The versatility of DMX controlled lighting allows it to be used in a wide range of applications. Among the most common applications are theaters, concerts, and clubs. However, DMX can also be used in museums, churches, shops, TV studios, and hotels. The possibilities are endless. The greatest advantage of DMX controlled lighting is that it offers full control. You can program LED lighting to create any desired effect. You can control and adjust the intensity, color, and other parameters in a fraction of a second.
For the connection of DMX512 and the LED Strip, we need to understand the basic knowledge.
What is DMX512?
DMX512‌ is a digital signal transfer protocol that allows the control of light devices, including LED strips, by digital signals. The DMX512 protocol is proposed by the American Stage Lighting Association (USITT) to provide a standard communication protocol between the lighting controller and the lighting equipment. This protocol allows the user to send signals through the console to precisely control various parameters of the lighting device, such as brightness, color, movement mode, etc.
What is DMX Control System?
DMX512 is a digital communication protocol used for controlling lighting and effects equipment in entertainment and architectural applications. It allows for the precise control of up to 512 channels per universe, enabling the manipulation of lighting fixtures’ intensity, color, and movement.
What is a DMX512 controller?
The DMX512 controller is an electronic device used to control parameters such as color and brightness of the RGB LED strip. Through the controller, the color and brightness of the light strip can be changed to achieve different lighting effects. The controller can be directly connected to a PC or APP for control via mobile phone and computer. The DMX512 has the following features：
1) Zone or Circuit Selection (enabling the selection of individually addressed units or circuits)
2) Colour Selection
3) Dimming or the fade control
4) Program Selection
Programming the controller begins by selecting the unit or units you will be controlling. This depends on the DMX controller and the number of units you can control at any given time.
What is DMX512 decoder?
The DMX decoder can receive an international DMX512 standard digital control signal and convert it into PWM. The controller signal drives the LED. It can be controlled by the DMX console and can connect multiple DMX decoders to increase output power and achieve all functions. Various modes of change. In addition, the DMX decoder can also be used as a synchronizer. The controller separately controls the LED to achieve synchronization effect.
The DMX decoder converts DMX signals to signals suitable for LED strips that are not directly controlled by DMX. By connecting a DMX decoder to an LED strip, you can realize DMX control of a normal strip.
What are the types of DMX decoders?
1. Converting DMX signals to SPI signals
2. Converts DMX signals to PWM signals
3. Converts DMX signals to 0/1-10V signals
4. Converts DMX signals to Triac signals
What is the difference between a DMX512 decoder and controller?
The LED strip decoder and controller are two devices used to control the brightness and color of the RGB strip. They have different roles.led strip decoder can decode multiple lamp strips and can be extended to dozens or hundreds of LED strips; The led strip controller can generally control only one led strip ,The DMX512 decoder and controller are both devices used to control the brightness and color of the RGB strip, but their roles are different.
1. Different functions:
The main function of the lamp decoder is to convert the signal of the controller or the host into the signal that the lamp can recognize, so that the lamp can be controlled. The lamp controller is to control the brightness and color of the lamp and other parameters, through the controller can achieve the change of the color and brightness of the lamp.
2. Cable connections are different:
The DMX512 decoder needs to connect the lamp strip, controller, and power supply to act as a relay, in fact, a signal converter. The DMX512 controller sends the control signal to the light belt, which can be controlled by directly connecting USB or connecting WiFi controller.
3. Different scope of action：
The led strip decoder can decode multiple lamp strips and can be extended to dozens or hundreds of LED strips; The ledt strip controller can generally control only one led strip.
After the introduction of 512 controllers and decoders above, I believe you have a deep understanding. We’ll present you with wiring examples for each light strip type. And it will help you understand how to achieve the desired lighting effect with DMX control.
How does DMX512 control the LED strip light?
1. Setup and control‌: First, you need to have a console or decoder that supports the DMX512 protocol. Through this device, users can edit and set different lighting scenes, including color changes, brightness adjustments, light movement patterns, and so on. These Settings can be done through the console’s interface, or they can be programmed to implement more complex control logic.
2. Connect device: Connect the console or decoder to the LED strip. This is usually done via a specialized connection wire, such as an RDM wire, which ensures that the signal is transmitted correctly to the LED strip.
3. Program and run‌: Program on the console or decoder to define how each LED strip should respond to the received signal. This includes setting the specific parameters of the light strip, such as color, brightness, flicker frequency, etc. After the programming is complete, these preset scenes can be launched from the console, or the lighting effects can be adjusted in real time according to music, performance, etc.
4. Monitoring and adjustment: During the performance or activity, the status of the LED light strip can be monitored in real time through the console and adjusted as needed. This includes checking that the light strips are working properly and if you need to fine-tune the preset scenario according to the actual situation.
What is the difference between DMX & SPI LED strip?
SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and DMX (Digital Multiplex) are two different communication protocols used for controlling LED lighting. They both have some key differences in terms of control and installation.
　　DMX LED strip vs SPI LED strip
| Item | DMX LED Strips | SPI LED Strips |
| Control Method | Asynchronous serial | Synchronous serial |
| Number of Channels | Up to 512 per universe | Limited (up to 1024) |
| Data Transmission Speed | Slow (250 Kbps) | >800kbps, up to 2 Mbps |
| Pixel Transmission Distance | Longer (up to 500m) | Shorter (limited by signal) |
| Wiring Complexity | Complex | Simple |
| Communication Standard | Unified | Not unified |
| Break Continue Function | Yes | Depend on IC type |
| Ost | Higher | Lower |
| Application | stage, concert, club (large scale high end lighting) | retail showcase, home, DIY (small lighting decoration) hotel, KTV |
What type of LED strip can be controllered by DMX signal?
Can support the DMX control of the LED strip, with the decoding chip of the lamp belt; This type of LED strip can be directly controlled by DMX signals. If the existing LED strip is not supported DMX signal input can be considered to increase the use of DMX decoder.
We’ll present you with wiring examples for each light strip type. And it will help you understand how to achieve the desired lighting effect with DMX control.
1.DMX direct control DMX LED strip light：
What is RGBIC LED strip?
Compared with RGB LED strip , RGBIC LED strip add a color chase mode, and through a unique built-in or external IC chip, Each chip is an independent control point that can precisely control the color, brightness and light effect of each LED, so it can present special lighting effects such as pulsation, flow, and flicker.The DMX512 controller can be directly connected with the RGBIC LED strip to control more colors.
4 pins (V+, D, P, GND) and 5 pins (V+, A, B, P, GND) are two common connections for DMX LED strips. The difference between them is whether there is a backup signal line. The backup signal line holds the entire DMX 512. The stability of the lighting system. (D, A, and B are dmx data lines, and P/ADD are address lines.)
The K-1000C is a commonly used DMX light effects programming controller. The following is the wiring diagram of the K-1000C DMX controller connecting the 4-pin and 5-pin DMX LED strips.
　　DMX LED Strip Wiring Diagram:
2. DMX control SPI LED strip light：
To convert DMX signals to SPI signals, you need to use a DMX-SPI decoder. The DMX-SPI LED decoder parses the signals from the DMX controller and converts them into a format suitable for SPI communication. In this way, each addressable LED is able to display a specific color and brightness based on the DMX512 data.
　　DMX to SPI LED Strip Wiring Diagram:
This connection is usually paired with a panel controller or remote control, which makes it easier to use. When the user controls, just press the remote control, you can output 512 signals, and output PWM signals through the decoder. Control up to 32 color variations,include horse-race, chase, flow, trail or gradual change style.
The conventional control has 32 kinds of dynamic color changes, which can basically meet the user’s requirements. The specific change effect is as follows:
3.DMX control single color LED strip light：
DMX dimming system is relatively simple, it is often possible to mix different brands of equipment in the same lighting system. A DMX dimmer decoder is used for avariety of single-color strips and LED lights. Each DMX address, i.e. a DMX decoder is unique. By programming and setting these addresses, you can customize your home lighting.
　　DMX to Single Color LED Strip Wiring Diagram:
4. DMX control RGB LED strip light：
RGB LED strip light A DMX decoder is used to convert the DMX512 control signal to a constant-voltage PWM signal to control the color and brightness change of the RGB LED strip light. This dmx decoder can control the three basic colors of red, green, and blue LEDs at the same time and achieve color mixing and brightness adjustment by adjusting the current and PWM frequency.
　　DMX to RGB LED Strip Wiring Diagram:
5.DMX control RGBW LED strip light：
RGBW LED strip light DMX decoder can accept DMX512 master control, able to convert DMX512 control signal into constant voltage PWM way to control RGBW color change.
　　DMX to RGBW LED Strip Wiring Diagram:
6.DMX control RGBCCT LED strip light：
5CH RGBCCT LED DMX decoder converts DMX512 signals to control RGBCCT LED strips.
　　DMX to RGBCCT LED Strip Wiring Diagram:
With DMX512, you can control 512 channels, where each channel can have a value from 0 to 255. We offer different models of DMX512 and provide DMX512 digital dimming signal output, recommended for dimming or color control of LED strip and stage lighting equipment (users need to purchase a DMX512 decoder that matches the LED strips used); It is not recommended for dimming control of LED downlights, spotlights, etc., because the decoder needs to be selected, and the related dip setup and debugging are more troublesome. For dimming control of LED downlights, spotlights, etc., it is recommended to use DALI, thyristor, or 0-10V dimming and the corresponding dimming power supply.
