Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) just announced the release of their latest control product called the iRFR Lighting Control iPhone/iPod Touch App. The iRFR (iPhone Radio Focus Remote) is designed to work with ETC latest line of lighting consoles, the Eos, Ion, Element, Congo, Congo Jr. and Congo LPC.

System Requirements

• iPhone Software 2.0
• iTunes 8.0+
• Eos/Ion/Element Software 1.5v
• Congo Software 5.0v
• Closed Wireless Network

The iRFR functions much like the current Radio Remote Focus Unit that ETC offers for their line of console.  In fact, the layout is almost exactly the same.  Since the iPhone and iPod Touch are multi-touch devices, the iRFR is able to offer a few more features then the RFR. One feature that was integrated into the iRFR is the encoders page.  You can select a channel that is a device with Pan and Tilt features and then go into the encoders page of the iRFR and select the parameter that you wish to adjust, such as Pan and start to pan the fixture left or right.  All of the parameters of a device are populated into a large scroll wheel, (think the big wheel on game show, Price Is Right) and then scroll left or right to adjust that parameter.

Another great feature of the new iRFR iPhone app is the Live Color picker.  When you select a device channel that has the ability to change colors by means of either RGB or CMY through color mixing, you can find a color off a color wheel to send that fixture to.  At the bottom of the screen you are given the Hue and Saturation levels as well as cross heirs on the color wheel to let you know what color you have chosen.

As we mentioned in our earlier rumor posting, the iRFR is made available through iTunes at an undetermined price at the time of writing.  What is unique when purchasing the iRFR app through iTunes is that the user will be prompted to choose which charity that they wish to donate the proceeds of the purchase too.  ETC continues to support the industry that they work in by donating the proceeds to ESTA Foundations, Behind the Scenes and the UK equivalent, Light Relief.  Both organizations provide support for our fellow professionals who have become unable to work due to a work related injury. We at iSquint support both efforts and encourage our readers to do the same.  Please be sure to click on the logos below to learn how to support these great organizations.

ETC has not made information about the iRFR avilable through their website yet as it has not been offically released.  Look for more information to follow here on iSquint.