UK - Devon-based S+H Technical Support has launched a new HD video banner designed for all types of live events, as well as conferences, exhibitions and other applications requiring plug-and-play digital signage.
S+H’s Terry Murtha comments: “Whether it’s indicating the way to a plenary session or a breakout room, directing delegates to different seminars or providing fun and entertaining branding and content in specific areas of an event space - like hallways and corridors - or highlighting an area of an exhibition stand, this is a really fast and simple way to get noticed or to issue clear directions” enthuses Terry.
The standard S+H Video Banner offers a 2.5 mm pitch and 224 x 756 pixels per panel in a .622 mm wide by 1980 mm high format. The 6.7 mm deep modules can be butted up together and are housed in robust aluminium panels for protection and easy transportation.
The units weigh 35kg each and are designed with all S+H’s expertise in the live events field. “They can easily be moved around to different locations within a venue, which is a frequent requirement of conferences or exhibitions,” observes Terry.
They can currently be floor mounted, and custom brackets are arriving soon to facilitate flying and wall or truss mounting.
They can be fed with video sources from any standard laptop or media server.
(Jim Evans)

UK - Following considerable investment in design and engineering, Cloud Electronics has announced the availability of its 70/100V multichannel DSP amplifier with Energy Star certification, making the CV range one of the most advanced constant voltage amplifier designs on the market.
The first mass production batch of the eight-channel variant (CV8125) was shipped from Sheffield last week, while the two-channel (CV2500) and four-channel (CV4250) versions will be shipping in the next four weeks as production starts to ramp-up.
Cloud Electronics says the six-channel version (CV6160) has been ‘intentionally sidelined’ as it’s not clear at this point if there is any reasonable demand for the variant, since the eight-channel variant’s power sharing feature replicates this model.
(Jim Evans)

USA - Elation Professional has presented eCast, a stage lighting control app designed for use at small to medium-sized venues such as night clubs, houses of worship or mobile events. The app is available from the Apple App Store only and is free, but requires the Elation 4Cast DMX Bridge (pictured) as the interface between lighting fixtures and an iOS device (iOS 9.3 or later).
Elation eCast works with any Art-Net or sACN node and can control up to 576 lighting fixtures and up to 12 DMX universes (6144 lighting channels). Features include an effects generator for movement, colour and flash effects; audio trigger and MIDI support is also included.
The 4Cast DMX Bridge is a compact four-universe wireless device that bridges WiFi, Art-Net, sACN, and E-FLY (Elation’s wireless DMX solution) signals to control compatible DMX devices, a solution for small production events, nightclubs, bars or any event or venue that requires hidden data cables.
(Jim Evans)

USA - PreSonus is now shipping its EarMix 16M 16-channel personal monitor mixer and NSB 16.8 and NSB 8.8 stageboxes.
Part of PreSonus’ ecosystem of AVB-networked products, the EarMix 16M and NSB-series stageboxes are designed to work with the PreSonus StudioLive Series III family of mixers.
The PreSonus EarMix 16M 16-channel AVB-networked personal monitor mixer provides an expandable networked monitoring solution for stage, installed sound systems and studio recording. Each EarMix 16M accepts 16 mono channels of input via AVB networking - and you can network multiple units with a StudioLive Series III mixer.
EarMix 16M features a loud, clear headphone amplifier that can drive low-impedance devices such as professional-calibrein-ear-monitors. Each unit can create its own custom mix, and you can apply limiting and three-band EQ with sweepable midrange frequency to each channel, as well as to the main mix. Once you’ve perfected a set of monitor mixes, save the whole scene to internal memory; you can store and recall up to 16 mix scenes locally.
PreSonus’ NSB 16.8 and 8.8 AVB-networked stage boxes deliver signals from stage to console over a lightweight Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable. All inputs feature gain compensation for shared input scenarios, a feature typically only found on much more expensive systems.
The 16x8 NSB 16.8 offers 16 locking combo mic/line inputs equipped with PreSonus’ remote-controlled, Class A solid-state XMAX preamps. The 8x8 NSB 8.8 offers eight of these mic/line inputs. Both models provide eight outputs wi

USA/Europe - Elation Professional has embarked on a new chapter in its evolution with the launch of Obsidian Control Systems, an accessible line of advanced yet intuitive lighting control products.
Following completion in late March of the acquisition of the M-Series range of entertainment lighting controllers from Harman Professional Solutions, Elation received valuable feedback from the thousands of M-Series users worldwide.
“Based on this feedback, we sought to create a dedicated company and brand focus for the continued development and evolution of the product series,” states Elation sales & marketing director Eric Loader. “The Obsidian development will continue to be focused on stable and compatible software and hardware for all existing M-Series products.”
Obsidian lighting control software and hardware is designed and maintained by lighting professionals so that professionals can excel at the highest level, says the company. It is easy to use and accessible to every level of user, whether a novice programmer or a designer at the highest level.
“Our pillars are that we believe in innovating together to create intuitive products that are both forward thinking and reliable,” Loader continues. “We asked ourselves what it would look like to remove creative and financial obstacles so that designers and programmers can go beyond where they have before, and so that the next generation can be taught and encouraged. By innovating together, we’re creating products that are focused on the user. We have the user in mind and they

Germany - Astera LED Technology has announced the official release of its AsteraApp for the iOS platform to public via its social network. The AsteraApp is now available for download for both iOS and Android platform.
The AsteraApp is an application for professional entertainment lighting control and management. It provides professional-level control over Astera-based fixtures by connecting the phone/tablet`s to the AsteraBox via Bluetooth which then relays the command to the battery operated fixtures via radio frequency.
The App allows simple to complex operations without touching the lights such as firmware update, grouping, assigning and configuring DMX addresses as well as controlling colours and effects and monitoring the status of the lights during operation.
Since its first introduction in 2015, the app was available only on Android-based devices and for the first time, it is now available for iOS.
“It took us two years to reprogramme the app so it can be the same now on iOS and Android. As this reprogramming is now done, the users can expect many more new features in the future,” says Simon Canins, technical director at Astera. “Some of the new features are targeted to our customers from the filming business - they put in many suggestions. We want to thank them. And we are listening and implementing them step by step now.”
(Jim Evans)

USA - ADJ’s new POW-R BAR65 and POW-R BAR LINK professional-calibre utility power blocks have been specifically designed for distributing reliable, surge-protected power on stage and at front-of-house, monitor mix and DJ positions.
The POW-R BAR65 is a utility power block that is fitted with six well-spaced-out and surge-protected 3-prong Edison 120V AC sockets which can be used for providing power to a wide variety of sound, lighting and effects equipment. It also has a USB charging port that can be used to provide power for a mobile phone or tablet and its case features a recessed slot that serves as a stand for one of these devices. This makes it ideal for use by sound, lighting and AV professionals to manage power distribution at front-of-house or other control positions.
In addition, the POW-R BAR65 also incorporates a four-port USB 3.0 hub, which can be used to hook up multiple USB storage and control devices to a laptop computer. These four ports can also change mobile phones as well. This makes it suitable for use as a part of a front of house, lighting desk or mobile DJ setup. The AC sockets can be used to power electronics, while the USB hub can be used to connect together a laptop, controller and peripherals.
Also new to the ADJ range is the POW-R BAR LINK. This is similar to the POW-R BAR65 – offering six surge-protected Edison 120V AC sockets – but without the USB hub and charging socket. It does, however, have the added benefit of a powerCON outlet socket, allowing multiple units to be daisy-chained together to provide extended

Slovenia - Lightact, a Slovenian media server manufacturer, has launched a new version of their flagship software.
Lightact v3.0.4 features NDI integration, HAP codec playback, a new real-time particle engine and a number of new real-time texture processing filters. Lightact is an integrated suite combining standard media server functionalities such as projection and multi-screen mapping and DMX lighting control with real-time rendering capabilities and reliability features aimed at permanent installations.
The suite includes Lightact Cloud installation monitoring solution and Lightact WebUIs client user interfaces. Lightact also includes a real-time 3D rendering engine and Unreal Engine integration.
Mitja Prelovšek, CEO of Lightact, says: "We are extremely thrilled to be able to push v3.0.4 out as it further expands Lightact's core media server functionalities while strengthening its 3D real-time rendering capabilities."
Lightact v3.0.4 is available on Lightact's webshop. Links Lightact: http://lightact-systems.com Online shop https://lightact-systems.com/get-ligh
(Jim Evans)

Europe - Belgian pro audio manufacturer Audac has expanded its existing range of ceiling speakers with two new series.
The CENA series is designed to offer a cost-effective solution in a single cone 4.5” and 6.5” model and have a low-profile construction that allows placement in locations with limited ceiling space. The SpringFit fixation offers “the fastest possible installation time of any speaker available on the market, while the borderless grill design is unseen for any ceiling speaker in this segment”.
The CIRA series is designed with installer convenience in mind and delivers “superior audio reproduction”. The series has a lot of the advantages that normally are only found in premium priced ceiling speakers, says the company. Like the TwistFix borderless grill design, which offers an easy but solid assembly and a completely seamless transition from grill to ceiling.
Additional front grills for the CIRA are available in black and white, while for custom projects a paintable version is offered. These electroplated grills make sure installations in applications with high levels of humidity or permanent outdoor installations are possible.
(Jim Evans)

USA - Danley Sound Labs has introduced the Danley MINI 180 which provides “even, seamless coverage across 180 degrees (by 90 degrees vertical) using Danley’s patented technology”.
Its operating frequency range is 149Hz to 20kHz (?3dB) with impressively linear phase response across that range and across the beam width. Maximum output is 119dB SPL continuous and 125dB SPL peak.
“Folks have been asking us for a 180-degree loudspeaker for a long time, and the Danley MINI 180 meets that specification with sound quality that makes Tom proud to put his name on it,” said Mike Hedden, Danley president. “We made it easy to use: the Danley MINI 180 only weighs 45 pounds and mounts easily on a pole or on a wall. In fact, it’s easy to put two MINI 180s back-to-back on a pole for instant 360 degree coverage with Danley’s phenomenal seamless coupling. There’s no shortage of applications, from houses of worship to sports complexes to farmers markets and beyond. Also, clients can rest easy that overambitious users won’t blow the speaker up. The Danley MINI 180 uses Sentinel Limiter protection circuitry.”
The Danley MINI 180 uses two eight-inch drivers and Danley’s patented technology to couple them into a single point source loudspeaker with 180 degree coverage. Polyurea coated 13-ply, 18mm Baltic Birch makes the loudspeaker durable but still light, and its modest size (12.5” x 18.5” x 9.5”) makes the Danley MINI 180 easy to fit into most applications.
(Jim Evans)

USA - ADJ Products has announced the distribution of a wide range of ArKaos products, included several software titles, media servers, for the U.S. and Mexico.
ADJ Products has been successfully offering ArKaos Grand VJ2, Grand VJ XT and LED Master software titles for the past several years. Now that ADJ Products has entered into a distribution agreement with ArKaos, the company can offer a wider range of ArKaos products to the entire ADJ Products dealer network in the United States and Mexico including a full suite of software titles and media servers.
“With the tremendous growth of the AV Series and Design Series video panel systems, we knew we needed to expand our media server and software options as well, said Alfred Gonzales, national sales manager of ADJ USA. “ArKaos was the natural partner because they are known around the world as a first-class media software and hardware company. By adding Arkaos products, we are now able to offer customers more options for a total video wall solution.”
ADJ Products plans to distribute the Grand VJ software suite, Media Master Express software suite, Media Master Pro software suite, LED Master, as well as, the Stage Server Express and Stage Server Pro media servers.
ADJ Products will add the ArKaos software and hardware products into their video panel packages, as part of a “total video solution” that already includes video panels, road cases, cables and rigging accessories.
(Jim Evans)

UK - Cloud Electronics, UK has announced its new range of energy efficient, amplifiers with the introduction of its CV-Series digital multi-channel digital 70/100V amplifiers.
There are three models in the CV-Series including two, four and eight-channel variants. The first model to launch is the CV8125 eight channel digital amplifier, offering up to 125 watts output per channel at 70 / 100V.
The series is designed and assembled in Sheffield, UK and embraces more than 30 years of knowledge in producing audio products for commercial use with emphasis placed on design and industrial build quality.
For use in sound reinforcement applications in retail, leisure, hospitality, commercial and industrial sectors the new CV-Digital amplifier series is designed to drive 70 / 100V loudspeaker systems directly.
All models offer a total power output capability of one kilowatt, this maximum rating power-shared equally between channels.
Flexible output allows a single multi-channel amplifier to drive loudspeaker systems, differing in load size in different areas of a building or venue, whilst optimising overall power output capability.
Particular attention has been paid to the new CV-Digital series amplifiers energy efficiency to meet Energy Star compliancy ratings. Automatic Power Down (APD) is triggered if an input signal is not detected for thirty minutes, reducing power consumption to just 2.5 watts.
“It is important to understand the new CV-Digital series represents key technological advances for Cloud”, says Jon Spyve, head or r

USA - Audio-Technica is now shipping the ATW-T6002x handheld transmitter for the 6000 Series high density wireless system - a spectrum-efficient solution that allows users to pack 31 channels in 4 MHz of bandwidth.
The ATW-T6002x handheld transmitter offers low handling noise and features a metal construction body, high-visibility OLED screen, soft-touch controls and switchable RF power (2mW / 10mW / 50mW). Its industry-standard thread mount allows for the use of six new interchangeable A-T microphone capsules, as well as other compatible capsules.
(Jim Evans)

UK - Pliant Technologies and its UK distributor Sound Technology have announced the immediate availability of Pliant's new professional wireless intercom system, CrewCom.
CrewCom is based on a new technology platform “that offers the industry’s highest user density, unparalleled range, and scalability” and features the industry’s smallest fully-featured professional full-duplex wireless radio packs, multiple simultaneous frequency bands, as well as a host of user features, says the company. With CrewCom, production crews of all sizes can now easily and quickly deploy communications solutions to connect more people in more places than ever before, says the company.
“We took a completely non-traditional approach to wireless intercoms, and while CrewCom’s advanced technology offers huge benefits to the customer, the development time was longer than we had anticipated,” says Gary Rosen, vice-president of global sales for Pliant Technologies.
“The effort we invested in getting out the right product was commensurate with the importance of this new intercom system. With CrewCom’s release, we can now provide a wireless intercom solution that will change the way professionals use intercom, allowing both easy-to-use small wireless systems and large-scale deployments for those that need dramatic scalability and user count based on the same technology.”
CrewCom offers 1,024 conferences that provide the flexibility of a matrix/party-line without the cost. Unlike a matrix-based architecture, CrewCom is based on a decentralised platform t

Italy - DTS has launched Synergy 5 Profile, a new moving head in the company’s LED Profile range designed for live and broadcast productions.
Synergy 5 Profile’s main feature is the quality of the emitted light - CRI is higher than 90, with R9 (red) higher than 80, ensuring a realistic reproduction of colours and skin tones, according to DTS.
An example of the fixture’s versatility is the availability of a second selectable CRI in the same unit: CRI >75 for high brightness for applications where power is the key factor, such as large concerts.
First batches of the new fixture will start to ship at the end of July to cover all distributors orders already placed.
(Jim Evans)

USA - Elation Professional has expanded its line of IP-rated products with the new Cuepix 16 IP. An IP65-rated 4x4 matrix LED blinder and effect panel, the Cuepix 16 IP is an updated version of the company’s Cuepix Panel, a 5 x 5 LED matrix panel launched five years ago.
Lighting fixtures mounted on a downstage truss like blinder/effect lights, or general area wash fixtures, are especially exposed to the elements - designers can now add high-impact colour or white light, eye candy or pixel-mapped effects, to productions of all types, indoors or out, without the worry of weather and cost and inconvenience of protective coverings, says the company.
Cuepix 16 IP houses 16 30W RGBA COB LEDs for a full spectrum of well-balanced, custom colours (saturates to pastels) with no pixelated rainbow shadows. The amber LED compared to the RGB-based Cuepix Panel extends the possible range of colours and gives more control over white balance, producing a better warm white. The COB LEDs give a higher-density output and a more even light distribution for superior all-around performance.
(Jim Evans)

Germany - A long reach is not only in demand in sport, but also in the professional installation or event technology sectors. Many systems fail when it’s about the transmission of sound and picture over long distances. Customers of Sommer Cable don’t have to compromise here. The new generation of the Caddinal DVM-HDBT extender systems creates “a milestone in terms of transmission quality”.
“When designing the new Cardinal DVM systems, we focused on a stable, zero latency transmission of HDMI signals. That way uncompressed UHD content can be transferred in real-time by using only a single Cat line. And this over a maximum distance of 70m,” says Peter Rieck, key account & distribution manager at Sommer Cable.
The ultra-compact devices are optimised for continuous operation and process HDMI signals up to the 2.0 standard with all common features such as HDCP 2.2, 4K, 3D, CEC as well as PCM and bitstream audio. Likewise, the bi-directional RS232 and infrared communication for display or beamer control is transmitted along.
Additionally, the engineers at ommer Cable have realised the voltage supply via PoH (Power over HDBaseT), whereby the power supply may be connected either to the transmitter or to the receiver.
The Cardinal DVM-HDBT extender systems are now available as transmitter and receiver and as kits.
(Jim Evans)

Europe - Wireless Solution Sweden has announced that ADB Stagelight has joined W-DMX’s OEM family.
ADB recently debuted the Klemantis, a new LED cyclorama light based on a six-colour module, with HCR, being able to deliver a wide selection of colours, from bold hues to pastel shades.
The unit also comes standard with a W-DMX module, that allows it to wirelessly receive DMX data from a W-DMX transmitter. It includes an external 2dBi antenna in order to be able to achieve long-distances on 2.4 GHz.
“We are very excited to be able to work with ADB,” says Niclas Arvidsson, CEO for Wireless Solution. “The company is in great shape and developing some of the most pioneering products for theatre, it’s great they have chosen our company to supply Wireless DMX. Giving the users the possibility to wirelessly control their Klemantis fixtures opens up a lot of possibilities for designers to be very flexible with their lighting design, without having to consider data cables“.
The Klemantis series had its TV debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon last month.
(Jim Evans)

USA - City Theatrical has expanded its QolorFLEX brand of professional flexible linear LED lighting to include QolorFLEX Connect 10, a practical and time saving solution for managing the multiple wire runs and numerous connections needed for large scale installations of LED Tape in entertainment and architectural projects.
Built with a Nema 4 IP 20 steel enclosure, QolorFLEX Connect 10 offers a 40A maximum current per device and a 20A maximum load per terminal. The device speeds up setup process and is useful for sets that require assembly multiple times, such as touring productions.
Developed to complement QolorFLEX 5-in-1 LED Tape, QolorFLEX Connect 10 is a ‘plug-in box’ that can connect up to nine runs of five, four, three, dual, or single colour LED tape to a low voltage low dimmer. Each unit uses 10 six position detachable Phoenix terminal block connectors per installation.
QolorFLEX Connect 10 connects QolorFLEX LED Tape, including 5-in-1 and Quad Chip LED tapes, and QolorFLEX LED Tape Accessories - including 18-gauge five and six conductor ribbon cables and five and six position Phoenix terminal block connectors - to an array of QolorFLEX Dimmers.

USA - At Lightfair 2018 ETC debuted EchoTouch, a controller designed to give customised lighting looks for a variety of spaces. A stand-alone or integrated controller in ETC’s Echo line of architectural lighting solutions, EchoTouch also offers advanced lighting controls like sequence programming and colour tuning, all from a 7-inch touchscreen.
EchoTouch works in an Echo control system. All Echo control and power products are compatible: control stations, responsive controls, interfaces and EchoDIN power controllers. Integration and control for DMX and sACN fixtures and devices is also straightforward.
Building managers can use EchoTouch to programme Echo zones and preset looks so day-to-day use of a space is easy. Special sequences can easily be created via the intuitive interface with easy-to-use faders and buttons displayed on a vibrant seven inch screen. Native RDM makes discovering and managing lighting fixtures even easier. Colour control is simple and accessible with a colour picker and customisable colour chips to let users take full advantage of their system.
(Jim Evans)

UK - Cross 5 is the latest in a new range of high-performance cable protection ‘crossover’ products launched by Penn Elcom this year. It can be used for any temporary installation or working environment where safe ground-based cable protection is required.
Cross 5 is manufactured from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), chosen for its recyclability, and has been developed to provide a five-channel cable protector with unrivalled strength, abrasion resistance and flexibility. It is also fire retardant to DIN EN 13501-1.
Serious weight capacity ensures that all types of vehicles - including a standard 44t artic - can safely drive over Cross 5.
The Penn Elcom Cross system is made from two elements - the base section and the ramp.
The base section acts as a connector piece from which numerous variations and combinations of crossover can be created. The ramp section features a 15° angle of inclination which is the optimum for vehicles driving over it.
Key features include being tear-proof, stable and resistant to most chemicals, fats and oils and other liquids that can be potential slip-hazards.
The first product in the new Cross series, Cross 3 was launched at the start of the year and has been very successful, so Penn expects a similar scenario with CROSS 5 and other subsequent Cross products.
“With health and safety being paramount at every event, there is a demand for high quality, well-priced technical solutions like Cross in all sectors,” concludes Penn Elcom’s commercial director Rob Platt.
(Jim Evans)

Europe - Following its launch at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt in April, Outline has announced the availability of a major firmware upgrade for the Newton DSP hub.
It is accompanied by a complementary release (v1.6) for their Dashboard computer / remote control programme.
The new v0.76 upgrade is comprehensive and its main features include the inclusion of two layers of IIR filters on every input channel, plus a further two layers of filtering on every output (in addition to the existing four), one IIR and the other a dedicated all-pass, both with phase trace visible via Dashboard.
Output channels may now be grouped to facilitate control over multiple outputs simultaneously (including group ‘flat’ where all parameter values within the group are reset to zero) while it is now also possible to create temporary links within input and output channels.
A new copy and paste function allows complete sets of parameters to be copied directly from one Newton unit to another, while a further feature allows all processing parameters from a single unit to be set back to flat if required.
(Jim Evans)

UK – disguise has announced the introduction of its newest server, solo, designed for the next generation of content creation.
solo brings the power of the disguise solution to smaller productions and experiences within theatre, fixed installs, studio setups and smaller venues. It offers the support of our full disguise production suite with the power and performance to meet modern demands.
disguise sales director EMEA, Sarah Cox, explains; “The solo has been created to enable artists and creatives to join our community, ensuring any project or budget can access the disguise software and hardware, without having to sacrifice on power and performance.”
The solo is the natural progression from the disguise 2x2plus, future proofed for evolving industry needs with a significant increase in power, output resolution, plus even more storage. It can be used as a stand-alone solution, to design, sequence and play back your shows, or as a master in a larger network with pro and gx range machines.
The 2U base units can be customised with HDMI and SDI capture, pro audio and 10GB Ethernet ports, 4K outputs, fixed storage, 2TB SSD and full redundant capabilities. The solo is now available for shipping.
(Jim Evans)

UK - Penn Elcom has launched its new PDU16 range of premium rack-mounting power distribution: the PDU16-UN, the PDU16-EU, the PDU16-PC and the PDU16-AV.
The 2U high horizontal mounting PDU16 series has been developed in response to growing customer demand in the 19-inch rack market.
Features include a backlit LCD monitoring display on the front of each unit, showing essential operational feedback and data including voltage, current, power in watts and energy level. PDU16-UN (universal) main in/outs on Circuit A are a panel mounting 32A 240V IP44-C-FORM input socket feeding through to a 16A IP44 C-FORM output socket via an illuminated circuit breaker.
The PDU16-EU main in/outs on Circuit A are a panel mounting 32A 240V IP44 C-FORM input socket feeding through to a 16A IP44 C-FORM output socket via an illuminated circuit breaker.
PDU16-PC has a panel mounting 32A 240V IP44 C-FORM input socket as the main in/out on Circuit A, feeding through to a 16A IP44 C-FORM output socket via illuminated circuit breaker.
PDU16-AV is designed for home audio visual installations and multimedia applications from live music venues to theme parks and museums. The main input is a 20A Neutrik powerCON, complete with a 2nd order EMI filter and a GDT / VDR protection circuit to deal with lightning strikes and local power surges.
All four models of PDU16 have illuminated circuit breakers for overload protection, M4 earth studs for rack ground continuity and adjustable rack mounting ear positions.
(Jim Evans)