You cannot use a single ETCNet2 node as a DMX merger. HTP arbitration works via node address not by port address. Port addresses on a node are arbitrated like version 3 where the lower the port # the higher the priority.
Imagine a scenario where you plug dmx jacks into ports 1 & 2 on a Net2 4 Port DMX Node and have configured them both as the same universe input:
- If you turn on a device plugged into port 2, it will input into the system properly as long as the port 1 DMX device is powered off or disconnected.
- As soon as the node receives DMX on port 1, it will stop listening to port 2 and begin outputting the data from port 1. Even if the data from port 1 is removed, the node won't listen to port 2 again until it is rebooted without dmx active for port 1.
This behaviour holds true for ETCNet2 DMX nodes and Net3 DMX gateways running in Net2 mode. A Net3 gateway running in Net3 (sACN) mode should be able to merge multiple input ports in an HTP fashion properly.