Semitone Lighting Controllers / News: Recent posts

Hi,

the new Gtk2 frontend was released in version 0.0.3 (see the semitone_utils package) today. After some bugfixes which were already applied and released yesterday, it's now ready for the 0.1.0 release, which - for me - stands for something like "pretty usable". ;)

If you discover bugs, please let us know.

And remember, as reported on the website, there's a "plea for feedback" goin' on. If you are using a Semitone dimmer, please give feedback. If you are using parts of the schematics or of the source code, please tell us what part you found useful and how it is working. Thanks!... read more

Hi,

the new Gtk2 frontend has finally been released. It's just a 0.0.1, but runs fine.

Get it and enjoy!

Currently there's a screenshot on our project homepage at http://semitone.sf.net if you'd like to have a preview.

Have fun,
Mark

Hi,

a new frontend for the R1 protocol is being developed, this time written in C (not Perl).
This is going to replace "dim" and "gtkdim" in the future. It will also support the latest (multi channel) dimmers somewhen.

Check out the screenshot at http://semitone.sf.net

Have fun,
Mark

Hi,

the new website is online. It's not really prettier than the old one, but offers more information. It also covers the new Semitone IIX dimmer, which is running stable now.

Have a look... http://semitone.sf.net

Bye,
Mark

Hi,

the 0.3.1 firmware release for the Semitone Crystal Digital Dimmer should not longer cause any trouble when having left the UART port unconnected.

Have fun!
Mark

Hi,

I've figured out that the Semitone Crystal SC1.0 board can cause trouble in the event that you have not connected a MAX232, or if you have left away the UART socket itself. Your system may react by randomly flashing around or ignoring IR buttons.
If this happens, please follow these steps:

If you have installed the 4pin UART socket, please use a jumper to connect the RX and the Vcc line. Place the jumper on pins 1 and 2 of JP1 (see the SC1.0 schematic). Your system should then operate normally.... read more

Hi,

currently I'm spending a lot of time with the development of the new Semitone model. Its key features so far are:
- up to 8 channels,
- 3 digit 7-segment display, greatly enhancing user-friendliness,
- great distance IR reception (uses RC5dec: http://markh.de/rc5dec/ ),
- piezo beeper for audible feedback

The code is written in C. There's still a lot to optimise, but the system runs already fine.... read more

Hi,

the plans for the next Semitone Digital Dimmer model are evolving. The dimmer will not necessarily consist of different modules. However, there will be one single firmware that supports different modes of operation (phase angle control, provided power supply). Programming will be done in C this time. This makes it easier to enhance and maintain the code.
In a first basic stage, the dimmer will have only an IR receiver interface. But as development goes on, it will get a TWI (I2C) interface for a dimmer bus system. Its main use will be to connect more than one dimmer to a PC. But in theory, dimmers can also interoperate. Its just a matter of software. The bus is laid out to make use of the multi-master capabilities of the TWI bus.
Later, it would be possible to interface the TWI bus with a DMX512 receiver, which maps the DMX commands to dimmers on the TWI bus. Also, dimmers could natively support the DMX protocol on the USART interface (which is still unused).
Another interesting feature could be firmware upload over the TWI bus, possibly to all connected dimmers at once.... read more

Hi,

due to the lack of flash ROM in the AVR 2313 controller, I decided to design a new dimmer model, which will probably be some kind of modular. There will be one official firmware that does it all: potentiometer, wheel encoder, infrared remote control, SPI interface (DMX512-bridge?), both modes of phase angle control and different types of zero-cross-detection (depending on the type of power supply).
If you have some nice ideas or hints about the new dimmer, or if you want to contribute, please _don't_ hesitate to contact me. Thanks!... read more

Hi,

the new 0.3.0 firmware for the Semitone Crystal model finally got the RC5 setup procedure. The bad news is that the AVR 2313 doesn't seem to offer enough flash capacity for more features. The 0.3.0 firmware occupies 1021 of 1024 words.
A new dimmer is currently being planned, using the AVR Mega8 and offering an SPI interface, brown-out detection (problems with EEPROM safety have already been noticed at the Semitone Crystal) and much more. More details later...... read more

Hi,

tonight, four new releases came out. New firmware, updated schematics and board, new docs, new GTK frontend.

Have fun!
Mark

Hi,

today the first releases have been published.
If you are interested in building a dimmer you can mail me for details.

Have fun!
Mark