SWISSon XMT-500 DMX Tester and RDM Ethernet Controller User Guide
- June 16, 2024
- SWISSon
Table of Contents
SWISSon XMT-500 DMX Tester and RDM Ethernet Controller
Product Information
Specifications
- Clear full-color display
- Robust membrane keypad
- Rechargeable battery
- Tough chassis
- Industrialized connectors
XMT-500 Features
The XMT-500 is a versatile tool with the following features:
- USB-C
- Ethercon RJ45
- PUSH button
- Bright color display
- Press and hold to switch on and off
- Keypad for navigation
- DMX in and DMX out connectors
- Settings key for configuration
- Cursor keys for movement
- Channel decrement/increment functionality
- Back key for navigation
- OK / enter key for selection
- Value increment/decrement functionality
Cable Test Dongle
The XMT-500 can test loose DMX cables when they are connected between its male
and female XLR connectors. However, if you need to test DMX or Ethernet cables
that are fixed in place, you can use the cable test dongle. Simply connect the
compact dongle at one end of the cable and the XMT-500 at the other end. Then,
use the Cable Tester section (see page 9) to verify the connected cable.
Product Usage Instructions
Home Page
When you first switch on the XMT-500, you will see the home page. Use the
arrow keys to move the highlight box between the app icons. These keys can
also be used to move between options within an app and to change settings.
When the required app or option is highlighted, press the OK key. Press the
Back key to return to the previous page. The functions of the four soft-keys
are listed above them on the screen. To view configuration items for a
particular app, press the Settings key (not used in all apps).
Receive App
The Receive app allows you to view channel levels for a valid input signal
received at the DMX and/or Ethernet connectors. Channel/address levels can be
viewed in decimal, hex, or percentage notation.
- [Routing] (See page 7)
- Decimal / Hex / Percent
- All / Non-Zero (when selected, shows only channels that have a value above 0)
Send App
The Send app allows you to send channel levels to one or more devices
connected via the DMX and/or Ethernet connectors. Channel/address levels can
be viewed in decimal, hex, or percentage notation.
- [Routing] (See page 7)
- Returns all channels to zero
- Decimal / Hex / Percent
- 5Hz / 10Hz /15Hz / 20Hz / 25Hz / 30Hz / 35Hz / 40Hz / 44Hz
Routing
This page is accessed from either the Send or Receive apps by pressing the
[Routing] soft-key. The function of this page is to manage the various
supported protocols: DMX via the XLR connectors and/or Art-Net / sACN via the
RJ45 connector. The highest priority protocol that is received or sent is
displayed. See page 7 for more details.
FAQ
-
Q: How do I test fixed DMX or Ethernet cables?
A: To test fixed DMX or Ethernet cables, use the cable test dongle. Connect one end of the cable to the dongle and the other end to the XMT-500. Then, use the Cable Tester section (see page 9) to verify the connected cable. -
Q: How do I navigate between apps and options?
A: Use the arrow keys to move the highlight box between app icons and options. Press the OK key to select the highlighted app or option. Press the Back key to return to the previous page. -
Q: How can I view configuration items for a specific app?
A: Press the Settings key (not used in all apps) to view configuration items for a particular app.
Features
The XMT-500 has a clear full-color display, a robust membrane keypad and
rechargeable battery The tough chassis and industrialized connectors ensure
this tool will reliably serve you for a long time.
Keypad
Cable Test Dongle
XMT-500 can test your loose DMX cables when they are connected between its
male and female XLR connectors. If you need to test DMX or Ethernet cables
that are fixed in place, use the cable test dongle. Simply connect the compact
dongle at one end of the cable and the XMT-500 at the other – then use the
Cable Tester section (see page 9) to verify the connected cable.
Home Page
When you first switch XMT-500 on you will see the home page:
- Use the arrow keys to move the highlight box between the app icons. Also use these keys to move between options within an app and to change settings.
- When the required app or option is highlighted, press the OK key.
- Press the Back key to go return to the previous page.
- The changing functions of the four soft-keys are listed above them on the screen.
- To view configuration items for a particular app, press the Settings key (not used in all apps).
Receive
This app allows you to view channel levels for a valid input signal received at the DMX and/or Ethernet connectors. Channel/address levels can be viewed in decimal, hex or percentage notation.
Navigation
- Choose channel/address: ****
- View the Settings page: ****
- View the Routing page: ****[Routing] See page 7
- Return to previous page: ****
Settings page
- Show Level As: Decimal / Hex / Percent
- Address Mode: All / Non-Zero (when selected, shows only channels that have a value above 0)
Routing
This page manages priorities when two or more valid signal protocols (DMX,
Art-Net and/or sACN) are being received. Only the highest priority protocol
that is received is displayed. See page 7.
Send
This app allows you to send channel levels to one or more devices connected
via the DMX and/or Ethernet connectors Channel/address levels can be viewed in
decimal, hex or percentage notation.
Navigation
- Choose channel/address: ****
- Change the channel level: ****
- View the Settings page: ****
- View the Routing page: ****[Routing] See page 7
- Return to previous page: ****
Settings page
- Clear All Channels: Returns all channels to zero
- Show Level As: Decimal / Hex / Percent
- Refresh Rate: 5Hz / 10Hz /15Hz / 20Hz / 25Hz / 30Hz / 35Hz / 40Hz / 44Hz
Routing
This page manages which protocols (DMX, Art-Net and/or sACN) are sent More
than one can be enabled See page 7
Routing
This page is accessed from either the Send or Receive apps by pressing the
[Routing] soft key The function of this page is to manage the various
supported protocols: DMX via the XLR connectors and/or Art-Net / sACN via the
RJ45 connector.
Either the Input or Output side will be active, depending on which app is being used: Receive or Send For Art-Net and sACN signals, use the ****keys to choose the required universe
Input (Receive app)
The protocols currently enabled for receiving by the XMT-500 are indicated by
their filled checkbox(es). The Receive app will display the input of the
highest checked protocol that is received (and the selected universe) in this
list
Output (Send app)
Each active protocol is shown with a filled checkbox. In the Send app, the
chosen channel values are sent to each protocol in parallel If necessary, use
the ****keys to change the universe being used for Art-Net & sACN.
Navigation
- Choose signal type: ****
- Choose Art-Net/sACN universe: ****
- Select/deselect signal: ****
- View the Network Configuration page: ****[Net Config] See page 12
- Restore default values: ****[Default]
- Return to previous page: ****
RDM
This app deals with the Remote Device Management features of connected
fixtures that support the protocol. After opening, a discovery will be enacted
to find all compatible fixtures (incremental discoveries are also carried out
as a background task) Discovered devices will be presented as follows
:
Navigation
- Perform new discovery: ****[Discovery]
- Highlight required fixture: ****
- Choose highlighted fixture: ****
- Return to previous page: ****
Details for a chosen fixture are displayed in a new page The four soft-key
options allow you to:
- Set the RDM label
- Reset the fixture
- Change the start address
- Change the fixture personality
Cable Tester
This app allows you to test DMX and Ethernet cables Loose DMX cables can be tested using the XMT-500 alone; fixed DMX cables and Ethernet cables require the cable test dongle to be also used – see page 3
DMX Loop
The app will first show the DMX loop page to test loose DMX cables connected
between the input and output XLR sockets.
DMX Dongle
When testing a DMX cable between the XLR connectors of the XMT-500 and the
dongle, press the DMX Dongle soft-key to show:
ETH Dongle
When testing an Ethernet cable between the RJ45 connectors of the XMT-500 and
the cable test dongle, press the ETH Dongle soft-key to show:
IMPORTANT
When in cable test mode:
- Never connect to a live Ethernet port
- Fully disconnect DMX from the XMT-500 to enable Ethernet testing.
Analyze Tools
Timings
This app provides a breakdown of DMX timings for signals connected to the
XMT-500 input XLR connector.
The following signal aspects are listed in real time:
- Signal State – shows if the signal is present and error-free.
- DMX Rate: shows the number of DMX frames per second.
- Slots DMX: shows how many data slots are in the DMX packets.
- MBB: Mark Before Break – high-value pause at the end of the last data packet, of variable length.
- BRK: Break – low-value pause to denote the beginning of a new data packet.
- MAB: Mark After Break – high-value pause to separate break from the ensuing data.
Signal timings
Device Settings
This app contains assorted settings related to the operation of the XMT-500,
most notably network and power settings.
General navigation
- Choose option/setting: ****
- Return to previous page: ****
Network Settings
Use to coordinate the XMT-500 interface with Art-Net / sACN networks.
- DHCP – when disabled, the IP Address, Subnet Mask and Gateway can be edited manually to choose a static IP, otherwise these details are granted by the network. If the XMT-500 cannot get a DHCP lease in time, it will fallback to using the current static IP.
Power Settings
- Brightness – Screen brightness in steps of 10%. Default: 50%
- Turn Device Off After – Off / 2 Min / 5 Min / 10 Min / 30 Min / 1 Hour – of no user input.
- Reduce Display Intensity After – Off / 15 Sec / 30 Sec / 1 Min / 2 Min – after no user input.
Device Information – various XMT-500 internal details.
Battery Information – debug information.
Restore Default Settings – returns XMT-500 to standard settings.
Battery charging
For charging, any common USB charger with at least 4.5W can be used (the charging port has a USB-C connector). For minimal charging time, we recommend using one of the following types (with a USB-C adapter where necessary):
- USB 3.2 Type-A (7.5W, 5V)
- USB Type-C ( >=7.5W, 5V)
- USB BC1.2 (7.5W, 5V)
Using USB 1.0 or 2.0 chargers with power less than 4.5W is possible but not recommended. This will take a long time and the XMT-500 internal protection system might stop the charging process after multiple hours of charging.
Technical information
- Dimensions:
- Weight:
- Operating temperature:
- Charging temperature:
- Rechargeable battery:
- Protocol standards:
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Swisson AG
Fabrikstrasse 21
CH-3250 Lyss
Switzerland
SWISSON of AMERICA Corp. 2419 East Harbor Blvd.#3 Ventura, CA 93001
U.S.A.
www.swisson.com
info@swisson.com
©2023 Swisson AG • Release: 0.0c