A DMX Lighting Question.....
- Thread starter qdupsoundz
- Start date
I mean unless you are trying to say why did they invent a new cable if their old mic cable would do (like a Belden 1508A). But, that cable meets the requirements (just like a Belden 9729). I suspect that 9841 was produced for some other application (motor control) and is also useful for DMX, not made specifically for that purpose. As I said, there are many cables that meet the spec and some of them are used for high quality audio cables. A DMX cable is known by two things, a 5 pin connector and proper cable. Missing either of those it is an audio cable being used to transmit/receive DMX. It can not by definition be a DMX cable. But as I conceded not all audio cables are created equal. They must be wired correctly and have the proper cable properties. But there are audio cables out there that meet the standard. As far as RS485, yes the cables need to meet that standard, but again, there are many cables that do. I don't believe Belden made the 9841 specifically because they had no other cables that met the RS485 standard. But I could be wrong on that last point I am not sure of the time line of production of Belden cables.
So I can't see the point of this......
But for those following along....
low quality audio cable = bad avoid at all costs
high quality audio cable = okay, but not true DMX cable (this is what I mostly use)
DMX cable = best, recommended (I use it for long runs, but it is cost prohibitive for 99.95% of the applications on this board)
Mike
sleep young weed hopper your studies are through for the evening. Perhaps you will have a dream. The one thing I will say is that you conceded rather nicely. Also, it is apparent you havent experienced yet the oddities of non conformity.
Oh but I have! I just got through with two clients who had DMX refresh rate problems with name brand consoles and low quality dimmers. But I can tell you in both cases the problem was not the audio cable they were using.
That is why I wish the manufacturers would quit putting the three pin plugs on their units. Lets have a standard that is truly a standard.Mike
PS I conceded that not all audio cable was equal 2 pages ago! *lol* That is something I discovered years ago when we learned that it was okay to use audio cable (the good kind) for DMX instead of real DMX cable (which we were made to use when we first started the program). First learn the rule, then learn when and how it is okay to break them. Just a word from the wise.
but see you dont know how wise you are or arent in my school.
I was pointing out your concession and admittance to thoughts being yours or as you claimed atleast Your belief of Belden and then the sudden uncertainty in your opinion.
I was pointing out your concession and admittance to thoughts being yours or as you claimed atleast Your belief of Belden and then the sudden uncertainty in your opinion.
Yes, I have no idea what the production order of Belden cables was. I can't seem to find it anywhere either. I will not rule out the possibility that a particular cable was made for that particular application. But, why would they make another cable later that was for the same application. You also asked why a new cable if the old one was suitable? Perhaps long term profit (it costs in the short term, but in the long term they can charge more for it and turn it into a greater profit)? They have several cables with the exact same specifications. Under your thought process that wouldn't make sense, and yet they exist. I honestly never thought about why. Perhaps I should have. Now you can be sure I will research it until I know.
However this was a discussion about DMX and not Belden cables.
There is no uncertainty in my opinion of what constitutes a DMX cable or an audio cable and which is suitable for what application. On this I have never waivered. A DMX cable must meet all the DMX standards or else it is some other kind of cable. In this case with a three pin connector it is an audio cable. Once again my contention has always been...
low quality audio cable (3 pin 70 Ohm, often unshielded) = bad, no DMX, unacceptable breaking of the rules
high quality audio cable (3 pin 110-120 Ohm, shielded) = okay, not DMX, but acceptable, acceptable breaking of the rules
DMX cable (5 pin 120 Ohm, shielded) = recommended, the rule
Mike
The common term "around here" for 3 pin 120 ohm cables suitable for DMX use is DATA cables.
Mic cables are the 70 ohm low quality junk most music stores sell for 300 %
markup....These are the ones not suitable for DMX use.
DATA cables are 120 ohm "good" cables suitable for DMX with 3 pin connectors
on them.And are considered "Good Quality" Audio cables also,
DMX are 5 pin cables suitable for the really cool lights 99.9% of the DJ's here cannot afford. And have never heard of.
Mic cables are the 70 ohm low quality junk most music stores sell for 300 %
markup....These are the ones not suitable for DMX use.
DATA cables are 120 ohm "good" cables suitable for DMX with 3 pin connectors
on them.And are considered "Good Quality" Audio cables also,
DMX are 5 pin cables suitable for the really cool lights 99.9% of the DJ's here cannot afford. And have never heard of.
I can live with that. We usually use data cables as an all encompassing term for DMX, XLR (yes I know it is a connector and not a cable, but down here XLR refers to a 120 Ohm shielded cable with XLR connectors, even though that is not technically what it is), CAT5, 4 pin scroller cable, anything that carries data. But I will keep that in mind and adjust to that.
Mike
Mike
I never intended to start a war!! 
Just hoping to get some answers on why my lights are goofy! I will post an update when I set them up again, and try splitting the power to different circuits for the different lights!
(there is a lot of good info in this thread I will say!)
Just hoping to get some answers on why my lights are goofy! I will post an update when I set them up again, and try splitting the power to different circuits for the different lights! (there is a lot of good info in this thread I will say!)
I never intended to start a war!!
(there is a lot of good info in this thread I will say!)
Its not a war. Mike just has to realize that he isn't conversing with touring professionals here....We don't use the same type of stuff that he is acclimated to working with...
Mike, unless someone asks different, I live by the K.I.S.S. theory..
(Keep It Simple Stupid)
Theres many beginners and noobs that don't even understand how to bridge and amp, or the theory behind "daisy chaining" If we start throwing around terms and equipment they have no idea of or have never seen...The smoke will start to pour from there ears.....
There are some of us who can talk about runs of Socapex, or EP6's
or NL8's but 99.99999% (With the exception of Val) of the people on
this forumn will never see that type of equipment in the field, Or ever have a need for it.
I hate to use this term, But sometimes honesty is best....You may need to "dumb" things down abit...:sqembarrassed:
See my point??
Its not a war. Mike just has to realize that he isn't conversing with touring professionals here....We don't use the same type of stuff that he is acclimated to working with...
Mike, unless someone asks different, I live by the K.I.S.S. theory..
(Keep It Simple Stupid)
If we start throwing around terms and equipment they have no idea of or have never seen...The smoke will start to pour from there ears.....
There are some of us who can talk about runs of Socapex, or EP6's
or NL8's but 99.99999% (With the exception of Val) of the people on
this forumn will never see that type of equipment in the field, Or ever have a need for it.
I hate to use this term, But sometimes honesty is best....You may need to "dumb" things down abit...:sqembarrassed:
See my point??
Well said, sir, well said!
There are a few differences... the resistance, how the sheild is placed in the cable as well, on the side of the cable, one will clearly say "AUDIO", the other will say "SIGNAL"
Those of you in the know...selfish post... would you please review the pricing on our DMX cable (which meets EVERY part of the USITT spec, EXCEPT that it has a 3 pin XLR on it. LOL) and let the folks here know that it is VERY affordable compared to high quality digital audio cable (the 110 ohm stuff Mike is talking about). If our resident tour people are interested, I'll send you a sample to evaluate in person.
www.northernlightfx.com/platinum
Ben
www.northernlightfx.com/platinum
Ben
I just have one question
Hey qdupsoundz,
Did you get your lights fixed yet!!!!!
I kid I kid....
Also I would like to thank all the above posters for the wealth of information.
You also must remember when teaching, you must talk to people, not down to people!!!
Hey qdupsoundz,
Did you get your lights fixed yet!!!!!
I kid I kid....
Also I would like to thank all the above posters for the wealth of information.
You also must remember when teaching, you must talk to people, not down to people!!!
K.I.S.S theory
The K.I.S.S theory is so true in many many fields!!
Its not a war. Mike just has to realize that he isn't conversing with touring professionals here....We don't use the same type of stuff that he is acclimated to working with...
Mike, unless someone asks different, I live by the K.I.S.S. theory..
(Keep It Simple Stupid)
If we start throwing around terms and equipment they have no idea of or have never seen...The smoke will start to pour from there ears.....
There are some of us who can talk about runs of Socapex, or EP6's
or NL8's but 99.99999% (With the exception of Val) of the people on
this forumn will never see that type of equipment in the field, Or ever have a need for it.
I hate to use this term, But sometimes honesty is best....You may need to "dumb" things down abit...:sqembarrassed:
See my point??
The K.I.S.S theory is so true in many many fields!!
Hey Steve! No, actually just unloaded everything from my vehicle, plan to mess with a couple different things this weekend as I don't have anything booked! I shall keep the people updated to see if the power circuit split works or not!