DMX decoder with Ethernet?

Hey and welcome!

Regarding the manual and also the print on the chassis you should see, that this controller is an standard DMX controller. For different reasons - one of the could be the small dimensions, the manufacturer use the Ethernet ports instead XLR ports.

So you need an adapter cable from XLR to the Ethernet plug with pin assignment as written in the manual or on the chassis. If you use more of this controller in the following, you can connect them with standard network cables.

Regards, Stefan.

PS.: Please note, that I move this topic to our general section of our forum, because it's not related any light control software like as DMXControl 3.

Hi and welcome in our forum,

the manufacturer of this decoder used Ethernet connectors (so called RJ45 connectors), but the usual DMX signal is required here, no Ethernet. Do not plug this decoder in an usual Ethernet port! To control your lights, you need a DMX interface, which generates the DMX signals. There are plenty of different DMX interface types (USB-DMX-Interfaces, Artnet-Interfaces,...). To determine which one would fit for you, it is required to know, which software you prefer to use (to eventually control your LED strip).

Regards

JP

Edit: Ok, Stefan was faster

Well, I don't know that there is any standard on how to convert from XLR to RJ45, so from the shape the adapters are correct, but whether the connection mapping is correct, nobody can tell from the picture. So yes, you need an adapter like that with the proper wiring which matches the imprint on the controller.

Hi,

the DMX port of the controller is as the DMX standard defines. But the problem, which Soon5 pointed out, is that the pin assignment of the XLR to RJ45 adapter you posted is not known and possibly differs from the pin assignment of your DMX decoder. Maybe the manufacturer of this decoder has some DMX to RJ45 Adapters you can buy.

Regards

JP

Quote from Bob569

OK I'll ask the decoder manufacturer.

Usually you should find this information in the manual of the decoder (I used unluckily the word yesterday - I was also talking about the decoder, which controls the LED stripes). Another possibility is, that this is written on the chassis.

Quote from Bob569

Just out of interest, why would a DMX to RJ45 Adaptor have a different pin assignment than the standard DMX variety?

So far I can say, there is no (worldwide) standard available for the pin assignment when send DMX signals over Ethernet cables. That's why you have to be intent.

Quote from Bob569

Why is it that this vitally important pin assignment is not shown on any DMX to RJ45 Adaptor instructions/spec sheets I can find online?

A good manufacturer should have a document, where the pin assignment is noted of this adapter. The other possibility is, that you build such an adapter by yourself.

Quote from Bob569

Just out of interest, why would a DMX to RJ45 Adaptor have a different pin assignment than the standard DMX variety?

The basic issue starts with the amount of Pins. An RJ45 has 8 Pins, an XLR3, so there are obviously some not connected, or combined as in your case Pin 7 and 8 are both GND. Sadly there is no official standard how the 3 DMX Pins are mapped to the 8 RJ45, so out there is a wild variation of adapters and combinations as every vendor is doing whatever he wants.

I found a German website with an overview over the different variants:

http://b-dl.com/wissen/netzwerktechnik/rj45-adapter/

Yours is described as the "XTBA" variant (I compared with the picture you posted on top). So you need to find an XTBA to XLR Adapter.

At least from the Pin Assignment this is the same, and matches what is written on the controller in the 1st post.

That only means that the Metal cases of the XLR and RJ45 are connected, so yes you can ignore it.