Smartstring system without active hub?

[lortiz]

Hi,

I plan to buy and use just a few Smarstrings for 2012 and I have a question regarding the use of SmartStrings system without the use of the active hub.

Can I use the Etherdongle or PixelNet dongle to go directly to a 4 port 'passive hub' and then drive 4 strings from there ? I know I must provide +12V into the passive hub.

Leo

[rrowan]

The short answer to your questions is: Yes

The Active hub does two things. First its a 16 port splitter and second it outputs DMX

So the 4 port should work fine for your needs.


Rick R.

[chrisatpsu]

the only thing to worry about, which shouldn't be a problem at first...

the 4 port hub, only connects to pins 1&2  which would be the 1st universe of the etherdongle (4k of the 16k channels)
so whatever is connected to that 4 port hub would be in that channel range.

[lortiz]

That is good news.

Regarding the universe, with the use of the 'Lynx Combiner' I'd be able to use 1 passive hub per port (or 4 total) for a total of 16 Smartrings ports to use.

I wonder if RJ could consider a 'Pixelnet Out' port in the next version of the passive hub PCB. This would be icing on the cake and a lot of added user flexibility in the Smartrings system.

Leo

[RJ]

No on the four port since that is not its primary role. It is for splitting a already existing hubs output in to four.

The 16 port passive that is coming out next will have passthrough for the pixelnet. It will not be active repeating so there is some limits on it but they are minor and having to do with how many can chain and how far they can go.

RJ

[lortiz]

16 port passive ? Very nice addition to the system.

Looking forward to this.

Thanks

Leo