View Single Post
Old December 7th, 2006   #2
prwatE120
Task Group Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 181
Default DMX512-A and DMX512/1990

Provided the products actually comply with the two standards, there should be no real reason not to mix old and new on the same network. Such compatability was a REAL concern for the task group when we created DMX512-A.

One caveat, however. Caution is required when using Transmitters whose outputs are "isolated" or "floating" in conjunction with Receivers that are "isolated" or "floating", as you may end up with NONE of your screened cables' screen connected to chassis or earth.

The latest standard recommends the use of the "grounded Transmitter/ isolated Receiver" topology.

In answer to your second question, RDM does NOT make the Null Start code packets on a DMX link any more robust. Test packets and SIPS (as defined in DMX512-A) allow some qualification about the quality of your links, but I would still not advocate the generic use of DMX as a control protocol in "hazardous" applications.
prwatE120 is offline   Reply With Quote