• DMX
• Value Range of DMX vs. Value Range of DMX within VVVV
• Hardware and Drivers
• Visit DMX.Hardware to find interfaces which are tested for use with vvvv
• Artnet
• don't miss to visit DMX.Artnet
• related Links, related Pages
• related vvvvorum discussions
• experienced Users

DMX

( more precise: DMX512-A )
is a standard for controlling lighting equipment in professional applications.

Using VVVV and a DMX interface you can very easily control large lightshows or drive powerful electric machinery.
A single DMX-line can drive 512 individual channels - so you can control up to 512 devices with one DMX cable.

• more basic knowledge:

+node08 DMX workshop by catweasel and kalle
+Wikipedia

Value Range of DMX vs. Value Range of DMX within VVVV

• 'real DMX' and vvvv have a different Value Range.

+
+The DMX-protocol transmits up to 512 channels per universe.
+one channel basically carries an integer value between 0 and 255.
+this is equivalent to a spread with maximal 512 slices.

• DMX values are Integers in the range [ 0 ; 255 ]
• vvvv does map those Integers to kind of 'float' values in the range [ 0.0000 ; 1.0000 ]

+
+this means:
+if you want to send DMX value 255 to your interface: your DMX node's input should be 1.0000.
+sending 0.7500 results in DMX 192, 0.2500 results in DMX 64 etc.
+
+this really simplifies lots of things,
+but keep in mind that your resolution is still 8-bit: there are only 256 possible steps.
+exactly this was meant with previous mentioned (kind of) 'float' values.
+
+you can download some modules for easy conversion from kalle.Modules.DMX.Universal.

Hardware and Drivers

• in most cases except Artnet you will need a DMX interface to create signals with your computer.

+As windows doesnt include drivers for DMX interfaces, the driver needs to be included within vvvv.
+Almost each interface will need a different driver.

Visit DMX.Hardware to find interfaces which are tested for use with vvvv

Depending on the type of interface it is possible to either build a driver within vvvv as a subpatch, or you´ll have to rely on an internal node to control the interface.
Drivers for interfaces which comply to open standards (either RS232 or TCP/IP) can be written within vvvv.
Proprietary drivers (typically based on USB) need a PlugIn? or a specially written node (written by the vvvv developers; beg them).
maybe you can use external applications that are receiving raw UDP based messages or OSC to control dmx devices.

Artnet

• is a standard for transmission of DMX over Ethernet

+illuminating the manifold possibilities makes an own wikipage definitely necessary.

don't miss to visit DMX.Artnet

related Links, related Pages

• DMX workshop about the basics
• DMX.Hardware suitable and tested for use with vvvv
• DMX.Artnet DMX over Ethernet offers lots of possibilities
• Howto DMX Advanced some thoughts
• kalle.Modules.DMX
• kalle.Modules.DMX.Universal
• kalle.Modules.DMX.Artnet

related vvvvorum discussions

about DMXframerates and problems with 'high' Startaddresses

experienced Users

some users of vvvv's nice community? have some related knowledge to share:
catweasel
digipic
MSBERGER
kalle
karistouf
west
for sure incomplete, please add yourself...