ArtNet_DMX_SD_Card_ESP8266

A project used to store DMX frames received through Artnet on a nodemcu or a ESP8266/ESP12 module to a SD card with one sketch. With the other sketch, playback the stored effects. With this, a standalone way to playback LED effects is possible without the need to have a software sending DMX frames or even a WiFi connection.

Using two buttons, we can store several effects in individual files (with incremental names) when the recording sketch is active. Using the same buttons, we can play the previous or next effect from the various files when the playback sketch is active.

Click on the image below for a demo video.

Hardware

nodemcu or a ESP8266 ESP12 module SD card reader with microSD card
Two push buttons
Two 10K resistors
WS2812B LED strip
Power supply

Connections

Push buttons

Connect D2 of nodemcu to one leg of push button. Also connect that leg to GND through a 10K resistor. Connect the other leg of the button to 3.3v. Connect D1 of nodemcu to one leg of another push button. Also connect that leg to GND through another 10K reistor. Connect the other leg of the button to 3.3v.

The above connections will remain the same for both recording and playback.

For recording, push button connected to D2 will be 'Start' button. Push button connected to D1 will be 'Stop' button. For playback, push button connected to D2 will be 'Previous' button. Push button connected to D1 will be 'Next' button.

Uploading the sketch

Arduino IDE 1.8.0 has been used in this project. Before uploading either of the recording or playback sketches, make sure the following libraries are installed.

SPI
SD
ESP8266WiFi
WiFiUdp
ArtnetWifi
Adafruit_NeoPixel

For recording effects

Upload Store_DMX_Frames_Received_Through_ArtNet_To_SD_Card.ino sketch to the nodemcu.
Configure Madrix to send DMX frames to the nodemcu.
Play the first effect on the Madrix. It will send DMX frames to the nodemcu.
Press the first (Start) button. The nodemcu will start to store the received DMX frames to the SD card. The first filename will always be 'data0'.
To stop storing the effect, press the second (Stop) button. This will close the current file and automatically will open the next file, like 'data1' for writing.
Play the next effect on the Madrix.

Repeat steps 4 to 6 to record the second effect (to file 'data1') and more effects (and more files).

IMPORTANT

If you reset the nodemcu or poweroff then power on the nodemcu when the recording sketch is active, then it will start overwriting the data files from the beginning, that is from data0.

For replaying effects

Upload Play_Stored_DMX_Frames_From_SD_Card.ino sketch to the nodemcu.
Madrix is not needed for this. A wifi connection is also not needed. Wifi wont be started on the nodemcu.
As soon as the nodemcu starts, it will start playing the effects stored in the first data file - data0. Once it reaches the end of the file, it will start again from the beginning of the same file and the process repeats.
To go to the next effect (file), press the second (Next) button. If its playing the last file, then the next file will be the first file.
To go to the previous effect (file), press the first (Previous) button. If its playing the first file, then the previous file will be the last file.

Links

Used in this project

Library to use Madrix with ESP8266
https://github.com/rstephan/ArtnetWifi

Original Artnet library - one example is to capture DMX frames, store it in a SD card and play them back
https://github.com/natcl/Artnet https://github.com/natcl/Artnet/tree/master/examples/ArtnetNeoPixelSD

Vitalaser / Artnet_DMX_SD_Card