What is the difference between Art-Net and sACN?

Art-Net, developed by Artistic Licence in 1998, is a proprietary protocol that transports DMX512 data over standard Ethernet networks. It uses UDP packets and supports up to 32,768 DMX universes, but its packet structure is less efficient, leading to higher network bandwidth usage. sACN (Streaming ACN), standardized by ANSI E1.31 in 2009, is an open, industry-standard protocol designed for high-performance lighting control. It also uses UDP but with a more compact packet format, allowing for lower latency and better bandwidth utilization.

Key differences include priority handling: sACN supports per-universe priority levels, enabling seamless failover between controllers, while Art-Net lacks native priority. sACN also includes a discovery mechanism (via multicast) to automatically detect sources and sinks, simplifying network configuration. Art-Net relies on manual addressing or broadcast, which can be less efficient in large networks. Both protocols are widely supported, but sACN is preferred for modern, large-scale installations due to its efficiency and standards compliance.

For audio professionals integrating lighting control, SSOUNDS recommends sACN for its reliability and lower network overhead, especially when sharing infrastructure with audio-over-IP systems like Dante or AVB. However, Art-Net remains common in legacy setups and smaller productions. Understanding both protocols ensures compatibility across diverse equipment.