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<p>Created DMX page.</p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{DISPLAYTITLE:DMX}}<br /> <br /> = DMX =<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;DMX512&#039;&#039;&#039; (commonly called &#039;&#039;&#039;DMX&#039;&#039;&#039;) is the industry-standard communication protocol used to control theatrical lighting, stage equipment, architectural lighting, and many Christmas lighting controllers. Although originally developed for dimmers, DMX is now used to control moving lights, RGB fixtures, fog machines, relay controllers, pixel gateways, and numerous other entertainment devices.<br /> <br /> DMX remains one of the most widely supported lighting control standards in the world.<br /> <br /> <br /> [[File:DMX.png|center|900px|thumb|Figure 1 – DMX512 is the standard communication protocol for entertainment lighting.]]<br /> <br /> == Overview ==<br /> <br /> DMX transmits lighting control information from a controller to one or more receiving devices.<br /> <br /> A typical DMX system consists of:<br /> <br /> * Sequencing software or show player<br /> * DMX controller or gateway<br /> * DMX cable<br /> * One or more DMX devices<br /> <br /> Examples of DMX devices include:<br /> <br /> * RGB floodlights<br /> * Moving-head fixtures<br /> * Dimmers<br /> * Relay controllers<br /> * Fog machines<br /> * Pixel gateways<br /> <br /> == How DMX Works ==<br /> <br /> DMX sends channel values continuously over a serial RS-485 connection.<br /> <br /> Each device is assigned a starting channel address.<br /> <br /> Every device listens to the data stream and responds only to the channels assigned to it.<br /> <br /> A typical signal path is:<br /> <br /> &lt;pre&gt;<br /> xLights or FPP<br /> ↓<br /> DMX Controller<br /> ↓<br /> RS-485 DMX Cable<br /> ↓<br /> DMX Devices<br /> &lt;/pre&gt;<br /> <br /> == DMX Channels ==<br /> <br /> One DMX universe contains:<br /> <br /> * 512 control channels<br /> <br /> Each channel contains a value from:<br /> <br /> * 0 to 255<br /> <br /> Examples:<br /> <br /> * Dimmer = 1 channel<br /> * RGB fixture = 3 channels<br /> * RGBW fixture = 4 channels<br /> * Moving light = 10 to 30+ channels<br /> <br /> == Daisy-Chain Wiring ==<br /> <br /> DMX devices are connected in a daisy chain.<br /> <br /> &lt;pre&gt;<br /> Controller<br /> ↓<br /> Device 1<br /> ↓<br /> Device 2<br /> ↓<br /> Device 3<br /> &lt;/pre&gt;<br /> <br /> Unlike Ethernet, DMX is not normally wired in a star configuration.<br /> <br /> The final device should normally be terminated with a 120-ohm termination resistor.<br /> <br /> == DMX Connectors ==<br /> <br /> Professional DMX equipment commonly uses:<br /> <br /> * 5-pin XLR<br /> <br /> Many Christmas-lighting products use:<br /> <br /> * 3-pin XLR<br /> * RJ45 connectors<br /> * Screw terminals<br /> * Phoenix connectors<br /> <br /> Connector style varies, but the signaling method remains the same.<br /> <br /> == RS-485 ==<br /> <br /> DMX uses the RS-485 electrical standard.<br /> <br /> Advantages include:<br /> <br /> * Long cable lengths<br /> * Excellent noise immunity<br /> * Reliable differential signaling<br /> * Multi-device communication<br /> <br /> RS-485 defines the electrical interface, while DMX defines the lighting protocol carried over it.<br /> <br /> == DMX and Pixels ==<br /> <br /> DMX does not directly control smart pixels.<br /> <br /> Instead:<br /> <br /> * Pixel controllers receive E1.31 or DDP.<br /> * The controller converts that data into pixel signals.<br /> <br /> However, many pixel controllers also include one or more DMX outputs for controlling conventional lighting equipment.<br /> <br /> == DMX and E1.31 ==<br /> <br /> [[E1.31]] transports DMX-style channel data over Ethernet or Wi-Fi.<br /> <br /> An E1.31-to-DMX gateway converts network packets into a physical DMX output.<br /> <br /> This allows modern sequencing software to control traditional DMX equipment using standard IP networks.<br /> <br /> == Typical Christmas Lighting Uses ==<br /> <br /> DMX is commonly used for:<br /> <br /> * Floodlights<br /> * Moving-head lights<br /> * Relay controllers<br /> * Fog machines<br /> * Snow machines<br /> * Laser projectors<br /> * Pixel gateways<br /> * Stage lighting<br /> <br /> == Common Configuration Problems ==<br /> <br /> Typical DMX problems include:<br /> <br /> * Incorrect starting address<br /> * Duplicate addresses<br /> * Missing termination resistor<br /> * Reversed data wiring<br /> * Faulty RS-485 cable<br /> * Incorrect connector wiring<br /> * Using microphone cable instead of DMX cable<br /> <br /> == Advantages ==<br /> <br /> * Industry standard<br /> * Extremely reliable<br /> * Long cable lengths<br /> * Excellent electrical noise immunity<br /> * Wide equipment compatibility<br /> * Simple addressing<br /> <br /> == Limitations ==<br /> <br /> * Limited to 512 channels per universe<br /> * Daisy-chain wiring<br /> * One-way communication<br /> * Lower bandwidth than Ethernet<br /> * Intended primarily for conventional lighting<br /> <br /> == Christmas Display Recommendations ==<br /> <br /> DMX remains an excellent choice for:<br /> <br /> * Conventional lighting fixtures<br /> * Moving-head lights<br /> * Floodlights<br /> * Relay controllers<br /> * Professional stage equipment<br /> <br /> For individually addressable smart pixels, protocols such as [[DDP]] and [[E1.31]] used with pixel controllers are generally more appropriate.<br /> <br /> == Related Articles ==<br /> <br /> * [[Renard]]<br /> * [[E1.31]]<br /> * [[DDP]]<br /> * [[Pixel Controllers]]<br /> * [[Smart Pixels]]<br /> * [[ESPixelStick]]<br /> * [[WLED]]<br /> * [[xLights]]<br /> * [[Falcon Player (FPP)]]<br /> * [[RS-485]]</div>

ErnieHorning