Pathway 6301, 6302 User Manual
DMX Manager Plus!
For firmware version 3.0.4.0 and higher
User’s Guide
Version 3
January 2008
Suite 103, 1439 - 17 Avenue SE
Calgary, AB, T2G 1J9
Canada
Phone: (403) 243-8110
Fax: (403) 287-1281
support@pathwayconnect.com
www.pathwayconnect.com
DMXManager Plus!
Table of Contents
User’s Guide
About DMX Manager Plus.......................................................................................................................3
Protocols Supported ...............................................................................................................................4
DMX Port Connections............................................................................................................................4
Ethernet Port Connections .....................................................................................................................5
Basic Standalone Configuration ............................................................................................................5
Node and Network Configuration Options............................................................................................7
Port Properties and Assignments..........................................................................................................9
DMX Options ..........................................................................................................................................11
Port and Channel Patching...................................................................................................................12
LCD Backlight ........................................................................................................................................15
Security Lockout ...................................................................................................................................15
Advanced Configuration.......................................................................................................................16
Updating your DMX Manager Plus.......................................................................................................16
Appendix A – XLR Connector Pinouts ................................................................................................17
Appendix B – Menu Reference.............................................................................................................17
Appendix C – Specifications ................................................................................................................18
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DMXManager Plus!
A
BOUT
DMX M
This manual describes the function, configuration and patching options for the
Pathway Connectivity DMX Manager Plus with firmware versions of 3.0.4.0 or
higher. Some features and menu items described below are not available in
earlier firmware releases.
The DMX512 entertainment lighting control protocol standard has become
accepted throughout the world as the standard for interoperability between
equipment supplied by most manufacturers. The DMX Manager Plus is
designed to connect with up to four independent DMX512 data streams, in a
variety of popular configurations to suit the user’s specific application. These
include:
Stand Alone Installations:
• DMX Merger: The most common stand-alone application, DMX
Manager Plus accepts up to three incoming DMX512 data streams,
merging them into one or two DMX output streams using a highestlevel-takes-precedence (HTP) mode of operation.
• DMX Patch: Individual channels within each DMX input universe can
be selectively re-mapped to outputs, allowing the user to create custom
DMX universes from all available input channels. Multiple input
channels can be assigned to a single output channel, on a merge or
priority basis.
• DMX Splitter: One incoming DMX data stream can be repeated from
up to three output ports, allowing a “star” topology to be created.
Networked Installations:
• DMX-over-Ethernet Gateway: DMX Manager Plus will function as a
four-port DMX512 gateway to or from an Ethernet control network. All
merging and channel patching features are supported in this mode.
Dual Ethernet ports allow daisy-chaining of two or more units. The DMX
Manager Plus supports Pathport® Protocol, Strand Shownet, ArtNet and
streaming ACN Ethernet protocols.
• DMX Router: Together with other compatible devices, DMX Manager
Plus will function as part of a sophisticated DMX distribution system,
where DMX input ports are selectively routed, or patched, to any DMX
output port. All merging and channel patching features are supported
in this mode.
• RDM Support: DMX Manager Plus’ bidirectional ports are compatible
with the talkback required to configure and monitor RDM-enabled
devices on a DMX512 based lighting system. Full RDM functionality
will be supported in future firmware versions.
ANAGER PLUS
User’s Guide
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DMXManager Plus!
P
ROTOCOLS SUPPORTED
DMX Manager Plus supports the following lighting industry communication
protocols:
DMX512 – Probably the most widely used protocol for controlling lighting and
effects equipment, DMX512 was the first industry standard digital multiplex
protocol. The DMX signal consists of 512 8-bit control packets sent
asynchronously over a two-pair shielded cable at 250K Baud. The standard
connector type is 5 pin XLR. Since its inception in 1986, there have been two
revisions: USITT DMX512/1990 and the newer ANSI E1.11 DMX512-A (2005)
version. DMX Manager Plus is designed to work seamlessly with these and all
manufacturer-specific variants of the protocol.
RDM – A recent (2006) addition to the DMX512 protocol is ANSI E1.20 RDM
(Remote Device Management), a separate, optional standard which is
intended to enhance the value of DMX by adding command/query-andresponse functionality on top of the basic streaming data structure of DMX.
RDM requires that DMX ports are bi-directional. Features include remote DMX
device addressing and status reporting.
Ethernet – DMX Manager Plus is compatible with Ethernet-based control
networks using Pathport® Protocol, Strand Shownet, ArtNet and the new
streaming ACN protocol based on ANSI E1.17 ACN (Architecture for Control
Networks) Ethernet communications standard.
User’s Guide
DMX P
DMX Manager Plus provides the user with two connections, both male and
female 5-pin XLR or terminal blocks, for each of its four DMX ports. Each pair
of connectors is hard-wired in parallel. This feature allows any port to be used
as an input or output without the need for gender-swapping adapter cables.
Or, if a male-male or female-female cable is all that’s available, it will always
be a compatible cable!
It is also possible to use the second connector as a direct pass-thru for ports
configured as inputs. All five pins of each DMX connection are supported.
All connections on the four DMX ports are fully optically isolated and protected
from fault voltages. Please note that, except for the IEC chassis plug marked
for AC input, all ports on the DMX Manager Plus are intended for connecting to
low voltage data lines only.
ORT CONNECTIONS
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DMXManager Plus!
E
THERNET PORT CONNECTIONS
For network applications, DMX Manager Plus has two 10/100 Ethernet ports
on the rear panel. The ports are connected through an internal Ethernet
switch. Use the “ETHERNET” port for the initial system connection. The
“UPLINK” port is used to daisy-chain to the ETHERNET port on the next unit.
Network configurations should be done using Pathport Manager software, a
free download from the Pathway Connectivity website. See “Advanced
Configuration” for more details.
B
ASIC STANDALONE CONFIGURATION
Plug in the power cord. The internal power supply will automatically sense and
accommodate any voltage and frequency from 100VAC to 240VAC and 50 to
60 Hz. The front panel liquid-crystal display (LCD) and the keypads will light
up, and the display should look similar to the following once boot-up is
complete:
Port A
Port A Input
Port APort A
Port B
Port B Input
Port BPort B
Port C
Port C Input
Port CPort C
A + B + C
A + B + C Output
A + B + CA + B + C
This is the Port Status Screen. The example above shows the factory default
configuration as a 3-to-1 merger. Ports A, B and C are configured as inputs,
and Port D is an output.
The right hand column will alternate between configuration and DMX status.
For example:
Port A
Port A No DMX A
Port APort A
Port B
Port B Active B
Port BPort B
Port C
Port C Active
Port CPort C
AAAA ++++ BBBB ++++ CCCC Active
In this example, Port A is not receiving DMX signal (e.g. no input, console
unplugged, faulty cable), while Port B and C are receiving signal which is being
output by Port D. See “Port Properties and Assignments” for other
configuration options.
Input A
Input Input
Input BBBB
Input Input
Input CCCC
Input Input
Output DDDD
OutputOutput
No DMX A
No DMX ANo DMX A
Active B
Active BActive B
Active C
ActiveActive
Active DDDD
Active Active
A
A A
C
C C
User’s Guide
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DMXManager Plus!
Navigation
The LCD screen also displays menus and information for configuring the DMX
Manager Plus. Common merge, split and patch functions are set and edited
using the four port-select buttons and the menu keypad.
Port Select
Buttons
A,B,C,D
The typical function of each key is as follows:
Port Select – Choose the port or menu item displayed next to the button
Up, Down – Scroll through menu options (highlight bar moves)
Left, Right – Moves cursor or go to Node Information screen
OK – Select highlighted item for editing or accept menu selection
Cancel – Do not accept menu selection
Home – Deselect highlighted item or move up one menu level
During configuration and editing, the rear illumination of each pushbutton
changes. This is intended as a contextual aid for the user. Only those buttons
that will do something are illuminated – look for back-lit port-select buttons as
shortcuts to choosing menu items.
N
ODE INFORMATION SCREEN
IP address and other information can be displayed by pressing or while in
the Port Status Screen. The Node Information Screen will appear:
Navigation
Buttons (4)
10.0.0.52
10.0.0.52
10.0.0.5210.0.0.52
User’s Guide
Home
Cancel
OK
Button
N
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