Equipment News
Element Labs releases new SP2 Video Processor for STEALTH LED Display
Posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010
Element Labs, Inc., the award-winning global leader in LED technology, announced today the release of the SP2 Video Processor with several improvements over its predecessor, most notably: creative mapping capability and new 48/50/60 Hz frame rate modes. With a new SP2 Mapping Software Utility, users can rotate STEALTH panels upside-down or sideways to achieve even more creative screens. 48, 50, and 60 Hz DVI input modes allow STEALTH screens to be used in a wider film and television market.
“We have refined the STEALTH processing components to meet the unique requirements of our touring and creative architectural markets,” says Jeremy Hochman, VP Software Development for Element Labs. “Flexibility in panel arrangement has always been a priority for STEALTH users, and the new SP2 Video Processor delivers on expanding its flexibility. In addition, the SP2 is a 2U rack mount unit that actually replaces both the SP1 and DD1, so less equipment is needed to run a screen.”
After a dramatic debut on Madonna’s Confessions Tour in 2006, the STEALTH system quickly became the industry standard for lightweight, portable video displays. The STEALTH display has proven itself in applications throughout the world from concerts, architectural installations, special events, and more. The new SP2 Video Processor now further increases the STEALTH screen’s potential.
Color Force – An LED Solution That Works
Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010
We’ve all heard the promises…“We’ve got this great new LED fixture and it’s perfect for lighting cyc’s.” You instantly envisage a perfect world where you will have an infinite colour palette washing your Cyclorama without the need for 5kW dimming channels and sheets and sheets of filter. But Oh!…the disappointment…when the super LED wash barely makes it up the first metre of the cyc and has lousy colour rendering and a dimming curve reminiscent of a fluorescent tube, with a busted starter. But things are about to change…and for the better!
Walking the floor at the recent LDI tradeshow in Orlando visitors were treated to an eye catching array of new LED fixtures all shining, either directly at the viewer or off into the distant recesses of the exhibition all. All very engaging but one manufacturer was taking a different tack. Concealed high up, atop a 6.5m cyclorama. Chroma-Q had mounted two of their new Color Force 72 battens. Rather than pointing them out at the public with the rest of the LED eye candy on show, the Color Force fixtures were doing something quite novel for an LED at a trade show. They were being used to light something! Now this was different! An LED batten that actually worked as a cyc wash!
But why is there such a fuss over wanting an LED cyc wash fitting. Well it all has to do with efficiency and running costs! To adequately light a cyclorama (or back cloth) the usual weapon of choice is a 1000 or 1250 watt linear halogen lamp sitting in front of an asymmetrical reflector that spreads the available light energy vertically as far as possible to produce an even coverage. Multiple units are then placed at spacings of around 1.5 to 2mtrs to provide an even horizontal coverage. As you can see, if you have a 10m wide backdrop, you very quickly chew up 5000 watts or more of power, to provide a single colour wash. If you then want to mix colours, the power drain expands massively. Add into the equation the cost of all those 5kW dimmers, plus the limited colour palette available using the combination of conventional filters and you soon see why the adequate illumination of Cyclorama’s using LED sources has acquired the status of the Holy Grail.
Here was an LED source doing the job, whilst burning less than 25% of the energy of the conventional solution! From deep saturated colours, through to soft pastel hues, the top lit cyclorama was evenly covered all the way to the floor. The secret to success is down to the phenomenal amount of light available from the Color Force. Harnessing the output from the latest Luxeon Rebel LED’s, the Color Force 72 delivers a staggering 12,000 Lumens whilst it’s 48” cousin is right up there with 8,000 lumens. But, if all that was required was output then we would probably have had a dozen viable solutions by now. The problem is that designers also want an expansive colour palette, a natural quality to the light, as well as, a smooth linear fade that accurately mimics what they are used to from tungsten sources.
This is where the benefits of dealing with a true developer of luminaires (as opposed to someone who just copies existing offerings) comes into play. Chroma-Q have long been masters of the complicated math behind getting LED’s to fade smoothly from full to zero. No jumpy response or sharp drop off’s here! As with the other fixtures in their range, a smooth fade curve is achieved as well as a colour rendering index in the 90’s. Incorporating Chroma-Q’s “Magic Amber” technology, the correct amount of amber light is automatically calculated to deliver the requested colour, opening up the palette available to the designer. On board processing means that the Color Force comes complete with a variable effects engine capable of running intensity and colour effects, meaning that your console (and programmer) don’t have to do all the heavy lifting to produce an stunning range of visual effects. Indeed such is the power and versatility of the Color Force that it is suitable for all general wash applications.
True also to the Chroma-Q tradition of “road ready” fixtures, the Color Force features hidden fixings and integrated cable management as well as a quick release tilt adjustment to make rigging a breeze. Like all the Chroma-Q range, the Color Force is constructed from a rugged extruded aluminium body that saves your back whilst ensuring the longevity of the fixture. Given that the light source lasts 25,000 hours, it would be a terrible waste if the fixture’s body fell apart after the first ten shows. Chroma-Q know this and have always built the hardware to be capable of keeping pace with the light source.
Due for release in early 2010, the Color Force 48 and 72 are on track to further expand the role of LED technology for the professional stage. No longer just for fancy effects, Chroma-Q’s LED range is more than ready to take on the hard work of providing general illumination for professional lighting applications.
www.chroma-q.com
Australian distributor: Jands www.jands.com.au
Barco announces new high performance fog generator
Posted on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Digital and automated lighting pioneer Barco announced today the release of the new FQ-100, a full-featured professional fog generator designed to meet the rigorous demands of the nightclub, theatrical and touring industries. The unit is currently in production and now shipping.
The FQ-100 continues the tradition and benchmark set by High End Systems’ original F-100™ fog generator. With the ability to produce any atmosphere from dense fog to fine mist, the new FQ-100 uses the legendary Atmospheres® Fog Generating fluid. This scientifically formulated fluid is specially designed to provide a dense, safe, water-based fog comprised of fine particulates. Users can select between two fluid types, allowing for either quick dissipation or lingering haze.
Purpose built for professionals who demand a high degree of reliability in their stage and studio fog machines, the FQ-100 Performance Fog Generator operates at very low noise levels, making it ideal for theatrical and studio work. The unit includes an internal LCD digital menu system that enables users to set the volume control, timer control, and various DMX functions as desired. In addition, the FQ-100 is available in either 100-120 VAC or 200-240 VAC models. Both utilize the same 9.5 liter (2.5 gallon) removable fluid reservoir as the original F-100.
“The new FQ-100 holds true to the robustness and reliability of the original F-100,” said Chris Colpaert, VP of Creative Lighting for Barco. “The FQ-100’s ability to set any mood or atmosphere on stage, coupled with its built-in DMX control and addressing, makes this fogger an exciting and dramatic addition to our line of products.”
Martin releases outdoor LED striplights
Posted on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Martin Professional has added to its growing range of LED luminaries with the Tripix 1200 and Tripix 300, the first fixtures in a new line of IP65 rated outdoor LED striplights.
Tricolor LEDs (3-in-1 RGB) mixes colour at the lens before it leaves the fixture, resulting in no multicolour fringe shadows, a more uniform distribution of colour and a broader range of color choices, a level of quality that architects, LDs and installers will appreciate, says the company.
Tripix offers an extended colour gamut from pastels to saturates that are difficult to achieve with other tricolor fixtures.
The Tripix range comes with a choice of narrow, medium and wide diffuser options and the module is tiltable for precise optical aiming. The custom-designed lens system gives very narrow beam angles that have been difficult to achieve with tricolor LED fixtures in the past.
Controlled by industry standard DMX 512-A, Tripix offers intuitive RGB colour control, as well as HSIC control of colour for simple colour temperature adjustments. For greater flexibility, a grouped pixel control option allows for control of 300, 600 or 1200 mm sections. Tripix is 0-100% dimmable for balance of brightness or the ability to respond intelligently to the availability of natural light.
Tripix is weatherproof rated at IP65 for the outdoor illumination of architectural and commercial settings: facades, walls, coves, ceilings, structures, bridges, canopies, design details or any application where uniform colour right out of the fixture is desired.
Available in 300 mm and 1200 mm lengths and made of robust extruded aluminium, Tripix’s slim design allows the luminaires to blend inconspicuously into architecture. Tripix will also fit perfectly into indoor applications as a decorative lighting effect.
www.martin.com
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
D.T.S. Launch their new XR300 Beam
Posted on Friday, January 29th, 2010
The XR300 BEAM is a new compact moving head with an extremely high light power, projecting a parallel and very concentrated beam.
With its new optical unit, the XR300 BEAM generates 125.000 Lux at 5 metres, using only a 300 W lamp, giving an exceptional balance between performance and power consumption.
The XR300 BEAM is designed for a wide range of professional applications, like concerts, shows, tours, television, theatre, and big events. XR300 BEAM ensures in fact great flexibility in use, because in a single projector it incorporates a range of functions normally available only on different units (long-throw projectors with high-power lamps, PAR 64 ACL, moving heads).
The XR300 BEAM features a breakthrough in moving-head technology, dubbed Free Axis Rotation (”FAR”). The FAR system allows limitless pan and tilt rotation: the XR300 BEAM head rotates freely on its axes, horizontally or vertically, without interruption, in either direction, never having to reverse motion.
The XR300 BEAM’s ability to quickly and precisely select any BEAM’s point within its limitless sphere of movement means faster looks and scene changes.
The XR300 BEAM also offers unmatched creative control to the lighting designer. Unique geometrical designs, shapes, and scenes, unobtainable with conventional moving heads, are now possible for application in concerts, theatres, studios, etc.
The FAR system is guaranteed and has been thoroughly tested.
The XR300 BEAM offers:
Exceptional light power (125.000 Lux at 5 metres)
The capacity to project a highly condensed and intense beam of light even over great distances, thanks to the high efficiency of the new optical group;
Variety of colours (CMY synthesis + 7-colour wheel + CTO);
Customizable gobo wheel (7 rotating gobos);
Insertable frost filter (soft edge)
Unlimited Pan and Tilt movements (new FAR technology).
The XR300 BEAM is also the ideal light for a vast range of applications in which quiet operation is a priority, thanks to its silent ventilation system and silent pan/tilt operation.
Access to every feature of the internal menu is simple and direct, thanks to the new user interface featuring a LCD backlit graphic display (128 x 64).
At the recent PLASA trade show in London, the new XR300 BEAM by D.T.S. was announced as the winner of the PLASA09 Award for Innovation.
“We are honoured to receive this prize, as it confirms the extraordinary growth of D.T.S. over the last years, marked by the creation of unique products, such as the DELTA series LED projectors and the XR2000 series high-power moving heads” said Franco Zaghini, VP of Sales of D.T.S., who received the PLASA09 Award on behalf of the entire D.T.S. staff. The award ceremony took place on Monday, 14 September.
www.lighthousedistribution.com.au
GLP launches five-colour Impression XL
Posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
GLP has announced the launch of a new and additional fixture to their Impression range of LED based moving heads. It is from their XL range of units which feature 240 K2 LED’s delivering high light output and brilliant colour performance. The new fixture referred to as the ‘RGBWW’ features five colours, rather than the previous three. Adding to the red, green and blue diodes are two circuits of white – one rated at 3200K and the other at 7200K.
Adding two white channels to the existing RGB format, gives designers more shades of colour than was achievable before, particularly with pastel ranges, and the ability to use single white LED’s for powerful and clean open white beams.
The GLP impression XL weighs only 23.5 kg / 52 lbs. and has the same design as previous impression fixtures featuring no fixture base, low noise operation, simple yet comprehensive menu navigation by thumbwheel and multiple rigging options.
Featuring flicker free dimming throughout the entire dimming range for all colours, the Impression XL works in all camera and broadcast environments. The fixture comes fitted with a 10 degree lens as standard, but 25 degree and 40 degree interchangeable lenses are available as optional extras. Further accessories such as honeycomb fronts, Spillring, flight cases and a five-unit ‘flower’ rigging option are also available.
The GLP impression XL features extensive movement with a 660 degree pan range and a 330 degree tilt range, all with 16 bit resolution and a speedy response due to its low weight.
The LED technology that the GLP impression XL utilises allows users to skip the cost and time required for repairing items such as dichroic filters, bad lamps, worn reflectors, failing starters and much more found in conventional discharge fixtures, adds the company.
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Enttec Aleph 1 LED Strips
Posted on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Enttec Pty recently entered the LED engine market with the introduction of the Aleph 1 series of LED linear strips. Designed for cove, under-cabinet and display applications, these medium-powered strips are available in warm white, cool white and RGB, in 300mm, 600mm and 900mm lengths.
The warm and cool white strips are controllable via constant LED 12v driver or Enttec’s own DIN rail mountable DINLED4PX, a DMX controllable driver which can also run the RGB Strip. The Aleph 1 modules can be daisy chained in any length supported by the users’ controller, and the company anticipates that hardware will be available to daisy chain around corners.
Cast BlackBox Granted International Patent
Posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010
CAST Software of Toronto, Canada has received confirmation of International Patent PCT/CA2009/001225 for its BlackBox system and method for realtime environment tracking and coordination – and thereby this filing conforms with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Switzerland.
This international patent filing for BlackBox is in addition to the filing #12/421,343 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
BlackBox is the world’s first combination of hardware + positioning + interconnecting + communicating + speed. It uses a new wysiwyg.bb proprietary “CAD-type” software which defines the parameter (establishing “0”0”0”). Through the realtime positioning, BlackBox receives and converts live positional data about any/many moving objects, establishes the exact 6D positions of those objects, computes instructions in XYZ, plus yaw, pitch and roll terms, and shoots out moving positional information so moving lights, set pieces, spatial sound, media servers, robotic cameras, etc. are synchronized and tracking to the action of those moving objects, all at a speed of 50 Hz.
Bruce Freeman, Chairman of CAST Software comments: “The design is plug-and-play – the brilliance is that production technologies and controllers that couldn’t before can NOW talk to each other – the speed is realtime!”
For the highly automated, hi-tech entertainment industry in particular, using BlackBox means that formerly autonomous technologies can work together as one, live and in realtime, in both dynamic and pre-programmed ways. It means a better coordination of a production, in addition to no more missed cues or potential collisions.
For more information about CAST Software products, visit www.cast-soft.com.
FocusTrack 2.100, with QuickFocus, Available Now!
Posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010
FocusTrack adds QuickFocus, for quick manual documentation of focuses and creation of cue-by-cue focus summaries
The team behind lighting documentation software FocusTrack are delighted to mark the new year by announcing the release of FocusTrack 2.100.
Continuing to respond to the needs of lighting professionals, the new version adds QuickFocus, a new, dual-purpose and invaluable function for documenting and then viewing the use of each moving light in each cue.
“FocusTrack was conceived as a way of creating precise documentation of show lighting, making use of the information available from the lighting console once the lighting was nearing completion,” explains FocusTrack’s Rob Halliday. “When used like that it works fantastically well. But we know that a lot of people still prefer to track what their moving lights are doing as they are making the show, with either the designer or programmer jotting down notes of their own, or on larger shows with this task being undertaken by a moving light tracker. They could use FocusTrack, but it was a bit awkward. QuickFocus was conceived as a way of making their work easier.”
QuickFocus presents a grid for each cue in the show; into that grid can be placed an image for that cue, so a storyboard, set drawing or, once things are a little more advanced, a photograph of the lighting state. Channel numbers can then be placed on that grid in the spot where that light’s beam lands; the focus palette the light is using can also be recorded, and a focus note can be added. This gives a very clear overview of what the lights are doing in each cue, and one that is easy to fill in as the cue is made.
If the show is subsequently imported from the console showfile, FocusTrack can reconcile the focuses in the QuickFocus grid with those imported from the console to provide. Alternatively, those using FocusTrack in its original manner can use the grid to define where each light falls in each focus; FocusTrack can then build a QuickFocus grid for each cue.
In every case, it is now possible to quickly and easily produce paperwork summarising what each moving light is doing in each cue – a great reference for designers, associates, programmers and those running the show from day to day.
“We hope this satisfies the needs of those who’ve been enticed by FocusTrack, but have found it doesn’t quite fit in with the way they want to work,” Halliday notes. “We are very pleased with QuickFocus and its ability to offer a clear, concise summary of how each cue state is formed.”
In addition to QuickFocus, FocusTrack 2.100 continues the software’s ongoing evolution, with screen displays re-designed for greater clarity and other refinements and improvements. The new version can be downloaded from the FocusTrack website, www.focustrack.co.uk; a version with a demo show pre-loaded can also be downloaded for those who want to try it with some existing show data.
FocusTrack has been in use on shows around the world since 2005; it can currently be found providing precise lighting documentation to the new UK tours of Les Mis?rables and We Will Rock You, the US tour of South Pacific, productions of Billy Elliot in London and New York, Cirque du Soleil’s Zaia in Macau, and many other shows. Further information about FocusTrack and its companion software SpotTrack, for producing followspot cuesheets, can be found at www.focustrack.co.uk.
Mole Richardson and Osram Introduce First Film-Friendly LED Solution
Posted on Friday, December 18th, 2009
Mole Richardson and OSRAM officially launched MoleLED, the first true film-friendly LED solution at LDI earlier this month. MoleLED unites a sophisticatedly designed fixture by Mole Richardson with advanced remote phosphor LED technology from Osram. With over 180 years of combined experience and expertise, these two companies are proud to introduce the next evolution in set lighting.
“Never before has a LED been available to the entertainment industry that is truly film-friendly,” said Mike Parker, CEO for Mole Richardson. “Unlike existing LED fixtures, the MoleLED blends these multiple sources into one, soft, single light source. This single source approach renders the light more attractive to the talent and more familiar to the technicians.”
Touting 3200°K and 5600°K true film-friendly color, MoleLED fixtures can replace standard light source fixtures. In fact, the 50W MoleLED fixture is an alternative for fluorescent solutions up to 110W, or tungsten solutions up to 300W. As a result of the LED technology, the fixture has an over 25,000 hour rated-life and will operate on everything from a 12-Volt car battery, 14.4V Anton Bauer or IDX V-mount battery, to a 24V camera battery, or any DC sources up to 50V. The MoleLED was designed with both local and remote DMX dimming and can dim down to 10% without any shift in color temperature.
Built rugged, with low-profile and mobile features, the MoleLED fixture is ideally suited for all set-lighting needs. With multiple rigging points and mounting options, Mole Richardson offers a wide range of standard accessories for the MoleLED fixtures, such as barn doors, louvers and gel frames.
The new MoleLED is powered by modules from the Osram KREIOS LED family. A fixture consists of 12 Osram Kerios LED metal core circuit boards. The 12 boards individually contain 20 high-output blue LEDs each topped with a remote phosphor dome, for a total of 240 individual sources. The phosphor domes are an Osram proprietary design, which are blue light activated to produce light in two exact color temperatures, Tungsten and Daylight.
This is the first introduction of the Osram Kerios T and Kerios D “remote phosphor technology” for soft lighting. Remote phosphor technology offers a single semiconductor system leading to consistent temperature behavior and allows the module to achieve a greater than 90 CRI with ease. Spectral characteristics are simple to adjust with remote phosphors. Additionally, the technology ensures light and color output stability over time. Kerios offers color-changing capabilities with high luminous efficacy.
“Remote phosphor technology allows the MoleLED fixture to provide Tungsten and Daylight white light that parallels both the spectral sensitivity curves of film and the visible spectrum, or what the eye sees,” said Leslie Trudeau, Osram Sylvania NAFTA business unit manager for entertainment. “This is one of the many benefits over LED mixing.”
With the help of Kodak, Panavision, Technicolor, and Shelly Johnson ASC, multiple film tests were shot with the MoleLED in order to verify the color viewed on set would translate to the color viewed in film dailies. This attention to detail and strict testing proved that the MoleLED can mix seamlessly with existing Tungsten Halogen light sources, natural daylight, or daylight balanced light sources.
Source: Lighting & Sound America www.lightingandsoundamerica.com
www.mole.com
www.sylvania.com
Martin launches Jem ZR44 Hi-Mass
Posted on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Martin Professional has announced the launch of the Jem ZR44 Hi-Mass, a fog machine capable of precise fog delivery from subtle to massive.
Designed for a variety of settings from small venues to the largest stadiums and arenas, this Jem ZR33 Hi-Mass upgrade is a solid, professional machine that features advanced technology for top-quality performance, including advances in digital functionality, says the company.
This fog effect houses an 1800 W heat exchanger for a massive 1200 cubic metres of dense fog per minute. Continuously operational with a large 9.5 liter fluid container, it can operate for long periods without refilling.
Martin’s proprietary soft start technology gives a smooth, low-noise output and an indirect fluid sensing system ensures years of maintenance-free operation.
A DMX interface and multifunctional digital remote make for increased flexibility and easy programming and control. The Jem ZR44 Hi-Mass is RDM compatible, meaning users can monitor the machine’s performance by gathering performance data remotely for immediate attention, allowing troubleshooting to be completed in minutes instead of hours.
The Jem ZR44 Hi-Mass can be positioned on the floor or truss mounted and features a solid design suitable for rugged life on the road or in a permanent install. Economically-priced with a look that fits in with the existing Jem family range, it is perfect for virtually any rental application, as well as clubs and theatres or any venue large or small, adds the company.
www.martin.com
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
ESP Vision 3.0 Released
Posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009
ZZYZX, Inc. is proud to announce the release of the next generation in its lighting pre-visualization software with Vision 3.0. Most significant is Vision 3.0’s ability to run natively on the Mac OSX without the need for Parallels or Bootcamp. Vision 3.0 is a true native Mac version of ESP Vision. Flexibility in its development allows it to run on any system running Mac OS X 10.4.1 or greater, and any video card that supports OpenGL 1.4 or greater. This includes both Intel chipsets and legacy Motorola chipset Macintosh computers, including the Mac Book, Mac Book Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and PowerPC computers.
“Once we announced our development plans to support a native Mac product, the response from the lighting community has been overwhelming,” says ESP Vision’s marketing director, Alan “AJ” Jesse. “Lighting Designers worldwide have adopted the Mac as the preferred platform of choice, and we are happy to be able to accommodate their requirements.”
Additional enhancements to Vision 3.0 include the addition of User Preferences, allowing users to choose between Imperial and Metric display settings, Cut/Copy/Paste, Undo/Redo functionality, improved navigation, true full-screen, and continued improvement over Vision 2.3’s performance enhancements.
GrandPA Releases Report Viewer Version 1.2
Posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
The old men at Grand PA have been up all night drinking prune juice and have extruded a steaming fresh new version of their widely used (and Aussie made) Grand PA Report Viewer for Mac OS X.
Grand PA Report VIewer is a show file interogation tool for the Grand MA range of consoles.
Its primarily designed as a clean up tool for programmers, giving quick and easy access to used parameters, presets and executors and eliminating alot of the usual time spent bent over the console in the track sheet window.
New to Viewer 1.2 is a streamlined importing system, the ability to export more parameters out for printing and a bunch of under the hood improvements to speed the program up a little.
Grand PA Report Viewer is currently used on major productions in the US, Broadway, West End, Europe and through Asia and Australia.
Its a free upgrade for registered users or you can download the demo version from www.grand-pa.co.uk.
Landru Design Releases VideoScreen 4 and SoftGoods Plug-ins for the Vectorworks Line of Products
Posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
VideoScreen 4 is a suite of plug-in objects that enables users to insert 2D and 3D models of video devices (such as projection screens, plasma televisions, and CRT monitors) into Vectorworks drawings – complete with easily customizable screen images. Using the Vectorworks Object Info palette, video device formats and other parameters can be defined and changed on the fly. Screen sizes can be easily changed as projects evolve. VideoScreen 4 places projectors based on screen size and on projector lens rating, or gives lens estimates based on screen size and users’ projector placement. The “Plus” version adds edge-blending and LED array capability.
The prices for the plug-ins are $40 USD for VideoScreen 4 Basic and $80 USD for VideoScreen 4 Plus. Upgrade pricing is available for users of previous VideoScreen versions.
For more information on all of the tools, please visit www.landrudesign.com/VWPlugIns.htm
Compatible with Mac and Windows Vectorworks versions 2009 and newer, VideoScreen4 and SoftGoods work in the entire line of Vectorworks products.
ETC Releases Eos V1.8 Software
Posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009
ETC has released new software for the Eos family (Eos, Ion and Element) of control: V1.8. You can access the release note for this upgrade, and download the software for free, from the downloads section of www.etcconnect.com .
ETC’s YouTube channel now includes a video of Anne Valentino, Eos product manager, explaining the features added in V1.8; it can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgsCxjfEFHs . More information is also available on the Eos and Ion user forums, and in the 1.8 user supplement.
The upgrade includes the following updates and changes:
Ion is now available in five- and six-universe increments (Ion 2500 and Ion 3000). The Ion RPU is also available with six universes (Ion 3K RPU). Existing Ions and RPUS can be upgraded to these increased outputs.
When an Eos or Ion device connects to the network, it is possible to “mirror” another device (called the host) on the system. When a device is in mirror mode, the displays that are present on the host are shown in the same format, page and flexichannel state on the mirroring device. Concurrent with this, it will now be possible to connect a PC using the offline software without a client dongle. When this is done, that PC can only operate in mirror mode.
Mirror mode makes it possible to use a PC with offline software or an RVI with Element, operating in mirror mode only.
Version 1.8 also supports a fan function to distribute parameter and timing data. On Eos and Ion, fan is both a command-line function and an encoder function. A number of fan options are provided. Fan in Element is much simpler: it is a command-line function only, always operating in ‘From Start’ channel mode.
A number of changes have been made to allow easier live editing of time-code events.
Several Sensor-dimmer feedback issues in V1.7 have been resolved in V1.8. The company has also implemented dimmer feedback from its German FDX dimming systems.
End-users are encouraged to upgrade to V1.8 at their earliest opportunity. Please remember that any RVIs (Remote Video Interfaces) and RPUs (Remote Processor Units) in use will also need to run the same version of software that the main consoles use.
www.etccconect.com
Australian Distributor: Jands www.jands.com.au
OSRAM presents first OLED light source
Posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009
Light, thin, non-glare and warm white – ORBEOS is the first OLED light source from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors for premium quality functional lighting. The new energy-efficient surface-emitting panel is especially suited to applications in the premium segment such as architecture, hotels and catering, offices, private homes and shops.
The ORBEOS OLED panel has a round lamp surface of 80mm diameter, is only 2.1mm thick and weighs 24g. These limited dimensions ensure plenty of different usage options. With an efficiency of 25lm/W, the panel beats that of conventional halogen lamps.
Its warm white colour temperature (2,800K, CRI up to 80) matches the warm light of an incandescent lamp and is therefore suited to lighting that is atmospheric and functional at the same time. Especially in homes, museums, restaurants or hotels, OLEDs also rate highly with their pleasant, non-glare light.
ORBEOS can be switched on and off without delay and is continuously dimmable. Unlike LEDs its heat management is simple. The panel contains no mercury and emits no UV or infrared radiation. Its brightness level is usually 1,000cd/m² with power input of less than a watt. In ideal operating conditions it has a lifespan of around 5,000 hours. ORBEOS is available with a frosted glass surface. The panels can be easily mounted using spring contacts.
More information: www.osram-os.com/OLED
GLP Volkslicht
Posted on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
The new “Peoples Light” ideal for club and bar installs, smaller live shows and hire departments.
By using 60 of the Luxeon Rebel LED’s as well as including much more traditional pan and tilt motor systems they have reduced the cost significantly, passing on the saving to offer an Impression style of fitting a fraction the price. It’s never been easier to own a stylish GLP LED moving head fixture, whatever the application.
* 60 x High Powered Luxeon Rebel 3 Watt LED’s
* Full range dimming on Red, Green and Blue LED’s for full colour mixing, * * Full High Speed Pan/Tilt Control
* DMX
* 3 Pin
* 14 Channels
* 11° Optics (optional 24°)
* 270 x 285 x 355mm
* 8kg
www.glp.de
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Philips Color Kinetics unveils LED floodlights
Posted on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
At the LDI exhibition in Orlando, Florida this week, Philips Color Kinetics announced two powerful LED floodlights specifically designed to withstand the rigors of the rental and entertainment environments.
ColorReach Powercore and iW Reach TR Powercore are the road-ready versions of ColorReach Powercore, the flagship high-performance floodlight from Philips Color Kinetics. These rental-friendly floodlights generate enough light output to replace multiple flood and wash fixtures for large-scale and long-throw applications.
ColorReach TR Powercore offers over 5,000 lumens of output, light projection of over 500 feet, and the ability to generate millions of colours and dynamic effects without the need for maintenance-intensive coloured gels, filters, or mechanical scrollers. New royal blue LEDs are standard with ColorReach TR Powercore to offer deeper, more saturated colour projection in theatrical and touring projects. iW Reach TR Powercore produces intense washes of tunable white light in colour temperatures ranging from a warm 2700 K to a cool 6500 K. “With over 10,000 lumens of output and light projection of over 800 feet, iW Reach TR Powercore significantly outperforms competitive fixtures on the market,” the manufacturer says.
Both fixtures offer a range of entertainment- and stage-specific features, including a lightweight yoke for mounting to pipes, trusses, and stands, and an optional accessory holder for freestanding installations. Available spread lenses, barn-doors, top hats, egg crate louvres and other accessories slide into the accessory holder for easy swapping. Optional 16-bit control provides ultra-smooth dimming, say Philips.
ETC Enters Rigging Market
Posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009
At LDI this weekend, ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.) officially announced its entry into a new product market: rigging.
The company unveiled a line of innovative motorized hoists and hoist-control systems for theatrical and architectural use. The product family is called ETC Rigging, and its first offerings — on view at LDI — was the fixed-speed ETC Prodigy hoist systems and ETC QuickTouch controls.
Fred Foster, ETC’s chief executive officer, says, “ETC has always been driven by the pursuit of a better way to do things — to create products that represent real progress in entertainment technology. We have developed this new range of rigging systems with the same spirit of pioneering technological innovation that brought the industry our Source Four spotlights. Our ETC Rigging systems literally and figuratively raise the bar – engineered to set new standards for safety and smart design, while being affordable.”
“We found significant opportunities for improvement,” says Bill Gallinghouse, the company’s vice president of business development. Such features such as slack-line detection, status feedback, load cells, and absolute position encoders, are standard — not options — in ETC’s rigging product range. “We have rethought the fundamentals so that more kinds of venues have access to cutting-edge automated rigging,” says Gallinghouse. “The range of applications for this first series of ETC Rigging will go from grade schools to high schools, colleges and universities, to houses of worship, community theaters, and TV.”
ETC Rigging includes a smaller powerhead, unique cable management system, and an innovative compression tube backbone, the company says. Prodigy hoists retract compactly into 30″ of plenum space, fitting into low-ceilinged venues while preserving sightlines and aesthetics. Venues whose architecture could not support other hoist systems can now access motorized rigging: ETC compression-tube technology imposes no additional lateral-load stress on buildings. And new buildings with limited budgets can choose affordable ETC Rigging instead of having to specify expensive catwalks or other structures to gain easy, safe access to their truss and stage equipment.
Known for its control systems in the lighting world, ETC has taken this expertise into the rethinking of better controls for hoist automation, with the result being the ETC QuickTouch series.
Gallinghouse emphasizes, however, that technological innovation is just one part of ETC’s overall plan to serve this market: “ETC is partnering with the most experienced and qualified rigging installers and supporting them with our unmatched project management, customer, and technical service, and manufacturing to provide complete, safe and economical rigging solutions.”
ETC says that orders are already being taken for ETC Rigging systems, and the company plans to begin shipping the products in January.
www.etcrigging.com
Australian Distributor: Jands www.jands.com.au
DTS release the FOS100 DYNAMIC
Posted on Thursday, November 19th, 2009
FOS 100 DYNAMIC is a new compact self-contained LED bar designed for colouring large surfaces with a uniform projection. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and is great for creating eye-catching visual effects.
Each LED pixel in the FOS 100 DYNAMIC can independently generate 16 million colours, so the choice of colour combinations and sequences is limitless.
FOS 100 DYNAMIC is ideal for a large range of events and applications. Some examples include creating background colours lighting cycloramas for theatre and television or for architectural use like lighting building facades, monuments, public and commercial spaces. The fixture is ideal for use with DMX matrix effects or in use with media servers for pixel mapping.
The FOS 100 DYNAMIC features 15 x 3W Full colour LEDs; luminosity is 500 Lux at 3 m; white colour temperature can be varied linearly from 2800°K to 6500°K; 16 selectable types of white are available.
It is made from aluminium and steel offering high resistance to mechanical stress, with an IP65 protection rating.
A number of FOS 100 DYNAMIC units can be easily connected together: the LEDs distribution pattern guarantees no black spaces between the LEDs of in-line bars, and an even coverage of lighted surfaces. Large networks of interconnected FOS 100 DYNAMIC can be created, with up to 32 units for each network. FOS units can also be remote-controlled via any DMX console.
Three dedicated lens sets (Spot, Medium flood, Wide flood) are available for each model, offering different light beam projection angles. The fixture is available with or without an integrated full-range 90-260 V AC/50-60 Hz power supply / controller.
www.lighthousedistribution.com.au
PixelRange launches new LED technology
Posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
PixelRange will present an entire new family of luminaires at LDI. Featuring the latest innovative LEDs – the new ranges will provide creative lighting design solutions for both architectural and entertainment markets.
Pixel-Mi series technology allows direct mains connection, dimming via any system, advanced power capabilities and enhanced heat efficiency. PixelPar 44 Mi will be the first in this new series of products – the rest of the range will follow. Each Mi luminaire will feature the latest industry leading LEDs and will offer a full range of white LED configurations and single colour LED options.
PixelLinear is an industry innovation featuring Quad colour LEDs. The vast colour palette is enhanced by a homogenized beam from fixture to surface.
SkyLine Architectural is a family of durable outdoor architectural LED floodlights. Capable of high projection, even washes and focused feature lighting – each luminaire can feature one or two robust, stylish housings with a highly flexible variety of LED and circuit formats.
Pixie by PixelRange is a portfolio of IP66 rated decorative lighting effects offering “infinite design possibilities for both indoor and outdoor applications”. Each Pixie product is fully addressable and offers full colour motion effects with dynamic colour mixing – it can also be used for video animation. Introductory products include PixiePoint, PixieMini, PixieNode, PixieBall and PixieStar.
Pix by PixelRange is a complementing portfolio of lighting fixtures. Pix120m is a precise, quiet moving head washlight featuring 120 high intensity LEDs – and Pix60 is an alternative par style IP66 rated fixture featuring 60 high intensity LEDs. PixPar38 is a new technology screw in (dimmable) replacement fitting, allowing the user to predetermine the intended wattage for the fixture with up to 800 lumens at 16W. PixTrak is an adjustable LED spot (dimmable) track fitting, up to 300 lumens and uses only 8.5W.
www.pixelrange.com
Australian Distributor: Clearlight Shows www.clearlight.com.au
LSC Clarity control system released
Posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
LSC Lighting Systems has announced the release of LSC Clarity – a PC/MAC based lighting and media server control system. It will be shown at LDI in Orlando this month.
Previewed at InfoComm this year and officially launched at PLASA in London in September, Clarity version 1 software and DMX converters and programming/playback wings are now in full production.
The Clarity software suite was developed by Nick Denville from OpenClear. He has a strong background in major control consoles having worked in the 90s on the Hog 2 and more recently as lead software engineer on the Jands Vista console.
Clarity has been in development for over three years and incorporates the best of breed including drag and drop patching – with fixture cloning, LED matrix control and Media server integration permitting the most complex of shows to be easily operated from the one product.
Coupled with the professional quality VX series programming and playback wings, and the QX series USB-DMX converters, Clarity is suitable for any show from the local high school to a major production.
A full version 30-day trial is available for download from the LSC website. After the 30 days the trial reverts to a free 32 fixture / 128 channel version.
Martin offers RADAR lighting feedback system
Posted on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
Martin Professional has teamed up with Wybron to offer an innovative lighting feedback system based on the industry-standard feedback protocol Remote Device Management (RDM).
Called Martin RADAR, an acronym for Remote Access Diagnostics And Reporting, the information feedback and monitoring system enables users to communicate with lighting fixtures by gathering lighting fixture data remotely and sending it to operators for immediate attention. It allows troubleshooting and fixture repair to be completed in minutes instead of hours, cutting down on expensive repair time and increasing productivity and ROI.
Martin RADAR uses RDM to collect fixture data from an installed system – or from a rig before and during a show – and then modifies it if needed (DMX, lamp, fixture status, etc.). It enables checking lighting equipment and diagnosing any problems from the convenience of a computer and without the hassle of having to access the lighting system, a great benefit for installations such as theatres, retail, outdoor architecture, cruise ships, theme parks and more, says Martin. It also simplifies fixture patching by scanning the system, applying DMX addresses and uploading to fixtures.
RADAR real-time monitoring can directly increase return on investment by decreasing expensive down time. It lets users be proactive, foreseeing problems by providing precise information even before a break down occurs, and is a great benefit in connection with service planning.
Rental companies can benefit from the system as well to quickly diagnose, service and repair returned gear before sending it out on its next assignment, increasing uptime and therefore earnings. Martin RADAR also lets users prep fixtures before arriving on site, and resets them once the event is over.
The Martin RADAR system consists of the Wybron Infogate, splitters, a PC and an Internet connection to a centralized server. In order for the RADAR system to work, lighting fixtures must be RDM compatible. Martin is able to offer an RDM software upgrade as a ’stand alone’ product which gives some of the same benefits as the Complete Care package.
RDM is being incorporated into Martin professional class fixtures beginning with the MAC III Profile. A number of earlier Martin fixtures will be RDM compatible via a software upgrade.
www.martin.com
Australian distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
Zero 88 releases V 5.3 ZerOS software
Posted on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Zero 88 has announced the release of version 5.3.0 software for the ZerOS consoles. Version 5.3.0 can be installed on Zero 88 Leap Frog 48, Leap Frog 96, Frog 2 and ORB consoles and adds a number of new features together with bug fixes.
Key features introduced in version 5.3.0 include a Non Tracking mode for cue stacks, support for multi-part cues and the ability to store user-defined views directly onto UDKs on ORB. These new features add to the feature set of ZerOS and are in response to user feedback.
ZerOS 5.3.0 can be downloaded now from the Zero 88 support centre (http://support.zero88.com), together with release notes and an Offline Editor (Phantom ZerOS) for all ZerOS consoles. This upgrade is provided free of charge.
Australian Distributor: Clearlight www.clearlight.com
coolux presents Pandoras Box Software Version 4.5
Posted on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
coolux Media Systems has introduced Pandoras Box Software 4.5. With more than 50 new features included, the company says Pandoras Box will be faster, easier to use and more powerful than ever. The streamlined new dark skin interface, multi-playback preview, virtual sites as well as the built-in batch encoder for media managers and media dervers, clip-based editing, and Bezier curves massively improve the programming workflow, the company adds.
Integrated MA net protocol, thumbnail exchange via CITP with ChamSys lighting consoles, and the Widget Designer and MIDI show control expand the possibilities of communicating within show control environments. The DMX matrix video output can now be used in parallel to an Art-Net-controlled LED wall while still driving the original video output.
The auto- and batch-encoding feature will guarantee fast, automated, high-quality media encoding into MPEG2, if a file conversion is needed.
In addition to the enhancements of the core software, new tools and new versions of the Widget Designer have arrived. The Widget Designer Basic is a freeware program to create custom user interfaces. It features a new event scheduler that executes pre-defined tasks at a given time on a given date. Automatic thumbnail exchange via CITP makes it easy to create a VJ tool in a minute. The thumbnails can be set as backgrounds for buttons; complete folders of media can be represented by buttons in one keystroke.
New tools such as the Art-Net Monitor, a coolux VNC remote and the new on-screen menu software for media servers will make life even easier, the company says. With the coolux VNC viewer all systems in a network will reveal themselves with their IP address.
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au