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 modules. "It's been unbelievable", he enthused.
Tracey Patterson of Artistic Licence told us that this was the best PLASA Show the company had ever done - and they've done a few. Similarly, representatives of Cadac Electronics were extremely pleased with orders taken at the show. James Thomas Engineering, meanwhile, were positively jubilant over the response to their PixelRange of LED fixtures. After the event, the company's Tony Cameron told PLASA Media: "This year's PLASA show was without doubt the most successful international show for us to date. The amount of sales generated clearly confirmed for us the value of the show."
An in-depth review of PLASA 2004 will appe
UK - Pure Distribution, a division of Stirling Audio, has been successful introducing Audix microphones to new artists around the UK, since taking on the distribution earlier this year. The Finn Brothers are the latest fans, using a selection of the products on their current tour. New Zealand born Neil and Tim Finn spent nearly a decade as one half of Crowded House, and made it big in Britain and the US in the early 90s with the multi-illion selling album Woodface.
Audix has supplied a selection of microphones for use on their worldwide tour, for which the duo play a range of musical instruments, from keyboards to ukuleles. Both brothers use OM-6 dynamic vocal microphones, the CX-111 studio condenser mic is put to good use on their guitars, while a variety of Audix drum and percussion mics can be found across the stage. Their current tour has taken them around the US and Europe, and concludes with two weeks in Australia this November.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Celestion yesterday announced Nigel Wood as the company's newly appointed Professional Products general manager. Wood is an accomplished senior commercial manager in the engineering sector with a global background in OEM sales and marketing, third party distribution and operations and will report directly to CEO Frank DiGirolamo.
Before joining Celestion, Wood served as technical and marketing manager at Icore International, a market-leading specialist engineering company, offering aerospace and industrial technical products to major OEMs. Here he was responsible for corporate engineering activities as well as being accountable for one of three internal industrial business units. Prior to this, Wood had built his career as a senior manager at two global engineering organisations, with an impressive track record introducing creative solutions to maximise efficiency and increase profitability.
"Nigel's extensive experience in an OEM-based engineering environment makes him exceptionally qualified," commented CEO Frank DiGirolamo. "This appointment underscores Celestion's commitment to grow further our market share in the Pro audio and music industry sectors. Nigel will build on the company's 80-year history of setting industry standards, pioneering technologies and delivering high-value products to customers."
Wood holds a BSc. (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southampton University, in the UK and has recently moved to Suffolk to be close to the Professional Division headquarters in Ipswich.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Industry veteran Craig Burross has returned to lighting manufacturer High End Systems Inc as the new sales m,anager for north-eastern US. Burross previously worked as HES sales manager for various US regions from 1991-1999. He most recently came from Vari-Lite, where he was the north-east/mid-atlantic regional sales manager. Burross says: "I'm obviously overjoyed to be back with the High End Systems family! The ever increasing use of the Digital Lighting platform weighed heavily in my decision to leave Vari-Lite and return to High End Systems, the industry leader with this particular technology. I'm grateful to once again have the opportunity to advance the understanding and use of High End's inventions, and be a part of this cutting-edge organization."
HES chairman and founder Lowell Fowler says: "Most of the industry knows Craig and the recently-returned Sean Hoey from their previous stints at High End. We're happy to see them bring some of that good old mojo back."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - At the PLASA Show (12-15 September), Strand introduced its new OneLight Par and OneLight Fresnel - both of which are 575W MSR daylight luminaires featuring an integrated fan free electronic ballast and ignitor, making them ideal for quick set-up applications. The units are powerful and lightweight, say Strand, and maintenance is also quick and easy. The OneLight Par and Fresnel join the company's 150W and 250W CDM fresnels, which also have integrated ballasts. All of these products are ideal for a wide range of film, television and special event lighting, say the company.
Strand also displayed its new 2.8.5 console software for the 300 and 500 series control desks, boasting a number of enhancements. Key new features include extended luminaire attributes to support Catalyst luminaires, a new TrackBack command and a host of other new features. New software for Strand's wireless PDA-based remotes also offers further new features.
Also new, the Accent DMX control stations, aimed at use in theatres and a wide range of architectural applications, and designed for use with all Strand digital dimmers. Each station can support up to 48 dimmers with 2, 4 or 8 presets. Stations can be linked together and form systems with up to 8 stations in 8 rooms.
Finally, debuting at PLASA is the latest dimming product from Strand Lighting - the SLD Sinewave silent dimmer module. The 13A module features a fully symmetrical, Sinewave output with less than 1% harmonic distortion, say Strand. It may be installed in any SLD series dimmer rack and features full status reporting and
UK - The DMC/Technics World DJ Championships, held at the Carling Hammersmith Apollo (4-5 September 2004, London), represented one of the first UK projects to feature the new Aspect series of high-efficiency loudspeakers. Broadcast by the BBC's 1Xtra radio channel, the DMC/Technics World DJ Championships is the culmination of international heats that have taken place thought this year, across Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.
Turbosound provided sound reinforcement in association with UK rental company Britannia Row Productions, deploying 19 Aspect loudspeakers, with nine in a central cluster, and five per side in the main front-of-house system, complemented by an additional twelve TSW-721 low-frequency enclosures per side. The entire system was powered by just three amplifier racks - each able to drive six mid-highs and twelve Aspect subs. Turbosound's wedge monitors also played a significant part in the event, with six TFM-450 and ten TFM-350 units being used on stage, while two digitally-powered QLight TQ-445DP systems acted as fills for the judging panel. The central cluster comprised six Aspect TA-890H touring mid-high enclosures, flown to provide the venue's upper level seating with a 75º horizontal by 30º vertical coverage, plus three Aspect TA-890L touring bass enclosures for low-end support. The front-of-house system utilized three Aspect TA-890H touring mid-high enclosures per side, with another two per side for front fill. Four LMS-D6 digital loudspeaker management systems provided control for the system.
John Saunderson, of DMC, comment
UK - Digigram, owner and supplier of the patented EtherSound technology, announced at PLASA 2004 that it has released an extended EtherSound specification along with its first implementation to all EtherSound licensees. In addition the company discussed the addition of a new 'entry level agreement' and 'authorized EtherSound implementor' partner program to the EtherSound licensing scheme.
This extension to the EtherSound specification enables bi-directional audio distribution over the same cable, as well as higher sample rate conversions at 88.2, 96, or 192kHz. The EtherSound licensees, which currently include NetCira by Fostex, Nexo, Bouyer, InnovaSON, and Auvitran, will autonomously determine their individual product plan to implement the new features into their products. Many existing EtherSound products are compliant with the new technology and can be upgraded in the field by installing a new firmware.
Before the release, Digigram's EtherSound protocol was restricted to uni-directional audio distribution, meaning all devices located 'downstream' from a source may playback audio from that source. Bi-directional EtherSound now allows the creation of a virtual bus between daisy-chained devices where a maximum of 64 channels of 24-bit/48kHz audio is available for inputs and outputs of all connected devices, be they 'upstream' or 'downstream' of the source. In both versions, control and monitoring data are bi-directional and use the same cable as the audio. Bi-directional EtherSound maintains the technology's very low and predictable latency (125 microseconds), wh
UK - Chauvet's new Legend 250 Zoom is a sophisticated, 16-channel moving light that effectively projects patterns, logos, glass gobo images, morphing gobos and even soft light. Multiple gobos, colors, prism and effects can be layered. Features include: linear motorized zoom (15° to 22°), variable iris, variable strobe, motorized focus, mechanical dimming, 8-bit or 6-bit resolution, automatic pan and tilt correction, independent frost, micro-stepping motors, coated optics, two colour wheels, one effect wheel and two gobo wheels.
Movement range is 540° of pan by 280° of tilt. Optical encoders at the base of the head automatically correct the fixture's position as necessary. Each colour wheels features five colours plus white. The effect wheel has two colours, two CT filters, two glass effects, a UV filter and one open position. One gobo wheel features nine interchangeable gobos. The second gobo wheel features seven interchangeable, fully rotating and indexing gobos plus open. All wheels can be superimposed.
On-board programming eliminates the need for a console in certain applications such as simple trade show lighting or merchandising and display. Nine steps can be saved in one program. Lenses have an anti-reflective coating, which improves image quality and minimizes leaks. A new and specialized glass reflector for the lamp harnesses the focal point, which results in an extremely high light output. The 3,000-hour MSD250W lamp can be turned on and off remotely from a console.
An internal thermal sensor automatically adjusts the fan speed based on interna
USA - Super Vision International Inc has appointed Mike Bauer as vice-president of sales and marketing. Bauer has previously served as vice-president of sales for Lighting Corporation of America and vice-president of sales for Cooper Lighting, a billion dollar division of Cooper Industries. Over his six years at Cooper Lighting, Bauer also served as the director of marketing and product development for Lumark, McGraw-Edison and Cooper Utility Lighting, and regional sales manager for the Southeast US. He began his career with General Electric and served as national sales manager for GE Lighting Systems Canada, after extensive roles in production planning, logistics, marketing and product development.
"Mike brings over 16 years of lighting and eight years of senior executive and consulting experience with three of the largest lighting companies in the world, with emphasis in sales, marketing, product development, acquisitions and business development," said Brett Kingstone, President/CEO of Super Vision. "He also has strong relationships with key principles and top management throughout the lighting industry. But just as important as his experience and relationships, is the energy level and excitement that inspires people and moves an organization forward. We are very excited to have Mike Bauer on our team."
(Lee Baldock)
Denmark - DPA Microphones has introduced the HMA5000 two-channel high-voltage microphone amplifier, which builds on the strengths of the well-established HMA4000. One of the main advantages of using a high-voltage mic amplifier rather than a 48V phantom powered version, is that it provides an extended dynamic headroom - by 10dB - say DPA. Another benefit is that the signal path in the HMA5000 is transformerless, allowing a frequency range from 10Hz to 100kHz (-1dB).
The DPA HMA5000 can be used to power DPA's high-voltage microphones including the 4003 and 4004 omnidirectional mics, the 4012 cardioid and 4016 wide cardioid, and the 4041-S omnidirectional solid state and 4041-T omnidirectional tube mics. By using the HTP4000 adaptor, the HMA5000 can also be used with ordinary 48V phantom powered microphones. "Together with one of our high-voltage microphones, the HMA5000 provides the most serious signal path from sound source directly to track," says DPA area manager and Tonmeister Mikkel Nymand, who assisted with the product specifications by listening to his clients' requirements for a new mic amp. "With an impressive frequency range from 10Hz to 100kHz (+0dB/-1dB) and an extremely wide dynamic range of 140dB, the HMA5000 carries the clean and undistorted microphone pickup through the amplification link without any disturbance - the finest challenge for a mic amp."
The HMA5000 supplies 130V to the microphones' built-in preamplifiers, providing excellent SPL handling capability. Features include state-of-the-art, low-noise analogue devices am
UK - At the PLASA Show, Pulsar's ChromaRange has been expanded to include a total of 17 MR16-sized LED fittings to provide a high level of design flexibility. Up to 60 MR16 ChromaRange units can be driven from a single ChromaZone. The new ChromaMR16 Heart further increases the flexibility of the ChromaRange, as it allows for the use of MR16-type low-cost standard fixtures. This new ChromaMR16 Heart features 18 high-power LEDs and is supplied with 3m of lightweight ChromaFlex cable.
17 different enclosures available to provide an unbelievable level of design flexibility. Up to five MR16 Hearts can be used on each output of the ChromaZone, allowing the use of up to 60 units from a single ChromaZone! An optional five-way splitter available, as is an an optional pin mounting kit available for enclosures that use the GU5.3 pins to support the MR16 module.
(Lee Baldock)
Germany - Barco has signed a cooperation agreement with T-Systems International GmbH at the IBC show in Amsterdam, under which Media&Broadcast, the T-Systems' media arm will market, sell and support Barco's full line of large screen display solutions in the sports, corporate branding and broadcast markets in Germany. The first joint project to stem out of this cooperation is the installation of a visualization solution at the 1. FC Kaiserslautern Stadium, one of the stadiums to host the soccer world championships in 2006.
T-Systems operates analog and digital transmitters for radio and television, and a digital distribution network that links transmitter sites and studios throughout Germany. The company is currently building an international transport network for broadcast and media customers that will provide broadband connections between large cities.
As a first joint project, Kaiserslautern has purchased one SLite 10 and two SLite 22 outdoor LED displays of 28 and 53sq.m respectively. The second joint realization is the installation of two Barco SLite 22 outdoor LED displays as well as Barco's sport control software package at the new Rheinarena in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Nico Vernieuwe, general manager for Barco Media, stated: "We are very pleased to work together with T-Systems in this business area for our large screen display solutions. The company is well positioned in the sports, entertainment and broadcast markets and has the expertise to offer our visualization to their customers. It is a win-win situation, which benefits our customers." <
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 music is a serious problem - as it is in Holland, where noise spill complaints against clubs and bars from nearby residents can result in their summary closure.
XLNT claims the economic argument for the unit is overwhelming, quoting figures from the Dutch Society for Building Research (SBR) of a typical cost of around 6,000 per dB to soundproof a bar or club, amounting to a potential saving of up to 60,000 for a single venue. The company says the unit can also effectively be deployed in stadiums and open-air event applications.
Performance figures are quoted as 6-10dB (A) of noise reduction with little loss of sound quality - particularly when compared to a conventional limiter system.
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 user presets and the facility to link channels for stereo and in-ear monitoring applications. Simultaneous channel processing facilities include 29 band graphic EQ, 6-band parametric EQ, 3-band dynamic EQ, up to 600mS delay and a peak limiter. The company states the unit is "the next generation EQ solution for the most demanding live sound applications".
(Mike Lethby)
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 convergence of lighting and video...the D-Mix offers the ultimate in video mixing and matrixing from a lighting console." The D-Mix Series offers the choice of single or quadruple outputs, both versions providing an internal 2-channel video mixer for smooth crossfades between either two video inputs or the internal black signal.
PID's Rob Fowler told L+SI Online: "A lot of people out there are very keen to use all these new, converging technologies but are quite nervous about where and how to start because of the perceived complexity of so much of it. There's a certain reassurance in coming to a company run by experienced lighting people who understand how these new devices and sy
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 products which advanced the industry, demonstrated a new style of thinking, represented a key step forward in safety terms or improved technical practices.
Despite this tighter judging criteria 66 products were entered, raising over £10,000 for charity and bringing the total amount of monies donated to good causes over the past 7 years to £55,000.
At a champagne reception at PLASA's Central Bar on Monday 13th September the winners were applauded by the industry and presented with their award by PLASA Chairman Diane Grant.
The eight Awards for Innovation were awarded to:
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 (PowerMotion) and the human element - a programmer/operator.
As with an automated lighting rig, the system's 'intelligence' is shared between a host control computer and each individual motor. The motors' integral CPUs interact with the InMotion 3D motion control software, running on a host computer or dedicated hardware controller via Ethernet, and feed back real-time information on position, speed, temperature, load and communication status to ensure a high level of positional accuracy and operational safety. It also means that, apart from the host computer, no external processing racks are required.
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-Kachel (LED Tile) from Schnick-Schnack Systems is a bright idea for creating backlighting (of scrims and other translucent materials) using lightweight, modular LED matrices. Designed to be mounted a few centimetres behind the backdrop material, the tiles use the latest miniature surface-mounted RGB LEDs which output continuous colour without the primary colours being visible. Via DMX, colours can be controlled in small areas, allowing smooth, flicker-free fades, flashes and colour washes. The panels are available in 10x10 cm or 20x20 cm sizes. The larger panel has a lower pixel density and comes at a lower price, ideal for budget applications.
(Mike Lethby)
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 lighting ranges and I will be using the platform of PLASA as much for shopping as for selling."
Fuzion plc managing director, Tony Oates, explained the strategic decision to move into lighting thus. "Our portfolio of pro-audio products is relatively complete and meshes well. Technology convergence means that avoiding conflict between brands will become increasingly difficult - and adding more pro-audio brands was not on our agenda. Increasing market share with our existing lines and meeting our financial objectives, therefore requires us to move horizontally within our market - and the lighting division is a logical step."
Added sales director, Paul Ward, "We have the re
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. With the DFS200 system, any number of lamps can be set to fade up or down, with the fade period widely adjustable. The ability to fade adds a new dimension to festoon lighting displays, especially when combined with the ability to coordinate large numbers of lights.
The judges remarked that the Digital Festoon System was "an innovative return to incandescent lighting with a product that the judges thought safe and foolproof, and which they believe will make inroads into entertainment lighting."
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, effects, snapshot memories and more.
The system comes in different flavours to suit the user, with four main feature configurations plus a variety of I/O configurations and other options - creating, says the company, a direct replacement for an analogue console.
Standard features include a 25 layered fader work surface, grouped in blocks of eight user definable banks per section, with a meter-bridge and 40 buss DSP engine; configurability for stereo, LCR(S) and 5.1 operations, 64 to 160 input processing channels and 8 fully user configurable macro buttons.
The D1 Live 40 provides 40 mic/line inputs plus 24 line outputs, full D5 input EQ and dynamics processing software, onboard effects, 3
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.
Operational advantages include the ability to start, stop, speed up, slow down and bring items into position with millimetre accuracy at speeds of up to 1.5m/second. The patented steel band does not stretch at all - unlike wire rope - so the load is always fully under control. DGS can be retrofitted to most counterweight flying systems and will run comfortably with a 500kg load at 1.5m/second, while advanced options allow loads of up to 750kg. The new system offers near silent operation, generating less than 30dB at stage level. The system allows for the use of all lines simultaneously, with minimal crew.
Hall Stage says DGS can be put into an existing counterweight system in approximately four
With its innovative approach to architectural building control and the potential to become a cost-effective control interface for a wide range of applications. Stardraw Control offers a new approach to solving the problem of controlling systems comprised of products from many different suppliers.
Stardraw's Rob Robinson explains what sets it apart from other control solutions. "Stardraw Control creates stand-alone control applications that can manage any kind of product from any manufacturer as long as it can be controlled or monitored remotely. It is designed to support any communications infrastructure and any protocol such as LAN, Wi-Fi, IR, RS232, EtherSound etc. Furthermore, the application that you have created with Stardraw Control will run on any Windows-enabled device from PC to PDA to touchscreen panel, as well as Linux, Mac etc. To our knowledge, no-one else offers such an innovative and flexible system, so we are pleased that its potential has been recognized on the occasion of its launch."
Awards judge Richard Northwood commented: "This year we weren't judging products within category lines, but on the grounds of their innovation alone . . . I was particularly impressed with Stardraw Control because I felt straight away that here was a product with the potential to revolutionize system control in the audio-visual industry. The flexibility of its open architecture makes it completely accessible to all manufacturers, whatever standard or protocol they happen to be using, and an astute commercial model suggests there may be a new success story i
Easy Stand Alone - IP version, the latest addition to the Easy Stand Alone range, is a new Ethernet-DMX 512 interface which makes it possible to work either locally or via the Internet with an IP address.
Programming via the Internet is especially useful for architectural installations: the system makes it possible for a lighting designer or installer to access and change colour settings for a special event at a building in Los Angeles, for example, from his office in London.
The interface is able to establish a connection to a server and look for any new updates: the lighting designer just needs to put his new show on the server and the interface will download it at the next connection. The company explains: "It works a little bit like antivirus software, which looks for updates every day, or week." The interface can be connected to a WebCam, allowing the installer to update a design and see the changes in real-time.
The creation of scenes is made simple by the software, which enables the user to program a number of steps and loop mode. Each Step has a fade time and a waiting time. By creating several steps in sequence, a dynamic scene can be built, while the number of loops, before automatically moving on to the next scene, can also be set.The electronic interface has all the necessary functions for an architectural installation: control of 512 DMX channels, a real-time clock (time and calendar triggering) and eight ports which allow triggering by external events such as a button activation, or a movement detector.
The inherent cost and time savings