DMX to AMX cable adapter

[w3st0n21]

so i was digging aroung my church the other night and i found a 5 pin DMX to a 4 pin AMX converter CABLE. I was wondering if it would work with our AMX system at school. i just want to make sure that, if i test it, i wont fry anything in my school system...cuz that would be BAD.

thanks again!

[chrispo86]

I don't think you'd fry the system per se, but i doubt it would work. There's a lot more that goes into converting a digital signal to an analog one than just reducing the number of pins on the plug. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong on this.

[TheDonkey]

Not sure, but I highly doubt that by just using a regular converter cable you can plug a DMX source into an AMX dimmer,

It's like trying to fit a square block into a circular hole, even if it's small enough to fit, it won't actually work.

[Esoteric]

Yeah, that will not work.

Mike

[w3st0n21]

yeah i didnt think so, i just wanted to make sure before i went on with my search of AMX to DMX converters

[Clifford]

To add a little, from my understanding, DMX is a serial digital stream of data, whereas analog is dependent on a voltage from 0 to +10V for its signal. The digital stream would have to be converted into a voltage for the AMX rack.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by Clifford

To add a little, from my understanding, DMX is a serial digital stream of data, whereas analog is dependent on a voltage from 0 to +10V for its signal. The digital stream would have to be converted into a voltage for the AMX rack.

AMX is a digital signal that can control 192 dimmers. DMX is also a digital signal that can control 512 dimmers. The 0-10v stuff required 2 lines ran from each dimmer to the control console and depending on the voltage sent it would vary the power the dimmer outputed. 0-10v is analog and requires very large connectors because of that.

[w3st0n21]

but doesnt AMX stand for ANALOG multiplex?

[Footer]

Originally Posted by w3st0n21

but doesnt AMX stand for ANALOG multiplex?

Yes, it does. I said before AMX was a digital signal, it is not exactly a digital signal. It is an analog signal but works like a digital signal. Basically, on a electrical level, an analog pulse is sent down one pair, while a clock signal is sent down another pair. The clock and the pulse vary depending on the data being send down the line. The pulse is in the 0-5v range, not 0-10v.

There is no way to convert AMX to DMX without a piece of hardware.

[w3st0n21]

oh i gotcha now! this make much more sense. thanks a lot!!