DMX512 stands for...

lieperjp

Well-Known Member
What does DMX stand for? Does it stand for anything?

When doing research, I came across two ideas:

1) It doesn't stand for anything.
2) It used to be Digital Media Effects, but no longer carries that meaning.

I doubt the accuracy of number two, but it was the only definition that made sense.
 
Digital Multiplex. 512 is the number of usable addresses in the serial stream.

AMX192 is, of course, analog multiplex with 192 samples per frame (though perhaps in the CD80 days it sometimes had only 96, from what I infer).

DMX512 is largely based on old Colortran Protocol, which was renamed "CMX" following the popular convention. AMX192 is a formalized Strand CD80 Protocol.

And then there's the other proprietary Mux protocols. D54, K96, LMX, and so on.
 
What does DMX stand for? Does it stand for anything?
This information is clearly presented in our glossary, and thus, if it weren't currently down due to an upgrade, you'd be in serious trouble for not checking there first, mister.:twisted:
 
Digital Multiplex. 512 is the number of usable addresses in the serial stream.

It's a binary thing.

DMX512 is largely based on old Colortran Protocol...

I worked at Colortran back in 1987 - 1989. I can remember our protocol wich, now that you mention it, is a lot like DMX512.

I can also remember (embarassingly) thinking, "DMX is a fad. It'll never catch on." :lol: :rolleyes:

(If I remember correctly, we had a break and then the data came down the line like DMX starting with channel 1 and counting up. Another break signified stop, we're starting over, and the data would come again. DMX inserts start and stop bits in there for each channel. If I'm not getting this right, someone please correct me.)
 
(If I remember correctly, we had a break and then the data came down the line like DMX starting with channel 1 and counting up. Another break signified stop, we're starting over, and the data would come again. DMX inserts start and stop bits in there for each channel. If I'm not getting this right, someone please correct me.)

I think you're right, DMX512 has start and stop bits, and then a long frame break.

I've had to figure out this whole basic thing in a side project I'm tinkering with, of multiplexing a bunch of camera tally lines onto a one-wire bus. Since I have only one bit per address, I'm going to interleave short-width clock and long-width data, borrowing an idea from NTSC and making the clock be a negative pulse (easier to discriminate at the receiver); and then a long frame break. Funny how all of these mux systems end up being the same basic animal...
 
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This information is clearly presented in our glossary, and thus, if it weren't currently down due to an upgrade, you'd be in serious trouble for not checking there first, mister.:twisted:

I looked once upon a time, but I don't remember it saying anything about the what it stands for. Plus, it's a major part of theatre history... so a good use for the theatre history forum!!! Which is a cool idea.

Is this supposed to be common knowledge or something? I also looked at, oh, maybe twenty or so different websites and nothing was found. Maybe a Wikipedia edit is in order?
 
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pretty much every book or website that ive checked out in lighting and lighting history mentions dmx as digital multiplex. what sites did you look at?
 
So YOU'RE the one who built my Prestiges (right now I can think of five, without trying too hard) and D192 dimmers. I've been looking for you....:twisted:

I was a field service tech for a year and a half (the "factory authorised technician" that comes out when your system is being installed, tests everything, does the initial power-up, and teaches you how to use it), and a designer/draftsman for a year and a half (I would take the spec, once we got the contract, and design the system (using mostly standard in-house items). Then the guys out back would build it).

Give me a Prestige 2000 and a fully stocked D192 dimmer rack and I'm as happy as a pig in slop.

If you had trouble with them, I'm truly sorry.... :(

(The day they started using aluminum buss bars instead of copper I did a head-desk out of disbelief. Sure enough, a short time later, bye-bye Colortran <whimper>) :rolleyes:
 
Glossary is back! Still in its old form, but at least it's back!

I believe I added Digital MultipleX. to the Glossary entry, either on May 04, or August 08, 2008. The underlined letters denote the acronym.
 

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