Blizzard Lighting AutoBahn 8 DMX/ArtNet User manual

Blizzard Lighting, LLC
www.blizzardlighting.com
Waukesha, WI USA
Copyright (c) 2014

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AutoBahn™ 8 DMX/ArtNet 19” Rackmount Interface 1
1. Getting Started 3
What’s In The Box? 3
Getting It Out Of The Box 3
Caution! 3
Getting A Hold Of Us 3
2. Meet The AutoBahn™ 8 4
Main Features 4
Overview 4
3. Operating Instructions 5
Startup View 5
Renaming the Device 6
Setting the IP Address 6
Setting the Netmask 7
DMX Port Settings 7
Setting the ID# 9
LCD Backlight 9
User Presets 10
Firmware Version 10
4. Appendix 11
A Quick Lesson on ArtNet 11
Keeping Your AutoBahn™ 8 As Good As New 12
Returns (Gasp!) 12
Shipping Issues 12
Application Diagram 13
Dimensional Diagram 13
Tech Specs 13

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
1. GETTING STARTED
What’s In The Box?
 •1xAutoBahn™8:DMX/ArtNetInterface
 •AnEver-So-HandyPowerCord
 •ThisLovelyUserManual
Getting It Out Of The Box
Glückwünsche! You’re on the road to blazing fast bilateral ArtNet/DMX signal
conversion and more with the AutoBahn™ 8!
WithusageofmultipleLEDxturesandvideomapping,manyoccasions
require thousands of DMX channels. It’s important to have fast DMX response
and proper network load management, and the AutoBahn™ 8 will do just
that. It not only provides instant response, but also a lower network load. The
AutoBahn™ 8 will allow you to increase the number of DMX universes and easily
placeDMXuniversesremotelyonanyTCP/IPEthernetnetwork.Itcanalsobe
used as a DMX merger, DMX splitter, or backup device!
Now that you’ve got your AutoBahn™ 8 (or hopefully, AutoBahn™ 8’s!), you
should carefully unpack the box and check the contents to ensure that all parts
are present and in good condition. If anything looks as if it has been damaged
in transit, notify the shipper immediately and keep the packing material for
inspection.Again,pleasesavethecartonandallpackingmaterials.Ifaxture
mustbereturnedtothefactory,itisimportantthatthexturebereturnedin
the original factory box and packing.
Caution!
There are no user serviceable parts inside this unit. Do not open the housing or
attempt any repairs yourself; doing so will void your manufactures warranty. In
the unlikely event your unit may require service, please contact Blizzard Lighting
at [email protected].
Getting A Hold Of Us
If something is wrong, just give us a call or send an email. We’ll be
happy to help, honest.
Blizzard Lighting
N16W23390StoneridgeDr.SteE
Waukesha, WI 53188 USA
www.blizzardlighting.com
414-395-8365
Email:[email protected]
Disclaimer:Theinformationandspecicationscontainedinthisdocumentaresubjecttochangewithout
notice. Blizzard Lighting™ assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may
appear in this user manual. Blizzard Lighting™ reserves the right to update the existing document or
to create a new document to correct any errors or omissions at any time. You can download the latest
version of this document from www.blizzardlighting.com.
Author: Date: Last Edited: Date:
J. Thomas 1/15/2014 J. Thomas 1/16/2014

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
2. MEET THE AUTOBAHN™ 8
MAIN FEATURES:
• ArtNet/DMX bilateral signal conversion
• 1xRJ45Neutrik™EtherCON®EthernetLANport,10/100M,
supports TCP/IP protocol
• 2x DMX inputs and 8x DMX outputs, each photoelectrically isolated
• Auto MDI/MDI-X ethernet connector
• Supports standard DMX-512 and ArtNet protocol
• DMX input/outputs can be set to enabled or disabled
• EachDMXoutputcanbesettosingle,zero,HTP,orLTPmode
• EachDMXinputcanbesettonormalorbackupmode
• DMX splitter/merger functionality
• Manual IP address settings
• LCD display indicates each DMX input/output status
• EthernetLEDstatusindicator
• Quick and easy to set user presets
OVERVIEW:
Front Side
1.)PowerLED Shows unit on/off status
2.)LinkLED Shows network connect status
3.)ActivityLED Flashes when data transmits
4.) LCD Display Shows status & available options
5.) Menu Button Return to main or previous menu
6.) Up/Down Buttons To scroll through menu selections
7.)EnterButton Toconrmamenuselection
8.) Power Switch To power ON/OFF the unit

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Rear Side
9.) Power Input AC power cable input
10.)Neutrik™EtherCON®EthernetPort To connect the ethernet cable
11.) DMX IN A/B DMX signal intput
12.) DMX Out (1-8) DMX signal output
3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
STARTUP VIEW:
There are 4 initial “top-tier” menu status screens (shown above) that
you’ll see when you power on the unit. You can scroll through them by
using the <UP/DOWN> buttons. The Device Name, Device ID, and
IP Address can all be edited later within the menu settings.
Intherstrowoftheportstatusscreen;A/B refers to the DMX IN
A/B, and 1-8 refers to DMX outputs 1-8. In the second row of port
statusscreen;“x” means the port is inactive, “√” means the port is
active, and “—” means the port has been set as disabled.

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
RENAMING THE DEVICE:
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “1. Rename Device”. Press
the <ENTER> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll
through the characters, and push the <ENTER> button when the
character you’d like to change is highlighted. Use the <UP/DOWN>
buttons to scroll through your choices, and push the <ENTER> button
toconrmthechange.Repeatthisprocessforeachcharacteras
necessary to rename the device.
Tonishrenamingyourdevice,youmustsave your changes by
using the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll to “Enter”, and then push
the <ENTER> button.
SETTING THE IP ADDRESS:
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “2. Set IP Address”. Press
the <ENTER> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll
through the IP address character groups. Push the <ENTER> button
when the set of characters you’d like to change is highlighted. Then
use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll through your choices, and
push the <ENTER>buttontoconrmthechange.Repeatthisprocess
for each character group as necessary.
TonishsettingtheIPaddress,youmustsave your changes by
using the <UP/DOWN>buttonstoscrollto“Enter”,andthenpush
the <ENTER> button.
*Please Note: The IP address must be unique!

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
SETTING THE NETMASK:
This allows you to choose from the 3 commonly used network mask
congurationsthatyoucanchangeperyoursystemrequirements.
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “3. Set Netmask”. Press
the <ENTER> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll
through the 3 choices and push the <ENTER> button when your
selection is highlighted.
Tonishsettingthenetmask,youmustsave your changes by using
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll to “Enter”, and then push the
<ENTER> button.
DMX PORT SETTINGS:
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “4. Set DMX Port”. Press
the <ENTER> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll
through the DMX in/out port selections and push the <ENTER> button
when highlighted.
1.) DMXIN Port A/B
DMX IN Port A/B can be set as “input” or “disabled” status. “Univ”
(Universe), can be set within the range 0.0 - F.F. When the DMX Port is
set as “input”, the Port Mode can be set as “normal” or “Backup”.
For all of the DMX Port Settings on page 8, use the <UP/DOWN>
buttons to scroll through your choices, and push the <ENTER> button
toconrm.Repeatthisprocessforeachgroupasnecessary.

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
DMX PORT SETTINGS: (CONTINUED)
Port Mode = Normal
Device will send data received from the DMX IN port to the network
universe regardless of other data being received.
Port Mode = Backup
Device will NOT automatically send any data from this port. This input
port will only transmit data to the network universe when the network
universe is receiving no other active data input.
2.) DMXOUT Port 1-8
You can set the Port Status of any the DMX Ports 1-8 as “output” or
“disabled”. When the Port Status is set to “output”, the Port Mode
canbesettooneofthefollowing(4)modes:
Zero = The port sends a DMX test signal only with all channels at 0%.
Single = The port sends the DMX values of the selected universe.
LTP = (Latest Takes Precedence) Port will output the latest channel
activity between 2 selected universes. It compares the principal and
secondary universes and sends the latest one to the network.
HTP = (Highest Takes Precedence) Like Single, but will merge two
DMX universes (principal and secondary). It will compare and output
the one with higher value to the network. And like Single and LTP, the
universes can be set within the range of 0.0-F.F.
DMX
IN
DMX
OUT
IP
IN
Merger
LTP
HTP
DMX
IN
DMX
OUT
DMX
IN
Merger
LTP
HTP

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
SETTING THE ID#:
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “5. Set ID NO”. Press the
<ENTER> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll
through your choice of ID# within the range of 000 to 255. The ID# is
only used to easily identify each AutoBahn™ 8 unit.
TonishsettingtheID,youmustsave your changes by using
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll to “Enter”, and then push the
<ENTER> button.
LCD BACKLIGHT:
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use the
<UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “6. Set LCD Backlight”. Press
the <ENTER> button. Then use the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll
through your choice of either “1. ON” or “2. OFF”. ON means the LCD
backlight will stay on all the time. OFF means the LCD backlight will
turn off automatically after 30 seconds of idle.
Tonishsettingyourbacklightpreference,youmustsave your
changes by using the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll to “Enter”,
and then push the <ENTER> button.

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
USER PRESETS:
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “7. User Preset”. Press the
<ENTER> button.
The built-in user presets will help you to use the device easily and
avoid complicated setup procedures. You can simply choose the
presets by using the <UP/DOWN> buttons to scroll through your
choices, then pushing the <ENTER> buttontoconrm.Presets1,2,
and 3 settings are the inherited DMX Port Settings. (See p. 7-8)
Thereare5differentuserpresets+factorysettingsrestore:
1.) 2 In 1 Backup Mode = When one DMX input port is not sending a
signal, it will use the DMX signal from the other input.
2.) 2 In 1 HTP Mode = Compares your designated input signals and
outputs the one with higher value to the network.
3.) 2 In 1 LTP Mode = Compares your designated input signals and
outputs the latest to the network.
4.) DMX Splitter 1-4 Mode = DMX IN A signal outputs to DMX out
ports1-4;DMXINBsignaloutputstoDMXoutports5-8.
5.) Isolated Mode = Isolates the DMX Input and Output ports. No
signals from Input ports are passed to the Output ports. The Output
ports receive DMX signals directly from the network individually.
6.) Factory Setting = All settings including the Device Name, Device
ID, and Device IP will be restored to the original factory settings.

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
FIRMWARE VERSION:
Youcancheckthermwareversionfromthisoption.
Enterthemainmenubypressingthe<MENU> button, then use
the <UP/DOWN> buttons to highlight “8. Version”. Press the
<ENTER> button.
5. APPENDIX
A quick lesson on ArtNet
ArtNet is a protocol, like hp, p, telnet and so on. A protocol is a set of
rules that have to be followed if you want you stu to work with other
machines.
ArtNet is basically DMX over Ethernet (DOE) and was developed by
Wayne Howell and his company, Arsc Licence Engineering Ltd.
USITT DMX512 is well known in the entertainment industry because it
is the industry standard for controlling dimmers and automated lighng
xtures (moving lights). The electrical standard of DMX512 is RS485
which is as superset of RS422 which almost the same as RS232, well
known as serial port on a PC.
Ethernet is the electrical standard that transports data based on TCP/IP,
well known as a standard in todays internet. ArtNet is based on TCP/IP
and uses UDP Packets.
So what is the big deal with ArtNet? Well ArtNet supports up to 256
universes over one piece of CAT-5 cable compared to one universe over
a DMX cable!

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Keeping Your AutoBahn™ 8 As Good As New
Thextureyou’vereceivedisarugged,toughpieceofprolightingequip-
ment, and as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you. That said, like
anything, you’ll need to take care of it if you want it to operate as designed.
You should absolutely keep the unit clean, especially if you are using it in an
environment with a lot of dust, fog, haze, wild animals, wild teenagers or spilled
drinks.
In transit, keep the unit in cases. You wouldn’t throw a prized guitar, drumset,
or other piece of expensive gear into a gear trailer without a case, and similarly,
you shouldn’t even think about doing it with your shiny DMX/ArtNet Interface.
Common sense and taking care of it will be the single biggest thing you can do
to keep it running at peak performance and let you worry about designing a
great light show, putting on a great concert, or maximizing your client’s satis-
faction and “wow factor.” That’s what it’s all about, after all!
Returns (Gasp!)
We’ve taken a lot of precautions to make sure you never even have to worry
about sending a defective unit back, or sending a unit in for service. But, like
any complex piece of equipment designed and built by humans, once in a while,
somethingdoesn’tgoasplanned.Ifyoundyourselfwithaunitthatisn’tbe-
having like a good little electronic device should, you’ll need to obtain a Return
Authorization (RA).
Don’tworry,thisiseasy.Justsendanemailto[email protected],
and we’ll issue you an RA. Then, you’ll need to send the unit to us using a
trackable, pre-paid freight method. We suggest using USPS Priority or UPS.
Makesureyoucarefullypackthexturefortransit,andwheneverpossible,use
the original box & packing for shipping.
Whenreturningyourdeviceforservice,besuretoincludethefollowing:
 1.)Yourcontactinformation(Name,Address,PhoneNumber,Emailaddress).
2.) The RA# issued to you
3.) A brief description of the problem/symptoms.
We will, at our discretion, repair or replace the unit. Please remember that any
shipping damage which occurs in transit to us is the customer’s responsibility,
so pack it well!
Shipping Issues
Damage incurred in shipping is the responsibility of the shipper, and
must be reported to the carrier immediately upon receipt of the items.
Claims must be made within seven (7) days of receipt.

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AutoBahn™ 8 User Manual - Rev. A (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
Application Diagram
Dimensional Drawings
Tech Specs!
Weight & Dimensions
Length 19 inches (482 mm)
Height 1.75 inches (44 mm)
Depth 6.1 inches (155 mm)
Weight 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
Other Information
When you step on the brakes your life is in your foot’s hands.
Warranty 2-year limited warranty.
19 inches (482mm)
1.75 inches
(44mm)
6.1 inches
(155mm)

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Enjoy your product!
Our sincerest thanks for your purchase!
--The team @ Blizzard Lighting