Guide · EUROLITE DXT Pixel Art-Net Node IV
Pixel strips with a EUROLITE Node IV.
Every pixel in SDC lands on the right LED on your strips.
The one thing to understand
The EUROLITE DXT Pixel Art-Net Node IV has one output. On the Node IV's web page, under Data input, you set which universes it takes its pixel data from (Universe 1 to Universe 4).
It takes its pixel data from up to 4 universes in a row, and all strips on the output are chained one after the other. So in SDC, all the strips for the Node IV are added in one go. SDC then puts them in one long row, the same way they are chained on the output.
What you need
- ·A Windows PC running SDC
- ·A EUROLITE DXT Pixel Art-Net Node IV on the same network as the PC
- ·Addressable pixel strips, for example WS2815
- ·The Node IV's web page open in a browser. From the factory it is at http://192.168.1.20
How pixels fill a universe
A DMX universe has 512 channels. An RGB pixel uses 3 channels, and SDC never splits a pixel between two universes. The Node IV skips channels 511-512 the same way, so it reads the pixels exactly where SDC puts them.
A standard 5 m RGB strip at 60 pixels per metre has 300 pixels, so it uses 2 universes:
- ·Universe N: pixels 1-170 (channels 1-510)
- ·Universe N+1: pixels 171-300 (channels 1-390)
Node IV settings
Example: 2 strips, 300 pixels each, RGB, WS2815. The Node IV takes up to 680 pixels, so it can drive two 300-pixel strips (600 pixels), chained one after the other. A third strip does not fit. The 600 pixels use universes 1-4: 170 pixels in each of universes 1-3 and 90 pixels in universe 4.
Data input is the factory setting. Art-Net 1 on the Node IV is SDC universe 1. Click save at the bottom of the page when you are done.
Must match the Color Mode you choose in SDC: 3 for RGB, 4 for RGBW. If it does not, the colors go wrong from the second pixel onwards.
The number of pixels the Node IV sends to the strips. Set it to the number of pixels on your strips (600 here). If it is lower, the last pixels stay dark.
Every universe marked Use must reach the Node IV, or the strips do not update at all. If your strips need fewer than 4 universes, turn Use off for the ones you do not use.
Adding the strips in SDC
Add the strips. Open Add Fixtures and set Fixture Type to Pixel Strip, Pixel Count 300, Color Mode RGB, Fixtures Number 2, DMX Universe 1 and Starting address 1. Click Add fixtures.
Send the universes to the Node IV. Open Settings and click Art-Net Routing. Under Universe routing, choose the Node IV for Universe 1 to Universe 4. If the Node IV is not listed under Devices found on network, type its IP address in the IP field and click Add.
The strips are chained on one output, so the second strip starts right where the first one ends. SDC places the strips the same way when you add them in one go.
Check it
- ·On the Node IV's web page, under Pixel output, Calculated number of pixel should show 680.
- ·Under Data input, the Art-Net fields for Universe 1 to Universe 4 should be green while SDC sends to them. Reload the page to see it.
- ·Under System, Device Load should stay under 90%. Above that, the Node IV may not keep up its refresh rate.
Quick troubleshooting
Nothing lights
Check that every universe marked Use has a green Art-Net field, that Art-Net Net and Subnet are 0, and that the universes are routed to the Node IV in SDC's Art-Net Routing (step 2).
The last pixels stay dark
Cap LED output to is set too low. Set it to the number of pixels on your strips.
The colors are wrong from the second pixel onwards
Colors per pixel does not match the Color Mode in SDC. Set it to 3 for RGB or 4 for RGBW.
The second strip does not follow on from the first
The strips were added one at a time in SDC. Delete them and add them again in one go (step 1).