---
title: "Web Operated DMX Controller"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/WIZnet/projects/web-operated-dmx-controller/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/WIZnet/projects/web-operated-dmx-controller/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "alphathinktink"
author_url: "https://projecthub.arduino.cc/alphathinktink/0fc04160-475a-4e57-a8d4-4e9aec01300a?ref=search&ref_id=w5200&offset=2"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "alphathinktink"
original_url: "https://projecthub.arduino.cc/alphathinktink/0fc04160-475a-4e57-a8d4-4e9aec01300a?ref=search&ref_id=w5200&offset=2"
published: "2023-02-09"
language: "en"
hardware: ["Arduino Mega 2560", "Arduino UNO"]
likes: 2
views: 249
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---

# Web Operated DMX Controller

> Single full 512 universe DMX controller using an Arduino Mega, Arduino Uno, TinkerKit DMX Master Shield, and SeeedStudio Ethernet Shield

Original author: alphathinktink (source: https://projecthub.arduino.cc/alphathinktink/0fc04160-475a-4e57-a8d4-4e9aec01300a?ref=search&ref_id=w5200&offset=2)

## Components

- **Arduino Mega 2560** x 1 ([docs](https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1674878.pdf?_ga=2.12759806.871556650.1519619484-654667508.1508905608&_gac=1.209399078.1518779130.EAIaIQobChMI97my66Sq2QIV77ftCh01kgA_EAMYASAAEgKPyvD_BwE))
- **Arduino UNO** x 1 ([docs](https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1682209.pdf))

## Article

I made this project five to seven years ago because of a need for more refined control of the lights than a pre-programmed box could provide while running lights, sounds, and video graphics for funerals, weddings, and other events at an auxiliary location that doesn’t normally have a dedicated lights control console. Since this unit is run from a web browser I could handle all three tasks all from one computer.

![Physical Unit](https://hackster.imgix.net/uploads/attachments/608400/dmx_controller_qC4q4diFAP.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&w=680&h=510&fit=max)

*Physical Unit*

![Web Based Control Interface](https://hackster.imgix.net/uploads/attachments/608401/dmx_controller_ss_e3v3n9wPj5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&w=680&h=510&fit=max)

*Web Based Control Interface*

When I first started on this 5-7 years ago I had everything on an Arduino UNO. But I found I was unable to command all 512 channels and it kept hitting memory and speed limits. After trying on an Arduino Mega I was still having memory problems and would not operate reliably. So I separated the functions of DMX and Web connectivity into a dedicated Arduino each. Finally after debugging the Ethernet shield problems I finally had a stable platform to reliably run a live lights show, complete with scenes and scene fading. Developing the browser interface front-end was what took the longest, trying to make it as intuitive as possible.

This project is an example of the following:

- Arduino-to-Arduino communication over SPI

- TinkerKit DMX Master Controller operation

- Ethernet and SD Card Shield (over SPI) operation with web server

- Interrupt Request signalling and handling (IRQ)

- Internal Resets

- Direct port pin programming

- EEPROM (for storing the Ethernet configuration)

- Memory management

The TinkerKit DMX shield came without the connectors soldered on. I only soldered on the one for output. I also modified it by de-soldering the [RX Sel] pull up/down resister to avoid conflicts with the Ethernet Shield when I had everything on one micro-controller board, probably not necessary anymore but I mention it just in case. The old SeeedStudio Ethernet W5200 Shield has a hardware bug that requires you to restart it once you apply power.

If anybody has problems replicating the project for any reason (hardware/software/compiling) let me know and I’ll see if I can help you.

## **CODE**

- Project files archive for the Arduino Mega

- Project files archive for the Arduino UNO

- Web Server Resources

##### **PROJECT FILES ARCHIVE FOR THE ARDUINO MEGAC/C++**

Extract and compile it for the Arduino Mega. Will not work correctly on an UNO and may even brick it.

---

Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/WIZnet/projects/web-operated-dmx-controller/