Where do you need Wireless DMX & Dimming for a price you can afford?

"We have been using RC4Magic wireless DMX for about 9 months and haven't had a single (NOT ONE!) issue. It is absolutely perfect in operation, you would never know there wasn't a cable running to the fixtures."

Josh Kass
East Valley Bible Church

- more RC4Magic users -

RC4Magic Series 2
Wireless DMX and
Low-Voltage (6V - 18V)
Wireless Dimming

RC4Magic Wireless DMX Toolkits are a great way to start building your wireless DMX system. Choose from the DMXtx transmitter, the DMXrx receiver, and the DMX2dim 2-channel wireless receiver-dimmer. Purchase any three in any combination for just $899US!

RC4Magic Series 2 components are also available individually. The tiny 2-channel DMX2dim dimmer is only 2.25" x 1.25" x 0.75" and includes a built-in radio receiver. You directly connect a battery and lamps, and start dimming!

See our price list and order online with PayPal.

 

"Just a quick note to say how impressed I am with RC4Magic wireless dimmers. They work a treat on our new production of Alcina, controlling a shield with over 71 Osram LED panels, and a tracking boat with quite a few more. The small size of the units amazes me and they are so easy to use. Top marks on a great product."

Colin Alexander
Head of Lighting
Opera Australia

- more RC4Magic users -

  • low-cost, secure and reliable wireless DMX
  • ideal for theatres, DJs, touring productions
  • eliminate tripping hazards and cables underfoot
  • rapid system setup, rearrangement, teardown
  • get DMX to hard-to-reach locations
  • get DMX to mobile, portable, or rotating devices
  • wireless remote dimming of lamps and LEDs
  • RF agency approvals for worldwide use

See our price list and order online with PayPal.

RC4Magic Series 2 Quicklinks:
__- RC4Magic Series 2 Technology
____- DMX Cable Elimination
____- Wireless Low-Voltage Dimming
____- Data and System Security
____- Power-Up Sequence and Radio Channel Assignments
__- RC4Magic Series 2 Equipment
____- RC4Magic Series 2 DMXio Transmitter
____- DMXio Receiver

____- DMX2dim Low-Voltage 150W 2-Channel Wireless Dimmer
____- DMX4dim Low-Voltage 150W 4-Channel Wireless Dimmer
__- More Information
____- Download the RC4Magic Summary Sheet PDF
____- Use our enquiry form to request additional information
____- See our price list and order using PayPal


DMX Cable Elimination
and Data Distribution

A pair of RC4Magic Series 2 DMXio units replaces a DMX data cable in lighting control applications. They work reliably to 200 feet (65m) or more inside theatres and other performance spaces. A DMXio is configured as a transmitter or receiver with the flip of a dipswitch.

Any number of DMXio receivers can be used. Thus, a multi-unit RC4Magic Series 2 system can take the place of splitters, isolators, and distribution boxes, providing superior electrical isolation while eliminating unsightly wiring.

As a transmitter, the DMXio decodes the incoming DMX universe, encodes and encrypts it, and broadcasts it using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) digital radio. Unlike wired DMX, the broadcast signal includes error checking and correction codes, and is not affected by minor interruptions and interference. DMX channels that are changing are allocated more bandwidth than channels that are not changing, but all channels are broadcast with appropriate speed, redundancy and accuracy.

As a receiver, the DMXio decodes the rf signal from the transmitter, rebuilds the DMX universe, and regenerates a standard DMX signal with the same number of channels and the same packet rate as the data going into the transmitter. DMX in and out are compliant with USITT DMX512/1990.

Wireless Low-Voltage Dimming

DMX2dim and DMX4dim receiver-dimmers decode the rf signal from the DMXio transmitter, rebuild the DMX universe, and send user-assigned DMX channel levels to built-in low-voltage dimmers. Channel assignments are made with recessed pushbuttons. In addition to DMX channel, each dimmer can also be assigned a linear, inverse-square-law (ISL), or non-dim dimming curve. Linear is ideal for MR16s and other incandescent or halogen lamps; ISL is ideal for LEDs.

Any number of DMX2dim and DMX4dim receiver-dimmers can be used in an RC4Magic Series 2 system.

Data and System Security

Every RC4Magic Series 2 device is factory programmed with three unique system IDs, plus a public ID. These numbers are indicated on the outside of each unit. Only RC4Magic Series 2 units operating on the same ID number will communicate with each other. Many RC4Magic Series 2 systems can operate in the same space, each providing a separate DMX universe of 512 channels. With a DMXio configured as a transmitter on each private ID, three separate 512-channel wireless universes can be broadcast. Up to 15 universes, each on their own ID, can operate in the same space. Multiple users can combine units to create one large wireless DMX system by using the public ID.

When adding new receivers to your RC4Magic Series 2 system, be sure to tell us your ID numbers.

Power-Up Sequence and
Radio Channel Assignments

When an RC4Magic Series 2 DMXio transmitter first powers up, it scans the 2.4Ghz radio band, which supports many radio channels, looking for the channel with the least activity. It then sets itself to operate on that channel and begins transmitting encoded DMX packets using the user-selected ID number.

When an RC4Magic DMXio receiver first powers up, it scans all 2.4GHz radio channels looking for encoded signals from a DMXio with a matching ID number.

If a receiver does not detect valid data from a matching transmitter for 10 seconds, the start-up scan procedure is repeated. Thus, if the transmitter has been turned off and back on (or there has been a power failure) and it is now transmitting on a different radio frequency, the receiver will reconnect after a brief period.

Many RC4Magic Series 2 systems can operate at the same time in the same space, and each system will provide a separate 512-channel wireless DMX universe. In a space with little or no other radio activity, there is enough space in the 2.4GHz band to support fifteen RC4Magic Series 2 systems, each with any number of receivers and/or dimmers. Even in crowded rf environments there will usually be enough bandwidth for three or more RC4Magic systems to operate simultaneously.

 

RC4Magic RF Specifications
Indoor/Urban Range: up to 300' (100 m),
200' (66 m) typical
Outdoor Line-of-Sight Range: up to 1 mile (1.6 km)
Transmit Power Output: up to 100 mW (20 dBm) EIRP,
limited to 10dBm output for use in Europe and Japan

RC4Magic DMX Protocol Compliance
DMX inputs and outputs comply with USITT DMX512/1990(4us).
Packets with non-zero start codes are not transmitted; RC4Magic cannot transfer proprietary data or RDM packets. (RDM functionality is expected to be added in future firmware updates.) DMXio receiver output closely mimics DMXio transmitter input, providing the same number of DMX channels and the same number of packets per second (pps).
Minimum number of DMX channels per packet: 1
Maximum number of DMX channels per packet: 512
Minimum packet-per-second rate: 12pps (slow rates used only when incoming dmx is slow)
Maximum packet-per-second rate: 44pps with 512 channels, 10000pps with 1 channel


RC4Magic DMXio - Transmitter Mode

The DMXio input is compliant with USITT DMX512/1990(4us), with no internal termination. If you are putting the DMXio at the end of a long DMX cable, a terminator plug should be used.

Power can come from the supplied wall transformer or batteries. A small pack of 6 AA batteries can be used for portable operation with, for example, a DMXter, Pocket Console, or other battery powered DMX signal source.

In many cases, the DMXio can be connected right at your lighting console or other controller, before your DMX signal continues to other devices in your system.

Line-of-sight is not required for RC4Magic, but dense objects between RC4Magic units - like concrete walls - will attenuate the radio signal and reduce the available range.

The DMXio is optionally available with a high-gain whip antenna. Choose this upgrade for better pentration through walls and other obstructions, or to operate over greater distances. Note, however, that most applications do not require this.

 

DMXio Specifications
RF Specifications as indicated above. Hidden internal antenna.
Dimensions: 3.4” x 2.2” x 1.6” nominal
(approx. 86mm x 56mm x 40mm)
Power Input: 8VDC – 12VDC, 500mA
standard 2.1mm power receptacle, center positive

Transmitter Mode
Only 1 DMXio transmitter should be operated on each system ID.
DMX Input: meets USITT DMX512/1990(4us)
with 1-second data hold after dropout
NO INTERNAL DMX TERMINATION
DMX Output: straight-thru hardware connection
from DMX input to output

Receiver Mode
Any number of DMXio receivers may be used in a system.
DMX Output: meets USITT DMX512/1990,
closely mimics DMX data coming into the associated DMXio transmitter, providing the same number of DMX channels with the same number of packets per second
Power Input: 8VDC – 12VDC, 500mA
standard 2.1mm power receptacle, center positive


RC4Magic DMXrx - Receiver Mode

Any number of DMXio receivers can be used in an RC4Magic Series 2 system.

The DMXio output is compliant with USITT DMX512/1990. If you are putting the DMXio at the beginning of a long DMX cable run, a terminator should be used at the end, just as you would do with any DMX network. For short cable runs, termination is often unnecessary.

Power can come from the supplied wall transformer or batteries. A small pack of 6 AA batteries, or a 9V or 12V battery, can be used for portable operation.

It can take up to 10 seconds for a pair of DMXio units to connect and begin outputting useful DMX data.

 

DMX2dim Receiver-Dimmer Specifications
RF Specifications as indicated above. Hidden internal antenna.
Any number of DMX2dim receiver-dimmers may be used in a system.
Dimensions: 2.4” x 1.4” x 0.8” nominal
(approx. 61mm x 36mm x 20mm)
Power Input: 6VDC – 18VDC (12V typical), 70mA minimum,
screw terminal connections
Dimmer Outputs: 2 individual dimmer channels, each with
assignable DMX channel and dimmer curve,
screw terminal connections
Dimmer Technology: MOSFET PWM (pulse-width-modulation)
maximum pwm resolution 14-bit (16,384 steps)
maximum output power per dimmer 10A
maximum total device output power 15A

MAXIMUM TOTAL OUTPUT POWER IS LIMITED BY CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE SIZE. User changeable Bussmann ATC load fuse should not exceed 15A and should be fast-blow type.


RC4Magic DMX2dim Receiver-Dimmer

The DMX2dim is very small and includes a built-in radio receiver and 2 low-voltage pulse-width-modulation dimmers. Any number of DMX2dim receiver-dimmers can be used in an RC4Magic Series 2 system.

The radio receiver operates identically to the DMXio in receiver mode. It can take up to 10 seconds to connect to the transmitter and begin powering the dimmer outputs.

Screw terminals are provided for connection of the power supply (+/-DC IN) and load devices (+/-DimA and +/-DimB). The supply powers both the internal electronics and the connected loads. Dimmers use high-frequency pulse-width-modulation, switching on the negative side of the circuit.

The most common power supply is a 12V sealed lead-acid rechargeable battery. The maximum voltage for the DMX2dim is 18V (12V nominal). A user-accessible Bussmann ATC-series fuse protects the connected wiring and loads and is in the positive side of the circuit. The maximum fuse size is 15A (ATC-15), and must be the fast-blow type. Always use the smallest possible fuse value for the connected load, and be sure the wire gauge you are using is suitable for the fuse rating chosen.

 

DMX4dim Receiver-Dimmer Specifications
RF Specifications as indicated above. Hidden internal antenna.
Any number of DMX4dim receiver-dimmers may be used in a system.
Dimensions: 3.15” x 1.55” x 0.8” nominal
(approx. 80mm x 40mm x 20mm)
Power Input: 6VDC – 18VDC (12V typical), 70mA minimum,
screw terminal connections
Dimmer Outputs: 4 individual dimmer channels, each with
assignable DMX channel and dimmer curve,
screw terminal connections
Dimmer Technology: MOSFET PWM (pulse-width-modulation)
maximum pwm resolution 14-bit (16,384 steps)
maximum output power per dimmer 10A
maximum total device output power 15A

MAXIMUM TOTAL OUTPUT POWER IS LIMITED BY CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE SIZE. User changeable Bussmann ATC load fuse should not exceed 15A and should be fast-blow type.


RC4Magic DMX4dim Receiver-Dimmer

The DMX4dim is very small and includes a built-in radio receiver and 4 low-voltage pulse-width-modulation dimmers, making it ideal for multi-channel LED color-mixing. Any number of DMX4dim receiver-dimmers can be used in an RC4Magic system.

The radio receiver operates identically to the DMXio in receiver mode. It can take up to 10 seconds to connect to the transmitter and begin powering the dimmer outputs.

Screw terminals are provided for connection of the power supply (+/-DC IN) and load devices (+/-DimA,B,C, and D). The supply powers both the internal electronics and the connected loads. Dimmers use high-frequency pulse-width-modulation, switching on the negative side of the circuit.

The most common power supply is a 12V sealed lead-acid rechargeable battery. The maximum voltage for the DMX4dim is 18V (12V nominal). A user-accessible Bussmann ATC-series fuse protects the connected wiring and loads and is in the positive side of the circuit. The maximum fuse size is 15A (ATC-15), and must be the fast-blow type. Always use the smallest possible fuse value for the connected load, and be sure the wire gauge you are using is suitable for the fuse rating chosen.

 

"I used the RC4Magic for our production of Witches of Eastwick at Signature Theatre. It was so easy to use and it worked perfectly every night. I used it to control a motor and three 12V lamps in an electric fireplace. I had the receiver behind a heavy velour drape and we also had 21 wireless body mics in use at all times and I never had any issues with interference.

"I'm very pleased with this purchase and am glad that I did not buy that other more expensive, bulkier brand."

Sarah LaRue
Master Electrician
Signature Theatre
Arlington, VA

- more RC4Magic users -

Coming Soon: DMX4dim-500 and DMX4dim-1K high-power 4-channel dimmers in small packages. Call or email for details!

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download the RC4Magic Summary Sheet PDF

Use our enquiry form to request additional information, including the RC4Magic User Manual and Quick Start Guide

WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF BATTERIES, DIMMERS, AND LOADS MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODES. Low voltage circuitry can be dangerous because of high-currents: 500W as 12V draws over 40A and requires a large wire size to minimize heating. RC4 Wireless devices and equipment are operated at the user's own risk and RC4 Wireless accepts no liability, either direct or consequential, resulting from the use of this equipment.

R080417.1