---
title: "Lighting Guides: DMX, sACN and Art-Net Explained - DMXDesktop"
description: "Plain explanations of the protocols and hardware behind DMX lighting, with every technical figure checked against the published ANSI and Art-Net standards."
canonical: https://www.dmxdesktop.com/guides
lang: en
source: /guides
---

![Stage lighting rig background](/assets/images/optimized/AdobeStock_227868202-400w.jpeg)

# Lighting Guides

Plain explanations of the protocols and hardware behind DMX lighting, checked against the published standards.

These guides answer the questions that come up before you choose software: how the protocols work, what the numbers in a spec sheet mean, and which piece of hardware you actually need. Every technical claim is taken from the published standard itself, with the clause cited at the foot of each page.

Looking for step-by-step instructions for DMXDesktop instead? The [knowledgebase](/knowledgebase) covers setup, screens and troubleshooting.

## Network protocols

How lighting data travels over Ethernet, and which protocol to use when.

[### What is sACN? ANSI E1.31 explained: multicast addressing, universes, priority and what happens when the data stops. Read the guide →](/guides/what-is-sacn)[### What is Art-Net? How Art-Net nodes, gateways and Port-Addresses work, and why Art-Net 4 no longer broadcasts lighting data. Read the guide →](/guides/what-is-art-net)[### Art-Net vs sACN A side-by-side comparison drawn from both specifications, and how to choose between them. Read the guide →](/guides/art-net-vs-sacn)[### Open Sound Control (OSC) What OSC is, how its messages are built, and how it is used to control lighting remotely. Read the guide →](/open-sound-control)

## Hardware and cabling

What to buy, what the standards actually require, and the myths worth ignoring.

[### USB DMX interfaces explained How a USB interface turns your computer into a lighting console, what to look for, and what around $15 really buys. Read the guide →](/guides/usb-dmx-interfaces)[### Supported hardware matrix Every interface and node we have tested, with RDM status recorded honestly. Read the guide →](/knowledgebase/supported-hardware)

## DMX fundamentals

Start here if DMX itself is new.

[### The complete DMX guide What DMX512 is, how addressing works, and how to plan a rig. Read the guide →](/dmx-guide)[### Getting started with DMX A first setup, from interface to first fixture. Read the guide →](/dmx-getting-started)[### Pixel mapping modes Linear, grid, snake, spiral and checkerboard layouts, with diagrams. Read the guide →](/pixel-mapping)

## Put it into practice

DMXDesktop speaks sACN, Art-Net and USB DMX on Mac and Windows, and the Free plan is enough to test your network end to end.

[Download DMXDesktop](/download) [Browse the knowledgebase →](/knowledgebase)