Rumor Mill: Axon Media Server Update Soon

We have heard through the grape vein the Highend Systems is getting ready to release an update to the Axon Media servers, DL.2 and DL.3 fixtures.  When the update will be released has not been confirmed but rumors are aloft that the update should hit the street with in the month.

Some of the new features in v1.5 include:

• New Graphic Effects include: , UVtoTransparent, HStoGray, HStoTransparent, Textureshift, LensGrid
• Additional CMA info added. The details view in the CMA now displays: Movie Length, Resolution, Frame Rate, Frame Count
• Segmented Collage New Collage mode added to allow for pre-sliced content for each fixture so that very high resolution Collages are available.
• SDI PAL capabilities added. DL.3 and Axon can now select between NTSC and PAL inputs.
• Content Encoding Scanning.
• Frame Blending slow motion playback.

For more information on the DL.2, DL.3 and the Axon Media Servers, visit Highends website at www.highend.com.

Barco Announces New Wash Luminaire – SHOWBEAM 2.5

Rancho Cordova, CA — 31 March 2009 — Visualization pioneer Barco announced today the debut of the SHOWBEAM™ 2.5, a new High End Systems automated wash luminaire that features a jointly developed Philips MSR 2500-watt lamp source. A smooth field, soft-edge illumination is produced using a new radial lenticular homogenizing lens system that provides a signature look on stage. In addition, the dedicated wash light includes a user changeable fixed color wheel, a variable CTO, a full CMY color mixing system, and the ability to produce an 11-degree fixed hard-edge profile with fast color change and Electronic Strobe. The profile can be rapidly zoomed from 11 to 33 degrees.

The SHOWBEAM 2.5 also features a revolutionary patent pending effect, the Twin Beam™. In this effect, two discrete hard-edge beams exit the fixture on command, with variable control over the Twin Beam deviation and rotation speed — all with little brightness degradation. The Twin Beam can also be varied by adding incremental color via the CMY color mixing system. SHOWBEAM 2.5 incorporates the renowned LED tracking system that encircles the lens, a feature that debuted with its SHOWGUN predecessor.

“The engineering team set out on a mission to produce a new automated wash light, with earth-shattering light output,” noted CTO Creative Lighting Richard Belliveau. “We more than accomplished that goal, while including some never-before-seen visuals that will be sure to excite today’s audiences.”

SHOWBEAM 2.5 made its sneak preview debut in October 2008 at LDI in Las Vegas. The fixture, which begins shipping in April, will next be shown at the Pro Light & Sound Show in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 1-4. For more information, contact your sales representative or visit www.barco.com

Console Trainer Announces Interactive Quick Start Guide for WholeHog

ConsoleTrainer.com has recently released a new Interactive Quick Start Guide for the WholeHog lighting console. The interactive guide is laid out to provide helpful insight on common uses and problems faced when programing the WholeHog console.  The online guide consist of cross-reference links and embedded training videos broken down into topics by chronological order. There are tho PDF version of the guide for users to print out and take with them.  The first is about 30 pages long and contains all of the text and images.  The second is geared towards the novice or new user that is an abridged version running 20 pages long.

The interactive guide is by no means a replacement for the user manual provided with the console for for download at highend.com, but gives a quick start to common uses and questions.  The interactive guide is still growing with more videos and sections.

ConsoleTrainer.com is a resource for console programmers to learn about features of consoles from the WholeHog and MA Lighting consoles.  It is a project created by Joe Cabbera and Cat West in response to questions that have been asked over the years by programmers calling into tech support.