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Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual

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  • Page 1 VDO Sceptron XB User Manual with Safety and Installation Manual...
  • Page 2 Notes Revision B of the VDO Sceptron XB user documentation gives updated information on use of the magnetic switch on page 27 of the User Manual. ©2025 HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS. All rights reserved. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Before using the product for the first time ..........6 System installation ..................7 Creating a chain of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures ........7 P3 PowerPort and DCE PSU 240 IP devices ......... 7 Creating a video-controlled installation ........... 8 Creating a DMX-controlled installation ...........
  • Page 4 DMX protocols.................... 28 Compact Mode ..................28 Basic Mode ................... 29 Extended Mode ..................31 Compact Direct Mode ................32 RGB Mode .................... 32 PixelMap Mode ..................33 Control / settings channel ..............34 FX overview ....................35 FX list ......................36...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Protocol detection is automatic. Precautions to avoid damage Important! To get the best out of the VDO Sceptron XB and avoid causing damage that is not covered by the product warranty, read the following information carefully. Make sure that everyone who is involved in working on or using the VDO Sceptron XB has read and understood this information.

  • Page 6: Before Using The Product For The First Time

    • VDO Sceptron XB fixtures have an internal thermal sensor. If the sensor measures excessive temperature, a thermal protection cutout shuts down the fixture. The fixture will not function normally again until the temperature has fallen to a safe level.

  • Page 7: System Installation

    Devices in the Martin P3 PowerPort family and the Martin DCE PSU 240 IP let you convert AC mains power to 48 VDC power, combine the DC power with a data signal and send it to VDO Sceptron XB fixtures over hybrid (DC power and data) cable with DCE-type connectors.

  • Page 8: Creating A Video-Controlled Installation

    To set up a P3 video display installation, see the system layout diagram above and follow these instructions: 1. Connect each chain of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures to the hybrid 48 VDC power and data output of a Martin P3 PowerPort device.

  • Page 9: Creating A Dmx-Controlled Installation

    To set up a DMX-controlled installation, see the system layout diagram above and follow these instructions: 1. Connect each chain of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures to the hybrid 48 VDC power and data output of a Martin P3 PowerPort or DCE PSU 240 IP.

  • Page 10: Creating A Mixed Control Installation

    DMX lighting controller to a Martin P3 System Controller. The P3 controller lets you manage both video display and DMX lighting effects from the DMX controller. You can use a device in the Martin P3 PowerPort family or a Martin DCE PSU 240 IP to add 48 VDC power to the data signal.

  • Page 11: Using A Dce Data Splitter/Booster Ip

    The Martin DCE Data Splitter/Booster lets you extend the distance between a P3 PowerPort or DCE PSU 240 IP and a chain of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures. It also lets you split one hybrid link into two. Warning! The DCE Data Splitter/Booster IP does not enable you to exceed the safety limits for the maximum number of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures per daisy chain (see the VDO Sceptron XB Safety and Installation Manual).

  • Page 12: Setting Up The Vdo Sceptron Xb

    • an RDM-compatible DMX controller. Setup using P3 You can set up the VDO Sceptron XB and all the other P3-compatible devices on a P3 data link using a Martin P3 System Controller. See the P3 controller user manual for details of connections and device discovery.

  • Page 13: Network Setup

    For example, one VDO Sceptron XB fixture set to RGB Mode and set to DMX address 1 will use DMX channels 1 - 3. Channel 4 will be available for use as a DMX address for the next device.

  • Page 14: Dimming Curves

    Color modes Available using RDM, P3 and the Control / settings DMX channel The VDO Sceptron XB has four color modes: Direct, Extended Gamut, Calibrated Color and Linear Video. When a fixture is set to Compact Direct DMX control mode, it is fixed in Direct Color Mode – you cannot select a calibrated color mode.

  • Page 15: Manual Tint Value

    Available using RDM, P3 and the Control / settings DMX channel Video tracking optimizes performance when the VDO Sceptron XB is used with a video source. With video tracking disabled, the fixture processes the signal it receives, tracking (or smoothing out) changes in values in order to ensure smooth fading between colors and/or intensities.

  • Page 16: Disabling Dmx Reset

    However, it does zero the user-resettable counters for device hours, LED hours and power cycles. Supported parameters Available using RDM VDO Sceptron XB fixtures can communicate the control parameters that they support to the RDM controller and give brief information on each parameter. Fixture information...

  • Page 17: Status Messages

    Status messages Available using RDM The VDO Sceptron XB features a self-diagnostic system that detects any issues concerning correct operation or safety (temperature that exceeds safe level, for example) and communicates the issues as status messages or warnings. These messages can be useful in connection with service and maintenance.

  • Page 18: Rdm Communication

    RDM communication The VDO Sceptron XB responds to the RDM parameter IDs (PIDs) listed in the table below: RDM DISCOVERY 0x0001 DISC_UNIQUE_BRANCH 0x0002 DISC_MUTE 0x0003 DISC_UN_MUTE STATUS INFORMATION ✓ 0x0020 QUEUED_MESSAGE Get queued messages Get status/error ✓ 0x0030 STATUS_MESSAGES information ✓...
  • Page 19 0x8220 MANUAL_MODE_OVERRIDE Remote manual control ✓ ✓ 0x810B PRESET_PLAYBACK_LIMIT Standalone cue counter Sync mode in ✓ ✓ 0x8101 SYNCHRONIZED standalone operation Behavior when no DMX ✓ ✓ 0x810C OFFLINE_MODE signal present ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...

  • Page 20: Fixture Discovery

    1. Check that the fixtures are correctly connected to the RDM controller on the data link and that power is applied to all fixtures. 2. Send a discovery command via RDM (Martin Companion does this automatically as soon as the cable is connected).

  • Page 21: Setting Up Standalone Operation

    Setting up standalone operation In standalone mode, the VDO Sceptron XB can display a ‘scene’ (a color, an intensity or a dynamic FX etc.) or a ‘show’ that can contain up to twenty scenes if you use Martin Companion. Once standalone scenes have been programmed, fixtures can display them without needing a control signal.
  • Page 22 It is possible to create a different scene for each fixture (not all fixtures in a Standalone show have to show the same scenes). 4. Click Add Scene to create additional scenes. You can create up to 20 scenes. ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 23 6. Click on Preview Scenes to see all scenes played back with the timings that have been entered for them. You can click on Previous and Next to manually step through the scenes. Click Stop to end the preview. ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 24 8. Click on Run Show to program the Standalone show into the fixtures. Once you disconnect the network cable – the cable between the PC running Martin Companion and the P3 PowerPort(s) – the fixtures will start to run the Standalone show. Martin Companion will automatically elect one fixture to become the Sync Host, which keeps all fixtures synchronized.
  • Page 25 Note that Martin Companion automatically assigns one fixture as the standalone host, and all the others as clients. The host fixture only tells the client fixtures to “go to scene X with fade time Y”. The lighting effect that each fixture uses in a specific scene is stored inside each fixture individually.

  • Page 26: Operating The Vdo Sceptron Xb

    Test sequences and fixture status The VDO Sceptron XB Series Safety and Installation Manual that is included at the end of this User Manual contains information on displaying fixture status codes and running test sequences that you may find useful before starting operation.

  • Page 27: Magnetic Switch

    If you hold the magnetic tool over the sensor for a few seconds until the first four LEDs and the last LED light blue, the VDO Sceptron XB resets. The reset takes a few seconds, and the fixture is then ready for normal operation.

  • Page 28: Dmx Protocols

    DMX protocols The VDO Sceptron XB offers the following DMX control modes: VDO Sceptron XB 320mm VDO Sceptron XB 1000mm • Compact Mode • Compact Mode • Basic Mode • Basic Mode • Extended Mode – 2 Segments • Extended Mode – 5 Segments •...

  • Page 29: Basic Mode

    Just Blue (LEE 079) 31-32 Medium Blue (LEE 132) 33-34 Double CT Blue (LEE 200) 35-36 Slate Blue (LEE 161) 37-38 Full CT Blue (LEE 201) 39-40 Half CT Blue (LEE 202) ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 30 P3 pixel-controlled 229 - 255 Video Mode Color of LEDs is controlled by P3 pixels multiplied with DMX channels. This allows the DMX channels to "color" the P3 pixel data ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...

  • Page 31: Extended Mode

    25 x RGB segments with 4 x LEDs each 15–89 100 x RGB segments with 1 x LED each 15–314 Global RGB control on channels 4–6 is added to segment RGB control using HTP (Highest Takes Priority). ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...

  • Page 32: Compact Direct Mode

    → 0 -255 100% Blue 8-bit Fade → 0-255 100% CTC defaults to 6500 K but can be changed using RDM. Tint defaults to zero but can be changed using RDM. ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...

  • Page 33: Pixelmap Mode

    100 x RGB segments with 1 x LED each 1–300 CTC defaults to 6500 K but can be changed using RDM. Tint defaults to zero but can be changed using RDM. ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...

  • Page 34: Control / Settings Channel

    High refresh = OFF, 1001 Hz (default, 1 sec.) 87 - 255 No function The DMX values must be held for the number of seconds indicated in order to activate their function. ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...

  • Page 35: Fx Overview

    • Color wheel sets color for “OFF pixels” • Predefined color Color 256 predefined Selects No function effects looks color looks Color mask • Ignores P3 or combination DMX colors ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...

  • Page 36: Fx List

    Lightning Flashes Linear Heavy Fiberoptic Pixel Noise intensity Build Up/Down Step Build Up/Down Fade Build Up/Down Random Step Build Up/Down Random Fade Random 5% Step Random 5% Fade Random 10% Step Random 10% Fade ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 37 1-16_20 Chase Fade 8_10-16_20 Chase Step 8_10-16_20 Chase Fade 4-32_100 Chase Step 4-32_100 Chase Fade 8_10-32_100 Chase Step 8_10-32_100 Chase Fade 8_10-32_100 Chase Mirror Step 8_10-32_100 Chase Mirror Fade Block Chase 2/5 Step ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 38 Snake Bounce 1 LED Fade Snake Bounce 2 LED Step Snake Bounce 2 LED Fade Snake Bounce 4 LED Step Snake Bounce 4 LED Fade Snake Bounce 8 LED Step Snake Bounce 8 LED Fade ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 39 Double Ramp Up 5/4 Ramp Up Ramp Down Double Ramp Down 5/4 Ramp Down Sawtooth Double Sawtooth 5/4 Sawtooth Nightrider Starfield Starfield Heavy Snowflakes Snowflakes Heavy Rain Rain Heavy Waterdrop … No FX ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 40 177 Rainbow LEDs Fade 178 Random Rainbow LEDs Step 179 Random Rainbow LEDs Fade Color pixels 180 Red-Yellow LEDs Step 181 Red-Yellow LEDs Fade 182 Random Red-Yellow LEDs Step 183 Random Red-Yellow LEDs Fade ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 41 211 Warm and fuzzy 212 Silver and gold 213 Gold and silver 214 Electric arc 215 Plasma 216 Police Car 1 217 Police Car 2 218 Police Car 3 219 Welding ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 42 236 Color Toggle Fade 237 Tungsten 238 Tungsten Delay … No FX Timing 244 Video Slo-Mo … No FX Special 251 Pixel Masks Static No FX Special 254 Color Looks Static 255 No FX ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB User Manual Rev. B...
  • Page 43 www.martin.com...
  • Page 44 VDO Sceptron XB Safety and Installation Manual...
  • Page 45 Martin is a registered trademark of HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS registered in the United States and/or other countries.
  • Page 46 VDO Sceptron XB Low Profile Half Coupler VDO Sceptron XB Floor Stand Pair ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB Safety and Installation Manual English Rev. B...
  • Page 47 VDO Sceptron XB Linear Coupler VDO Sceptron XB Linear Aligner VDO Sceptron XB Spigot Adapter ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB Safety and Installation Manual English Rev. B...
  • Page 48 VDO Sceptron XB Pivot Coupler VDO Sceptron XB Parallel Coupler 30/40/50 mm VDO Sceptron XB Parallel Coupler 60/70/80mm ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB Safety and Installation Manual English Rev. B...
  • Page 49 Suspending a vertical column of fixtures ..........24 Installing and removing optical accessories .......... 25 System installation ..................... 27 Maintenance ....................... 28 Cleaning ....................28 LED performance .................. 28 Installing firmware ................. 28 ® Martin VDO Sceptron XB Safety and Installation Manual English Rev. B...

  • Page 50: Safety Information

    The VDO Sceptron XB is suitable for mounting at any height, including less than 1.2 m (3.9 ft.) and more than 5 m (16.4 ft.) above ground or floor level. Do not operate the VDO Sceptron XB at an altitude of more than 2000 m (6570 ft.) above sea level.
  • Page 51 Technical Support If you have any questions about how to install or operate the VDO Sceptron XB safely, please contact Harman Professional Technical support. For technical support in N. America, please contact: HProTechSupportUSA@harman.com Phone: (844) 776-4899 For technical support outside North America, please contact your national distributor.
  • Page 52 (230 ft.), use a Martin DCE Data Splitter/Booster IP to amplify the data-signal If you supply a chain of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures with DC power from a generic 48 VDC external PSU and the DC output used does not have constant overcurrent protection that limits current to 10 A, install an inline fuseholder with a 10 A fuse on the circuit that you connect to the DC output.
  • Page 53 Generic 48 VDC external PSU safety limits If you wish to supply VDO Sceptron XB fixtures with DC power from a 48 V external PSU that you obtain yourself, obtain a power supply that can supply 5 A at 48 VDC and respect the maximum lengths given for the DCE PSU 240 IP running in full-power mode in the safety limits table above.
  • Page 54 To reduce the risk of strangulation, all flexible wiring connected to the fixture shall be effectively fixed to the installation surface or structure if the wiring is within arm's reach. The weight of a VDO Sceptron XB fixture not including diffusers, lenses or mounting hardware is as follows: •...
  • Page 55 Do not use the VDO Sceptron XB without an optical accessory installed on the front of the fixture as directed in this manual. Optical accessories for the VDO Sceptron XB are listed on the Martin website at www.martin.com In any location where an array of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures may be exposed to the wind, follow the precautions listed below as well as the instructions in the Physical Installation chapter of this manual.

  • Page 56: Precautions To Avoid Damage

    Maintaining IP65 protection The VDO Sceptron XB is supplied as a sealed unit. Do not try to disassemble the product in any other way, or you will affect the product’s IP65-rated weatherproofing. This may cause the product to malfunction and lead to damage that is not covered by the product warranty.

  • Page 57: Introduction

    Thank you for selecting a VDO Sceptron XB lighting device from Martin®. This Safety and Installation Manual is supplied with each VDO Sceptron XB fixture. It gives details of installing and servicing the device as well as connecting to power. The VDO Sceptron XB User Manual, containing system diagrams and full instructions for setting up, controlling and monitoring devices, is available for download from the VDO Sceptron XB area of the Martin website at www.martin.com.

  • Page 58: Vdo Sceptron Xb Overview

    A - 48 VDC power + data DCE-type male input connector B - 48 VDC power + data DCE-type female output (thru) connector C - Magnetic control sensor (encased inside fixture) – can be activated using Martin magnetic multi- tool D - Safety cable attachment point ®...

  • Page 59: Physical Installation

    Avoid stress on cables and tension at cable entries or connectors by supporting all cable runs with plenty of cable ties or similar supports that are suitable for the location, application and environment. Allow free airflow around VDO Sceptron XB fixtures and allow at least 10 mm (0.4 in.) of clearance around the front surface.

  • Page 60: Captive Fasteners

    Installing a sliding bracket Sliding brackets for the VDO Sceptron XB allow you to fasten fixtures to a truss using a rigging clamp or to a surface or other structure using M12 bolts passed through the bracket. In locations with stable conditions only (i.e. no wind, movement, vibration or other forces) you can fasten the brackets to fixtures using the spring-loaded fasteners supplied with the brackets.
  • Page 61 Installing a sliding bracket with spring-loaded fasteners To install a sliding bracket on a VDO Sceptron XB fixture using the supplied spring-loaded fasteners: 1. See drawing on right. Place the fixture with the LEDs facing downwards on a surface that will not scratch or damage the fixture.

  • Page 62: Installing Parallel Couplers

    If you try to move the bottom of a vertical column of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures when the top fixture is fastened to a structure or surface and the other fixtures are hanging freely, you will apply a leverage force that can cause damage and can cause the column to break apart and fall.

  • Page 63: Using A Linear Aligner

    4. Continuing to support the weight of the second fixture, fasten it securely to the surface or structure using its sliding bracket or brackets, then tighten the four thumbscrews on the Linear Aligner by hand. 5. Continue adding VDO Sceptron XB fixtures as described for the second fixture. ® Martin...

  • Page 64: Mounting A Single Fixture

    Suspending a curtain of horizontally oriented fixtures All conditions, 1000 mm fixtures To suspend horizontally oriented 1000 mm VDO Sceptron XB fixtures in a curtain in a location that may be exposed to wind, vibration or other forces: 1. Install a safety cable attachment bracket close to the center of each fixture (see ‘Installing a safety cable’...
  • Page 65 B fastened with M6 bolts Stable conditions only, 1000 mm fixtures To suspend horizontally oriented 1000 mm VDO Sceptron XB fixtures in a curtain that is hanging vertically downwards in a location with stable conditions (no wind or other forces, no vibration, fixed and rigid supporting structure): 1.

  • Page 66: Mounting On A Non-Vertical Structure Or Surface

    Mounting on a non-vertical structure or surface 1000 mm fixtures, all conditions To mount or suspend 1000 mm VDO Sceptron XB fixtures on a structure or surface in any situation where fixtures are not horizontally oriented and linked in a curtain that is hanging vertically downwards: 1.

  • Page 67: Suspending A Vertical Column Of Fixtures

    Suspending a vertical column of fixtures You can install a vertical column of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures joined end-to-end that can be up to 6 meters tall. The column of fixtures must be mounted on a structure or surface using VDO Sceptron XB sliding brackets.

  • Page 68: Installing And Removing Optical Accessories

    ‘Installing a safety cable’ on page 17. 6. You can continue adding VDO Sceptron XB fixtures to the column up to a maximum of six fixtures total in the column. Use a VDO Sceptron XB Linear Coupler C each time you join two fixtures together (see ‘Joining fixtures end-to-end’...
  • Page 69 To remove an optical accessory: 1. Block access below the work area and work from a stable platform. 2. Install the Lens Removal Insert jaws available from Martin on a pair of pipe grips (see photo below) and grip the diffuser/lens as shown.

  • Page 70: System Installation

    DCE cables to protect connections from moisture, dirt etc. Data and DC power source Connect chains of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures to control data and DC power at 48 volts from one of the following Martin devices only: •...

  • Page 71: Maintenance

    Installing firmware It may be necessary to upload new firmware (i.e. device software) to the VDO Sceptron XB if you want to update to a newer firmware version or it appears to have a software-related fault. You can check the currently installed firmware version of a VDO Sceptron XB using an RDM tool such as Martin Companion or a Martin P3 System Controller.
  • Page 72 Martin Companion or a P3 system controller connected to the VDO Sceptron XB fixtures. If you connect to a chain of VDO Sceptron XB fixtures that are all powered on, you can update the firmware in all the fixtures in one operation.
  • Page 73 Specifications For full product specifications, see the VDO Sceptron XB area of the Martin website at www.martin.com. FCC compliance This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
  • Page 75 www.martin.com...

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