px4i
Fixed-install pixel processor
The same firmware as the pxnode 4 in a compact box for fixed installations. Keep the node in the control room or a cabinet: only the data travels, up to 150 m, and the power supplies stay next to the LEDs.
- RGB pixels at 60 fps, 512 per output
- 2048
- from the node to the pixels, per output
- 150 m
- built-in managed switch, with VLANs
- 1 Gbit/s
- GPI inputs, for buttons and relays
- 4
Choose your workflow
- What it does
- The node plays a preset stored inside it, launched from the web interface, the HTTP API or a GPI input.
- What you need
- Built-in effects, with HTTP API, web remote and Bitfocus Companion support.
- Choose it for
- A decor that runs by itself, a fixed installation, a backup look.
The built-in effects engine
The node computes its effects itself, with no media server: a full look from a few desk channels, or from a preset stored in the node with no desk at all.
Sinea sine wave
1 / 18Two colours, one effect
A background colour, an effect colour, and the effect between them. FX Dimmer sets how much of the effect shows over the background.
Any size, any speed
One wave across the whole rig, the same cycle on every group, or each pixel on its own.
From a desk, or no desk
On a desk, the 14-channel profile sets colours, effect, speed, size and shutter from one address, over DMX512, Art-Net or sACN. With no desk, the node runs one of up to 12 stored presets, launched from the API with a fade of up to 10 minutes.
Nodes in phase
The nodes of a zone start their frames together and keep their effects in phase: one leads, the others follow. A wave crosses the stage from node to node.
Several nodes, one installation
Nodes on the same network sync with each other: group them in a zone and they work as one installation. Launch a preset from the web interface, the remote page, the HTTP API or a GPI input, and every node of the zone follows, at once and in step.
- In stepframes and effects stay in phase from node to node: a wave crosses the whole stage
- They all followone preset for the zone, wherever it was launched
- Nothing to set upthe nodes sync by themselves; a node back on the network follows the zone again
Mode changes and signal loss
Change mode on the fly, from the web interface or the HTTP API: the change applies at once, with no restart.
If the DMX or network input stops, the node does what you chose for the installation, after a timeout of 1 to 600 s (5 s by default). This also applies after a power cut, as long as no signal comes back. As soon as the signal returns, the node follows its input again.
- Hold last look
- the outputs keep the last frame. The default
- Blackout
- every output fades to black, the DMX output too
- Launch a preset
- the node plays one of its presets, with a fade: the installation keeps running with no desk
Signal received: the node follows its input.
The long-range extender
One extender per output sits right next to the pixels and turns the RS485 link back into pixel data. Power supplies stay close to the LEDs, on short cables, while the node stays in the control room or a cabinet, up to 150 m away on a twisted pair.
- Input
- RS485 from a px4i output, 120 Ω termination built in
- Output
- 5 V logic, for 5 V, 12 V and 24 V pixels
- Power
- 6.5 to 30 V DC, in practice the 12 V or 24 V supply of the pixels
- Terminals
- pluggable, 3 points at 5.08 mm (Phoenix Contact MSTB 2.5), wires from 0.2 to 2.5 mm²
- Indicators
- PWR, ACT
A built-in managed switch
The two Ethernet ports sit on a managed gigabit switch inside the px4i. Chain px4i to px4i, or plug a console, a media server or a camera into the second port: no switch to add in the cabinet, one cable from node to node.
It speaks VLANs. A trunk comes in on ETH 0 with the lighting and video networks tagged; the node keeps its own VLAN, and ETH 1 hands one of the others, untagged, to a device that knows nothing of VLANs. Set it from the Network tab of the web interface, or with PUT /api/ports.
- Ports
- 2 × RJ45, 10/100/1000 Mbit/s, at full speed from port to port
- VLANs
- IEEE 802.1Q, up to 8, IDs 1 to 4094, each with its name. On each port: tagged VLANs (trunk), an untagged one (access), or both
- IGMP snooping
- sACN multicast goes only to the ports that joined it
- Storm control
- broadcast limited to 80 Mbit/s on each port
- Safe changes
- a VLAN change is tried, then undone after 60 s unless confirmed: a mistake never strands a node
- Diagnostics
- per port: link, speed, traffic, CRC errors, drops and link history, live in the web interface
4 GPI inputs
Push buttons, switches or relay contacts start an action on the node, with no desk and no network: a wall button that launches a look, a show controller's relay, a room's light switch. Each contact closes V+ onto an input, IN 1 to IN 4, through an optocoupler.
Pulse, for a push button: each press triggers. Hold, for a switch: the action lasts while the contact is closed, and the node goes back to what it showed when it opens. Each input has its own fade, and can act on every node of the zone. Set in the GPI tab of the web interface.
- Launch a preset
- by its name, or a random one, or the next or previous one
- Blackout
- every output to black, the DMX output too
- Full white
- every pixel at full white, whatever the input
One interface for every node
Every node serves its own web interface: open its address in a browser, there is nothing to install. From any node, you see the whole installation and set each node.
All the nodes on the network in one list: their mode, their input, their temperature, and what needs attention.
Click to zoom. Screenshots of the interface on a demo network.
HTTP API
All playback and configuration features are exposed through an HTTP API, in JSON: for your scripts, your show control or Bitfocus Companion.
Specifications
- Pixel outputs
- 4, RS485 on terminals, to extenders up to 150 m away
- Pixels
- up to 512 RGB or 384 RGBW per output
- Compatible pixels
- WS2812, WS2815, SK6812 and compatibles
- Power input
- 12 or 24 V DC (6 to 28 V), reverse-polarity protected, 15 W maximum
- Network
- 2 Ethernet ports on a built-in managed gigabit switch, with VLANs. Art-Net 4: ArtDmx, ArtSync, ArtPoll. sACN (ANSI E1.31): data, sync, multicast
- DMX512
- in and out (RX, TX), on terminals
- GPI
- 4 optocoupled inputs on terminals: presets, blackout, full white
- Modes
- Standalone, DMX Shape, NET Shape, NET Pixels, NET Pixels + Ctrl
- Desk profiles
- 5ch (RGBW), 14ch (Shape RGBW)
- Effects, presets
- 18 built-in effects, up to 12 presets
- Frame rate
- 20 to 120 fps
- Control
- DMX512, Art-Net, sACN, web interface, HTTP JSON API
- Indicators
- Power, Running, Network, Identify, TX, RX; reset button
- Enclosure
- white, side mounting slots
- Dimensions
- 166 × 120 × 23 mm
Firmware, fixtures and documentation
Every firmware release, desk fixtures for QLC+, grandMA2 and grandMA3, guides and the API reference.