Limitations of Matrix Display

[conceptpl]

Recently I purchased 2 x waterproof cabinets to create a screen matrix of 1620mm x 960mm. Each of the cabinets consists of 5 x power supplies, 18 x P5 waterproof modules (ICND1065S chip) and 2 x Colorcard E120 receivers (each receiver HUB75 J1-J9 connects to the top 9 modules in an array of 3x3 modules.
The software I am using is LedVision v8.8 as this is the last version that uses the net card protocol.
With this I am able to upload the rcvbp file (Supplied by the manufacturer) the latest firmware but not the mapping layout. Also id does not contain the latest IC Drivers (this information is contained in the RCVBP file anyway) unless I upgrade to LedSetting then I would need a sender like the Colorlight A35.

This moves me on to the next problem:

I have setup a Raspberry Pi model B+  FPP with a gigabyte usb to ethernet adaptor and it does not reconise the receiver cards,

My next choice is that I have now ordered a Colorlight X2m LED Video Controller as this acts as a sender and both synchronous and asynchronous operation.

My concern is that how do we future proof Falcon player as these new products start to become the norm as P5 is the current norm away from P10
I welcome anyone who maybe able to help guide me!

[darylc]

Hi Bernie,

You have 3 choices.  All of these options rely on getting your receivers/panels working properly from Ledvision first - have you achieved that yet?  Last time we spoke you were going to work with the vendor on that?

Option 1: Use sender with FPP's Virtual Matrix/HDMI output and send HDMI to the matrix which is the way the vendors intend their product to be used.

Option 2: FPP has reversed engineered the Colorlight 5a-75b receivers so you can often use them directly with FPP without a sender card.  Colorlight do seem to be removing the netcard support from newer versions of Led Vision though so sometimes this is not possible with newer receiver firmwares.

Option 3: Work out if E120 receivers can be used with FPP without a sender card.  I've not heard of anyone trying this so you are probably the first person in the world to do so.  You might need to reverse engineer the E120 protocol and add support to FPP for this to work.

Out of interest, why did you buy E120 receivers rather than 5a-75B if you wanted them to work with FPP?

[conceptpl]

Hi Daryl,
I ordered the E120 receiver cards as when I requested receiver cards other than Novastar as I was understanding that these were not compatible whereas Colorlight were. I do have 2 x 5A-75E Receiver cards, that I could just swap out, and in testing these I still did not have any success.
So if I down grade my complete system that would also changing the P5 modules to a lower standard as the current modules are as follows

A P5 outdoor LED module using the ICND6015S chipset is a common configuration for high-performance digital displays. The ICND6015S is a high-integration constant current driver IC from Chipone, specifically designed for outdoor LED displays to achieve high refresh rates and stability. 

Technical Specifications
Based on typical P5 outdoor module data sheets, the standard specifications are:

• Pixel Pitch: 5 mm.
• Resolution: 64 x 32 dots (for 320x160mm panels) or 32 x 32 dots (for 160x160mm panels).
• Pixel Density: 40,000 dots/m².
• LED Encapsulation: SMD2727 or SMD1921.
• Brightness: ≥4,500 – 6,500 cd/m² (suitable for direct sunlight).
• Scan Mode: 1/8 scan (constant current).
• Refresh Rate: Typically ≥1,920Hz, with the 
  ICND6015S
   capable of supporting up to 3,840Hz depending on the control system.
• IP Rating: IP65 (waterproof and dustproof for outdoor use).
• Input Voltage: 5V DC.
• Interface Port: HUB75

[darylc]

Hi Bernie,

Chose which of the 3 options above you want to do, then get it working in Led Vision.  If you need help getting them working in Led Vision I always recommend you work with the panel supplier.   Forget about FPP until you have gotten that far

So if I down grade my complete system that would also changing the P5 modules to a lower standard as the current modules are as follows

I think you may be confused - as far as I know, the 5A-75B (or E) are higher performance than the new 'low cost' E120's that you have.

[conceptpl]

For you information here is a comparison chart.
Updated Colorlight Receiving Card Comparison

[th]Model [/th] [th]Series Tier[/th] [th]Max Resolution (Pixels)[/th] [th]Data Groups (RGB)[/th] [th]HUB75 Interfaces[/th] [th]Key Feature[/th]
E120	Budget-Plus	192 × 1024	24 Parallel / 32 Serial	12	Ideal 5A-75B replacement
5A-75B	Entry/Economic	192 × 1024	16 Parallel / 32 Serial	8	Standard architectural screens
5A-75E	Mid-to-High	256 × 1024	32 Parallel / 32 Serial	16	Dual backup & stage use
i5	Mainstream	256 × 256	32 Parallel	Small Form	Rental cabinet standard
i9	High-End	384 × 256	32 Parallel	Small Form	Fine-pitch & high-end rental
K5+	Premium	512 × 512	32 Parallel	Small Form	Ultra-reliable, fine-pitch

Why Choose the 
 
E120
 is specifically marketed for customers looking to save costs without sacrificing the reliability of the "E" series architecture. 
LEDSCREENPARTS +2

• Greater Connectivity: It features 12 HUB75 interfaces compared to the 8 found on the 5A-75B, allowing it to drive more complex module layouts with fewer cards.
• Enhanced Performance: It supports high-speed data processing with up to 24 groups of parallel data, whereas the 
  5A-75B
   is limited to 16.
• Advanced Features: Despite its budget positioning, it includes 240Hz frame rate support, screen rotation (90°/180°/270°), and loop redundancy for improved uptime

[darylc]

Bernie, none of that is going to have make any practical difference to your christmas light display.

[conceptpl]

You did ask me "As far as I know, the 5A-75B (or E) are higher performance than the new 'low cost' E120's that you have."