ENGLISH
OPERATION MANUAL
BRITEQ
®
3/26
DMS-26
FUNCTIONS
(FRONT)
1. DMX OUTPUTS:
the DMS26 splitter section has 6 identical but completely isolated DMX-outputs: when
a problem occurs on one of the outputs (short circuits, overvoltage, …) the other outputs and the 2 inputs
will be protected and stay fully functional. All outputs have 3pin and 5pin XLR connectors to assure
maximum compatibility in a situations. (pin1 = ground/shield ; pin2 = data- ; pin3 = data+ ; pins 4/5 = not
used)
2. MENU BUTTON:
used to browse the main menu for the different options. Press this button 2 seconds to
save your choice permanently and return to normal user mode. See chapter “HOW TO USE” to learn
how to use the unit”
3. UP/DOWN BUTTONS:
used to change values or browse the different options in the sub menus.
4. ENTER BUTTON:
used to confirm your choice. However please note that you should press the MENU
button (2) for two seconds to save your choice permanently!
5. DISPLAY:
Multifunctional LED-display, shows the current working mode and helps selecting different
functions.
6. A/B INPUT:
shows which DMX-input (A and/or B) is routed to the 6 outputs.
FUNCTIONS
(REAR)
7. DMX INPUT A:
the DMS26 merger section has 2inputs. Input A (called the “main input”) is the used
when only 1 controller is attached. See chapter “HOW TO USE” to learn how to use the unit”
8. DMX INPUT B:
input B (called the “backup input”) is used to connect a second controller. See chapter
“HOW TO USE” to learn how to use the unit”
9. POWER SWITCH:
used to switch the unit on/off. The last settings are preserved.
10. MAINS INPUT:
with IEC socket and integrated fuse holder, connect the supplied mains cable here.
HOW TO USE
The main menu contains 4 sub menu’s, below we explain each option in detail and how you should use it:
Important:
to save your settings permanently, always press the MENU button (2) for 2 seconds!
MODE MENU
HTP OPTION
In HTP-mode (Highest Takes Precedence) two controllers will be connected to the inputs A and B (7/8). Both
controllers work simultaneously so both A/B INPUT (6) indicators are lit. The DMX-values of both controllers
are sent to the outputs but for corresponding channels, the channel with the highest value will be routed to
the outputs.
Example:
Controller A: ch1=102 + ch2=88 + ch3=246 + ch4=000
Controller B: ch1=105 + ch2=186 + ch3=101 + ch4=005
Outputs: ch1=105 + ch2=186 + ch3=246 + ch4=005
ENGLISH
OPERATION MANUAL
BRITEQ
®
4/26
DMS-26
MODE MENU
BACKUP OPTION
In BACKUP-mode (“b-uP” on the display) two controllers will be connected to the inputs A and B (7/8). The
controller connected to input A is the main controller that will be routed to the outputs. If, for any reason,
controller A fails, controller B (the backup controller) takes over immediately. On the A/B INPUT LEDs (6)
you can always check which controller is in command!
When both controllers fail, you can decide how the
outputs should react: see “NO INPUT option” below.
MODE MENU
MERGER OPTION
Normally you can’t make 2 DMX-controllers work
together on 1 DMX-line: both controllers send out the
same channels and signals would crash. This is the
solution: in MERGER-mode (“MErg” + start address
controller B alternate on the display) you can
connect two controllers to the inputs A and B (7/8)
and make them work together on 1 single DMX-
cable. The controller connected to input A (7) is the
first controller, starting from DMX address 001. For
the controller connected to input B (8) you can freely
set the DMX start address (see “Addr option” below)
Example:
Controller A is a 24channel DMX-controller for
Theater lighting.
Controller B is 192channel DMX-controller for
moving heads/scanners.
Both controllers can work together on 1 DMX-
cable, just set the start address for controller B
to 025 and add 25 to the original DMX-channels
of the scanner controller: original DMX-address
001 becomes 025, original DMX-address 130
becomes 155 (130+025)
ADDR OPTION
Will only be used in MERGER mode to set the start address of the controller connected to input B (8). For
more information on the merger mode, see previous option.
Hint:
If you have a controller with 24ch connected to input A and you only want to use the 12 first channels,
than you can set the start address for controller B to 013. This will save channels…
TIMING OPTION
Modern “high speed” DMX-controllers send a full 512ch package with a refresh rate of max. 44Hz (or 23ms).
Most common the refresh rate is set to 40Hz (25ms). Some low cost Chinese DMX-equipment is not able to
work at these high refresh rates, as a result data is lost and all kinds of unpredictable behavior occurs. To
solve this problem the DMS-26 is able to adapt the refresh rate in a range from fast “23ms(44Hz)” to slow
“45ms (22Hz)” for increased compatibility between DMX-units.
So if you encounter timing problems, try to set the timing to a higher value (slower refresh). In most cases
30ms will be a good value.
“NO INPUT” OPTION
When no DMX is detected on both inputs A and B (7/8), you can choose how the outputs should react. Three
options are available:
Null:
no DMX signal on the outputs (some DMX-equipment will start working in standalone mode)
Hold:
keep the last DMX values on the outputs (avoids a general “blackout” on stage)
Clear:
set the DMX values on all outputs to zero (all projectors will go to “blackout”)
Just choose the behavior that suits best for the job.
