Art-Net or sACN? Pixel controllers on the network

Art-Net or sACN: which protocol should I use?

All PixLite Mk3 controllers understand both protocols. For getting started, Art-Net is the easy route; it works with most networking equipment. With many universes, or if not every device should receive all data, sACN with multicast is the better choice. For that, the switches need IGMP snooping.

The two protocols compared

	Art-Net	sACN (E1.31)
Delivery methods	broadcast and unicast	unicast and multicast, no broadcast
Network	works with most networking equipment	multicast needs switches with IGMP snooping
IP addresses	with unicast usually static IP addresses	with multicast the controller keeps receiving even after an IP change
Setup	simple, with automatic device discovery since Art-Net 4	some knowledge of network design needed
Good for	getting started, smaller installations	large installations, many universes, networks with other devices

After Advatek, “Art-Net and sACN explained”.

Broadcast, unicast, multicast

Broadcast: all data goes to every device on the network. With hundreds of universes this can overload devices.
Unicast: each universe is sent specifically to the IP address of the controller that needs it.
Multicast (sACN only): each universe is its own group, and controllers subscribe only to their universes.

Art-Net may switch a universe to broadcast if it detects too many duplicates being sent.

Universes and pixels

One universe carries 170 RGB or 128 RGBW pixels. A PixLite output with up to 1,020 RGB pixels therefore needs 6 universes.

A4-S Mk3 and E4-S Mk3: 24 universes
E16-S Mk3, T8-S Mk3 and T16X-S Mk3: 96 universes

Setup on the PixLite

You set the protocol, IP address and universes in the controller's web interface or in Advatek Assistant 3. Enter the same universes in your lighting software or console.

The A and T series controllers filter unneeded data with a hardware firewall. The E series does not have this feature.

Frequently asked questions

What is IGMP snooping?

A switch function that forwards multicast data only to the devices that have subscribed to it. Without IGMP snooping, the switch distributes sACN multicast practically like a broadcast.

Do I need static IP addresses?

With Art-Net unicast, usually yes: if a device loses its address, the software has to find it again. With sACN multicast, the controller keeps receiving even after an address change.

What does the manufacturer recommend?

Advatek names Art-Net as a good way to get started. If network traffic is a concern or devices should not receive unnecessary data, Advatek recommends sACN with multicast.

And without a network or computer?

Then the controller plays a recorded show from microSD, see SHOWTime™.

Planning a network with many universes? Tell us about the setup and we will plan it with you.

Discuss your project