Chandelier Created from Solaris+ LEDs

At this year’s SonneMondSterne-Festival, the Solaris+ by G-LEC found its premiere in a highly creative and impressive design.

The 14th edition of the SonneMondSterne-Festival (‘SMS’) took place in the Thuringian city of Saalburg in Germany. Every year, thousands of visitors feel the lure of the festival for electronic dance music at the Bleiloch dam in the peaceful town of Saalburg. The entire lighting and video equipment at the “Main Circus” was provided by the event services agency HELI-Show equipment this year. The “Main Circus” is the biggest marquee of five altogether at SMS. Among others performing, there were DJ stars like DJ Rush, Ellen Allien, Miss Kittin and the Turntablerockers who all performed at the turntables during the event. Their performances were supported by an extraordinary creative lighting and video installation in the middle of the marquee, with the Solaris+ LED system from G-LEC making its global premiere at the center of it all.

Designer Uwe Heinrich created a chandelier which had a diameter of more than 12 meters consisting of 64 ropes of Solaris+, each with a length of 8 meters. The Solaris+ allows for every sphere in the system to be addressed individually via a DVI video signal to create stunning effects, and this installation didn’t disappoint.

Solaris + is a totally flexible video content system of low resolution spheres with full 360 degree viewing. Assembled in strings, the flexibility of the system allows designers full creative freedom in both the configuration of the system and the pixel spacing within it. From a flat 2D curtain, to a full three dimensional center-piece as created by Uwe, Solaris + allows inspired designs to come to life.

At the SonneMondSterne-Festival, video content with saturated color shades which moved to the fast beat of the music were programmed. The partygoers at the festival highly enjoyed the lightshow, and the colossal chandelier above them became an entrancing center point for the entire festival.

Along with the Solaris+, Uwe also used 96 GLP impressions to light the Main Circus with a show that was programmed to combine with the video content perfectly.

Further details on Solaris+ and other G-LEC products can be seen at www.g-lec.com.

Barco Announces OVL Series of LED Walls, Brighter & More Efficient

Barco is proud to announce a new line of LED-lit, DLP-based video walls with an improved LED engine. The new OVL range reaches a brightness level that is 20% higher than any competing system, without shortening the projection system’s lifetime. This makes it the most efficient LED video wall available today. The OVL video wall range is offered in 4:3 ratio, with screen sizes up to 80 inch.
Just like Barco’s 16:9 LED video walls, the new OVL series has an advanced heat management system based on liquid cooling technology, which brings the LED temperature down to the optimal level. This results in a significantly longer lifetime of the projection system, amounting to 80,000 hours of continuous operation in eco-mode – or a 35% improvement over competing video walls.

Thanks to liquid cooling, it is possible to boost the OVL’s brightness level up to 20% without shortening the system’s lifetime. This effectively makes the OVL the brightest LED-lit video wall on the market. Conversely, it is possible to prolong the system’s lifetime by lowering the brightness level. This way, Barco proves that liquid cooling is very effective in counteracting LED aging effects.

OVL video walls can save up to 30% power compared to other LED-based systems. Barco achieves this by basing the OVL’s color and brightness adjustment on smart power management, not on optical dimming.

Check out more about the OVL Series of LED walls on Barco’s website, www.barbco.com.

#LDI2010 Preview: PIXLED Perfect Curves with F-6 LED Display

The image above says it all doesn’t it?  Remember hearing about the PIXLED new F-6 a couple of weeks ago?  It is a new flexible LED display the is ultra lightweight, and flexible in EVERY direction all at just 6mm. Make sure to stop by the PIXLED stand, 2540 and check out the F-6 LED display.  You can check it out before LDI by visiting their website at www.pixled.com.

Martin EC-20 LED Panels

The EC-20 is a new generation LED panel by Martin Professional designed for those who place value on solid, dependable performance and superior image quality.

By combining the image quality and precision of conventional high resolution screens with the creativity and low weight of mesh type screens, the EC-20 provides new design possibilities for all manner of indoor and outdoor staging, as well as permanent installations.

The EC-20 offers several advantages over other types of LED panels. It features a 20 mm pixel pitch and delivers an impressive 4,000 nits of brightness. Designed for rapid setup and teardown in combination with maximum flexibility, color and brightness is calibrated for each individual pixel for maximum image quality.

Outstanding image quality

Using high efficiency Nichia LEDs, the EC-20 offers visual performance at the highest level. Pinpoint 48-bit color processing ensures uncompromised color depth at any brightness setting. Each pixel is color and brightness calibrated for maximum color and brightness uniformity and consistency from pixel to pixel and panel to panel.

4000 nits of brightness

A high level of brightness – 4000 nits (cd/m²) – is more than sufficient for any indoor use and bright enough for virtually any outdoor application.

Creative features

An optional integrated curving system enables a panel to panel angle of +/- 20° with maintained pixel pitch. This makes it easy to create curved screens and circles with a radius of only 1.5 m (5 ft) without visible gaps.

Each panel is made up of 18 pixel blocks, each one easily removable for creative design/shape flexibility, including the integration of different resolution pixel-blocks. The EC-20 operates completely flicker free thanks to a 3000Hz LED refresh rate (3-8 times higher than other screens).

Semi-transparent
The EC-20 panels are transparent and allow light and effects to pass through (audio, smoke and air too), creating increased possibilities for multi-layered looks.

P3 processing
The EC-20 is driven by Martin’s innovative and award-winning P3-100 System Controller, an ultra robust unit for advanced video signal processing and integration with lighting control. The P3 processing system makes setting up an LED screen a true “plug and play” experience. Based on Gigabit Ethernet and Cat5e wiring, P3 technology removes the limitations of video-type protocols for easy connectivity and speed of set up.

Fast setup and tear down
A key feature of the modular EC-20 system is its ease of set up (and tear down) with no tools required for savings in time and hassle. The panels are low weight for easy one man handling and the user-friendly design requires no separate rental structure. Integrated power and signal connections have eliminated the need for cables between panels.

Built to last, easy to service
Built of rugged materials with precise mechanics, the EC-20 features a true IP65 protection rating, fully protected LEDs, and a wide operating temperature range for use in all types of environments. They will remain specification-ready 2-3 times longer than cheaper LED screens.

Essentially maintenance free, the EC-20 panels are completely convection cooled and use no fans which means no noise, fewer parts to fail, less cleaning, and greater reliability. The panels are also ultra quiet for use in noise sensitive environments.

To learn more about the Martin EC-20, visit their website at www.martin.com.

PIXLED Set to Launch F-6 LED Screen at PLASA 2010

In just a couple of weeks, PLASA descends on Earls Court in London England. News and product releases will be rolling in until the doors of the hall open up.

Kicking off the product announcements is PIXLED with the launch of their F-6 LED screen.  It is a 6mm or almost 1/4″ deep LED display that is curvable in all directions.

Being able to curve a screen vertically as well as horizontally is a completely new concept, and for maximum dynamics and effect, the F-6 can be shaped into a combination of both directions on both planes via the integrated mechanics on each module itself. This can be achieved quickly and simply with no additional tools or rigging apparatus needed.

Building spherical or indeed any shaped objects – no matter how off-beat or unusual – has never been possible/easier!

The F-6’s 4000 NIT brightness has incredible impact – it’s nearly double the brightness of other comparable products, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, with an IP65 rating on the front of the module, and IP54 on the rear.

Each F-6 module measures an expedient 50 x 50 cm in size with a thickness of just 6.3 cm, giving an ultra light weight display of 34Kg per square metre (8.5 Kg per tile). It’s therefore an ideal solution for applications were weight loading is limited, and the maximum  creative freedom is needed.

As of right now, no other information has been released about the F-6 LED Display.  I’m expecting to hear more about the PIXLED display system closer to PLASA.  If you can’t wait, keep hitting refresh in your browser for www.pixled.com.

Pixled Launches F-37L Flexiable Mesh LED Video Display

At InfoComm, in Las Vegas June 9-11, be sure to stop by the Pixled booth, #N2675 in the Digital Signage Pavilion in the North Hall. In addition to Pixled’s established range of low weight LED video technology, the company will be launching it’s innovative F-37L, a 37mm flexible mesh LED video display designed for both backdrop applications and creative LED applications.

The F-37Ls ultra-slim, flexible mesh construction offers the perfect combination of design flexibility and speed of deployment. The F-37L can be formed into any shape or molded over any object, but can equally be deployed as a flat LED video screen. With its ultra-lightweight construction, IP63 rating and quick roll-out design, the F-37L can be used in almost any venue—indoors or out—and installed with phenomenal speed.

The Pixled F-37L uses Nichia SMD LEDs—at a pixel pitch of 37.5mm, both vertically and horizontally—to provide a light output of 2,300 NIT and has an IP63 rating. The viewing angles are greater than 120° both vertically and horizontally. The combination of pixel pitch, light output and 57% transparency, the Pixled F-37L is ideal for massive wide-canvas backdrops which deliver sharp, crisp, high impact video images.

The F-37L panel measures 11.8” wide x 47.2” high x 0.95” deep (30cm x 120cm x 2.4cm) and each panel weighs 5.11 lbs (2.32kg). It is available in either a white or black finish and is CE and ETL listed. The maximum power draw per panel is less than 100 watts; an input frequency of 60 Hz; a refresh rate of greater than 240 Hz; and has an operating temperature range of -4 to 122°F / -20 to 50°C.

For more information on the Pixled F-37L, visit their web site at www.pixled.com.

Say Good Bye to Element Labs and Hello to Barco

Yesterday in a surprise announcement, Barco announced that it has “acquired” all assets of popular LED fixture and display manufacturer, Element Labs. Technically, Barco acquired all Intellectual Property, rights and know-how of Element Labs. Effective immediately, the name Element Labs ceases to exist and all employees of Element Labs now fall under the Barco name.

Why the surprise move from Barco?  “This expands Barco’s portfolio for the mid-range markets,” Eric Van Zele, Barco’s President and CEO, comments. “Element Labs’ products in these markets have proven their worth on many occasions and perfectly complement Barco’s more high-end oriented market portfolio.”

If we read between the lines there, Barco wants to offer not only the high end LED display market, but also the mid-range market as well.  What is next, the low-end market? Here is a little more from the official press release from Barco about the “transition” and what our friends from Element Labs can expect.

With immediate effect, the name “Element Labs” ceases to exist. Structured as an asset sales transaction, Barco obtains all product designs, rights and intellectual property of Element Labs, without assuming the liabilities of the former EL-company. As of today, the core team of Element Labs in Santa Clara, California, will function as Barco’s competence center for creative LED solutions, whereas Barco Kuurne (Belgium) will remain the competence center for tiled LED solutions. Barco will announce its new mid-range LED products in the coming months.