New CS1 line from Studio DueStudio Due's CS 1 line of projectors has been enhanced with two new options which allow more versatile use, say the company. Available in the halogen lamp version or the discharge lamp version, the new options are designed to produce a diffuse white light (with various beam/lens options). Unlike the company's motorized projectors created for high power stage use, this CS1 offers a range of white light, combined with noiseless operation, due to its innovative construction and the lack of cooling fans. The fixtures are especially suitable for exhibitions, theatres and museums and other environments requiring precise beam positioning.
For applications requiring colour, Studio Due has designed an external colour changer, in collaboration with another Italian lighting manufacturer, Luci Della Ribalta (LDR).
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
www.studiodue.it
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Martin Universal AdaptorDrawing upon feedback from its various technicians and users around the globe, Martin Professional has produced a more robust universal adaptor that significantly lessens damage to any internal components in automated lights.
Lighting professionals often need to fasten an adaptor onto a lighting fixture's motor axle. A common way of doing this is by screwing a set screw mounted on the adaptor into the axle. However, this can cause a number of problems as the axle becomes burred and the adaptor becomes difficult to remove. Damage to CMY wheels, dimmers and other components often occurs.
Because of this, Martin set to create a new adaptor that eliminates these drawbacks. The result is a new aluminum design that is less prone to creep thus significantly reducing burrs on the axle. The new design is more tolerant with regard to the mounting torque applied to the screw. It also minimizes angular hole movement. The new Martin Universal Adaptor will be utilized in all Martin products.
Development of the Universal Adaptor say the company is a further example of Martin's responsiveness to user opinion and demonstrates its continued commitment to producing market leading fixtures with reliability as a key component.
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
LED Pinspots The humble pinspot is one of the most common and classic fittings still used all over the entertainment industry today. Their simplicity is the reason that they are so popular…and of course everyone loves the revolving mirror ball effect or internally lit chrome truss. How can you improve on a classic?
Well, with the expansion of LED’s and the fact that prices have become very competitive Show Technology has managed to improve on the classic by making it DMX controlled and giving it the possibility to be mixed to any colour.
That’s right, it looks like a Pinspot, but it is actually an affordable RGB colour mixing LED fitting. It features DMX straight in as well as a selection of stand alone options including subtle slow colour mixing, speed chases and “sound to light” modes.
The units, if on the same modes, will sync up once they power up and reset, meaning it is very easy to get a heap of units changing colour together to up-light a room or mirror ball cluster. You can also place them on a variety of static colours which would be ideal for theming and staging companies.
For those who prefer the PAR-can shape they also offer the same heart of LED’s in a PAR-36 can housing, this unit looks a little more attractive and is ideal for area’s where that classic look is required such as a low ceiling space behind a bar. Both units come in Black or Polished finishes.
All of the units come including a handy floor stand which doubles as a simple mounting plate if used in an install. Both the Pinspot and PAR-36 have a recommended retail price of $199, and of course features all of the benefits of LED’s with no heat, virtually no maintenance and no lamp exchange. The LED’s are recommended to last 100,000 hours on usual colour changing setting far outlasting any normal lamp.
www.showtech.com.au
Color Kinetics' white light advanceColor Kinetics Inc has unveiled the industry's first series of intelligent digital light engines (DLEs) for white light applications - enabling manufacturers to develop complete lighting systems with the advanced feature of colour temperature control. The Series 300 product line is based on Color Kinetics' proven Chromacore technology and is compatible with its IntelliWhite family of power/data supplies and controllers, as well as third-party controllers, making the DLEs easily adaptable to both standard and new fixture designs, says the company.
The first Series 300 offerings provide consistent white light and adjustable colour temperature ranging from 3000K to 6500K, and are designed to support a wide variety of applications, from stage and studio lighting to architectural and accent lighting. They include the DLE C-301 - a circular module designed for use in medium- to large-format Par systems; the DLE C-302 - a circular module designed for use in small-format Par systems; the DLE L-301 - a 12" linear module; and the PDM-301 - a power/data module that enables dimming and colour temperature control of Series 300 DLEs or lamps via Color Kinetics or third-party architectural controllers.
In addition to colour temperature control, provided today only by Color Kinetics, Series 300 DLEs extend the inherent benefits of LEDs, including efficiency, long life, durability, and lack of radiated heat and UV emission, to third-party product designs. They build upon Color Kinetics' comprehensive OEM product line, which now spans core components and subsystems for both white and colour lighting applications. For the latter, Series 100 offerings are based on the Chromacore technology platform, while Series 200 supports both the Chromacore and Chromasic technology platforms. All OEM product offerings are backed by support, services and the expertise Color Kinetics has gained through nearly eight years of research and development.
"While the many benefits of LEDs are well documented, true industry adoption requires complete lighting systems that are designed, powered and controlled with proven technology. With the launch of Series 300, Color Kinetics is offering a turnkey solution for third-party manufacturers who recognize the tremendous market potential for intelligent white solid-state lighting systems," said Bill Sims, president and COO. "This launch marks another important expansion of our OEM & Licensing business, through which partners can now take advantage of the same industry-first technologies that support our IntelliWhite line."
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
www.colorkinetics.com
Martin to preview MAC 700 at ABTT The new MAC 700 from Martin Professional will be on preview at this week's ABTT show. This fixture is ideally suited to the theatre market, say Martin, as its features include an Animation Wheel, CMY and the option to run in Quiet Mode. Also on show is the newly released MAC 250 Wash, as well as the new Woodroffe Gobo Collection for the MAC 2000 Profile. Martin says it will also be giving two lucky people the chance to win one of its Mania Aqua and Fire Animation Effects at the show.
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
HaLEDgen Lamps Prime Electronics have negotiated to distribute a new series of lamps that are direct drop-in replacements for conventional dichroic halogens.
These new haLEDgen lamps run much cooler than conventional halogen (no heat out the front of the lamp at all) and have the added benefit of emitting zero UV, both ideal conditions for shopfitting and cabinet displays.
USA / Europe - When ETC bought the Avab brand three years ago, they promised to continue to support and develop it: now, the company has announced that it has kept its promise with the release of v3.5 in October 04 and now v3.6 of the popular Safari software.
In response to requests from users, the upgrade includes improved scroller handling, display of device addresses in patch and editing timegroups in blind (including extended drag-and-drop functionality). A history of status files now allows the user to go back to un-recorded play. A few issues experienced by a small number of users have also been resolved.
Safari v3.6 is available as a free upgrade for a limited time. Current v3.5 users can simply email the address below, indicating whether they want a download link (about 4MB) or a disk set. Other v3.x users can register at www.avabcontrol.com to receive details of how to upgrade free of charge. Users can also register in order to be kept up to date with future upgrades. The software will run in systems with a minimum processing power of 800MHz and 64MB RAM. Users with a system running Safari v2 or older will need to contact their dealer for a hardware upgrade.
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
www.etcconnect.com
Australian Distributor: Jands www.jands.com.au
Israel / Canada - Compulite Systems has teamed up with Cast Software, pairing their lighting control consoles with a copy of the WYSIWYG Console Edition (CE) software. Cast is the developer of the award-winning WYSIWYG suite, the industry standard in lighting design and pre-visualization software. Compulite is the manufacturer of the advanced Vector family of lighting boards as well as a variety of other popular lighting desks.
"We are thrilled that Compulite has come on board and decided to offer WYSIWYG CE with their professional grade consoles," says Bob Mani, VP of sales and business development at Cast. "Their customers will be receiving the best package available in the industry."
WYSIWYG CE will be packaged with Compulite's Vector-Red, and offered as an optional bundle with all other Compulite desks. All Vectors are capable of running WYSIWYG on-board, so that no external PC is required. "This is a major step towards offering our valued customers the ultimate lighting-workstation solution", says Ohad Ashery, Compulite's VP of business development. "Vector has reached the maturity level, in which we feel comfortable integrating advanced third party components such as WYSIWYG."
Source L&SI Online www.lsionline.co.uk
www.compulite.com
Australian Distributor: Coemar De Sisti www.cdaust.com.au
iMove 8 Moving Head The flagship product of the iSolution range, the innovative iMove 8 moving head can be linked with other intelligent scanners and multi-gobo scanners in the range, performing coordinated lighting shows with or without controller. Features include 9 rotating gobos, trapezoid colours, smooth dimmer, optimal optics, and a completely new software, to make this MSD 250W ideal for any venue.
8 DMX 512 control channels and consistent DMX configuration enables iMove to be linked with iRock and iShow products. When the DMX signal is off, the lights will switch to Master/Slave mode.
RRP $2419.00 Inc Lamp.
www.ula.com.au
Cyclo Available in Outdoor IP65 Designwww.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
MoodLight Tile 64The MoodLight Tile 64 was developed to enhance display possibilities - the panel is both an LED light and LED display screen. This new product is able to display standing or moving letters as well as complex pictures or images.
Made possible by adding a greater density of RGB LED's to a standard configuration 50x50cm panel, MoodLight Tile 64 - as the name suggests contains 64 pixels of RGB resolution. Each of the 64 pixels can be illuminated individually in a different colour or nuance. Combined with a sophisticated control tool, this provides infinite possibilities of displaying complex shapes and colour gradients.
The MoodLight Tile 64 is equipped with the same technology as other MoodLight panels - meaning the panels can be interconnected to display one large image or writing over a set-up of several Tile 64s or simply used individually as required.
Specifications
- 64 SMD RGB LED module
- Dimensions: 50x50cm
- Input Power: 5V DC via Jack. Separate Power supply required
www.ula.com.au
Version 1.3.8 software for the Wholehog 3 operating system is now released by High End Systems Inc. (HES; Austin, TX). This new software provides many enhancements to the already feature-rich lighting console and adds new features including ESP Vision connectivity, Levels view, Follow current or Follow Next cue-contents abilities, and an on-board Fixture Builder utility. Users can download the software and read detailed release information at www.flyingpig.com
The primary goal of v.1.3.8 was to improve much of the currently implemented functionality, says Brad Schiller, HES Director of Control Systems Development. “This new version has increased the software’s abilities in terms of data processing and network usage,” he explains. “Our development team has dedicated many hours to strengthening the core functionality of the software and hardware. In addition, they were able to sneak in a few new features that will greatly benefit all users.”
Version 1.3.8 software also enables a direct connection to ESP Vision via Ethernet for real time lighting fixture output visualization. A recent partnership between ESP Vision of Las Vegas and HES allows Wholehog 3 owners to make use of this ground-breaking visualization technology.
Existing Wholehog 3 users should contact ESP Vision (www.esp-vision.com) to purchase a license. Their Wholehog 3 console serial number will be required for a special price, which is only available for a few months. New Wholehog 3 console purchasers will receive the special price offer at the time of purchase through High End Systems, for a limited time only.
www.highend.com
Nemetschek North America announces that it has formed a strategic partnership with ESP Studios to provide a complete design, visualization, and simulation solution to lighting designers worldwide. The partnership teams the powerful 2D drafting, 3D modeling and rendering capabilities of VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT with the advanced rendering and real-time lighting simulation capabilities of ESP Vision. Lighting designers can now easily conceptualize their design, generate the necessary drawings and paperwork, and create 3D models in VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT, then move their models directly into ESP Vision to simulate and cue their work.
"ESP Vision's best in class visualization and real-time simulation are the perfect complement to VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT's powerful drafting and modeling capabilities,"says Dan Monaghan, director of marketing for Nemetschek North America. "This partnering offers ESP Vision users access to a CAD package that is widely regarded as the industry standard. It also gives VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT users the ability to realistically simulate their designs on any lighting console in real time for the first time. The combination of these two technologies promises to offers lighting designers dramatic improvements in pre-production efficiency and increased productivity."
"Users will no longer be limited to the simple drafting tools offered by other pre-visualization packages,"says Kevin Linzey, VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT product manager. "They can also save time by designing with the powerful 2D and 3D tools within VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT, then exporting their files to ESP Vision for cueing."
The ESP Vision plug-in provides yet another tool that allows VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT to communicate with a wide range of software.
For more information about ESP Vision, visit www.esp-vision.com.
Direct connectivity with ESP Vision software with some new exclusive features is now available for Wholehog 3 console owners. A new partnership between ESP Vision of Las Vegas and High End Systems allows Wholehog 3 owners to make use of this ground-breaking visualisation technology.
ESP Vision software simulates all facets of a lighting fixture's capability and personality in real-time via a simple Ethernet connection with a Wholehog 3 console. The visualization provides the user with a powerful toolset to create and pre-program spectacular shows and lighting designs.
"This connectivity to ESP Vision is exciting because of the functionality it will add to the Wholehog 3 console," says Robbie Bruce, HES Director of Software Development. "It's optimized for the Wholehog 3, meaning that it carries features the normal ESP Vision software doesn't offer for other brands of consoles. Exclusive features will include direct access to raw DMX data, remote focus, autopatching and the ability to do blind preview. Blind preview allows the user to look ahead from the lighting cue they're in to the next cue coming up."
"ESP Vision and the integrated Hog 3 code will allow lighting designers and programmers to create and see elaborate lighting shows long before they ever get to the show venue," Bruce continues. " The combined products will offer unique and sophisticated programming views with amazing accuracy. A show preprogrammed in Hog 3 ESP Vision looks remarkably like the finished product - complete with realistic lighting shadows, color mixing and fixture settings. This will quickly become the standard for show programming."
"It's a springboard to the future," says Dedrick Ducket, Director of Technology for ESP Vision. "This is just the beginning of our relationship, providing direct connectivity through the family of Wholehog 3 products including Wholehog 3, Hog iPC and Hog 3PC.Ultimately, the lighting professional will benefit the most from our seamless integration."
Explaining the connectivity process, Duckett says, "The Wholehog 3 and its DP (Data Processor) are two units. The DP has connections for the DMX cable and the console talks to the DP. ESP and HES have jointly developed direct connectivity by means of a virtual DP from which ESP gets info. The console talks to ESP without hardware intervention via Ethernet. People want to connect directly to us without expensive interface hardware. Without this integration, in addition to your DP, you would also need 2 VBoxes for 4 universes, at an additional cost of $900."
Connectivity between the Wholehog 3 console and ESP Vision requires Wholehog 3 software version 1.3.8, due to be released soon. ESP Vision and HES will offer a four-universe license of ESP Vision for US$2500 - a $500 saving over the MSRP.
Existing Wholehog 3 users will have to purchase the license from ESP Vision. Their Wholehog 3 console registration number will be required for the special price, which is only available for a few months. New Wholehog 3 purchasers will get the special price offer at the time of purchase through High End Systems, for a limited time only.
www.esp-vision.com
Enttec’s DMX USB Pro – A Professional Interface for all UsersFollowing the enormous success of the Open DMX/USB Widget, Enttec have developed a truly professional DMX/USB interface compatible with all major computer operating systems.
The Open DMX/USB Widget, while popular and useful, is subject to some limitations. For example, it is only compatible with Windows-based computers, and relies upon the computer’s processor to generate DMX, causing occasional timing fluctuation when the PC is busy.
The DMX USB Pro overcomes these obstacles with the introduction of an onboard microprocessor. This allows the Interface to generate its own DMX, meaning your lights run smoothly from start to finish, no matter what your computer gets up to. In fact, even if your computer crashes the DMX USB Pro will hold its last known state until new information is sent.
The DMX USB Pro features isolation up to 1500V, so if something goes terribly wrong and power is sent back up your data line, your computer’s USB port won’t be affected. The Pro interface also has two DMX connectors - a male and a female - allowing you to choose whether it acts as an input or an output.
The onboard processor includes a user-programmable EEPROM, and can talk at any communications speed, making the DMX USB Pro suitable for use with Windows, Mac OSX, Linux – in fact pretty much all major operating systems!
The DMX USB Pro interface and the Open DMX/USB Widget are available now.
www.balancedtech.com.au/enttec/usb.htm
New SharXS lamps from OsramOsram is expanding its modular SharXS lamp family with the HTI 1200 W/D7/75, which provides cold white light at a colour temperature of 7500K - meaning that the most powerful lamp in the family is now available in two colour temperatures.
The all members of the SharXS family, the metal halide lamp is compact and double-ended. Its key features are a short arc and eXtreme Seal (XS) technology, which makes the lamps capable of withstanding thermal stress (up to 450°C). Its main areas of application, say Osram, include stage, film and television, and its improved heat handling offers benefits in terms of reduced cooling, smaller housing requirements and quieter operation in the luminaire, say Osram.
The company has also introduced a new version of the SharXS HTI 400 W/D3/75 - which now boasts 30% longer life, of up to 1000 hours.
www.osram.com.au
MAC 250 Wash completes series
Martin Professional has added a Fresnel version to its new MAC 250 Series of moving heads - the MAC 250 Wash - which joins the previously released MAC 250 Krypton and full-featured MAC 250 Entour profile spots to complete the new generation MAC 250 Series, say the company. The MAC 250 Wash has been designed for environments where powerful colour wash effects are required from a compact 250W Fresnel moving head - such as touring and special event applications, television studios, club installations, and retail and leisure environments.
Advancements include a new, more efficient reflector technology for greater output, fast and quiet movement, a variable frost filter for zoom effect and a CMY colour mixing system with a complementing colour wheel, say Martin. The company also says that a highly effective, multi-layered dichroic reflector gives the MAC 250 Wash an exceptional output - surpassing its competitive peers using condenser based optical systems. Using the industry standard long-life, Philips MSD 250/2 discharge lamp (included) and the standard Fresnel lens, the MAC 250 Wash covers a wide area (19°-35°) with a great uniformity of coverage. For added flexibility, a simple change to a 59° diffuser lens (included) makes wide beam angles possible (52°-66°). A CMY colour mixing system is included, while a separate six-slot plus open colour wheel complements with colour correction and other filters. All colour slots are replaceable and split colours are possible, say the company.
Other features include a variable frost filter, an enhanced high-resolution dimming system similar to the MAC 2000, a fast 20Hz shutter for strobe effect and new fan technology to further improve the quietness of the performance.
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Robe releases eight new products at Prolight + Sound, Frankfurt
At the recent
Prolight + Sound
show held in conjunction with the
huge Musikmesse
at Frankfurt, Robe introduced a panoply of new products.
The MediaHub is a media server located inside the base of Robe's ColorSpot 575AT, making it easy to rig onto a truss or wherever else needed. It has four parallel outputs to send the video content to plasma screens or via LCD displays, projectors and display devices of any other type. It combines 2 digital layers with a selection of up to 255 video clips or images per layer. Supported image and video file types are: MPEG1, MPEG2, PNG and BMP.
The StudioWash 750H AT is the first ROBE moving fixture to use a halogen lamp light source. All the features of the halogen lamp are available with the StudioWash, including uniform beam path without hotspots, warm colour tones and smooth electronic dimming. The fixture is based on the ColorWash 1200E AT, so it features all the functionality of this luminaire including Full CMY, 2 colour wheels with SLOT & LOCK system, linear zoom of 13-44° as a standard (extendable to 87° if a front wide-angle lens is used) and shutter for variable strobe effect. StudioWash is quiet in operation, making it a possibility for theatre, TV and architectural markets.
The ColorWash 250 AT, which comes in both Spot and Wash versions, completes Robe's AT line of moving heads. A completely new optical system makes this fixture 50% brighter than its predecessor, the Wash 250XT. New CMY colour mixing offers a broad spectrum of hues. A motorized zoom effect ranges from 8 - 34° and the quiet cooling system and movement make this fixture a candidate for use in TV and theatre. The colour wheel offers 6 saturated colours + open, using Robe's SLOT&LOCK system. Frost filter and a beam shaper are available on the effect wheel. As with all other Robe AT moving heads, 16-bit resolution is available for movement, colour wheel positioning and dimming.
Robe's Club and Bar series expands with the launch of the ClubRollers 250 and 150CT and the HIP-HOP. These effects are fully DMX controllable, and can operate in Stand-Alone or in Master/Slave modes. Auto-trigger and Music-trigger features are available as with all other Robe Club & Bar products.
The Robe Fog 800FT fog is a new fog machine aimed primarily at clubs and discotheques. It features an 800W heater, a tank capacity of 0.8 litres and an output of 3000 cu. feet/min.
LEDBlinder 96 is the Robe brand's first LED product. It has 8 LED modules, each with 12 RGB LEDs, and each four pairs of modules are separately controllable. This product is aimed at the TV and stage lighting markets. LEDBlinder 96 will also be supplied as an upgrade kit, retro-fittable to old blinders transforming them into RGB colour mixing units.
www.robe.cz
Australian distributor: ULA www.ula.com.au
grand iMAge from grandMA
From an artistic point of view, the use of video and image manipulation is becoming more and more a central element in a wide range of different productions; at the same time, "digital lighting" is also becoming increasingly widespread with the expanding number of inexpensive and significantly brighter LCD and DLP projectors available.
grandMA video has been designed to provide an optimal solution to meet these requirements. As a result, grandMA video is capable of controlling, by means of the grandMA consoles, any commercially available pc server hardware and the video projector plugged into this server.
In cooperation with Publitec, MA Lighting also offer an integrated system solution consisting of special 19" server hardware (publitec proVideor) and moving video lights (beaMovers), which are based on a modular design. The grandMA consoles are at the heart of such a system and can be network-linked to a maximum of 15 grandMA video applications using MA-Net. This interactivity ensures that grandMA video can be used at full capacity, including the entire range of effects available, say the company
grandMA video is the only media server on the market that can be fully integrated into the network protocol of a lighting console and is not just triggered via DMX, say the company. Bidirectional communication between the grandMA console and grandMA video with all associated advantages is possible using MA-Net (via Ethernet). This ensures a minimum of setup and configuration is required and the grandMA console allows for direct access to the server (content browser), previewing the content as thumbnails in the preset. The PC can therefore be placed with the projector or moving video light, so there is no need for long video cables.
grandMA video can also be set up in such a way that only those function and layer parameters actually used take up available parameter capacity. While this improves the overview, it also increases the system's performance and ease of operation. At a maximum, each grandMA video application will use up to 201 parameters when working with six layers and the master layer.
Product availability to be announced soon.
www.lightpower.de
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Innovative LED Display and Effects Luminaires
Coemar De Sisti Australia has added several new products to their innovative range of LED effect and display luminaires.
PUZ : This new slimline multipurpose decorative panel is designed for internal installation on floors, walls and ceilings. Featuring 4 independently controlled quadrants containing a total of 144 high output leds, the unit is conveniently sized at 310mm x 310mm and weighs only 3kg. Perfect as a decorative ceiling or wall feature, the panel is also extremely strong and hard-wearing.
TracPOD : This new addition to the current TracPOD fixtures is designed for mobile or fixed applications. Providing incredible illumination and flexibility, the TracPOD contains a total of 648 high output leds. The fixture performs like a long, narrow wash light and features a built-in controller for stand-alone operation with numerous pre-programmed effects. In addition, the fixture can be easily controlled from any standard DMX controller.
Krypton : Resembling a cyclight, the new Krypton is designed for maximum flexibility in mobile or fixed applications. Providing incredible output, the Krypton contains 648 high output leds in a rectangular housing. The built-in controller allows for stand-alone operation with 8 pre-programmed chase and sound-activated modes or the fixture can be easily controlled from any standard DMX controller.
OP-72SP : This unique, stand-alone luminaire features 72 high-output white leds in a compact housing weighing less than 1 kg. Easily installed in almost any situation via its combination hanging/standing bracket, this unit is perfect for display and point-of-sale applications.
www.cdaust.com/products/prod_Leds.html
36 Channels of Lighting Control for under $250 – New LightFactory Starter Pack
Enttec’s new LightFactory Starter Pack includes everything you need to turn your computer into a 36 channel lighting control system – just add lights!
LightFactory is a fully functional lighting desk on your PC, suitable for controlling conventional and moving fixtures alike.
The new Starter Pack contains a 36 channel version of LightFactory, including all the features that have made LightFactory so successful, such as moving light libraries, effects engines, midi/timecode triggering and audio input. The only difference is the output is limited to 36 channels of DMX. Upgrades can be purchased at any stage to expand the output to up to 10 complete DMX universes.
The Starter Pack includes an installation CD and registration code for your 36 channel licence, an Enttec Open DMX/USB Widget, USB A-B cable, 5-pin to 3-pin XLR adaptor and Quick Start manual – all for $249.00 inc GST.
LightFactory will run on any Windows (98/NT/2K/XP) based PC, and you can download a demo version of LightFactory from our website to try out for yourself today!
For Availability, Pricing or Further Information, call Balanced Technology on 1300 305 832.
www.balancedtech.com.au
Gobos really ‘r DHA
In direct response to calls from designers and distributors alike, DHA Lighting Services has now added over 100 new designs to its already extensive standard metal gobo range.
Aiming to fill the gaps in the existing catalogue, DHA’s creative team has put together to a collection of new images from pantomime phrases to exotic breakups. Each design has been carefully tailored to meet designers’ expectations then projected, evaluated, tweaked and remade. The end result is a range of gobos that DHA is understandably proud of. As Diane Grant, MD for DHA commented, “DHA is known throughout the world as THE place to come for gobos. It is our responsibility to keep applying a fresh approach to the catalogue and to reinvest in its development. Even as a non-lighting designer, I know that some of these designs are beautiful and I can’t wait for people to start using them.”
For full details see www.dhalighting.co.uk or ask DHA for a CD or swatch book.
Elation Power Spot 575 A new inovation in Automated lighting. The Power Spot 575 boast a powerfull 575 discharge lamp in a fixture the size as the popular Power Spot 250. Along with this powerfull output the Power Spot 575 features 2 Gobo wheels with the popular "Slot-Lot" quick gobo change technology for gobo overlaying effects.
Features include: Pan 540º/Tilt 280º, Remote Focus via DMX, 11 Colours + White, 16 Gobos on 2 wheels, 4.9 mW Red Laser with pulse effect, Mechanical Dimming 0-100%, 16 pan/tilt preprogramed movements via DMX, Sound activated built in programs.
For more information contact LSW (02) 9718 4900 or visit www.elationlighting.com
DTS Arc 1200 Arc 1200, the new item developed and projected to light big surfaces at long distances. An high IP grade make it versatile and suitable in hard climatic conditions. Arc1200 is made of very selected materials from extruded aluminium to stainless steel and silicon gaskets. The innovative system with 2 raylights, 2 CMY colour changer (one for each raylight) and 2 mechanical dimmers can be controlled separately, or simultaneously. A wide range of accessories (barndoor, beam shape filters, ceiling fixing brackets complete the functionality of Dts new Architectural projector. Another interesting function, is the possibility to work in automatic mode selecting, autonomously and synchronously, a pre-set chase with other projectors.
Specs:
- Dmx colour changer ,very versatile product, designed for a wide range of setting for architectural lighting.
- Suitable for illuminating large surfaces at long distance, indoor or outdoor use (IP55)
- LAMP: MSR1200 or MSD1200
- CONTROL: max 10 channels DMX 512
- Colour Mixing by CMY (is possible to get an infinity of tonality of colour)
- Filter for temperature conversion to 3200°K
- Turn-on and off of the lamp via DMX or by menu.
- Automatic functioning with a internal programmable chase
- Dimmer
- Strobe effect ( 10 Flash/sec) + evanescences (opening and closing)
- Adjustable motorized Beam Shape
Options:
- Barn Door for ARC1200
- FIXING BRACKET for ARC1200
For more information contact LSW (02) 9718 4900 or visit www.DTS-show.com
Martin's Mania Scanner
The Mania SCX500 is the first scanner in Martin Professional's Mania series and is billed as "an extraordinary 150W halogen scanner that challenges the status quo of mobile scanners".
Martin says that the scanner produces "surprisingly powerful, brilliant effects from separate colour and gobo wheels. With 15 gobos plus open, 15 rich colours including white and five mixed colours, as well as a split colour option, the SCX500 powers out shows like larger scanners but with all the convenience and savings of its class."
Highly portable, the SCX500 is DMX controllable for ultimate manageability. And as with all Mania products the SCX500 is officially ETL, cETL and CE approved meaning users are assured of the fixtures' safety and performance.
Martin says the Mania SCX500 is "ideal for any show, club, or party and will be appreciated by DJs and live performers alike." As with every fixture in the Mania range it has no duty cycle, which means there are no cool down periods and no stopping the show.
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
New Holdons Instant Eyelets Now Available From Balanced Technology
Holdons are one of those products that make you wonder – “Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?” Their simple construction belies the countless applications for these helpful and versatile clips.
Holdons are designed to take the hassle out of hanging or stretching any type of fabric, by providing eyelets wherever you want them in seconds – without using tools!
Simply slip a Holdon onto your curtain, cyc or banner, loop some ‘trick line’ or string through the other end, then tie it off. Their clever patented design means the harder you pull, the tighter they grip, making them extraordinarily strong. In fact, tests show they can support over 100kg, and they won’t damage or puncture your fabric.
Holdons are made from glass-reinforced nylon, keeping them lightweight, compact and durable. They can be used over and over again, and are able to be repositioned in seconds, even when you’ve only got one hand free. Suitable for any hemmed or non-hemmed fabric up to 5mm thick (even thicker for compressible fabrics), Holdons are available in Black or White, to suit most common theatrical cloths.
But Holdons are not limited to theatrical applications. They are UV protected, perfect for outdoor applications such as hanging banners, netting, or tar paulins, or for extra guy lines on tents and marquees – in fact, anywhere you need an eyelet!
Holdons are available now in packs of 10. Bulk packs are available on request.
http://www.balancedtech.com.au/holdon/holdon.htm
In the process of building his own Mac-based lighting console, independent UK developer Ben Suffolk, has developed and released a low cost USB to DMX interface. Based on the same FTDI FT245BM chip as the Enttec and Durand Interstellar interfaces, Ben's device is currently supplied only with Mac control software, although the full interface protocol is available for anyone wishing to develop software for other platforms.
The key features are:-
USB Bus powered
DMX lines fully opto-isolated to protect host computer Simultaneously send and receive up to 512 channels Minimal host computer resource needed Firmware up-datable over USB High quality resilient line drivers Affordable and easy to build Compatible with all major O/S
Full details at http://usbdmx.com
Balanced Technology introduces the Pocket Console DMX - A Hand-held Lighting Desk!
The smallest, most user-friendly lighting console on the market is now available in Australia.
Made in the USA, the Pocket Console DMX is a hand-held, take anywhere lighting desk that fits in your briefcase, powered by a 9V battery or plug-pack adaptor. It can control a full DMX-512 Universe, is small and lightweight, and only costs around $600!
The console features 8 soft-patchable faders with flash buttons, each fader being able to be patched to any or all DMX channels from 0 - 512. An LED display tells you which channel you are patching, even in complete darkness, making the Pocket Console simple and easy to set up.
Uses for the Pocket Console are endless. It could act as an inexpensive submaster wing for a moving light console, a DMX source for troubleshooting returned gear, or solving the question – is it the main console or the rack? The Pocket Console is also a perfect set-and-forget option for meeting rooms, exhibits, or simple ‘lecturn and a special’ shows, saving you the hassle of setting up the main console for small events.
For technicians, having a hand-held, battery-operated DMX source with soft-patch could be invaluable, allowing you to test moving lights where they hang. In the workshop valuable bench space will no longer be taken up by a conventional lighting desk - the Pocket Console is smaller than a VHS video tape!
Optional accessories available include a handy pouch with belt loop and space for your Maglite and pens, and a Multi-Patch chip which gives the Pocket Console DMX the capacity to store 8-pages of patches.
For full details go to www.balancedtech.com.au/baxter/pocket_console.htm
New DMX Play Back Device delivers more bang for your buck!
Enttec's new DMXPlayBack Mk2 makes the popular Australian-made DMX Player even better value for money.
The DMXPlayBack was the first device launched by Mel bourne-based lighting control manufacturer Enttec way back in 1998. The original DMXPlayBack has been enormously successful, however at the ripe old age of seven, Enttec felt it was time to give it a facelift.
The result is the new DMXPlayBack Mk2, with all the functions people have come to rely on, and some great new functions as well, such as heaps of extra memory, at no extra cost!
The DMXPlayBack Mk2 can store up to 12 complete light shows, each of which can consist of up to 500 static scenes. Scenes can be stored as a 'snapshot' of the DMX input, or can be built using the dedicated free software package 'ShowEditor 2'. Once your scenes have been stored, shows are put together using ShowEditor, and uploaded to the DMXPlayBack Mk2.
You can choose to run a single show on power-up of the unit, or you can trigger individual shows via RS232. For manual control, simply add the DMXPlayBack Remote, which allows single-button access to all twelve shows. It can even be triggered using a TV remote!
The new LCD display on the DMXPlayBack Mk2 tells you which show is currently running, what scene it us up to, and how many times the show is set to run. You can download Show Editor Mk2 for FREE today from the new Balanced Technology website - www.balancedtech.com.au
A Starry Starry Night...all day, every dayPresenting ShowLED Starcloth, a totally new concept in LED lighting.
Totally reliable, totally re-useable, totally energy efficient and totally stunning!
Finally, a way to express your creativity over and over again without having to spend a fortune. Available in both white and RGB LED modules, Starcloth is totally customisable to suit whatever application you can possibly design. Each lamp can be individually addressed or become part of a larger unit – you choose!
The Starcloth controller is fully addressable via industry-standard DMX making it a coherent and integral part of your total lighting design.
Already a major hit in Australia in its first outing on the hit Nine NetworkTV show Starstruck, Starcloth is now available in both kit form for individualised custom usage (using your own cloth or adding leds to existing cloths), or complete packages are available in a range of cloth colours in standard designs or manufactured to meet your specifications. All cloths are fire-retardant material meeting all relevant standards.
An innovative sample pack is available from Coemar De Sisti in Melbourne. Follow the three simple steps on the pack, sit back and just imagine the possibilities.
www.cdaust.com.au/products/prod_leds_cloth.html
Martin DC3 adds Funk to Mania SeriesMartin Professional has introduced the new Mania DC3, the third decoration fixture in the Martin Mania series. The 250W unit offers replaceable oil wheels to produce psychedelic decoration effects ideal for a wide variety of decorative lighting purposes. A variable focus allows users to blur the edges of the projected image while a variable speed control keeps pace with the music. Furthermore, the DC3 includes high quality projection optics and a precise manual focus adjustment for extremely sharp and detailed projections, say Martin.
For further decorative possibilities, gobos can be placed in the DC3 to frame the oil wheel image, thus creating a variety of shapes and providing even more depth to the projection. Designed for wherever people want to have fun, the Mania DC3 is ideal for shows, clubs, or parties and will be appreciated by DJs and live performers alike. As with every fixture in the Mania range, the DC3 has no duty cycle, which means there are no cool down periods and no stopping the show.
All Mania fixtures come in a durable yet stylish symmetrical housing complete with hanging bracket that also serves as a carrying handle. The DC3 is effortlessly portable, and as with all Mania products is officially ETL, cETL and CE approved meaning users are assured of the fixtures' safety and performance.
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Panorama Led RGB and Panorama Led White are two Led-technology professional projectors suitable to perform in most applications such as outdoor: architectural and urban applications, amusement parks and circuses, exhibitions, theatres, convention centres, cruise ships, tourist and resorts precincts, orchestras, musicals and touring, fashion catwalks.
Panorama Led RGB is recommended for TV studios, disco and entertainment venues, concerts and events; Panorama LED White is a solution for halls, shopping malls, schools, churches, hotels and restaurants as well as interior decoration.
The technical specification is of 36 luxeon LEDs (1W each; declared lamp life 100.000 hours) luminous source with step zoom, dimmer, strobe, built-in automated functions, remote control, DMX 512, DR1 compatibility and an IP66 protection rating.
www.coemar.com
Australian Distributor: Coemar De Sisti www.cdaust.com.au
The Latest In Neon Wire DMX Control
Neon wire is a new form of flexible lighting based on the electroluminescent principle. The cable consists of a centre core of phosphor coated copper wire with a spiral wrap of two fine wires covered with a plastic outer sheath. When a voltage is applied across the wires, the phosphor glows. This gives a neon like effect. This cold light source is currently available in seven colors and four sizes ranging from 2.3mm, (2.5mm high brightness) 3.2mm 5.0mm and the maximum length on a roll is 250m.Laser Electronics has now developed the first in a range of DMX 512 control units for driving flexible neon wire. These control units have a very fast response time giving an almost strobe like effect. All channels can chase, flash, sequence or have continuous output when controlled with the company's pc-based software or any DMX lighting desk. Neon control units are available in many different sizes from eight channels with 15m of neon wire per channel (total 120m) up to 40 channels with 50m of neon wire per channel.All systems are 19" rack mount with 230v AC mains input fused IEC fitted, independent fused outputs on each channel, DMX 512 input with in and out XLR panel mounted sockets. Custom systems are available upon request and colours available are: aqua, pink, green, blue, yellow, red and white.
www.laserelectronicsltd.com
Selecon releases new model Pacific DowserThe new Pacific Dowser drop-in accessory dims discharge lamps (575W MSR, 250ST, CDM) delivering a similar response to that of a tungsten lamp. No fans ensure a very low operating noise. Other features include:
Smooth, quiet patented dimming action.
Touch panel DMX address includes programmable stand-alone function, display brightness selection, and line termination switch.
Universal power supply – 100–250V 50/60 hz.
Performance: slowest fade – defined by your control console.
Fastest fade to Black Out – 0.35 sec.
Slide out modular design makes cleaning and maintenance simple.
At last an affordable tool that allows show lighting designers to take full advantage of the performance of the Pacific MSR, CST250 & CDM light sources.
The Pacific Dowser is being shipped in March.
For the full story: http://www.seleconlight.com/english/products/pacific/dowser.htm
The Ego X6 - not just another flower effect The Ego X6 is a 250W light that projects colourful flower effects with DMX control. This powerful deco effect light houses an effect wheel packed with new textured glass designs, as well as a combined colour/twinkle effect that features new decoration and projection designs. The textured glass wheel adds depth and life to each gobo pattern. It is the perfect portable effect and decoration light for DJs, bands, clubs, bars and entertainment venues of all types.A 250W, 1000-hour halogen lamp combines with a bidirectional parabolic reflector with highly reflective mirrors to give exceptionally bright projection. Top quality optics and precise manual focus adjustment produce sharp and detailed projections.The Ego X6 also includes 12 inbuilt macros (slow, medium and fast) for fast programming. Besides the benefits of customized DMX control, the Ego X6 can operate in either auto or music trig mode. In trig mode, variable behavior tuning allows operators to adjust how aggressively the effect reacts to music. Also included is a variable strobe effect with 0-100% digital dimming and variable effect speeds on the parabolic reflector, the textured glass wheel rotation and the combined color/twinkle flag wheel. Rotation is continuous and smooth on all effects.Like the other members of the Ego family, the Ego X6 is both lightweight and highly portable with a rugged, composite design that looks great in any rig. A handle and lens protection ring makes it easy to transport and handle, and a switch mode power supply makes set up even more straightforward, anywhere in the world.
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
VectorWorks Version 11.5
As part of its ongoing strategy to provide customers with the latest technology and improvements, Nemetschek North America announced today that it has updated its entire line of VectorWorks products to version 11.5 . VectorWorks, VectorWorks ARCHITECT, VectorWorks LANDMARK, VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT, VectorWorks MECHANICAL, and RenderWorks all boast notable productivity enhancements along with new functionality. This update is available to all current VectorWorks 11 users as a free Web download, or it can be obtained on CD for a nominal fee.
Paul Pharr, CAD Manager, Nemetschek North America, stated, "The 11.5 series of VectorWorks products features many improvements in overall stability and functionality, but the highlight of this release is the new hand-drawn sketch effects which give precision 2D drawings an unconstrained, sketched appearance. This new must-have presentation tool is in direct response to user requests to create presentations that look hand-drawn, and it is available in VectorWorks ARCHITECT, VectorWorks LANDMARK, VectorWorks SPOTLIGHT, and VectorWorks MECHANICAL."
Some of the productivity enhancements found in version 11.5 include the Freehand tool, with new smoothing options that make it easier to create organic shapes. Improved 3D snapping now finds the center of extrudes. New automatic lighting means scenes are always perfectly lit. Additionally, the most recently used fonts are now displayed at the top of the font list.
Other changes include better trimming, more accurate polygon offsets, enhanced viewports, and improved support in RenderWorks for QuickTimeR VR and PiranesiR. For a complete list of version 11.5 improvements, visit, www.nemetschek.net/11.5/
Martin Ego X5 effect goes DMX
Martin Professional's Ego X5 kaleidoscopic lighting effect is now DMX controllable. The Ego X5 is an ideal portable effect and decoration light for DJs, mobile professionals, bands, live theatrics and more, and it fits well in clubs, bars and entertainment venues, say Martin. This DMX version of the popular Ego 03 features new kaleidoscopic decoration and projection designs, as well as 12 in-built macros (slow, medium and fast) to get users started. High quality projection optics combine with a precise manual focus adjustment to produce sharp and detailed projections, say the company.
The Ego X5 can also operate in auto or music trig mode. In trig mode, variable behavior tuning allows users to adjust how aggressively the effect reacts to music. The Ego X5 houses a 250W, 1000-hour halogen lamp, combined with a double mirror tunnel concept, the optic design and efficiency enables a projection that is exceptionally bright.
Also included is a variable strobe effect with 0-100% digital dimming. Variable effect speeds on both the double mirror tunnel optics and the specially designed kaleidoscopic gobo wheel give maximum flexibility and dynamic effect, say the company.
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Mood Control Systems from Smartlite
Smartlite, Australia’s leading LED supplier to the signage and internal lighting market, introduces its new range of Micro High Brightness RGB led bulbs and/ or fittings.
These are more than just Bulbs or fittings; they are complete mood altering systems providing colour and /or motion. They are designed to retrofit into existing installations or new venues. The bulbs are available as MR16 (halogen bulb down or uplight) or Edison Screw bases to fit into existing or new light fittings; no extra drivers or wiring or transformers required just take out the old and put in the new. The most remarkable aspect of the bulb is the small hand held IRC remote system that allows full control of the bulbs and fittings. The remote allows control of colour from a choice of 16 preset colours, dimming, flashing or automatic colour change options plus many other features and combinations. One remote can control any number of fittings or bulbs. The light fittings that are available range from IP68 underwater fittings to hanging, side wall or direct ceiling fittings and different looks of round ball or cylinder. The light fittings are all driven by the above MR16 Bulb.
For further information contact Volker Rademacher. 07 5538 8642 Email volker@smartlite.com.au
www.smartlite.com.au
Hog iPC
HOG iPC is a small, mid-range controller which offers maximum flexibility for programmers. It is designed to use the Wholehog 3 operating system - so you get the most advanced features and functionality – but it’s also backwards compatible with the discontinued but widely-used Wholehog 2 operating system.
The "i" in its name stands for its integrated PC motherboard operating via Windows XP Embedded.
Hog iPC uses four universes of DMX output direct from the console, expandable to eight universes using USB DMX Widgets or USB DMX Super Widget. Two 12-inch high-brightness color touchscreens offer adjustable viewing angle. A backlit trackball with four configurable buttons provide cursor and position control.
Ten Playback faders feature the familiar Wholehog III playback controls (choose, go, pause & flash). Hog iPC offers an internal hard disk drive, and re-writeable CD-ROM drive; Five Universal Serial Bus ports for touch screens, external drives, printer, and Wholehog III accessories (e.g. playback wing, expansion wing, and additional USB DMX Widgets).
Ethernet connector allows communications with Hog 3 PC computers, Hog iPC, and Wholehog III console systems. Remote Focus functionality is available when networked with a computer running Hog 3 PC software.
Hog iPC is constructed of precision-machined aluminum in a familiar Hog blue style with a tough wear-resistant anodized finish.
www.highend.com
Martin's Cyclo Takes the Stage
The Stage Cyclo features four 54W high output fluorescent tubes in red, green, blue and white with the same full colour mixing capabilities found in the top of the range Cyclo fixtures from Martin Architectural. The Stage Cyclo features a double parabolic louvre reflector for maximum output and extremely even illumination coverage. In its standard finish the beam angle is approximately 55 degrees.
Cyclo has undergone a number of changes to make it roadworthy. Rubber ends have been added for protection purposes and brackets have been attached on both the ends and the rear of the housing to accept Martin’s existing Omega bracket system. For rental houses or other users already familiar with Martin products, the hanging of individual fixtures will come as second nature.
A range of accessories will be made available for Stage Cyclo, providing lighting professionals even more applicational flexibility. Accessories will include acrylic covers for applications that require a completely diffused light source; manual barndoors to give precise control over the output, and much more.
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
MA Lighting consoles now with LED gooseneck lamp
Since the beginning of 2005, all MA lighting consoles (excl. LC 12/2) are technically upgraded and are delivered with a specially developed LED gooseneck desk lamp. The new desk lamps feature two special-LEDs offering a string of advantages such as, a long service life with a thungsten-similar, very bright, light output.
MA Lighting say that although this new desk lamp is nearly double-price of the previous version, the company will not increase the price for the lighting consoles. Users can also order the new LED lamp separately, and can choose between straight or right-angled XLR3 connectors.
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
New Releases for Event 4
Released onto the JANDS website in February are a range of new releases for Event 4 users. Version 5.0.1.12 software as well as an expanded version 3.0 of the master library file containing over 220 fixtures are now available as well as the latest version 1.0.3.0 of the Event 4 offline editor.
The Event 4 range’s capabilities have continued to expand thanks to the work of JANDS R & D team and the console represents more value now than ever before. Please make sure you update your console to the latest version.
For more information on the Event 4 console and the updated software please contact Jands Pty Ltd on 02 9582 0909, info@jands.com.au or visit www.jands.com.au
Zero 88 launches a new beast
Since previewing the Frog 2 console at PLASA and LDI last year, Zero 88 has been busy gaining user feedback, and is in the final stages of software development before production ready release in a couple of weeks. The response to the desk has been phenomenal, say Zero 88, with advanced orders from the UK, across Europe and the US, with existing Beta consoles in high demand. Stage Electrics has ordered six - three for the rental stock another two for sales demos, whilst the first end-user sale was made to Derby Assembly Rooms.
Zero 88 says that the Frog 2 is designed to be used in the most demanding lighting control environments and will appeal to users looking for ease of programming, comprehensive playback choices, live busking, theatrical or stand-alone control of architectural type events. In terms of out put the Frog 2 will run up to eight universes, four via DMX or up to eight via Ethernet (Artnet). All the facilities needed for future RDM and ACN compatibility are included in the hardware. To allow for effective control the Frog 2 offers multiple cue stack playback, comprehensive palette selections and effects libraries, while the use of macros allows users to automate programming and playback of shows.
For busking in live environments there are user-definable buttons and faders that can be assigned to control anything from a single channel to a group of fixtures to a complete memory. Using macros these controls can be loaded from a memory or from a cue stack as part of the running of a show. Comprehensive feedback is also provided by two monitors and an onboard touch-screen, allowing a variety of screens to be displayed simultaneously. Specific user views can be set up to suit users' needs. Storing shows is possible on either a USB memory stick or using the built-in CD writer. There are three USB ports on the Frog 2, making it possible to use a variety of USB accessories including touchscreen monitors.
The mechanical design of the Frog 2 has ensured that it has the smallest footprint possible while ensuring all the controls are ergonomically accessible. It is also possible to operate the console while it is in its flightcase base without damaging any connectors.
www.zero88.com
Australian distributor: Clearlight Shows www.clearlight.com.au
ETC launch Avab Congo control system
Following previews at major trade shows in the UK, America and in Australia, ETC made SIEL 2005 the official launch platform for its latest console, the fruit of its relationship with the Avab brand and called Congo.
The development team spent time talking to board operators, rental companies, theatre lighting technicians and lighting designers to ensure they got exactly what they wanted. Feedback from the previews is now being implemented into the software, to hone the development of Congo further. The console has been designed "to be the most complete theatre and moving light hybrid - without losing the feel of a classic lighting control system," according to Avab software developer Anders Ekvall. Other team members included Jean-Louis Pernette and Christian Rezgui of Avab France, who were instrumental in directing product development.
Congo offers uncluttered graphics, direct keys for ease of use and a programming pad instead of a mouse and graphic pen. Visitors to PLASA were enthusiastic in their response: "I like that, it's so simple" (of the channel layouts); "It's fast" (about programming with Direct Select). "We got a lot of useful input at PLASA, LDI and several workshops, resulting in some physical improvements and a lot of functional improvements - we've fine tuned the concept of working fast, with direct control from the console," says Avab designer Ulf Sandström. "This includes adding Direct Select Tab keys, moving the Main Playback to improve ergonomics and fine tuning the Live and Blind concept which allows the user to work in parallel without a programmer. Some of our brave Beta-testers have even run shows of the revised consoles!"
According to Bullen Lagerbielke, three-time lighting operator and assistant lighting designer for the Eurovision Song Contest, and member of the Avab board development team: "With Congo we can operate in any traditional theatre, studio or opera environment. We can also manage hundreds of moving lights, if necessary, without getting bogged down in mouse operations and computer menus."
Combining the power of Avab's and ETC's lighting control experience - when ETC acquired the Avab brand of lighting controls in 2002, the original Avab development team with its 20 years of experience and reputation was kept on - with additional experience brought on board specifically for this project. "It's a dream team," says ETC product manager Ingo Bernert, "and it shows in the product."
"This is an exciting time for ETC in the European market," says ETC CEO Fred Foster. "With our broad line of products, including IES dimming technology, the Source Four Revolution and now Avab Congo, we have an incredible package to offer the market."
www.etcconnect.com
www.avabcontrol.com
Australian distributor: Jands www.jands.com.au
Jands brings Color Block to Australia
Jands is pleased to announce the arrival of the new Chroma-Q Color Block.
The Chroma-Q™ Color Block is possibly the most versatile LED fixture currently available. Unlike other LED products, which are limited by their external design to specific lighting applications, the Color Block’s modular enclosure can be used individually or easily connected together (via a built-in interlocking system, quick release catches and optional brackets) to create a wide variety of shapes.
Efficient thermal management techniques provide improved colour brightness and light output from the Color Block’s four sets of 3 high output, individually addressable RGB LED’s. Achieving an output comparable to fixtures twice the length, the Color Block is ideal for discrete installations or where space is limited.
Designed to be intelligent both inside and out, the modular blocks incorporate the latest HSI ( Hue, Saturation and Intensity) control as well as RGB and Variable Effects engine software that gives the lighting designer full control over colour and effects combinations.
For more information on the new Chroma-Q™ Color Block please contact Jands on 02 9582 0909, info@jands.com.au or visit www.jands.com.au
The latest addition to Artistic Licence's range of DIN rail mounting installation products, Rail-DALI provides a three way interface for DMX512, RDM (Remote Device Management), and DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface).
Architectural projects can face a technological barrier to the integration of functional and effects lighting. Functional lighting is increasingly available with a DALI interface, but most effects lighting and control systems use DMX512.
Rail-DALI solves this problem by allowing a DMX512 source to control DALI lights. It provides four optically isolated DALI outputs, allowing a total of 256 DALI lights to be controlled by DMX512. Multiple products can be linked together to provide a greater channel count when required. The product supports the very latest version of DALI by offering bidirectional data flow.
Back channel DALI information on light level and fault status is converted to RDM status information. This allows the lighting control system to monitor light status as well as control intensity.
www.artisticlicence.com
Australian Distributors: Bytecraft Entertainment www.bytecraftentertainment.com Coemar De Sisti Australia Pty Ltd www.cdaust.com.au
Artistic Licence Pixi-Cloth
Artistic Licence is pleased to announce the launch of a joint venture with starcloth specialist Acre Jean. The result is a new concept in starcloth: Pixi-Cloth. Pixi-Cloth is a hi-tech starcloth that provides individual control over each pixel with a full spectrum of colour mixing. The pixels can be arranged in symmetric or random patterns. Pixi-Cloth is available in size multiples of 3m by 3m. Acre Jean provides Pixi-Cloth for hire and Artistic Licence offers sales. Pixi-Cloth can be controlled via any DMX512 source. A number of personalities exist ranging from three channel to control the entire cloth, up to individual colour control of each pixel. The controller, Pixi-Power SB2, also provides a range of canned effects that can be triggered via a small number of DMX512 channels.
The real power of Pixi-Cloth is seen when it is integrated with a sophisticated control system such as Colour-Tramp. The first use of Pixi-Cloth was seen at the recent BBC Scotland Hogmanay Show. A 6m by 6m cloth was used to form the back drop to the main stage.
Control was provided by Colour-Tramp using the new Visual-Patch technology. Setup is very simple. A video camera is connected to Colour-Tramp and focused on the Pixi-Cloth. Visual-Patch then switches each pixel on in turn whilst analysing the video image. Colour-Tramp maps every pixel into its screen layout and automatically addresses each pixel. This automatic mapping of the random pixel positions allows Colour-Tramp to render live video or lighting effects to the cloth.
Go to the Artistic Licence website to view a video of the Pixi-Cloth in action.
www.artisticlicence.com
Australian Distributors: Bytecraft
Entertainment www.bytecraftentertainment.com Coemar De Sisti Australia Pty Ltd www.cdaust.com.au
Robe Gets Funky With New C&B Series
Robe Show Lighting launched the "Funky" and the "Fusion" projectors–the latest in the company’s new Club and Bar (C&B) series of lighting fixtures. The series is aimed at smaller clubs, bars, restaurants and multi-purpose social environments and is designed to provide a dynamic range of effects with low maintenance.
Fusion and the Funky are effects projectors in the C&B series. The Fusion is a fully DMX controllable fixture that projects tight-focused flower shapes and other graphics effects in an array of colors. The Funky also creates multi-color flower effects, using a parabolic multi-color mirror reflector.
The Fusion has a series of new and original gobo designs and includes a parabolic mirror reflector that rotates in both directions for the creation of kaleidoscopic patterns. The combined gobo/color wheel has 14 positions plus open.
The Funky’s combined effects/gobo wheel includes seven static gobos, three beam reducers, and an open slot. Both its mirror reflector and effects-wheel have variable speed rotation in both directions.
The light source for both fixtures is a 250W halogen lamp with 1,000-hour lamp life. For full flexibility, Fusion and Funky also offer a strobe effect, 0-100% digital dimming, and auto or music-trigger modes. They use three DMX channels and can operate in either Master or Slave modes.
The expedient size and 7.5kg weight of the Fusion or Funky make them ideal for fitting where space is tight or in venues that have a low ceiling.
www.robe.cz
Australian distributor: ULA www.ula.com.au
Sidekick is a universal executor board for lighting control from ELC Lighting, featuring 10 executor faders and 30 executor switches, all freely assignable to a requested function, show or scene. Users can also capture and store scenes directly from the DMX input. Sidekick links to any PC-based DMX software or any console thanks to its numerous ports, including DMX-in, DMX-out, USB, PS-2, MIDI and RS-232.
Sidekick is an ideal faderboard for PC-based light controllers like Sunlite, DaslighT, DMXCreator, grandMA on PC, Cybercontrol, VisualDMX, Hog PC - and any lighting desk such as a Leprecon LX or the grandma, say ELC.
ELC Lighting, based in Gemert in the Netherlands and headed up by Joost van Eenbergen, has been manufacturing DMX tools for six years, and has enjoyed worldwide success with products such as the well-known dmxLAN system.
www.elclighting.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Australian distributor: Clearlight Shows www.clearlight.com.au
Cast Software is making a dramatic change to the way people purchase and use WYSIWYG Perform.
The 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 channel restrictions have been removed; now all new and upgrading users will have access to Unlimited Channels with their license of WYSIWYG Perform. For users who currently own a copy of WYSIWYG Perform in any channel count, a reasonably priced upgrade program is being offered.
Until April 1st, 2005, Cast Software is offering a 50% discount on the price of an upgrade to from WYSIWYG Perform 500, 1000, 2000 or 5000 to WYSIWYG Perform with Unlimited Channels. These upgrades include a 1-year subscription renewal.
U.S users: $639 (compared to $1,279)
Upgrades may be obtained from the Cast Software website at http://www.castgroupinc.com, www.cast-soft.com or contact your local WYSIWYG dealer.
Martin's
Cyclo DirectionalMartin Architectural has added a new dimension to its Cyclo range of full colour mixing T5 fluorescent fixtures - directional track mount and surface mount versions. The Cyclo Directional provides a simple dynamic light solution for retail and other commercial applications. Easy to program, and simple to fit, the Cyclo Directional offers an almost endless variety of colour choices say Martin.
The Cyclo Directional uses RGB technology to generate both coloured and white light of variable temperature. Technically this is achieved by combining dimmable T5 fluorescent lamps in the primary colours red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in a process known as additive colour mixing. The patented optical system produces a broad, even wash of ready-mixed colour. Three 54W T5 tubes create the high output necessary to cut through the high ambient light levels typically found in retail with each T5 tube electronically dimmable from 0-100%.
The Cyclo Directional track mount version clips directly into any standard type three-phase track, making it ideal for both new and existing displays. (It is compatible with all major manufacturers of track.) It is designed to be aimed and can be tilted +/- 60°. The surface mount version features a simple wall-mounting system, allowing for directional illumination of ceilings or walls. Both versions are self-contained with 10 standard programs covering most colour spectrums, as well as a master/slave option or full DMX control for larger installations.
A newly developed optical system provides seamless colour mixing within the main reflector, allowing the fixture to be positioned close to the illuminated object without causing an unwanted rainbow effect. No glare, no spill light, just smooth, even, and very bright colour. The Cyclo Directional requires almost zero maintenance thanks to a long-lasting lamp life (20,000 hrs). There are no mechanical parts and lamp changes are a breeze.
www.martin-architectural.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
As of 1 January 2005 all Strand 500 series control consoles ordered after this date will ship with the latest edition of WYSIWYG Perform Console Edition. Connecting the newest version of WYSIWYG CE to a Strand ShowNet network allows users to match the full capacity of their Strand Console to WYSIWYG for the first time. Users will no longer be limited to 512 DMX addresses and will now be able to display up to 8,000 devices on a 500 series system. Automated lights are consuming DMX addresses at an ever expanding rate and the new WYSIWYG Perform Console Edition frees users to display and control lights up to the capacity of their consoles without additional cost. WYSIWYG Perform CE will also be provided on Strand 300 series Memory 125, 250, 400 and 600 channel desks.
Gil Densham of Cast Lighting has been working closely with Strand Lighting over the years in the WYSIWYG developer program and said: "The lighting industry is constantly evolving and the use of software tools is growing, I am very happy to see Strand's endorsement of our WYSIWYG Perform Console Edition products with its consoles, bringing more great tools to the end users to help them with their work. We all will win this way."
Strand Lighting Group President Tim Burnham adds: "Cast Lighting's WYSIWIG program has really defined visualization software for the lighting industry, and I'm thrilled that we're now able to offer it as a standard feature in our consoles. We shall be working with our friends at Cast Lighting towards an ever closer integration of lighting control and visualization technology in our respective products, which will have real creative and productivity benefits for our end users."
www.strandlighting.com
Australian distributor: Bytecraft Entertainment www.bytecraftentertainment.com
Green Hippo and Scene Change, creator and distributor of the acclaimed Hippotizer digital media server range, have announced H-MAP, the Hippotizer Media Access Protocol. H-MAP offers the ability for any lighting console to access information from Hippotizer servers, including clip previews and corresponding DMX control values. A console could therefore show programmers thumbnails of all of the images or movie clips available in a Hippotizer allowing direct, immediate selection. The link between Hippotizer and console is via ethernet, and is dynamic and so can be automatically updated as the Hippotizer's contents change - unlike 'one off' schemes offered by some manufacturers where clips are manually transferred from media server to console.
H-MAP is an open-source standard made freely available by Scene Change and Green Hippo to console manufacturers or other interested parties. H-MAP has already been implemented by manufacturer Chamsys, and visitors to this year's PLASA Show could have seen the system in action on a Chamsys MagicQ console. Certain other console manufacturers are already in discussion with Scene Change, and enquiries from all others are welcome, say the company.
www.scene-change.com
Australian distributor: Clearlight Shows www.clearlight.com.au
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