diff --git a/bin/collector b/bin/collector
--- a/bin/collector
+++ b/bin/collector
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from greplin import scales
 
 from run_local import log
 from lib.cycloneerr import PrettyErrorHandler
-from light9.collector.output import EnttecDmx, Udmx
+from light9.collector.output import EnttecDmx, Udmx, DummyOutput
 from light9.collector.collector import Collector
 from light9.namespaces import L9
 from light9 import networking
diff --git a/light9/collector/output.py b/light9/collector/output.py
--- a/light9/collector/output.py
+++ b/light9/collector/output.py
@@ -53,6 +53,21 @@ class Output(object):
         """short string to distinguish outputs"""
         raise NotImplementedError
 
+class DummyOutput(Output):
+    def __init__(self, uri, *args):
+        self.uri = uri
+        self.numChannels = args[-1]
+    
+    def update(self, values):
+        pass
+
+    def flush(self):
+        pass
+
+    def shortId(self):
+        return repr(self)
+
+        
 class DmxOutput(Output):
     def __init__(self, uri, numChannels):
         self.uri = uri