ELC calls this unit the Checker Handheld DMX512/RDM toolbox, but unlike your father's toolbox, this one is digital. It does fit easily in the hand and it is battery operated, making it truly handheld, and it does work with both DMX512 and RDM. But what, exactly, does it do? ELC
ELC is a 14-year-old company based in the Netherlands, and their products are entirely focused on lighting control and distribution. Their first and probably best known products were the Focus Hand and Focus Brain wireless DMX remotes. They recently opened a U.S. headquarters office in the Detroit area where they keep stock (Cast North America, Inc., ELC US Headquarters, 237-A Dino Drive, Ann Arbor, MI; 734.253.2148). In North America they are distributed by Leprecon (U.S.), Audio Acústica y Electrónica (Mexico) and Global Showbizz (Canada).
The Checker is 5.69 inches long by 2.9 inches wide by 1.75 inches tall (14.5cm by 7.4cm by 4.4cm) and it weighs about 14 ounces (0.4 kg). On its face is a matrix of 16 backlit keys (four by four) and they are real contact switches, not membrane switches or soft switches. The switches, labeled 0 through 9, E, F, +, ï¼Â, → and @, are used for keypad data entry and follow the same syntax as a typical lighting console. The Checker also has a three-line backlit LCD display above the keypad and a small encoder wheel on the side of the unit. The encoder wheel is used to scroll up and down through the display and it also serves as a pushbutton selector.
On the top of the unit is an ON/OFF pushbutton switch and a USB port, which serves as both a battery charger (it comes with a cable and a variety of electrical connectors for different countries) and as a port to upload and download data. On the bottom on the unit are two 5-pin XLR connectors, one for the input and one for the output.
It also comes with a belt clip that can be attached to the back of the unit. The housing is made of sheet metal and it is powder-coated with silkscreen printing.
Functions
When you first turn it on, the displays quickly cycles through the software version (we were testing V1.23) and the battery status ("charging" or "charging done"), and then it goes directly to the menu of options. These are: 1. Send DMX; 2. View DMX; 3. Fixture Test; 4. RDM Control; 5. Show Playback; 6. Show Record; 7. Cable Test; 8. Dipswitch; and 9. Options.
Send DMX
The send function is a handy way to test cables and instruments and to use for general troubleshooting. The keypad entry works just as you would think – enter the channel number or combinations of channels using the +, ï¼ and → (through) keys and set the level using the @ key and a single number for the level (e.g., 5 = 50 percent). You can also use the encoder to quickly select the channel number or the level and pressing the encoder toggles between the two selections. The display shows the command line as you enter data.
View DMX
The View DMX function is a great troubleshooting tool. It shows you the DMX data coming into the DMX port in a bar graph, percentage, or decimal value, and it also analyzes several parts of the data. You can display the amount of time that has passed since you have been monitoring the data, the number of frames, number of DMX channels and several parts of the DMX data packet including the length of the Break, Mark After Break (MAB) and each frame in microseconds, the refresh rate in frames per second and the voltage levels of the data. This information comes in handy when you are troubleshooting compatibility issues between consoles and devices.
Fixture Test
If you have ever had to test a multi-parameter fixture like an automated light with a handheld tester, you will certainly appreciate this function. It has a library of fixtures that can be called up in order to test and set individual parameters. For example, you can choose from one of eight High End Systems fixtures stored in the library. The library is not exhaustive, but new fixtures can be added using the fixture editor, which can be downloaded from the ELC website. The Fixture Test function can help save loads of time when you are working with multi-parameter fixtures because you won't have to refer to the user manual or DMX chart to call up certain parameters.
RDM Control
Although we didn't have an RDM-capable fixture to test this function, it appears simple and straightforward – it discovers RDM fixtures, records the Unique Identifier (UID), model, manufacturer, label, software version, mode, slot footprint (number of control channels), number of sensors and more. It also allows you to set certain parameters like the DMX start address, the mode, lamp function, etc.
Show Record/Playback
These two functions allow you to capture a live stream of DMX and record it as a show for later playback. Up to 99 shows can be recorded and played back and the maximum capacity is 1 GB. Shows can be played through once or they can be looped indefinitely. The show files are compatible with ELC's ShowStore and MiniStore recorders, so you can save your files to ShowStore or MiniStore and you can download files from them as well. When you connect Checker to a computer, it appears as another storage device, which enables you to use it as a backup for your console.
Cable Test
The cable test function appears to be a simple continuity checker although it's not specified in the literature. The display indicates "Open" or "Cable OK."
DIP Switch Calculator
The built-in DIP switch calculator shows a graphic display of DIP switch settings for a given DMX start address. It has a step counter so that each time the encoder is advanced it jumps to the next valid DMX start address for a given fixture. For example, a Martin MAC 2000 Profile has a slot footprint of 21 parameters, so by setting the step counter to 21, when the encoder is advanced it will jump from 1 to 22, to 43, etc. There is also an offset that can be set to 0 or 1 depending on how the manufacturer treats all DIP switches off. Some call that setting DMX start address 1 while others do not allow that setting as a valid DMX start address.
Options
The last function has a variety of housekeeping selections including DMX send options (timing, channel count, etc.), power management, fixture library update and battery information.
Summing Up
The ELC Checker has a host of very useful functions for anyone involved in setting up and troubleshooting DMX and RDM networks. It's simple to use, very self-explanatory and small and portable enough to fit in any toolbox or even in your pocket (with the possible exception of your skinny jeans). Its RDM functions insure that it will be useful for a long time to come and no self-respecting lighting tech or production electrician should be without one.
ELC Checker
What it is: DMX tester, recorder and playback device
Who it's for: Anyone who sets up and/or troubleshoots DMX networks
Pros: Small, lightweight, easy to use, powerful functions
Cons: Fixture library is somewhat limited
How Much: $1,160 (MSRP)
More Info: elclighting.com
