ELM Video DMG User manual
DMG OVERVIEW
The DMG is a 1~3 input 1 output DMX512 merger with versatile uses. Combines two or three DMX512
signals or universes into one universe, by a selected mode type; HTP (Highest Takes Priority), Append, or
Backup. An additional DMG-PCB can be installed/added to add a third input, or multiple DMG’s can be
combined to merge more than two universes or provide multiple functions. By configuring several DMG’s in
different mode types, each can perform a specific task. For example - multiple DMG’s could be configured
to merge two or more universes into one universe, the combined output could be appended to another
universe, and then the final output could operate in parallel with a backup DMX512 source with auto switch
over.
CONNECTION
Loop the power cord through the strain relief. Connect the power supply to the power input connector
and apply power. Connect a DMX512 source into the input connectors (5 or 3 pin) and insure the data LED
is illuminated (showing data is present). The DMG will work with only one (A or B) data input connected.
Use the ‘Merged Output’ connector to source up to 32 DMX512 devices (depending on the devices and
configuration). As with any DMX512 daisy chain, each output must be terminated at the end of each daisy
chain.
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Before connecting the A, B or C inputs it is recommended that the output and/or power be disconnected to prevent
false data transmission that could blink or trigger the receiving DMX system.
NOTE - ALWAYS KEEP THE DMG ACCESSIBLE !
- INSTALL THE DMG NEAR OPERATORS AND THE
GENERATING DEVICES. NEVER INSTALL ON A TRUSS OR HARD TO REACH AREA. Because the DMG is a
DMX SIGNAL GENERATING DEVICE, keeping the unit accessible is essential, in the event of a cable failure or unit
malfunction the output may send false data which could cause erratic behavior with the receiving DMX system,
could be dangerous to the public, and could cause damage to the receiving equipment and lights.
cv
DMX512
Input B DMX512
Merged Output
DMX512
Input C
(Optional)
Face Plate Screws
Fuse
Power & DMX Input
Indicator LEDs
DMX512
Input A
cv
MODES
3rd INPUT OPTION If the 3rd or “C” input is installed, the merged output of A and B inputs are connected to the
‘A’ input of a 2nd merger DMG-PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The 2nd merger PCB can have a different mode type
(listed below) than the 1st merger PCB. All of the A and B rules listed below for each mode type apply accordingly.
MERGE HTPThe HTP mode will merge 2 universes into one universe using HTP (Highest Takes Priority)
processing of the level of each channel. In this mode 2 lighting boards (or any two DMX512 generating devices) can
control the same devices.
If only one input is connected, the input data (channels, levels, packet size, and start code) are transmitted as
received. By adding a DMX512 signal to other input the 2 sources will be merged with HTP - the highest level will be
the transmitted on a specific channel. The packet size will be largest of the three. Input A has start code priority - Input
A’s start code will always be transmitted, unless there isn’t a signal in input A then input B’s start code will be
transmitted. This mode is useful for controlling the same DMX512 equipment and devices with two DMX512 generating
devices in one universe. For example a lighting board and a computer controlled DMX512 controller.
HTP Examples: If the A input has a level of 25 on channel 10 and input B has a level of 200 on channel 10 the
output will be 200 on channel 10. If A has a level of 5 on channel 100 and B has a level of 12 on channel 100 the output
will be 12 on channel 100. If both inputs are 0 the output will be 0 on the respective channel, etc.
APPEND The Append mode will append input B after input A, input A is the 1st part of the DMX512 packet and the
B input is the 2nd part of the transmitted output. In this mode two lighting boards (or any two DMX512 generating
devices) can be combined, each controlling different equipment but on one cable (or universe).
In the Append mode the start code transmitted will be zero until a valid signal is received on input A and that start
code is then transmitted until the unit is reset or re powered (even if input A is lost). The packet size or channel block
size, (e.g. 48 channel lighting board) is loaded from the processor permanent memory each time the unit is powered or
reset, and will not changed by the input. See theAppend Packet Size Setupsection for instructions on setting transmit
packet size (or channel block size).
This mode is useful for controlling different DMX512 equipment or devices with two DMX512 generating devices in
one universe. For Example: If a packet or block size is stored as 32 and input A input has a level of 25 on channel 10
and input B has a level of 200 on channel 10, the output of channel 10 will be 25, the output of channel 42 will be 200,
(B inputCh 10 now has an offset of 32).
NOTE - By APPENDING or changing the DMX512 channels, each receiving device will need to be set to the new
DMX512 channel. Plan any changes carefully and test each device after any configuration changes.
BACKUP The Backup mode will transmit input A continuously, ignoring input B as long as input A is avalid*
DMX512 signal. If input A’s signal is not valid input B will be transmitted.
This mode is useful if a backup lighting board (or any DMX512 generating device) is always on standby to switch
over in the case of a failure, the DMG in the backup mode would AUTOMATICALLY switch over, preventing the user
from physically having to switch the connectors. The DMG will switch over in one second of a lost signal.
LoTP (Formerly “LTP” for software release DMG - 2.00) TheLoTP (Lowest Takes Priority) responds the same
way as the HTP mode described above
LTP (Software release DMG - 2.10) The LTP (Latest Takes Priority) willresend input A or B to the output
depending on the input that had the latest level change of +/- 1. If you have two lighting boards respectively connected
to input A and B, the last lighting board that made any change would takepresedence and would control the output until
the other lighting board made a change and then it would take control. Please note that the input sources would need to
be digitally controlled, otherwise unwanted switching may occur.
*A valid DMX512 signal - an active signal present with consistent start code, consistent packet size, and meets the DMX512
standard. Activating an input is considered valid when four continuous packets are received with the same start code and the same
size packet.
An invalid DMX512 signal - if a signal is not present for more than 1 second, or if the start code or packet size change. (If this
happens and four continuous packets are received with the same start code within 1 second of the change the signal is still
considered valid.)
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Plan all DMX512 changes carefully, understand how each mode will react, and
thoroughly test each device after any configuration changes.
For Software release DMG version 2+ has the option of a 3 digit display and programming PCB.
With this option the user can set: and view the merge modes and other parameters.
Ÿ
HTP
Ÿ
Append - (additional set / view option) Input B’s start channel
Ÿ
Backup - (additional view option) the current input (A or B) that’s being sent
Ÿ
LoTP
Ÿ
LTP - (additional view option) the current input (A or B) that’s being sent
Ÿ
Bri - Adjust the display’s brightness setting (10 steps)
On start up the current mode is displayed. If the current mode is "append", press the SELECT
button to toggle between displaying the mode or B's appended start channel. If the current mode is
"backup", press the SELECT button to toggle between the mode type and the current input selected (i.e.
input A or B). To adjust the brightness select the "bri" selection and press and hold GO. Press the GO or
SELECT buttons to increase or decrease the brightness. The unit will resume with the new setting after a
few seconds.
To change the mode press and hold the SELECT button until the display blinks then press the
select button to scroll through the options. To execute the new mode, press and hold the GO button. The
new mode is immediate and will be recalled on start up or power up. For the Append mode a second
display will appear allowing you to set input B's start channel. Once the channel is set press and hold the
GO
butto
n to
exec
ute
the
chan
ge.
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MODE SETUP
If the optional 3 digit display and
programming unit is not
installed, set the jumper as
shown to desired merging mode
type. For the Append mode
additional setup may be
required.
APPEND PACKET SIZE
SETUP
The packet (or channel block)
size is set by one of two ways:
Ÿ
A valid DMX512 signal on the A input OR
Ÿ
By manually programming the packet size in 16 channel block increments
To setup the append packet size by*AUTO DETECT
1.
Select the APPEND SETUP by placing jumpers to the pins shown
2.
Connect a **DMX512 generating device into input A (e.g. lighting board) with a known DMX512 packet
size (output channel count) known or preset.
3.
Reset the power - The DMG enters the setup mode, indicated by LED A blinking
4.
If a valid DMX512 signal is connected to input A, the packet size is stored in
permanent memory. LED’s A and B will alternately blink indicating completion.
5.
Remove the APPEND SETUP jumper leaving the APPEND jumper
6.
Reset the power
7.
Test for accuracy
To setup the append block size MANUALLY by 16 increment blocks
1.
Remove DMX512 signal inputs
2.
Select the APPEND SETUP by placing
jumpers to the pins shown
3.
Reset the power - The DMG enters the setup mode,
indicated by LED A blinking
4.
Remove only the APPEND SETUP Jumper - LED A
will turn off and a block size of 16 is stored.
5.
For each multiple of 16 Channel Blocks needed, place
the jumper onto the Append Setup header pins, LED A
will illuminate for each connection/count.See the
Channel Block Size Table.(If 512 is exceeded the
setup mode is exited and enters standby mode
indicated by LED’s A and B alternately blinking and the
block size is set at 512)
6.
PARK THE APPEND SETUP JUMPER
7.
Reset the power
8.
Test for accuracy
*AUTO DETECT - by Input A’s attached lighting board or generating DMX512 device
**In order to know where input B will begin in the DMX Channel assignment, the output packet size must be known or
preset.
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HTP
MODE SELECT
Backup Append
APPEND
SETUP
Append
Setup
Jumper
LoTP LTP
Jumper
Park
3522117610
512
31
336
20
160
9
4963032019144848029304181287464282881711264482727216965
432
26
256
15
80
4
4162524014643
400
24
224
13
48
2
38423208123213682219211160
block
size
# of
taps
block
size
# of
taps
block
size
# of
taps
Channel Block Size Table
OPERATION
Select the mode by the selector switch (or by internal jumper settings). Connect a DMX512 signal into
inputs A, B and/or C and apply power, the red LED will illuminate. Once a valid DMX512 signal is received
the DMG will immediately begin transmitting a DMX512 signal in the mode type selected. In all modes, the
input LED’s for A, B and C inputs will illuminate indicating data is present on the respective input. If an
overrun error occurred (caused by quick packet size changes/processing) the respective LED will blink. The
DMG will continue to run as normal and is NOT in an error condition, the LED’s are indicating that an error
has occurred. This error is cleared by a power reset. To change modes, select the desired mode and
perform a power reset.
CONFIGURATION EXAMPLE
PCB BLOCK DIAGRAM
I
NPUT: The inputs (pins 2 and 3) connect to a 75176 data input IC’s, and send to the processor.OUTPUT:
The processor sends merged data to the output that supplies data to the output connectors. Pin 1 is
connected to the power supply common.
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DMX512
Source 1
DMX512 Device Examples: moving heads,
LED Pars, House Dimmers, Relays, etc.
2x1
Merger
Terminate
2x1 or 3x1 Merger Configuration Example
DMX512
Source 2
(optional)
2x1
Merger
DMX512
Source 3DMX512 Source Examples: Lighting Board, PC
w/ DMX output hardware, DMX Splitters etc.
A
B
C
A
B
A
B
Merger Block Diagram [DMG]
Pin 1 - open
(Do not connect)
Pin 2 - Data -
Pin 3 - Data +
Input B
CPU
Processor
Input A
Pin 1 - open
(Do not connect)
Pin 2 - Data -
Pin 3 - Data +
Merged
Output
Pin 1 –Connect
(Power supply Common)
Pin 2 - Data -
Pin 3 - Data +
SERVICING
FIELD SERVICE: For Experienced Technicians
Disconnect all power and data connections. Remove the
5 face plate mounting screws on the PCB side. Use only
direct replacement parts and use static discharge
precautions.
To replace an IC, using a small flat screwdriver carefully
remove the IC by gently lifting up between the socket and
the IC keeping the IC as flat as possible. Bend the
replacement IC’s legs so they are pointing straight down and
not angled outward. Align each pin In the center of each pin
hole and gently snap into place, all legs at one time, DO
NOT insert at an angle. Insure the IC is flush on the socket
and all pins are inserted.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Ÿ
check data input
Ÿ
possible CPU failure
Ÿ
If both data LED’s don’t work
Ÿ
check if power is present via the power LED, if not
check the internal fuse.
Ÿ
check if the input has a DMX512 signal by bypassing
the unit, if not check the DMX512 console or source.
Ÿ
check if the input has a DMX512 signal by bypassing
the unit, if not check the DMX512 console or source.
Ÿ
If the data and power are O.K. replace the output IC
and possibly the input IC’s.
Ÿ
If output doesn’t work
Ÿ
replace the respective input IC (i.e. input A doesn’t
work replace IC # for input A).
Ÿ
If only one of the inputs doesn’t work
Ÿ
check fuse and power connections
Ÿ
Unit won’t power up
CHECK
PROBLEM
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Note - Take care not to touch the component pins or the inner pins of the connectors. Electrostatic
discharge may cause permanent damage to the unit.
Out A In
Pin 4
5x20mm Fuse
Header
B In +5V InGnd
Shunt Shunt
SPECIFICATIONS
CHASSIS: Anodized Aluminum .093" thick RoHS compliant.
POWER INPUT: 120 VAC (240VAC input available with most units)
External FUSE: .7 ~ 1 Amp Fast Acting 5 X 20 mm
Internal FUSE: .5 ~ .7 Amp Fast Acting 5 X 20 mm
POWER: Apx 160mA (output full source with 1 PCB installed)
Apx 320mA (output full source with 3rd input (2) PCB installed)
DATA TYPE: DMX512 (250Khz)
DATA INPUT: DMX512 - 5 (or 3) pin male XLR,
Pin 1 - (Shield) Not connected, Pin 2 Data - , Pin 3
Data +
DATA OUTPUT: DMX512 outputs - 5 (or 3) pin female XLR's,
Pin 1 - Power supply common, Pin 2
Data -, Pin 3 Data +
Dimensions: 3.7 x 6.7 x 2.1 inches
Weight: 1.5 pounds
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