Digital Lighting Solutions
dmxPHONE, PHONE User Manual

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 PHONE User’s Manual

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Version 1.4

By:

Digital Lighting Solutions Inc.

2719 Danube Avenue

Davis, CA 95616

530-792-0200

www.DigitalLightingSolutions.com

Page 1

Safety and Legal

General:

Digital Lighting Solutions Inc. expressly prohibits the use of this device in systems where
people or property may be harmed if this device malfunctions or is misused. Digital
Lighting Solutions Inc. or any of its officers shall not be held liable for any lost revenue
resulting for the misuse or malfunction of this product.

DMX512 has done great things for our industry. Originally intended for just dimmers, it
has found many applications beyond that. Some applications like moving scenery or
triggering pyrotechnics are really bad ideas as DMX offers no built in safeguards or error
checking. When connecting things to a DMX system we need to always ask the
question: What would happen if this device operates at a bad time or in an unexpected
fashion.

Telephone Connection:

Never connect this device to an actual telephone line. Doing this could damage the
whole lighting system!!!

Non-Dim Loads:

Great care should be taken when connecting a non-dim load (such as an electric motor)
to a dimmer. Many lighting consoles provide non-dim settings for their outputs, but
these settings will have no effect on the dmxPHONE. The best way to configure for a
non-dim load is to set the dimmer itself to a non-dim mode. This is usually done at the
dimmer equipment itself not the lighting console.

Bypassing:

The dmxPHONE may be placed in a bypass mode where it passively relays the DMX
signal from its input to its output (see operation section). However, during
performances, it is strongly recommended that power be removed from the unit as an
added safety measure.

Page 2

Setup

Connections:

“DC In” connects to the external power supply provided with the unit. If the power
supply has been lost, almost any 12VDC 500ma power supply with the proper connector
and polarity will work. Note: the DC output of any replacement power supply must be
isolated from the power lines.

“DMX In” connects to the lighting console’s (if used) DMX output. This is often labeled
“1-512” for the first DMX Universe.

“DMX Out” connects to the theater’s lighting system. This is typically a jack in the wall.
Please note that dmxPHONE only works with DMX512 and no other protocols.

“Telephone” connects to the cordless telephone. Never connect this to an actual
telephone line, as it could damage the whole lighting system.

Indicator Lights:

“Power” indicates dmxPHONE has power.

“Status” blinks the version number of the software at power up. During operation status
blinks once every few seconds to indicate stand-alone mode. Status will blink twice
every few seconds if DMX is detected at the input.

“Capture” indicates that the dmxPHONE is processing the DMX signal. See the
operation section for instructions on bypassing the unit.

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