The T3 Controller
Posted by JEC on April 19th, 2010
Hi! Happy Monday.
We’ll start with the pictures, then follow with a few words of explanation. Click any photo to enlarge.
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- T3 Controller, Drives up to 4 strings of 44 Nodes
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- T3 controller, showing various polarized, waterproof, circular connectors for input and output.
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- String of 42 nodes with waterproof circular input connector.
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- 5 Meter Node Extension Cable
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- Adapter Cable – XLR to waterproof circular. Length is 3′.
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- 2 pin polarized power extension cable, 16′ long.
The top right photo shows a prototype T3 DMX Node Bridge. All connectors are waterproof, circular and polarized. The internal circuit board and wiring is encased in waterproof resin, making the entire assembly very rugged. There are four connections for node output, one connection for power input, and a pair of parallel connectors for DMX in & through.
The production chassis is actually similar to the photo shown in the top left corner. The two flanged mounting ears allow for easy installation. The production chassis will also be clearly labeled, either with a silkscreened legend or with a reverse-printed lexan overlay.
Chassis size is about 4″ square.
A T3 controller is designed to drive up to 4 strings of 42 nodes. This neatly consumes (up to) an entire DMX universe and a 10A, 5V switching power supply.
The T3 includes an internal effects engine. It’s been designed to be very flexible and powerful. Operating modes (which can easily be changed using a simple PC utility program) include…
- Full discrete control of 168 nodes (4 strings of 42). Requires 510 DMX channels.
- Discrete control of 42 nodes on string #1. Data is copied to the remaining three strings, if installed. Requires 126 DMX channels.
- Discrete control of the first 7 nodes on string #1. Data is copied in groups of 7 to the remainder of the string, then to strings #2, #3 and #4 if installed. Requires 21 DMX channels.
- ‘Test Mode,’ which sweeps through each color and each node in quick succession.
- ‘Standalone Mode,’ which displays a preset effect (or, alternately, smoothly alternates between pre-chosen effects) at power up. No incoming DMX data is required.
The effects engine requires between 4 and 7 DMX channels. Using these channels, various effect types, speeds and color palettes may be chosen. The engine affords a great deal of flexibility and creativity in display design, without requiring hundreds or thousands of DMX control. Video clips of the engine in action will be posted soon.
Release date for the T3 controllers and the node strings is planned for May 15, 2010. Stay tuned!
- JEC & mrpackethead
(Oh… If you haven’t already, enter your name and email address on the top right corner of this page. You’ll get automatic updates when new items are posted…)
April 19th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
OK, so I see they have a specific date now!
Any preorder information? No chance of them being sold out by the date, is there?
April 19th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Can’t WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please post videos SOON!!!!!
thanks
stephen
April 19th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Yup we have a date. Its been a LOT bigger exercise than either john or I anticipated to get it ‘just’ right.. Theres a lot more to these things than simply putting some electronics together.. I look back at my 2009 tree and release how far we have come in 5 months. I’ve been to China to the factorys. I’ve spent hours pouring over choices of components, Johns toiled away at writing code. We spent lots of time talking to our current clients.. And come May 15, we will be celebrating.. Its sort of weird, i’ll probalby start the celebration, being 18 hours ahead of John.. That way we can make almost two days of crazy blinky flashy stuff!
On May 10, i’ll send out a mailer to everyone whos registered on this web site, giving them the ‘pre-lease’ edge, so you can jump the cue so to speak.
@ Stephen,
I’ll put together a video hopefully in the next few days, and get it up for you..
April 20th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Congratulation!
That is a lot of nice stuff in a small box.
I now understand why it took some time to get you satisfied.
It’s not only the carousel it’s a hole fun field.
I guess this is noting that you will sell as a kit?
Now the question for what price will you sell?
Keep up the good work.
c-man
May 12th, 2010 at 8:43 am
I signed up and got the 4-19 notification of your update post, but have not gotten the 5-10 e-mail. What’s going on with it? (Been counting the days till I can order).