What is DMX512? Practical Information for Lighting and Stage Control

In our article What is DMX512? you will find answers to the question. DMX the term is translated in English as "Digital Multiplex Signal" in Turkish. In Turkish, it means "Digital Multilayer Signal". In short, it is a communication protocol that allows you to adjust the level, light quality and properties of the lighting. Protocol lighting automation, lighting and stage control also allows you to do things like. What does DMX mean? To understand the question in the best way, firstly What is RGB LED? and understand the logic of operation of RGB products.

What is DMX512? How Does It Work? What is the Logic in Technical Terms?

Basically, all the light animations you see around you are formed by the combination of R (Red-Red), G (Green-Green), B (Blue-Blue) colours in certain proportions. Some of you may have used lighting design software before. In such software, the colours in the colour palettes have options between 0-255. You can obtain all other light colours by playing with these values.

Special design working with DMX protocol DMX LED products. For example, let's examine our 50 cm 18 led DMX product. The product has 3 pixels consisting of 16.6 cm and working independently of each other. There are 3 channels inside these pixels. These 3 channels carry the R, G and B information mentioned above. So there are 3 channels in 1 pixel.

As you can understand from the name DMX512, it tells the maximum number of channels that can be controlled 512. Each channel carries an 8-bit (256) value. If the channel value is at maximum, ie 255, the led section lights up at full brightness. If the value is 128, it gives half brightness. If it is zero, the light does not light at all. As a result, we can control 512 channels (512/3=170 pixels) in a universe (DMX Universe).

In this product, we knew that there are 3 pixels per 50 cm. This means that we can control a 28 metre LED section with a universe. If we do the verification, 28 mt / 2 = 56 half-metre bar LEDs. 56 x 3 pixels = 168 pixels. We could already control a maximum of 170 pixels.

Of course, the position of these leds, the length of the data cables and the environment can change the number of pixels. Because, for example, as the distance of the data signal extends and passes over the leds, it weakens. For this reason, it is necessary to make more detailed studies in accordance with the projects. We support the data line with signal boosters or switches where necessary.

In short, all you have to check DMX RGB bar LED models are connected to a DMX controller. Multiple DMX controllers meet in the cabinet in the central system room via switches. The server computer connected to the same backbone in the cabinet has DMX software. The bar LED sections programmed through the software make light with the choreography you want.

Which Devices are Used in DMX512 Light Animation?

For your light moving projects you need computer, software, DMX controller (controller dmx 512), DMX512 Decoder, network cables, layer 2 switch, DMX compatible LED light fixtures. The controllers determine which colour, brightness, angle, speed and effects to give to the LED luminaires. We can only accurately determine the exact list of materials after analysing your project.

So how do we control it? DMX light animation We control Artnet devices and lighting programmes. We send data to Artnet devices via ethernet connection from these programmes we set up on the computer. We transfer this information from the devices to our leds with data cables. We also make the addressing of the pixels in the leds used in the project in advance.

The order and position of each pixel are mapped as Patch in the programme. We can control the universe as much as the amount of output on the Artnet device. You can see devices with 4/8/16/16/32 outputs in the market. Thanks to Ethernet Cat5 or Cat6 cables, we can control the LEDs at separate points in the projects. We can also use more devices for this purpose. Thus, we can dominate each area from a single point. So what is DMX control? We also answered the question.

Pixel logic within the scope of the DMX control system is the same as that of computers and televisions. The more frequent it is, the easier and smoother it is to project the image you want. Thanks to the programmes we have prepared for DMX LED control, we can provide the opportunity to play various animations, texts, videos.

Why DMX512? What are the Advantages?

So let's answer this question. LED products do not deteriorate easily. But let's still take precautions. Because in some places DMX light animations are on the facades of buildings. This makes both assembly workmanship and fault maintenance and repair work difficult. So we need to aim for long-term use. In our products, we connect RGB pixels to each other with parallel connection. This prevents malfunctioning products from affecting others even in a 28-metre universe. This ensures continuity.

DMX is a common protocol that is widely used in the market. Therefore, it is much easier to communicate various products and different types that we will use in lighting project solutions with each other thanks to LED DMX 512.

Where is DMX512 Used?

Animated LED light or moving lighting is very suitable for automation system. For example, you can use it in outdoor areas such as a building facade lighting, totem, stadium or pool light. Similarly, it is perfect for moving lights that move synchronously with music or stage lighting in entertainment venues such as discos and bars. You can even make a moving stretch ceiling.

DMX 512 LED products can be used in many places such as light animations, stage shows, concerts, theatres, museums, shops, restaurants, hotels, homes. You can contact us for your DMX projects. Send us your architectural project or photos and we will design DMX lighting for you. You can get price from us for our key solutions.