Hi Vidiots & Vidiettes! We're happy to say we got the shipping notification for the Chromagnon Core PCB prototypes mentioned in the last blog today. The next update will focus on that -- in this one I wanted to provide a few updates about projects we are working on to keep the company running as we get through the final milestones with Chromagnon.

The first is a new module, PGO, a 4HP Programmable Gain & Offset processor, which is now available.

This module is the first in a new series of modules titled P Series, which will focus on core utility modules that are available in both assembled and DIY forms. We have also used PGO to prototype a more complete approach to our product documentation, and you can see what that looks like here at https://docs.lzxindustries.net/docs/modules/pgo. P Series can be considered the successor to Cadet series, as well as Expedition modules providing raw functions, such as Bridge and Arch. We have a few more planned, and we'll release them over the upcoming months.

PGO may not appeal to every video synthesist -- it is a raw function, and is the kind of module you can use as a building block in patching more complex custom functions. For myself, I'm very excitd to have 16 of them in their own rack, and using that rack for future development ideas. For existing Gen3 owners, you could use it this way -- or in a few other contexts as well. Check out the docs linked above for more on that topic.

In other news, we have a few new variations for the Double Vision System available. The first is the option to purchase Double Vision with our 168HP modular case, allowing 84HP of empty space to grow into.

The second is an expanded Double Vision system including 168HP of Gen3 modules.

The third is an expander for existing Double Vision owners, allowing you to upgrade your existing Double Vision to the 168HP and 84HP of new modules.

We have stock of these variants available now.

Let's answer your questions!

Van Ta asked, "Those 4Q multiplier submodules from the last entry look really exciting. Are you planning to sell them as well for DIYers?"

I'd like to! I'm not sure what form that will take yet, in light of the P Series DIY modules, and our next development plans. The next P Series module is a programmable comparator, switch, and multiplier combo function. Since it is a 4HP module, I'm going with an IC based multiplier for the first prototype. The discrete cell designs are probably most practical in the context of a DIY rotator or matrix multiplier module. If I don't do something specific with the boards I developed, I will consider releasing the designs so others can dig in.

Asjave asked, "Does the Double Vision system have everything in the Chromagnon and more, or are there features in Chromagnon that don't exist in the Double-Vision system? Thank you!"

Double Vision and Chromagnon are entirely different video synthesizers, with different internal functions. They are similar in that they can both process an SD/HD analog video signal, and perform various shape generation, pattern synthesis, feedback, and colorization effects. But the specifics are quite different. The biggest functional add for Double Vision is its open ended patchability and being able to mix and process two external video sources. You could consider Chromagnon a video processor, and Double Vision a video mixer.

Sig asked, "Any chance the new TBC2 VGA expander comes with an EDID chip? If not, would you consider this for a future version? I think it would be a really nice feature."

Hi Sig, no -- the VGA expander doesn't have an EDID chip, but that is an interesting proposal. In its current architecture, TBC2 is designed to auto-detect the incoming video format and, if supported, lock to it. An EDID chip would allow the transmitting device to read the supported input formats and present those as valid options to the user. Since you can see the supported TBC2 input formats in our documentation, you should be able to configure your device appropriately as it is -- but I can understand why the EDID chip would be a nice thing to have.

Pat said, "Hi! I just finished reading the latest monthly journal entry (November). It sounds like you guys are making some great progress but I'm a little confused with all the technical talk and where Chromagnon sits along the timeline of being finished. Would it be possible to include some type of metric in each post for the layman? Say, like a percentage of completion where 100% means the unit is ready to ship? I appreciate all the details but it's hard for me to figure out what it all means in the big picture."

I understand -- I appreciate that the jargon may be frustrating to read when you are looking for an answer to a simple question. At the beginning of the year on January 5th's blog, I outlined 3 milestones to completing this project:

• Production ready
• Ship unit one
• Ship all pre-orders

Since there are so many moving pieces involved in the project, it would be difficult to quantify percentage complete in terms of the overall ongoing project. For example, most of the production work is already done, since Chromagnon's control board assembly went into production back in 2021-2022. Going into this year, the "Production ready" milestone includes finalizing parts design, PCB design, and firmware. Compared to where we were in January, parts design is 100% done, PCB design is pending 100% done, and firmware is 95% done. We were at this state back in August too, but the most recent PCB design needed more work, and it took a few weeks to make that revision. So in other words, if no more hardware revisions are neccessary on this incoming prototype -- we will be moving past the Production ready milestone finally, before the end of the year. The leap from Production Ready to Ship Unit One is not so big, and much easier to estimate. It will happen right after production ready, as most of the tasks involved in prepping for that next milestone have already been completed. I hope this helps you understand better where we are with the project.

Dan asked, "Do you think Chromagnon will be shipping by Christmas 2024?"

It is quite possible we will reach the Ship Unit One milestone (see above reply to Pat) before the end of the year. Sometime in December, after reviewing the next incoming PCB prototype, I will know for sure.

Thanks for reading -- please write in using this form if you have questions: https://wkf.ms/47lhPPA

Hello video fiends -- we hope everyone had a spooky Halloween!

Per my last missive at the beginning of October, I was focusing in on revisions to the Chromagnon Core RevH board. The plan was to have those revisions complete and the board reviewed before the end of October, and I was developing multiple discrete submodules to aid in that task. I'm happy to say that the board is now ordered, but with a few weeks of hassle -- both in the revision process, and the coordination process with our external vendor.

A discrete quad multiplier subassembly and testing jig

After racing between various solutions, I was able to settle on one that did not require submodules at all, in order to fit the full circuit onto the existing assembly -- which is a good thing, for Chromagnon.

Chromagnon Core RevH

The board's BOM is so big it was causing issues with the vendor's system initially -- thankfully they were able to resolve that, but it cost us over a week. I wanted to hit this milestone before publishing a new blog. It's nice to be writing this one knowing that assembly is underway, and that I'll be able to begin testing RevH immediately when it arrives in the latter half of November.

Despite being behind where I wanted to be at the end of October, this milestone is quite exciting. With the off site assembly process flowing smoothly, we have the stage set for formal production when it is go time. I look forward to writing another update about Chromagnon toward the end of the month.

In other news, in the time in between Chromagnon tasks, I have been working on our new documentation website at https://docs.lzxindustries.net. You may be there already, as it is the new location for this blog. Most of the content is hidden from public view for now, but I'm quite happy with how the illustration and writing process is going so far. We'll be migrating most content from our current website to this new static site soon -- including all module documentation, resources and articles.

Finally, here's a teaser of a new module we have been working on. It will be available as a DIY project as well as assembled.

We'll tell you more about it and more about the docs site in the next update. I have a little over a week before my Chromagnon board arrives, to make some progress in these areas.

Other news: more Double Vision systems are being built this month and are available to order now. We have healthy stock of most Gen3 modules, if you're looking to pick up something new for your system this Fall.

Thanks for reading -- please write in using this form if you have questions: https://wkf.ms/47lhPPA

September flew right past us here at LZX, with steady (if tedious) progress toward Chromagnon production on my end, and multiple longer term production projects wrapping up in the workshop.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their Summers and is looking forward to the Fall. For me, this time of year has always meant getting ready to learn, whether that was in my prior career in e-learning development, with my kids starting the next grade, or in my own educational goals. This year it will mean entering a period of content creation for LZX-- documentation, videos, tutorials, and any other resources that serve your own learning and creative pursuits in making video art.

Over the past several weeks I have been writing Chromagnon’s firmware, and I’m happy to say that I now have a complete version ready for testing. I wanted to reach this milestone before I wrote a new blog, as it represents my exit from the Code Cave and back into the workshop. So let my eyeballs readjust – this blog will mostly be about the software.

Dear video friends,

June has seen a lot of projects landing at the workshop and some significant pushes in firmware development. Over the Spring we have transitioned into outsourcing SMT assembly of our modules in smaller batches, in an effort to keep things stocked and flowing, and those efforts are running smoothly.

Hello on Tuesday. I hope everyone in the States had a nice Memorial Day weekend. Lots to cover in this update, so I will be terse.

Black prototypes of the Chromagnon plastic pieces and enclosure arrived, and the test fits are looking great. The pieces below aren't final for the enclosure, but should give you the plan on how it all fits together. Now that all the dimensional constraints are confirmed, I can make any cosmetic tweaks (rounded corners, for example) and order an initial production quantity.

Wow! April flew past, here at LZX HQ. Our improvements to operations and inventory have allowed us to process a large number of tasks in the ongoing effort to keep modules and stock while taking steady steps towards Chromagnon's launch.

Hello, video pals!

We are pushing through April! The current primary focus is on preparing our resource planning system for Chromagnon and smoothly flowing the production of our other projects.

Hello, Chromagnonites and other video freaks.

March has flown past here at headquarters. The last 3 weeks have been dedicated to a spring cleaning of the workspace and an inventory data update, in preparation for Chromagnon and continuing module production. There were some shifts in team schedules which have required me to focus most of my time on this project, so I apologize for missing some blog posts.

Hello everyone,

I apologize that we missed last week's update. I was dealing with family visiting from out of state, a dental emergency, and a busy week of high school musical performances (my child Kat was in a production of Grease.) We did meet several goals however --

A quick update for last week.

Good afternoon, video folk.

This past week were happy to celebrate validation of the analog circuitry on the Chromagnon Core RevF board -- and we're close to fully integrating the changes into RevG.

Hello, Chromagnonites.

It's been another productive week validating the Chromagnon Core assembly. The video output is looking good (see below), but it required some complex rework to get there.

Hello friends,

It's nice and sunny here in SE Portland. This week was another steady week of Chromagnon testing and firmware updates for the new core assembly, with a few foibles. (My trusty lab laptop needs a new power jack installed.)

Hello Chromagnonfolk,

We had a busy week here, catching up on activities after being iced in last week. I spent most of the week reviewing the Chromagnon Core PCB RevF, and am relieved to report the assembly has passed everything in the 42-step test plan I mentioned in the last blog post.

Hello visual artists and Chromagnonites -- this week has been a bit crazy. Here in Portland we have all been iced into our homes since the holiday on Monday, so the typical workshop crew is working abroad. We've focused that on getting ahead on content creation for new videos and social media posts -- a project that is going well and should buy us some free days in February. I'm thankful everyone in the shop also has systems at home, or else this would not have been possible.

Howdy Chromagnon-folk. It's Friday and the week has been productive at LZX HQ. We're expecting snow over this upcoming holiday weekend here in southeast Portland.

Greetings Chromagnonites.

We’ve had a great start to the year here in the workshop. A handy form was provided in the last journal entry and you sent in a lot of questions! This post will be focused on answering all of them.

It's Friday... howdy! As promised in the last post, here is a list of notable milestones we reached at LZX in 2023.

It's the last Saturday of 2023, and it's been a busy week. With some LZX teammates out of town and under the weather, I've done my best to mind the shop and ship your orders.

It is a Monday: the 18th of December, 2023. At LZX we are wrapping up an exhausting year, and probably our most challenging yet. It has been difficult to speak publicly on our ongoing plans and projects with a mammoth in the room: Chromagnon is multiple years overdue, and I have failed to accurately estimate the shipping date a few times now.