Glossary

MADRIX 5 makes it possible to control numerous LED fixtures, also of different kinds, and to position them according to your needs in nearly any form or shape. This could be LED walls, arch shapes, ceilings, stripes, tiles, dance floors, etc. You can control pixel by pixel [pixel mapping].

MADRIX 5 supports volumetric pixel rendering as well [voxel mapping]. That means, MADRIX 5 also allows you to control real 3D LED matrices. This approach is fundamentally different to the 3D projections or the physical layout of 2D surface areas that are widely known nowadays.

Art-Net is a communication protocol that allows to distribute DMX512 data over Ethernet network. Often, so-called Art-Net nodes then act as Ethernet-to-DMX512 converters and hardware interfaces. MADRIX LUNA is such an Art-Net node, for example.

Art-Net Remote refers to DMX512 input that is sent and received over Ethernet network.

Is another communication protocol for exchanging information, often used between media servers, lighting consoles, and visualizers.

Are network-based communication protocols to control compatible LED fixtures and classified as DVI-based output in MADRIX 5.

DMX512, often abridged to DMX, is an unidirectional communication protocol used mainly to control stage lighting, which uses 5-pin XLR connectors as defined by the standard. 3-pin connectors are also common, but not defined as standard connectors.
When working with DMX-based products, each fixture needs a specific attribution via its DMX channel and its DMX universe. With the specific DMX channel and DMX universe, the LED product can be identified directly for a correct communication with the fixture.

You can send or receive DMX512 data. DMX-IN refers to DMX512 input, which you can receive in MADRIX 5.

A total of 512 DMX channels is available per DMX universe. Each DMX channel is an individual control channel. Valid values range from 0 to 255, with a total of 256 values.

A DMX universe contains 512 DMX channels and represents 1 DMX line. To control more than 512 DMX channels, more than 1 DMX universe needs to be used. For example, 2 DMX universes represent 1024 DMX channels.

For example, you can control 170 RGB fixtures per DMX universe. That means, calculating 170 fixtures x 3 channels results in 510 DMX channels. Therefore, channel 511 and 512 will be left empty.
And if your are using more then 170 fixtures, those DMX channels will be assigned to a new DMX universe [e.g., DMX universe 2].

DVI is another way to output a video signal for your LEDs. Certain LED products use this type of communication. MADRIX 5 features 2 DVI outputs, which are 1-to-1 output windows. You can then send the DVI outputs to any graphics card port [such as, VGA, HDMI, DVI, etc.]. Other solutions use screen-capturing to capture such a DVI output window and send them to the LED controller via Ethernet.

Is a network-based communication protocol to control compatible LED fixtures and classified as DVI-based output in MADRIX 5.

When talking about an LED product, the specific product is often called fixture. When talking about fixtures, often you will automatically get the information about the number of color channels [e.g., RGB] and the number of pixels.

MADRIX 5 can send data out, but at the same time data can be sent to the software. That means data is sent to the MADRIX PC through various means [mostly USB or network]. MADRIX 5 can then be controlled remotely by you, or you can merge or use incoming signals, etc.

Is an identifier for devices that enables network communication. When using network protocols, it needs to be set up for each individual sender or recipient in the network.

KiNET, the Color Kinetics network protocol, is another communication protocol. It transfers data over Ethernet network as well. Only declared Color Kinetics products work with this type of protocol.

Is a proprietary communication protocol from MA Lighting between compatible products in a network.

MIDI is short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, a well-known technical standard that provides standardized ways for equipment to communicate. In case of MADRIX 5, MIDI can be used for MIDI Time Code, MIDI notes, or other MIDI hardware, such as DJ/VJ controllers.

OSC stands for OpenSoundControl. It is a widespread format to communicate between systems.

To control your LEDs, MADRIX 5 needs to send data to the LEDs. In this way it communicates with your controllers and/or your LEDs. This is referred to as output. There are different ways on how this process can work [e.g., protocols]. But most importantly, you need to configure which output method MADRIX 5 should use in order to control your LED products.

Is a proprietary range of products including communication protocol for personal wireless lighting made by Signify under the Philips brand.

A pixel refers to one lighting point. When using RGB LEDs, one pixel usually includes 1 [or 2] red LEDs, 1 blue LED, and 1 green LED. 1 control channel is required for each color [3 in total per pixel], but as a total they represent one pixel. LED fixtures often have a certain number of pixels per unit.

MADRIX 5 contains an effect generator as well as a graphics render engine that support pixel rendering for 2D effects and volume rendering for 3D effects.

Remote HTTP is a way to control MADRIX 5 remotely using standards known from the internet [HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol].

The acronym stands for Red, Green, Blue. The 3 colors are the main colors for additive color mixing of LED fixtures. As a result, a vast number of colors can be mixed.

The acronym stands for Red, Green, Blue, White. The 4 colors are also used for additive color mixing of LED fixtures. As a result, a vast number of colors can be mixed.

Streaming ACN or sACN or E1.31 is another communication protocol that allows DMX512 data to be transmitted over Ethernet. Data is broadcasted by MADRIX 5 to recipients in the network.

Is a technical grouping mechanism for network devices. When using network protocols, it needs to be set up for each sender or recipient in the network for correct data routing.

MADRIX 5 needs to know how your LED installation looks like and which fixtures you want to use. [You can use the Matrix Generator or the Patch for this task.] In the end you will have configured the virtual LED matrix with its total pixel count in X, Y, and Z set up as the Matrix Size as well as the position and location of each pixel or fixture. The virtual LED matrix represents your LED installation in MADRIX 5.

MADRIX 5 contains an effect generator as well as a graphics render engine that support pixel rendering for 2D effects and volume rendering for 3D effects.

Voxel is short for volumetric pixel. In addition to its pixel mapping features [2D], MADRIX 5 can control 3D LED matrices, which is called voxel mapping. Lighting effects are correctly mapped to each voxel of a 3D LED matrix.

5-Pin, Female

5-Pin Male

Pin Assignment

3-Pin, Female

3-Pin, Male

1 Ground

2 Data -

3 Data +

4 Spare

5 Spare