The DMX Tab

The DMX tab of the Simple mode of the Light-O-Rama Network Preferences program can be used to specify up to sixteen different DMX universes, each using a separate adapter (to configure more universes, or universes that use E1.31 instead of adapters, you will need to use Advanced mode instead of Simple mode).  The protocol used for each universe can be individually specified as well.  Many users will not use DMX, and many of those who do will only require a single DMX universe (typically universe 1), and so by default only universe 1 is shown:

The DMX tab, showing only universe 1.

To configure additional universes (numbers 2 through 16), expand the "More (Additional Universes)" section of the tab:

The DMX tab, showing additional universes

For each universe, the Network Preferences program presents a dropdown list of adapters available on the system.  Note that the Network Preferences program cannot detect adapters that are currently in use.  For example, if you have an LOR USB485 adapter that is currently assigned to an LOR network, and you wish to asign it to a DMX universe instead, you will first need to unassign it from the LOR network before it can be reassigned for the DMX universe.  Furthermore, you may need to stop and restart the Sequence Editor, Hardware Utility, and/or Show Player before the device will be shown in the Adapter dropdown box.

A row that is highlighted in yellow (such as universe 3's row in the picture above) indicates that the universe is currently configured with advanced settings, and can only be changed using Advanced mode.  Clicking on any other universe's row will bring up a dialog box enabling you to set the adapter and protocol.  You can also set the DMX listener port by expanding the third section of the tab (labeled "Listener Port").

DMX Adapter ("Adapter")

Each DMX universe (other than those that use E1.31, which are configured using Advanced mode) must be assigned to a DMX adapter, such as the LOR USB485 or the ENTTEC Open DMX USB adapter.  Each adapter can be assigned to only one universe.  If you are attempting to reassign an adapter, you may need to stop and restart various programs in the LOR suite.  See earlier on this page for details.

Note that there are different types of DMX protocols that can be used.  Please be sure to select the correct protocol for your adapter.

DMX Protocol ("Protocol")

Different DMX adapters use different protocols.  You must specify the correct protocol for the DMX adapter you wish to use:

Other types of adapters may or may not work with LOR software.  If they do, you may need to experiment to find the correct protocol to use.

DMX Listener Port ("Listener Port")

This section can be used to configure the port that the LOR Comm Listener will listen on for lighting commands to be sent to DMX devices.  The default port of 8837 should work for nearly all users, but can be changed here if needed.

If you set the port to 0, the Comm Listener will be disabled, and lighting commands will not be sent to your DMX devices.