Wireless DMX systems?

M

Matt Vivlamore

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Jan 11, 2011
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www.meerkatsound.com
I think I am going to buy a Wireless DMX system for my Lighting Rig. Only because I don’t want to run cables anymore more.

I have 2 lighting trees with a pair of lights on it, and I am going to add 4 more lights to the rig (4 lights per stand); I also want to purchase 2-6 for the “battery powered Wifi lights” to place randomly around the stage. The plan mount the Wireless-DMX Receiver onto the tree cross bar and then link the 4 lights together.

Another question; is Chauvet D-Fi cross compatible with Blizzard wiCICLE wireless DMX system?

I like the wiCICLE receiver because I can tape it on the bar with the cables much easier than the square box from Chauvet. For the Battery DMX lights I am looking at the Chauvet Freedom Par better because it is an All-In-One unit, where at the Blizzard Puck Unplugged you need to add the wiCICLE receiver.
 
Re: Wireless DMX systems?

The D-Fi and wiCICLE do not appear to be compatible. Among other potential differences, they use slightly different parts of the 2.4GHz spectrum according to the specifications shown by the manufacturers. The number of promiscuous devices (cell phones, tablets, etc) that will be emitting RF in quantity might be an issue, but it will take some time to determine

The really groovy units use a piece of the 900MHz spectrum that is license-free, but there are a limited number of channels available in this band. The Chauvet D-Fi Plus is one example. Other devices (including one Lectrosonics system) use these channels. Because the 900MHz has better behavior with obstructions, it's popular for industrial and commercial uses so again, an on-site evaluation might be in order. The 900MHz systems seem to be more expensive than the 2.4G units, too. The Uber-Groovy units like W-DMX (made in Sweden, distributed in USA by Creative Stage Lighting) use dual frequency radios (2.4 & 5.8GHz), frequency hopping spread spectrum RF and offer some cool (and expensive) capabilities.
 
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Re: Wireless DMX systems?

Glad you found the info useful. ;)

Our summer stock theatre has tried most of the wireless DMX systems. IIRC they use the City Theatrical system. Were Blizzard dealers but they're not ones to offer up demo gear or I could give you a better idea how well their system works.
 
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