Imagine a Broadway show or an Olympic ceremony. Thousands of lights, perfectly synchronized, creating magic on stage or in a stadium. Ever wondered how that’s even possible? Spoiler: It’s not just cables and luck—it’s decades of innovation.
Lighting control has evolved from simple analog dimmers to fully networked systems. This shift didn’t just make life easier for technicians—it transformed what’s possible in live production. Let’s dive into the journey from DMX512 to modern IP-based lighting and why this matters for today’s shows.
Step 1: DMX512 (1986) – The Digital Revolution
Back in the mid-80s, DMX512 changed everything:
- 512 channels per universe (that’s where the name comes from)
- One-way communication: console → fixtures
- Simple cabling: daisy-chained 5-pin XLR up to ~300m
- Fast updates: ~44 times per second
DMX made different brands work together and replaced clunky analog systems. Even today, DMX512-A (updated in 2004) is still the backbone of most theaters—often hidden behind newer tech.
Step 2: RDM (2006) – Talking Back
By the 2000s, technicians wanted feedback. Enter Remote Device Management (RDM):
- Adds two-way communication over DMX lines
- Lets you check fixture status or set addresses remotely
- Great for setup and troubleshooting (but not during live shows)
This was the first taste of “smart” lighting.
Step 3: Art-Net (1998) – DMX Meets IP
Here’s where things got exciting:
- DMX data wrapped in UDP/IP packets
- Multiple universes over standard Ethernet
- Open and royalty-free—everyone jumped on board
Suddenly, one network cable could replace dozens of DMX lines. Large shows became simpler, faster, and more reliable.
Step 4: sACN (2009) – The Professional Standard
ESTA introduced Streaming ACN (sACN) for serious scalability:
- Uses multicast IP for efficiency
- Fixtures only get the data they need (thanks to IGMP snooping)
- Supports priorities for backup sources
Today, sACN is the go-to for stadiums and big venues. It’s part of a bigger vision: full IP integration, including remote configuration via RDMnet.
Real-World Magic
Broadway’s The Lion King once relied on thick bundles of DMX cables. After switching to sACN, just a few Ethernet lines handled multiple universes—simplifying cabling and reducing failure points.
At the Olympics, hundreds of fixtures are controlled over a handful of network links. Without IP-based protocols, these massive shows would be a nightmare.
Why It Matters
IP-based lighting control brings:
Scalability – From hundreds to thousands of channels
Flexibility – Easy integration with other systems
Reliability – Fewer cables, more redundancy
The Bigger Picture: Why Your Network Matters
As lighting control moves deeper into IP-based workflows, the network becomes the backbone of your entire production. It’s not just about sending DMX data—it’s about doing it reliably, with low latency, and at scale.
That’s where NETGEAR AV switches come in. Purpose-built for AV over IP, these switches offer:
- Optimized multicast handling for protocols like sACN and Art-Net
- Preconfigured profiles for lighting, audio, and video traffic
- Rock-solid reliability for mission-critical shows
- Scalability to handle hundreds of universes without breaking a sweat
In short: the right switch turns your IP lighting network from “possible” to “bulletproof.” If you’re planning your next big production, make sure your network gear is as professional as your lighting design.
The future of lighting is networked—and it’s already here.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re an AV pro or lighting designer, now’s the time to embrace IP. It’s not just the future—it’s the present.
Pro tip: Start with sACN for large installs and keep Art-Net handy for quick setups.
In the next blog post, I’ll tell you the history of audio over IP, so stay tuned!
To the next Blog
Back to the Introduction
Eric Lindeman, NETGEAR ProAV Staff Systems Engineer Benelux
For more information about NETGEAR AV Switching, please contact the NETGEAR Pro AV Design Team via email: ProAVdesign@netgear.com
If you’d like to delve deeper into AV over IP switching, I invite you to check out our Online Academy via the link: https://academy.netgear.com/
On our training portal, you can find both AV and IT-related training courses. These courses are free to attend after registration, and at the end of each course, you can take an exam to earn a certificate.
