Ports
Port Configuration
Allows for individual Ports of the Node to be configured separately.
Protocol
Protocol allows the selected port to be configured between Art-Net or sACN, there is also a 'none' option to disable port output.
Universe
Universe specifies the selected DMX Ports protocol universe number. For example is Port 1 has been select and Universe has been set to 10, the Port would output Universe 10 (either Art-Net or sACN, depending on the Protocol setting above).
Merge Mode
DMX merge mode determines the behaviour of the GeNetix Node when multiple sources of DMX are being input through a single port. Control of the connected fixtures can be adjusted between DMX sources depending on the Merge Mode set.
The configurable merge modes include:
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HTP - The highest data value received per channel will take control within the specified universe.
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LTP - The latest data value received per channel will take control within the specified universe.
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Highest IP - The data source with the highest IP address will control the output of the universe/port as a whole.
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Lowest IP - The data source with the lowest IP address will control the output of the universe/port as a whole.
Direction
Direction is used to set the selected DMX Ports mode from either DMX Output, DMX Input or DMX Fallback
Test Pattern
Test pattern will output a 'ramp' on all DMX channels of the selected Port from 0 to 255. As soon as this menu is exited the ramp on the port will stop. The test pattern automatically turns off after 60 seconds. The port LED shows purple whilst the test pattern is in operation.
| Care should be taken using test patterns if any pyrotechnic or special FX devices are located on the DMX universe. |
DMX Fallback
DMX Fallback enables fixtures on a single universe to be connected in a loop to two ports on the GeNetix node for redundancy. If a single cable is broken anywhere in the DMX loop, all fixtures can still receive DMX.
Each port can be set to Output, Input or Fallback.
When a port is set to Fallback it is by default operating as Input.
The node periodically checks for DMX being received in on the Fallback port, if after a timeout of at least 2 seconds there is no input detected then it changes into Output mode, outputting the Art-Net or sACN universe configured.
When operating as an output, it periodically briefly changes to an input to sense whether DMX data is now being received. If detected, the port stays as an input continuing periodic checking of the incoming DMX.
Different LED states are used to indicate if Fallback is configured, and in operation.
When using Fallback it is normal to set both the main output port and the Fallback port to decode the same Art-Net / sACN universe.
DMX Fallback is supported within a GeNetix node and also between multiple GeNetix nodes. For example, an installation could have a primary GN10 and a backup GN10 that provides both backup (in case the node fails) and DMX Fallback (in case of cable failure/fixture failure).
DMX Merging
DMX Merging enables fixtures on a single universe to be connected to multiple sources of incoming Art-Net to sACN data. Merging is supported on a per port basis, where individual ports on GeNetix devices can use different Merge settings.
Merging is enabled when two or more sources of DMX are input to a specific universe and a merge mode option is set on the port.
When more than one source is detected on a single universe, the corresponding port LED will change to a solid red colour.
HTP Merge
The highest data value received per DMX channel will take priority and be output to the DMX port. When using HTP merging, GeNetix Nodes support merging of up to 15 input sources (via Art-Net or sACN) per each port.
LTP Merge
The latest data value received per DMX channel will take priority and be output to the DMX port. When using LTP merging, GeNetix Nodes support merging of streams for 2 input sources (via Art-Net or sACN) per each port.
DMX Port LEDs
On the GN2, GN5, GN10, GW2I and GW2O the following LED colours are used:
Port set to output:
LED Colour |
Description |
Dark Blue |
Receiving good Art-Net/sACN data for this port (no Scene Active) |
Red |
Receiving good Art-Net/sACN data for this port from 2 or more sources (no Scene Active) |
Cyan |
Receiving good Art-Net/sACN data for this port (but Scene Active) |
Green |
No Art-Net/sACN being received for this port (but Scene Active) |
Flashing Red |
Test pattern being output |
Off |
No Art-Net/sACN being received for this port |
Port set to Fallback:
LED Colour |
Description |
Yellow |
DMX loop input being received |
Purple |
No DMX input - fallback in operation |
Off |
No Art-Net/sACN being received for this port |
Port set to input:
LED Colour |
Description |
White |
DMX input being received |
Off |
No DMX input |
Note that during Identify all LEDs will be blue.