LOR 101 - Basic Controller Introduction

[ɟɐsʇǝppʎ]

I would like to thank Steve Lelinski from Holiday University Forums for allowing us to post this LOR tutorial, the below information from Steves original post has been copied from http://holidayuniversity.com/forums/index.php/topic,645.0.html


Welcome to my basic introduction to LOR aka Light-O-Rama.

In this course, we will cover the "standard" Light-O-Rama controllers and touch on the software used to control them.  In further courses, we will explore the more "advanced" offerings of LOR.

Lesson 1 - Controller Basics

All LOR controllers communicate via the LOR Protocol.  This is a series of messages sent to the controllers telling them to turn the lights on or off, fade, shimmer, or twinkle.  These messages are sent from either a computer running the LOR software, or a director controller.  We'll talk move about directors in a bit.  Most new users of LOR software will purchase a starter pack.  These packs include the LOR software, the USB adapter, and cables.  To communicate with the controller, the computer plugs into the USB adapter, which is then connected to the controllers using Cat 5 cable or standard phone line cable.  If you're running a computer controlled show, the computer and controller will always be connected in the manor.  With a director controller show, the computer only needs to be connected to load shows onto the director.  Either way, additional controllers are connected in a Daisey Chain using Cat5/phone cable. 

Lesson 2 - ShowTime Pro Controllers

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The ShowTime Pro controllers make up LOR's "Commercial" line.  Each ShowTime controller has either 8 or 16 channels.  (A channel is an individually controllable "switch" for your lights.  Every item or set of items that you want to do something different gets it's own channel.)  ShowTime controllers are UL rated, and housed in metal enclosures.  They are larger and heavier than the non-commercial controllers.  They can handle 40 Amps (but are only rated for 30).  They are also more expensive.  If everything in your display needs to be UL approved, or the sight of a circuit board scares you, the ShowTime controllers are for you.  Some LOR users prefer the ruggedness of these controllers.

There are three main ShowTime Pro controllers.  The LOR800W, the LOR1600W, and the LOR1602W.  The 800 has 8 channels and handles a max load of 15 Amps.  The 1600 has 16 channels and a max load of 15 Amps.  The 1602 has 16 channels with a max load of 30 Amps.  The 1602 has two power input cords, while the others have only one.

Lesson 3 - ShowTime PC Controllers

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The ShowTime PC Controllers are the "Residential" series of controllers.  They are a bit cheaper, and aimed for the more DIY decorator.  Though both lines are now called ShowTime, typically you will see LOR users call the Pro line Showtime, and the residential line PC.  The PC controllers come as kits.  Depending on exactly how much you want to DIY, you can save a bit of money.  At one extreme you can can buy the controller fully assembled, in a plastic housing, with all power cords already wired.  At the other, you can buy a kit which contains the circuit board and all components for you to solder yourself.  The controllers (assembled or not), housing, and power cords are all available seperately if you wish to do things Al a Cart.

From a functional standpoint, the PC controllers can do almost everything the ShowTime controllers can do.  The major difference is that PC controllers cannot act as directors.  They must be connected to a computer, a Showtime Pro controller, or a stand alone director.  Additionally, the PC controllers do not have ID selection switches, and must each be connected to a computer in order to have the ID set.  (Each controller needs to be assigned a unique ID.  This is how they know when the computer or director is "talking" to them.) 

Conclusion

We've covered the first desicion you'll be faced with once you choose to go with LOR controllers.  Don't worry, there is no wrong answer here.  Both the ShowTime Pro and ShowTime PC controllers are fully compatible with each other.  Odds are you'll wind up with more than one controller anyway, so you may want to give both types a try.

For further questions, comments, and thoughts on this topic, please visit the discussion thread.

Class dismissed.

[taybrynn]

All LOR controllers communicate via the LOR Protocol

Except when you send them DMX, they can also be controller by DMX, but twinkle and shimmer effects will not work the same.  The primary protocol that most LOR users use is the RS485/LOR protocol.