Light O Rama Pixie2D User manual

Pixie2D Pixie4D Pixie4DMX
Pixie8D Pixie16D
Cosmic Color Pixie
User Manual
August 17, 2019
V1.05
Copyright © Light O Rama, Inc. 2016-2019

Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................. 5
Hardware Utility Version .......................................... 6
Firmware Version .................................................... 6
Pixel Type (RGB IC) ................................................ 6
Pixel Strings ............................................................. 6
Important Considerations ........................................ 7
First vs. Second Generation Boards .................... 7
Network Protocols and Speeds ............................ 8
Pixie4DMX (iDMX1000 replacement) ...................... 9
Pixie4DMX Comparison to iDMX1000 ............... 10
Pixie4DMX Configuration ................................... 10
Pixie4DMX High Speed USB adapter ................ 11
Pixie4DMX on Regular LOR Networks .............. 11
Hardware Configuration ......................................... 12
Assigning a Unit ID ............................................ 12
Setting the Configuration ................................... 14
Pixel Type (RGB Integrated Circuit) ............... 17
RGB (Color) Order ......................................... 18
Pixels per Port ................................................ 18
Logical Resolution .......................................... 18
Reverse Strings .............................................. 19
First Pixel is Status Indicator .......................... 19
Stand Alone Speed ........................................ 19
DMX Mode (Pixie2D & Pixie4D only) ............. 19
Triplet Order ................................................... 20
Props .............................................................. 20
Software Control .................................................... 21
Old CCR/CCB/CCP Compatibility .......................... 22
Resolution, Macro & Color Channels ................. 22
Logical Resolution .............................................. 22
Color Effects ...................................................... 24
Macros ............................................................... 24
Hardware Description ............................................ 25
Pixie2D (White plastic box, 12 VDC) .................. 26
Pixie4D (first generation) ................................... 27
Pixie4D (second generation) .............................. 28
Pixie4DMX Isolated with XLR3 Jacks ................ 29
Pixie8D (first generation) ................................... 30
Pixie8D (second generation) .............................. 31
Pixie16D (first generation).................................. 32
Pixie16D (second generation) ............................ 33
Status LED ......................................................... 34
Input Header (JP2 or JP3) ................................. 34
Fuses ................................................................. 35
Jumpers (JP5) .................................................... 35
Power Input(s) .................................................... 35
Reset/Test Button .............................................. 35
String Connectors .............................................. 36
Network Jacks .................................................... 37
Connecting the Controller to a PC ......................... 37
Connecting to a Show Director .............................. 38
Connecting to another Controller ........................... 39
Updating the Pixie Firmware.................................. 39
DIP Switch Address Settings ................................. 41
LOR intensities to DMX Intensities ........................ 45
Specifications ........................................................ 46
This manual reflects features available in Pixies with
firmware version 1.05 or greater.

Pixie
5
Introduction
The Light-O-Rama (LOR) Cosmic Color Pixies are
low cost, high density RGB pixel controllers. They
are available in 2, 4, 8 and 16 string versions. The
maximum number of pixels on a string is 200. They
support a variety of RGB pixel controller ICs.
Unlike most multi-string pixel controllers, the Pixies
do not require Ethernet. The Pixies run on a LOR
network in either normal or enhanced mode at
speeds up to and including 1Mbit/sec. An enhanced
network is pretty much required to properly utilize
these controllers. Enhanced mode allows for a much
higher pixel change rate than a normal network.
Pixies may also be used with Ethernet E1.31 or Art-
Net by connecting them to a PixieLink Adapter,
providing an upgrade path as your show grows.
When used with 50 pixel strings, the Pixies can
emulate the older Cosmic Color Ribbon (CCR) or
Cosmic Color Bulb/Pixel (CCB/CCP) controllers.
This means, for example, that a Pixie16D can look
like 16 CCRs or 16 50-pixel CCB/CCP strings. The
Pixie controllers support LOR effects as well as the
macro and color effects extensions provided by the
first generation CCR/CCB/CCP controllers.
The Windows Showtime software is used to design
and build Sequences (controller commands that may
be choreographed to audio/music.) These user
created sequences and/or pre-programmed musical
sequences available from LOR and other companies
are then arranged into Shows. These shows are
played by your PC or one of the LOR Show
Directors.
Pixie
6
Hardware Utility Version
The version of the Hardware Utility appears in the
title bar to the right of “Light-O-Rama Hardware.” If
the version number is less than 4.4.0, you will not be
able to configure the Pixie controller. The latest
version of the Showtime software from this location:
www.lightorama.com ► Support ►Download
Software. This is a full ShowTime Software
download that includes the latest Hardware Utility.
Firmware Version
The initial firmware version was 1.01, unfortunately,
controllers with this version have a bad bootloader.
This means firmware upgrades are not possible.
These boards must be returned to the factory to
upgrade the bootloader. Version 1.02 is exactly the
same as version 1.01, but has a working bootloader.
This document reflects Pixie firmware version 1.05.
The firmware version is determined by using the
Refresh button in the Hardware Utility.
Pixel Type (RGB IC)
Each pixel on a ribbon or string has a digital RGB
driver. Sometimes these are separate ICs, other
times they are integrated with the RGB LEDs. These
are called RGB ICs. See the Pixel Type section for a
list of supported RGB ICs.
Pixel Strings
Pixel strings/ribbons compatible with these
controllers are available from Light-O-Rama and
other vendors. Strings can be 5vdc or 12vdc. All

Pixie
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strings on the controller must use the same RGB IC.
Generally, 5vdc strings are usually limited to 50
pixels because of voltage drop due to the current
draw. 12vdc pixel strings are good for 100 pixels.
Low power 12v pixels are good to 150 per string.
Important Considerations
When powered by 5vdc, the Pixie controllers cannot
supply the voltage (9vdc) required by most LOR
accessories.
LOR effects (fading, twinkling, shimmer) done by the
controller require a lot of memory. The Pixie16D can
perform these effects on the first 50 pixels of each
string, the Pixie8D on 100, and the Pixie2D and
Pixie4D on 200. If you are running the network in
Enhanced mode, these effects will be done by the
Show Director or PC, so the memory limitation does
not apply and LOR effects are available on 200 pixel
strings for all controllers.
We recommend leaving the top-most jumper off
when configuring the RJ45 network jack wiring for
LOR network mode. This disables accessory power
to the network jacks. There have been problems
with incorrectly user-made cables which swap wires
and short out the accessory power supplies. This
becomes a problem with multiple controllers as
significant current may be available.
First vs. Second Generation Boards
First generation Pixies do not have Unit ID DIP
switches and do not have reverse power protection
circuitry. Reverse power protection only protects the
controller; it does not protect the pixel strings.
Pixie
8
For WS2811 (800KHz) and WS2801 pixels, the
output networks on the pixel ports of first generation
boards allow up to 40’ between the controller and
the first pixel. This is increased to 80’ for second
generation boards. You may need to run heavier
wire (18 gauge) to prevent voltage drop on the
power leads to the first pixel, especially for 5v pixels.
Voltage drop usually manifests itself as pixels
appearing pink when white at full power is chosen.
Network Protocols and Speeds
There are three network protocols currently in use:
LOR Normal, LOR Enhanced, & PixieLink.
LOR normal is the protocol that has been used by
LOR controllers from year 0. It is the only way to
access the CCR/CCB/CCP compatibility mode
resolution, color effects and macros channels.
LOR Enhanced protocol is a newer compressed
data protocol designed specifically for high density
pixel displays. It pretty much is required for even a
moderately active display.
PixieLink protocol is used between a PixieLink
E1/31/Art-Net Adapter and Pixies. The PixieLink
Adapter allows Pixies and other LOR G3 controllers
to be used over Ethernet.
The Pixie controllers understand all protocols and
automatically detect network speeds from 19.2Kbits
per second up to 8.5Mbit per second(Mbps). All
delivered Pixies have at least 5Mbps comm chips,
and will always work with PixieLink at 4.25Mbps.
They will usually work with PixieLink at 8.5Mbps.
The 8-pin socketed chip near the RJ45 jack may

Pixie
9
need to be upgraded to a 10Mbps chip to use the
8.5Mbps PixieLink speed.
In general, users don’t have to concern themselves
with the network protocol unless they are running
old devices. Some older devices will not understand
Enhanced Protocol. Users will have to concern
themselves with network speeds. At this time, only
the PixCon and the Pixie controllers can handle
1Mbps Enhanced LOR, and only Pixies understand
PixieLink protocol (4 & 8 Mbps).
The type of network (normal/enhanced) is selected
in the Sequence Editor by clicking Edit ►
Preferences ► Network Preferences.
Using the PixieLink Adapter requires configuration of
each pixel string as a DMX universe. When the pixel
strings are defined in the Sequence Editor, each one
will have to be assigned a DMX universe number.
Then, these DMX universes will be assigned to
Ethernet addresses in Network Preferences under
the DMX tab.
Pixie4DMX (iDMX1000 replacement)
The Pixie4DMX is a version of the Pixie4D which
understands LOR network commands and converts
those commands into four DMX universes instead of
driving four pixel strings. It can be used to drive DMX
pixel strings or as a replacement for the iDMX1000.
For a general discussion of DMX and experimenting
with devices on DMX networks, see the iDMX1000
manual available at www.lightorama.com ► Support
► Documentation.
Pixie
10
Pixie4DMX Comparison to iDMX1000
Advantages over the iDMX1000:
 Works with LOR enhanced networks in
addition to regular LOR networks
 Can run on 500K, 1M, & PixieLink networks
 Allows all channels to perform LOR lighting
effects simultaneously
 Supports all Pixie configuration options
Disadvantages relative to iDMX1000
 DMX universes support 510 channels instead
of 512
 Does not support the multiple unit ID mode of
the iDMX1000 (legacy mode)
 Does not have pass-through XLR3
connections, so it must be at the end of the
DMX network
 Does not have a polarity reversal switch
Pixie4DMX Configuration
The out-of-the box configuration of the Pixie4DMX
allows you to simply set the unit ID and use it as a
replacement for the iDMX1000. Actually, it can
replace 4 iDMX1000s because the Pixie4DMX will
take 4 consecutive unit IDs starting at the assigned
unit ID. Each of these unit IDs is equivalent to an
iDMX1000.
The Hardware Utility can be used to configure it like
any other Pixie controller. To operate as a
replacement iDMX1000s, the number of pixels/string
should be set to 170, the “Color order” should be set
to RGB, the Resolution should be set to 50, and the
RGB IC to “DMX”.

Pixie
11
The number of pixels/string sets the number of
dimmers (channels) on the DMX networks. Each
pixel is three dimmers. You should not set the
number of pixels to less than 40 (120 channels or
dimmers) because some older DMX fixtures may
have problems with the short DMX messages. The
maximum number of pixels is 170 (510 dimmers).
In the Sequence Editor, you can use the “Insert
device” feature to insert an iDMX1000 for one or
more of the 4 DMX universes created by a
Pixie4DMX. This will create a iDMX1000 with the
number of channels (dimmers) you specify. You can
combine some of these channels into RGB pixels if
that is appropriate for the DMX fixtures on your
network(s). When you manipulate a pixel or channel
with Sequence Editor, SuperStar or Pixel Editor
commands, these commands will be converted to
intensities and output on the DMX universes.
Pixie4DMX High Speed USB adapter
The Pixie4DMX includes a USB interface so that it
can be directly connected to a PC. The USB
interface is exactly the same as a LOR USB adapter.
It runs up to 1Mbps and you can daisy chain other
LOR controllers on this network by using the
Pixie4DMX’s RJ45 LOR network connectors.
Pixie4DMX on Regular LOR Networks
Some DMX fixtures require that you send certain
intensity values to dimmers to control operation of
the fixture. See the LOR intensities to DMX
Intensities table for the mapping of LOR 0-100%
intensities to DMX 0-255 intensities.
Pixie
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Hardware Configuration
Assigning a Unit ID
Second generation Pixies have a DIP switch with 8
positions. This is used to set the unit ID. If all DIP
switches are set to ‘off’, then the unit ID as set by
the Hardware Utility will be used (see below). Refer
to the DIP Switch Address section for the mapping
of your desired LOR address to DIP switch settings.
First generation Pixies do not have unit ID switches,
so the Unit ID must be assigned with the Hardware
Utility as follows:
If you have not installed the Light O Rama Windows
Showtime Software, do it now. The controller must
be powered by a 5-12vdc power supply (Pixie4DMX
requires 12vdc). You can use one of LOR’s USB
RS485 adapters or you can plug a Pixie4DMX
directly into a USB port. See the Connecting the
Pixie to a PC section for more information.
Power up the controller. The Status LED will blink
about twice/second. This means that the controller
has booted and is waiting for the PC to talk to it.
Start the Hardware Utility – click start ►Light-O-
Rama ►Light-O-Rama Control Panel. There will
be a light bulb with a red halo on the right side of the
task bar at the bottom of the screen. Right-click the
light bulb and select Hardware Utility from the menu.
Make sure the LOR Control tab is selected. You will
this window:

Pixie
13
Click the Auto Configure button in the Setup Comm
Port section. The Hardware Utility will search for the
COM port that your USB RS485 adapter (or
Pixie4DMX) is plugged into and select it.
When assigning a unit ID, only one controller should
be plugged into the USB RS485 adapter on the PC.
If you have a second generation Pixie, the DIP
switches must be set to 0 for the Unit ID to be set.
Steps to set/change unit ID:
1. In the Change Existing ID section, use the Old
Unit ID drop-down menu to select Any Unit, then
click OK in the warning box for changing all unit
IDs, there should only be one unit attached.
2. Use the New Unit ID drop down menu to select
the Unit ID you want.
3. Click the Change Unit ID button to set your Pixie
controller’s base unit ID. You will see a Unit ID
Changed box – click OK.
Pixie
14
Setting the Configuration
Your Pixie controller may have come with jumper(s)
installed on JP5. These jumpers force a
configuration that supports the type, color order and
number of pixels you purchased with the Pixie
controller. These jumpers will supersede those
parameters settable by the Hardware Utility. Jumper
1 is nearest the JP5 labelled end.
Jumper What it does
J1 WS28118, BRG, 50 pixels
J2 WS2801, RGB, 50 pixels
J3 WS28118, RGB, 100 pixels
The Hardware Utility is used to set the power-up
configuration of the controller. Of the parameters
configured below, only the Logical Resolution/Flip-
status can be changed on-the-fly in sequences, and
only in CCR compatibility mode. All other
parameters are set by and can only be changed by
the Hardware Utility.
Click the Refresh button to find your controller. The
controller must appear in the drop-down menu to the
right of the Refresh button in order to continue.
The Cosmic Color Pixie controllers are configured
via a pop-up window reachable from the LOR
Control tab. First, click the LOR Control tab, then
click the Config button at the bottom of the window
you will see the following window:

Pixie
15
1
2
3
Click the Cosmic Color/Pixie Config button and the
following window will appear. Use this simplified
setup window to select the startup configuration.
Remember to click the OK button to update the
controller.
If you need to set advanced parameters, click the
Advanced button to extend the setup window:
Pixie
16

Pixie
17
Pixel Type (RGB Integrated Circuit)
This field selects the type of pixel control integrated
circuit. The currently supported pixel drivers are:
1. WS2811 400KHz (UCS1903)
2. WS2811 800KHz (UCS1903)
3. WS2801
4. SM16716
5. LDP6803
6. TMI1803
7. TMI1804
8. TMI1809
9. DMX (Used by Pixie4DMX)*
10. 943
11. 943-2**
There are also some “(Reserved IC x), …” slots.
These are so additional RGB ICs can be added
without requiring a software release.
* This type outputs intensity data in DMX format.
Only the Pixie4DMX has RS485 outputs which will
create DMX universes that can be connected to
DMX fixtures. Other Pixies will accept this output
type, but will still output 5v logic levels, not RS485.
** If an RGB IC type is followed by “-n” it means that
‘n’ adjacent pixels will be combined by the controller.
E.g. if the ribbons have 100 pixels, the controller is
configured for 50 pixels and the RGB IC is 943-2,
then 2 adjacent pixels on the ribbon will react for
each of the 50 configured pixels. It reduces the
number of pixels the ribbons appear to be by a
factor of 2.
Pixie
18
RGB (Color) Order
Selects the order in which the red, green and blue
intensities are sent to the RGB ICs. If you don’t
know the color order of your pixels, choose RGB.
Then press the test button. The test pattern always
starts with red, then green and finally blue. The
actual order of colors you see is what you need to
set the color order to.
Pixels per Port
This sets the number of physical pixels on a port.
Range is 1 to 200.
Logical Resolution
If the number of Pixels Per Port is not 50, then the
only resolutions possible are 1 (pixel strings react as
one big pixel), and full resolution – the pixels per
port (logical resolution should be set to 50).
Otherwise, old CCR compatibility mode is possible
and the following applies:
Logical resolution is the number of pixels that a bulb
string appears as in the Sequence Editor. This must
be set to 50 if you intend to use the Resolution,
Macro & Color Effect channels (old CCR/CCB/CCP
compatibility). You can always change the logical
resolution on the fly using the Resolution channel.
A bulb string has 50 physical pixels (bulbs,) but to
make programming less tedious, it can be set to a
lower logical resolution. This means that adjacent
physical pixels (bulbs) will be merged. E.g. If the
string is set to a logical resolution of 5 pixels, then
10 adjacent bulbs will respond as one – the string
will appear to be 5 segments.

Pixie
19
Note: The resolution, color effect and macro
channels are only active for strings with 50 pixels in
LOR network mode.
Reverse Strings
Normally, the first pixel is the one nearest the
controller. Checking the “Reverse” box reverses this
making the pixel furthest from the controller the first
pixel.
First Pixel is Status Indicator
If this box is checked, the status LED will be
mirrored in white on string one’s pixel nearest the
controller. This occurs for 60 seconds after power
up. This checkbox exists to save the effort of having
to open up the controller box up; you can just unplug
and plug in the controller to check its status.
Stand Alone Speed
This selects the speed at which an internal stand-
alone sequence is run. 8 runs the sequence with 1
second of sequence commands equaling one actual
second. Use this option to fine tune the speed of the
stand-alone sequence.
DMX Mode (Pixie2D & Pixie4D only)
This refers to DMX input into the Pixie. There is only
one DMX mode:
DMX addresses Pixie2 Pixie4
1-150 1st string 50 pixels 50 pixels
151-300 2nd string 50 pixels
151-450 2nd string 100 pixels
301-450 3rd string 50 pixels
Pixie
20
The RJ45 jacks on the Pixie2D have jumpers to
allow for LOR or DMX (E1.27-2) network wiring. If
the DMX device driving the controller has an XLR 3-
pin connector, you will need the LOR RJ-45 to XLR
3-pin Male connector. It is available from the Web
Store on the accessories page:
www.lightorama.com/ ► LOR Store ► Accessories
► RJ-45 to XLR 3-pin Male (this adapter converts to
LOR network wiring, not DMX E1.27-2 wiring.
Triplet Order
This is the order in which the pixel channels appear
in the Sequence Editor. The number of channels
depends upon the configured pixels per port when
not in CCR compatibility mode, and the resolution
when in compatibility mode.
Triples means the channels will appear as R
(channel 1) G (channel 2), B (channel 3) for the first
pixel (the pixel nearest the controller,) then R (4), G
(5), B (6) for the next pixel, etc.
Sequential means that all the Rs (channel 1, 2, 3,
…) will come first, then all the Gs and finally all the
Bs. Sequential channel mode is only available on
normal LOR networks, it does not work with
Enhanced or PixieLink networks.
Props
These drop-downs are used to select one of the
LOR props (singing trees). A prop is two adjacent
100 pixel strings. The controller understands the
arrangement of the pixels so that the user does not
have to individually program the pixels to manipulate
the prop. This allows for sequences to be written

Pixie
21
that will work with any of the singing trees. Selecting
a ‘prop’ reduces the number of pixels to the first 8
pixels on the first pixel string of the prop. Here is the
pixel assignment:
Pixel 1 – Outline of the tree
Pixel 2 – Tree topper
Pixel 3 – Eyes closed
Pixel 4 – Eyes open
Pixel 5 – Mouth closed
Pixel 6 – Mouth half open
Pixel 7 – Mouth full open
Pixel 8 – Mouth ‘oh’
Software Control
The Pixies appears in a LOR Network at the unit ID
set by the DIP switches or Hardware Utility plus 1, 3,
7 or 15 additional sequential unit IDs. The first unit
ID corresponds to the first string, the second unit ID
corresponds to the second pixel string, …
A pixel string is configured in the Sequence Editor
as up to 200 pixels.
If you configure the Pixie for 50 physical pixels, each
string appears as 160 channels. The first 150
channels are the R, G & B channels for the 50
physical pixels. These channels can be combined
into Sequence Editor RGB channels cutting the 150
to 50. The next 10 channels are the resolution,
macro and color effect channels. These are for
compatibility mode with the old CCR/CCB/CCP.
Pixie
22
Old CCR/CCB/CCP Compatibility
Resolution, Macro & Color Channels
Because of the large number of controllable
elements, the Pixie supports some legacy concepts
designed to simplify programming the strings.
Channel 151 – Current logical resolution
Channel 152 – Macro mode
Channel 153 – Macro submode
Channel 154 – Macro effect control
Channel 155 – Color effect mode
Channel 156 – Color speed
Channel 157 – Color intensity
Channels 158-160 – Reserved
Logical Resolution
Logical resolution works completely with 50 pixel
strings. For strings other than 50 pixels, only full
resolution and resolution 1 are supported. A
resolution of ‘1’ means the string will only be one
pixel – i.e. it will act like a dump RGB string.
This channel allows the logical resolution of a pixel
string to be changed on the fly. The logical
resolution is the number of pixels the string appears
as in the Sequence Editor.
In compatibility mode, a pixel string has a physical
resolution of 1 to 50 pixels. This means the string
can appear as up to 150 regular channels or 50
RGB channels. If the strings are configured to have
50 physical pixels and the resolution channel is set
to one of the following intensities, adjacent bulbs
may be combined to reduce the channel count:

Pixie
23
1, 2, 5, 10, 16, 17, 25 & 50
Adding 50 to the resolution ‘flips’ the pixels. E.g. if
the configured resolution is normal orientation 50,
this means that the pixel string appears as 50
separate pixels and the pixel nearest the controller is
pixel 1. If the resolution channel is set to 100 (50 +
50) then the pixel string will appear as 50 separate
pixels, but pixel 1 will be the furthest pixel from the
controller. Values other than the supported
resolutions or the supported resolutions plus 50 will
select the resolution configured with the Hardware
Utility.
When the resolution channel is set to intensity ‘1,’ a
single RGB channel (or 3 normal channels) will set
the color/intensity of an entire bulb string. When set
to ‘5,’ five RGB channels (or 15 normal channels)
will set the color/intensity of the 5 equal segments of
a string.
Note that resolutions 16 & 17 do not divide evenly
into 50 pixels. In the case of 16, the logical pixels at
the ends of a string have one more physical pixel
than the center logical pixels. In the case of 17, the
center logical pixel has one fewer physical pixels
than all the others.
In Triples mode channel numbering, only as many
RGB triples as are necessary to address the current
resolution are used. I.e. the first five sets of RGB
channels if the logical resolution is set to 5.
In Sequential mode, the number of channels used
causes the points where the G and B channels start
to move. I.e. for string 1, the first G channel will be
51 if the logical resolution is 50. The first G channel
Pixie
24
will be 6 if the logical resolution is 5. This was done
for legacy support and DMX.
Color Effects
This feature is only available when the controller is
configured for 50 physical pixels/string.
There are two ways to manipulate the colors and/or
intensities of the pixels. The most familiar way is to
set or fade/twinkle/shimmer the RGB channels. This
permits great control but can be tedious. The second
way is to use a Color Effect. When using a color
effect, the RGB channels should be off.
See the Cosmic Color Pixel Manual available here:
www.lightorama.com ► Documentation ► Cosmic
Color Pixel Manual
Macros
This feature is only available when the controller is
configured for 50 physical pixels/string.
Macros are effects that can be placed ‘on top’ of the
RGB channels or a Color Effect. Macros can be
thought of as masks that expose the underlying
RGB pixels in interesting ways.
Macro effects always run at the full 50 physical pixel
resolution of the string regardless of the current
logical resolution setting. Logical resolution only
affects the RGB or Color Effect channels.
See the Cosmic Color Pixel Manual for a more
detailed discussion of this legacy emulation mode.
http://www.lightorama.com ► Support ►
Documentation ► Cosmic Color Pixel Manual

Pixie
25
Hardware Description
The pictures in this section are not to relative scale.
Each picture is printed at the maximum size the
manual page will allow.
The Pixie2D is only available in a weatherproof
plastic box with a universal power supply. The box
and wires are available in black, green, or white.
The Pixie4DMX is only available in a non-
weatherproof plastic box.
The other Pixies are available as boards or in
weatherproof boxes with a power supply.
The labelling of the on-board jumpers (JP2-JP5) is
not consistent across Pixies. Be sure to consult the
following pictures and descriptions for your board.
The second generation Pixie boards have protection
from reverse polarity power connection. This only
protects the board logic, not the connected pixel
strings. Connect the board power before attaching
pixel strings. If the status LED flashes, then the
power is correctly connected, and you can connect
you pixel strings.
Pixie
26
Pixie2D (White plastic box, 12 VDC)
 JP2/JP3 jumpers select the network wiring on
the RJ45 jacks (LOR or DMX). LOR network
without accessory power enabled shown.
 JP4 install jumper to connect 120Ω
termination resistor.
 JP5 is used to select some factory
configurations and must be empty to allow
Hardware Utility setting of RGB IC,
pixels/string, and color order.
 DIP switches 1-8 select unit ID/DMX address
unless they are all off; in which case the
Hardware Utility is used to make the
selection.
 The power supply is current limited, so no
fuse on the pixel strings is required
 There is an AC power fuse in the AC plug.

Pixie
27
Pixie4D (first generation)
 JP2 is used to connect inputs (interactive
show triggers) to the controller.
 JP3/JP4 jumpers select the network wiring on
the RJ45 jacks (LOR or DMX). DMX network
shown. It is recommended that you leave the
top-most jumper off in LOR network mode.
This will disable accessory power to the
network jacks.
 JP5 is used to select some factory
configurations and must be empty to allow
Hardware Utility setting of RGB IC,
pixels/string, and color order.
 The fuse limits current for all four strings.
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Pixie4D (second generation)
POWER INPUTS
FUSES
RESET/TEST
STATUS LED
 JP2 install jumper to connect accessory
power to RJ45 jacks.
 JP3 is used to connect inputs (interactive
show triggers) to the controller.
 JP4 install jumper to connect 120Ω
termination resistor.
 JP5 is used to select some factory
configurations and must be empty to allow
proper operation of the Pixie4DMX and to
allow the Hardware Utility setting of
pixels/string and color order.
 The fuses limit current for individual strings.

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Pixie4DMX Isolated with XLR3 Jacks
STATUS LED
RESET/TEST
DMX ACTIVE
USB
 JP3 is used to connect inputs (interactive
show triggers) to the controller.
 JP4 jumper in place inserts a 120Ω
termination resistor.
 JP5 is used to select some factory
configurations and must be empty to allow
proper operation of the Pixie4DMX and to
allow the Hardware Utility setting of
pixels/string and color order.
 The DMX universes on the XLR3 jacks are
electrically isolated from the LOR network and
from each other.
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Pixie8D (first generation)
POWER INPUTS
 JP3 is used to connect inputs (interactive
show triggers) to the controller.
 JP5 is used to select some factory
configurations and must be empty to allow the
Hardware Utility setting of pixels/string and
color order.
 The fuses limit current for individual strings.
 Power must be connected to the “Logic
Power Input” side of the controller for
operation.

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Pixie8D (second generation)
POWER INPUTS
FUSES
RESET/TEST
LOGIC POWER INPUT
STATUS LED
 JP2 install jumper to connect accessory
power to RJ45 jacks.
 JP3 is used to connect inputs (interactive
show triggers) to the controller.
 JP4 install jumper to connect 120Ω
termination resistor.
 JP5 is used to select some factory
configurations and must be empty to allow
proper operation of the Pixie4DMX and to
allow the Hardware Utility setting of
pixels/string and color order.
 The fuses limit current for individual strings.
 Power must be connected to the “Logic
Power Input” side of the controller for
operation.
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Pixie16D (first generation)
 JP3 is used to connect inputs (interactive
show triggers) to the controller.
 JP5 is used to select some factory the
Hardware Utility setting of RGB IC,
pixels/string and color order.
 The fuses limit current for individual strings.
 Power must be connected to the “Logic
Power Input” side of the controller for
operation.

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Pixie16D (second generation)
 JP2 install jumper to connect accessory
power to RJ45 jacks.
 JP3 is used to connect inputs (interactive
show triggers) to the controller.
 JP4 install jumper to connect 120Ω
termination resistor.
 JP5 is used to select some factory the
Hardware Utility setting of RGB IC,
pixels/string and color order.
 The fuses limit current for individual strings.
 Power must be connected to the “Logic
Power Input” side of the controller for
operation.
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Status LED
 Blinks twice per second if the controller has
booted correctly but is not connected to an
active network
 Solid on if the controller sees a network
director – either a PC or Show Director
 Blinks one long on and a short off repeatedly
if in the bootloader. This means that the
firmware is not loaded or corrupted. See the
Updating the Pixie Firmware section to load
firmware
 Flashing rapidly indicates resetting because
you are holding the reset button during power
up or while the controller is up and running.
Input Header (JP2 or JP3)
The Input Header is used to provide interactive
triggers for shows or to start a stand-alone
sequence. It has 10vdc @ 300ma available for
devices like motion detectors that might be used as
triggers. The following diagram shows the
connections on the header:
Input3
GND
10VInput1
NormallyOpen
Momentary
Contact
Pushbutton
Input2 3.6V

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A 6-pin socket with a 2’ cable is available from LOR
to simplify connections to the header.
Inputs 1 & 3 are for normally open switches. Input 2
is for a normally closed switch (security devices like
motion sensors should use this input.)
Fuses
See the Hardware Description section pictures.
Jumpers (JP5)
These jumpers are used to force a configuration for
the RGB IC, color order and pixels/string. If your
board has a jumper, you can transfer the settings of
this jumper into the configuration EEPROM by
changing any parameter on the configuration page
or by changing the unit ID. Once you have done this,
you can remove the jumper and the Hardware Utility
will be able to change any parameter.
See the section Setting the Configuration for a
description of what the JP5 jumpers do.
Power Input(s)
These connectors are used to power the Pixies and
the attached pixel strings/ribbons. The Pixie8 and
the Pixie16 have two banks; one bank’s power
connector is used to supply logic power. This power
input must be powered for the Pixie to work. The
Pixies work with 5vdc or 12vdc pixels.
Reset/Test Button
Press and hold this button when powering up the
controller to reset it. When the status LED flashes
quickly, the reset is complete. Release the button
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and the controller will reboot. Resetting the controller
at power up clears any standalone sequence and
tests the stand alone EEPROM. A rapid flash
indicates that everything is good; otherwise an error
code will be flashed.
Press this button momentarily after the controller has
booted to run a simple test pattern on the pixel
strings. The test will run until you momentarily press
the button again or five minutes go by. The test
pattern runs red, then green, and then blue down all
pixel strings and repeats.
Press and hold this button after the controller has
booted until the status LED flashes rapidly to clear
the standalone sequence. Release the button when
the status LED flashes rapidly.
The controller disconnects from the network during
reset or when the test pattern is running.
String Connectors
The string connector plugs used on the Pixie4D,
Pixie8D and Pixie16D allow ribbons or pixel strings
to be easily connected to the controller. Simply pull
the plug out of the controller and use its screw
terminals to attach the string. Use the legend on the
controller to determine where ground, clock, data

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and power for the string go. The clock and data lines
are always 5vdc logic levels. For three wire strings,
connect the control wire to the data connection on
the controller.
Network Jacks
Two RJ45 jacks used to daisy chain this controller
into a LOR network. The Pixie2D and Pixie4D will
also work in DMX Networks. The Pixie2 has jumpers
to select DMX (E1.27-2) wiring or LOR network
wiring.
Connecting the Controller to a PC
You will need the following to connect your controller
to a PC:
 Showtime Windows Software
 USB RS485 Adapter (or use the Pixie4DMX’s
built-in USB adapter)
 CAT5e LAN cable
 Your controller
 Windows Vista or 7, 8 or 10 PC.
The first three items are available in the LOR SPK-
ST Generic Starter Package. www.lightorama.com
► LOR Store ►Components. You will have to
choose an RS485 adapter type. Choose the
USB485 if you have no intention of going wireless
from your PC to the controller. If wireless is desired,
get the USB485B.
The following diagram shows how the pieces fit
together:
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1. Your PC running the Showtime Windows
Software
2. Your PC speakers to play the music
3. RS485 Adapter to convert short distance USB
to long distance RS485
4. CAT5e LAN cable
5. Pixie controller
If your USB adapter has more than one jack, you
can use either.
You can use either jack on the Pixie controller.
Connecting to a Show Director
You will need the following to connect your controller
to a Show Director:
 LOR1602MP3 Show-in-a-Box controller (has
an internal DC-MP3 Show Director), mDM-
MP3 Show Director or DC-MP3 Show
Director
 CAT5e LAN cable
 Your Pixie controller
 Possibly a 9 to 10 vdc power supply for the
mDM-MP3 or DC-MP3 Show Directors.
Required if the Pixie is being used at 5vdc.

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You can use either of the larger jacks on the show
director and either jack on the Pixie controller..
Connecting to another Controller
You can go from either large jack on one controller
to either jack on the Pixie controller.
Updating the Pixie Firmware
You must have:
 Hardware Utility version 4.3.16 or later, see
the section Hardware Utility Version
 The Pixie powered and connected to the PC
via an RS485 adapter– Do not use wireless
Get the latest firmware. www.lightorama.com ►
Support ► Firmware section. Click the Firmware
button for the correct firmware (Pixie2D, Pixie4D,
Pixie4DMX, Pixie8D or Pixie16D) and save the
firmware file on your PC. Note where on your PC
you have saved the firmware file.
Start the LightORama Control Panel if it is not
running by clicking start ►Light-O-Rama ►Light-
O-Rama Control Panel. The Light-O-Rama light
bulb icon will appear in the system tray on the lower
right of your screen.
Start the Hardware Utility by right-clicking the Light-
O-Rama Control Panel light bulb and selecting
Hardware Utility from the menu. You can click the
Refresh button to search for connected controllers
and select the one you want to update.
Click the Firmware button in the LOR Control tab
and you will see this window:
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In Step 1 – Select Unit, Choose Selected unit listed
above or Only one unit is connected as appropriate.
In Step 2 – Select firmware file, click the Open
button. Use the Open file box to select the firmware
file. This is the .lhx file you saved. Click the Open
button. The window will look like this: