a LEDtriks II. Im crossing my fingers for it to be released early this year.

[dande894]

Has anyone put up a step by step work through of getting a Triks-c up and running? I have looked through a lot of forum posts to only find this collection of items.

[wjohn]

Dande,

Not yet. We have a lot of ppl with boards, but no one has finished a How To..

[daviddth]

Yeah I really should do that John. Ok a project for later today if I can... :)

[TimW]

Good on you Dave... Let me know if you need any of the blanks filled in!

Tim

[wjohn]

Good on you Dave... Let me know if you need any of the blanks filled in!

Tim

Tim,

David said he needs the bit between the introduction and the full stop at the end of the summary. Can you assist?

[daviddth]

Lol Yeah thats the only bit I'm missing :)

[TimW]

Tim,

David said he needs the bit between the introduction and the full stop at the end of the summary. Can you assist?

Oh... OK....

Here you go...

Introduction (by David)

0) Why would anyone want to use a TRIKS-C? (What's it for again?)

1) The big picture:

Vixen------LTC------ Serial Port ---- TRIKS-C ----- Ledtriks

How many TRIKS-C is too many?

How does it work?

2) Obtain board and components

3) Programming the exotic ATTINY2313

4) Building the Board

5) Building the cables

6) What do these Jumpers do? (Operating modes and configs)

7) Mastering the interim LTC software

8) Technical stuff/FAQ such as
"How many TRIKS-C does it take to change a parallel port?"
"When will the TRIKS-C do colour high def video?"
"What other TRIKS can it do?"

9) Credits - well, there's RJ of course, wjohn, the Melbourne Mini, testers of all nations, a couple of really, really positive, constructive contributions to development and release that I'll never forget.... and of course David for the construction guide..!!!!

10) Summary

. (full stop at end of summary - we can use yours David I don't mind!!)

[daviddth]

Roughed up some stuff today. I'll email it to John & Tim (I think I have your email addy) tonight as a backup. Working on the Vixen integration bits now :)

[oldcqr]

Here is a series of 21 pics I took on Triks-C Construction (http://www.landolights.com/main/component/option,com_ponygallery/Itemid,31/func,viewcategory/catid,28/). Feel free to add the link to the top of this thread if desired.

[Matt_Edwards]

Any progress on the Documentation for this project?
If not no biggy, this thread has most of what is required.

Cheers
Matt

[51fordf2]

Matt - TimW sent me some info that is a great start. I am on a 21 days straight work week, but plan to try to get something together when I get off of it. As you said, there's a ton of info on the C, but just needs to have it all combined into some semblance of order. Hopefully, I'll be able to do it justice...

I've been learning a lot, going through it as a novice...

R

[daviddth]

If I can dig up the info I sent Tim ages ago I'll post it here. It's far from complete, but I can add a little to it based on 4 Panel setup too now I have it running.

[TimW]

It never made it to me Dave! Did you send it to wjohn?

[daviddth]

Oh no. I spent ages on that - 2 or 3 days actually :(

I don't have it at all, as I looked today pretty much everywhere. Maybe it was John I sent it to. I hope it was.

[daviddth]

Update: Found it at work. I'll do a few minor additions tonight and fire it off to you Tim. Roger, do you want a copy as well? If so, PM me your email addy and I'll fire it off in the morning (here)

Edit: Done as much as I can for now. Time to add the interface between LTC and Vixen in the next day or so.

[kiowamike]

Just finished building my triks-c a while ago and was wondering what the "DIAG" led was used for. I haven't found anything in the literature to explain it. Also the light doesn't do anything when I power the board up. Anybody got any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike

[51fordf2]

Mike - do you have the chip programmed? It won't light up, until you do, and then it will blink as the "heartbeat" when running the diagnostic, the jumper on the 2nd set of pins. If you just power it on, and just see the "Vixen V.2", then it won't blink. At least that's how mine is working. Here's what the manual says:

Suggested Testing approach:
• Set jumper J2 to run the diagnostic sequence
• Power up the Ledtriks and the Triks C
• You should see a power LED on the Triks C
• You should see a splash screen followed by a scrolling diagonal and block on the Panel

It doesn't talk about the Diag LED, but I will be adding it...


There may be better answers...

Roger

[daviddth]

The diag light flickers on incoming data from the pc I think, but also... From my nowhere near finished triks-c manual:

Position 2: This is used as a Stand-alone test of the board (i.e. no computer attached). It places the Triks-C into a scrolling test where the Triks-C name and firmware version is shown on 2 lines, and is scrolled off to the left by an alternating solid block and angled line test. The Diag light on the Triks-C also flashes at about 2 Hz in this mode.

[kiowamike]

Thanks all,
I haven't hooked it up to the computer yet nor have I built the LED pannel yet. Just trying to get some info on it. I will be on the lookout for those things when I finally do get the rest of the components put together.

[Penfold]

I believe that Diag Led comes on when you are programing the chip. At least that is the only time I have every seen it pop on. Granted that was just with an AVR programmer hooked up to it, as I haven't quite finished compiling the code for stand alone mode yet.

[budude]

I got my Triks-C built (along with panels and Triks) and was planning to use my existing LOR USB-RS485 dongle. I found that you need to swap pins 4 and 5 around (I just hacked up a short enet cable) to get it to work. Once that was done, LTC (have v 0.9) worked great to control the panel.

The only issue I saw - especially during the self-test was some "artifacts" on the 3rd panel (outputs from J2/J3 on the Triks) where I would see random blinks/blanks, etc. I rotated the driver chips around but that had no effect. I have a strong power supply (5V/12A) so it's not the problem. It wasn't as obvious when using LTC and running scripts with it so I'm not too concerned but just wondering if anyone else had seen this?

[oldcqr]

I got my Triks-C built (along with panels and Triks) and was planning to use my existing LOR USB-RS485 dongle. I found that you need to swap pins 4 and 5 around (I just hacked up a short enet cable) to get it to work. Once that was done, LTC (have v 0.9) worked great to control the panel.

The only issue I saw - especially during the self-test was some "artifacts" on the 3rd panel (outputs from J2/J3 on the Triks) where I would see random blinks/blanks, etc. I rotated the driver chips around but that had no effect. I have a strong power supply (5V/12A) so it's not the problem. It wasn't as obvious when using LTC and running scripts with it so I'm not too concerned but just wondering if anyone else had seen this?

Yup. Do a search (or I think it's even posted in this thread) about adding a diode to the power supply to the Triks board. +5V is apparently a bit too much for the Triks. Throwing in the recommended diode drops the supply voltage down a bit (I think to around 4.3V), and clears up MANY of the artifact problems you are describing.

[budude]

Thanks Mike - sure enough - there are two links:
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/for...ead.php?t=4126 (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4126) specifically for dropping the voltage to the 4.6V range and:
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/for...ead.php?t=6383 (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6383) which talks about tying up the cathodes to the 5V rail with resistors

Guess it depends what you are seeing but the first looks to be my issue as it seems to be more of a row problem than columns (and the video WildWillie provided looked identical!). My supply has an adjust on it so I'll try that first - if not a diode is simple enough to add.

UPDATE: I was able to adjust my PS from 4.97 to 4.70 volts via the trimmer pot and now it's a perfect display - loving it!

Thanks
Brian

[oldcqr]

Thanks Mike - sure enough - there are two links:...

My pleasure. Just passing along what I learned.

Also, once you get the supply voltage down, you may start to see 'dim' columns. There is a post around here for those too (short answer: bad LED is allowing voltage to pass backwards lighting the rest of the column). I had 3 of those on my completed board as well.

[rebe135]

Reading the manual in the wiki, LTC.exe is supposed to ask how many panels I am using. I am using version 0.6 as found in post #2 of this thread. Should i find a later version?
Thanks
Rebe

[TimW]

Hi

The current version of the software is in This (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4516) thread. V0.9 is current

Tim

[Matt_Edwards]

Mind if i add the file to the wiki? it is pretty essential to running the Trix-c.

Cheers
Matt

[crperryjr]

I updated post #2 with LTC Ver 0.9

[kiowamike]

Another question for the group: What is the maximum distance between the TRIKS-C and the TRIKS?
I am thinking about mounting the TRIKS to the pannel itself and leaving the TRIKS-C next to the computer. I am looking at about 60 feet between the two.
Thanks,
Mike

[budude]

I believe the build manual specifies less than 1 foot (as short as possible I believe is the wording) so that option won't work.

[soakes94]

Am I correct in thinking that if I'm using RS-485 the pin setup is just the reverse of renard?

Thanks :)

[budude]

Am I correct in thinking that if I'm using RS-485 the pin setup is just the reverse of renard?

Thanks :)

The serial cable pinout to a Renard and Triks-C are the same.

[soakes94]

The serial cable pinout to a Renard and Triks-C are the same.

So they are lol, dont i feel stupid now lol

[Keith R]

If using a program other than AVRDude, what are the fuse settings (HI or LOW) for the LFUSE, HFUSE, and EFUSE? Thanks.
Keith

[TimW]

Hi Keith

This might help. It comes from here (http://www.engbedded.com/fusecalc/)

9575

There is one trick to think about. See how selecting a fuse in the above table is inverted (=0) in the bitmap that is sent using AVRDUDE to the chip? Just need to understand whether your programmer software is doing the inversion or not.

Tim

[Keith R]

Thanks Tim,
I found that site before your post. I was using Bascom-AVR (and an Olimex board), and if I had thought out things clearly, I would have known 1110 1111 was EF, but it took me a while. Anyway, burned the chip and it still did not work. Will wait for my tiny USB to get here and try AVR dude. This shouldn't be as difficult as it is panning out to be.
Keith

(EDIT) The tinyUSB has arrived and programming is complete, everything is working fine....is there any way to speed up the scrolling in the "stand-alone" mode? Thanks!

[Blackbeard]

Here is the parts list, schematic, board layout, .hex and .asm files.

Here is the WIKI!!!
http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Electronics_Hardware#Triks-C

Could someone try and restore these files and also verify the link that the wiki points to, please? The reference to the downloadable files do not even show up in the quote. The files for download all give blank pages and the link in the wiki that points to the TRIKSC manual returns a 404 Not found.

Thanks for any help.

[LabRat]

I've updated the link to the WIKI manual, to point at the copy that was .. well.. in the WIKI. (versus Christmas in Shirley)

[chalker]

Could someone try and restore these files and also verify the link that the wiki points to, please? The reference to the downloadable files do not even show up in the quote. The files for download all give blank pages and the link in the wiki that points to the TRIKSC manual returns a 404 Not found.

Would it be possible to also restore some of the other files linked to earlier in this thread or put them on the wiki? For example the board schematic and LTC?

Also, thought I'd mention my lengthy post in another thread that outlines a lot of the tips and tricks I discovered in creating a sign this year. Perhaps it will be of help to others. There also might be some tidbits in there worth putting on the wiki: http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?16826-A-new-LEDTriks&p=189897#post189897

[LabRat]

I believe the ability to fix the files link will have to wait until after the "Season".
If you want anything PIX-C related, drop me a pm and I'll dig out the files for you.

[keebler]

what is the best controller for the LED TRIKS boards?
the tricks -c or what?

and can someone please point me in the right direction to who has these boards available?
thank you

[budude]

what is the best controller for the LED TRIKS boards?
the tricks -c or what?

and can someone please point me in the right direction to who has these boards available?
thank you


There is the LEDTriks controller available from wjohn - you must have one of these for each LEDTriks display (16 x 48 LEDs). In addition to this you can add a Triks-C (from wjohn) or a PIX-C (designed by LabRat) that controls the LEDTriks controller. The standard LEDTriks controller is parallel port based but can be taxing on older PCs - this is the value in the Triks-C/PIX-C as it is a smart serial controller (RS-232/485) and talks parallel to the LEDTriks controller. Note you need one set of controllers for each panel display - you can have up to four panel displays. Chris was talking about hosting the LEDTriks stuff - not sure if they are available yet there so wjohn would be your best source if not.

[jukingeo]

There is the LEDTriks controller available from wjohn - you must have one of these for each LEDTriks display (16 x 48 LEDs). In addition to this you can add a Triks-C (from wjohn) or a PIX-C (designed by LabRat) that controls the LEDTriks controller. The standard LEDTriks controller is parallel port based but can be taxing on older PCs - this is the value in the Triks-C/PIX-C as it is a smart serial controller (RS-232/485) and talks parallel to the LEDTriks controller. Note you need one set of controllers for each panel display - you can have up to four panel displays. Chris was talking about hosting the LEDTriks stuff - not sure if they are available yet there so wjohn would be your best source if not.

Do you need BOTH the Triks-C AND the LEDTriks controller? So, even with the updated serial communication that the Triks-C offers, would it be better just to invest in the newer pixel based RGB systems? Overall, while reading this thread I am getting the impression that LEDTriks is becoming an obsolete sysetem. Already I can see that the Mouser BOM for the LEDTriks board shows many unavailable parts.

I am under the impression that even though it is expensive, the pixel based matrix system is the way to go.

Geo

[budude]

Do you need BOTH the Triks-C AND the LEDTriks controller? So, even with the updated serial communication that the Triks-C offers, would it be better just to invest in the newer pixel based RGB systems? Overall, while reading this thread I am getting the impression that LEDTriks is becoming an obsolete sysetem. Already I can see that the Mouser BOM for the LEDTriks board shows many unavailable parts.

I am under the impression that even though it is expensive, the pixel based matrix system is the way to go.

Geo

Yep - I made a half-hearted attempt to revive the old controller at the beginning of the year but as you have noticed, the pricing of pixel strips/modules has dropped so much that it would be the way to go now. Combine a small matrix with Sean's Nutcracker tool and you're set.

To answer the question, you don't absolutely need both but you must have the LEDTriks controller since that talks to the LED panels. The parts on that are the most troublesome to find these days and not too many (if any) PCs come with parallel ports any more anyway. The Triks-C (and LabRat's PIX-C) make things easier to communicate since serial port add-on's are easy enough to find.

[jukingeo]

Yep - I made a half-hearted attempt to revive the old controller at the beginning of the year but as you have noticed, the pricing of pixel strips/modules has dropped so much that it would be the way to go now. Combine a small matrix with Sean's Nutcracker tool and you're set.

Well, I would still say doing a WHOLE mega tree would be still out of the question for me. But I did come up with some ideas that would cut the costs...one being a half tree or even a small section in the center of a regular light string type mega tree. As I mentioned in one of my other threads, I thought of running text messages vertically (if that was possible). As money allows, I could easily expand the system with more pixel strands. I figured that would be a good plan.

The thought had occurred to me that I might try some pixel strands first and put together a regular chase type sign, as you would do with the LEDTriks and see how things work out. But then again, a Mega Tree might be simpler (albeit much larger) and definitely has a larger WOW factor.



To answer the question, you don't absolutely need both but you must have the LEDTriks controller since that talks to the LED panels. The parts on that are the most troublesome to find these days and not too many (if any) PCs come with parallel ports any more anyway. The Triks-C (and LabRat's PIX-C) make things easier to communicate since serial port add-on's are easy enough to find.

Yes, when I looked into the LEDTriks system, I was a bit dismayed about that it works of a parallel port. While my two many control computers BOTH have parallel ports, the thing is that out of all the systems out there, I believe you can really only go a few feet in terms of cable length on a parallel port. I remember many moons ago in an office I set up computers in, I made a 20ft parallel printer run and I had problems. But getting it down to 15feet was a bit help. But I used SOME expensive cable for that run. Generally I would think 7 to 10 feet would be as far as you should go with parallel ports. Naturally that isn't far enough.

I think I will stick with the RGB pixel system as that is the way things are pointing towards anyway.

Thanx,

Geo