SPI LED Controller / LEC3 and SPI Matrix / Tutorials / Hardware

DMX Synchronization

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What type of customer can benefit from this solution?

DMX synchronization is ideal for installations that don’t require a dedicated PC on-site. The solution allows you to “synchronize multiple controllers that can each control from 1000 to 4000 pixels” using pre-loaded SD card animations in a standalone, offline configuration.

How can I play animations using DMX synchronization?

You have several triggering options:

Send HTTP commands to trigger scenes
Use Smart controllers (such as Shelly switches) with wall-mounted buttons via Wi-Fi
Access a web-based player from mobile phones or tablets on the same network
Since firmware version 3.54, “you can use DMX as trigger while still utilizing DMX Synchronization”

Mapping

Create pixel mapping by setting up the number of pixels each device controls and their position in your installation. Upload a background photo to trace LED strip positions in your real environment.

Export effects

Export effects separately for each controller since each has multiple outputs with different pixel counts. For SPI LED controllers, follow the animation creation tutorial. For LEC3 and SPI Matrix, upload effects directly without physically inserting SD cards.

DMX Patch cables

Connect devices using DMX channels. “The content playing from your controllers is synchronized with help of bunch of DMX channels and magic.” When using SPI LED Controllers, you’ll need RJ45 and XLR cables.

Which controllers are capable of utilizing DMX synchronization?

The master device must be either:

SPI Matrix
LED Ethernet Controller 3

You can also combine these with an SPI LED Controller in the chain.

How many pixels can I use with DMX synchronization?

The “standard recommended limit of 32 devices per single DMX line can also be applied in this case.” However, Ethernet synchronization is recommended for larger setups to avoid capacity limitations.

What is the limit for animations I can play from the devices?

Maximum of 255 animations per SD card. The LED Strip Studio software includes various chases and effects, and you can also use any video file format.

How can I customize the web based animation player?

Custom player design is available as a paid feature on request. The default player allows you to select animations and works perfectly fine.

Password locked settings

Protect web configuration by enabling the password option in the All Settings tab and setting login credentials to “prevent unwanted change of settings.”

What can I customize in the web player?

You can modify:

Logo
Tile or button sizes
Animation display names
Total number of displayed effects

Web configuration for LEC3 and SPI Matrix

Enable DMX synchronization in the Advanced settings tab
In the DMX tab, set DMX mode to “SD Card” for all devices

Settings file for SPI LED Controller

Since this device lacks Ethernet connectivity, export a Settings or Configuration file (.txt) containing all necessary information. In the LED Strip Studio Software, select “LSS SPI Settings” from the Other menu in Settings, then enable DMX Synchronization in the Advanced features section.