DMXking UltraDMX MAX USB Adapter User Manual

June 13, 2024
DMXking

DMXking UltraDMX MAX USB Adapter

Product Information and Usage Instructions

Product Information

ultraDMX MAX
The ultraDMX MAX is a high-quality product designed by DMXking. It offers great features for users looking for USB DMX functionality.

Main Features

  • USB-C socket for connection to host
  • Tough enclosure
  • Supported operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux
  • 1x DMX512 OUT or 1x DMX512 IN
  • DMX-OUT and DMX-IN channel offset re-mapping
  • Snapshot DMX recall upon power up and/or loss of USB data stream
  • Configuration utility with basic output/input test functionality

Usage Instructions

Exterior View

  • Front View : 3pin XLR socket

  • Rear View : USB-C socket for host connection. Status indicators visible through end cap.

Status LED Table

LED Protocol Indication
Red DMX Protocol activity
Green DMX512 Port A TX/RX activity

USB DMX Operation
The ultraDMX MAX offers advanced USB DMX functionality compared to the previous generation hardware. It utilizes a high-performance microcontroller, providing enhanced capabilities.

Software Compatibility
For a list of compatible software for USB DMX operation, please visit the DMXking website.

Device Configuration
Use the eDMX MAX Configuration Utility to configure ultraDMX MAX devices. Note that there is no longer a specific configuration utility for ultraDMX MAX.
The ultraDMX MAX hardware is similar to the eDMX1 MAX, excluding the Ethernet port. Although it currently does not have an IP address, future firmware updates may incorporate aspects of the IP networking stack.
In the DMXking MAX series devices, explicit DMX-OUT or DMX-IN port configuration is required, along with selecting the port to forward over USB DMX for multi-port functionality.

INTRODUCTION

Thanks for purchasing a DMXking product. Our aim is to bring you high quality products with great features we know you’ll appreciate.

HARDWARE AND FIRMWARE VERSIONS
From time-to-time minor hardware changes occur in our products usually small feature additions or unseen optimizations. The table below lists ultraDMX MAX product variants. Check the product label for P/N details.

Part Number Feature addition
0124-1.2 Initial product release
0124-1.3 User button functionality

Firmware updates are released on a semi-regular basis. We recommend updating to the latest available firmware version so all product features are available. Please take note the user manual reflects latest firmware version features unless otherwise noted.

Firmware Version Comments
V4.3 Initial release. RDM support disabled.
V4.5 Extensions to DMXking USB DMX protocol. Required update.

ultraDMX MAX requires eDMX MAX Configuration Utility v2.0+

MAIN FEATURES

  • USB-C socket for connection to host
  • Tough enclosure
  • Supported operating systems : Windows, MacOS, Linux
  • ultraDMX MAX – 1x DMX512 OUT or 1x DMX512 IN
  • DMX-OUT and DMX-IN channel offset re-mapping
  • Snapshot DMX recall upon power up and/or loss of USB data stream
  • Configuration utility with basic output/input test functionality

EXTERIOR VIEW

FRONT VIEW

3pin XLR socket.

REAR VIEW

USB-C socket for host connection. Status indicators visible through end cap.

STATUS LED TABLE

LED Indication
Protocol – Red Protocol activity
DMX – Green DMX512 Port A TX/RX activity

USB DMX OPERATION
DMXking ultraDMX MAX significantly exceeds the hardware capabilities of ultraDMX Micro whilst still providing simple USB DMX functionality. Removal of the now ancient FTDI USB IC and utilizing a much higher performance microcontroller has unlocked potential well beyond what was possible with the previous generation hardware. All DMXking MAX series hardware is capable of USB DMX operation, not just ultraDMX MAX.

SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY
Software packages for USB DMX use either a Virtual COM Port (VCP) driver or FTDI specific D2XX driver. DMXking MAX series uses VCP which is more universal than FTDI D2XX, especially across different operating systems, however this has created some compatibility issues with existing software packages using the later. We are working with software developers still using D2XX to encourage updating their code to utilize VCP instead and also leverage DMXking USB DMX protocol extensions that allow multiple universe operation.
Check https://dmxking.com/ for DMXking MAX series USB DMX compatible software list.

DEVICE CONFIGURATION
Use eDMX MAX Configuration Utility to configure ultraDMX MAX devices. There is no longer an ultraDMX specific configuration utility.
DMXking ultraDMX MAX hardware is technically very close to eDMX1 MAX minus the Ethernet port. There are firmware enhancements planned that leverage aspects of the IP networking stack so although it currently makes little sense for ultraDMX MAX to have an IP address it has not been removed from configuration.
Previously ultraDMX Micro did not require DMX port configuration for DMX-IN mode as this was automatically selected by certain USB DMX messages. This has changed in DMXking MAX series devices which now require explicit DMX-OUT or DMX-IN port configuration along with selecting which port to forward over USB DMX to allow multi-port devices to function with complete flexibility.

DMX PORT MAPPING
Simple USB DMX protocol output messages are automatically mapped to the physical DMX512 port regardless of configured universe.

USB DMX SERIAL NUMBER
For software compatibility reasons a BCD serial number is calculated from the MAX device hardware MAC address using the lower 3 hexadecimal bytes converted to a decimal number. Software that has been updated for MAX series devices will display the hardware MAC address.

DEFAULT CONFIGURATION

All ultraDMX MAX units ship with default IP address settings. These are currently irrelevant.

Parameter Default Setting
IP Address 192.168.0.112
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway 192.168.0.254
--- ---
IGMPv2 Unsolicited Report Unchecked
Network Mode DHCP

DMX512 Port A configuration parameter defaults.

Parameter Default Setting
Async Update Rate 40 [DMX512 frames per second]. Universe Sync will override.
Port Operation Mode DMX-OUT
Timeout all sources Unchecked
Channel Offset 0
Merge Mode HTP
Full DMX Frame Unchecked
Broadcast Threshold 10 [Art-Net II/3/4 unicasting up to 10 nodes]. Set to 0

for Art-Net I broadcast for DMX-IN.
Unicast IP [DMX-IN]| 0.0.0.0
sACN Priority [DMX-IN]| 100
RDM Discovery Period [DMX-OUT]| 0s / RDM Disabled
RDM Packet Spacing [DMX-OUT]| 1/20s
DMX-OUT Failsafe Mode| Hold Last
Recall DMX Snapshot at startup| Unchecked
DMX512 Universe| 1 [Net 00, Subnet 0, Universe 0-0] Note: sACN Universe 1 = Art-Net 00:0:0

CONFIGURATION UTILITY

Download eDMX MAX Configuration Utility from https://dmxking.com
User manual for the utility https://dmxking.com/downloads/eDMX MAX Configuration Utility User Manual (EN).pdf

The ultraDMX Configuration Utility used with earlier ultraDMX devices is NOT compatible with ultraDMX MAX.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Dimensions: 20mm x 25mm x 76mm+cable (WxHxD)
  • Weight: 50 grams
  • USB-C power input 5Vdc, 200mA 1W max
  • DMX512 connector: 3pin XLR socket.
  • DMX512 port is NOT isolated from USB-C port / computer.
  • Internal DMX512-A line biasing termination as per ANSI E1.20 RDM requirements
  • Art-Net, Art-Net II, Art-Net 3, Art-Net 4 and sACN/E1.31 support using enhanced USB DMX mode
  • ANSI E1.20 RDM compliant with RDM over Art-Net. Not available in firmware 4.5
  • sACN Priority
  • DMX512 Frame Rate : Adjustable per port
  • Operating temperature 0C to 50C non-condensing dry environment

WARRANTY

DMXKING HARDWARE LIMITED WARRANTY

What is covered

  • This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship with the exceptions stated below. How long coverage lasts
  • This warranty runs for two years from the date of shipment from an authorized DMXking distributor. What is not covered
  • Failure due to operator error or incorrect application of product.

What DMXking will do
DMXking will repair or replace, at its sole discretion, the defective hardware.

How to obtain service
Contact your local distributor https://dmxking.com/distributors

  • DMXking.com
  • JPK Systems Limited
  • New Zealand 0124-700-4.5

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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Download This Manual (PDF format)

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