DMX Sequencer (not decoder)?

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm wondering about the feasibility of using an Arduino Uno's outputs as controllers for a DMX decoder that has XLR inputs (specifically: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q1N1AG8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00).

I want to store a looping sequence on an Arduino for an art installation. I would like to free up the computer from running it (currently out of serial port in Max/MSP attached to USB -> DMX interface). I would like to convert my lighting patterns to an Arduino sketch, and then store the loop on the Arduino, using output pins from the Arduino to plug into the "DMX IN" on the decoder.

Note that I wouldn't be using the Uno as the decoder itself as in a lot of online tutorials I'm seeing, rather, just sending the DMX data to another piece of hardware. Is this possible without an extra shield?

Uno with stored, looping sequence -> Decoder -> Lights

2

Is this possible without an extra shield?

You do need some extra hardware for the RS-485 protocol. That's basically just a driver chip so you don't necessarily need a DMX shield. Most of the DMX shields I've seen have a transmitter and receiver, and you don't need the receiver. (If it was me, I'd buy the shield so I wouldn't have to build the circuit myself.)