Enttec Datagate MK2 at #USITT

I stopped by the Enttec booth while at USITT in Charlotte last week and got to talking to Jeremy Kumin, US Sales Manager for Enttec.  Jeremy was really psyched up to talk about the new Datagate MK2.  He has every right to be, the Datagate MK2 has all kinds of possibilities to opto split, merge, converge and translate DMX over an Ethernet backbone. I’ll let Jeremy tell you more about the Datagate MK2.

New iOS App – DMX Focus

A New iOS app out on the market is DMX Focus by Foo Bar Interactive.  Yes, it is a DMX dip switch app… but wait it does more!  At least it better for a paid app. The app also has a basic power calculation section, DMX fixture focus ability and a notes section.

I am not going to get into the dip switch part of the app.  It’s not like we haven’t seen this function before in an iOS app.  What is neat is the focus part of the app. From the description:

DMX focus acts as a cost effect riggers focus remote to send messages to communicate with DMX512 lighting rigs. The App communicates over WIFI to a computer via a router or ad-hoc network and sends Open Sound Control messages to the EnttecOSC drive program which is designed to interface with the Enttec Pro USB Dongle. The system allows for DMX address queues to be defined, allowing the user to move up and down queue lists, sending ‘Full’ and ‘Clear’ messages to DMX channels , i.e. send HIGH / LOW values straight out to the Enttec Pro USB Dongle from their iPod or iPhone.

To learn more about the DMX Focus app, fire up your iTunes App Store and purchase the app for $1.99 USD.

VirtualLightDesk App Added to Mac App Store

Mac Developer Thomas Günzel has the release of VirtualLightDesk app to the Mac App Store.  VirtualLightDesk is a 24 channel console that runs on the Mac platform.  In order to output from the software to any DMX device, you will need the Enttec Open DMX USB interface.

The VitualLightDesk app has the ability to operate 24 channels of DMX with up to 32 programmable sequences and 128 cues per each sequence.  The app also features easy drag n’ drop file system or organizing your desk.  The app require Mac OSX 10.6.6 and cost just $5.99 USD from the Mac App Store.

There are plans for the app to output Art-Net in future versions and updates of the software.  You can learn more about VirtualLightDesk by visiting Thomas’s website at thomas.gruenzel-ag.de.  I have linked the Google translated page in English.

#LDI2010 – Enttec Datagate Mk2

Datagate Mk2 is a pretty sweet bit of hardware. It allows you take ANYTHING in and spit ANYTHING out.

On the front of the box is a pretty simple panel for making adjustments to the unit like setting an IP address or choosing a profile. The screen can display the status of the unit. The back has 1 DMX in, 8 DMX outs, a gigabit ethernet connection, 2 USB ports and a RS-232 jack.

You make your advanced changes by logging into each units built in web server. From there you set changes to it and your system through a pretty easy to use drag and drop GUI. You virtually patch different elements together to build your show, adjusting settings as you go along.

The built in features are basic DMX splitting, shifting, and generation. Optional upgrades allow you more flexibility like HTP or LTP merges, RDM gateway, and using multiple units as a hot backup so if one unit goes down, your show doesn’t.

The base model starts at  $1750 and upgrade licenses range from $150 to $1150.

You can check out more on the Enttec website.

Enttec Announces Release of Datagate MK2

After more than two years in development, ENTTEC Pty Ltd has innovated its signature DMX networking tool, the Datagate, by adding a Web-based, user-friendly graphical interface, Gigabit-speed Jumbo Frames, Remote Device Management (RDM) on-demand, and more. The newly released Datagate Mk2 is the most powerful Ethernet-DMX node on the market!

A key upgrade to the original Datagate is that the configuration is all performed via Web browser. A utility no longer needs to be downloaded to a computer. Instead, users set their browsers to the Datagate Mk2’s Web address, and there they will find a unique graphical interface that’s as easy to use as dragging and dropping. The simplified display screen allows users to create a flow chart easily and then the Datagate Mk2 will perform what is drawn. This enhancement not only eliminates steps, but makes the whole process easier to understand and manage.

Features Found in the Datagate MK2

• DMX Hub/Splitter
• DMX Merger (HTP or LTP)
• DMX -> Ethernet
• Ethernet-> DMX
• RDM Gateway
• RDM Sensor Info Gather / Report
• DMX shifting
• Simple Scene Playback or Test Frame Generation
• Hot Spare for another Datagate

For more information on the Datagate MK2 from Enttec, make sure to visit their website at www.enttec.com.

Enttec Announces New DataGate MK2

After two years of development, Enttec is ready to announce the arrival of the next version of the DataGate, the DataGate MK2.

The new box of the DataGate MK2 is a completely redesigned chassis, with a more flexible display and menu choices at the front,. All connections are at the back. There, you can find 8 DMX ports, and an Ethernet port, like the old Datagates. That’s where the similarities end. The new Datagate Mk2 supports Gigabit-speed Ethernet-networking and all calculations are handled by a 500Mhz CPU running a Linux 2.6 Kernel. This means the Datagate can seriously crunch numbers. Enttec anticipate future software upgrades that can benefit from this, with added patching and merging options as well as other kinds of data manipulation.

One of the key differences about the Mk2, compared with the original Datagate, is that the configuration is all performed via web browser. You don’t have to download a utility and keep it on your computer–just set your browser to the Datagate’s web address. Enttec has put a very unique graphical front end together for this purpose, and possibly the best part of it is the screen which lets you draw a flow chart and make the Datagate Mk2 do what you draw. This not only cuts down on your workload by saving steps, it makes the whole process easier to understand and manage.

To learn more about the Enttec DataGate MK2, visit their web site at www.enttec.com.  The new DataGate MK2 is expected to begin shipping until mid summer.

Two New Products from Enttec at LDI

Looks like Enttec will be expanding their product line this year at LDI.  The boys from down under are preparing to announce a new DMX opto-splitter to go with their DMXis controller.  What is nice is that the D-spilter is not limited to just being used with the DMXis.  It is a low cost, 4 way optically isolated splitter that can be used in any lighting system when more “branches” of DMX are required.

I haven’t heard about any pricing as of yet or seen it on their website.

The other new product Enttec is preparing to announce is a “new” 3 or 5 pin DMX terminator.  Why are we excited to see this?  Well, it is a pretty simple device right, take a 5 or 3 pin male DMX connector and solder a 120 ohm resister across pins 2 and 3 right? Well of course! What is neat about Enttec’s terminator is that the back side has a closed off cover rather then using the standard sleeve to a cable on the back side.  This is something that is so simple but maybe never thought of before.

The Enttec DMX terminator goes for $11 USD and can be purchased right from their website, www.enttec.com. To see these and other Enttec products, visit their booth, 1181 at the LDI Show.

Enttec Introduces Din-LED4PX LED Driver

Enttec, the makers of such products as the DMXis and the MIDI Wing Panel has just introduced their latest control device, the DIN-LED4PX. It may seem like a complicated name, but it is a simple device. It is a 4 channel, constant voltage LED driver with DMX/RDM inputs that fits right to a din rail system!

For those of you wondering what a din rail systems is. A Din Rail System is a collection of unique “open architecture” high density rail-mounted components designed specifically for remote control and acquisition. Featuring a highly integrated modular design and support for industry standard Modbus ASCII, RTU and TCP protocols, RAIL components are ideal for use in all industries. All components may be used stand-alone or integrated with other components of the system.

Back to the Din-Tec device. There are 4 LED ports on a 10 way screw connector as pictured on the right for controlling up to 4 channels.  The device also has 1 input of DMX, also on  a screw connector located at the bottom. Each channel can control up to 1A @ 24V which would come from an external power supply.  The LEDs are dimmed with a 500Hz PWM signal, with 8 bits of resolution. DMX addressing happens over standard RDM controllers.

The Enttec DIN-LED4PX retails for $99 USD.  For more information or to find a dealer near you, visit Enttec’s website at www.enttec.com.

New Enttec Control Device Coming – DMXIS

iSquint has learn that Enttec is preparing to launch a new control device in the VERY near future called DMXIS. The official announcement is right around the corner from what we understand, but we have been given advanced information on the new DMXIS.

Enttec has developed a low cost solution for bands that may not have the privilege of hiring a light board op or the ability to run their own light show while playing in the band on stage.  In comes the DMXIS.

DMXIS is the easy way to create exciting live light shows with your Mac OS® or Windows® based computer. DMXIS was designed specifically for live performers who want to run an automated light show while performing on stage. The hardware is incredibly easy to connect up, and the software extremely simple to learn and operate, while being flexible enough to control modern intelligent light fixtures.

More after the jump… (more…)

Review: Synthe FX iPhone App, Luminair Version 1.5

We recently wrote about the arrival of an update and release of Synthe FX’s lighting control iPhone app, Luminair. Over the last month we have been following Synthe FX progress on releasing the update version 1.5 of Luminair.  Luminair allows you to control, view and manage intelligent DMX lighting fixtures and consoles, straight from your iPhone or iPod Touch. Using Artistic License’s Art-Net protocol  (DMX over ethernet), along with your device’s built-in Wi-Fi connection, Luminair can either control lighting equipment through it’s virtual touch-mixer and innovative channel
assignment board interface, or analyze incoming data packets in realtime.

With the touch of a finger, lighting control data is sent through the airwaves, allowing you to be unchained from the lighting desk or the closest patch-bay. Both projects and fixtures can be saved and restored at any time, making Luminair an indispensable tool for configuring intelligent lighting networks for one or more locations.

The kinds folks over at Synthe FX we able to provide a demo version of the updated version 1.5 for iSquint to do a review. Click read more link to read the entire review.

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Rumor Mill: Enttec ODE New Firmware in the Works.

Our tip line is getting filled up with rumors running around the industry these days. The latest rumor that has been sent to us is that Enttec, the makers of lighting control products such as the Open DMX Ethernet (ODE) device pictured left have been developing a firmware upgrade for the ODE.

The current model of the ODE supports 1 universe of DMX over Art-Net and ESP.  The firmware upgrade would merge up to 8 art-net streams coming from different IP addresses of any origin to make the ODE a 8:1 merger of Art-Net data.

The firmware upgrade is still in beta testing and not available just yet. The firmware upgrade i for the first 2 universes is a free firmware upgrade.  The additional 6 universes would be available though a paid for firmware upgrade through Enttec.  This would give a total of 8 HTP Art-net inputs for an ODE.

to learn more about the Enttec Open DMX Ethernet (ODE) device, or to purchase your open, visit Enttec’s website at www.enttec.com.

New Nonprofit: Institute for Feedback Excellence

We received a press release on the announcement of a new Nonprofit organization called the Institute for Feedback Excellence.  The Institute was organized by join ventures from Enttec, Martin Professional and Wybron to Harmonize the use of feedback protocols in entertainment lighting.  The IFE was established to standardize the RDM or Remote Device Management protocol across the lighting industry.

More from the Press Release after the jump.

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