Simple Steps to Reconnect

If your devices seem to have lost connectivity to each other, follow the steps below to regain connectivity. This first set of steps will help you ensure your devices contain the right set of IDs, and that the same ID is selected on all devices.

Occasionally, a setting or mode will be unknowingly activated on an RC4Magic device, hindering usability.If you are certain all your devices are set to the same ID in the same ID system, you might want to restore Factory Defaults with the second set of directions later on in this article (Series 3 units only).

1. Be sure the transmitter, usually a DMXio, is set for transmitter mode. Two indicator LEDs confirm this setting:

The Tx/Rx (Series 2) or COP (Series 3) indicator should be primarily on (illuminated) with a repeating blink off to indicate that the device is running:
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The RFcon indicator should be blinking 2 times per second (quite quickly):
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2. If you have other DMXio transceivers, Be sure they are set for receiver mode or turned off during this process. Two indicator LEDs confirm this setting:

The Tx/Rx (Series 2) or COP (Series 3) indicator should be primarily off with a repeating blink on to indicate that the device is running:
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The RFcon indicator should be blinking 1 time per second (slowly):
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Note: Dimmer devices (DMX2dim, DMX4dim, etc.) are always in receiver mode.

3. Check the System ID label on each device you are using. Every RC4Magic device is factory programmed with 3 unique digital IDs.  Every customer and project has its own IDs, so devices from different systems will not interfere with each other.  ID codes are four characters long and include numbers and letters:

ex., if devices have differing ID codes listed, such as the ones below, they will not be able to communicate until you set them all to the Public ID
ID0 460A, ID1 460B, ID2 460C (ID3 Public will not be listed on the label, but it exists in allRC4 Magic devices)
ID0 3000, ID1 3001, ID2 3002 (ID3 Public will not be listed on the label, but it exists in all RC4 Magic devices)

4. Select the same ID on all devices that will be used together. Most often, this will be ID0, the first private, unique ID. For devices from different systems, you must use ID3, the Public ID.

On all RC4Magic Series 2 and Series 3 devices, the system ID is selected by holding a button while applying power:

To select ID0 (the most common private ID):

• With the power off, press and hold the button labeled ID0 (on DMXio) or DimA (on dimmer devices).
• While holding the button, apply power.
• When you see an LED blink pattern, release the button. Power must be applied while continuing to hold the button until the blink pattern appears.
• Refer to your device’s QuickStart Guide for specific information on your device if you need help setting an ID other than ID0, as the functionality differs slightly between models.

To select ID3, the Public ID (for devices from different systems):

• With the power off, press and hold the button labeled ID3/Public (on DMXio) or DimD, or on devices with fewer than 4 dimmers, both DimA and DimB together.
• While holding the button(s), apply power.
• When you see an LED blink pattern, release the button.

The indicator blink pattern on power-up indicates the ID that has been selected.
ID0: On Series 2 and Series 3 devices, a single LED will blink several times for ID0.
Public ID: On Series 2, three data LEDs will blink together for ID3/Public. On Series 3 devices, a yellow and green LED will alternatively blink for ID3/Public.

5. With the DMXio transmitter powered on in transmitter mode and set to the correct system ID, confirm that the transmitter RFcon indicator is blinking 2 time per second (quite quickly)

6. Power on one receiver device (2dim, 4dim, etc…). It will scan to find the transmitter and connect to it. This process can take up to 15 seconds but is usually much faster. When the receiver connects to the transmitter, the RFcon indicator will begin blinking 1 time per second (slowly):
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When the RFcon is blinking, you have a working wireless system: you are connected.  Repeat all steps above for each receiver in your system, confirming that each one connects.

If you have followed all steps above and one or more receivers connects and works, then proper transmitter operation is confirmed, as well as proper operation of the working receiver. If any other receiver does not connect after following all steps above, there may be a hardware problem in that receiver that requires repair.
If you have followed all steps above and none of your receivers will connect to your transmitter, there may be a transmitter hardware problem that requires repair.

All RC4Magic Series 2 and Series 3 devices are covered by the RC4Magic Lifetime Warranty (some exceptions apply).  Contact RC4 Wireless to arrange repair or replacement.

Restore Defaults (Series 3 Only)

If you are unsure of the settings in an RC4 Series-3 device, or if it is not responding as expected, you can restore default settings.

Every customer and project is assigned unique and private RC4Magic system IDs.  Your ID0 is not the same as someone else’s ID0.  If you need to use devices from different systems together, you must use ID3, the Public ID, which is the same for all RC4Magic devices ever built. (The actual code for the Public ID is 999.)

Dimmer Devices

While the device is powered up, hold the recessed Func button while you press and release the SetA recessed button. The several indicator lights will blink in unison, and these settings will be cleared to defaults:

• System ID will be set to ID0, which is a specific 4-digit code marked on serial-number label
• DimA: DMX channel 1
• DimB: DMX channel 2
• DimC: DMX channel 3 (on 3- and 4-channel devices)
• DimD: DMX channel 4(on 4-channel devices)
• All dimmer curves: ISL Slow
• PWM frequency for ISL curves: 615Hz (unless using custom firmware with a different default)
• Direct DMX to Dimmer Patching (no HSL, no Flicker, etc.)
• RC4 ColorMatch disabled, all offsets cleared

RC4Magic DMXio

Hold the recessed Func button while you press and release the ID3/Public button.  The device will restart.  The device may restart while the Func button is still pressed, which invokes CodeLoader mode for 5 seconds (green COP indicator solidly on).  After 5 seconds passes, the device will start normally with all parameters restored to default settings:

• System ID will be set to ID0, which is a specific 4-digit code marked on serial-number label
• Receiver Mode
• Transmit Low Channel Limit: 1
• Transmit High Channel Limit: 512
• DMX termination disabled
• RF power: Maximum

RC4Magic Wireless Technology Overview

RC4Magic is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, which dictates the physical layer and media access control for wireless personal area networks (PANs).  In the 2.4GHz band, RC4Magic uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS).  In the 900MHz band, RC4Magic-900 uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum.  This document focusses on the 2.4GHz Rc4Magic system.

 RF Channels

There are 16 802.15.4 channels across the 2.4GHz band.  They are not the same as WiFi 802.11 channels.  This graph shows how these two different standards overlap:

RC4Magic can transmit at the highest power levels allowed by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  To avoid harmonic interference with adjacent RF bands (below 2400MHz and above 2480MHz), the FCC does not allow high power devices to operate on channels 11, 24, 25, or 26.  Thus, RC4Magic does not provide access to these.

Transmitter Channel Selection

By default, RC4Magic transmitters are in RF Energy Scan Mode for RF channel selection.  When the transmitter powers up, it measures current RF energy for all channels, from 12 through 24.  It then selects the channel with the lowest energy levels.

From there, the RC4Magic transmitter begins transmitting DMX channel data that is encoded and packetized with the particular RC4Magic system ID that is assigned and selected for that transmitter.

Using RC4Commander software, the range of channels available for RF Energy Scan can be limited. Enabling a single channel over-rides scanning entirely and forces the transmitter to use that channel.

When an RF channel is selected and transmission is underway, the RC4Magic transmitter RFcon indicator blinks 2 time per second (quite quickly).

If the RFcon indicator remains solidly on, not blinking, transmission has not started, and receiver devices will not connect.   The device is probably not in transmit mode.

Receiver Channel Selection

By default, RC4Magic receivers are in Active Scan Mode for RF channel selection.  When the receiver powers up, it checks each RF channel for active transmissions that are encoded with the RC4Magic system ID that is assigned and selected for that receiver.  It will continue scanning all channels, over and over, until it finds a matching transmitter.   When a matching transmitter is found, the RFcon indicator on the receiver will blink 1 time second (slowly).

If the RFcon indicator on the receiver remains solidly on for several seconds at a time, not blinking, no signal has been found and the receiver device is not connected.   This could be because the RC4Magic System ID is not programmed or set correctly, or the device is out of range.  Every few seconds a series of rapid blinks indicates that the receiver is resetting – this does not indicate a connection.

Using RC4Commander software, the range of channels available for Active Scan Mode can be limited.  Enabling a single channel over-rides scanning entirely and forces the receiver to use that channel.  This is not recommended, and not necessary; if the transmitter is set to a fixed channel, the receiver will find it, ensuring the system operates on that specific  channel.

The only advantage to selecting a fixed channel on both transmitter and receiver is to achieve the fastest possible connect time on power-up.  Disabling scanning on transmitters and receivers results in almost instantaneous connection on power-up.

Latency vs. Dropouts

When operating normally, RC4Magic receivers and dimmers accurately reproduce input data within one quarter of the DMX frame rate, which is typically a delay of less than 6ms.

The technical term for this delay is “latency.”  It is important to understand that all systems introduce some amount of latency.  Shorter is better, and less variation over time is better.  Many wired DMX processors delay data by one complete DMX frame.  At 44 frames per second, that is a 22.7ms latency.

When the latency period is long enough to see with the human eye, it is unacceptable for professional lighting control.  RC4Magic latency problems are very rare.  When it does occur, it is typically evident in all receivers simultaneously, indicating a transmitter hardware problem.  If one or more receiver/dimmers do not exhibit latency when other devices do, the problem is most likely not in the transmitter.

Drop outs may appear similar to latency but are not the same.  System-wide drop-outs can arise because of:

• Transmitter-to-receiver distance(s) exceeding 250 feet (less if influenced by other factors below).

• Transmitter is not optimally positioned. Line-of-sight is not required, but objects in the signal path do attenuate the signal and reduce range.  Where possible, mount the transmitter over the stage, in the wings close to the stage, in the proscenium, or on a close balcony with the top surface of the transmitter facing up or down (mounting flanges parallel with the ground).  Keep the RC4 transmitter away from transmitters for other systems and away from any other source of RFI/EMI.  Sometimes moving the transmitter just a few inches or feet will completely resolve problems.
• Other 2.4GHz wireless devices operating in the vicinity, particularly FHSS (frequency hopping) systems, including other wireless dimming products, wireless headsets, wireless microphones, and wireless video monitoring.
• A transmitter configured to use a low RF output level when a higher level is needed to overcome distance or band congestion.
• A faulty antenna or antenna connector (if using a model with an external antenna).

• A faulty transmitter with inadequate RF output. In this case, the transmitter should be replaced.  If possible, try swapping with a spare device.

• If using a Series 3 transmitter device, a firmware update may be needed.

If drop outs occur only with receivers that are furthest away buried in props and set pieces, or inside metal enclosures, then the same issues described above still apply.

If drop outs occur only with some receivers but not others, and distance does not appear to be a factor, then:

• The antenna (RF hotspot) in the receiver/dimmer may be obstructed in some way. Metal enclosures should be avoided when possible, though performance is often unaffected if large openings are present.  Avoid wire mesh or perforated metal, which often acts as very good RF shield.

• Receiver devices may have inadequate RF sensitivity, in which case they should be repaired or replaced. This is rare, and very unlikely if the problem is evident with several devices in the same installation.
• If using a Series 3 receiver device, a firmware update may be needed.