I'm designing a high school's musical. The show is The Wiz. The auditorium has 96dimmers, an ETC ION, and NO DMX anywhere. The only DMX node I found is the connection from the console to the dimmer rack. The space is large, and the hang positions are difficult to get to. I have about an $800 budget for rentals. I want to rent a few movers, such as Martin MAC 350's and MAC 250's for multiple purposes. However, the only problem I am having, is the lack of DMX. I could rent wireless DMX, which is expensive. Running physical DMX would also be costly, because of the amount I need. Is there a way to transmit the DMX over a dedicated WIFI network with Ethernet to DMX boxes? Has anyone ever encountered a problem like this? What is the best way to go about this?
Design Creative ways to run DMX
- Thread starteragcraig
- Start date
DMX over Wifi would require a network node to do the protocol conversion, and would be highly susceptible to communication failure.
The least expensive and most reliable option is to run a DMX cable from the second port of the Ion to one of the rental fixtures and then daisy-chain to subsequent fixtures. If you a renting the fixtures, you should also be able to rent the DMX cable necessary to connect them to your console. It should be a fraction of the rental cost of the fixture.
The least expensive and most reliable option is to run a DMX cable from the second port of the Ion to one of the rental fixtures and then daisy-chain to subsequent fixtures. If you a renting the fixtures, you should also be able to rent the DMX cable necessary to connect them to your console. It should be a fraction of the rental cost of the fixture.
You can use IP-DMX nodes (e.g. ENTTEC: OPEN DMX ETHERNET ODE Lighting Control,RDM,DMX USB PRO - Australian Made ) to send DMX over any IP network. I'd recommend Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, since (depending on your existing wireless infrastructure) congestion is congestion, no matter what network it's occurring on. It will work fine in testing, of course, because by definition you'll only find out once the audience - and accompanying hundreds of smartphones - are in their seats.
sk8rsdad is right, though, it'll most likely be cheaper to rent the DMX cable and run it straight than to rent network nodes + wifi APs/exact same length of CAT5, plus it'll be completely plug-and-play.
sk8rsdad is right, though, it'll most likely be cheaper to rent the DMX cable and run it straight than to rent network nodes + wifi APs/exact same length of CAT5, plus it'll be completely plug-and-play.
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Morte615
Active Member
How large is the space? How long is your run from the board to your first mover? Or from the dimmer racks to your first mover?
I agree with everyone else so far and say your best bet is to just rent the cable and run that. If you are looking to save some money you can do DMX over Cat5 but if your already renting the movers just talk with your rental company and they can give you all the info (and cable) you need. If money is an issue see if you can live with one less mover and use that money for cable instead, if you do that you will have money left over for say an I-Cue or something similar to help fill that void.
I agree with everyone else so far and say your best bet is to just rent the cable and run that. If you are looking to save some money you can do DMX over Cat5 but if your already renting the movers just talk with your rental company and they can give you all the info (and cable) you need. If money is an issue see if you can live with one less mover and use that money for cable instead, if you do that you will have money left over for say an I-Cue or something similar to help fill that void.
I would imagine the distance from my ION to my first mover would be between 150-200 feet (dressed properly)
willbb123
Active Member
Unless there is no physical way to run DMX, a couple 100' DMX cables will be your simplest option. They should cost next to nothing compared to a couple ML.
I travel with a 300' DMX snake. If I don't get the snake, 2 -100' DMX cables normally gets me where I need to go. I normally pack more, then am surprised how far 200' gets me.
Is there a DMX passthrough on the dimmer rack?
I travel with a 300' DMX snake. If I don't get the snake, 2 -100' DMX cables normally gets me where I need to go. I normally pack more, then am surprised how far 200' gets me.
Is there a DMX passthrough on the dimmer rack?
And you've never had an issue with Attenuation when running that long? (ethernet has an attenuation factor of about 300feet) I just don't want to get all of the cable run and have an issue getting the data to the units.
Without a hint of trouble, you can run that far. DMX protocol is specified at up to 1500'. You'll probably want to put a terminator on the end of the line, but at that distance it isn't strictly required. Of course, you may need to verify that the rental house is using dmx cable, and not mic cable...
under normal conditions you shouldn't see any Attenuation whatsoever untill well over 1500ft or more of cable run....and then a terminator at the end would a necessity.
Cable is the most reliable, and cheapest, even with hundreds of feet of runs. Remember opto-SPLITTERS are your friend. They will not only boost and maintain a clean signal, they'll shorten cable runs when you have to get to multiple positions. Since you're going to rent fixtures, inquire about the cost of cable & splitter rental as well. My guess is they'll include at least some cable for free if you're renting fixtures. And did you ask about an educational discount? Some rental places offer that as well.
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I was assuming that a rental house would have better quality products, like Fleenor, that have some isolation properties built into their splitters. But maybe I'm just spoiled by working in a larger market with high quality inventory. although Elation offers "electronic and optical isolation" in theirs.
try and find a Doug Fleenor Isolated Splitter. That will help tremendously.
bishopthomas
Well-Known Member
I can't imagine a scenario where running cables from one fixture to the next would be impossible (or even impractical). If you need to go wireless from the console to the first fixture then just rent a decent quality wireless DMX device. It can't be that expensive, I think I have mine at $65 for a transmitter and two receivers (W-DMX brand). If you really need wireless at every single fixture see about renting units with wireless built in. Many of the Elation movers have receivers in them (and allow for programming off an internal battery) and all you would need is the Elation transmitter.
Colloquially, there's no difference. There are very few splitters that don't have opto-isolation, hence opto-splitter. len just left off the opto part. I'm sure he's not talking about Y-cable s, or passive splitters that have no isolation.
Technically an opto-isolator can refer to a one-input/one-output device (DFD DMXOPTO-5), but these are very seldom used. Most rental shops have standardized on DFD model: 125, but others are certainly acceptable as well. I like the Enttec D-Split, primarily because of its price point.
Very few installed dimmer rack have a DMX Out/DMX Thru, and installing one oneself is likely against code and against manufacturer's recommendations. See http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/21074-dmx-inputs-outputs.html#post188775 , post #14. Plus, dimmer racks often aren't in convenient locations to the stage, and are in a sealed room.
bishopthomas
Well-Known Member
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