EXALUX™ CONNECT+ is a dual band Wi-Fi to DMX gateway that allows wireless lighting control via Art-net compatible App. CONNECT+ is compatible with the most of DMX Apps (BlackOut, DMX Connect+, Luminair).
CONNECT+ features:
CONNECT+ is certainly the most sophisticated Wi-Fi to DMX gateway on the market!
SKU : CNT.003.001
EAN code : 3760252033528
Availability : In stock
Availability date : 20/10/2021
EXALUX™ CONNECT+ features an high performance dual band (2.4Ghz+5Ghz) MiMo Wi-Fi Access point. This means you can be sure to have a reliable and responsive connectivity between your IPAD and your CONNECT+.
Switch the 5Ghz Wi-Fi to use your CONNECT+ with a CRMX transmitter such as the TX100N and avoid any interference, or use it if the aera really is to noisy.
In addition, EXALUX™ CONNECT+ features a mode that makes it possible to automatically select the clearer frequency band.
Plug your EXALUX™ CONNECT TX100N wireless DMX transmitters to the XLR 5 outputs to create a wireless DMX link between your iPAD and your lighting fixtures.
The CONNECT TX100N can be connected directly to the CONNECT+ or a few metres away via a DMX cable to get the best connection.
Thanks to the PoD, no extra power supply is needed.
EXALUX™ CONNECT+ pushes the limits of DMX.
CONNECT+ makes it possible to manage two DMX universes without adding additional interface, and thus, meet the needs of the most complex fixtures. In the near future, it will become possible to manage more than two DMX universes with the additional Connect interface. CONNECT+ is really clever to control your ASTERA NYX bulbs at your fingertips for example !
EXALUX™ CONNECT+ can be powered via the Ethernet cable using a PoE injector. This allows the CONNECT+ to be installed in the best place without worrying about power supply constraints.
PoE mode is particularly useful if you use the CONNECT+ as an Art-Net Nod with a live hardware console.
Thanks to PoD (PowerOverDMX) technology, you will be able to power additional DMX devices by connecting them directly to the 5-pin XLR connector.
Connect your Philips HUE Bridge to one of the RJ45 ports of the EXALUX™ CONNECT+ and control your Philips HUE bulbs with your iPAD.
(The Philips HUE bridge is not supplied with the CONNECT+)
EXALUX™ CONNECT+ firmware can be updated using an USB stick.
You will be able to get the latest improvements without worrying about the obsolescence of the unit when you buy it.
EXALUX™ CONNECT+ features a tiny DMX recorder. This makes it possible to record a small sequence from the iPad and play it back later.
EXALUX™ CONNECT+ supports a wide range of Wi-Fi protection such as WPA2 to ensure maximum security.
In addition, the settings of the unit can be locked and saved on a USB key.
It especially convenient for rental companies who can thus easily set up units before each rental.
Thanks to its wide supply range (+5 to 28VDC), EXALUX™ CONNECT+ can be powered with a V-Lock battery, an external PSU or a PoE Injector.
EXALUX™ CONNECT+ is compliant with the new 26VDC V-Lock battery standards.
| Power: | DCJack, V-Lock battery, PoE-PD, PoD-PSE Output |
| Interface: | Colour TFT display (/w buttons), LED indicators, Backlit buttons |
| Supported protocols : | Art-Net 4, DMX512A / RDM |
| Network: | Wi-Fi Acces point (2.4GHz) / Wi-Fi (5.0GHz), 10/100Mbps Ethernet switch |
| DMX: | Art-Net/DMX Nod, Basic DMX recorder, |
| Others: | Backup/restore settings (USB flash drive) Display backlight settings (level & screen saver), Security restrictions (pin code protected) Firmware upgrade via USB flash drive (not provided) |
| Power Connection : | 2.0x5.5MM DC jack |
| Interface : | Colour TFT display (/w buttons), LED indicators, Backlit buttons |
| Power Consumption : | ~12W max (20W max with extension) |
| Housing / Mounting : | Aluminium, Black painting, Magnetic rubber feet M10 |
| IP Rating : | IP20 |
| Certifications : | CE, RoHS |
| Weight : | 890g |
| Protocol | DMX512-A |
| Universe | 2 (one per output) |
| DMX Frame Rate | 0,8-830Hz |
| End to End Latency | < 5ms |
| DMX Outputs | 5 pins Female (2) |
| Standard : | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Frequency : | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) : 2.412 ~ 2.484 GHz (13 ch) |
| Wi-Fi (5GHz) : 5.180 ~ 5.845 GHz (35 ch) | |
| Antenna : | Whip hinged antenna, 50Ω, Female RP-SMA (x2) |
| RF Output / Sensitivity : | 17 dBm |
| Range : | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) : ~100m |
| Wi-Fi (5GHz) : ~50m |
| Standard : | IEEE 802.3 10/100 Mbps |
| Ports : | RJ45 8P/8C (1), Neutrik EtherCON (1) |
| Standard : | USB 2.0 Hi-Speed |
| Ports : | USB-A Host (1), Charging CDP USB-A 0.5A (2) |
| Extensions (SnapLink) : | +5VDC, USB Host (2), 6-position spring-loaded connector |
| DC Jack | 5~28VDC |
| V-Lock | 14.4-14.8VDC~26VDC |
| PoE-PD | 48VDC, IEEE 802.3af-2002 Type 1, 13W |
| Min | Typ | Max | |
| Storage (T°) : | -30 | +80 | |
| Operating (T°) : | -20 | 25 | +70 |
The firmware 1.1 is available for download in the download section on this page. You will also find a procedure to update your Connect+. The procedure is straight forward, you will only need a USB stick and follow the procedure. If you have any trouble or question you can contact our technical support by mail or from the website (https://exalux.eu/contact-us/)
Fix:
– Fixing “DMX flashing” issue,
– Optimized startup time when restarting the device with unchanged settings,
– Rename some menus for more clarity,
– Correction of the WiFi channels available. Some of the channels listed were not available,
– Fixing and optimizing several minor bugs/code pieces.
New features:
– Adding an extra menu for Ethernet IP setting,
– Adding “Fail over” feature, to select the behavior of the DMX outputs when data is no longer received over network,
– Adding DMX Recorder + DMX Player, to recorder and play a memory locally,
– Display the WiFi channel that has been selected when “auto” is selected.
Thank you for choosing EXALUX and enjoy your new connect+ !
Wi-Fi can be disturbed by various methods. Our CONNECT+ integrates a high-performance Wi-Fi chip, in industrial range to avoid any disturbance. However, it is recommended to take certain precautions when using it, especially when Wi-Fi is used in proximity to other RF equipment. Wi-Fi has a wide channel, and the clear-channel-assessment is sensitive.
If you’re using a CRMX transmitter and a Wi-Fi in the same product, you should consider blocking out the frequencies used by the Wi-Fi to avoid interference. This will therefore limit the performance of the Wi-Fi, especially when it is necessary to change the frequency depending on the environment.
But that’s not the only issue that comes in play here. One other possible issue is the reception in the Wi-Fi module in the product. Some Wi-Fi modules and/or chipsets do not have very good channel filters. This means that even if the CRMX transmitters transmit at other frequencies on the same frequency band it can saturate the receiver in the Wi-Fi chip (a sort of “shouting-in-the-ear” issue). Some Wi-Fi chipsets are better than others in this regard. This issue is hard to solve other than lowering the output power or distancing the antennas, since it really has nothing to do with the actual frequencies.
One solution that addresses the issue is to put the WiFi on a separate band, like 5GHz. The other solution is to put the CRMX on a separate devices that can be away from the Wi-Fi. That’s what CONNECT+ can do !
Up to 5 clients can be connected to the Wi-Fi access point.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technique for delivering 48VDC power to devices over twisted pair Ethernet cabling, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and outlets.
PoE allows a single cable to provide both data connection and electric power to devices such as Wireless Access Points, Art-Net/DMX Nod, etc…
A few words about our PoD innovation, designed to ease powering DMX dongles (power & data in the same 5pos DMX cable), concept and terminology inspired by Ethernet PoE.
Currently, the CONNECT+ is the only PoD-PSE compliant system (Power Sourcing Equipment). CONNECT TX100N CRMX transmitter is our first PoD-PD compliant system (Powered Equipement).
DMX XLR5 pin 5 (PoD 5V) is used to carry +5VDC power supply, 500mA max (USB standard), this voltage still remains compliant with all DMX (RS485) transceivers, if any online, and with DMX512A (ANSI E1.11) standard.
DMX XLR5 pin 4 (PoD Detect) is used to monitor and detect PoD systems.
The PoD 5V output on each DMX XLR5 (pin 5) can be disabled by user menu (disabled by default).
For security reasons, it is controlled by a power switch with limitation and protection features (V, I, T°), and the voltage is constantly monitored (PoD Detect).
So if DMX PoD function is enabled, the CONNECT+ will activate PoD 5V, monitor the power switch fault signal, then sense PoD Detect voltage. If no default and correct sense, +5V is maintained (but still regularly monitored), powering your DMX device.
On any default, PoD 5V is switched off and may be reactivated one all default conditions have disappeared.
This mechanism allows for live plug&play and support short circuits up to +5V on XLR PoD pins.
The PoD LED indicator located in front face of the unit indicate the status of the PoE for each DMX output.
In order to update the Connect+ ‘s firmware, you need to copy some dedicated files onto a standard USB stick. Then, plug the USB sitck on the dedicated USB1 port (below the Ethernet 1 port) and select the menu “Reboot / Reboot now”. The Connect+ will automatically detect the new firmware and load it in the internal memory.
Further details can be found when downloading the update files from the exalux’s website.
In order to update the Connect+ ‘s firmware, you need to copy some dedicated files onto a standard USB stick and plug it into the device. Since the Connect+ manages FAT formated USB sticks, this operation can therefore be done on either a PC or a MAC.
CONNECT+ extension port offers a dual USB data port along with +5V power supply. Up to two extensions can be stacked under the main housing, providing addityionnal functions such as multi-ports DMX In/Out (multi-universe) or CRMX transceivers, DMX buffer/splitter, full-featured recorder …
Using a wired connection is good way to avoid radio disturbance from surrounding equipments.
An iPad can be wired connected to the Connect+ using a dedicated Lightning (or USB-C) to RJ45 dongle. Once connected, the Ethernet parameters of the iPad need to be manually entered.
Assuming that the Connect+ is setup with the default settings (static IP, 192.168.1.1), open the Settings of the iPad and select Ethernet. Choose manual configuration and enter the following information:
– IP Address: 192.168.1.*, where * can be any value between 2 and 254. For example, 192.168.1.10
– Mask : 255.255.255.0
– Gateway : 192.168.1.1
After connecting the Philips Hue bridge to one of the RJ45 connector of the Connect+, the Philips Hue lightbulbs can be controlled directly from your phone/tablet, with no need of any external router.
Simply connect to the WiFi network generated by the Connect+, and the Philips Hue bridge will automatically detected by the app (Homekit, Hue App, Luminair, …), allowing full control of the lights.
