Chapter 8: UDP networking usage	Previous Chapter - - - Next Chapter
Chapter 8: UDP networking usage Introduction Utilizing UDP options using Isadora using Capture 3D using MAX-MSP DMX via Ethernet - Set up with 2 Universes Synchronizing cues in multiple LanBoxes. Network traffic	Chapter 1: Connecting to a LanBox Chapter 2: Rigging a stage Chapter 3: Control Your Lights Chapter 4a: Cues and Chases Chapter 5: Performing Shows Chapter 6: Fixture Definitions Chapter 7: Fast Key Commands Chapter 8: UDP networking usage Chapter 9: DMX input and MIDI usage

---

Introduction

The LanBox-LCX and LCE have several options to use the UDP protocol on an Ethernet network. UDP is a fast internet protocol which makes it very suitable to transport bulk data (e.g. DMX) between devices. Besides (DMX) data transport UDP can also be used to synchronize layers of multiple boxes, and can be picked up by 3D visualization software like Capture. With MAX-MSP you can even receive, besides all DMX data, the analog inputs and transmit DMX data directly to a LanBox-LCX or LCE.

Utilizing UDP options

using Isadora

Isadora (see TroikaTronix) is a graphic programming environment for Macintosh (with a Windows version now in public beta) that provides interactive control over digital media, with special emphasis on the real-time manipulation of digital video. Isadora has standard "Actor" to send RGB DMX data via UDP to LanBox, which is generated from real-time video.

using Capture 3D

Capture (see Capture Sweden) is delivered with a so called LanBox DLL provider which supports up to 6 universes. The LanBox(es), LCedit, and Capture must be connected to a local ethernet network. In order to use Capture you only need to activate the LanBox DLL in Capture, turn on broadcast mixer channels in the LanBox with LCedit+, and you will see your show visualized real-time. If you set the broadcast range of a LCX to 1-3072, you can use all 6 universes in Capture.

using MAX-MSP

MAX-MSP is a piece of Software designed by cycling74. With MAX-MSP (with optional Jitter), you can create near anything based on lighting, sound, MIDI and video. In the developer folder of LCedit+ you find several examples how to communicate with a LanBox. In order to receive the different LanBox broadcast types into MAX use the UDP rx example. Be aware that DMX-input data will only be broadcasted when you have set the DMX input range (DMX tab of global settings), to a valid range. Transmitting DMX data directly to a LanBox is possible in two ways: broadcasting (like a LanBox), or point to point. The UDP input setting of a LanBox "anyone:4777" allows receiving from any other IP, including broadcasts, but by assigning an IP to the "from sender" it will listen only for packets from that IP.

DMX via Ethernet - Set up with 2 Universes

DMX-512 supports, as the name indicates, up to 512 channels. If you need more channels you could already use multiple LanBoxes, but each with it's own cues. From firmware v2.x the LanBox-LCX supports 3072 light channels, and also the distribution of those channels via UDP on Ethernet. This means that you can built a lighting system with up to 3072 channels, distributed over multiple so called universes. A Universe is one DMX cable (one LanBox) with up to 512 DMX channels.

Example:
Let's assume we have a LanBox-LCX and we want to create a second universe
with a LanBox-LCE in order to get 1024 DMX channels.

• First make sure both boxes have unique IP addresses and names
• In LCedit+ create two interfaces, one for each box
• Open the Interfaces window, and give your current interface a descriptive name (eg Box 1).
• Now apply the New Interface command from the Edit menu, you will get a new Configure Interface dialog;

   choose box 2 (universe 2) as connection.

All fixtures on the stage should be connected to interface 1 (Box 1 , the LCX),
but you must place a dummy dimmer on the first channel of each next box

• place it on channel 513, use the patch tab to set the DMX address to 1
• choose box 2 as interface, and name it U2

We needs this pseudo fixture in order to have access to the post processing of universe 2 (Box 2, the LCE).

• Now select a fixture on the stage, so box 1 is selected
• go to Global Settings the UDP tab (see picture right)
• turn on broadcasting of mixer channels 1-1024.

Hint:
Why broadcasting 1-1024, while Universe 1 is in Box 1?

• to keep the setup simple and
• all channels can be accessed by the network e.g. by 3D visualization software.

Next step is setting up Universe 2 (box 2, LCE)

• select U2
• go to global settings:
  • prove that the title of global settings indicates interface 2 (Box 2)
  • set UDP input settings to copy 1-1024 to light channels 1-1024

This way the mixer of the LCE is always a copy of what is going on in the LCX. Now patch light channel 513-1024 to DMX 1-512 in the Universe 2 (U2) box:

• make sure thnat the U2 fixture is still selected
• open the Patch editor
  • select all rows (1-512)
  • click the I button (for auto Increment)
  • enter 513 into the set field.

After return DMX channel 1-512 is now patched to light channel 513-1024 (see picture right).

From now on you only work in the LanBox-LCX, which means add fixtures on the stage, and create cues. Be aware that a fixture can not be separated into two universes (duh), so it's useful to make a planning where all fixtures should go (on what universe).

Once fixtures are placed above light channel 512, they have a blank DMX address in the fixture setup and in the cast. The reason is that those channels are processed in other boxes, and the LCX (the master) has no idea how they are setup or patched.

so there has to be a paragraph how to do this or how the software does it, otherwise you leave the user in doubt and in fear

As you can see the UDP panel of Global Settings has many more possibilities. These settings provide eg high speed bulk data communication using UDP which can be used by programs like MAX/MSP

As you can imagine, setups with multiple universes can become quite complex, but with proper planning (which is a must for all large setups) you can have a large system (up to 3072 channels in 6 universes) with a fraction of the cost of a lighting desk for 6 universes.

Synchronizing cues in multiple LanBoxes.

When you want to store many large scenes you will face the problem that memory is limited in a LanBox

This happens mainly when you have thousands of steps for large RGB pixel arrays, which have to run stand-alone. A solution is to split the scenes and distribute them over several LanBoxes which all run a part of the total scene but for this the cues of the boxes have to be synchronized. This can be done by using MIDI.
From firmware v2.05 and LCedit+ v3.3 on it's possible to keep layers of Slave-LanBoxes running in sync with a Master-LanBox via Ethernet.

Just do the following:

• turn on <Broadcast layer list> in the master box
• turn on <Synchronize layers with same ID> in the slaves.

This will keep all corresponding layers of all slaves in sync with the layers of the master.

Network traffic

When you setup a LanBox-LCX to UDP broadcast 3072 channels it generates quite a lot of traffic on your local network (near 1 Mega bit per second for 3072 channels). If you have a stand-alone network just for lighting, it's no problem, but if the network is part of an existing network, it's a good idea to contact the network manager. -

This concludes the LCedit+ tutorial. You have learned a lot, and we are sure you can use LCedit+ basically, but there will be still many application specific questions to answer. In that case send us an email, or better join the LanBox Talk email discussions, and as always start looking at our support pages. Have fun with your box and LCedit+.

---

Previous Chapter - - - - Next Chapter

---

-- FokkoVanDuin - 20 May 2007