Web based DMX control

[back_ache]

Just for fun I am going to create a totally web-based DMX controller.

 

The (cheap) hardware is done, it's the size of a matchbox and connects to wifi, then via a server on the internet I can make the connected DMX devices do my (evil) bidding, the nice thing is because it uses the internet to communicate the control and controller do not have to be on the same network, so for example you can be out on the street using you mobile's 3g connection to control the building lighting that is on an adsl wifi conneciton.

 

Now the hard bit, deciding what to (or not to) do and writing the code to do it.

 

Before anyone flames me, this is not to run a show or anything mission-critical, I'll probably just do some architectural or something for the "holiday season" (I'm not going to use the c word ;-) )

 

I'd though it would be interesting to get peoples input to help me decide where to put my effort as I'd like to create something based on a real need rather than my abstract ideas

 

A few of my current ideas

 

* timeclock based scenes

* internet based scenes

* sunrise/sunset based scenes

* running on every device that can connect to the internet (tablets will be favourite though)

* colour picker

* translating the underlying address so you can talk to all the lights as if they are the same

* syncing multiple controllers through the internet for purposes of expansion or avoiding awkward cabling

* Having a "simple" mode so my (very young) kids can use it without wading through settings

[maeterlinck]

Sounds interesting. An Internet of Things DMX controller. Care to share the gory details?

 

In terms of UI, personally I would try to solve a real world problem rather than a long wish list. So set a project and then work out the best way to solve it.

 

There is already a good number of solutions for both home automation and festive season lighting control, both in the commercial and open source worlds. Either using that as inspiration or you could write an interface between an existing control surface and your hardware, which would open up a more specific user group, and maybe some help (for open source).

[back_ache]

share the gory details

 

Okay, the hardware is all "off the shelf"

 

A 25 quid "Electric Imp" controller which does all the computing, wifi, connection-encryption and provides a (relatively) simple programming environment

A 25 dollar "Kaylee" RS485 adaptor for the above

A 20 quid "cheap and nasty" LED par

 

12v PSU, shielded cable, XLR and poor soldering skills I already had.

 

I am planning to write the interface in PHP and mysql so that it can be hosted at low-cost

[timmeh2]

Hi

 

Someone I knew did much the same with an Arduino and an Ethernet shield, although he drove his LEDs straight off the controller..

 

I'm sure there's scope for someone to build a complete web-based lighting-desk-type thing with patching and scenes/cue playback features, all with remote control.

 

All the best

Timmeh

[back_ache]

Thought I'd report back and let you know how I am getting on.

 

My biggest challenge to reign myself in and take baby-steps :-)

 

I made a web page with just the words for colour on them and pointed it at the DMX light, the idea being it makes reading words fun for my art obsessed 4yr old, I've attached a youtube video

 

My next step will be to find a way to do (rough) colour matching elegantly.

 

[dashroom66]

Just a thought, why not have the web page it loads just for pre-programmed scenes (possibly some takeover/pallet functionality).

 

 

Then leave the programming to an editor program (that still talks to the imp over wifi).

 

That way the online interface can be nice, clean, easy to use, but most importantly, it would be easy to make it compatible with most devices. The last thing you want is for device to fail to load the bit of the GUI you want.

I would much rather code a GUI in a prototyping language (processing springs to mind) than have to jump through all the web compatibility hoops.

 

 

George

[dmxlights]

I am also intrested in this but would like to do it with Raspberry Pi and maybe a usb to DMX or a board from Milford Instruments that as rs232 and go from the Raspberry Pi's on board serial port.

 

I am going to keep watch on this

[JDT]

I am also intrested in this but would like to do it with Raspberry Pi and maybe a usb to DMX or a board from Milford Instruments that as rs232 and go from the Raspberry Pi's on board serial port.

 

I am going to keep watch on this

 

This has kind of been done. See Open Lighting Architecture

 

This gives you an Art-Net node using a rasberry pi. Works lovely for me. Use it with a home-built FTDI USB to DMX device.

Has a very simple webpage that can control and monitor your DMX channels.

 

I am also using this with a nice app on my Android tablet - Artnet controller.

 

Also getting to grips with QLC+ on a laptop connecting via Art-Net.

 

A fully-featured web-based lighting controller would be very interesting - if it was reliable - keep up the good work.