Problem with "Video to DMX" plugin

Hi everyone,

I’m encountering a significant issue with the VDMX “Video to DMX” plugin while using the QuinLED-dig2go controller with a WS2812B LED strip (300 LEDs total). Everything functioned correctly with a shorter strip (1 meter), but I’m facing problems with higher LED counts. Specifically, only the first 170 LEDs work as expected, while the remaining LEDs on the strip do not light up. The plugin is configured for 300 LEDs, but the issue persists. Additionally, when I add an extra sending port in the setup, the remaining LEDs start strobing uncontrollably.

My main question is whether the VDMX “Video to DMX” plugin supports consecutive DMX universes. I suspect that the limit might be 170 LEDs per universe, where each “LED” refers to a virtual pixel (comprising three physical LEDs in the case of RGB strips like WS2812B). If this is the case, can the plugin handle multiple universes to control the full 300-LED strip seamlessly?

Any insights or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi everyone,
I wanted to follow up on my earlier post about using the VDMX “Video to DMX” plugin with a QuinLED-dig2go controller and a 300-LED WS2812B strip.

What I’ve learned:

• LED Count Configuration:
The number of LEDs set in the WLED interface must match the actual strip length. If the count is set incorrectly (especially if it’s too high), it can cause all sorts of unexpected behavior.
• DMX Universe Limit:
DMX universes support a maximum of 512 channels. For RGB LEDs (3 channels per pixel), this means you can control up to 170 LEDs per universe. This explains why only the first 170 LEDs were working for me.
• Multi-Universe Setup:

VDMX does not automatically create extra DMX universes when you exceed the channel limit. I had to manually add a second port/universe in the plugin to control the remaining LEDs. Once I did this, the rest of the strip responded-but at first, the extra LEDs strobed uncontrollably until I got the universe/channel assignments right.

Current Issue:
Now that I have the addressing sorted, I’m noticing that the LED animation is very jerky, almost like stop-motion. I’m not sure if this is due to limitations in the plugin, or something else. But I also own license for Madmapper 5/6 and the animation there is smooth and silky on the same ISF shader

@Davidlubin, if you have a moment, could you take a look? Maybe the plugin code or timing could use an update.

@dot2dot Do you want to share your project and setup? I assume you are sending out the DMX data over Wifi to the dig2go?

DMX TEST.zip (6.3 KB)
Hi @ProjectileObjects, yes this is exactly what I am doing. In the final version there will be 7 LED Strips each running their own VIDEO to DMX plugin pushing pixels to different LED strips.

I am not sure if you can recreate the problem.

The setup is as follows dig2go (https://www.drzzs.com/shop/dig2go/) >> LED Strip (Amazon.com: BTF-LIGHTING 16.4FT WS2811 WS2812B IC RGB 360 Degree Round Reticulate Pattern Chasing Color Neon LED Strip Flexible Nylon Silicone IP67 Waterproof Dream Color Rope Light DC5V(No Adapter or Controller) : Tools & Home Improvement)

I currently Tested the setup with one LED Strip and started to have this problem. When I broke down pixels into 50 per Universe, the speed improved but still very jerky.

I used this ISF Shader, that I created for the LED Animations (ISF.video)

Can’t wait to the reply

Hi @dot2dot ,

You said when you have the same setup in MadMapper it is less jerky? I’m assuming that is with the same 300 LEDs spanned across two universes?

In Madmapper are you using sACN, Artnet, and or Broadcast or Unicast?

Thanks

In madmaper I am using UNICAST ArtNet, I tested both sCAN and Artnet, both work, and the animations are very fluid. The problem in VDMX start when I output more then one universe

@ProjectileObjects is there anything you need me to test?

Not yet. When I have a moment I’m going to give it a go on my end, but I’ll use an Advatek controller and WS2811 leds.

Good idea, adwatek is a gold standard for pixel pushing

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