LedWiz

Summary

The LedWiz is a easy to use outputcontroller with 32 outputs which all support 49 pwm levels. The LedWiz is able to drive leds and smaller loads directly, but will require some kind of booster for power hungery gadgets like big contactors or motors.

The DirectOutput framework does fully support the LedWiz and can control up to 16 LedWiz units. The framework can automatically detect connected LedWiz units and configure them for use with the framework.

The LedWiz is made by GroovyGameGear and can by ordered directly on GroovyGamegears website, but also from some other vendors.

This unit was the first output controller which was widely used in the virtual pinball community and was the unit for which the legacy vbscript solution was developed. The DirectOutput framework replaces the vbscript solution, but can reuse the ini files which were used for the configuration of the tables. Please read ledcontrolfiles for more information.

The current implementation of the LedWiz driver uses a separate thread for every ledwiz connected to the system to ensure max. performance.

Sample XML

A configuration section for LedWiz might resemble the following structure:

<LedWiz>
  <Name>Name of LedWiz</Name>
  <Number>-1</Number>
</LedWiz>

Properties

LedWiz has the following 2 configurable properties:

Name

The name of the item.

Number

The unique number of the LedWiz (Range 1-16).

PacLed64

Summary

The PacLed64 is a output controller with 64 outputs all supporting 256 pwm levels. Since the outputs of the unit are constant current drivers providing 20ma each, smaller leds can be connected directly to the outputs, but booster circuits might be used to driver higher loads (e.g. Cree leds). Up to 4 PacLed64 controllers can be used with the DirectOutput framework.

The framework supports auto detection and configuration of these units.

This unit is made and sold by Ultimarc.

The implemention of the PacLed64 driver uses a separate thred per connected unit to ensure max. performance.

Sample XML

A configuration section for PacLed64 might resemble the following structure:

<PacLed64>
  <Name>Name of PacLed64</Name>
  <Id>-1</Id>
</PacLed64>

Properties

PacLed64 has the following 2 configurable properties:

Id

The unique Id of the PacLed64 (Range 1-4).

Name

The name of the item.

ArtNet

Summary

Artnet is a industry standard protocol used to control DMX lighting effects over othernet. Using Art-Net it is possible to connect a very wide range of lighting effects like strobes or dimmer packs. There are tons of DMX controlled effects available on the market (from very cheap and small to very expensive and big). It might sounds a bit crazy, but with Art-net and DMX you could at least in theory control a whole stage lighting system (this would likely make you feel like Tommy in the movie).

To use Art-Net you will need a Art-Net node (unit that converts from ethernet to DMX protocol) and also some DMX controlled lighting effect. There are quite a few different Art-Net nodes available on the market and most of them should be compatible with the DirectOutput framework. For testing the Art-Net node sold by Ulrich Radig as a DIY kit was used.

Each Art-Net node/DMX universe supports 512 DMX channels and several Art-Net nodes controlling different DMX universes can be used in parallel.

If you want to read more about Art-net, visit the website of Artistic License. The specs for Art-net can be found in the Resources - User Guides + Datasheets section of the site.

DMX

Sample XML

A configuration section for ArtNet might resemble the following structure:

<ArtNet>
  <Name>Name of ArtNet</Name>
  <Universe>0</Universe>
  <BroadcastAddress>BroadcastAddress string</BroadcastAddress>
</ArtNet>

Properties

ArtNet has the following 3 configurable properties:

BroadcastAddress

String containing broadcast address.

Name

The name of the item.

Universe

The number of the Dmx universe.

NullOutputController

Summary

This is a dummy output controller not doing anthing with the data it receives.
It is mainly thought as a sample how to implement a simple output controller.

Be sure to check the abstract OutputControllerBase class and the IOutputController interface for a better understanding.

Sample XML

A configuration section for NullOutputController might resemble the following structure:

<NullOutputController>
  <Name>Name of NullOutputController</Name>
</NullOutputController>

Properties

NullOutputController has the following 1 configurable properties:

Name

The name of the item.