The DGS Counterweight Drive System has been designed using the latest steel band technology to simplify the arduous process of operating counterweight systems in the entertainment industry. Faster fit-up times, significant reductions in running costs and a greatly improved safety and operational capability are among the benefits offered by Hall Stage, in conjunction with ASM Steuerungstechnik GmbH, for the movement and control of scenery and stage equipment. The system won the ABTT's Rigging & Engineering Product of the Year award in the summer, and has added to its haul with a PLASA Award.

Loading and unloading cradles is an inherently dangerous process: DGS reduces the potential for conflicts with safe working practices legislation and future health issues as well as future claims for injury and long-term back problems - by doing away with the manual aspects of the process.

Operat

UK - The D1 Live, a compact version of the D5 Live digital mixing system at what DiGiCo calls an "Access All Areas price", made its debut at PLASA 2004, heralding what the company confidently predicts will be its biggest selling product to date.

Aimed at the midrange rental company and installation markets, a brand new MADI card is largely responsible for the dramatic price reduction, by providing a fully digital link from stage to FOH for up to 100m of coax cable, where previously 50m was the maximum run -dispensing with the need for expensive optical fibre.

The worksurface has the D5's instantly familiar and distinctive look - although there is slightly less of it, as the new console provides two (rather than three) input fader sections, each with eight faders, and offers a maximum of 224 inputs and 224 outputs. It shares the D5's built-in dynamics, EQ, matrix, eff

The Digital Festoon System's DFS200 low voltage batten lamp driver is a standard two-core festoon cable that carries both 48V and DMX using a unique patented data system. This means that up to 200 lamps can be individually controlled on a single cable from one DFS200 power unit. To realize large-scale coordinated lighting displays -perhaps involving hundreds of thousands of lights - practically any number of power units can be synchronized.

The system builds lighting displays in scenes - a scene defined as the state of each lamp pertaining to a given power unit. Each power unit can store up to 30,000 scenes and can play up to 20 scenes per second: combined with fast playback, this allows for long, non-repetitive and complex lighting effects.

A final feature of the DFS200 system is the ability for lamps to fade: conventional festoon lighting systems can only switch lamps on and off. W

UK - Pro audio distribution specialists, Fuzion plc will announce the formation of a new lighting division at this year's PLASA Show in London (September 12-15). Difuzion will be headed by the experienced Graham Barron, who has spent the last four years at Martin Professional, having dedicated much of his professional career to lighting design, support, consultancy and sales. Difuzion will open its account by confirming an exclusive UK distribution deal with German-based Futurelight, headed by Bernd Steinigke.

Said Graham Barron, "I was ready for a new challenge and was impressed by the set-up at Fuzion. As for Futurelight, they produce a comprehensive, attractively-priced range of well-made products - and yet historically the brand has been under-exposed in the UK." He emphasized that this was just the start. "We are ready to take on other non-conflicting lighti

UK - Two video innovations are on display on stand D97, where German digital imaging specialists Coolux are displaying the Pandora's Box media server, and Schnick-Schnack Systems show a new LED matrix backlighter aimed at the décor and effects market.

Pandora's Box is a powerful media server, joining the new generation of digital lighting / video convergence technologies. Using multi-layer technology, its 3D rendering process allows one image layer to be used as a background while layering or fading other images on top. 3D rotation allows keystone correction even at extreme projection angles. Up to 9 separate layers can be created with soft crossfading of layers, variable tilting and zooming of images, RGB colour mixing, an extensive 3D effects library, 3D point-of-view shifting, perspective or orthogonal view selection, and firewire or optional capturecard input.

The LED-Kac

Described by the judges as 'a leap forward in chain hoist control with an elegant solution in control and planning aspects of the production process', the much-vaunted InMotion 3D / CyberHoist motion control system was unveiled at PLASA at the start of four days of on-site demonstrations. The system offers a combination of precision movement and user-friendly programming and its creators, Dutch company XLNT Advanced Technologies, claims it is the most advanced motion control system available for the entertainment industry.

It was first seen at this year's Eurovision Song Contest (L&SI June 2004) and is now on its début world tour with Phil Collins (L&SI August 2004) via PRG Europe. A complete system consists of InMotion 3D object-oriented software, an unlimited number of half-tonne Verlinde CyberHoist motors, an Ethernet network (DataMotion), a dedicated power distribution system (Pow

UK - PLASA 2004 opened its doors on Sunday 12th September to enthusiastic crowds, with a full show, hundreds of exciting products and a real buzz across the show floor. Both visitors and exhibitors are commenting that the excitement is back and the industry future looks bright.

The Product Excellence Awards at the PLASA show have been a popular feature of the event for many years, highlighting the significance of the show as a focus for new developments for the industry. To reinforce this role, the awards have undergone an important change for 2004 with the focus being much more on genuine innovation and have been relaunched as the PLASA Awards for Innovation. The previous assessment criteria, which segmented the nominations into sectors, has been removed so that products were not judged within category lines, but on the grounds of their innovation alone. The judges looked for

UK - Projected Image Digital announced a raft of new products and developments, beginning with a Beta version of the MYRAD package which provides a reduced feature set version of the RADlite image server plus a hardware DMX interface - at a much reduced price compared to the original, full featured version. The new software will run on a standard PC, although for optimum performance a dual processor machine is recommended.

Two prominent products in the visual stakes on the stand are the VersaTILE LED modules, for which PID is Element Labs' preferred UK partner, and the large screen D-TFT40W LCD display from D-TEK Industries. Projected Image Digital is also showing its Beacon, EpOk and Amorphous royalty free digital content libraries.

Highlighting the company's growth in the audio/video convergence market, the new D-Mix Series, according to PID, "breaks new ground in the c

UK - Among TC Electronics' products on show is the EQ Station system, its latest offering aimed specifically at the live sound market.

At the heart of the system is the EQ Station itself, with a user interface rich in intuitive controls and a full-colour backlit QVGA TFT graphic display designed for visibility even in direct sunlight. Accompanying it are the MotoFader Remote which provides a familiar graphic EQ-style EQ fader panel for instant, hands-on remote control of the EQ Station's digital bands, and the PC/Mac Editor that runs on industry standard networks including the latest low-cost wireless systems - making it possible to EQ a house or monitor system from anywhere in the venue, including on stage.

Under the hood are separate display views for graphic, parametric and dynamic EQ; individual frequency, bandwidth and gain encoders; store / recall of settings with 250 us

UK - Appropriately for a product designed to reduce the unwanted effects of noise pollution from installed audio systems, the new Basscreator from XLNT Advanced Technologies made a suitably quiet international debut on MTi Danmark's stand (F67) at PLASA. MTi announced at the show that it is to become a distributor for Basscreator and displayed the unit at short notice.

The product, which can also be used to enhance bass output from small loudspeakers, is the creation of XLNT Advanced Technologies, the Dutch DSP research and development company that was also responsible for one of PLASA 2004's biggest hits, the Innovation Award-winning CyberHoist / InMotion 3D Motion Control System.

Basscreator is a 1U rackmount noise control device based on the principle of the missing fundamental. It gives acousticians and other audio experts a tool for situations where noise emission from mu

UK - At the close of the 2004 PLASA Show in London this week, it was clear that a new level of confidence has returned to the industry, with buyers making substantial orders of new equipment and a high level of visitor quality being reported by exhibitors across the show floor.

James Thomas Engineering, Cadac Electronics, A.C. Lighting, Artistic Licence, D&M Professional, Vidicom, LSC Lighting, Le Mark, LDR, Strand Lighting, Robe Show Lighting, Fuzion and Rackz were among the many companies who expressed their satisfaction at the level of business conducted and the quality of the trade visitors to the exhibition.

Glyn O'Donoghue, product development director at A.C. Lighting, told PLASA Media that the response to the Jands Vista console had far exceeded expectations, with no less than 12 consoles sold at the show - as well as hundreds of the new Chroma-Q Color Block LED modul

USA - Doug Fleenor Design has announced a line-up of new products will be shown at the forthcoming ETS-LDI exhibition in Las Vegas (20-22 October).

The DMX to iPlayer 2 interface allows DMX512 control of the iPlayer2 and Light System Engine controllers from Color Kinetics Inc. The interface uses DMX512 data to set controller parameters via the controller's RS-232 input. The interface uses three (or optionally five) consecutive DMX512 channels to select trigger mode, show number, and intensity. Shows may also be triggered manually using the interface's three-digit thumb wheel switch.

The Remote Addressing Device (RAD) is used to set the DMX address of compatible products. Designed to draft version 2.0 of the RDM specification, RAD will be upgraded to comply with the released standard at no charge.

The CK300 power supply is intended to power Color Kinetics' LED fixtures in p

UK / USA - The Ford Motor Company has awarded design and communication agency Imagination with its Q1 2004 status. The certification was awarded after Imagination met rigorous performance and ongoing quality management criteria set out by the Ford quality assessment. Q1 certification is recognized and highly-regarded throughout the Automotive and its related business and support industries as a symbol of excellence, customer satisfaction and on-going high quality consistency. Although Ford has recognized others of its suppliers with the latest Q1award, Imagination is the first marketing services supplier in Europe to obtain this Status.

Ford presented Imagination with the status in an awards ceremony held at Imagination's headquarters in London. Ford's senior purchasing manager Steve Proctor, and its manager of exhibitions Derek Cockerill, presented Gary Withers, Imagination's

UK - Next year's Total Production International industry awards event - TPi Awards 05 - will take place on Monday 31 January 2005, once again at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith, west London. The organizers promise another night not to be missed, with formidable production values, a host of surprises, excellent food and the chance for professionals to network and catch up on the previous year!

Since their inception in 2002, the Awards have attracted the involvement of such celebrities as Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, U2, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Damon Albarn, TV and radio personality Mike Read, Lemmy of Motorhead, promoter Harvey Goldsmith, soul pioneer Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave fame), Michael Eavis, jazz legend Chris Barber, blues singer/radio presenter Paul Jones, and last year's host, Spandau Ballet bassist-turned-actor Martin Kemp.

Next January's

UK - The growth of the international marketplace, and a significant rise in digital communications, has made the protection of product ideas and designs an increasingly important issue. This year, for the first time in the history of the PLASA Show, a Code of Ethics was introduced and successfully implemented in response to exhibitors who wanted to protect their design copyright and patents.

PLASA's CEO, Matthew Griffiths, commented: "This is a very important step forward - not only for our exhibition, but I hope for others in the industry. Blatant copying of product and theft of intellectual property are real concerns for many manufacturers who make huge investments in R&D. For years, companies have been able to pass off copied products at exhibitions, knowing they are unlikely to face consequences. PLASA is keen to take a firm stand on this issue and has introduced the Ex

UK - At the final stage of the judging process for the 2004 PLASA Awards, the wrong company and product name was mistakenly added to the 'final' list of winners, with the result that the Awards press release initially listed Enttec's Datagate as an award winner instead of the Easy Stand Alone 2005 from Digital Art System, which the judges actually awarded.

The situation was exacerbated by the fact that the very brief description written for the Easy Stand Alone 2005 could appear equally relevant to the facilities offered by Enttec's Datagate!

The mistake was rectified as soon as it was noticed, and a corrected press release was issued. However, it seems that this was not done in time to avoid some confusion and embarrassment for the companies involved.

In the light of this, we would like to apologize for any confusion caused by the error, and to clarify that although Enttec

UK - DMC has announced that the Lambourne Club in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, will be the setting for the DMC World DJ Golf Open competition, in aid of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity. This, the second DJ/music industry golf tournament, takes place on Thursday November 11th, 2004, and forms part of the World DJ Day fund-raising activity. The reigning singles champion Tall Paul will be defending his title, as will doubles champions John Craig and Graham Smith.

The fee per player is £150, with breakfast and lunch available to non-golfers for £75. Further information and application forms are available from DMC, telephone 020 7262 6777, or via e-mail at the e-mail address below.

(Lee Baldock)

Meyer showed its new addition to the Milo line array system, the Milo120, a dedicated near down-fill for the bottom of the array which, as its name suggests, has a throw pattern of 120° by 20°. Also on show, the 700HP sub, a high-power 2 x 18", 28-125Hz range, 140dB continuous. The UP-J houses a 10" with a 2" compression driver to a 40° x 80° horn. The horn is rotatable, allowing for horizontal or vertical orientation, and Meyer has provided rigging to make a pseudo line array. Range is given as 60Hz to 18kHz. Also on show was the new SIM3 analyzer, with features are too numerous to list here - visit www.meyersound.com/sim3 for more.

With a fleet of five fully-equipped vehicles, Nightsky is known mainly for providing sleeper busses for bands, but is now developing towards the production market. All current buses feature plasma screens and DVD players, as well as all conveniences. On the same stand, S&H Technical Services were showing its flame effects for stage use, and bespoke starcloths. S&H is in the process of developing an LED starcloth, which it intends will be available by Christmas.

High End presented three new software-only versions of Catalyst (it seems too many people already have their own G4); Express has a single layer output, DV four layers, and the Pro version gives the full standard specification. There's a new release of software V1.37 for the Hog III aimed mainly at re-establishing the brand's reputation for stability (High End was confident enough to offer a bottle of high grade vodka to any visitor who could crash the demonstration machine during the show). The new Hog IPC is an integrated PC Windows-based system, shown in prototype.

Covering everything shown by beyerdynamic GB would take a feature on its own. Highlights included its own range of Opus 100, 300 and 500 wireless mic systems, alongside distributed products like Altec Lansing's SLS 6221 speaker system for plasma displays (wryly referred to as the "world's smallest line array"), the Biamp Nexia DSP system and Powersoft's new L-series of power amps, which pack 700W per channel into a mere 1U rack space.

Link S.r.l. was showing new products in its cable range that included Interconnection cables for digital equipment and Interconnection cables for Outline and L-Acoustic PA systems. The company is also shipping rubber-locking rings, which are easier to handle and unscrew than metal ones.

Rob Fricker from Adam Hall said the company had been busy completing its audio LD-ProSeries. Since PLASA 2003 it has been flat out supplying Series 1 products. Series 2 loudspeakers operate in bi-amp mode with integrated active crossover - and cost the same as Series 1.

A new lightweight switch mode power amp, the E45 comes from MC² Audio, and delivers 2,250W into 4 ohms per channel, yet weighs just 11kg. Joining the E15 and E25 (750W and 1250W per channel respectively) the E45 sports a power reduction unit on the rear panel, allowing limiting down in 2dB increments to match power to its sister amps.

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