> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help3.depence.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help3.depence.com/depence-hardware/modules/depence-logic-module/logic-module-items/network-dmx.md).

# Network DMX

## Network DMX Input (ArtNet, sACN, CITP, Sig-Net)

The **Network DMX** tool group of the Logic Module provides four input objects that let Depence receive incoming DMX data from the network and feed it into the DMX buffer:

| Object                | Protocol            | Typical use                                        |
| --------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Input DMX ArtNet**  | Art-Net 4           | Receiving DMX from Art-Net nodes/consoles          |
| **Input DMX sACN**    | sACN (E1.31)        | Receiving DMX via sACN/E1.31 (multicast)           |
| **Input DMX CITP**    | CITP/MSEX           | Receiving DMX from visualizer/media server streams |
| **Input DMX Sig-Net** | Sig-Net (encrypted) | Receiving DMX via the encrypted Sig-Net protocol   |

All four objects follow the same basic principle: they receive DMX data for a freely selectable universe range and write it into the shared DMX buffer according to a configurable **merge mode**. This allows external controllers (lighting consoles, media servers, other visualizers) to be brought live into the 3D visualization.

{% hint style="info" %}
These objects are **inputs**. They receive data from the network. For sending DMX out to the network there are separate output objects.
{% endhint %}

***

### Common behavior

#### Universe range

Each object receives a contiguous range of DMX universes. This is defined by two properties:

* **Start by Universe** – the first universe to receive.
* **Universe Count** – the number of universes received starting from the start value.

The currently configured range is shown directly on the Logic Module node, for example:

```
Univ: 1 to 16
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
The counting of the start value differs depending on the protocol. Art-Net starts at **0** by default, while sACN, CITP and Sig-Net start at **1**. When patching, make sure the universe range set here matches the universe numbers of your fixtures.
{% endhint %}

#### Status output

Each object has an output connector **Status**:

* Value **1** as long as data was received for at least one universe of the range in the current frame.
* Value **0** if no data was received.

This can be used, for example, to build a "signal present" indicator or to trigger logic as soon as an external console is sending.

#### DMX Merge Mode

The **DMX merge Mode** determines how the received values are merged with other DMX sources (cues, other network inputs, etc.) in the buffer:

| Mode                                 | Behavior                                                             |
| ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **LTP** *(Latest Takes Precedence)*  | The most recently changed value wins. Default setting.               |
| **HTP** *(Highest Takes Precedence)* | The highest value wins.                                              |
| **Overwrite**                        | The network value overrides other sources with the highest priority. |

{% hint style="info" %}
**LTP** is the default setting and the right choice for most use cases. **HTP** is suitable, for example, for merging multiple dimmer sources. **Overwrite** forces the network source to take precedence.
{% endhint %}

#### Enabled

**Enabled** turns reception on or off:

* **Enabled:** The object receives and processes data. For sACN and Sig-Net it additionally joins the corresponding multicast group.
* **Disabled:** Reception is stopped and the associated buffer range is reset. For sACN and Sig-Net the multicast group is left again.

{% hint style="warning" %}
By default **Enabled = False**. The object only receives data after you have enabled it.
{% endhint %}

***

### Input DMX ArtNet

Receives DMX data via **Art-Net 4**.

#### Properties

| Property              | Description                     | Range                 | Default |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------- | --------------------- | ------- |
| **Enabled**           | Enable/disable reception        | On / Off              | Off     |
| **Start by Universe** | First received Art-Net universe | 0 – 32767             | 0       |
| **Universe Count**    | Number of received universes    | 1 – 1024              | 16      |
| **DMX merge Mode**    | Merging in the buffer           | LTP / HTP / Overwrite | LTP     |

{% hint style="info" %}
Art-Net counts universes **0-based**. The first universe is therefore `0` by default.
{% endhint %}

***

### Input DMX sACN

Receives DMX data via **sACN (E1.31)** using multicast.

#### Properties

| Property              | Description                                     | Range                 | Default |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | ------- |
| **Enabled**           | Enable/disable reception (incl. multicast join) | On / Off              | Off     |
| **Start by Universe** | First received sACN universe                    | 1 – 32767             | 1       |
| **Universe Count**    | Number of received universes                    | 1 – 1024              | 16      |
| **DMX merge Mode**    | Merging in the buffer                           | LTP / HTP / Overwrite | LTP     |

{% hint style="info" %}
sACN uses **multicast**. When enabling, as well as when changing the start universe or universe count, Depence automatically joins or leaves the corresponding multicast groups. Make sure your network (switches/routers) properly supports multicast and IGMP.
{% endhint %}

***

### Input DMX CITP

Receives DMX data via **CITP/MSEX**, typically from media servers or other visualizers.

#### Properties

| Property              | Description                  | Range                 | Default |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------- | ------- |
| **Enabled**           | Enable/disable reception     | On / Off              | Off     |
| **Start by Universe** | First received universe      | 1 – 255               | 1       |
| **Universe Count**    | Number of received universes | 1 – 255               | 16      |
| **DMX merge Mode**    | Merging in the buffer        | LTP / HTP / Overwrite | LTP     |

{% hint style="info" %}
For CITP, the start universe and universe count are limited to the range **1–255**.
{% endhint %}

***

### Input DMX Sig-Net

Receives DMX data via the encrypted **Sig-Net** protocol using multicast. Unlike the other protocols, a **passphrase** is additionally required here.

#### Properties

| Property              | Description                                     | Range                 | Default   |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | --------- |
| **Enabled**           | Enable/disable reception (incl. multicast join) | On / Off              | Off       |
| **Start by Universe** | First received Sig-Net universe                 | 1 – 32767             | 1         |
| **Universe Count**    | Number of received universes                    | 1 – 1024              | 16        |
| **Passphrase**        | Key for decrypting the Sig-Net stream           | Text                  | *(empty)* |
| **DMX merge Mode**    | Merging in the buffer                           | LTP / HTP / Overwrite | LTP       |

{% hint style="warning" %}
The **passphrase** must match the sender's passphrase exactly. If the passphrases do not match, the packets cannot be decrypted and **no** DMX values are received.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Sig-Net uses **multicast** and is **1-based** (universe 1 corresponds to the first multicast address). When enabling, as well as when changing the start universe or universe count, the multicast join or leave happens automatically. The join is self-healing: if it was not yet possible when loading the project, it is performed automatically as soon as the connection is ready.
{% endhint %}

***

### Step by step: setting up an input

1. Drag the desired object from the **Network DMX** tool group into the Logic Module.
2. Set **Start by Universe** and **Universe Count** to match your patched fixtures.
3. Choose the **DMX merge Mode** (when in doubt, use **LTP**).
4. For **Sig-Net only:** enter the sender's **passphrase**.
5. Set **Enabled** to *On*.
6. Check the **Status** output or the visualization to see whether data is arriving.

{% hint style="success" %}
As soon as valid data is received, the **Status** output shows the value **1** and the received DMX values appear in the 3D visualization.
{% endhint %}

***

### Troubleshooting

* **No data visible:** Check whether **Enabled** is on and whether the configured universe range matches the universe numbers of your fixtures.
* **Wrong universe offset:** Mind the different counting – Art-Net starts at `0`, sACN/CITP/Sig-Net at `1`.
* **sACN/Sig-Net receive nothing:** Make sure multicast/IGMP works in the network and the correct network interface is used.
* **Sig-Net receives nothing:** Verify that the **passphrase** matches the sender's exactly.
* **Values "flicker" or jump:** Check whether multiple sources are driving the same universe, and choose an appropriate **merge mode** (e.g. **Overwrite** so the network source takes precedence).