XLR-Cat5

[mikey9206]

hey guys,

just a quick question, does anyone use/have used cat5 cables within their lighting rig? the only thing is, my church has built in a load of cat5 cables going from the production line to stage...i was wondering whether its a good idea to use a converter on each end to utilize the cat5, or whether its best just to keep running out a long XLR cable each sunday (still in the process of renting venues to hold the congregation so were having to build the whole rig every week, maybe using the inbuilt cat5 would be easier?)

if you have used a converter before, whats your experience been like with it? and where would you suggest getting one?

thanks, Mikey

[Andre]

No problem using CAT5 cables done all the time with Art-Net and DMX Over Ethernet.
Daslight did do an interface that used DMX Over Ethernet for a very short while but discontinued it. Sunlite still do.

So it should be no problems using a convertor, you must ensure that absolutely nothing else is using these cat5 cables if using convertors or making your own.

You could also look into using wireless DMX transmitter and receiver(s) that works as well. I think there are 2 types, one that does not use the same frequency as WiFi and cordless phones. I think that is the one you should get, just do a bit of homework.

Hope that helps,

[mikey9206]

hey andre, thanks for the reply. Thats good news, gonna speak to the events manager about the converters...he told me yesterday that he put up something like 5 of them, and only 3 are used so woop woop!

thanks for the tips about wireless aswell

[Andre]

Wiring pinout for CAT 5 to DMX

RJ45 Pin - Colour - DMX Pin (5-pin XLR) - DMX Function
1 - White/Orange - 3 - Data 1+
2 - Orange - 2 - Data 1-
3 - White/Green - 5 - Data 2+ (optional)
4 - Blue - not connected
5 - White/Blue - not connected
6 - Green - 4 - Data 2- (optional)
7 - White/Brown - 1 - Data Link Common for Data 1
8 - Brown - 1 - Data Link Common for Data 2 should be connected even if Data 2 is not present.

If going to 3-pin XLR then no connection on 3, 6 or 8 as well as the the ones mentioned above.

Use XLR chassis connectors rather than RJ45 as much more robust. Only use CAT 5 for fixed installs as not suitable for touring as not flexible enough. CAT 5 patch leads are flexible because not made from same wire as normal CAT 5 cable.
If going onto existing cabling with RJ45 connectors in place then make little Patch leads up to convert between the two.

Check this document out http://www.alia.com.au/features/dmx.pdf

Not sure where you are from mikey, so this might not be of use to you http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=219904

Hope that helps,

[mikey9206]

man your a legend!

so for 3 pin XLR:

white/brown goes to pin 1
white/orange goes to pin 2
orange goes to pin 3

[Andre]

Thank you

Nope I make it

White/Brown to Pin 1
Orange to Pin 2
White/Orange to Pin 3

Pin 3 is always HOT with DMX512, PIN2 HOT is "no longer used" except some older Martin Fixtures and some weird fixtures.

If you look at the Wiring pinout I supplied the description is above the pinouts.
RJ45 Pin - Colour - DMX Pin (5-pin XLR) - DMX Function

Hope it helps,

[mikey9206]

i bought some they wired it:

brown-1
green-2
orange-3

doesnt really matter i suppose as long as its the same on either end...

[tatakis]

Hello Guys,

Please help, I'm desperate!

I want to connect 2 XLR (one male one female) AND 2 Bnc over Cat5

Any wiring suggestions?


My application:

This is intended to go between two technicians carts on a film set that cannot always be placed immediately next to each other.
Side A. Will send 1 channel of line level audio. On this end, we will have a male xlr feed going to the cat5 box.
Side B. Will receive this audio, terminating to male xlr and send 2 channels of bnc video and one channel of xlr line level audi back the other direction.


My client doesn't have a pinout for his cat5 box. Is there something standard used?

Thanks in advance
George

[overington99]

Umm somethings wrong there... But I can't quite put my finger on it...

[don4547]

Use XLR chassis connectors rather than RJ45 as much more robust. Only use CAT 5 for fixed installs as not suitable for touring as not flexible enough. CAT 5 patch leads are flexible because not made from same wire as normal CAT 5 cable.
If going onto existing cabling with RJ45 connectors in place then make little Patch leads up to convert between the two.

Check this document out http://www.alia.com.au/features/dmx.pdf

Not sure where you are from mikey, so this might not be of use to you http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=219904

Hope that helps,

Thanks for the Maplin link. First document expired though.

[Makayla]

hey guys,

just a quick question, does anyone use/have used cat5 cables within their lighting rig? the only thing is, my church has built in a load of cat5 cables going from the production line to stage...i was wondering whether its a good idea to use a converter on each end to utilize the cat5, or whether its best just to keep running out a long XLR cable each sunday (still in the process of renting venues to hold the congregation so were having to build the whole rig every week, maybe using the inbuilt cat5 would be easier?)

if you have used a converter before, whats your experience been like with it? and where would you suggest getting one?

thanks, Mikey

"Mikey" it will be an honour for me to tell you, Legend*

Makayla

[kimhudges1]

I must say here, in my view and perspective, Pin 3 is always HOT with DMX512, PIN2 HOT is "no longer used" except some older Martin Fixtures and some weird fixtures.