It has been one longggg week here at isquint and we can not wait to kick start our fourth of July weekend. But alas, we still have to work. Above it just a preview of what is to come early next week! So everyone have a safe and happy 4th! We’ll see you after the flash, crack pop of the fireworks.
Artistic Licence announced the release of their latest addition to their Art-Net range, the Art-Switch PoE4. The Art-Switch PoE4 is designed to provide power and data over cat5 cable to such products as the Art-Lynx or any other Art-Net node. This eliminates the need for additional power supplies for the individual nodes. This type of data and power distro is called PoE or Power-over-Ethernet.
The Art-Switch PoE4 has five 10/100BaseT Ethernet ports on board, four ports support the PoE while the fifth is network in. Each port is capable of auto-configuration which includes speed, duplex and cable type and complies with IEEE802.3af Ethernet standards.
The Art-Switch PoE4 requires a 48v power input and can be housed on a DIN Rail system or surfaced mounted. The Art-Switch PoE4 runs £355.00 or $585.00 USD. To learn more about the Art-Switch PoE4 or to purchase one, visit www.artisticlicence.com.
The ESTA Foundation has launched a new site geared towards providing entry level entertainment technicians a educational portal to learn and better understand terms and fundamentals within the entertainment industry.
The Essential Skills for the Entertainment Technician (eSET) goals are to provide technicians with knowledge and skills to function across all fields of the entertainment industry and a tool to organize and guide their learning.
While the site or portal is designed to better educate new technicians, educators have access to the site for in-depth materials to help educate those new techs as well as assist educators on ways to present the most up-to-date information.
Another interesting point about the site is it gives facility managers the ability to cellect venue-specific information to assist in training their workforce. Even employers can access the site to do the same function.
Visit the eSET website to learn more information, see samples and sign up. For students, the subscription is $10, for professionals, the subscription runs $15 and a five seat license runs $40. Subscription includes access to the full contest of definitions and terms, downloadable PDF’s of those terms and definitions and sample assessments.
Looks like another Gobo manufacturer has gotten on the iPhone App bandwagon. Goboland has just announced the release of their very own iPhone app that includes their entire Black Steel Gobo catalog.
From iTunes:
GOBOLAND is an independent, specialized manufacture of high quality glass and steel gobos for all lighting fixtures. Easily browse the award winning Black Steel Collection gobos. The app doesn’t require an internet connection while you browse the 1200+ gobo patterns available in high quality Black steel or glass.
The app requires iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later and runs about 41.9mb. Not the smallest file size, but when you think about it, that is over 1200+ images and one less gobo catalog to print or carry around.
The Black Steel Gobo Catalog is a free app through iTunes, linky linky. We are a little annoyed that this is yet another gobo catalog app running on the iPhone. Can’t we just add all of these into one place?
It has been a long time since we last mentioned the ETC iPhone app, the iRFR. Today the iRFR iPhone app has shown up in iTunes! The iRFR is a remote focus unit similar in both function and layout of the Radio Remote Focus Unit but runs on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch and works of the WiFi connection. The iRFR is able to function as a remote for the Eos, Ion, Element, Congo and Congo Jr. Lighting consoles.
Before you get carried away and download the iRFR, to work with the Eos, Ion consoles, they must be running an unreleased version of the console software, version 1.5. Version 1.5 is expected to be released in the near future. Good news though if you are a Congo or Congo Jr. user, the iRFR needs the console software version 5.1 which is already released.
An additional piece of hardware that you will need to incorporate into your lighting network is a wireless access point in order for the iRFR to connect to the console. It is recommenced that you dedicated a wireless access point for the lighting network and not attach it to any existing computer or internet connection. For more information on setting up a wireless connection, visit the iRFR wiki page.
The iRFR retails for $49.99 through the iTunes app store. There are two version of the iRFR app within the iTunes app store based on the charity that you would like to contribute to. The first one being the iRFR-LR where proceeds will go to Light Relief and the second being iRFR-BTS where the proceeds will go to Behind the Scenes.
Last year, right before LDI, we did a pre show announcement about Pathway Connectivity preparing to announce their latest DMX node called the Parthport Touring Edition. After a couple months of refinement and beta testing and getting the bugs worked out, Pathway has begun to ship the Touring Edition Node. The folks at Pathway Connectivity were kind enough to send us a unit to write a review.
First, a little bit about the Pathport Touring Node:
The Pathport Touring Edition Node is designed with the needs of the rental and tour markets in mind. The Touring Edition (TE) is fully configurable without need of a computer or network connection. This truss-mountable single port DMX node has an IP 54 weather rating and the full feature set of all Pathport nodes. It’s also the first Pathport to incorporate DMX diagnostic tools directly from the user menu. The TE will report incoming levels as well as transmit DMX to test downstream equipment and connections. The TE is also the first handheld RDM controller and tester. The TE can discover any RDM-compliant gear downstream. It can also edit basic device properties such as DMX start address.
Click through to read our review and close up shots of the TE: Continue Reading …
Zinman Software, the makers of other great iPhone lighting apps such as Pocket LD, GelCalc and iSwitch has just announced the release of their latest iPhone app, ML Finder. The app is actually avilable in two versions, the ML Finder Pro for $39.99 and a “lite” version Ml Finder for free and both avilable from the iTunes App Store.
ML Finder PRO is a complete list of parameters and channel assignments for over 500 lights, LEDs and media servers. For the tech addressing a light plot, a designer determining the functionality of a moving light, or a programmer building a profile for their lighting console. This information is nicely integrated into one app.
Key Features:
• Over 500 devices included in the database
• Search by Maker & Model using the search & scroll bars
• Explore color, gobo and FX systems for each device
• View ranges (DMX values for a parameter)
• Know how many channels each device uses; in any mode
• Discover the channels and values to Shutdown, Reset, Lamp Off and Lamp On devices
• Easily identify 8bit & 16bit parameters
• Filter & display the type of parameters that you’re looking for
• Free Upgrades
Visit www.zinmansoftware.com to learn more about Ml Finder iPhone app or any of the other iPhone apps from Zinman Software.
Less then a month ago, we wrote about a new book on the market designed at understanding how a lighting plot is laid out called, Light Plot Deconstructed, By Gregg Hillmar.
The author and distributor, Nemetschek, (the makers of Vectoworks) was kind enough to send us an advanced copy to do a review for you, our valued reader. First a little background on the book from the author and publisher:
Light Plot Deconstructed is the debut work of accomplished scenic and lighting designer, Gregg Hillmar. Mr. Hillmar has developed proven methodologies for drafting light plots over his more than 15 years of experience using Vectorworks. His successful methods for designing with Vectorworks have been exhibited many times over the years, whether it was to fellow colleagues at tradeshows, or in the classroom where he has taught scenic and lighting design to many aspiring professionals at Randolph-Macon College. Light Plot Deconstructed is a great companion guide for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of lighting design with Vectorworks Spotlight.
To read the entire review, click Continue Reading …
More news on this the eve of InfoComm show opening tomorrow June 17th.
From the Press Release:
Visualization specialist Barco has announced its new series of LED-lit rear-projection video wall displays. With the development of the full HD (1920×1080) LED-based video wall system, Barco builds on many years of experience with LED displays. Next to the obvious benefits of LED-based rear-projection technology, such as low maintenance and saturated colors, Barco’s OL video wall series also features the unique Sense6 color calibration and stabilization technology which makes the video wall systems truly ready for 24/7 use.
“With the introduction of our new video wall series with LED-based illumination, we have made use of our vast combined experience with LED-based and projection-based visualization technology,” comments Mr Mathieu Massart, Director Product Management of Barco’s Displays technology unit. “Barco’s OL video wall series incorporates our unique Sense6 sensor technology, which has proven its invaluable benefit with Barco’s OV-D2 video walls during many years in 24/7 use. This way, we can offer a display solution that is truly maintenance-free and ready for mission-critical applications.”
Barco’s LED-based projection series consists of the rear-accessible OL and front-accessible OLF video walls. During the introduction phase, both are available in 50-inch and 70-inch screen sizes. All of them offer an ergonomically excellent viewing experience, with the sharpest and most saturated colors in full HD resolution. The OL and OLF video walls have a wide LED color gamut which exceeds the EBU standard, and present no signs of color break up whatsoever.
The OL and OLF video walls have been designed for an entirely maintenance-free operation over several years, with a guaranteed LED lifetime of 55,000 hours and a 5-year service-free runtime. There is also no need for consumables, such as color wheel or mercury lamps. Thanks to the embedded Sense6 sensor technology, the OL and OLF video wall systems are truly maintenance-free. As proven with the current OV-D2 product line, Sense6 provides brightness and color stability over time and across the entire video wall screen. Sense6 continuously measures brightness and color and adjusts the color space to provide an image that is most convenient for the human eye. Therefore, no maintenance or manual adjustment is needed.
Thanks to the small depth of the projection modules, the OL and OLF video walls are ideally suited for installation in confined spaces. Additionally, the OLF projection modules can be serviced from the front. A rugged design makes the video walls ideally suited for industrial environments.
The use of advanced low-weight materials and the mostly prealigned delivery make the OL and OLF video walls very installer-friendly. After installation Sense6 automatically keeps all projection modules in tune to compensate for the inherent color shift of LEDs during their lifetime. Additionally, the Barco control manager software keeps track of the health status and allows the user to configure the uniformity and health status in an easy way. The software exposes an API which allows it to be integrated into larger device management applications.
Next to the new OL video wall series, Barco will also still maintain its current OV-D2 product line of DLP-based rear-projection systems for applications beyond the current capabilities of LED technologies.
The OL and OLF video wall series will be demonstrated at this year’s InfoComm 2009 exhibition in Orlando, FL, USA, from 17 to 19 June 2009.
At InfoComm, TMB introduced a whole host of new products to their vast inventory.
Straight From the Press Release:
TMB will also be showing a selection of popular products for the entertainment professional, including: AC Power power distribution boxes; Color Kinetics LED fixtures; curveLED transparent flexible video displays; DMX Data Lynx four-universe DMX console switcher and backup; Kinesys Libra loadcell and Elevation motor control; Leader Light flood and linear LED fixtures; ProPlex cables and snakes for Ethernet, DMX, audio and video; ProPower NCB non-conductive power distribution boxes (without the rubber) and ProPower RPD configurable rack mount distros; ProStage audio stage box systems; SandBox multi-protocol hardware; Swisson DMX test tools; W-DMX Generation III wireless DMX featuring the new Ugly Box wireless signal tester . . . . and much more!
Find out more about the products and services offered by TMB at www.tmb.com.
Neutrik is preparing announce the release of a new AV and video panel mount connector at InfoComm, the HDMI 1.3 feedthrough in it universal D-style chassis connector. The HDMI feedthrough is equipped with the same optional screen to chassis grounding and sealing gaskets features for a lockable and watertight digital interface connection. This type of connection will be able to withstand the rigorous plugging and un-plugging of the connector in the live event industry.
Neutrik’s new HDMI 1.3 chassis connectors (NAHDMI-W, NAHDMI-W-B) are perfectly suited to transmit any digital TV and PC video format including high-definition video (HDTV). Designed with a 19-pole HDMI receptacle at both ends, HDMI 1.3 is available with either nickel or black housing. As a leader in the industry, Neutrik is anticipating future requirements on IP-rated HDMI cable connections and has designed its latest HDMI chassis connector to meet these specifications.
To learn more about the new Neutrik HDMI feedthough connector, visit Neutrik’s website at www.neutrik.com. For pricing and avilability, contact your local Neutrik dealer.
Martin Professional has recently announced the release and update of their PC based lighting control software, LightJockey to version 2.9.1.
Some of the imporvements include:
LightJockey is a free download from Martin Professional. But in order to control dimmers and fixtures, you will need to purchase the USB/DMX interface from your local Martin dealer.
ETC has been previewing the latest update to the Congo line of consoles, version 6. The ETC Light Minds Think Alike blog post some of the new features of version 6.
One of the interesting updates in v6 is that there are even more, yes MORE presets available from 0.oo1 to 9999.999. Personally, I don’t think that will be enough as I need that 10,000.000 preset, makes numbering easier.
Here is a basic run down of some of the other updates and changes made in v6.
The new version 6 will be available for download sometime during the summer 2009.
Recently we were looking through our gak box of tools, testers and gadgets and wondering to ourselves, do we really need all of these for a show? Turns out probably not, but it is always safe to have all those tools available to us! But if we had to, what tool could we not live with out?
Do you have a certain tool that use day in and day out and can not live with out? What is it? We would love to know. Let us know in the comment section.
Recently announced at the ABTT (The Association of British Theatre Technicians) Show in London, Goboland, a newly formed gobo manufacture announced the opening of their offices in Dorking, UK with their head office located in Belgium.
Goboland brings together Wyatt Enever and Vicky Fairall. Wyatt was the founding member and former managing director of DHA Lighting and a longtime gobo developer. Vicky is a former graphics manager also from DHA Lighting.
While there are plans to offer Goboland products in the United States, their primary market is Europe and the Middle East. For more information on Goboland products, visit their website at www.goboland.com.
