Controlling networked sensor dimmers with a non etc console

Eamon,

I haven't had experience with the 520i, and I can't say whether or not it can communicate over the network.  There is a possibility that it might support sACN, but I couldn't say for sure.

A common occurrence in many networked installation is to place a 2 port DMX node or gateway in the booth that can accommodate visiting consoles.  This gives you a ton of flexibility regarding what the visiting board can control, as well as give a quick and easy access point to the ETCNet2/3 network.  This lets most any console that outputs DMX control the needed circuits.  

Currently, the Ion does not support DMX In.

Let us know if you have more questions -- some others in this forum might be able to speak about the 520i's capabilities.

Eamon,

I haven't had experience with the 520i, and I can't say whether or not it can communicate over the network.  There is a possibility that it might support sACN, but I couldn't say for sure.

A common occurrence in many networked installation is to place a 2 port DMX node or gateway in the booth that can accommodate visiting consoles.  This gives you a ton of flexibility regarding what the visiting board can control, as well as give a quick and easy access point to the ETCNet2/3 network.  This lets most any console that outputs DMX control the needed circuits.  

Currently, the Ion does not support DMX In.

Let us know if you have more questions -- some others in this forum might be able to speak about the 520i's capabilities.

Hi Eamon,

The Strand 500 series does not support sACN, so that isn't really an option.

I would suggest taking Hans' advice and looking into the possibility of getting a gateway in the control room to get touring companies consoles to talk to the network.

Graham

I was aware the 500 series did not support ACN but the suggestion of the gateway would seem the ideal solution to invest in. Does the gateway compromise 1 x universe or is it configurable??

Many thanks for the prompt replies.

eamon

The DMX gateway comes in many varieties:  1 port, 2 port, and 4 port.  Each port can be configured to be an input or output.  For the most part, they are used to simply place a DMX input into an sACN universe or output sACN data to a DMX line. However, they also have nifty advanced options (called AIP) that allow you to restrict or expand control of a DMX input (down to the address level) to control multiple sACN addresses, or remove them from control.  This is handy if you would want to keep the house light dimmers on your architectural system, and didn't want a guest console taking control.

This is all configurable via the Gateway Configuration Editor (which is already installed on the Ion when it leaves the factory), and the configuration can be changed at any time.

Excellent.

Thank you very much for the helpful information. I will relay it on to my friend.

cheers

eamon

Eamon,

Just a note-- as the above is slightly inaccurate -- the 1 port gateways do not have AIP.  They do support both input and output functions, but only on a universe by universe basis.

Hans