ETC Matrix MkII Dimming System - Manual (Page 21)

16
Network settings
This section extends the data setup procedure to cover the network setup of Matrix
Mk.II dimmers on a DimSTAT and Ethernet network. Control via Ethernet is an
option, and if used, DimSTAT is transmitted within the Ethernet network. If Ethernet
is not used (i.e. dimmer control is via direct DMX connections) DimSTAT is
transmitted using the two spare cores of the DMX-512 cabling system (pins 4 and 5).
Note that one of the benefits of using Ethernet is that the data rate of DimSTAT is
much faster than if DMX cabling scheme is used. Typical data rates using direct
DimSTAT over DMX cables is 56kB/s whereas with Ethernet it can be 10MB/s,
100MB/s or 1GB/s depending on the cabling scheme.
DimSTAT address
The PC address shown on the home screen as RACK: XX is the unique number
which is used by DimSTAT™ to identify each dimmer location or peripheral for the
purpose of reporting status information and for transferring data between dimmer
devices and the PC. If a dimmer device is removed from the rack, and replaced by
another device DimSTAT will prompt for an update of configuration information when
power is restored.
This is done when the RACK number is entered, and DimSTAT identifies the new
device on the network, prompting the operator to download the previous
characteristics file from the PC to the dimmer device. The RACK number is
associated with a unique factory serial number which is permanently stored in the
dimmer. This is because if a different dimmer device is used with the same RACK
number as its predecessor, the DimSTAT program compare serial number and
RACK address, notes the difference and thus will prompt the system to download the
previous dimmer set-up.
To set-up a serial address:
1. Select INSTALL from the home menu
2. Press DOWN or UP or use the rotary encoder to choose SELECT PC-
DIMSTAT PARAMETERS menu. Press SELECT.
3. The screen shows:
SELECT PC-DIMSTAT PARAMETERS
ADDRESS: [004]
CANCEL ENTER
4. Use the rotary encoder to choose the address number (which can be set
between 000 and 255).
5. Press ENTER to leave the menu, then either SAVE (to record the changes) or
CANCEL (to leave the previous settings unchanged).
Ethernet
Matrix Mk.II dimmers are prepared for use with Ethernet data distribution for dimmer
signals and DimSTAT communications. Protocols included are ETCnet2, AVAB,
ArtNet and ACN/RDM. Two sets of addresses need to be set up: IP, subnet and
gateway addresses for the dimmers and similar settings for the merger.
To set-up the dimmer IP address:
1. Select INSTALL from the home menu