SHOWTime™ – shows without a computer

SHOWTime™ is the standalone feature of the PixLite® Mk3 controllers: the controller plays back a recorded show on its own — from a microSD card, with no computer attached and no live Art-Net or sACN source running.

How it works

The show is built on a computer and recorded onto the microSD card in the controller, using any web browser or Advatek Assistant 3. After that the computer can go: the controller reads the show from the card and drives the pixels — as often as you like. Playback starts via one of the up to 25 triggers, for example on a schedule or from a DMX512 source on the auxiliary port.

Which devices have SHOWTime

All five PixLite® Mk3 controllers have the microSD slot: A4-S Mk3, E4-S Mk3, E16-S Mk3, T8-S Mk3 and T16X-S Mk3. The long-range receivers R1F-S, R2F-S and R4D-S have no slot — they take their data from the transmitter and play nothing on their own. In a long-range setup the show therefore sits in the T8-S or T16X-S, not in the receivers.

Where it pays off

Anywhere the same content should run permanently and nobody wants to look after a computer: shop windows, façades, seasonal lighting, trade fair stands, outdoor objects without a network connection. A computer only remains useful if the content changes live or has to react to something in real time.

What you need

• A PixLite® Mk3 controller — SHOWTime™ is built in, with no licence and no activation
• An industrial-grade microSD card, supplied by you (not included)
• A data source for recording: lighting console, media server or pixel-mapping software

Triggers and fallback

A trigger links an event to an action, for example: start a playlist when the device powers up, or begin recording as soon as an Art-Net channel reaches a certain value. Triggers can be driven via UDP, Art-Net, sACN or DMX512. This lets the controller fit into an existing control system. Fallback: if the live data via Art-Net or sACN stops, the controller can automatically switch to prepared scenes. If the network or server fails, the installation stays lit.

Limits

• No replacement for live control: anything interactive or changing day by day still needs a source on the network
• No editing in the controller: scenes are created by recording, not by programming on the device
• The manufacturer gives no figures for the maximum card size or the number of scenes and playlists. If your project reaches these limits, talk to us before ordering.

Figures from the Advatek datasheets (version 26/02/2026) and Advatek's SHOWTime page. All PixLite® Mk3 at a glance: Art-Net/E1.31 controllers.