Pathway LR Manual - Manual (Page 57)

DMXPathfinder LR DMXPathfinder Operations
56
F RONT P ANEL C ONNECTORS
Since each Input Module in the system includes eight faceplate-
mounted male XLR jacks, it is possible to use these as alternate DMX
inputs. Some installations use them for primary DMX input, via short
patch cables from an auxiliary DMX input panel mounted adjacent to the
Input Module. In these cases, the rear input terminal blocks are not used.
You can use the front panel jacks to inject DMX signals in systems where
permanently installed cabling is connected to the rear terminals, but care should
be taken. Do not connect a DMX source to any jack where another source is
plugged in at the other end of the installed cable for the same port. No damage
is likely to result, but neither DMX source will work, even if one of them is
powered down. Another potential problem is the lack of end-of-line termination
at the remote source jack. This should not be an issue if the DMX source
plugged into the front panel is being used only for test purposes but if it’s being
done for a show you should use a female terminating plug at the remote input
jack.
B
I
-D
IRECTIONAL
S
YSTEMS
The DMXPathfinder LR has been designed to be compatible with certain
receiving equipment that uses the second (auxiliary) wire pair to transmit return
data back to the control system. Virtually all systems that utilize separate wire
pairs for transmitted and received data may be used with the distribution
system, however only certain manufacturers' products will work with more than
one opto-repeater circuit patched to the same source line. Fully compatible
systems are those where a given receiving device transmits talkback data only
when being addressed itself; the talkback data is in effect time-division
multiplexed.
Data travelling back to an Output Module does not require manual line
termination, as talkback pair terminators are permanently installed in the Output
Modules themselves.
T ERMINATION