Dmx Data Link - ARRI L Series User Manual

DMX data link

For controlling the L7 via DMX you need a DMX data link.
The L7 has 5-pin locking XLR sockets for DMX and RDM data
input and output. The default pin-out of both sockets is:
Pin 1 = Shield
Pin 2 = Data - (cold)
Pin 3 = Data + (hot).
Pins 4 and 5 are not used by the L7 but are bridged between
input and output sockets. These pins can therefore be used as
a pass-through connection for an additional data signal if re-
quired.
Pin 4 = Data - (cold)
Pin 5 = Data + (hot).
The limitation of 32 products per data link is not applicable for
the L7. You must not connect more than 256 products per data
link. Depending on the channel requirements the address
space of a data link (512 channels) may not be enough to con-
trol all products connected. You may set more than one product
to identical DMX addresses to obtain identical behavior. For in-
dependent control every product needs to be assigned an indi-
vidual address range.
If you need to control more products individual, you need to set
up additional DMX data links.
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Tips for a reliable data transmission
• Use shielded twisted-pair cable designed for RS-485 devices
or CAT 6 network cables: standard microphone cable cannot
transmit control data reliably over long runs. 24 AWG cable is
suitable for runs up to 300 meters (1000 ft.). Heavier gauge
cable and/or an amplifier is recommended for longer runs.
• To split the data link, use a DMX splitter. Use an RDM com-
patible splitter when you use the RDM functionality.
• Install a DMX termination plug on the last product of every
DMX data link. Terminate the DMX data link on both ends,
when you use the RDM functionality. Ask your system spe-
cialist for details.
To connect the data link
• Connect the DMX data output from the controller to the data
input (male XLR) of the L7.
• Run the data link from the data output (female XLR) to the
data input of the next product.
• Terminate the data link by connecting a 120 Ohm, 0.25 Watt
resistor between the data 1 hot (+) and cold (-) conductors
(and between data 2 hot and cold if used) at the data output
of the last product on the link.