S-PLAY Mini — User Manual

Create, record, edit and play up to 2-universe light shows, integrating with 3rd party hardware and systems in a compact 4 DIN module width form factor.

Get started

Read this section before installing the S-PLAY MINI. Covers electrical safety, system planning, installation guidelines, application diagram, and wiring connections.

Safety

Ensure you are familiarised with all key information within this guide and other relevant ENTTEC documentation before specifying, installing, or operating an ENTTEC device. If in any doubt about system safety, contact ENTTEC or your ENTTEC supplier.

Heads up: ENTTEC’s return-to-base warranty does not cover damage caused by inappropriate use, application, or modification to the product.

Electrical safety

• This product must be installed by a person familiar with the construction and operation of the product and the hazards involved. Failure to comply may result in death or serious injury.
• Do not exceed the ratings and limitations defined in the product datasheet or this document.
• Ensure no part of the installation is connected to power until all connections and work is complete.
• Before applying power, verify all power distribution equipment and cables are in perfect condition, rated for the current requirements, appropriately fused, and voltage is compatible.
• Remove power immediately if any power cable or connector is damaged, defective, shows signs of overheating, or is wet.
• Provide a means of locking out power for servicing, cleaning, and maintenance.
• Ensure your installation is protected from short circuits and overcurrent.
• Do not over-stretch cabling to the device’s connectors and ensure cabling does not exert force on the PCB.
• Do not ‘hot swap’ or ‘hot plug’ power to the device or its accessories.
• Do not connect any of this device’s V− (GND) connectors to earth.
• Do not connect this device to a dimmer pack or mains electricity.

System planning and specification

• Where possible, keep this device out of direct sunlight.
• Any twisted pair, 120 Ω, shielded EIA-485 cable is suitable for DMX512. Conductors should be 24 AWG (7/0.2) or larger.
• A maximum of 32 devices should be used on a DMX line before regenerating the signal.
• Always terminate DMX chains using a 120 Ω resistor.
• Maximum recommended DMX cable run is 300 m (984 ft).
• IP20 rated — not designed for moisture or condensing humidity.
• Operate within the specified ranges in the product datasheet.

Protection from injury during installation

• Installation must be performed by qualified personnel.
• Always work with a plan that respects all system limitations.
• Keep the S-PLAY MINI and accessories in protective packaging until final installation.
• Note the serial number of each unit and add it to your layout plan.
• All network cabling should be terminated with RJ45 in accordance with the T-568B standard.
• Always use suitable personal protective equipment.
• After installation, check all hardware and components are securely in place.

Installation safety guidelines

• The device is convection cooled — ensure sufficient airflow for heat dissipation.
• Do not cover the device with insulating material of any kind.
• Do not operate if ambient temperature exceeds that stated in the specifications.
• Do not install in damp or wet environments.
• Do not modify the device hardware in any way.
• Do not use the device if you see any signs of damage.
• Do not handle the device in an energised state.
• Do not pull power from the device whilst in operation.

Application diagram

The S-PLAY MINI supports relay switching, DMX control, Ethernet-based Art-Net/sACN/UDP/OSC, and digital input triggers — all from a single compact unit.

Playback to pixel systems

Connect the S-PLAY MINI to an OCTO MK2 (SKU 71521) via Ethernet for up to 2-universe pixel output. A DC PSU provides power to the pixel system. Data is backed up on the S-PLAY MINI’s internal storage.

Distribute DMX output

The DMX port provides 1-universe DMX output. For 2-universe DMX output, use the Ethernet port connected to a DIN ETHERGATE (SKU 71030). Multiple S-PLAY MINI units can be linked for wider DMX distribution.

Connection to relay

The S-PLAY MINI is equipped with a relay designed for low-power devices and switching logic for higher-power contactors. Ensure the power connected to the relay is within its operating limits.

Relay specifications:

To calculate total power: Voltage × Current ≤ 60 W. For mains switching or high-current applications, ENTTEC recommends using a DMX switch pack or wiring the relay to the primary coil of a DIN-mount high-power relay or contactor.

Worked examples (Voltage × Current = Power):

Warning: Example 3 (2 A × 50 V = 100 W) exceeds the 60 W switchable power limit per relay. Do not exceed Voltage × Current = 60 W on any single relay.

Connection to digital inputs

The S-PLAY MINI’s digital inputs detect circuit completion to GND (V−) to send triggers.

• Maximum cable resistance from Digital Input to GND: 20 Ω.
• Maximum recommended wire length: 100 m (50 m loop distance from the S-PLAY MINI).
• Run digital input cabling away from mains power or high EMI sources.
• Contact should be maintained for at least 3 seconds when triggering a digital input.
• For remote inputs beyond 50 m, use a 3rd-party GPIO interface communicating via network protocols.

Using motion sensors

Connect a motion sensor to one of the four Digital Input ports (IN1–IN4) to trigger playlists.

1. Connect the sensor output to a Digital Input port (IN1–IN4).
2. Connect 0 V (GND) from the sensor to the GND of the Digital Input connectors.
3. In the web interface, go to Triggers → create a new entry → select Digital Input from Type → choose the correct Port.
4. Use Test Trigger to verify functionality, then click Save Trigger.
5. Navigate to the Playlists page and assign the trigger as a Start Trigger or drag it onto the timeline.

Hardware

Functional and hardware features, connectivity overview, LED status indicator, and reset button functions.

Functional features

Protocols

• Supports DMX, Art-Net, and sACN protocols.
• 1 universe DMX output and live recording.
• 2 universe Art-Net and sACN output and live recording.
• Maximum output refresh rate: 40 FPS.

Record cues or create effects

• Create up to 16 Static, Dynamic, or Effect Cues.
• Preview cues being created.
• Monitor DMX values of cues while recording.
• On-board gradient Effect Cue generator.

Create and playback playlists

• Create up to 8 playlists (up to 8 cues, 8 events, and 8 triggers each).
• HTP merge between cues and playlists.
• Fade out on Stop command.
• Hold last value on Pause.
• Support up to 16 Events: UDP, OSC, Relay, Art-Net, sACN, DMX.
• Create up to 16 remote Triggers: UDP, OSC, Digital Input (GPI), Art-Net, sACN, DMX, Button.
• Map different streams and protocols to different ports.
• Enable a customised user interface for end-user control.
• Playback on power up with preferred loop times.
• OSC API.

Management and support

• Easily accessible web interface for account management.
• Lock out edit functionality using a password.
• Allow backup and restore of S-PLAY MINI state.

Hardware features

• 4 DIN module width unit form factor.
• One bi-directional 3-pin Phoenix DMX port.
• 12–24 V DC input.
• 100 Mbps Ethernet RJ45 port with built-in Link and Activity LED indicator.
• 4 digital inputs (GPI).
• 1 relay output (NC, NO, COM).
• Full electrical isolation of up to 1500 V.
• Polarity protection.

LED indicator

The forward-facing LED shows the S-PLAY MINI’s current state:

Reset button

The reset button on the device provides multiple control options:

Trigger playlists

The reset button can be configured as a trigger button for playlists. See the Triggers section for configuration details.

Boot loading

Restores or recovers the device firmware to a stable state:

1. Press and hold the reset button while powering up the unit.
2. Continue holding and release within 10 seconds of powering up.
3. The unit loads the boot page. Manually refresh if needed.
4. Upload a firmware file, perform a factory reset at the current firmware version, or revert to factory-state firmware.

Reset network configuration

Resets network settings to default (DHCP enabled, fallback IP 192.168.0.10):

1. Press and hold the reset button while powering up.
2. Continue holding for 10 seconds until the LED turns Green.
3. The device restarts automatically with network settings reset to default.

Resume factory default

Reverts the device to initial manufacturer settings, erasing all data and custom configurations:

1. Press and hold the reset button while powering up.
2. Continue holding for 20 seconds until the LED turns Yellow.
3. The device restarts automatically with all settings reset.

Configuration

Setting up your S-PLAY MINI from initial power-on through the full web interface: cues, events, triggers, playlists, interfaces, storage, and settings.

Out of the box

The S-PLAY MINI is factory configured with these default settings:

Network discovery

The S-PLAY MINI has DHCP enabled by default. When on a network with a DHCP server it requests an IP address on power-up. If the DHCP server is slow or absent, it falls back to 192.168.0.10 (netmask 255.255.255.0).

When DHCP is disabled, the static IP becomes the communication address. Adjust network settings within the Settings page on the web interface.

Note: When configuring multiple devices on a static network, connect one device at a time and assign a unique IP to avoid conflicts. When using a static IP, the default gateway must be the same on both the S-PLAY MINI and your computer.

Web interface

The S-PLAY MINI is configured and controlled through a web browser on any computer on the same Local Area Network (LAN). Type the device IP address directly into your browser’s URL field.

To discover the S-PLAY MINI’s IP address using ENTTEC EMU software:

1. Download EMU from www.enttec.com/sku/70680 (Windows and macOS).
2. Connect the S-PLAY MINI to your computer via Ethernet (directly or through the same network).
3. Open EMU, go to Settings → Output tab → ‘Rescan for Devices’.
4. Once found, select ‘S-PLAY MINI’ and press the configuration cog to open the web interface.

Alternative discovery methods: IP scanning software (e.g. Angry IP Scanner), Art Poll (e.g. DMX Workshop), or the default IP label on the product.

The web interface consists of these pages: Home, Cue, Events, Triggers, Playlists, Interfaces, Storage, Settings.

Cue

The S-PLAY MINI allows a maximum of 16 cues created from a combination of Static, Dynamic, and Effect Cues. The dedicated Cue page allows cues to be configured, duplicated, edited, and previewed.

Static cue

A lighting state of up to 2 DMX universes. DMX data can be user-defined values or a snapshot of the incoming DMX frame. Can be incorporated into a playlist with applied fade-in/out times.

Source protocols: DMX (up to 1 universe / 512 channels), Art-Net (up to 2 universes / 1,024 channels), sACN (up to 2 universes / 1,024 channels).

There are 3 ways to define the channel values when creating a Static cue:

1. Manually set individual channel values and press Set DMX to populate the selected channels.
2. Use the Colour Picker from the colour palette, then press Set DMX to apply and populate the selected channels.
3. Press DMX Snapshot to capture a frame from the DMX source connected to the S-PLAY MINI; the recorded values populate the selected channels and universes automatically.

Tip: When setting single-channel or dimmer fixtures, choose All/W for individual channel control.

Cue management notes:

• Dynamic recordings cannot be duplicated.
• Editing a cue in the Cue Library directly overwrites the full universe values received and extends the length of the cue if necessary.
• Selecting a cue to be edited internally triggers a Stop All command to halt all playback and prevent overlapping output.

Dynamic cue

A recording of up to 2 DMX universes of lighting control data. Supports Perfect Loop recording when recording over a user-defined period.

Recording can be started manually with the red Start Rec button or initiated and stopped automatically via a Recording Trigger. Trigger behaviour per protocol:

Perfect Loop: enable Perfect Loop to let the S-PLAY MINI automatically stop recording when it detects a loop by matching incoming frames with the first 10 frames of the recording. With live-generated content, Perfect Loop may give inconsistent results because the same 10 frames may not always be generated.

Avoid loopback: During Art-Net or sACN recording with Live Preview enabled, ensure no other active Art-Net/sACN device (including the S-PLAY MINI itself) is outputting on the universes being recorded. Loopback can cause erratic or inaccurate recordings. Adjust outputs on the Settings page if needed.

Effect cue

Creates a gradient effect within the S-PLAY MINI without the need for a physical DMX source or lighting design software. Up to 8 colour points per effect. Define LED type, start address, address offset, number of fixtures, and invert direction for grid layouts.

Key Effect Cue parameters:

• LED type and LED start address — set the LED type the effect will reference and the DMX start address for the first fixture. The Address Offset (channels per fixture) is auto-populated based on the LED type.
• 8-channel fixture worked example: if your fixture uses 8 channels where channels 1 and 2 are intensity and strobe and colour begins at channel 3, set Address Offset to 8 and LED start channel to 3. The effect then plays every 8 channels, starting from the 3rd channel.
• Effect Start Channel — defines the position (phase) where the gradient begins.
• Number of Fixtures — sets how many fixtures (LEDs) are included in the effect.
• Invert Every X Fixtures — inverts the gradient direction after every defined number of fixtures, useful for grid layouts (e.g. pixel tape projects) where fixtures need to display in a non-linear pattern.
• Speed and direction slider — set the effect’s speed and direction. Use Preview while adjusting to confirm the look in the real world.
• Universe toggle switches — toggle switches below the gradient define which universes the effect occupies. Disabled universes receive 0 on every channel. Useful when layering effects or overlapping with other groups.
• Smooth loop: make the beginning and end gradient colours identical so the loop has no visible seam.

Events

Create up to 16 custom Events embedded in playlists. Events allow the S-PLAY MINI to send commands to other devices when activated.

Triggers

Create up to 16 custom Triggers to control the playlist timeline. The timeline pauses at a trigger point until the trigger is activated. Triggers can also start a playlist.

Playlists

Create up to 8 playlists by combining cues, events, and triggers on the timeline. Each playlist can contain up to 8 cues, 8 events, and 8 triggers in sequence. Multiple playlists can play simultaneously with HTP channel merging.

Top tip: By default, cues on the timeline hold their end value on the output until a different scene is triggered. To send a blackout at the end of a cue or timeline, set a fade-out time. For a snap-to-black instead of a fade, set the fade-out time to 0.001 second.

Playlist configuration options:

• Start Trigger — set to ‘On Power Up’ or assign a trigger from the Triggers page.
• Stop Trigger — playlist stops when the trigger conditions are met.
• Play Count — number of times to play before stopping (or Infinity for continuous loop).
• Internal Priority — higher priority playlist drives channel output; same priority uses HTP.
• Group — use with ‘Play one active playlist per Group’ for smooth fading between looks.
• Hide from Home — hides this playlist on the Home page.

Performance tip: To ensure the best output frame rate and performance, avoid using the same dynamic cue in different playlists.

Example playlist walk-through

A worked example combining cues, events, and triggers on the timeline:

• Playlist A — set to start automatically on power up and to loop indefinitely (Play Count: Infinity).
• Effect Cue labelled “c” plays from the start and simultaneously fires a UDP Event (UET).
• At the 3-second mark the playlist pauses and waits for a Digital Input trigger (G1) before resuming.
• Playback of the effect continues until the 7-second mark, when the playlist sends additional events and waits for further triggers as configured.
• At the end of the playlist it loops back to the start and replays the full sequence.

Interfaces

The S-PLAY MINI supports 1 custom user interface for tailored playlist control. The interface can be viewed from any device with a web browser on the same local network, and can be set as the default landing page.

Interface configuration options: Interface Name, Interface URL, Hide from Home, set as landing page. The interface editor provides widgets for playlist control (play/pause/stop/intensity), spacers, and colour filter controls for Effect Cues.

Interface editor controls

Widget types

Each widget can also be renamed, assigned a quick functional command, sized to a custom width, and recoloured via the RGBA colour picker.

Storage

The Storage page provides backup and restore functionality for the S-PLAY MINI’s internal storage.

Backup

Creates a .bak package containing all cues, playlists, and settings (excluding IP address). Backup can take up to one hour depending on show size.

Restore

Navigate to Storage → Restore, select internal storage, click Browse to locate the .bak file, then click RESTORE BACKUP. Note: restoring erases current show data — always backup first.

Storage size calculations

Settings

Fast navigation between settings tabs using the left-hand navigation menu. Settings configure the S-PLAY MINI’s device name, output protocols, network, playback, and firmware.

User management and lock feature

User management is found in the top-right corner of the web interface. Functions include: lock, Monitor DMX, login, and language switching (English / Chinese).

Monitor DMX

The S-PLAY MINI can monitor live DMX output values for all universes in real time. To use it:

1. Click the Monitor DMX icon in the top-right corner. An overview row showing each output universe appears at the bottom of the page.
2. Click the icon next to a specific output to open a window showing the current DMX value for every channel of that universe.
3. Click any universe number in the top row of the monitor window to switch the view to another universe.

Lock feature

The S-PLAY MINI includes a locking system to prevent settings, playlists, and cues from being modified. When locked, users can only access the custom interface, play/stop playlists, and adjust playlist intensity. Full functionality requires login.

Note: When a user is logged in, the unit can remain locked for other users on other browsers across the network. To avoid conflicting commands during recording or editing, only one browser at a time can be open against the Home, Cue Library, and Playlist Page.

Default login credentials

Important: Before setting a password, take a full backup of your show data and settings. If the password is forgotten, returning to default requires a full factory reset via reset button or ENTTEC EMU software.

Reference

Factory reset procedures, servicing, maintenance, cleaning, package contents, and ordering information.

Factory reset

A factory reset can be performed using either the web interface or the reset button on the device.

Via web interface

Navigate to the ‘Reset’ option on the Settings page and click Factory Reset.

Via reset button

Press and hold the reset button while powering up; continue holding for 20 seconds until the LED turns Yellow. The device restarts with all settings reset.

Important: A factory reset erases all created content and returns the device to its original factory state. Always take a backup before proceeding. Factory reset cannot be stopped once initiated. Do not power off the S-PLAY MINI during a factory reset.

Servicing, inspection and maintenance

The device has no user-serviceable parts. If the installation becomes damaged, parts should be replaced.

• Power down the device and ensure power cannot be re-applied during servicing.
• Inspect all connectors for damage or corrosion.
• Check cabling for physical damage or crushing.
• Check for dust or dirt build-up and schedule cleaning if necessary.

To order replacement devices or accessories, contact your reseller or ENTTEC directly.

Cleaning

• Power down before cleaning and lock out re-energisation.
• Do not use abrasive, corrosive, or solvent-based cleaning products.
• Do not spray liquids on the device. IP20 — not water-resistant.
• Use low-pressure compressed air to remove dust; wipe with a damp microfibre cloth if necessary.

Increase cleaning frequency if the installation involves stage fog, high airflow, pollution, cigarette smoke, or airborne dust.

Package contents

• S-PLAY MINI (70093)
• DIN Clip × 2 pcs + screws × 4 pcs
• Read Me Card

Ordering

For further support and to browse ENTTEC’s full product range, visit the ENTTEC website.

Due to constant innovation, information within this document is subject to change.