DMX CABLES
A quick recap on DMX cables.
Traditional cable-based DMX should consist of one source (e.g. a lighting desk) outputting DMX, with a single data-cable from the the lighting desk DMX output to the DMX input of the first light fixture, then a second data-cable from the first light fixture's DMX data output to the second light fixture's DMX data input, second output to third input, and so on. The final fixture in this "daisy chain" should have a DMX terminator inserted into its data-output socket.
Any light fixture may be set to any DMX address (1 to 512), and there may be repeats if several fixtures are intended to respond identically. Normally you would not have partially overlapping address ranges.
STATION-X uses the DMX standard 5-pin XLR connectors.
Some DMX lighting products use (non-standard) 3-pin XLR connectors.
However this may lead to the mixing of (near-identical) microphone cables and DMX cables - and potentially intermittent system faults.
Think Radio encourages the use of 5-pin DMX cables wherever possible, and only using 3-pin/5-pin converters where they cannot be avoided.
STATION-X and Z-RAY are a wireless equivalent of this traditional cabling system - the whole DMX universe is sent to every Z-RAY, and any Z-RAY can be set to any address (including duplicates).
However, a limitation of traditional cabling systems is not to "load" too many lighting fixtures onto a single cabling daisy chain. It is recommended that splitters and repeaters are used, which can result in a considerable amount of cabling. After adding in distributing mains power to every light fitting - can result in a greater bulk and weight (and rigging issues) than the light fixture themselves.
STATION-X and Z-RAY's don't have this limitation.
Any number of Z-RAY's may be added to a single STATION-X.
Any pattern of DMX addresses (including duplicates) may be used.