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AlphaPix Evolution vs. HinksPix Pro
Last Updated: 05/19/2023
Differences between the AlphaPix Evolution and HinksPix Pro CPUs used in the Flex Expansion System



The chart below shows the individual technical differences between the two CPUs offered for use with the Flex Expansion System:
Function Feature AlphaPix Evolution HinksPix Pro V3
#930
HinksPix Pro V2
#929
Hardware
Expansion Boards and Related Receivers Supported by CPU 16 Port / 4 Output / Long Range Differential & 16 Port SPI - Up to 3 per CPU
16 Output 120v AC - Up to 1 per CPU
REGULAR Long Range 4 & 8 Output Receivers
16 Port / 4 Output / Long Range Differential & 16 Port SPI - Up to 5 per CPU

REGULAR Long Range 4 & 8 Output Receivers
Smart Long Range 4 & 8 Output Pixel Receiver
Smart Long Range 16 Output Pixel Receiver (1 PSU / 2 PSU)
Smart Long Range 16 AC (High Voltage) Receiver
Smart Long Range P10 Panel Receiver (Coming Q2 2024)
16 Port / 4 Output / Long Range Differential & 16 Port SPI - Up to 3 per CPU
16 Output 120v AC - Up to 1 per CPU

REGULAR Long Range 4 & 8 Output Receivers
Smart Long Range 4 & 8 Output Pixel Receiver
Smart Long Range 16 Output Pixel Receiver (1 PSU / 2 PSU)
Smart Long Range 16 AC (High Voltage) Receiver
Smart Long Range P10 Panel Receiver (Coming Q2 2024)
Two 100 Mb/s Ethernet Network Ports with Switch for Daisy Chaining Yes Yes Yes

Display Type / Human Interface 2 Line / 16 Character LCD
Backlit
Field Replaceable
4 Line / 16 Character OLED
Backlit
Field Replaceable
4 Line / 16 Character OLED
Backlit
Field Replaceable
Five push button control switches located on top for easy access and use with gloves
Easily replaceable as sub-component if screen or buttons are damaged
Yes Yes Yes
Temperature Sensor(s) with configurable shutdown on over-temp situations
Notes: Requires SPI Expansion board
Yes Yes Yes

CPU Type 32 Bit
1 CPU
32 Bit
2 CPUs
32 Bit
2 CPUs
Automated fan control using standard CPU cooler fan (not typically required) Yes Yes Yes
RS-485 / DMX 1990 / e1.11 Output Ports (screw terminals)
Notes: RS485 ports are separate of SPI and other outputs and do not use up channels. Outputs are clearly marked on board. See our Knowledge Base on wiring or connecting with LOR controllers
2 1 1
No separate CPU power source - power is obtained from any connected expansion board Yes Yes Yes
Built-in WiFi Interface used for firmware and multi-controller sync operations when using SD card playback. WiFi interface cannot be used to access web interface. WiFi not generally recommended for streaming e1.31, Artnet or DDP data due to latency in WiFi - see this article for details
No Yes
802.11 a / c / n
WEP / WPA / WPA2
Yes
802.11 a / c / n
WEP / WPA / WPA2

Power Backup / On-Board Clock / RTC
Notes: For use with on-board sequence playback mode
No Yes
(14 Day Backup)
Yes
(14 Day Backup)
SD Card Slot for on-board sequence storage
Notes: SD Card required for playback.
Notes: Requires the use of free xLights sequencing application and free HSA application. See our support page.
No Yes
(32gb Max)
Yes
(32gb Max)
1/8" Stereo Line Level Output Jack for external FM transmitters or Amplified Speakers
Notes: For use with on-board sequence playback mode
No Yes
(Built-in)
Yes
(Built-in)
Maximum Number of SPI Output Ports 3 x 16 / 48 Total 5 x 16 / 80 Total 3 x 16 / 48 Total
Specs
Maximum number of pixels per controller 16,320 Pixels Total
48 Ports @ 2 Universes
81,920 Pixels Total
80 Ports @ 6 Universes (1024 pixels) per Output
Max 684 Universes for entire controller

24,576 Pixels Total
48 Ports @ 3 Universes (680 pixels) per Output
Max 402 Universes for entire controller
Maximum number of pixels per output (SPI) - Exclusive of power, see chart below for power limits 340 1024 680
Pixel Protocols Supported:

Controllers do not support "GECE"
3 Wire (All HolidayCoro pixels are 2811 / 1903) WS2811 / WS2812 / WS2813 / WS2815 / WS2812B INK1003 TM1803 / TM1804 / TM1809 / TM1812 UCS1903 / UCS1909 / UCS1912 / UCS2903 / UCS2909 / UCS2912

4
Wire WS2801 / WS2803 / 6803 / 2801

4 Wire LPD6803 / LPD1101 D705 UCS6909 / UCS6912 3001 TLS3001 / TLS3002 CY3005 8806 LPD8803 / LPD8806 9813 P9813
3 Wire (All HolidayCoro pixels are 2811 / 1903) WS2811 / WS2812 / WS2813 / WS2815 / WS2812B INK1003 TM1803 / TM1804 / TM1809 / TM1812 UCS1903 / UCS1909 / UCS1912 / UCS2903 / UCS2909 / UCS2912
3 Wire (All HolidayCoro pixels are 2811 / 1903) WS2811 / WS2812 / WS2813 / WS2815 / WS2812B INK1003 TM1803 / TM1804 / TM1809 / TM1812 UCS1903 / UCS1909 / UCS1912 / UCS2903 / UCS2909 / UCS2912
Software

Firmware Update Method Upload from web interface
Automatic download from internet (can be blocked)
or
Download via SD card using HSA application for stand alone operations without internet
Automatic download from internet (can be blocked)
or
Download via SD card using HSA application for stand alone operations without internet
Null / Ghost Pixels Yes
Start of string
Yes
Start of string
Yes
Start of string
Reverse DMX addressing Yes Yes Yes
Zig-Zag / Matrix addressing Yes No
All modern sequencing software provides this functionality more efficiently.
No
All modern sequencing software provides this functionality more efficiently.
Color order output mapping (RGB, BRG, GRB, etc) Yes - Per Output Yes - Per Output Yes - Per Output
Password protection Yes No No
Adjustable OLED screen brightness via software Yes No No
Voltage display (SPI and Long Range Expansion Boards) Yes - Per Expansion Board Yes - Per Expansion Board Yes - Per Expansion Board
Temperature display (SPI Expansion Board Only) Yes - Per Expansion Board Yes - Per Expansion Board Yes - Per Expansion Board
Built-in test sequences selectable from OLED screen and via web page Yes - 22 types Yes - 6 types Yes - 6 types
Standalone
Standalone operation with sequences from xLights
Notes: Requires SD Card for sequence storage.
No Yes Yes
Ability for master controller to drive outputs to other non-stand alone e1.31 controllers in stand alone mode
No Yes - From xLights Sequences using HSA application
Up to two additional non-HinksPix PRO controllers
Up to 33 Universes and 17 Universes per controller respectively
Yes - From xLights Sequences using HSA application
Up to two additional non-HinksPix PRO controllers
Up to 33 Universes and 17 Universes per controller respectively
FM and Line Level Output Audio directly from master controller
No Yes
1/8" Stereo Output Jack Female
Yes
1/8" Stereo Output Jack Female
Input Protocols
e1.31 / sACN (over TCP/IP over Ethernet) Yes
Unicast / Multicast:
96 DMX Universes
Yes
Unicast / Multicast:
684 DMX Universes
Yes
Unicast / Multicast:
402 DMX Universes
Artnet (over TCP/IP over Ethernet) No
Yes
Unicast / Multicast:
684 DMX Universes
Yes
Unicast / Multicast:
402 DMX Universes
DDP (over TCP/IP over Ethernet) No Yes Yes




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