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DMX-512 Background 

DMX-512 is a digital data transmission standard developed by the United States Institute for 
Theater Technology (USITT).  It is designed to enable control of lighting equipment, originally 
dimmers.  DMX deals solely with the formatting of data for transmission and does not dictate 
how the data is created or used. 
 
Under DMX, signals are transmitted in much the same way a computer modem transmits data.  
The Data, divided in to channels, is "Framed" using a start bit, high (1), eight data bits and 
finally, two stop bits, both high (1). DMX uses no parity to check the integrity of the signal.  
Instead, DMX relies on the ultra low probability of an error occurring in the same place when the 
data is resent.  The rate at which data is sent is fixed at 250k bps, almost four and a half times 
faster that a 56k modem.   This speed allows all data on a DMX chain to be updated more than 
44 times every second. 
 
The transmitted data follows a specific format. DMX allows for 512 channels each with eight 
data bits, giving each channel the possibility of 256 values.  When a data "Packet" is sent, all 
channels are transmitted one after another.  Even if the data on a specific channel has not been 
changed, it must be sent.  In a packet, a "start code" of all zeros is sent before the data to 
identify the signal as a Standard DMX transmission.  This start code is transparent to the user 
and is handled by the controller. 
 
The physical signals are transmitted using a twisted pair of wires and a common shield, a 
configuration called Balanced.  The controller and all receiving equipment are connected using a 
“Daisy Chain" connection.  The signal is jumped from the controller to a piece of DMX 
equipment.  From there, the signal is jumped to the next piece of equipment and so on until the 
last piece of equipment is connected.  No branches are allowed and the signal does not come 
back to the controller.  The final piece of equipment will have only one cable connection.  As a 
result, all equipment connected to the chain will see exactly the same signal whether it is first or 
last.  When connecting equipment, no particular attention needs to be paid to the order in which 
the equipment is connected.  Depending on the conditions and equipment, a line terminator may 
be required.  If there is any question, in most circumstances the addition of a terminator will not 
degrade the signal.  To make a terminator, add a 120-ohm resistor between the Signal Data 
Negative and Signal Data Positive pins of a connector in the last piece of equipment in the 
chain. 
 
The DMX Standard calls for connections between DMX compatible equipment to be made using 
5 pin XLR connectors.  However, it is common to see fixtures with 3 pin XLR connectors as 
these types of balanced or “Lo-Z” cables are common in the audio industry.  In either case, pin 
numbers are the same and carry the same signals. 
 

 

 

Pin 1  - 

Signal Common (Shield) 

 

 

Pin 2  - 

Signal Data Negative 

 

 

Pin 3  - 

Signal Data Positive 

  Pin 

- (not 

used)

 

  Pin 

- (not 

used) 

Summary of Contents for IL-TRACKER250S/1

Page 1: ...Information specifically for IL TRACKER250S 1 V1 1 This manual contains important information Please read before operating fixture...

Page 2: ...2 2005 Techni Lux Inc...

Page 3: ...he purchase price paid Returning equipment and Repairs All returns must be accompanied by a Return Merchandise Authorization RMA number and sent pre paid Contact the dealer or Techni Lux directly to o...

Page 4: ...u 14 Start Address 14 DMX 512 Channels 15 CH 1 4 Pan Tilt Movement 15 CH 5 Movement Speed Pan Tilt 15 CH 6 Control Reset Lamp 16 CH 7 Color Wheel 16 CH 8 Fixed Gobo Wheel 17 CH 9 Prism 17 CH 10 Prism...

Page 5: ...s rotation Remote selection of zoom degrees 15 18 21 24 26 Frost and UV blacklight effect Motorized focus Variable shutter for strobing effects and quick blackouts Motorized dimmer from 0 to 100 Contr...

Page 6: ...T DMX512 1990 Channels 16 Pan Tilt Resolution16 bit Data I O 3 Pin XLR Cannon Modes Master Slave DMX Optics Reflector High efficiency coated glass Spherical Lenses Anti reflective coated condenser sys...

Page 7: ...FUSE 1 GND 2 SIG 3 SIG SERIAL DATA LINK LIGHTING CONTROL PROTOCOL DMX512 Serial number 1 Moving Head 2 Yoke 3 Carry Handles 4 Base Rear Panel 5 Power Switch 6 DMX Out 7 DMX In 8 Power Cord 9 Fuse Hol...

Page 8: ...applied to return items not received in original or incomplete packing Claims Physical damage must be reported to the Freight Carrier or Shipping Company upon receipt of merchandise Damage incurred in...

Page 9: ...e s input voltage matches the power source voltage Consult a qualified electrician if there are any concerns about proper connection to power Pin Cable EU International Brown Light blue ellow Green Y...

Page 10: ...he maximum possible life As Discharge lamps age the glass envelope becomes weaker increasing the chance of failure due to the high internal pressures Rupture could result in damage to the fixture and...

Page 11: ...lamp with shutter and dimmer to 100 and project an open white beam on a flat neutral colored surface 8 Use Slight adjustment of Screw B ONLY to optimize the hot spot of the beam 9 Extreme caution mus...

Page 12: ...ovided there is adequate room for movement and ventilation Mount the fixture securely using two mounting clamps and a safety cable An Eye Bolt is provided for safety attachment Safety cables must alwa...

Page 13: ...positive S A qualified technician can determine if a Data Terminator is needed Adapter 5 to 3 pin Numbers designating each pin can be found on connectors Converting between the two XLR types is done i...

Page 14: ...ures to the same Start Address In this case the fixtures will be slaved together and respond to the same data Example Select Start Addresses for 4 fixtures each requiring 16 channels of DMX Since thes...

Page 15: ...ure will correct automatically The Pan and Tilt Menu Modes can be used to alter the default direction of movement Movement speed is either automatically determined by the fixture or manually set using...

Page 16: ...eel holds 7 solid colors plus open These color filters can be used in conjunction with the Dichroic Rotating Gobos and Fixed Gobo color filters to create many color combinations A Rainbow Color Scroll...

Page 17: ...arrangement shown For more information see Installing Gobos CH 8 Fixed Gobo Wheel DMX Value Function 0 36 Open 37 73 Fixed Gobo 1 74 110 Fixed Gobo 2 111 147 Fixed Gobo 3 148 184 Color Filter Lt Oran...

Page 18: ...2 metal and 3 glass The Gobo Rotation Index channel 12 controls the position and rotation of the gobos Using both Gobo wheels and varying the Focus can create many interesting effects CH 11 Rotating G...

Page 19: ...ct creating a very wide diffused beam with a soft edge A UV color filter effect is also included CH 13 Effects Zoom Frost UV DMX Value Function 0 31 15 Beam Angle No Focus Correction 32 47 18 Beam Ang...

Page 20: ...fect runs the shutter at irregular intervals CH 15 Shutter DMX Value Function 0 31 Closed Black Out 32 63 Open 64 95 Strobe Effect Slow to Fast 96 127 Open 128 159 Pulse Strobe Effect Slow to Fast 160...

Page 21: ...21 Photometric Charts...

Page 22: ...efully remove the Retaining Clip and gobo 5 Place the new gobo in the bearing If the gobo is a textured effect install the smooth side toward the lamp If the gobo is a dichroic glass litho install wit...

Page 23: ...the gobo is a textured effect install the smooth side toward the lamp If the gobo is a dichroic glass litho install with the coated side away from the lamp To find the coated side place a pointed obje...

Page 24: ...s handled by the controller The physical signals are transmitted using a twisted pair of wires and a common shield a configuration called Balanced The controller and all receiving equipment are connec...

Page 25: ...tronics mechanical elements reduce lamp life fixture life and over all performance Before conducting any maintenance disconnect fixture from power mains 1 Disconnect fixture from power mains 2 Use a v...

Page 26: ...units then function correctly issue is programming Bad or end of life lamp Check DMX value for Control Reset Lamp Channel Inspect fixture light path and verify no effects are blocking beam Remove from...

Page 27: ...TRANSFORMER BOTTOM 12VDC FAN LIGHT HEAD 12VDC FAN 2Pcs DISPLAY CPU RED RED BLUE BLUE 11VAC 24VAC Horae 4 PCB Rotation gobo wheel Horae 3B PCB Colour Horae 5 PCB Zoom S colour S gobo S S S BALLAST L1...

Page 28: ...ack 18 SAFETYCABLE4 Safety Cable Silver 18 CA XLR3 1 Pre made 1 3 pin XLR Cable CA XLR3 5 Pre made 5 3 pin XLR Cable CA XLR3 10 Pre made 10 3 pin XLR Cable CA XLR3 20 Pre made 20 3 pin XLR Cable CA XL...

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