Understanding Dmx; Dmx Cables - Elation DLED Par Zoom Manual

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DLED Par Zoom

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7. UNDERSTANDING DMX

DMX-512: DMX is short for Digital Multiplex. This is a universal protocol used by most

lighting and controller manufactures as a form of communication between intelligent fixtures

and controllers. DMX allows all makes and models of different manufactures to be linked

together and operate from a single controller. This is possible as long as all the fixtures and

the controller are DMX compliant. A DMX controller sends the DMX data instructions to a

fixture allowing the user to control the different aspects of an intelligent light. DMX data is

sent out as serial data that travels from fixture to fixture via data " IN" and " OUT" leads

located on the fixtures (most controllers will only have output jacks).

DMX Linking: To ensure proper DMX data transmission, always use proper DMX cables

and a terminator. When using several DMX fixtures try to use the shortest cable path

possible. Never split a DMX line with a " Y" style connector. The order in which the fixtures

are connected in a DMX line does not influence the DMX addressing. For example; a fixture

assigned a DMX address of 1 may be placed anywhere in the DMX chain, at the beginning,

at the end, or anywhere in the middle. The DMX controller knows to send data assigned to

address 1 to that fixture no matter where it is located in the DMX chain. The DLED PAR

ZOOM™ can be controlled via DMX-512 protocol. The DLED PAR ZOOM™ is a fixture that

operates with 8 DMX channels (see pages 28-31 for the different DMX traits). The DMX

address is set electronically using the controls on the bottom of the fixture.

Data Cable (DMX Cable) Requirements (For DMX and Master/Slave Operation): Your

fixture and your DMX controller require a standard 3-pin or 5-pin XLR connector for data

input and data output (the illustration on the next page is of a 3 -Pin XLR connector). If you

are making your own cables, be sure to use two conductor shielded digital DMX cable rated

at 120 ohms, this cable is designed for DMX transmission and may be purchased from your

Elation dealer or at most professional lighting retailers. Your cables should be made with a

male and female XLR connector on either end of the cable. Also, remember that a DMX line

must be daisy chained and cannot be split, unless using an approved DMX splitter such as

the Elation Opto Branch 4™ or DMX Branch/4™ .

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