The same goal: DMX over a network cable
A DMX universe is 512 channels sent about 40 times a second. An XLR cable carries only one. Art-Net and sACN wrap these universes in network packets (UDP): one RJ45 cable, or Wi-Fi for the screens, carries dozens of universes to the nodes, which output plain DMX to the fixtures.
Art-Net
Created by Artistic Licence, Art-Net is the most widespread: almost every node and every piece of software speaks it.
- sent as unicast (straight to each node, which is what Halyx does) or broadcast;
- node discovery (ArtPoll): the software finds them on the network by itself;
- RDM over the network: find fixtures, change their address or mode;
- ArtSync: all universes change at the same instant, with no skew between nodes;
- universes numbered from 0 on many nodes (port 1 = universe 0).
sACN (E1.31)
sACN is an ANSI standard (Streaming ACN), common with large console manufacturers.
- sent as multicast: each universe has its own group address, several receivers listen without configuration;
- per-source priority: two consoles (or a backup) can send the same universe, the receiver takes the higher one;
- universes numbered from 1.
Which one?
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| One or two nodes, small network | Art-Net, unicast: simple and universal |
| Many receivers, managed network | sACN multicast |
| Backup console or two sources | sACN, for priority |
| Older or entry-level node | Art-Net, the most compatible |
Halyx speaks both. The protocol is chosen in Outputs; the output patch (which universe on which port) doesn't change from one protocol to the other.