Show Tec DMX Tester User manual

1 Product Description
This is a Professional DMX Tester with many useful functions. There are 8 main function modes
provided for user’s application: DMX packet test, DMX data—RX, DMX data—TX, Moving light, Save
Cue (Scene), Cable test, MIDI data—RX and System setup. The unit also offers built-in chargeable
batteries for user’s convenient operation. To optimize the performance of this product, please read this
Manual carefully to familiarize yourself with the basic operations.
2Notice Information
 When unpacking, please check the unit is not damaged. If something wrong has happened to
this product, contact the local dealer immediately.

All rights reserved. No part of this manual included with this product can be reproduced or
transmitted in any form, by any means or for any purpose, without authorized permission.
Warning
• Keep the unit dry, do not expose it to water or high levels of humid.
• Do not open this unit, there is no user serviceable part inside.
• Turn off the power if not using this unit for a long time.
• Any strong shocks or vibration may result in malfunction.
• Do not attempt to dismantle or modify the unit.
• This unit must only be operated by adults, do not allow children to play with it.
3Product View
1. LCD Display: To display relevant menus, settings or function modes.
2. Multi-Selector: To select desired menus, function modes or used to finish relevant settings.
3. Power Input: To input main power via this port.
4. DMX IN: 3-pin & 5-pin male XLR sockets.
5. DMX OUT: 3-pin & 5-pin female XLR sockets.
6. MIDI IN: MIDI signal can be input via this male socket.
24-004-1247 Rev 1.0

4OperationGuide
This product can be used in various lighting conditions to meet user’s requirement. It provides a 4×20
characters LCD which gives user more convenience for easier operation.
User can rotate the multi-selector gently to enter relevant function modes or to achieve desired
settings. Rotating the multi-selector clockwise can select further menu or increase relevant value,
while rotating the multi-selector anti-clockwise can select the previous menu or decrease relevant
value. Press the multi-selector can enter the selected menu or save your setting.
The power of this unit can be supplied by the built-in chargeable batteries or a DC 9V adapter. The
battery will be charged automatically when using the DC 9V adapter for power supply. Charging the
battery fully needs 3-5 hours or so, and the battery can supply the unit for almost 6-8 hours.
Turn on the power switch, the unit will be powered on and the LCD display will show you as below :
If there is no timely operation upon the multi-selector within about 5 seconds, the above menu will
automatically go forward to the main menu of function modes display:
Rotate the multi-selector
clockwisetoviewthe
nextpage
Rotatethemulti-selector
anti-clockwise to return
4.1 DMX packet test
Use the multi-selector to select the DMX packet test item, then press the multi-selector to enter.
Pressthemulti-selector
Press again to return
• User can use the multi-selector to select and enter relevant submenus of Data format, Data
timing and Data level (volt). If there is no effective signal input, entering any one of these three
submenus, the LCD will show you the same information as below:
<DMX packet test:
Receive no signal
?
=== SHOWTEC ===
DMX TESTER
REV 1.23
Copyright 2004 >
↑Save Cue (Scene) >
Cable test >
MIDI data -- RX >
System setup >
< DMX packet test : >
1. Data format >
2. Data timing >
3. Data level (Volt) >
<DMX packet test >
DMX data--RX >
DMX data—TX >
↓Moving light >
<DMX packet test >
DMX data--RX >
DMX data—TX >
↓Moving light >
2

• Use the multi-selector to select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector, the LCD will show you details:
(If there is an effective input signal for this unit, user can then do some DMX packet tests as below)
4.1.1 Data format
• Use the multi-selector to select the Data format item, and press the multi-selector to view the
total channels of external operator and the states of BREAK when receiving signals. The LCD
will show you the channel information of the connected DMX operator.
(For example, here the connected external DMX operator is the DC-1216II of NCW )
<T-BOX 512 tester help
No signal or signal
not complying with
USITT DMX-512 (1990)
<Data format : ?
RX-Chan: 192
Break: --OK--
Signal present
total channels o
f
DC-1216II
• Use the multi-selector to select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD
will show you as below:
<Data format :
Indication of --OK--
means: Received
signal is good
(Pressing the multi-selector again will return to the previous menu)
4.1.2 Data timing
• Use the multi-selector to select the Data timing item, and press the multi-selector to enter the
further menu. User can view relevant parameters, including BREAK, MaB, START CODE,
CHAN TIME and Period Time. The LCD will show you relevant information:
( Here the connected DMX operator is also DC-1216II. )
<Data timing: ?
BK: 135μS MaB: 016μS
StartCode : 000 dec
Chan. Time : 053μs >
All the parameters
can be shown here.
3

• Select the “>”, and press the multi-selector for further information, LCD-display will show you
“Period : 036 ms” on the fourth line of the current display.
• Use the multi-selector to select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD
will show you as below:
4.1.3 Data level ( Volt )
• Use the multi-selector to select the Data level (Volt) item, and press the multi-selector to enter
further menu. LCD will show you the information about signal voltage.
( Here the connected DMX operator is also DC-1216II. )
• Use the multi-selector to select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD
will show you as below:
( Press the multi-selector again to exit from the current menu. )
4.2 DMX data—RX
• Use the multi-selector to select the DMX data—RX item, and press the multi-selector to enter.
Three submenus are listed as below shows:
<DMX data RX
1. Barchart display
2. Value display
3. Min/ max display
>
>
>
<3. Data level
Reception may still
be possible with
lower level.
<Data level ( Volt ) ?
--good-->
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
█
▪▪▪
Level = 4.44 V
<2. Data timing :
Break min. 88μs
MaB min. 8μs
Chantime min. 44μs
• There are two display modes available: Normal mode and Hold Mode. This two modes can be
selected for application in the DMX setting item (submenu of System setup function mode).
For the Normal mode, when pushing the fader to the specific channel of the external operator (e.g.
DC-1216II ), relevant channel value will change temporarily on the LCD display, conforming with
the position of the fader.
4

For the Hold mode, when pushing the fader to the specific channel of the external operator (e.g.
DC-1216II ), only the adjustment of higher channel value can be held and displayed on the LCD.
Adjustment of lower value will be of no effect in this Hold mode.
4.2.1 Barchart display
• User can use the multi-selector to enter the Barchart display submenu. If there is no signal input,
the LCD will show you empty information like below:
<RX Channel : 000 ?
>001 : xxxxx xxxxx
011 : xxxxx xxxxx
021 : xxxxx xxxxx
Each line on the LCD display indicates the values of totally 10 channels. And user can use the
multi-selector to browse and view the values of other channels.
• If there is an effective input signal to this unit, the LCD will show as the following barchart display:
<RX Channel : 192 ?
>001 :
011 :
021 :
• Select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you as below:
<1. Barchart display
chan level
x = no signal
– = no data
(Eachbarchartindicatesdifferentvalues)
4.2.2 Value display
• Value display can be done in three patterns: Decimal, Hexadecimal or Percent. These three
patterns can be selected as user’s requirement in the Display setting item (submenu of the
System setup function mode).
• Use the multi-selector to enter the Value display menu. If there is no effective signal input, the LCD
will show you empty information as below:
< RX Channel 1 : 000 ?
Start Channel : 001 >
--- --- --- --- ---
>--- --- --- --- ---
The default channel value is 000 and the start channel is normally 001. To change the start channel,
user can select “>” at the right side of the LCD screen, press the multi-selector and then rotate it to
change the channels from 001 to 512. Press the multi-selector again to confirm your setting.
5

• If there is an effective input signal, the LCD display will show you like the following diagram:
<RX Channel : 192 ?
Start Channel : 001 >
253 255 255 000 000
>000 000 000 000 000
User can select the “>” at the left side of the LCD screen, and then press the multi-selector to
select decimal, hexadecimal or percent display mode as requirement. The displayed value of the
relative channel will be temporarily changed according to the new setting.
• Select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you as below:
<2. Value display
Display ten number
in decimal, hexadeci-
mal or percent
4.2.3 Min / max display
• In this menu, the minimum value, typical value and maximum value can be displayed on the screen.
Relevant values will comply with the decimal, hexadecimal or percent display mode, which you
have set for use.
Suppose that you have set the percent display mode, if there is no signal input, LCD will show you:
<RX Channel : 000
Chan. min typ max
>001 --- --- --- %
>Count at : xxxxx Sec
• If the signal input has been received correctly, LCD display will show you the follow diagram:
Time counter
for reference.
(Sec=second)
<RX Channel : 192
Chan. min typ max
>001 000 28 70 %
>Count at : 00010 Sec
Total channels
To browse and view the value of each channel, user can select the “>” at the third line on the LCD
display. press the multi-selector, and then rotate it to view desired values.
Note: Pressing the “>” near the Count at item, the time will return to 0 second level. The min value
and the max value will be changed to the same level as the present typ value (the present value of
relevant channel).
6

4.3 DMX data—TX
• In this function mode, relevant parameters can be set for data sending. While accessing this DMX
data—TX menu, the new coming DMX signal will be disabled. You will be allowed to set the levels
temporarily for the intended channels, and also have priority to transmit the Cue (Scene) at a set
rate. There are only 15 Cues available.
• User can use the multi-selector to enter the DMX data—TX function mode, LCD will show you:
<1. 512 Channel >
2. Single Channel >
3.Cue/Memory >
4. Run Cues (Scenes) >
4.3.1 512 Channel
• In this 512 Channel submenu, 512 channels can be displayed and be used for temporary
adjustment. The actual channel value can be held. User can use the multi-selector to enter this
item, LCD will show you like below:
<1. 512 Channel ?
Mode : Modify mode
Chan : 001 >
↓Data : 000 = 000 % >
To adjust the temporary value of the desired channel, first enable the multi-selector to “>” at the
third line on the LCD screen. Then adjust the "Data" at the fourth line. Relevant value can be
displayed in decimal and percent patterns.
• User can scroll the multi-selector to enter the next page. LCD will show you like below:
↑Channel : >[ 001 -- 010 ]
000 000 000 000 000
000 000 000 000 000
Clear All >
Channel 10
Channel 2
Channel 1
Relevant values can be set availably. Move the cursor to the desired channel, then use the multi-
selector to set the value. After your setting, press the multi-selector to confirm your operation.
• If user want to set all channels to be “000”, just activate the “Clear All” function by using the
multi-selector. Select the “>” at the bottom right corner of the screen, press the multi-selector, then
there will be a “Clearing” information appears on the LCD display. About 2 seconds later, all the
channel values will be changed as “000”.
• Select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you as below:
<1. 512 Channel
Modify = Each
channel will hold
its preset value
7

4.3.2 Single Channel
• In this Single Channel menu, there are Auto Speed, Channel, Mode and Level items which can
be set as user’s requirement. The Speed level can be set from 01 to 10. Fade Only, Fade Fine,
Auto On/ Off, Ramping and Stop functions can be selected in the Mode item. To be concerned.
Note: Only in the Auto On/Off mode, or in the Ramping mode can the Auto speed function be
available. When in other modes, the Auto speed function will be of no effect.
• When entered the Single channel menu, LCD will show you like the following diagram:
?
>
>
>
<Auto Speed : 01 >
Chan : 001
Mode : Fader Only
Level : 000 = 000 %
• Select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you as below:
<2. Single Channel
512 data is same, or
one data is special
the other is zero
4.3.3 Cue /Memory
• In this Cue/Memory menu, the received data can be saved as Cues. There are 15 Cues available
for use. Using the multi-selector to enter this menu, LCD will show you like this:
<3. TX data as Cue ?
Cue number: 001 >
Use the multi-selector to change the Cue number from 001 to 015. After your setting, press the
multi-selector to confirm your operation.
• Select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you as below:
<The 512 data of cue
come from RX or from
old cue which can be
modified in ‘TX-512’
8

4.3.4 Run Cues ( Scenes )
• When entered this menu, user can transmit Cues continuously at a specific rate. LCD shows you:
<4. Run Cues(Scenes) ?
Total Cue : 1
End Cue: 15 >
Speed rate : 01 >
Default End Cue No.
Default Speed rate
The default start cue is Cue 1. User can adjust the end Cue No. and speed rate ( 01 -10 ) by the
multi-selector.
• Select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you as below:
<4. Run Cues(Scenes)
From cue 1 to the
end cue continually
in speed rate
4.4 Moving light
• When entered this Moving light function mode, the LCD-display will show you as below:
<Moving light :
1. Library setting ＞
2. Play mode ＞
• User can set the function of each fixture channel complying with the preset library. The library is
preset to meet your requirement in general. If you want to use your own library, please mail us an
attachment of the information for updating. For more tests, user can use the “library settings” and
can adjust relevant parameters of each channel in the Play mode.
4.4.1 Library setting
• To set the light function of desired channel, user can use the multi-selector to enter this menu. LCD
will show you the fixture number, name and functions of each channel. There are 36 channels and
10 kinds of fixtures in all for relevant settings. And each channel has 29 effect functions to be
selected availably.
<1. Library setting ＞
FX No. : 01 NAME_1 ＞
01 Color 02 Cyan
03 Dimmer 04 Effect
Library stored
9

• User can select desired fixture and set the fixture name. Relevant function of each channel can
also be set by using the multi-selector. After your setting, user can select the “>” at the top right
corner of the screen, then press the multi-selector to confirm.
• To change the fixture name, move the cursor to the“>” at the second line on the screen, and press
the multi-selector. Then user can use the multi-selector to set relevant characters as desire. After
that, press the multi-selector to confirm your setting.
• To change the lighting function of desired channel, for example, move the cursor to 01, and press
the multi-selector. Then use the multi-selector to set desired function item. After your setting, press
the multi-selector again to confirm your operation.
• User can rotate the multi-selector to view the next page:
05 Focus 06 Frost
07 Gobo 08 Gobo rot
09 Inten'ty 10 Iris
11 Lamp 12 Laser
21 Speed CG
23 Speed PT
25 Strobe
27 Tilt Fine
22 Speed P
24 Speed T
26 Tilt
28 Yellow
14 Pan
16 Prism
18 Rot spel
20 Special
13 Magenta
15 Pan fine
17 Reset
19 Shutter
30 --------
32 --------
34 Cyan
36 Frost
29 Zoom
31
-----------------
33 Color
35 Dimmer
If user want to set lighting function of this unit for testing other lighting equipments, you must make
sure the parameters you have set must be complying with the device to be tested.
4.4.2 Play mode
• In this menu, user can test the fixtures by using the previous library settings. Use the multi-selector
to enter the Play mode, LCD-display will show you like below:
>
>
>
<2. Play mode
FX No. : 01 NAME_1
Start address : 001
Func. : Color
>000
Part 2
Part 1
As the above diagram shows, user can move the cursor to “>” ( part 1) to select desired function
item with the multi-selector. Move the cursor to “>” ( part 2) to set desired value. The Start address
can be adjusted from 001 to 512. Suppose that the Start address is set as “001”, and the function is
selected as “Pan”, complying with the specific fixture. Then change the level, the fixture arms will
rotate horizontally at your disposal.
Note: User can move the cursor to the “>” at the second line, and use the multi-selector to select
relevant fixtures or to select the CH-TEST(channel test) item. If user have chosen the CH-TEST
item and have pressed the multi-selector to confirm. The information of “Func. : ch_01 >000>” will
appear at the fourth line of the screen. That means relevant channels (up to 36 channels) and
channel values can be set as user’s desire.
10

4.5 Save Cue (Scene)
• User can use the multi-selector to enter this function mode, LCD will show you like below:
<Save Cue ( Scene ) ?
as Cue no. : 001
Confirm
>
>
• The default Cue number is 001, the Cue number can be changed from 001 to 015 as user’s
requirement. Select the “>” at the third line on the screen, and press the multi-selector to confirm
your setting.
Note: Select the “>” at the second line, press the multi-selector, then scroll the multi-selector till the
“Clear all Cues” information appears on the screen. Then press the multi-selector and move the
cursor to the “>” at the third line, press the multi-selector again, the LCD will ask you “ Be sure?
Yes> No> ”.User can then press the Yes “>” to confirm, Press the No “>” to cancel. If you
select Yes and press the multi-selector for confirmation, the LCD will show you “Stored OK!”
• Select the” ?”, then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you as below:
<Save Cue (Scene)
The cue with 512 da
-ta can be stored to
memory or clear cues
4.6 Cable test
• In this function mode, user can test the cables. The cable test can be done in digital mode or
analog mode. When entered this function mode, LCD will show you as below:
<Analog cable test >
Connect cable to
both sockets, press
Start ! >
• The default test mode is analog mode. Select the “>” at the first line, then press the multi-selector to
switch between the digital mode and the analog mode. Use standard DMX Input/Output sockets for
cable connection. Make sure the connection is OK, then select the “>” at the fourth line to start the
Cable Test. If the cable works well, LCD will show you:
<--- Cable Test ---
Result successful !
-> TESTOK!
11

• If the cable does not work well, LCD-display will show you as below:
<--- Cable Test ---
Result:
-> Cable not OK
4.7 MIDI data—RX
• In this function mode, the MIDI data can be tested. ( MIDI signal can be input via a 5-pin male XLR
socket provided by this unit). If the cable isn’t connected well, when entered this function mode,
LCD will show you:
<MIDI data – RX:
$
• If there is effective signal input, and the cables are connected well, the LCD will show you like this:
<MIDI data -- RX
$ FE FE FE FE FE FE
FE 43 00 45 00 FE
90 43 00 FE FE FE
“FE” means
NULL signal
4.8 System setup
• When entered this function mode, the LCD-display will show you as below:
>
>
>
<System setup :
1. DMX setting
2. English
3.Display setting
(User can enter relevant submenu by using the multi-selector )
4.8.1 DMX setting
• Using the multi-selector to enter this submenu, LCD will show you like this:
<Start code TX : 000
Display: Normal
Input Pin : －2 : +3
? Confirm
>
>
>
>
12

• The Start Code can be changed from 000 to 255 . The Normal mode and Hold mode can be
selected by the multi-selector as user’s requirement .
• The “Input Pin” can be changed by the multi-selector between “-2 +3” and “+2 -3”. However,
this adjustment will comply with the receiving signals, which can be normal or reverse.
• User can select the “>” at the fourth line on the screen, then press the multi-selector to confirm your
settings. If you select the” ?”, and then press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show
you as below:
<1. DMX setting
Startcode TX : 00-FF
Display Hold mode
Input normal : -2 +3
4.8.2 English
• This unit supports 5 languages for convenient operation, including English, German, Spanish,
French and Italy. The default language version is English. User can use the multi-selector to
choose the desired language version, and then press the multi-selector to confirm.
Note: The system language can be only changed temporarily when powered on. If user restart the
unit, the system language is still the English version.
• If user want to keep your language version setting always available for use, you can store the
setting into memory. For example, if you want to change the language version as German, firstly
you must set the language, and then use the multi-selector to enter the DMX setting submenu or
the Display setting submenu. After that, select the “>” at the fourth line of the screen, press the
multi-selector to confirm your setting. Then the German language version will be always available
for use even if you restart the unit.
4.8.3 Display setting
• User can use the multi-selector to enter the Display setting menu, the LCD-display will show you:
>
>
>
>
<Contrast_ level : 06
Back Light : off
Display : percent
? Confirm
• The Contrast level of brightness can be set from 01 to 10 as user’s requirement.
The Back Light of the unit can be set as “on” or “off” status by using the multi-selector. If user set
the back light as “on” function, then the back light will go out in 15 seconds. Trigger the
multi-selector again, the back light will light up immediately. If user set the back light as “off”
function, then the back light will be always in the “off” status.
The Display mode can be selected as Decimal, Hexadecimal or Percent.
Note: All the above settings can be done by using the multi-selector. If user want to save your
settings for available usage, you must select the “>” at the fourth line on the screen to confirm your
settings respectively. (If there didn’t confirm relevant setting, the settings will be canceled and be of
no effect when restart the unit next time.)
13

• User can select the” ?”, and press the multi-selector for help information, LCD will show you more
details as the following display:
<3. Display setting
Contrast_level : 1-10
Back Light : On./Off
dec, hex or % data
5Specifications
Power supply …………………………………………………………………………………..DC 9V, 500mA
DMX In………………………………………………………………………3-pin &5-pin male XLR sockets
DMX Out …………………………………………………………………3-pin &5-pin female XLR sockets
MIDI Input……………………………………………………………….….…….………...XLR socket (male)
Dimensions……………………….…………………………………………………………...200×160×55mm
Weight…………………………………………………………………………….……………………….1.2 kg
14