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Using ArtNet for simple control over existing network


tbjhilton

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Hi all,

 

In the school where I work, I maintain a very simple lighting setup (x6 FOH parcans, x4 LED cans over stage and a row of LED battens on the 'cyc' wall, one betapack for the PARs, all controlled via DMX from an ancient Sirius) which suffices for assemblies, concerts and small drama evenings. We always hire in a wind-up truss and a pile of nice kit for our annual productions, including a desk to suit, and are happy to continue hiring for all the big events as it makes financial sense.

 

For assemblies, presentation evenings etc, someone often wants 'the lights on' at short notice and it is not always convenient to get the Sirius out and move it to the back of the hall. As we now have site-wide Wifi on our IT network, I am interested in whether I could use my phone or a tablet, via a suitable app (of which there seem to be several), to quickly adjust channel levels in order to 'switch the lights on' at short notice. Equally to dim down at suitable moments when the projection screen is used, and so on.

 

If my understanding is correct, I need an ArtNet to DMX converter such as the Enttec ODE, connected between a network socket and my DMX universe. I realise it may not be super speedy or reliable using wifi but this is not for 'show' operation, only for 'switching the lights on', and potentially as a riggers remote. I also realise I will not be able to have this interface and the desk connected at the same time (without an expensive DMX merger) but that's fine.

 

My questions are:

 

1) Have I got the basic idea right, or have I misunderstood?

2) Would the Enttec unit do the job?

3) Is there a cheaper unit which would do the same?

4) Is there any complex setup/config required beyond assigning a static IP to the interface?

 

Looking forward to hearing the BR wisdom!

 

Thanks - Tom

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Artnet is very network intensive, it will likely slow the network down substantially, and there will likely be a delay between you firing DMX and things happening (although that may not be a problem in your scenario). You would be better having some kind of wall mount panel that can control the DMX line in the absence of the desk.
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and there will likely be a delay between you firing DMX and things happening

Is that really the case, though. Otherwise you couldn't use artnet nodes for normal DMX utilisation.

 

It does depend how the network is set up - if it's your own isolated lighting network then that's one thing, but trying to run artnet through a proper "IT" network can be fraught with problems. Artnet over wifi can be very flaky as well.

 

I agree with the others that a simple wallmount panel would be better - also it's all very well setting it up to work with your phone but what would happen if someone else needs to do it?

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I was sort of assuming a dedicated wired lighting network.

 

Yes but the original poster said "As we now have site-wide Wifi on our IT network" so I think not in this situation, it sounded like he was trying to do Artnet over their main IT network wifi. Which rings a lot of alarm bells with me.

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Well, I do the lighting for a small variety/am dram society.

 

I have a DMX control system that I used to control with a simple desk.

 

Recently, I have built an Art-Net system using a Raspberry Pi, a home built USB to RS485(DMX) converter and a second-hand wi-fi router. All in a self-contained box. This allows me to control the lighting over a dedicated wi-fi link from a laptop. I use the free QLC+ (Q-light Controller Plus) which does everything I need.

 

I think a dedicated Wi-fi link is better because, judging from the activity lights on the router, there is a heck of a lot of data passing through when levels are changing.

 

Also, there is a really nice Android app called "Art-Net Controller" which I use on a tablet that is fine for simple productions or just testing. Also means you can walk around, changing light levels from anywhere.

 

Since I have got this system going, I no longer bother with the desk! No problems with reliability so far.

 

Some links:-

https://www.openligh...n-raspberry-pi/

http://www.qlcplus.org/

https://play.google...._net_controller

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I don't consider ArtNet to be terribly network heavy; in my (albeit limited) experiments, the worst case is one, less than 600 byte frame per update, per universe, so for a small-ish system with 44Hz update rate and half a dozen universes its less than 300 frames a second, and a data volume about a megabit/sec. And that's worst case, the spec allows the update rate to drop to one every (I think, from memory) four seconds when the channel levels are not changing. It would be a pretty ropey link, even a wireless link, that cant manage that.
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I don't consider ArtNet to be terribly network heavy; in my (albeit limited) experiments, the worst case is one, less than 600 byte frame per update, per universe, so for a small-ish system with 44Hz update rate and half a dozen universes its less than 300 frames a second, and a data volume about a megabit/sec. And that's worst case, the spec allows the update rate to drop to one every (I think, from memory) four seconds when the channel levels are not changing. It would be a pretty ropey link, even a wireless link, that cant manage that.

It's true but I've seen it happen in reality when used on a network with other traffic. Also seen Artnet get blocked by managed network switches. So my advice would be "only do it on your own isolated lighting network".

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I don't consider ArtNet to be terribly network heavy; in my (albeit limited) experiments, the worst case is one, less than 600 byte frame per update, per universe, so for a small-ish system with 44Hz update rate and half a dozen universes its less than 300 frames a second, and a data volume about a megabit/sec. And that's worst case, the spec allows the update rate to drop to one every (I think, from memory) four seconds when the channel levels are not changing. It would be a pretty ropey link, even a wireless link, that cant manage that.

It's true but I've seen it happen in reality when used on a network with other traffic. Also seen Artnet get blocked by managed network switches. So my advice would be "only do it on your own isolated lighting network".

 

I have to say I wouldn't be wanting to risk it unless it was on an isolated lighting network. Just seems a long way around the problem when a wall plate connected to the DMX line will work for everyone and not just the person with the right App on their phone/tablet.

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Thanks everyone for your thoughts so far. If it can't be done on an IT network then fair enough.

 

I was only thinking of doing it as the only component missing is the artnet interface - the anyscene unit looks to be a more costly solution when you consider installation. The reason a mobile device is appealing is that there are occasions when it would be useful to be able to have basic control while I am sitting on the stage, or elsewhere in the room - as music teacher I am often working with the talent as well as looking after technical aspects! And as this would only be for very occasional and non-urgent use, I would not be concerned about latency or even unreliability, as long as it didn't bring down the entire IT network with it!

 

I'll give it up as a bad idea, unless anyone has any success stories of a similar situation...

 

Thanks - Tom

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I have done this successfully, but using a PC/laptop to make the DMX and the phone to remote control the laptop.

 

You could use Avolites Titan One or Chamsys MagicQ or similar on the laptop. A DMX dongle on the laptop makes the DMX. Then you have a remote control app on your mobile device to control the laptop via wifi. Not much data needs to be transferred and it works well.

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