SETTING THE STARTING ADDRESS
This DMX mode enables the use of a universal DMX controller device. Each fixture requires a "start address"
from 1 to 512. A fixture requiring one or more channels for control begins to read the data on the channel
indicated by the start address. For example, a fixture that uses 6 DMX channels and was addressed to start on
DMX channel 100, would read data from channels: 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105. Choose start addresses
so that the channels used do not overlap, and note the start address selected for future reference.
If this is your first time addressing a fixture using the DMX-512 control protocol, we suggest jumping to the
Appendix Section and reading the heading “DMX Primer”. It contains very useful information that will help you
understand its use.
Set the start address using the group of DIP switches located usually on bottom of the fixture. Each dip switch
has an associated value. Adding the value of each switch in the ON position will provide the start address.
Figuring out which switches to toggle ON given a specific start address can be accomplished by determining
which switch values will add up to the address value, and turning these switches on. Do so by doing the
following:
1) Determine the largest value switch that is less than the start address. Turn this switch on.
2) Subtract the value of the switch you just turned on from the starting address number.
3) Determine the largest value switch that is less than the remainder from the previous subtraction. Turn this
switch on.
4) Subtract the value of the switch you just turned on from the remainder of the previous subtraction.
5) Repeat steps three and four until you have a remainder of zero.
EXAMPLE STARTING ADDRESS
Address 10
Switch # 4 = 8
Switch # 2 = 2
Total = 10
13456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
13456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
13456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
13456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
13456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
12222223456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
Address 24
Switch # 5 = 16
Switch # 4 = 8
Total = 24
123456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
123456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
123456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
123456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
123456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
123456789
ON
OFF
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
Resolving address
using simple math.
Address 233
233 – (128) = 105, Turn ON Dip # 8
105 – (64) = 41, Turn ON Dip # 7
41 – (32) = 9, Turn ON Dip # 6
9 – (8) = 1, Turn ON Dip # 4
1 – (1) = 0, Turn ON Dip # 1
DIPSWITCH
(DMXVALUE)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
DMX QUICK REFERENCE CHART
Vue™ 4.1 User Manual 14 7/11/2008 11:57 AM