RioRand DMX512 Signal Splitter Amplifier 3Pin, 1 Input 8 Channel Isolated DMX Distributor with Signal Indicator - Compatible with LED DMX Controller, 8 Channel DMX Decoder, DMX Opto Splitter

Works great. I use it for DMX on my second DMX universe. I only wish it has an out line to daisy chain it to another box.

Just got two of these and they work perfectly. Checked the insides and they are optically isolated on each of the 8 outputs, as they should be. But the case is plastic and I doubt this would survive as a road show unit unless embedded inside a sturdy case. Ours are permanently installed so there should be no physical damage. Other than the case, which is of no concern to my installation, I think this is a product of choice as opposed to the $150 units which are built to handle physical abuse. Ours run at the end of 275 feet of cable from the console and there has been no issues with reliability. Man, I love it when I get a great price on something that works!!!

== UPDATE == After working with the seller, I received a new unit that does work. Overall unit is basically 3 stars, but I gave it an extra star for the excellent support that I received from the seller. Summary: *Very* cheap, but does work as a basic DMX distribution amplifier. I purchased this DMX amplifier because I needed an inexpensive DMX D/A to send along with our bands lighting system. We don't have a lot of money, and our requirements for DMX signaling are very minimal. The issue we were running into at a lot of venues was that we just had too many lights and occasionally the run distance was too long for the USB powered DMX King USB to DMX adapter to drive effectively. I connected the RioRand amplifier directly to the USB to DMX adapter and ran the lights without issue. We typically run 10 no-name LED Par lights that I purchased elsewhere on the internet for next to nothing. The distance from the controller usually ranges from 15 feet to 25 feet depending on the venue. Since most (all) super-cheap LED lights are simply passing the signal along with no isolation and don't re-drive their output, you need to start with a pretty strong signal. This unit allowed all of my lights to work without issue. Build quality: I can't finish this review without discussing the build quality of the unit. The unit itself is made out of a sturdy plastic that should be pretty resistant to most bumps and rough treatment while on the road. HOWEVER: The internals of the unit are a different story. The insides of this unit are not actually attached to anything. When I received this unit, there was some obvious rattling internally when shaking the unit. I took the unit apart to discover that inside is just a single PCB with the wires to the individual jacks. While this isn't a problem in and of itself, the PCB isn't actually attached to anything inside the box. It just kind of "floats" inside held only by the wires that connect it to the external jacks. This probably explains the rattling noise when the unit is shook. I took some peel-and-stick cable-tie anchors and cable ties and attached the PCB to the bottom of the enclosure. It's not perfect, but it should prevent the unit from coming apart internally due to a bumpy ride or a hard jolt. Overall, for the cost the unit performed well in my first few uses, so I can't complain too much. If you need a dirt cheap DMX D/A, this will probably work for you. If you have expensive lighting and require a road-ready DMX distribution amplifier, you might want to look elsewhere. == ORIGINAL REVIEW == 1st one I received didn't work. Waiting on 2nd unit to come in. I'll update my review if the 2nd one works any better.

The device feels like what you would expect for the price point, but it works great and does what it claims. Some of the other options in the $50-$70 range claim to be optically isolated but are not. The seller is definitely listening to feedback, as mine included a power adapter, as well as the bare wire lead, and this one has a status light/signal indicator. Unless you want to get one of the $300+ units, this is really the best option.

Tried this splitter several times with different fixtures. Lights would blink and not respond right. This is either a bad splitter or just junk I hooked up a quality splitter (more expensive) and the lights work fine.

Very fast shipping! Sturdy plastic, standard ports. Cant wait to use!

TLDR incredible price point; when it works, it is great, BUT device lacks electrical robustness: 1) connect all dmx cables 2) power all dmx devices served by unit 3) power this splitter/amplifier unit failure to do so may burn out your unit and crash your show. OVERVIEW Our black box Community Theatre just purchased/installed a second one of these units to replace one that stopped functioning. Amazon Delivered within three days to our transoceanic location, saving our production’s final week. SITUATION. The power distribution in the space is very limited, and being a black box theatre, the tech booth is constantly relocated. Power to DMX devices (for current production, includes LED fixtures, City Theatrical dowser/power supply; has included hazers, servo motors in past productions) is provided from permanent install DMX controlled dimmer packs (an old Electronics Diversified SCRimmerII 48ch system). DMX is currently split into two universes, Universe 1 for the dimmer packs, and Universe 2 for the LED and other DMX devices. Previous TD had purchased the RioRand DMX Splitter/Amplifier, and it had been in service for about 20 months across a variety of productions, successfully addressing length-of-run and daisy-chain limits. However, in the latest production, we began to have a problem with flickering and strobing on BOTH DMX universes. Taking Universe 2 out of the data chain resolved the Universe 1 flickering (dimmer packs). As a result, we first isolated the two dmx universes onto two ports from the computer (USB and ethernet). This seemed to resolve the problem for 5 nights. Then, universe 2 failed completely. Further elimination isolated the RioRand as the problem link. PROBLEM Visual inspection revealed what appears to be a flash burn on the PC board at the first DMX output, and a burnt-out IC (U0). Due to budgetary and time constraints, as well as the physical configuration of the stage and lighting plot, i needed to replace the unit with another RioRand. before placing the order , i noticed the following in the “Product Description > See More Details”, at the VERY BOTTOM of the page: “ Note: Do not operate this product with power on. Do not connect the load after turning on the amplifier. The correct way to use it is to turn on the load first after connecting all the wires, and then power on the amplifier at last, because the load is powered on Some products will cause interference and damage the output chip of the amplifier at the moment of plugging and unplugging. If you operate with power, turn on the amplifier's signal input and connect it, and then turn on the output light and then connect the signal to the amplifier. This will easily cause instantaneous reflux and burn the chip. It is necessary to connect the line first, and then turn on the amplifier after the load is turned on, because the test found that there will be a backflow at the moment the load is turned on, which may burn the output chip of the amplifier. So be sure to turn on first. Re-open the amplifier for the load.” RESOLUTION Replacement RioRand installed with directions to run cue to power Universe 2 devices from Universe 1, then plug the power adapter into the RioRand at Tech Start Up, and reverse at Tech Shut Down. This poses a problem for daisy-chaining RioRands, as each must be powered sequentially; i had hoped to use two of these units, one permanently in the grid and another floating with the tech booh to serve the grid and any other peripheral units; i now have to rethink this, and convince management to allocate budget for a more reliable, robust unit. Recommendation: 1) FOLLOW MANUFACTURER DIRECTION 2) RioRand: PLEASE rectify this issue. This unit has excellent potential, but we need something that does not burn out due to design limitations. 3) RioRand: please consider changing to locking XLR connectors. 4) RioRand: Amazon is currently selling this for $24 (USD). Incredible price point. if you can address items 2) and 3) above and keep the amazon retail at less than $80 (USD), i am sure you would be getting 5 star reviews and selling these to more venues like ours. at present, i can only recommend it with reservations.

Pros: Functional DMX signal amplifier/splitter. Lightweight/easy to mount. Super low cost compared to similar products Cons: Fairly cheap build quality. My take: The cheap build quality of this unit can be overcome first by making sure the internal circuit board is secured in the casing. This will prevent the solder points on the board and on the terminals outs from wearing out and breaking due to the movement of the board. Mine arrived with the board loose in the casing due to failure of a couple dabs of hot glue that were no longer holding the board stationery. I opened it up, removed the loose pieces of hot glue and put a small piece of neoprene foam, just big enough to squish down a bit, between the lid and the center of the board. Holding it securely in place. Secondly just be careful when plugging and unplugging cables. That's it. Perfectly functional DMX amplifier/splitter on the cheap. Solved flickering lights from long cable runs.