miniJARAG project - what do you think?

[Sergey]

I hope everybody saw JARAGs on stages during concerts. These black boxes with lamps produced by Chromlech company and they can do some kind of graphical effects.
I decided to build simplified(hobby) version of original JARAG - miniJARAG. It also will have 25 channels for lamps or LEDs. My first step - is software application for making effects.
Next step will be hardware platform. Hardware will support switching on-of lamps, light dimming is in the future plans.
Have ideas and critics? Post here.minijarag_soft.PNG

[Sergey]

Here is the first result of my work. You can download software and schematics from attached file.
Hope you will like it.

PS. Application requires mscomdlg32.ocx and mscomm32.ocx files to be registered in your windows. If your PC missing them then I can build setup program.

[kl79]

Very good job !

may be I will build one "mini", with led, just for the fun (20cmx20cm maybe)
(I couldn't help you because of my lack in electronics)

[hobbybob]

Cool , i think it's fun.
Would it be possible to make a bigger one as well ? for instance 10x10 lamps ?
Or even 10x40 for instance ?

[Shawnb]

WE just developed a version of them ourselves as the jrag in our opinion was poorly constructed FLimsy metal work and not contructed that great But yes a Cool efect especial when mapped into a media server or out of a lighting desk that does pixel mapping like the Grand Ma

[Sergey]

Would it be possible to make a bigger one as well ? for instance 10x10 lamps ?

You can run 4 independent devices at one moment and it allow you to have 10x10 points resolution. And you should run them not in manual FPS control mode. Software FPS control will guarantee constant frame rate in all devices.
Of course current software is not convenient for managing multiple jarags. If you really need that feature then I can add support more resolution with breaking it into several devices.

[hobbybob]

Wow , that would be so cool to have support for more devices. No problem if it's all 10x10 pixels.

Would be cool if you could "tell" the application you have a square of say 4x4 devices (each consisting of 10x10 lights), or say you have 1x16 or 2x8.... Does that make sense ?

How would one build the hardware to support that many devices?

So you could be building your own walls.
I want to build a huge message board, with special effects... you're program allows to do so.
If you could fit this option in and PM me your home adress i will send you some stroopwafels from Holland !

[Sergey]

Well, I need some time to redesign application. I post it here when will be ready.

[Sergey]

multiJARAG control utility

[kl79]

thank's for your job !

[hobbybob]

Excellent Sergey!
I will now have to find one of my friends who is good with eagle to draw me up a nice pcb so i can start soldering. Thanks so much for your effort !

Do you by any chance have pcb layouts ?

[Sergey]

Device was made on prototyping board so no layouts available. Moreover board layout depends on packages of components which you want to use.

[hobbybob]

Device was made on prototyping board so no layouts available. Moreover board layout depends on packages of components which you want to use.

Hey Sergey would it be possible to an Arduino for this ?
I just started using Arduino, next project will be a ledwall with 8 panels that are 8x8 RGB big.
Would be cool if this could work with an Arduino (also Atmel proc).

[hivelaser]

Yes i also have a Arduino around would be interesting to go with that. Send me a PM.

[Sergey]

You will need a lot of PWM LED drivers like those which are produced by Macroblock. Anyway I believe that ARM processors are more suitable for that applications.

[hivelaser]

Have you seen this:
http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/...=CHIPKIT-MAX32

Do you have a recommendation for a good ARM development platform.

[Sergey]

STM32 Discovery board. Have less memory(128K Flash & 8K RAM) + integrated STLINK debugger but less price)) I have one that. Of course these "fat" processors are required only if you want realtime videos on walls. For LED blinking or simple TTL color animations 8-bit atmegas are enough.

[hobbybob]

I just started a 512 RGB led wall (tiles with 8x8 RGB leds) and 2 rows of 4 , so 8*64=512 RGB Leds.
Hopefully i could make software that looks as good as yours Sergey to run it !