SnakeSys B4
The SnakeSys B4 is a four universe DMX to Ethernet convertor. It supports four DMX512 ports that are configurable as either inputs or outputs and one DMX port that is always assigned as an input. The SnakeSys B4 is designed as a multi purpose box to be used in places where a small portable Ethernet to DMX conversion solution is required.
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Universal Ethernet to DMX Interface
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Four DMX512 Ports (configurable as input or output)
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One dedicated DMX512 input port
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Art-Net and ACN Streaming DMX support
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Can be used with any Art-Net or ACN compliant console
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Universe selectable by rotary switches
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ChamNet remote configuration
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Stand-alone DMX buffer mode
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Can be powered by Power over Ethernet
Multiple SnakeSys B4s can be used on a single network, either configured directly from the unit or by using ChamNet control from a MagicQ console. Multiple SnakeSys B4s can be syncronised together to ensure that the DMX output from the console is consistent and does not involve "tearing" either within universes or across multiple universes.
Product Diagram
For simple Art-Net or ACN to DMX output conversion on the SnakeSys B4 the DIP switches/rotatory encoders can be used to quickly configure the device for this mode.
Art-Net Output
On the DMX output end of the B4, the DIP switches are used to configure the device mode. For Art-Net to DMX output mode DIP Switch 4 (switch nearest Socket 1) should be up and all other DIP switches should be in the down position.
The rotary encoders on the reverse side of the unit are used to configure the Art-net Subnet and Universe. In this mode universes following sequentially, so for example when set to 0-0 the 4 DMX output ports would map to Subnet 0, Universes 0, 1, 2, 3 respectively. The LEDs next to the DMX output sockets will light in Blue when the DMX port is active and the unit is outputing DMX.
Art-Net Output + DMX Input
This mode is exactly the same as Art-Net Output except that the DMX Input connector on the rear of the unit is enabled, DIP Switch 2 is used to enable the rear DMX Input.
The Input Art-Net Universe follows after the 4 Output Universes, so for example when the rotary encoders are set to 0-0 the 4 DMX Output Ports would map to Subnet 0, Universes 0, 1, 2, 3 and the DMX Input would generate Art-Net Universe 4.
The DMX Input LED will illuminate when the B4 is receiving DMX.
ACN Output
On the DMX output end of the B4, the DIP switches are used to configure the device mode. For ACN to DMX output mode DIP Switch 3 should be up and all other DIP switches should be in the down position.
The rotary encoders on the reverse side of the unit are used to configure the ACN Universes. With the left hand encoder setting the ten value and the right encoder setting the unit value.
In this mode universes following sequentially, so for example when set to 0-1 the 4 DMX output ports would map to ACN Universes 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively. The LEDs next to the DMX output sockets will light in Blue when the DMX port is active and the unit is outputing DMX.
ACN Output + DMX Input
This mode is exactly the same as ACN Output except that the DMX Input connector on the rear of the unit is enabled, DIP switch 2 is used to enable the rear DMX Input.
The Input ACN Universe follows after the 4 Output Universes, so for example when the rotary encoders are set to 0-1 the 4 DMX Output Ports would map to ACN Universes 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively, and the ACN Input Universe will be ACN Universe 5.
The DMX Input LED will illuminate when the B4 is receiving DMX.
Same Universe Output
When the B4 is operating in either Art-Net or ACN mode the DIP Switch Position 1 can be used to optionally enable all 4 DMX Outputs to output the same universe, i.e. the first universe selected by the Rotary Encoders. The B4 will output the same universe when DIP Switch Position 1 is in the UP position.
In the case where the DMX Input feature is also enabled, the DMX Input will generate DMX Output Universe + 1.
ChamNet Mode
Running the B4 in ChamNet Mode allows the device to be custom configured. In this mode MagicQ can be used configure each port individually, set DMX timing and refresh rates along with setting the units IP Address and Subnet Mask. The unit can also be firmware upgraded using MagicQ when in ChamNet mode. On the DMX output end of the B4, the dip switches are used to configure the device mode.
For ChamNet Mode all DIP switches should be in the down position.
When the unit is in ChamNet mode the rotary encoders are used to set the units MagicQ box id. This is only useful if you have more than one SnakeSys product attached to the network, as each SnakeSys product should have its own unique ChamNet address. If you only have one SnakeSys device attached you can safely leave the rotary encoders both set to zero.
The Unit can be accessed within MagicQ under Net Manager, found under Setup > View DMX I/O > Net Manager.
| If the unit product version is B4 MK2 or later the unit will remember the settings that you make in MagicQ Net Manager. Please allow at least 40 seconds for the unit to store the information into flash memory before removing the power. If the unit is left in MagicQ ChamNet mode it will boot up with the settings that you made previously in Net Manager (MagicQ will not be required to be connected to keep the port settings). This is a useful work around if you need to pre-configure port settings outside the options that are available through the normal DIP switch settings for use without MagicQ. This save to flash feature is not available on B4 MK1. |
DMX Buffer Mode
The SnakeSys B4 can also be used as a simple DMX buffer, giving 4 DMX outputs from a single DMX input.
For DMX buffer Mode DIP switch 1 should be in the up position with all other DIP switches down.
Rotary Encoder Function, DMX Buffer Mode
The rotary encoders when the unit is operating in DMX buffer mode allow some adjustments to the DMX output protocol, including DMX packet rate, DMX packet length, DMX break length and overall DMX frame timing.
| These are advanced options, if you do not fully understand what the DMX packet timings actually adjust with regards to the DMX output, or you would just like the default setting you should set both encoders to 0 when using DMX buffer mode. |
| A version of the tables below is also written on the base of the B4 unit for quick reference in the field. |
[ options = "header"]
Num Channels |
Rate 40Hz |
Rate 33Hz |
Rate 25Hz |
512 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
256 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
128 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
64 |
9 |
Some examples using the above table:
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Setting position 2 on the Left Encoder will give 512 DMX output channels at a 25Hz update rate.
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Setting position 6 on the Left Encoder will give 128 DMX output channels at a 40Hz update rate.
[ options = "header"]
Break (uS) |
Frame 48uS |
Frame 56us |
Frame 64uS |
92 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
176 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
256 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
384 |
9 |
Some examples using the above table:
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Setting position 3 on the Right Encoder will give DMX break of 176uS and the frame data bytes will take 48uS
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Setting position 8 on the Right Encoder will give DMX break of 256uS and the frame data bytes will take 64uS
DMX Connectors
DMX Output Connectors
The four DMX Output connectors are bi-directional and can be configured either as DMX Output or DMX Input however they can only be set as Inputs when the unit is used in ChamNet mode through the Net Manager. When using any DMX Output channel as a DMX Input a male to male 5 pin gender adaptor or equivalent cable may be required.
Powering the SnakeSys B4
The B4 can be powered either by the mains Powercon Input socket or via PoE (Power over Ethernet) from a compatible device such as the SnakeSys R4, when running via PoE the B4 accepts between 37-57V and takes 6.5-12.9W.
The mains power supply is universal wide input range type and has the following specification: 85 to 264VAC @ 47 to 63 Hz or 120 to 370VDC
The SnakeSys B4 does not have an internal battery.
Factory reset
From V215 firmware, it is possible to reset the IP address of the B4 if it has been changed via ChamNet.
To clear settings, disconnect the power and set all DIP switches to the OFF position and set both address switches to F. Then power on the unit.
Unit will toggle both the NET and MQ LED’s if the settings were not already set as default and the default settings were restored.
Unit will flash both the NET and MQ LED’s together if the settings are already set as default and flash erase is not required.
Note that from V215 address FF is no longer a valid ChamNet address.
All internal settings are reset including port configuration.