User’s Manual
208 General Concepts
GENERAL CONCEPTS
This section covers some lighting basics as well as introducing you to NEO's main concepts and computer
terminology required to use the software.
1. Lighting Concepts
DMX System
DMX 512 is an EIA-485 based communications protocol and is the standard protocol by which lighting control desks
communicate with lighting equipment.
The DMX 512 protocol is a stream of data that is sent via a cable system connected between the console (NEO) and a
data receiver, which could be anything ranging from a basic light to intelligent lights, smoke machines, etc.
NEO uses the standard DMX512 protocol to communicate with the equipment it controls. DMX is connected to the
NEO software via either a USB-DMX512 connection or Ethernet to DMX converters.
Developed by the Engineering Commission of USITT, the standard started in 1986, with subsequent revisions in
1990 leading to USITT DMX512/1990. In 1998 ESTA began a revision process to develop the standard as an ANSI
standard, including a Public Review process. The revised standard, known officially as "Entertainment Technology -
USITT DMX512-A - Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for Controlling Lighting Equipment
NEO Console
Dimming Racks
DMX512 Network
LED / Conventional / Automated Luminaires
DMX512 Network
DMX512 Network
System Concept
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