Control Protocols Working Group - Alternate START Codes

There is no charge for the use of the START Codes, but there are costs involved in administering the database. The TSP, supported by donations from the industry, bears those costs, as well as the costs of developing the standards that define and use the START Codes.

If you would like to do your part to help fund the Program, please consider making a donation of $200 or more and becoming an Investor in Innovation.

 
Alternate Start Codes
The Alternate START Code Database is a record of all the known Alternate START Codes used in communications conforming to the USITT DMX512/1990, ANSI E1.11-2004, and ANSI E1.11-2008 standards. Please note that until ANSI E1.11-2004 was published, there was no formal procedure for registering Alternate START Codes, only an informal procedure of notifying one of the original authors of USITT DMX512, who kept a list of the Codes. Thus, some manufacturers implemented Alternate START Codes in products without assurance that the START Codes were not already being used by other manufacturers and without advertising the START Codes so that other manufacturers would not later adopt the same code for a different message type. ANSI E1.11 formalizes the Alternate START Code registration procedure. The publication of this database makes the known Alternate START Codes and their purposes available to the public.

The number of Alternate START Codes is limited to 255 possible values and many of these are already assigned or in use. Therefore, it is necessary to conserve the number of ASCs that remain for those few occasions when only an ASC will serve the purpose. Manufacturers are encouraged to obtain a two-byte Manufacturer's ID and to use it with Alternate START Code 91h to create a proprietary message in lieu of using a proprietary Alternate START Code. In those few cases where a proprietary message of more than 510 bytes following the START Code must be sent, an ASC may be used, but only one ASC will be assigned per manufacturer.

Any manufacturer wishing to register a new Alternate START Code may do so by sending information about the code to ESTA's Technical Standards Managers at . This information must include the Code's value, a brief description of its purpose, the company's name and address, and contact details for a person to whom questions about the Alternate START Code may be addressed. Contact details would include telephone and fax numbers, and email address.

Below is a listing of all registered and known DMX512, DMX512/1990, and ANSI E1.11-2004 Alternate START Codes.

Hex Registered To Description Formally Registered Y/N
00h  USITT  Default Null Start Code for Dimmers per DMX512 & DMX512/1990 
01h  T-Recursive  Most significant Byte of double precision transmission 
01h  Soundlight  Undisclosed 
01h  Mode Lighting   
02h  T-Recursive  Following packet is 256 16-Bi words in Lo byte/Hi byte order 
03h  R.A. Gray/ The White Rabbit Company, Inc.  We currently are using this code for sending Manufacturer Specific Configuration Data, but we might be expanding this use in the future. 
04h  T-Recursive  Checksum Message 
05h  T-Recursive  Answerback Query 
06h  T-Recursive  16 bit Lo byte 
07h  T-Recursive  Compressed data 
08h  T-Recursive  Compressed 16-bit data 
09h  Entertainment Technology  Undisclosed 
0Ah  Mode Lighting  Second universe of 512 channels on one data link. 
0Bh  Goddard Design Co.   
0Ch  S G M Elettronica Srl.   
0Dh  Engineering Arts   
0Eh  C.I.Tronics Lighting Designers Ltda  Minimum packet length: 4 bytes Maximum packet length: 513 bytes Description: We would use our own alternate start code to send configuration informations to our devices. Also, we would like to use the possibility of two-way communication to get the status of these devices. 
0F  Morpheus Lights   
10h  ADB  Undisclosed 
11h  Tokyo Broadcast Systems Inc.  Undisclosed 
12  BJA Electronics  For updating the firmware in my equipment and to control it (Reset). My packet size will between the 3 and 256 bytes. 
13  Zero 88   
14h  Soundsculpture Incorporated  We are implementing a message-based protocol that is optimized for safe and secure motor control, embedded with lighting control. A unique Start Code is the ideal way to identify this alternate data type on the DMX network, while keeping packets as short as possible.  
15h  CDCA Ltd.  Firmware update and configuration info 
16h  Peradise  We build specialFx and moving set parts. The startcode will be used to identify data that is used for tacticle feedback from devices (Position, status, errors, etc).  
17h  Artistic Licence (UK) Ltd.  Text Packet (matches use in ANSI E1.11) 
17h  E1  ANSI E1.11 Text Packet 
18h  Andera Ltd.  Undisclosed 
19h  Hubbell Entertainment, Inc.   
1Ah  Integrated Theatre, Inc.  Well, I'm still convinced that we need to develop some (more) uses for the 2nd pair, and I have several ideas in mind. The ASC data would be used on the first pair in conjunction with the 2nd pair data. That way in systems that only had the 1st pair wired some functionality could still be had, but more could be gained by using both pairs.

My thought is to develop these things as open standards, and if there is enough interest turn them over to ESTA for development into a consensus standard.  

1Bh  Espace Concept  The purpose is to toggle inner program of the receiver. If the Start code is 0, the machine answers with Program 1. If the Start code is 27, the machine answers with Program 2. Rest of the DMX trame would remain exactly the same as in USITT description. The purpose for us is to control different types of machines with the same DMX values (Program 2) using a switch box sending Start Code 27 and predetermined DMX values. The program run by Start Code 0 would be adapted to a fader control. 
1Ch  KLH Electronics PLC  The alternate byte is to provide real-time updates for triple precision data ( either 20 or 24 bit ) for use with Photon Cannon project. This will allow the use of the standard to control 100 lamp fixtures at greater than 75 Hz update rate 
1Dh  Dangeross Design  DMX512 slots with 8 data bits, Even parity, and 1 Stop bit 
1Eh  Robert Juliat  Used to update old products which do not have RDM capabilities but still supported. Also, to modify remotely some factory settings. 
21h  ELETTROLAB S.r.l.  unknown 
22h  Global Design Solutions, Ltd.  Undisclosed 
26h  High End Systems  Undisclosed Configuration 
2Ah  Johnson Systems Inc.  Manufacturer-specific configuration data 
30h  Pr-Lighting Ltd.  The Start Code purpose for now is to be able to perform firmware updates to our products. In the future we might add more functions to it.  
32h  ACME  Undisclosed. 
33h  TESI Elettronica srl  The start code's purpose is to send/receive application-specific information and execute product software update. 
37h  TIR Systems Ltd.  Programmable DMX512-based LED controllers. Alternate START code used to specify various operating parameters for DMX512 network and standalone operation. Min.frames: 15; Max frames: 40 (current), 512 (reserved for future expansion)  
3Ch  AVAB  AVAB Internal Functions 
3Dh  AVAB  Smart 16 Bit Format 
3Eh  AVAB America  Manufacturer-specific configuration data. 
3Fh  SAND Network Systems, Inc.  Manufacturer-specific configuration data. 
41h  Microlite  Undisclosed 
42d  LSC Lighting Systems (Aust) Pty. Ltd.  Proprietary remote peripheral control 
43h  City Theatrical, Inc.  Purpose: firmware updates and product configuration 
44h  Coemar Spa   
47h  GVA Lighting, Inc  Manufacturer-specific configuration data and remote control 
48h  Enfis Ltd.  ASC is used for passing proprietary data for applications such as factory test, configuration, and software update. 
4Ch  Phoenix Service  4Ch is the START Code used for OpenDMX messages, a protocol developed for use on LUX Italia products, and published by them for royalty-free use by anyone. Visit the LUX Italia website (http://www.luxitalia.eu) for a copy of the specification. 
4Dh  Avolites Ltd.  Proprietary function with ART2000 products  
4Fh  Oscar Lighting AB  Backup States - Undisclosed 
50h  LightProcessor Ltd   
55h  E1  Test Packet 
57h  Wybron, Inc.   
83h  Anytronics Ltd.  To synchronise both the memory contents and the internal clocks of lighting control equipment. Min packet length 24 bytes. Max 512. 
8Ah  CLAY PAKY S.p.A  None given. Proprietary. 
8Bh  Martin Professional   
90h  PLASA  UTF-8 Text Packet 
91h  E1  2-byte Manufacturer ID serves as an identifier that the data following in that packet is proprietary to that entity and should be ignored by all others 
92h  PLASA  BSR E1.45 Alternate START Code 
92h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
93h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
94h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
95h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
96h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
97h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
98h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
99h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
9Ah  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
9Bh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
9Ch  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
9Dh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
9Eh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
9Fh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A0h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A1h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A2h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A3h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A4h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A5h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A6h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A7h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A8h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
A9h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
AAh  SUN  Undisclosed - bi-directional data transfer 
ABh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
ACh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
ADh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
AEh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
AFh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B0h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B1h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B2h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B3h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B4h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B5h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B6h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B7h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B8h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
B9h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
BAh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
BBh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
BBh  Martin Professional A/S  Undisclosed. Conflicts with area reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard. 
BCh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
BDh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
BEh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
BFh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C0h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C1h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C2h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C3h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C4h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C5h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C6h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C7h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C8h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
C9h  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
CAh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
CBh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
CBh  Martin Professional   
CCh  E1  E1.20 (RDM) start code 
CDh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
CEh  E1  Reserved for Future Expansion of the DMX512 Standard 
CFh  E1  ANSI E1.11 System Information Packet 
D0  eldoLED Ltd.  Configuration, firmware updates and standalone configuration. Framelength to vary from 12 to 512 bytes. 
DDh  Electronic Theatre Controls  Alternate start code DD is for use in transmitting per channel priority for use in merging streams in multi-source DMX applications. Priorities will range from 0 at the low end, which means do not use the data in the corresponding slot, to 200, which means use this data over any slot data supplied with a priority between 0 and 199. Values above 200 are reserved for future use. 
DEh  Martin Professional   
DFh  Doug Fleenor Design, Inc.  Undisclosed 
DFh  Martin Professional A/S  Undisclosed. Conflicts with previously registered Doug Fleenor Design code.  
E0h  NSI/Colortran  ENR Mode Control 
E0h  Martin Professional A/S  Undisclosed. Conflicts with registered NSI/Colortran ENR Mode Control. 
E1h  NSI/Colortran  Dim/Non-Dim Control 
ECh  e:cue control GmbH  Device configuration data 
EDh  Electronics Diversified, Inc.  Download Dimmer Information - Undisclosed (Value not certain. Could be EFh.) 
EDh  Martin Professional  (Value not certain. Could be EFh) 
F0h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
F1h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
F2h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
F3h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
F4h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
F5h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
F6h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
F7h  E1  Prototyping/experimental use Only while the manufacturer/organization is waiting for their registered Alternate START Code to be assigned 
FFh  AVO  Dimmer Curve Select 

TSP

WORKING GROUPS

CONTROL PROTOCOLS
Chairs & Publications
Meetings & Minutes
> Alternate START Codes
DMX512 Over CAT5
Manufacturer IDs
NextGen Survey Report
Patent Letters
Plugfest
Protocol Identifiers
RDM Additional Messages

ELECTRICAL POWER

EVENT SAFETY

FLOORS

FOG & SMOKE

FOLLOWSPOT POSITION

PHOTOMETRICS

RIGGING

STAGE MACHINERY

WEAPONS SAFETY


ABOUT TSP

DOWNLOAD STANDARDS

PUBLIC REVIEW
DOCUMENTS

PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS

INVESTORS
IN INNOVATION

> WORKING GROUPS


PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP

© Copyright , ESTA. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Contact Us | ESTA
ESTA, P.O. Box 23200, Brooklyn, NY 11202-3200 • Tel: +1 212 244 1505