Editing DMX512 (section)

{{short description|Digital communication network standard for controlling stage lighting and effects}}
{{Redirect|Digital Multiplex|digital multiplexers|Multiplexer#Digital multiplexers}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2011}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox connector
| name               = DMX connector
| type               = Lighting control
| image              = [[File:XLR5 pinouts.svg|300px]]
| logo               = 
| caption            = XLR5 pinouts
| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = 
| production_date    = 
| superseded         = 
| superseded_by      = 
| superseded_by_date = 
| weight             = 
| length             = 
| diameter           = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| hotplug            = Yes
| daisy_chain        = Yes
| external           = Yes
| electrical         = 
| earth              = 
| maximum_voltage    = +6&nbsp;VDC per pin
| maximum_current    = 250&nbsp;mA
| audio_signal       = 
| video_signal       = 
| data_signal        = 
| data_bit_width     = 
| data_bandwidth     = 250&nbsp;kbit/s
| data_devices       = 
| data_style         = asynchronous, half-duplex, [[8N2]] serial protocol over a two-wire bus
| cable              = 2 pair, 24&nbsp;AWG, 7x32 stranded, tinned copper, 6.9 left-hand twist/ft
| high_freq          = 
| physical_connector = 1
| num_pins           = 5
| pinout_col1_name   = 
| pinout_col2_name   = 
| pinout_image       = 
| pinout_caption     = 
| pinout_image2      = 
| pinout_caption2    = 
| pin1               = 
| pin1_name          = Signal Common
| pin2               = 
| pin2_name          = data 1-
| pin3               = 
| pin3_name          = data 1+
| pin4               = 
| pin4_name          = data 2-
| pin5               = 
| pin5_name          = data 2+
}}
{{Infobox connector
| name               = Non-standard DMX connector
| type               = Lighting control
| image              = [[File:XLR pinouts.svg|300px]]
| logo               = 
| caption            = XLR3 pinouts
| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = 
| production_date    = 
| superseded         = 
| superseded_by      = 
| superseded_by_date = 
| weight             = 
| length             = 
| diameter           = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| hotplug            = Yes
| daisy_chain        = Yes
| external           = Yes
| physical_connector = 1
| num_pins           = 3
| pin1               = 
| pin1_name          = Signal Common
| pin2               = 
| pin2_name          = data-
| pin3               = 
| pin3_name          = data+
| pinout_notes       = DMX512 over XLR3 is prohibited by section 7 of ANSI E1.11 - 2008. Despite this, 3-pin XLR has become a [[de facto]] standard within the lighting industry. See the [[#XLR-3 pinout|XLR-3 pinout]] section for more details.
}}
[[File:Dmx repeater.jpg|thumb|A DMX splitter/buffer. It allows a DMX universe from one source to be repeated to several chains of devices, in order to avoid signal degradation due to long cable runs.]]

'''DMX512''' is a [[technical standard|standard]] for [[digital communication]] networks that are commonly used to control lighting and effects. It was originally intended as a standardized method for controlling [[stage lighting]] dimmers, which, prior to DMX512, had employed various incompatible [[proprietary protocol]]s. It quickly became the primary method for linking controllers (such as a [[lighting console]]) to dimmers and [[special effects]] devices such as [[fog machine]]s and [[intelligent lighting|intelligent lights]]. 

DMX512 has also expanded to uses in non-theatrical interior and architectural lighting, at scales ranging from strings of Christmas lights to electronic billboards and stadium or arena concerts. It can now be used to control almost anything, reflecting its popularity in all types of venues. 

DMX512 uses a unidirectional [[EIA-485|EIA-485 (RS-485)]] differential signaling at its physical layer, in conjunction with a variable-size, packet-based [[communication protocol]]. DMX512 does not include automatic error checking and correction and therefore is not an appropriate control for hazardous applications,<ref>United States Institute for Theatre Technology -- Resources &gt; Standards &gt; DMX512 &gt; DMX512 FAQ -- http://www.usitt.org/Resources/Standards2/DMX512/DMX512FAQ#a12 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020092102/http://www.usitt.org/Resources/Standards2/DMX512/DMX512FAQ |date=2011-10-20 }} -- ''...DMX512 is not an appropriate control protocol for hazardous applications...''</ref> such as [[pyrotechnics]] or movement of [[theatrical rigging]]. However, it is still used for such applications.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} False triggering may be caused by [[electromagnetic interference]], [[static electricity]] discharges, improper [[electrical termination|cable termination]], excessively long cables, or poor quality cables.

The DMX standard is published by the [[Entertainment Services and Technology Association]] (ESTA), and can be downloaded from its website.<ref name="standard-download">{{cite web|url=https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/documents/published_docs.php|title=ESTA Technical Standards Program, published documents|website=tsp.esta.org|access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref>