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controllers:dmx:primer [2022/01/24 23:51] – created jazzycontrollers:dmx:primer [2022/01/28 19:34] – [Understand DMX Device Setup] added DMX Loss Behavior jazzy
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 ====== DMX Control Primer ====== ====== DMX Control Primer ======
 This article is to introduce you to how DMX works and some tips to troubleshoot it. If you are looking for resources on how the serial protocol is written so that you can create your own DMX code library, there are some details at the end. This article is to introduce you to how DMX works and some tips to troubleshoot it. If you are looking for resources on how the serial protocol is written so that you can create your own DMX code library, there are some details at the end.
 +
 +For info on how to set up DMX lights in Horizons, check out the [[controllers:dmx|Horizons DMX Tutorial]].
  
 ==== DMX Basics ==== ==== DMX Basics ====
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 **RDM** is Remote Device Management. Horizons doesn't currently support this but some splitters, controllers, testers, and more do. This lets you change fixture settings, read sensor data, and more remotely. It will send a packet or two back to the controller in the space between DMX packets.  **RDM** is Remote Device Management. Horizons doesn't currently support this but some splitters, controllers, testers, and more do. This lets you change fixture settings, read sensor data, and more remotely. It will send a packet or two back to the controller in the space between DMX packets. 
  
 +**DMX Loss Behavior** is what a fixture does when it stops receiving DMX packets. Some fixtures will **Hold Last Look* based on the last packet, waiting for a new packet to arrive. Others will **Wait and Fade** at the last packet look for a specific time, before fading the lights out. Other fixtures will just turn off when DMX packets stop flowing. *Check your ConstandDelivery setting in Horizons based on how your fixture handles packet speed/loss.*
 ==== Using Multiple Fixtures ==== ==== Using Multiple Fixtures ====
 If you set two devices to the same Fixture Mode and Start Address, they will both follow the exact same commands. It won't be possible to change these fixtures independent of each other unless you change their settings. This can be helpful in Horizons if 15 segments of LED tape will all report the alert status. You could set them as the same mode and start address and cover all of them with the same addresses. This is fast, simple, and easy. If you set two devices to the same Fixture Mode and Start Address, they will both follow the exact same commands. It won't be possible to change these fixtures independent of each other unless you change their settings. This can be helpful in Horizons if 15 segments of LED tape will all report the alert status. You could set them as the same mode and start address and cover all of them with the same addresses. This is fast, simple, and easy.
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 ==== Testing Tools ==== ==== Testing Tools ====
 **DMX Testers** **DMX Testers**
-  * City Theatrical DMXcat - Highly recommended test tool. It connects to your phone through Bluetooth. It can send and receive DMX for testing plus do RDM programming. Jazzy uses this tool every day and loves it! +  * **City Theatrical DMXcat** - Highly recommended test tool. It connects to your phone through Bluetooth. It can send and receive DMX for testing plus do RDM programming. Jazzy uses this tool every day and loves it! 
-  * Doug Fleenor Designs Gizmo - If you are into a rugged old-school look, check this one out. You can get them online or from a theatrical equipment dealer. +  * **Doug Fleenor Designs Gizmo** - If you are into a rugged old-school look, check this one out. You can get them online or from a theatrical equipment dealer. 
-  * Swisson XMT-120 DMX Tester +  * **Swisson XMT-120** DMX Tester 
-  * Swisson XMT-350 DMX Tester & RDM Programmer +  * **Swisson XMT-350** DMX Tester & RDM Programmer 
-  * Quasar Science Dynamite DMX Tester is the cheapest and simplest DMX tester on the market. It doesn't do much but it does enough. Only $150!+  * **Quasar Science Dynamite DMX Tester** - is the cheapest and simplest DMX tester on the market. It doesn't do much but it does enough. Only $150! 
 +//For help buying any of this DMX gear, feel free to reach out to Jazzy in the Discord!//
  
 sACN Testing Software sACN Testing Software
controllers/dmx/primer.txt · Last modified: 2022/01/28 19:35 by jazzy