LSC Nexus 1 User manual

Nexus 1
Nexus 5 Rack Mount
Nexus 5 Truss Mount
Ethernet / DMX Interface
& NexLan Software
User Manual
LSC Control Systems ©
[phone]
[email protected].au
www.lsccontrol.com.au
Version 2.11
November 2022

Nexus
User Manual
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Disclaimer
LSC Control Systems Pty Ltd has a corporate policy of continuous improvement, covering
areas such as product design and documentation. To achieve this goal, we undertake to
release software updates for all products on a regular basis. In light of this policy, some detail
contained in this manual may not match the exact operation of your product. Information
contained in this manual is subject to change without notice.
In any event, LSC Control Systems Pty Ltd cannot be held liable for any direct, indirect,
special, incidental, or consequential damages or loss whatsoever (including, without limitation,
damages for loss of profits, business interruption, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the
use or the inability to use this product for its intended purpose as expressed by the
manufacturer and in conjunction with this manual.
Servicing of this product is recommended to be carried out by LSC Control Systems Pty Ltd
or its authorised service agents. No liability will be accepted whatsoever for any loss or
damage caused by service, maintenance or repair by unauthorised personnel.
In addition, servicing by unauthorised personnel may void your warranty.
LSC Control Systems’ products must only be used for the purpose for which they were
intended.
Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this manual, LSC Control Systems takes no
responsibility for any errors or omissions.
Copyright Notices
“LSC Control Systems” is a registered trademark.
lsccontrol.com.au is owned and operated by LSC Control Systems Pty Ltd.
All Trademarks referred to in this manual are the registered names of their respective owners.
The NexLan software and the contents of this manual are copyright of LSC Control Systems
Pty Ltd © 2015.
All rights reserved.
Contact Details
LSC Control Systems Pty Ltd
ABN 21 090 801 675
65-67 Discovery Road
Dandenong South, Victoria 3175 Australia
Tel: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
web: www.lsccontrol.com.au

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Contents
1Introduction................................................................................................................5
1.1 Conventions used in this Manual..........................................................................5
1.2 Overview ..............................................................................................................5
1.3 Features...............................................................................................................5
1.4 Nexus 1................................................................................................................6
1.5 Nexus 5................................................................................................................6
1.6 Nexlan Software ...................................................................................................6
1.6.1 Version 2.1........................................................................................................6
2Nexus Units................................................................................................................7
2.1 Nexus 1................................................................................................................7
2.1.1 Ethernet Port.....................................................................................................7
2.1.2 Ethernet LED....................................................................................................7
2.1.3 DMX port...........................................................................................................7
2.1.4 DMX LED..........................................................................................................7
2.1.5 Mode Button .....................................................................................................7
2.2 Nexus 5................................................................................................................7
2.2.1 Ethernet Ports...................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Ethernet LEDs...................................................................................................8
2.2.3 DMX ports.........................................................................................................8
2.2.4 DMX LEDs........................................................................................................8
2.2.5 Mode Button .....................................................................................................8
2.2.6 Mode LED.........................................................................................................8
2.2.7 Power ...............................................................................................................8
2.3 Mode Button.........................................................................................................8
2.3.1 Select................................................................................................................8
2.3.2 Defaults.............................................................................................................9
3Typical Applications ................................................................................................10
3.1 Typical Nexus 1 applications ..............................................................................10
3.1.1 ArtNet or sACN to DMX converter................................................................... 10
3.1.2 Back-up switching of Lighting Controllers........................................................11
3.1.3 DMX to ArtNet or sACN converter...................................................................11
3.2 Typical Nexus 5 applications ..............................................................................12
3.2.1 ArtNet or sACN to DMX converter................................................................... 12
3.2.2 DMX Splitter....................................................................................................12
3.2.3 DMX Backup...................................................................................................13
3.2.4 Ethernet Backup .............................................................................................13
3.2.5 Automatic Control Switching ...........................................................................14
3.2.6 HTP Merging...................................................................................................14
3.2.7 Softpatch Merging...........................................................................................15
4DMX Port Options .................................................................................................... 16

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4.1 Overview ............................................................................................................16
4.2 DMX port as an Output.......................................................................................16
4.3 DMX port as an Input..........................................................................................16
5NexLan Software...................................................................................................... 17
5.1 Overview ............................................................................................................17
5.2 Software Setup...................................................................................................17
5.2.1 Windows.........................................................................................................17
5.2.2 Apple Mac OS X .............................................................................................17
5.3 Network Settings On Your Computer..................................................................17
5.4 Basic Software Description.................................................................................18
5.4.1 On-line............................................................................................................ 18
5.4.2 Off-line............................................................................................................18
5.4.3 Fixtures...........................................................................................................18
6Configuring a Nexus................................................................................................ 19
6.1.1 Generic...........................................................................................................20
6.1.2 Plan View........................................................................................................20
6.1.3 Port.................................................................................................................20
6.1.4 DMX Input Options..........................................................................................20
6.1.5 DMX Output Options.......................................................................................21
6.1.6 Additional DMX Output Options ......................................................................24
6.2 Identify Nexus.....................................................................................................25
6.3 DMX Universe window........................................................................................ 25
6.3.1 Manually Adding Universes.............................................................................25
6.3.2 Universe Properties ........................................................................................26
6.3.3 Universe Control.............................................................................................26
6.4 Fixture Window...................................................................................................26
6.4.1 Fixture Groups................................................................................................27
6.5 Fixture Properties ...............................................................................................27
6.5.1 Patching a Fixture...........................................................................................27
6.6 Fixture Control....................................................................................................28
6.7 Scenes ...............................................................................................................29
7Detailed Software Descriptions............................................................................... 30
7.1 Main Window......................................................................................................30
7.2 Property window.................................................................................................31
7.3 Control window...................................................................................................31
7.4 Plan view............................................................................................................31
7.5 Universe View.....................................................................................................32
7.6 Fixture View........................................................................................................32
7.7 Control Window.................................................................................................. 32
7.7.1 Network Items.................................................................................................32
7.7.2 Fixture Control ................................................................................................33
7.7.3 Universe Control.............................................................................................33

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7.7.4 Network Item Control ...................................................................................... 33
7.8 Toolbar Window..................................................................................................33
7.9 Property Window................................................................................................34
7.10 LOG....................................................................................................................34
7.11 Preferencee...........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.12 Universes ...........................................................................................................34
7.13 Fixtures...............................................................................................................34
7.14 Network Item ......................................................................................................35
7.15 Groups................................................................................................................35
7.16 Layout.................................................................................................................35
7.17 Remote Control .................................................................................................. 35
7.17.1 Web Interface.............................................................................................35
7.18 Customising the Software...................................................................................35
7.18.1 Lists............................................................................................................35
7.19 Filters .................................................................................................................36
7.19.1 Simple Filtering ..........................................................................................36
7.19.2 Advanced Filtering......................................................................................36
7.19.3 Multiple filters. ............................................................................................ 36
7.19.4 Autocomplete.............................................................................................36
7.20 Shortcuts............................................................................................................ 37
8Firmware Upgrade.................................................................................................... 38
9Fixture Library.......................................................................................................... 39
10Specifications........................................................................................................... 42
11Terminology ............................................................................................................. 43
11.1 DMX 512 ............................................................................................................43
11.2 DMX Universes...................................................................................................43
11.3 RDM...................................................................................................................43
11.4 ArtNet, sACN and Shownet ................................................................................43
11.4.1 Artnet .........................................................................................................43
11.4.2 sACN..........................................................................................................44
11.4.3 Shownet.....................................................................................................44
12Compliance Statements........................................................................................... 44

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User Manual
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1Introduction
1.1 Conventions used in this Manual
Throughout this manual, certain conventions have been used to make the meaning clearer.
•A word in Bold text represents a button
•Emphasis is indicated by underlining
•Notes or Hints are displayed in italic font
1.2 Overview
DMX is the industry standard for the transmission of digital control signals between lighting
equipment. The DMX512 specification defines that it can convey 512 channels on a single cable.
This is defined as 1 DMX Universe.
Many setups and installations require multiple universes so rather than running multiple cables
(one for each universe), protocols have been developed that allow multiple universes to be
transmitted over a standard Ethernet network. Two such protocols are:
•ArtNet.
•sACN (developed by ESTA)
•Shownet
The NEXUS range offers conversion between DMX512A and RDM signals to/from Ethernet and
currently supports Art-Net, Streaming ACN (sACN) and Shownet ethernet protocols.
Much more than your standard converter, the NEXUS range of both 1 and 5port interfaces allows
many other options such as a protocol conversion tool for today’s demanding shows.
The Nexus units are configured by the free NexLan software. The computer can also be used to
monitor the network operation and to test lighting fixtures by sending DMX signals to the network
for testing purposes.
1.3 Features
Using the free NexLan v2.1 software, any NEXUS DMX port can be configured to operate in a
number of modes such as:
•Standard DMX512A/RDM output from a selected Art-Net, Shownet or sACN Universe.
•HTP merge of three (3) selected Art-Net, Shownet or sACN Universes.
•SoftPatch merge of three (3) selected Artnet, Shownet or sACN Universes. Select three
(3) universes and merge individual slots using HTP, Priority, Control or Fade.
•Back-up. Assign an output to a Primary and a Secondary Universe. Auto switches from
Primary to Secondary on loss of the Primary Universe.
•Resend. Any merged port can be resent as a new Art-Net/Shownet/sACN Universe.
•DMX input. Send a standard DMX port to an Art-Net/Shownet/sACN Universe.
•DMX Backup. A special input that is only activated if the selected Main Universe is not
present.
•Full RDM control of a rig via Nexus Software or Art-Net RDM
This flexibility of configuration permits some very useful functionality such as:
•A simple Art-Net/Shownet/sACN to DMX512 converter.
•A Back-up switch for multiple Lighting Controllers.
•A DMX512 to Art-Net/Shownet/sACN converter.
•A DMX512/RDM Splitter.
•A DMX512 Backup.
•An Art-Net Backup.
•Merging of multiple universes on a channel by channel basis.

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1.4 Nexus 1
Nexus 1 is an Ethernet (Art-Net/Shownet/sACN) / DMX, bidirectional interface with 1 Ethernet
port and 1 DMX port. It is powered via “PoE” (Power over Ethernet).
1.5 Nexus 5
Nexus 5 is an Ethernet (Art-Net/Shownet/sACN) / DMX bi-directional interface with 2 Ethernet
ports and 5 DMX ports (that can be configured as a DMX splitter). It is mains powered and is
available in either rack mount or truss mount housings.
1.6 Nexlan Software
The NexLan software is used to configure and monitor the Nexus range of products.
The software is only necessary when you configure the Nexus products however you may also
use it to monitor the system and to control and test lighting fixtures without the presence of a
lighting console.
The software is a free download and is available on these platforms:
•Windows (XP and Vista).
•Apple Mac OS X (10.4 and up as universal binary).
The NexLan software and how to connect to the network is fully described in section 5 of this
manual.
1.6.1 Version 2.1
Version 2 of Nexus is a major upgrade supporting many new features including “triple merge per
port” and full sACN, and RDM support.
Version 2.1 includes support for Shownet and Vision.net. See the Strand lighting website for
details on Shownet and Vision.net.
Nexus units will only operate on version 2 of the Nexlan software when the Nexus firmware is
version 2. If you have any old Nexus units that are still using version 1 of the firmware you must
upgrade them to version 2. There are separate firmware upgrades for the Nexus 1 and the Nexus
5. These firmware updates can be downloaded from www.lsccontrol.com.au
Updating the Nexus firmware is performed using the “Firmware Update.exe” software that is
included in the Nexlan download.
Note: Upgrading the Nexus firmware to version 2 will destroy the configuration inside the Nexus.
Backup before installing the update.
See section 8 for details on how to upgrade the firmware.

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2Nexus Units
2.1 Nexus 1
2.1.1 Ethernet Port
The Ethernet port uses standard UTP network connections to an internal 10/100 Mbit Ethernet transceiver.
The port has MDIX auto sensing which means that cross over cables are not required.
This connection must also supply PoE (Power over Ethernet) to the Nexus 1.
Both versions of PoE (data-pairs/spare-pairs) are supported. Devices (such as network switches) that
provide PoE are available from most computer suppliers.
2.1.2 Ethernet LED
Indicates data activity on the Ethernet port.
2.1.3 DMX port
The XLR5 female DMX port is bidirectional (via programmable setup) with an internal terminator resistor
and is RDM (Remote Device Management) ready.
Pin
Description
1
Ground/Screen
2
Data -
3
Data +
4
-
5
-
2.1.4 DMX LED
The DMX LED indicates data direction and activity on the DMX port as indicated below:
LED Condition
DMX Data
Off
No input or output DMX data
Green
The port is configured as an OUTPUT and is sending DMX data.
Orange
The port is configured as an INPUT and is receiving DMX data.
2.1.5 Mode Button
See section 2.3 for details.
2.2 Nexus 5
Truss Mount Nexus 5
DMX Port
Ethernet Port
5 DMX Ports
2 Ethernet Ports
2 Ethernet Port LEDs
5 DMX Port LEDs
Power LED
MODE Button & LED
Ethernet LED
Mode Button
DMX LED
2 Ethernet Ports

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Rack Mount Nexus 5
2.2.1 Ethernet Ports
The two Ethernet ports use standard UTP network connections to an internal 10/100 Mbit Ethernet
switch. The ports have MDIX auto sensing which means that cross over cables are not required.
2.2.2 Ethernet LEDs
Each LED indicates data activity on its Ethernet port.
2.2.3 DMX ports
The five XLR5 female DMX ports are fully isolated bidirectional (via programmable setup) and
each have an internal terminator resistor. They are RDM (Remote Device Management) ready.
Pin
Description
1
Ground/Screen
2
Data -
3
Data +
4
-
5
-
2.2.4 DMX LEDs
The DMX LEDs (1 to 5) indicate data direction and activity on their respective DMX ports (1 to 5)
as indicated below:
LED Condition
DMX Data
Off
No input or output DMX data
Green
The port is configured as an OUTPUT and is sending DMX data.
Orange
The port is configured as an INPUT and is receiving DMX data.
2.2.5 Mode Button
See section 2.3 for details.
2.2.6 Mode LED
The Mode LED indicates that the Nexus is performing internal operations.
2.2.7 Power
Power input is 85-264 VAC 47-440 Hz 10VA max. A mains input IEC connector is provided at the
rear of the unit. The input is protected by a T0.5A Slow Blow fuse.
2.3 Mode Button
There is a single button on all Nexus models. This button has 3 functions:
2.3.1 Select
In setups where there are multiple Nexus units on the network you can use the button on the
Nexus to identify that Nexus in the NexLan software.
A momentary press of the button will cause that Nexus to become the “selected” device in the
NexLan software. This is most easily observed in the “Plan” window by a box appearing around
the Nexus icon when its button is pressed.
See also the “Identify” function in the NexLan software which will flash the LED indicators of a
Nexus to identify it.

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2.3.2 Defaults
Press and hold the button on the Nexus for 10 seconds. This will reset the Nexus to the default
settings that are listed below:
Nexus 1
DMX Port
Input/Output
Mode
Universe
1
Output
Single
0.0
Nexus 5
DMX Port
Input/Output
Mode
Universe
1
Output
Single
0.0
2
Output
Single
0.1
3
Output
Single
0.2
4
Output
Single
0.3
5
Output
Single
0.4