The draft version of BSR E1.31 — Lightweight streaming protocol for transport of DMX512 over ACN is out for public review. As the title says, this protocol will allow the transmission of DMX512 data over an Ethernet network using part of the ACN suite of protocols. It can also send and receive RDM data. The advantage of streaming DMX512 over Ethernet is that an Ethernet network is a much bigger pipe than a DMX512 network. Ethernet can handle dozens and dozens of DMX512 universes across a single cable, which is how the monster cable bundle is finally put to rest, and we don’t have to trash our gear to take advantage of the new technology. What does a bundle of 88 DMX512 cables look like? Thanks to Ethernet, we may never know.
—Richard Cadena, from “Focus on Fundamentals,” PLSN, Sept. 2008
