Residential TSO ShowTime Central Starter Package - Director Show

Description Layouts Playlist Refunds/Upgrades Details User Manual Warranty

Package Includes:

Software License - Pro level License
ShowTime Central Addon with miniDirector (1 Network) and FM Transmitter OR Showtime Central Addon with N4-G4-Mp3 Director (4 Networks) and FM Transmitter.
- The RGBPlus version of this card requires an N4-G4-MP3 Director for the closest scenario to “plug and play” use. The RGBPlus version may be used on a Mini or N2-G4 Director with customer-made networking modifications.
USB485-HS Adapter and USB filtered cable
30 Amp 16 channel light controller (add up to three additional CTB16PC controllers) - 120v.
- Use these controllers with Traditional LED lights. Connect controllers meant for pixels by using one Cat5 cable per pixel controller.
50' Cat5 cable to connect Director and light controller
TSO Signature Series SD Show Card (Choose Your Layout and Format)

These are 120v controllers. For 240v products, please click here.

What Lights Do I Buy?

This controller is designed operate standard basic Christmas string lights (LED or incandescent): the hundreds of boxes on the shelves at retail stores during the Christmas season. Ensure that the lights you purchase are dimmable - Non dimmable lights will greatly restrict the sequencing effects you can use, and you will not be able to use our store sequences.

Do not purchase any lights that have their own attached control mechanism, i.e. through a patterned control switch, remote control, or phone app, unless the lights can also operate standalone plugged into a normal wall outlet, without their controller.

You CANNOT connect pixel lights to the plugs on the controller/s in this basic starter package. These controllers are for standard incandescent or LEDs ONLY. These controllers CAN be used in the same show or on the same network as pixel controllers, such as when using sequences in the RGBPlus Layout. Please view the specific instructions regarding CPC Package and RGBPlus sequence configuration if you plan to use our default layout.

This SD card is pre-programmed with the sequences shown in the "Playlist" tab and set up to run any time you give a Showtime Director power (and stop when you take it away). If you want to rearrange the sequences (or add in additional sequences you've purchased), no problem - all of the original sequence files are included on the SD card and can be easily moved to your PC.

Layouts and Backwards Compatibility

This card has three options to choose from, which allow you to purchase the 11 songs on this card at a discounted bundle compared to individual purchases in our sequence store!

Effects for our CPC Package Props are only included in RGBPlus sequences. Traditional Layout and Deluxe Layout Sequences do NOT contain effects for any CPC Package, with the exception of the 16x25 pixel tree, 16x50 pixel tree, and V1 Singing Faces in the Deluxe Sequence Layout.

Any TSO SD Card purchased prior to August 2022, or TSO SD cards purchased in the Deluxe Layout after August 2022, do NOT contain effects for CPC Packages.

Card Format	Individual Sequence Purchases	DISCOUNTED PRICE for This Card
Deluxe Layout – Ready To Go (No Modifications):	$304.86	$199.95
Deluxe Layout – You Can Modify	$414.86	$299.95
RGBPlus Layout – You Can Modify	$824.89	$499.95

Ready to Go vs You Can Modify

Selecting a modifiable version of this card means you can even make changes to the sequences and add in additional props that might be unique to your display. The default TSO Signature Series SD card is a play only version for our Deluxe Layout. It will play the show for you but you cannot make any modifications to the actual sequences or add in additional props. If you want to be able to make changes to the sequences or effects for smart RGB Props, you need to select a "You Can Modify" option for the SD card. Learn more in the Layouts tab.

Upgrades

These two layouts are not direct upgrades – they are for different display layouts with different effects. See the "Refunds/Upgrades" tab for more information about purchasing a different version of this card in the future.

You have ONE YEAR from your Deluxe Card date of purchase to contact our help desk and receive full credit towards your purchase of RGBPlus.

Our Sequences all support 16, 32, 48, or 64 AC channels, but you can add additional controllers to put your show over the top! Just copy and paste the effects to new AC controllers when you purchase a "You Can Modify" card (Deluxe or RGBPlus Layout).

Which Director Do I Need?

A Showtime Mini Director (1 Network) is included with this package by default. In order to use RGBPlus Sequences, you may need to select the N4-G4-Director STC Addon depending on the number of smart pixel props you include in your display, or if you want non-modified use of RGBPlus sequences. Learn more by clicking here.

Additional Information

This package contains 120VAC controllers.

Warning - This card runs at 500K. It requires Gen3 controllers and Directors. It does not support EasyLight Linker (wireless) communication. The Showtime Director must use firmware version 6.11 or higher. Version S5.5.2 or later at the Pro License Level of software is required to modify sequences on a computer.

Because this SD card contains digital sequence files that can be copied to your machine, returns/refunds for the SD card portion of this package are not accepted once the card has been delivered. Replacements will still be provided for defective cards - please contact our help desk. You can read more about our refund policy here.

The Deluxe Layout options include sequencing for four full 16 channel AC controllers plus 4 AC channels of strobes, four sets of eight dumb RGB elements, 16x25 smart pixel tree (no topper), 16x50 smart pixel tree (no topper), and four Legacy 4-mouth singing faces (when applicable). “Ready to Go” means the sequences are non-modifiable: just follow our layout, plug your card into the Director, and you’re good to go. With “You Can Modify,” you can alter or add props and sequencing effects to any of the included sequences in the playlist.

The RGBPlus Layout includes sequencing for four full 16 channel AC controllers plus 4 AC channels of strobes, two sets of eight dumb RGB elements, four legacy 4-mouth singing faces (when applicable), 4 10-mouth singing faces (when applicable), and all of our smart RGB “CPC” Packages, which contain the Coro, Pixels and Controller you need to add smart pixels to your display. (16x25 Pixel Tree + Topper, 16x50 Pixel Tree + Topper, 32x50 Pixel Tree + Topper, 20x40 Matrix, 4 Snowflakes, 4 Spinners, 4 Candy Canes, 40 Pixel Stakes, 8 Mini Trees, 8 Mini Arches, 4 Roofline Segments, and 4 Window Frames.)

Queen of the Winter Night (3:11)
Boughs Of Holly (4:25)
A Mad Russians Christmas (4:42)
First Snow (3:52)
Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12-24 (3:25)
March of the Kings-Hark the Herald Angel (3:52)
Night Enchanted (5:46)
Wish Liszt (3:42)
Siberian Sleigh Ride (3:08)
Christmas Canon (4:19)
Wizards In Winter (3:05)

RGBPlus Layout

Deluxe Layout

Produced Under License From Atlantic
Recording Corp.©. “1997/1998/2004 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
(BMI), Robert Stellar Publishing (BMI), Paul O’Neill Publishing (BMI),
Mighty Music Zone (BMI) All Rights Administered by Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Corp. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission

Because the SD card in this package contains digital sequence files that can be copied to your machine, returns/refunds for the SD card are not accepted once the card has been delivered. The rest of the package may be returned if there is a need. Replacements will still be provided for defective cards.

You may upgrade and pay the difference between the Deluxe Layout - Ready to Go and the Deluxe Layout - You Can Modify (exact same layout - but you can modify the sequences), if you contact the help desk with your order number within three years of your purchase date. If you contact the help desk between three and five years of your purchase date, you may receive half credit towards your Deluxe Layout - You Can Modify purchase. You will be sent digital files as an upgrade.

The RGBPlus version of this card was released on October 1, 2022. If you purchased the Deluxe Layout of this card between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022, you are eligible for a discount to the RGBPlus version until October 1, 2024, relative to when your original order was placed (full credit for 2022 or 2021; half credit for 2020). Please contact our help desk with your original order number. Discounts are not retroactively applied to purchases.

If you purchase a Deluxe Layout of this card (RTG or YCM) on or after October 1, 2022 (RGBPlus version already available), you have ONE YEAR from YOUR purchase date to contact our help desk with your order number to receive credit towards the RGBPlus version, equal to the full price you paid for your Deluxe Version. Between one and two years from your purchase date, you can receive half of your Deluxe Layout purchase price in credit. After two years from your purchase date, you are no longer eligible for discount credit towards an RGBPlus purchase.

License Requirements

If you do not plan to make modifications to the sequences on this SD card or load them on to your computer, a Light-O-Rama software license is not required.

If you decide to run your show from a PC, want to make changes to modifiable sequences, or want to rearrange your playlist, then you will need to purchase a software license.

The Basic, Basic Plus, or Standard license is required to use the respective AC and dumb RGB elements in the layout.

The Advanced software license in S4.4.6 or higher required to output to the Singing Faces in the sequence. The Pro software license level of S5.6.0 or higher to output to the 16x25 Pixel Tree in the Deluxe Layout or any of the smart RGBPlus pixel props. The RGBPlus card is not useable on S4 computers.

Use the distributor program on this SD card to install the sequences onto your computer, then use the Show Editor and Schedule Editor (S5) or Control Panel (S6) to add in additional store sequences or your own, then set your start and stop times for each night of the week.

Equipment Details

Light-O-Rama Showtime residential high voltage AC light controllers can make lights do amazing tricks. Think of the light dimmer switch as you enter a room and how it controls one electrical circuit. Multiply that circuit by four, eight or 16 and imagine the lighting possibilities. Now put all those dimmers in a box and use a computer to control everything. Each circuit can blink, twinkle, ramp up/down or take on just about any effect you desire. Go to the next level and start linking more controllers together in a Light-O-Rama data network and imagine the possibilities of everything being synchronized. When you’re ready to really dazzle your audience, add music and/or video and your lights will dance creating an unforgettable show.

Compatible Lights

These residential controllers are designed for 110-240VAC environments typically meaning if you can plug the lights into a wall socket you can plug them into our controller. Most incandescent and LED based lights will work fine. Make sure the lights are rated to fade or dim in order to take advantage of all of our capabilities. We do not recommend using non-dimmable lights.

Durability and Usage

Light-O-Rama manufactures the residential series of high voltage AC light controllers geared for lighter duty applications such as home use or environments not needing commercial grade equipment. Available in 4 and 16 channel configurations, each residential high voltage AC light controllers unit is encased in a PVC enclosure designed for long life. When mounted correctly, the controller will provide a weatherproof environment to keep the control circuitry functioning in almost any typical outdoor condition. We do suggest common sense usage and keeping the cable access holes pointing down so the entire enclosure can shed the rain. We also recommend the pigtail power outlets be at least one foot off the ground. Keep the unit away from heavy splashing water and forced water flows such as from irrigation sprinklers.

Amperage Capacity

For a 30 amp controller, each side of the CTB16PC (channels 1-8 and channels 9-16) can handle 15 amps of AC power in total. Any one channel circuit can handle up to eight (8) amps of AC power. This means that if you connect 8 amps worth of lights to channel 1, channels 2-8 (the remaining channels on that side) can only contain another 7amps combined (8+7=15).

Residential high voltage AC light controllers plug directly into wall plugs and we recommend these be dedicate power circuits for power hungry applications. Our 30 amp units require two independent 15 amp power feeds. If you have more than 15 amps of power (via your light strands) connected to your controller in total (not per side), you must plug the two power cords of the CTB16PC into DIFFERENT outlets.

For more detailed information about amperage capacity, click here.

How many CTBPC16s per network?

Multiple residential high voltage AC light controllers can be connected to the same Light-O-Rama data network. See some examples of a typical network layout and how you can combine traditional lights and pixels into the same show! Each AC controller has a unique location code (a "Unit ID") set by your personal computer so it knows when to respond to commands. 240 CTB16PC controllers can function on the same Light-O-Rama data network giving you the ability to independently command almost 4000 channels (aka, anything you separately plug in, like a section of a leaping arch, LED snowflakes, or icicle lights on your roof). If you need more channels, just add another network.

What else can you do with residential Ready-To-Go high voltage AC light controllers? By attaching one of our ShowTime Directors to the Light-O-Rama data network, you can have a stand-alone system of synchronized lights (no PC needed for control).

Unit IDs: Up to 240 AC controllers (or one-unit-ID controllers) in a single Light-O-Rama data network
Fading: 1024 levels used for smooth fading effects. Fades from 0.1 to 25 seconds
Dimming: 100 levels (0%…100%), custom curves for LEDs for smooth dimming
Built-in Effects: ramp, fade, intensity, twinkle, shimmer
Presets: High-burn and low-burn settings

DMX Compatibility

Already have a communications infrastructure using DMX-512 typically used in the entertainment industry? We’ve got you covered. Light-O-Rama light controllers are smart enough to analyze the type of data network they are connected to and adapt to DMX-512 if needed. Depending on the unique network assigned to your Light-O-Rama controller, it will occupy that DMX-512 address plus the next 15 (for a 16 channel controller.) The control channels (depending on the controller) must be in the same DMX-512 universe. (Like DMX Universe 1, circuits 1 through 16)

Sequencing

What do you need to get your residential high voltage AC light controllers to flash your lights to music? If you’re the creative type our ShowTime Sequencing Suite provides all the tools needed to create your own incredible show. If you don’t have the time or inclination to create your own shows, we have plenty of off-the-shelf songs already sequenced to lights in our sequence store.