SMART SHOW NetBuddy Quick start guide

NetBuddy Installation & Use
Introduction
NetBuddy is dual purpose device, it can be an Art-Net-to-DMX interface, or it can reverse the data direction and become a DMX-to-Art-
Net interface. In Art-Net-to-DMX mode, it is capable of creating a single universe differential DMX output from Art-Net over a ired
Ethernet net ork. In DMX-to-Art-Net mode it can take an existing differential DMX universe and send it as Art-Net data to a selected IP
address. In either mode Device IP and Universe settings are adjustable directly from your Bro ser interface, or from a USB/Serial
Application. Additionally, in DMX-to-Art-Net mode, a Target IP Address is settable. A single 3-pin DMX output connector is provided to
connect directly to your target DMX system, and a DMX gender reverser is supplied hen the DMX is required to be an input.
Specifications
IEEE 802.3 compatible Ethernet Controller, Integrated MAC and 10BASE-T
Bro ser Configuration Server and UDP Client modes
Isolated RJ45 Ethernet Connection
Single Universe Art-Net II & III decoding DMX512 data, outputting @ 40fps typical
Single Universe DMX512 encoding to Art-Net II & III, outputting @ 40fps typical
Parts Supplied
NetBuddy Interface, 1 x USB-MiniUSB cable (po er, config & firm are upload), 1 x Ethernet Cable, 1 x DMX Gender Reverser
Product Connections
LAN Ethernet Connection
The NetBuddy can be configured for almost any IP setting, although a default IP of 192.168.1.202 is supplied ith the unit. In
general this ill be a similar IP to your home router/hub, therefore the NetBuddy can be connected directly to one of your router LAN
Ports. Once connected it can be accessed from a PC that is also connected to that same Net ork.
Device Configuration
It is possible to configure your device in one of t o ays, either directly from your PC Bro ser (if you are on a 192.168.1.x net ork)
or via a Serial Configurator using the USB connection, this is useful for directly setting to an alternative net ork.
Browser Configuration Mode
To access the Bro ser Configuration, the NetBuddy must be put into CONFIGURATION mode. Configuration mode is available for the
first 8 seconds after po er up, during this time the devices IP address ill be sho n in the display. To activate Configuration mode you
should open your PC bro ser (most bro sers are supported) and type into the URL bar 192.168.1.202 and press return, hitting the
return ithin the 8 second indo ill activate Configuration mode and ill sho a 'C' on the display (If you allo the 8 seconds to
elapse ithout any user intervention then the NetBuddy ill go directly into its main mode of operation 'A' or 'd'). As long as the PC and
NetBuddy are connected to the same net ork at 192.168.1.202 the configuration interface should appear as follo s:
Interface Data Direction
Select either 'Art-Net->DMX' or 'DMX->Art-Net' depending on ho you ant the device to act.
[SA E] Ne Data Direction settings ill take immediate effect after they are saved to the NetBuddy.
Ethernet Settings & IP Configuration
MAC Address: This is not adjustable and is a unique number of the supplied unit
Device IP: It is possible to set the IP Address of the NetBuddy to almost any value. Many Art-Net devices ill use standard
IP addresses of 10.x.x.x or 2.x.x.x, only values of 0-254 can used, 255 is not allo ed.
SubNet Mask: Normally this should be left at 255.255.255.0, hich ill cover most applications.
Target IP: (available only in DMX-to-Art-Net mode) This is the IP of here you ant to Art-Net data to be sent. Only the last
digit is editable, the rest of the IP should match the Device IP as the target should also be on the same net ork.
Target IP - Broadcast Mode: Setting '255' for the value ill allo the device to Broadcast
[SA E Configuration] Ne IP Setting ill not ork until NetBuddy has its po er cycled or a Reboot (belo )
Art-Net Settings
Universe: Set to any value in the range 0-15
[SA E Configuration]: Ne Art-Net settings ill take immediate effect after they are saved.
REBOOT DE ICE
Pressing [REBOOT DEVICE] ill restart the NetBuddy interface (a bit like cycling the po er)
Serial Configuration Mode - Set-Up
Firstly, you ill need to install the correct CH340 serial driver for all NetXX devices, these can be found at :
Windo s 7 - http:// .arduined.eu/tag/ indo s-7/
Windo s 8 - http:// .arduined.eu/ch340- indo s-8-driver-do nload/
Once installed, connect the NetBuddy via the USB connection and allo the driver install to complete.
Make a note of the serial port number for the device (see Device manager/Com Ports/CH340 device)
If you havent already got a Serial Communications application, e recommend HTComm for simplicity.
You can find HTComm at http:// .hobbytronics.co.uk/ht-comm
Set the PORT number to the ComPort that the NetBuddy is connected to
The serial communications use serial settings of 9600 N/8/1, so set Baud to 9600
Ensure that the checkbox for [CR] is set, to allo a carriage return to be sent after any communications
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NetBuddy Installation & Use
Serial Configuration Mode - Use
To access the Serial Configurator, the NetBuddy must be put into Configuration mode. Configuration mode is available for the first 8
seconds after po er up, this is sho n as the devices IP address on the LED display. To activate Configuration mode you should type '?'
in the HTComm chat indo and press return, hitting the return ithin the 8 second indo ill activate Configuration mode and ill
sho a 'C' on the display (If you allo 8 seconds to elapse ithout any user intervention then the NetBuddy ill go directly into its
normal streaming mode 'A' or 'd'). In response to sending a '?' the device ill respond ith its Device Settings, and a Function Guide:
*********** DEVICE SETTINGS **********
MAC Address CA:EF:FF:1E:22:34
Device IP 192.168.1.2 2
SubNetMask 255.255.255.
Target IP 192.168.1.67 ← only available in DMX-to-Art-Net mode
Starting Uni (Net) (Subnet) (Uni)
Data Direction DMX->ARTNET
*********** FUNCTION GUIDE ***********
'i192.168.1.2 1<CR>' Change local IP
's255.255.255. <CR>' Change SubNetMask
't1 <CR>' Change Target IP
'u <CR>' Change Start Uni
'a<CR>' Change to Art-Net->DMX Mode
'd<CR>' Change to DMX->Art-Net Mode
'r<CR>' Reboot device
'?<CR>' Display settings & help
'$RESET<CR>' Reset Defaults & Reboot
***(ensure <CR> is enabled on send)***
For example, pressing 'i2. . .1' and pressing return ill change the device IP to 2.0.0.1
When setting Target IP (DMX->Art-Net mode) only the last IP number should be entered (tNNN)
Private Wired Network Connection
It is highly recommended that you move the NetBuddy a ay from your home net ork and onto a private ired net ork connected
directly bet een your PC and the NetBuddy device. Generally your home net ork (192.168.1.x) could have lots of traffic that could
affect the consistency of Art-Net data, and may cause disturbances ithin your DMX data.
To move NetBuddy to a direct- ired net ork follo these instructions (MS Windo s):
Go to Control Panel, select Net ork and Internet, then select Net ork and Sharing Center
In the left hand column, click on 'Change Adapter Settings', 'Local Area Connection' should be sho n, double click on it
Under the 'Net orking' tab, select the line that says 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)', then click 'Properties'
Click the radio button beside 'Use the follo ing IP address'
Enter your required IP address & Subnet mask (255.255.255.0) in the fields provided
NOTE : The IP SubNet Address entered here MUST match the NetBuddy IP subnet for communications to ork
Leave the DNS Settings blank, click OK then click Close
Plug in the NetBuddy (if you haven't already done so)
Multiple Device Connections
If required you can add several NetBuddy devices to your net ork and have them controlled from the same application. Each
NetBuddy ould need to have a different IP address (x.x.x.1, x.x.x.2, x.x.x.3 etc) and be added to your application as a ne device
and patched accordingly. Your Ethernet connection can be split into several outputs using a simple and inexpensive Ethernet s itch.
Art-Net Unicast & Broadcast mode
It is recommended that Unicast mode is used hen sending Art-Net data to the NetBuddy.
ArtNet Broadcasts are also accepted, but not recommended
Art-Net Device Discovery & DHCP
There is the ability to discover IP addressing and device Information using ArtPoll, IP Scan is available on most soft are, if
unavailable, addressing can be done manually as described above. There is no DHCP function as IP addressing is Static, utilising client
port 6454.
Dimensions
Length : 68mm (plus DMX cable) – Width 24mm – Height 24mm
Software Compatibility
NetBuddy orks ith all free and commercial Art-Net compatible soft are.
Firmware Upgrades
From time to time e may issue revised firm are for our products. The latest firm are can be uploaded to any of our products using
the Xloader tool plus the latest HEX file for the product. Please ensure that the firm are file matches the product you are do nloading
to.
XLoader can be provided on request or do nloaded from our ebsite .smartsho .lighting
Unpack the zip file and run the XLoader executable
Select the '…' bro se button and navigate to the hex file, and select it
Select the device as 'NetWS/SPI/DMX Art-Net Interface'
Select the COM port hich the NetBuddy is connected to (see Device manager/Com Ports/CH340 device)
Leave the BaudRate as 57600 and press UPLOAD
Once the upload is complete, there ill be a notification
NOTE : Do not attempt to run XLoader and HTComm simultaneously.
Power Supply
It is recommended that you use a quality USB po er source ith this product, a mains plug-in variety is best, and it is good to avoid
using a phone charger type as these generally have eak current supply
Technical Support
email : sales@smartsho .lighting
Art-Net Designed by and Copyright Artistic Licence Holdings Ltd
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