1) sACN in Plain English
sACN (ANSI E1.31) carries DMX512 over standard Ethernet. Each universe still has 512 channels, now transported via switches, copper, and fiber.
Why it works well on real shows:
- Scales cleanly: add universes with network capacity and switches.
- Multicast/Unicast: multicast for one-to-many, unicast to keep traffic lean.
- Priority handover: receivers follow the higher-priority source—seamless main/backup.
- Switch-friendly: IGMP snooping prevents multicast floods.
2) sACN vs Art-Net: When to Prefer Which
Choose sACN for robust multi-controller handover, predictable network behavior, and large-rig scaling. Art-Net remains popular and often runs alongside sACN for compatibility.
3) A Clean sACN Network Recipe
- Gigabit managed switch with IGMP snooping (and querier if it’s the only L2 device);
- Dedicated VLAN and consistent IP plan (e.g., 10.10.0.x);
- Prefer PoE or locking AC power to avoid accidental pull-outs;
- Patch universes in the console/software, mirror them on the node;
- Test each port and label everything.
4) Product Line: CR041R MK II (4-Port) & CR011R MK II (1-Port)
4.1 CR041R MK II — 4 Ports, Bi-Directional, Triple Power
- Bi-directional conversion: Art-Net/sACN ↔ DMX512 with four independently configurable ports.
- Triple power options: PowerCON AC, PoE (locking RJ45), and 5V Type-C.
- 1.8″ color TFT + 4-button UI with Home/Network/DMX Universe menus.
- Per-port modes & merge: Direction (In/Out), Protocol (Art-Net/sACN), Merge (HTP/LTP), plus sACN priority merge.
- Mounting: standalone, truss (M10), horizontal/vertical wall-mount.
4.2 CR011R MK II — 1 Port OUT, Type-C Power Only
- Positioning: lightweight node for a single DMX universe output;
- Ports: 1× DMX OUTPUT;
- Power: Type-C 5V only;
- Use cases: small shows, pop-ups, test benches, showrooms.
5) Real-World Scenarios
- Dual-console redundancy (CR041R): main at priority 100, backup at 101; seamless takeover (sACN Priority Merge).
- Fast universe expansion (CR041R): one controller sends sACN/Art-Net; CR041R fans out four DMX lines.
- Single-zone pop-up (CR011R): tradeshow/small stage; one Ethernet + Type-C power.
6) Quick FAQ
- Do I need IGMP for sACN multicast? On larger networks, yes—IGMP snooping keeps traffic from flooding unused ports.
- Does CR041R support per-port HTP/LTP? Yes.
- sACN priority merge supported? Yes—the higher-priority source wins.
7) Wrap-up & CTA
Moving from legacy DMX to networked control? Start with clean switching/VLANs, then pick the right node: CR041R MK II for multi-universe/backup rigs; CR011R MK II for lightweight single-zone jobs.
Contact: info@pknightpro.com / pknightpro.com.