UK - Debuting at the PLASA 2004 show was Flying Pig Systems' Hog 3 PC, which offers the convenience, flexibility and power of the Wholehog 3 operating system on a personal computer. The system of software and hardware components combines to produce any system that an end user needs, from cost-free Hog 3 PC software for viewing and editing Wholehog 3 shows through to a fully-fledged 4,096-channel console, depending on the number of USB DMX widgets. The company has also announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with ESP Vision Inc to provide Wholehog 3 lighting console users direct connectivity with ESP Vision software.
Firstly the product - Hog 3 PC offers popular features including the effects engine, a new remote focus device, which provides the freedom to operate all console functions from any location without the burden of cables. Hog 3 PC controls automated
UK - The latest extension to Bulgin's Buccaneer range of waterproof Ethernet connectors is an 'overmoulded' version of the pre-wired patchcords. Bulgin's Ethernet Buccaneer provides environmental sealing to IP68. Combining industry standard RJ45 connectors with the proven Buccaneer characteristics, this connector system provides a secure, reliable and practical solution to harsh industrial environments.
The body of the new 'overmoulded' patchcords is moulded directly over the pre-wired connector onto the cable. This type of construction can offer distinct advantages; the body forms a seal around the cable so no separate cable gland is needed, the cable is secured so no retaining cage is required and, as the termination is sealed, the connector is completely tamper proof.
A Polyurethane (PUR) cable jacket has been chosen for the cable. This presents very good mechanical propert
UK - Element Labs launched the latest generation of its multiple award-winning LED based products at PLASA - VersaTILE and VersaTUBE. VersaTILE, the innovative edge-lit translucent panel, now has factory-set colour calibration as part of the product's upgrade to a fourth generation. Designed to overcome the variability in LED colour, a technique, often used in the manufacture of high-end LED video screens, analyses the colour profile of each individual LED and calibrates each pixel to ensure a uniform colour output across the entire device. This close control over colour accuracy also allows faithful reproduction of more difficult colours such as grey, brown, fleshtones and pure white.
VersaTUBE, the colour-changing light tube, has also been enhanced with improved colour rendition and other features. Among this year's most prominent dates for the product have been the German pr
UK - The star of TMB's PLASA Show was the ColourPix Pro-V4 fixtures - the latest addition to TMB's ColourPix Video Fixture system. The hexagonal 4" RGB LED fixtures mechanically interlock together to form arrays of any imaginable shape (or groups of shapes) - rows, rectangles or random honeycomb designs. V-LED video graphics software is used to patch and matrix the fixtures within the array. The system functions as a low resolution video display, accepting video input of any kind via the V-LED controller. Up to 4,000 fixtures can be run from one controller and numerous controllers can be connected for almost infinite system size. Control wiring is a simple daisy chain, using standard 5-pin cables. There is no addressing necessary; the units patch themselves via the signal from the V-LED controller.
Features include control any number of fixtures, in any shape, from any vid
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
USA - Production Resource Group (PRG) served as the primary supplier of lighting, staging, and scenery for the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. PRG supplied over 1,000 lighting fixtures for the event, including 235 moving lights. The lighting package included some of the company's most popular fixtures, including VL3000 spot units, VL2000 spot units, VL2000 wash units, MAC 2000 wash units, and MAC 2000 Profiles.
As a result of PRG's recent merger with VLPS Lighting Services, Bill Klages, the event's lighting designer, was able to obtain all of the lights needed for the event from PRG. Staging and scenic elements provided by PRG included: The main stage and stairs used during the first three days of the event. This stage included a motorized slip stage and hydraulic lift for raising and lowering speaker platforms. Both the slip stage and lift were controlled
UK - Initiated by James Thomas Engineering and hosted by BBC Training at Wood Norton, near Evesham, Worcestershire, the LED Workshop event aims to give LDs, set designers - and anyone else involved in lighting - an opportunity to learn more about LED lighting; the equipment, the uses and control.
Taking place on 30 September, the start time will be 1pm for lunch, followed by a workshop-style conference in which Andy Sugars from PixelRange will explain the development of the LED and the current state of play, followed by a discussion of future development. There will be a chance to investigate the colourimetry of LEDs as a light source for flesh tones: Philips, Thompson, Ikegami and Sony cameras will be available to use.
Pixeldrive software will be on hand for attendees to play with, and they will also be given the chance to compare LED sources side by side with conventional t
UK - Projected Image Digital announced a raft of new products and developments at the PLASA Show, 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 were 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 also showed 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 ne
UK/Italy - Compulite, along with its UK distributor Stagetec Distribution, had the most successful PLASA show ever with the stand packed with visitors from the beginning until half an hour after the show finished. The new Dlite range of consoles was previewed at the show to unanimous acclaim. Vector Green was launched at the show and proved so popular that orders for six systems were taken on the stand.
For the first time user, the Dlite incorporates a two preset manual control section with preset masters and manual fade times, for the more experienced user there are 20 manual playbacks and for those that like to run things theatre style there is even a split crossfade playback with GO button. This combined with advanced features such as a built in LCD touch screen, effects generator and libraries ensures the Dlite has something for everyone.
UK / Sweden - Lightfactor Sales has announced a UK distribution deal with Wireless Solutions from Sweden, who's wireless DMX system - W-DMX - won a PLASA Award for Innovation at the Show in London last week. Wireless Solutions' Niclas Arvidsson was looking for a well-known and respected sales company to distribute his product: "We want to work with the best - Lightfactor has a great reputation and is very well connected," he comments. The two companies have actually already been acquainted with one another for some time: like Lightfactor, Wireless Solutions is also a distributor for SGM moving lights.
Lightfactor's Peter Coles comments: "W-DMX fits perfectly into our product portfolio. It was the right product at the right time and the fact that it won the PLASA Award is extremely well-timed and a further boost."
Australia - When rock star Jimmy Barnes took to the stage at Star City Showroom recently, the impact of his performance was significantly enhanced by the country's most advanced lighting design, a suite of some 24 show lights from Clay Paky's range. The Clay Paky product was recently installed by Total Concept Projects, the exclusive distributor of Clay Paky product in Australia. Star City's general entertainment services manager Bicci Henderson comments: "The impact of the new lighting on the Jimmy Barnes show was fantastic, with very startling colour saturation and vibrancy. It is Australia's most stunning show lighting system."
Commenting on the lighting set-up, he says: "The lighting set-up was so good that the Barnes' producers just walked in and did the show without having to move a thing. It was great!" Henderson continues: "The Clay Paky lighti
UK/Greece - Creative Technology was contracted by Sportsmark, the American event management and marketing agency, to provide a full technical staging service, including lighting, audio, video projection and indoor Barco iLite 8 LED display, during the Olympic Games in Athens.
Nick Whitehead and Rob Merilees managed the project, with lighting design by Nick Whitehead. Six venues were used as hospitality suites for Sportsmark's clients, including Visa, Xerox and Bank of America for the duration of the Games, with additional special events.
The lighting design incorporated effects from CT's LED lighting inventory, including its latest acquisition - the Colorblaze 48 LED batten from Color Kinetics - and the Colorblast 12 fixture, which is extremely useful in view of its low power consumption and heat output.
Finland - FogScreen Inc has been chosen as a winner of the IST prize, which is awarded to European innovations with most business potential and technical excellence, among other things. The European IST Prize is organized by the European Council of Applied Sciences, Technologies and Engineering, with the sponsorship and support of the Information Society Technologies Programme of the European Commission.
FogScreen has been asked to participate in the IST event (held in The Hague from 15-17 November), where three IST Grand Prize Winners will be selected from among the IST Prize Winners. "We have taken part in three competitions: InnoSuomi, VentureCup, Laval Virtual Awards and IST Prize, and we have every time been chosen either as a winner or a finalist. That implies the ingenuity of our invention. Perhaps the biggest outcome of this prize may be increased possibility for fu
UK - Salisbury-based Stagecraft has been awarded UK Independent Dealer of the Year 2004 award by specialist lighting manufacturer Zero 88. Presented to Stagecraft at PLASA 2004 last week, the award recognizes the company's expertise and knowledge of the Zero 88 product range. Stagecraft's sales and project manager, Martin Palmer, was presented with the award.
Graham Eales of Zero 88 commented: "Stagecraft has surpassed its previous efforts on behalf of Zero 88. It has grown its sales of our products by over 100% in 2003/2004. We believe this growth has come as a result of Stagecraft's focus on us as its sol supplier of lighting control products, a good stocking policy, excellent PR and staff trained in our products."
Stagecraft was one of the first companies to install new Zero 88 touch screens in a £100,000 lighting refurbishment for Salisbury nightclub, The Chap
UK - Two Avolites Diamond 4's and a Pearl 2004 were used by lighting company Siyan for the high profile Oxfam Make Trade Fair charity show at Hammersmith Apollo last week.
Topping the bill was REM, other highlights of an animated line up included hottest-guitar-band-of-the-moment Razorlight, The Thrills, Jamelia, Minnie Driver and her band, comedian Ricky Gervais and a special guest appearance by Coldplay's Chris Martin, who played two songs with REM.
The general lighting design was created by Bryan Leitch and based on a festival set up. It was programmed by Nick Whitehouse using one of the Diamond 4s, and a second Diamond 4 was made available offline at FOH for visiting LDs to pre-programme their show using Avolites' Visualiser (supplied as standard with every D4).
With only a short amount of time available for any pre-programming on the day, the second console was a
Germany - CT Germany is offering customized masks for the established Versa Lightguide LED modules (the name under which the company markets its Versa Tile systems from Element Labs). The new masks offer endless variations on the Versa Lightguide theme. The company is offering the new customized modules for rental and fixed installation projects worldwide. The modules are available in 50cm x 50cm and 100cm x 100cm panels, and can be delivered with any mask requested. (Lee Baldock)
UK - As part of an ongoing drive to improve the services offered to its customers, the FX Group has restructured its technical department, with several key promotions from within the company. The reorganization is also in response to the departure in early September of technical director Frank Oglethorpe, who has relocated to the US.
Adam Pope, who has worked in a technical capacity for FX for almost six years, has been promoted to technical manager. Pope previously worked as an audio engineer in Prague, prior to that spending six years in Soundcraft's R&D department. He will be responsible for the day to day running of the technical and check-in department, liaising with suppliers' and clients' own technical staff and working with clients on special projects which involve FX in both an advisory and rentals role. Pope will also continue to offer technical support on equipment, s
Europe / Argentina - After a busy exhibition season, rounded off with successful shows at PLASA and IBC, PG Stage and LCC Photon Technik have been appointed European co-distributors for the Dexel range of theatre and studio luminaires. The deal, which was finalised between PG's Paul Holt, LCC's Lee Rickard and Dexel's managing director Marcello Ruiz Diaz at IBC in Amsterdam, will see PG Stage take responsibility for marketing Dexel's theatre lighting range, while LCC Photon Technik have similar responsibility for the studio range.
The Dexel range of luminaires from Argentina provides a value for money alternative to larger name brands and is already carving a niche in the market for users where financial constraints apply, but where high performance is still required, say the company.
UK - DHA Lighting recently announced its appointment as the exclusive UK distributor for the Lighting Innovation range of products. The appointment took place at this year's PLASA Show, and begins with immediate effect.
This new deal will see DHA Lighting offering the entire Lighting Innovation range in the UK, with particular focus on the new Super Beam 1200 Beamlight, which was launched at the PLASA Show. This is an updated version of the classic low-voltage 'beamlight' lantern that has found favour with lighting designers over the years, particularly DHA's David Hersey who has featured beamlights in many of his classic designs. Beamlights give an intense, parallel-beam 'shaft' of light unobtainable with any other type of fixture. The Super Beam 1200 improves upon the traditional low-voltage units by using a Philips' 80V 1200W lamp to give dramatically improved brightness - mo
USA - Elation Professional has unveiled the Octopod 80, an LED pod lighting system manufactured by Chinese-based Alkalite and distributed exclusively by Elation in North America.
Consisting of a network of eight large lighting pods and a proprietary controller, the Octopod 80 utilizes LED technology to produce a virtually infinite range of colours. Each of the pods is equipped with 90 LEDs - 30 red, 30 green and 30 blue - which, through RGB colour-mixing technology, can create any colour imaginable. When all 90 LEDs are turned on, the Octopod 80 will generate extremely bright, 100% pure white light, with smooth transitions from one colour to the next.
Because the Octopod 80's LED system produces no infrared and ultra-violet light, heat production is kept to a minimum. This means the lights can shine directly on an object or surface at close range, with no risk of discoloration
Europe - The Kisslite 3200K white LED ringlight is the first available low CCT and high CRI, warm white solid-state onboard light source. Lightweight and portable, the ringlight system opens the door significantly for use of solid-state illumination in commercial, drama, and documentary shooting.
The Kisslite ringlight unit clamps onto the barrel of most popular fixed barrel lenses and also features an adaptor clamp for standard Arri 19mm bars and Panavision PV bars. Step down rings are available for most lenses from 112.8mm down to 80mm. The ringlight is powered by a small, lightweight, dedicated power supply unit that accepts power from any 12Vor 24V film or video battery utilizing standard configuration 4-pin XLR. The control box provides flicker-free power and allows individual switching of four-quarter sub-sets - top, bottom, left and right - and dimming from 100% down to
USA - Wybron's new Nexera dichroic colour changing fixtures are now shipping with the UL and C-UL mark. Effective from 10 September 2004, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. has authorized all four versions of Nexera - Profile, Profile CDM, Wash and Wash CDM to ship with UL and/or C-UL labels.
This certification marks the next step on Wybron's journey toward the development of a strong product line featuring fixtures built on Wybron's legendary standards. After 25 years of excellence in service, Wybron continues to design and manufacture valuable products for the lighting industry. From accessories to fixtures, Wybron is the one professionals use and use and use.
Pioneering lighting designer Andy Phillips, who was an integral part of the artistic team at the Royal Court Theatre from 1965 - 1972, passed away on September 17 aged 63.
Phillips was famed for his unfussy and uncluttered lighting techniques, believing that if lighting was noticed it was essentially bad lighting. During his time at the Royal Court he was given free reign to experiment with lighting, which ultimately resulted in the famous 'white light' technique where, if colour was used at all it tended to be colour correction reducing the orange cast of tungsten sources. This method aimed to retain the natural skin tone of an actors face and ensure total visual clarity of facial expression. During this period many of the Court's set designers were also dispensing with the artifice of theatre, often removing masking and leaving stage and lighting exposed. John Dexter, speaking of Phi
USA - Color Kinetics Inc (NASDAQ: CLRK), a pioneer in the design, marketing and licensing of intelligent solid-state lighting systems and technologies, today announced the continued traction of its OEM and Licensing business with five agreements signed in the third quarter of 2004 to date.
The newly signed OEM and Licensing partners are CityLight, a Turkish architectural lighting firm; City Theatrical, Inc., a lighting accessories manufacturer; Next Generation Lighting, LLC, a new developer of custom solid-state lighting solutions; Orange22, a furniture manufacturer; and, as previously announced, Spectrum Manufacturing, a manufacturer of entertainment and event lighting products.
"Color Kinetics supports the widespread adoption of intelligent solid-state lighting through an open and active OEM and Licensing program, and we're pleased to help these companies go to market q