What is the difference between Art-Net and sACN?
Quick answer
Art-Net and sACN are both Ethernet protocols for transporting DMX512 lighting control data, but Art-Net is a proprietary protocol developed by Artistic Licence, while sACN (E1.31) is an open standard from ESTA. They differ in network behaviour, scalability and multicast handling.
Art-Net and sACN (also known as ANSI E1.31) are the two dominant protocols for sending DMX512 data over IP networks. Art-Net was created by Artistic Licence in the late 1990s and has become a de facto standard, especially in Europe. sACN was developed by ESTA as an open, royalty-free standard, and is widely used in North America and in larger, more complex networks.
The key technical difference lies in how they handle network traffic. Art-Net traditionally uses broadcast or unicast packets, which can flood a network as the number of universes grows. sACN uses multicast by default, with a well-defined method for joining and leaving multicast groups, making it more scalable and efficient in large installations. sACN also includes a priority field and a synchronisation mechanism (E1.31 sync) for precise, simultaneous output across many devices.
Both protocols support up to 32,768 universes in theory, but practical limits depend on network design. Art-Net has a simpler packet structure and is often easier to implement in small systems. sACN is more rigorous, with stricter timing and discovery rules, which suits mission-critical applications like theme parks, broadcast studios and stadium tours.
For SSOUNDS, protocol choice is part of system design. Our engineers integrate both Art-Net and sACN into our DSP and control platforms, ensuring that our line arrays, subwoofers and amplifiers can slot into any professional lighting or show-control network. We recommend sACN for large, multicast-friendly networks and Art-Net for simpler or legacy setups, always with proper network segmentation and quality switches.
Key things to consider
- Art-Net is proprietary (Artistic Licence); sACN is an open ESTA standard (E1.31).
- sACN uses multicast for better scalability; Art-Net often uses broadcast or unicast.
- sACN includes priority and synchronisation features; Art-Net is simpler but less robust at scale.
- Both carry DMX512 over Ethernet and can coexist on the same network with proper configuration.
- SSOUNDS supports both protocols in its DSP and control systems for flexible integration.
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