DMX: Difference between revisions

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DMX is a digital lighting control protocol, in which instead of 1 core of cable for each channel used (like on the [[Lighting Desk]]), 512 channels of control are transmitted down 3 wires: Data+, Data-, Gnd, with ground usually being the sheild or braid, Data+ & Data- are a twisted pair.
DMX is a digital lighting control protocol, in which instead of 1 core for each channel used & a common gorund (like on the [[Technical:Lighting Desk|Lighting Desk]]), 512 channels of control are transmitted down 3 wires: Data+, Data-, Gnd, with ground usually being the sheild or braid, Data+ & Data- are a twisted pair.


==Current supported devices==
==Current supported devices==
* Chamsys MagicDMX dongle
 
* Eurolite DPX405 dimmer
If you're taking out equipment with different pin numbers, remember to take some conversion cables.
* DMX outboard & Analogue to DMX system
 
=== 3-pin ===
*[[Dimmers#Eurolite DPX-405|Eurolite DPX-405]]
*[[Lanta Orion Trico 7|Trico's]]
 
=== 5-pin ===
*[[Strand 200+]]
*[[Dimmers#Strand 6pack|Strand 6pack]]


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
DMX requires a cable impedance of 120ohms. So you must not use microphone cable! All DMX equipment operates at 120ohms. Equipment is "daisy chained" together, and each device has an input and an output (they must be the correct way round).
YSTV runs 2 lines (one each way)down a single Cat5e cable, from the control room's Master patch panel, to the LX patch panel in the studio. Currently unused.


YSTV runs 2 universes down a single Cat5e cable, as this is a very close impedance, and it is actually quite common to use Cat5e to run DMX
==Connections==
These are on 3 or 5 pin XLR.


==Connections==
'''DO NOT plug dmx into any sound gear - something will be unhappy!'''
These are on 3 or 5 pin XLR. Currently, all YSTV DMX equipment uses 3 pin XLR
 
==Technical==
* DMX requires a cable impedance of 120ohms.
** try not to use mic cable, however it will suffice for short runs (<40m)
* Equipment is "daisy chained" together, using each device's input and an output ports.
* Data+ and Data- must be a twisted pair.
* Multiple types of cable will do the job:
 
 
Sheilded Twisted pair:
* This is the "defacto-standard"
* You can get it almost anywhere, below are some retailers (no links because they inevitably die! - just go googling)
** Canford
** 10outoften
** Usedlighting / stagelighting (lighting Partners Ltd)


'''DO NOT plug dmx into any sound gear or use audio cables as a substitute, something will get fried.'''
Cat5e:
* Impedance of 110 ohms (approx) makes it suitable.
* Use any twister pair, and pick another as ground.


==Useful Notes==
==Useful Notes==
Don't run DMX near audio cables of any kind, even if everything is balanced. You will hear the DMX data - The sync pulses manifest as an intermittant tone & noise.
*Don't run DMX right next to audio cables of any kind unless completely unavoidable, even if everything is balanced. You may hear the DMX data - The sync pulses manifest as an intermittent clicks...
 
[[Category:Lighting]]

Latest revision as of 09:06, 23 July 2021

DMX is a digital lighting control protocol, in which instead of 1 core for each channel used & a common gorund (like on the Lighting Desk), 512 channels of control are transmitted down 3 wires: Data+, Data-, Gnd, with ground usually being the sheild or braid, Data+ & Data- are a twisted pair.

Current supported devices

If you're taking out equipment with different pin numbers, remember to take some conversion cables.

3-pin

5-pin

Infrastructure

YSTV runs 2 lines (one each way)down a single Cat5e cable, from the control room's Master patch panel, to the LX patch panel in the studio. Currently unused.

Connections

These are on 3 or 5 pin XLR.

DO NOT plug dmx into any sound gear - something will be unhappy!

Technical

  • DMX requires a cable impedance of 120ohms.
    • try not to use mic cable, however it will suffice for short runs (<40m)
  • Equipment is "daisy chained" together, using each device's input and an output ports.
  • Data+ and Data- must be a twisted pair.
  • Multiple types of cable will do the job:


Sheilded Twisted pair:

  • This is the "defacto-standard"
  • You can get it almost anywhere, below are some retailers (no links because they inevitably die! - just go googling)
    • Canford
    • 10outoften
    • Usedlighting / stagelighting (lighting Partners Ltd)

Cat5e:

  • Impedance of 110 ohms (approx) makes it suitable.
  • Use any twister pair, and pick another as ground.

Useful Notes

  • Don't run DMX right next to audio cables of any kind unless completely unavoidable, even if everything is balanced. You may hear the DMX data - The sync pulses manifest as an intermittent clicks...