Color Kinetics iPlayer 3 User Manual

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iPlayer 3

User Guide

Contents

1 Introduction 1

Welcome to iPlayer 3 1

Key Features 1

About ColorPlay 3 2

About this Guide 2

2 Installation and Hardware Overview 3

iPlayer 3 Installation 3

iPlayer 3 Hardware Features 8

LCD Screen Output 9

3 Show Conguration Concepts 11

Overview 11

Shows 11

Eects 11

Triggers 11

Alarms 12

4 Run Mode 13

Overview 13

Playing Shows 13

AppendixA: Pinouts and DIP Switch Functions 21

Serial Port: DB9F Pinouts 21

DMX: RJ-45 Pinouts 21

iPlayer 3 DIP Switch Functions 22

AppendixB: Conguring Remote Triggering Devices 23

Electrical 23

Protocol 23

AppendixC: Firmware Update Procedure 25

Overview 25

Determining Firmware Version 25

Firmware Update Procedure 25

AppendixD: Cloning and Formatting SD Memor y

Cards for use in iPlayer 3 27

Overview 27

SD Card Cloning Procedure 27

Windows SD Card Formatting Procedure 27

Mac OS SD Card Formatting Procedure 28

AppendixE: Conguration Menus in Detail 29

5 Conguration Mode 15

Overview 15

Navigating Menus 15

Assigning Triggers 15

Setting an Alarm 16

Setup Menu 17

Info Menu 18

6 USB Mode 19

Overview 19

Initiating USB Mode 19

Downloading Show Files from ColorPlay 3 19

Downloading Triggers from ColorPlay 3 20

Downloading Alarms from ColorPlay 3 20

Triggers Menu 29

HSB Editor 31

Alarms Menu 32

Setup Menu 34

Info Menu 36

AppendixF: Powering O the iPlayer 3 37

iPlayer 3  User Guide i

iPlayer 3  User Guideii

Introduction

1

Welcome to iPlayer 3

iPlayer® 3 is the compact lighting system controller from Color Kinetics capable
of controlling up to two full DMX universes or 340 individual three-channel
luminaires. Equipped with an LCD interface for simple operation, iPlayer 3 stores
and plays pre-programmed and custom-authored light shows.

Key Features

• Light shows are authored with ColorPlay® 3 software

• Designed for use with the optional wall-mounted Controller Keypad

• Supports the optional AuxBox expansion device, which enables show triggering

by a variety of dry-contact closure devices including motion sensors, photocell
applications, and more.

OFF

1

BOX

AUX

8

7

6

STATUS

24 VDC
+ / -

5

4

3

2

1

INPUTS

To Light Universe 1

SERIAL POR

To Light Universe 2

T

Input from

Controller

Keypad

Input from

AuxBox

PRESETS

2

3

Input from
ColorPlay 3

Software

iPLAYER 3

4

5

X

USB

POWER

iPlayer 3  User Guide 1

About ColorPlay 3

ColorPlay 3 light show authoring software enables you to create unique light
shows, download light show les to your iPlayer 3, and manage the les on your
iPlayer 3.

Out of the box, iPlayer 3 comes programmed with default, single-eect light shows
designed for quick testing of your lighting installation. ColorPlay 3 enables you to
create and manage more sophisticated shows using the following features:

E Download ColorPlay 3 from

http://www.colorkinetics.com/ls/
controllers/colorplay3/.

• 16 fully customizable eects, including a particle eect used to simulate re,

clouds, or rain

• Timeline editing with multiple tracks, enabling eect layering and unique

transitions

• Eect editing both on-screen or live on a lighting installation

• Management of multiple shows within each ColorPlay 3 project le

• Custom color palettes

ColorPlay 3 is compatible with both Microsoft Windows® and Mac OS X
operating systems.

About this Guide

This user guide contains step-by-step hardware setup and mounting instructions,
details about iPlayer 3 modes and features, and reference information. The
following documents are also available to help you fully realize the potential of
your iPlayer 3 and lighting installation as a complete system:

Document Name Online Location

iPlayer 3 Installation Instructions www.colorkinetics.com/support/userguides/

iPlayer 3 Quick Start Guide www.colorkinetics.com/support/userguides/

ColorPlay 3 User Guide www.colorkinetics.com/support/userguides/

Controller Keypad Product Guide www.colorkinetics.com/support/datasheets/

AuxBox Product Guide www.colorkinetics.com/support/datasheets/

iPlayer 3  User Guide2

Installation and

iPLAYER3

PRESETS

2

1

3

4

5

x

POWER

USB

DMX 2

DMX 1

SERIAL 2

SERIAL 1

2

Hardware Overview

iPlayer 3 Installation

Step 1: Conrm all components received

Take a moment to conrm you have received these iPlayer 3 components:

• iPlayer 3

• Mounting bracket

• Mounting bracket screws

• Power cord (North American or European)

• USB 2.0 Cable

• RJ-45 DMX 512 data cable

• Installation Instructions

• Quick Start Guide

Step 2: Prepare for the Installation

• Create a layout plan that starts with the locations of iPlayer 3 and all power

supplies or data enablers.

• Select a convenient but unobtrusive location for mounting the iPlayer 3 that

will be accessible to a computer via USB connection. If also installing external
show selection switches such as Controller Keypads or an AuxBox, mount
iPlayer 3 in a location accessible to the maximum serial cable length of 15.2 m
(50 ft).

• Verify that the mounting location meets the following

environmental specications.

iPlayer 3  User Guide 3

Electrical Specications

Power requirements: 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 5 W

Environmental Specications

Operating temperature range: -10˚ – 40˚ C (14˚ – 104˚ F). Maximum 95%
relative humidity.

Step 3: Install mounting bracket

Choose a method for mounting bracket installation: quick-release or secure.

Quick-release mounting method

With the release tab pointing downward, screw the mounting bracket onto a
surface using the innermost screw holes.

Slide the iPlayer 3 onto the mounting bracket until the iPlayer clicks securely
into place.

iPLAYER3

PRESETS

1

4

2

5

3

x

Secure mounting method

Slide the iPlayer 3 onto the mounting bracket until the iPlayer 3 clicks securely into
place. Using the supplied machine screws, secure the mounting bracket to the
iPlayer 3.

iPlayer 3  User Guide4

Using the outermost screw holes, install the mounting bracket and iPlayer 3

iPLAYER3

PRESETS

2

1

3

4

5

x

POWER

USB

DMX 2

DMX 1

SERIAL 2

SERIAL 1

assembly onto a surface. Secure with screws suitable for mounting substrate.

iPLAYER3

PRESETS

1

4

2

5

3

x

Step 4: Attach the power cable

Step 5: Install ColorPlay 3 Software

System Requirements

Windows® Mac OS

Windows 7 or greater Mac OS 10.6 or greater

512 MB RAM 512 MB RAM

60 MB free disk space 60 MB free disk space

iPlayer 3  User Guide 5

To install ColorPlay 3 on Windows:

1. Download the latest version of ColorPlay 3 Software from http://www.

colorkinetics.com/support/colorplay3/.

2. Locate the compressed (.ZIP) le you just downloaded. Extract its contents

to your computer, and double-click ColorPlay3Installer.exe to launch
the installer.

3. Follow the on-screen prompts. When the installation is complete, click Finish

to exit the installer.

To install ColorPlay 3 on MacOS X:

1. Download the latest version of ColorPlay 3 Software from http://www.

colorkinetics.com/support/colorplay3/.

2. Locate the compressed (.ZIP) le you just downloaded. Extract its contents

to your computer, and double-click ColorPlay3Installer.app to launch
the installer.

3. Follow the on-screen prompts. When the installation is complete, click Finish

to exit the installer.

Step 6: Connect computer with USB cable

PRESETS

3

iPLAYER 3

4

5

X

USB

POWER

1

2

D If using Windows, you

must install ColorPlay 3 prior
to connecting the iPlayer 3 to
your PC. ColorPlay 3 installs
the device drivers required for
USB connectivity.

Input from
ColorPlay 3

Software

Step 7: Attach external show selection devices
as required

OFF

AUXBOX

8

7

6

5

STATUS

4

3

2



INPUTS

24 VDC
+ / -

SERIAL PORT

Input from
Controller

Keypad

Input from

AuxBox

To connect a Controller Keypad:

1. Power o the iPlayer 3.

iPlayer 3  User Guide6



2

iPLAYER 3

PRESETS

3

4

5

X

USB

POWER

2. Connect the cable end with the 4-pin leads into the back of the

Control to Lights

Controller Keypad.

3. Connect the cable end with the DB9 cable connector to serial port 1 or 2 on

iPlayer 3.

4. As needed, set the Range switch position on the back of the keypad. By

default, switch position 0 (zero) sets the keypad to trigger shows 1 – 8 (see
“About Show Ranges” on page 18 for an overview of trigger ranges).

5. Power on the iPlayer 3.

To connect an AuxBox:

1. Power o the iPlayer 3.

2. Connect the female end of the serial cable to the AuxBox serial port.

3. Connect the male end with of the serial cable to serial port 1 or 2 on iPlayer 3.

4. As needed, set the Range switch position on the front of the AuxBox. By

default, switch position 0 (zero) sets the AuxBox to trigger shows 1 – 8.

5. Connect each external triggering device’s two-wire cable to a terminal pair on

the AuxBox.

6. Connect the 24 VDC power cable to the 24 VDC terminals on the AuxBox, and

then plug it in.

7. Power on the iPlayer 3.

Step 8: Connect lighting systems with RJ-45
data cable

iPLAYER 3

4

5

X

USB

POWER

DMX 1
Control to Lights

DMX 2



PRESETS

2

3

DMX output port 1 manages light universe 1 (light addresses 1-170)

DMX output port 2 managed light universe 2 (light addresses 1-170)

Step 9: Create and download light shows via
ColorPlay 3

iPlayer 3  User Guide 7

iPlayer 3 Hardware Features

Current mode and information

Serial ports

The iPlayer 3 has the following hardware features:

09:21:48 17-Feb-09
Cong mode
Show type? <
downloaded show

Displays the color appearing on light
address 1 (DMX output port 1)

Adjust brightness level
Change mode
Navigate menus

Pause/resume show
Cancel menu action

Select a trigger for show playback

Access panel for SD memory card

and conguration DIP switches

USB 2.0 port

Activity LED

Power inlet

DMX output ports

iPlayer 3  User Guide8

LCD Screen Output

iPlayer 3 has three modes of operation. The LCD screen displays the currently
active mode.

Run Mode

09:21:36 17-Feb-09
RUN Mode
Show 1 >
/ b100

Run mode launches automatically when you power on the iPlayer 3. In Run mode,
by default, iPlayer 3 triggers the show assigned to Preset . You can manually
trigger other shows by pressing Presets through on the iPlayer 3 faceplate or
keys 1 – 8 on a Controller Keypad. Setting alarms enables you to automate show
triggers by time, day of the week, or an astronomical event such as sunset.

Conguration Mode

09:21:48 17-Feb-09
Config mode
Main Menu >
ALARMS

Conguration Mode provides an onboard menu system enabling you to congure
triggers, set alarms, perform device setup, and view device information.

USB Mode

09:21:02 17-Feb-09

USB

USB mode enables you to transfer shows, triggers, and alarms between a
computer running ColorPlay 3 and the iPlayer 3.

iPlayer 3  User Guide 9