Advanced Port Configuration

The Advanced Port Configuration screen allows you to change many parameters on a port-by-port basis.

Advanced Port Configuration

Starting Universe of Port, Number of Nodes (Pixels), Starting Channel of Port, and Triplet Channel Order work nearly the same as they do on the simple configuration with the exception that they only affect the selected port, not the whole board.

Number of Null Pixels:   Most if not all pixel strings have a limit on the length of wire between any 2 pixels.  This is because each pixel 'regenerates' the signal for the next pixel in line.  However, there may be instances where the distance to your first pixel exceeds this length.  In this case, null pixels can be used between the board and the first 'real' pixel on the string.  The only thing these NULL pixels do is re-generate the signal.  They do not consume any channels or light up.  Select the number of those null pixels here.

Number of Zig-Zags:  For some uses, it is much more efficient to continue to use pixels in reverse order.  For example, you may create a left-to-right matrix that is 10 pixels wide by 17 pixels tall.  The first row of pixels would be 1-10 from left to right.  However, the most efficient way to build the next line is from right to left.  Doing that will put pixel 11 under pixel 10, not on the left side as expected.  Selecting the number of Zig Zags allows the Pixcon 16 to internally re-map those pixels so while physically it may be pixel 20 that is on the left, numerically it is #11.

Group:  If you like, you can group one or more nodes into a single pixel.  For example, if you set the group to 2, then every 2 nodes will act identically.

Max Intensity:  DMX uses values of 0-255 to set an intensity.  Setting a channel to 255 will tell the light to turn on at 100%.  This field however lets you limit that at the port level.  For example, perhaps the pixels attached to this port are brighter than your other pixels.  You can adjust the Max Intensity of this port lower so that it more correctly matches the other pixels.

Reversed Node Order:  Typically, the lowest number pixel is the closest to the controller.  Selecting this option reverses that.  When selected the HIGHEST pixel is now closest to the controller.

Pressing OK will update only this port.  Pressing Cancel will abandon all changes.

Quickly Configuring higher ports:

The 2 buttons at the bottom of the screen will update this port as well as the ports higher (numerically) than the one selected.  The main thing these 2 buttons do is compute the starting universe and channel for all ports after this one in such a way as to minimize the number of universes and channels required.  The 'Notes about Addressing the Pixcon 16' section  has more information on how that will happen.