When it comes to pixel controllers, there are a few options available in the market. Digidot has sent me their C4 Extended pixel controller to provide an honest review about this unit.
After first meeting with Digidot, I had learned that they only work with pixels and make just pixel controllers. The overall goal is to offer products that you can easily and completely be able to fill it up with pixels as best you can.
If you have worked with pixels in the past you may already know that this can prove to be a difficult task when you’re balancing the total number of outputs with power injection and sometimes long gaps in-between runs of pixels.
What is the Digidot C4 Extended?
The unit I was sent, is able to plug in four outputs of pixels and just the unit alone has multiple triggering options from a different DMX console.
Another feature is being able to capture the full Art-Net (sACN coming soon) from a lighting console or media server and playing it on the LED pixels. You can then capture it, record it, play it back, and build loops all within this controller alone.
There is a long range controller option as well Digidot also sent me their pixel transceiver setup which features a 4-port long-range “adapter” for the C4 and (4) individuals receivers. You can connect the two units together and that will you give 4 long range pixel ports to utilize.
You connect the pixels and at the end of the pixels is a circuit board at the end. You will have to solder your pixels or connecter to this board.
What I do like about these units is that you can really use these anywhere within your pixels system. The transmitter with certain configuration does have the ability to output DMX. Giving you the option to have a pixel controller and even a DMX output.
Another interesting piece is that the circuit board that powers you pixels does not need it’s own separate power supply.
How to Configure the Digidot C4 Extender
Now it’s time to plug in the unit and begin configuring it. It does have a couple of different ports and in this overview I will be using ethernet and configuring it that way.
Once you get the unit plugged in, you want to go to interface.digidot.eu to get started. If this is a new unit on your network you will need to click “Discover” and it will then locate the unit.
One of the things that makes Digidot unique that it has a DHCP server built into their units. What this means is that if you plug it into your computer, the unit sees that, gives your computer an IP Address, your unit a IP Address, and then they both can communicate with each other.
Onto the interface, one of the things I really like is how simple but the ability to do so much with it.
Using the installation wizard, it will help walk you through step by step on how to set up your Digidot unit.
Once you have set up the unit, it is so easy to get started with creating scenes right there within the Digidot interface.
If you are wanting to create scenes within Digidot, you have the ability to that very easily within their interface alone. It does have the ability to work with other lighting consoles since it does have a DMX input and output.
Functionality and Pricing
At the basic level with the Digidot C4 , you can just program scenes and keep it simple. Compared to other pixel controllers it’s reasonably priced. If you decide you want to do even more with it, it does have the capability to that and that’s what makes this unit special.
Using ONYX as the controller I logged in to use a previously created scene saved in the console.
Then, going back to the Digidot interface, I clicked “Create Scenes”, they are connected via Art-net and click the “Record” on the bottom of the screen.
Once it is recorded for however long you want it to, you can then play it back, trim the scene, and save it through the Digitdot Interface. The “Find Loop” option will find the longest possible loop in the scene.
This is a great tool if you want to use it on separate pixels and want to record and put scenes on a loop.
There are other options such as setting triggers, control with OSC, and so many more options. That’s what I really like about this unit is the ease of setup, the user friendly interface, and the manual is saved in a PDF format on the unit itself. I went through the manual myself and it is very detailed and gives great instructions on how to use it.
Pricing and Licensing
There are quite a few different licensing options. The C4 live licenses come with different options and the do offer a 24 universes if requested.
There are also multiple licensing options for the C4 Extended.
These are licensing options which means you can upgrade and downgrade as you may need to.
Final Thoughts
I’ve just began with the basics of how to use this unit and so far it’s showing to be a really great pixel controller. It was very easy to set up, the user interface is very use-friendly, and the option to use it as a stand alone is awesome. The ability to pair it up with my Onyx console was very easy and effective.
I haven’t even scratched the surface for everything it is able to do. There are so many options and things you can do with it. To me it’s a very solid and good unit. Depending on what you would like to do I feel this unit is something for you to consider.
