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MAC Aura XIP User Manual
Tips for reliable data transmission via Ethernet cable
• Use shielded twisted-pair Ethernet cable of type S/UTP, SF/UTP, S/STP or SF/STP only. The cable must
be rated Cat 5e or better.
• The cable shield must be electrically connected to connector housings, and the other devices on the data
link must also support shielded connections.
• Note that the MAC Aura XIP is compatible with 10/100 Mbit Ethernet only. Do not connect the fixture to a
network port or device that is fixed to Gigabit Ethernet speed. If you need to integrate a MAC Aura XIP in
a Gigabit Ethernet network, use a network switch to allow the link towards the fixture to operate at
100 Mbit/s Ethernet speed.
• To split the data link into branches, use a standard network switch that is able to operate at 100 Mbit/s
towards the fixtures.
• Even though every fixture has a fail-safe bypass mechanism and minimal latency insertion, we
recommend that you avoid connecting more than 50 devices in a single daisy-chain or branch.
• Unlike DMX cable, Ethernet cable does not require termination at the end of a daisy-chain of fixtures.
Connecting to data via Ethernet cable
To connect the MAC Aura XIP to Art-Net, sACN or P3 via Ethernet cable:
1. Connect the Ethernet cable to either of the fixture’s etherCON data sockets.
2. Run Ethernet cable from the fixture’s other etherCON data socket to a data socket on the next fixture.
3. Continue connecting data sockets as described above until the link is complete.
Simultaneous DMX and P3 control
To control the MAC Aura XIP using DMX/Art-Net/sACN and P3 video at the same time, connect the
DMX/Art-Net/sACN signal to the P3 System Controller. The P3 Controller will then merge DMX commands
and video data together and send a combined data signal to fixtures over the Ethernet link using the P3
protocol.
