how about a simple plug and play arduino or PIC based 10+ Channel HIGH powered LED controller
for an IDEA as to what i mean check out my youtube vid's
http://youtu.be/5RzbAc54tTE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://youtu.be/fzOTDxaRHhI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (ambilight mode)
requirements
10+ full RGB channels (30 outputs)
8bit 256 steps per output.. (10bit+ preferred for gamma correction)
no flicker (at lest not to the human eye so 50hz+)
3amps per output to drive pre-made high power 12volt led's and strips
can add more channels at a later time (daisy chain to a max of say 30 RGB channels or more)
channels need to be independently controllable by PC at speed (30+ full updates a sec. aka 30fps)
extras
maybe a built in sound mode for music.
LCD screen and a set of controls to set modes, speed, # of leds attached, and so on.
other things that can be added later in software like a
DMX mode to work with DMX control
as you can see in the vids mine works but it's buggy and can not be expanded (out of IO)
the basic idea is much like shiftbright just much brighter
my room (in yourtube vid) has over 800 SMD 5050 RGB LED's and 16 3watt RGB LED's so it can get very bright if called for
but limited to only 128 steps per output which just makes for bad colors that get really bad at low lvls, added to the cheep china leds with bad color as is.
sources for info
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/attachm ... 1232068604" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/attachm ... entid=3123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthr ... 393&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthr ... 564&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 251011/all" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Code/Timer1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://macetech.com/store/index.php?mai ... ucts_id=11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
i have been thinking of using a 4bit shift + Fet's off SPI bus on daughter boards so adding/removing/relocating each RGB channel is simple but.
it means using software PWM or something like BAM (Bit Angle Modulation) witch has it's down sides like 7 to 8 bit step at 127 but can do FAR more channels.
i think ardiuno will be easy route but i think a 40mhz PIC will offer more in the long term you can even get it with built in USB.
which ever route cost is a problem this system will most likely be built in stages. brain, then 2 or 3 channels at a time
about me
by the way remember, if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything. just kidding!
i want to hear it all. it helps with the next project.
i built my lighting for Ambi-lighting and it turned out to be much more.
the added a battery backup, has been the only light in my house 3 times this year (system runs on 12volts at full power uses about 9amps but avg about 4A)
i built my custom UPS that has 370Ah at 48v of backup. time is almost end less at idle and it's 92% Efficiency was real work to get to. it feeds my 1800watt gaming system.
my Diy CnC Project is next if i can find the funds but only after i fix car. (wish i lived next to Ben so i can cut out my parts on his CnC. darn things build them self's much faster.)
I started doing this stuff this past year as I beat the snot out of Cancer
or i guess after losing 122lbs it's a tie. but i won my war so time to find work soon.
My time fighting Cancer was spent some what wise.
learned most of C++ , C#, and some VB
learned Japanese (just the basics so far past RS lvl 2)
learned Solidworks, Solidcam, Mastercam, Mach3.
watched WAY to much Anime (apx 2100hrs).
killed over 40 books (even ben heck's CHG, most on coding)
used solidworks to design a custom computer case, and My Diy CnC.
healed from IMRT and the 3rd degree burns it gave me
had the Trany blow up in my car the last day of treatment (no car anymore Booo)