DMX512-D Pixel Protocol
DMX512-D is the differential (RS-485) variant of the open DMX512 standard, driving individually addressable RGB and RGBW pixels over a balanced two-conductor pair (Data+ and Data-).
Specifications
| Clock Type | Differential DMX (Dual Wire) |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | Yes |
Strengths
- Balanced differential (RS-485) signalling gives strong noise immunity and supports long cable runs, which is why DMX512 is a mainstay of stage and architectural installations.
- Individually addressable pixels can be wired as either RGB or RGBW (both supported in the source row), suiting tunable-white or warm-white designs alongside full-colour effects.
- As an open, widely-implemented standard, DMX512-D interoperates across a large ecosystem of consoles, controllers and fixtures rather than locking a project to one vendor's IC.
Limitations
- The source row does not specify colour resolution, pixel voltage, PWM/refresh rate, on-camera suitability, physical package or a redundant data line, so none of those are stated here; confirm them against the specific DMX512 IC or fixture, including whether its PWM rate is comfortably flicker-free at your target frame rate.
- Standard DMX512 runs at a fixed 250 kbit/s with 512 channels per universe, so large RGB or RGBW pixel counts consume universes quickly and require multiple data lines or a controller that manages many universes.
Overview
DMX512-D applies the open DMX512 lighting standard (ANSI E1.11) to addressable pixels. Data is carried as asynchronous serial over a balanced RS-485 differential pair (Data+ and Data-), and the signal is self-clocking: the receiver recovers timing from the data stream itself, with no separate clock conductor. The balanced differential signalling gives strong noise immunity over long cable runs, which is why DMX is a mainstay of stage and architectural installations. Fixtures are individually addressable and can be wired as RGB or RGBW. The source row does not specify pixel voltage, colour resolution, PWM rate, on-camera suitability, physical package or a redundant data line, so none of those are asserted here; confirm them against the specific DMX512 IC or fixture, including whether its PWM rate is comfortably flicker-free at your target frame rate. ENTTEC pixel controllers (OCTO 71521, PIXELATOR MINI and MK2 70067/70068, DIN PIXIE 73539, PLINK Injectors) drive a wide range of pixel protocols; contact ENTTEC about any chip not listed.
Compatible ENTTEC controllers
Sku: 71521
Sku: 73539
Sku: 70067
Sku: 70068
Sku: 73-545
Sku: 73924
Sku: 71031
ENTTEC has been engineering lighting control in Australia since 1999, and shipping LED pixel controllers since the original Pixelator in 2014.