User manual
DMX 3 - 8 Channel Controllers
User's Manual - Page 3
Digital Lighting Systems
7588 NW 8th Street, Miami, Fl. 33126
Tel: 305-264-8391 Fax: 305-261-6637or 1-877-264-8391
A - General Information
The OPTIMA Series controllers use low-power electronic components and do not not directly connect to high
voltage supply or electric loads. They are powered by an external low-voltage transformer. The loads connect to a
separate DMX-512 compatible dimmer pack(s). The OPTIMA controls the outputs of the dimmer pack(s) by
sending a series of digital dimming levels over a low voltage cable. Several DMX dimmer packs may be
connected to the same control cable in a daisy-chain configuration. The DMX information is received by all
dimmers and each pack extracts and uses the portion of the information that is intended for it. This is
accomplished by setting each dimmer pack to a different DMX address by way of address selectors. It is possible
to have several dimmer packs set to the same address when controlling loads that exceeds the dimmer’s output
capacity. Loads may be broken into smaller sections and still be controlled as a single load by any particular DMX
B - Number of Channels Configuration
The OPTIMA Series controllers may control 3 to 8 channels of DMX. They must be configured to the correct
number of channels as required by the application. There are two hexidecimal selectors on the back of the unit.
The selector marked S1 is used to slect the number of channels controlled. Figure 1 illustrates how to select the
desired number of channels.
2
3
1
4
0
5
F
6
E
7
8
D
9
C
A
B
S1
S2
2
3
1
4
0
5
F
6
E
7
8
D
9
C
A
B
Selector S1
Number of Channels
Using a small tip
screw driver, rotate
the shaft and
position the arrow
at the desired
number. Valid
range: from 3 to 8
Channels.
Fig. 1 OPTIMA - number of Channels Configuration
C - OPTIMA DMX Output
The information sent by the OPTIMA is in
accordance with the DMX-512 standard control
protocol. When set to 3 or 4 channels, the
OPTIMA sends control information over the
first 4 DMX addresses. When set to between 5
and 8 channels, it uses the first 8 DMX
addresses. All remaining addresses, up to 512,
are sent a DMX off-level. Figure 2 below
shows the various DMX outputs generated by
the OPTIMA according to the number of
channels setting.
DMX OUTPUT
3 Ch. Values
4 Ch. Values
5 Ch. Values
6 Ch. Values
7 Ch. Values
8 Ch. Values
FIG. 2 - OPTIMA DMX OUTPUT FORMAT ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF CHANNELS SETTING
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 3
Level 3
Level 3
Level 3
Level 3
Level 3
Level 4
Level 4
Level 4
Level 4
Level 4
Level 5
Level 5
Level 5
Level 5
Level 6
Level 6
Level 6
Level 7
Level 7 Level 8
X 0 0 0 0 0
X X X
X X
X
0 0 0 0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6 Channel 7 Channel 8 Channel 9 Channel 512
Key: Level = Value sent depending on pattern X = Unpredictable Value 0 = Off Level
OPTIMA-DS
OSUM
Rev. C 06/03
Copyright 2003 Digital Lighting Systems, All rights Reserved Specifications are subject to change without notice. Printed in U.S.A.