Can you use LOR S2 instead of Vixen?

[taybrynn]

Hey,

My Dad wants to build a really fancy megatree in 2009 ... and I'm guessing he'll need between 48 and 96 channels for it ...

I've kind of pointed him in the direction of the Ren24 or Ren64 ...

He wants to solder it solder himself and is very skilled to do it.

He wanted to know if LOR S2 can control a Renard board (using Dasher protocol?) or if Vixen in a must.

I know Vixen is free, which is great ... but how does it compare usability wise ??

Thanks in advance,
Scott

[mykroft]

LOR and Dasher are closed source protocals.

Ren is designed with Vixen in mind - so you will have to use Vixen

[bmcgeeny]

Hey,

My Dad wants to build a really fancy megatree in 2009 ... and I'm guessing he'll need between 48 and 96 channels for it ...

I've kind of pointed him in the direction of the Ren24 or Ren64 ...

He wants to solder it solder himself and is very skilled to do it.

He wanted to know if LOR S2 can control a Renard board (using Dasher protocol?) or if Vixen in a must.

I know Vixen is free, which is great ... but how does it compare usability wise ??

Thanks in advance,
Scott

If he wants to use LOR S2 and solder himself, he will have to buy the LOR Kit's. If he wants a DIY system of 16/24/64 chanels he should use Vixen.

It is free and is much easier to use than LOR. LOR does however come with and instruction manual.

Vixen goes one better, it comes with HERE. Online 24 hour support from people who actually use it and have had all the problems you might find.

If he has the ability and understanding to build a DIY system, it is much more flexible than the comercial products available. No company could begin to have the research and development department we have here.

[joneslights]

Hey,

He wants to solder it solder himself and is very skilled to do it.

He wanted to know if LOR S2 can control a Renard board (using Dasher protocol?) or if Vixen in a must.



Well, he could do like me. Use the Renards and Lynx Freestyle with LOR iDMX and have both. I am running LOR2 software with a mix of DIY and LOR hardware.

Greg

[taybrynn]

Thanks. So does vixen work with mp3 files, or just wav files?

Are there any mega-tree functions in vixen ?

I figure ... most likely, I'll be doing the programming for my Dad.

In return, maybe he'll make me a mega tree in the off season ...

I got 20 songs done using LOR S2 ... and feel very comfortable using it.

For doing a megatree are the SSR controllers better or worse ... or about the same? i.e. Ren24 vs. Ren64 ?? Cost wise, where is the sweet spot for the most functionality (full fading, etc.) ??

[WWNF911]

Thanks. So does vixen work with mp3 files, or just wav files?

I am only running MP3 this year.

All of my Mega Tree sequencing is done on the same grid as everything else. If you are refering to a dedicated set of icons etc for Mega Tree, the answer is no. Sorry, no LOR experience here.

[toodle_pipsky]

For a bit of preview of what Vixen is/does, check out the newsletter archives http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/newsletter/index_files/Page1237.htm. There's a Vixen how-to in each one. Might help?

[ErnieHorning]

So does vixen work with mp3 files, or just wav files?If you can play it with ‘Windows Media Player’, it will play in Vixen.

[phenagan]

Another good place to check out Vixen programming is the tutorials on Youtube - first one is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCOby8K3HQ&feature=related

[WWNF911]

Another good place to check out Vixen programming is the tutorials on Youtube - first one is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCOby8K3HQ&feature=related

Or you can find links to all these here:
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2022

[taybrynn]

Thanks -- this is great stuff.

LOR doesn't have a megatree wizard ... I was just wonder if Vixen did.

Sound great ... I agree that all the support on this board is impossible for any company to match.

Are there any good threads that compare the various DIY controllers and the pros/cons to each?

Scott

[TERBObob]

Are there any good threads that compare the various DIY controllers and the pros/cons to each?
Not really , since that would be a opinionated thing and ALL the controllers are GREAT .
Some might like a certain controller over another . And vice versa .
Its all based on YOUR likes . And your building/soldering abilities

[toodle_pipsky]

Start with the Wiki! http://www.christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Beginners_Guide

[omzig]

Are there any good threads that compare the various DIY controllers and the pros/cons to each?Not exactly a discussion of pros and cons, but there is this: http://www.christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Comparison_of_DIY_Boards

[taybrynn]

Thanks again ... so very helpful.

So for boards using SSR's ... should I factor around $10 to $12 of additional cost for each 4-pack of SSR's ?

So on a Ren64 ... I would need 16 SSR's ... or an additional $160 in cost for the SSR's, right?

Also, I imagine the cost of SSR cables and cost of external power supply also becomes a consideration, right?

Thanks,
Scott

[WWNF911]

Also, I imagine the cost of SSR cables and cost of external power supply also becomes a consideration, right?


Factor cost for enclosures, power cables, extension cords or outlets (depending on which style you want to go with), and cat5 cable for signal.