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Review: Interactive Technologies CueServer Express

The different styles of lighting control available to us are staggering.  It seems as though each manufacturer puts a twist on how we can manipulate lumens, as well as “barrow” things from each.  One company that has separated themselves from the pack is Interactive Technologies.  While most manufacturers offer a hardware interface to select and manipulate lights, Interactive Technologies gives you a webpage.

Let me explain, at the heart of Interactive Technologies control offerings is the CueServer, a website-in-a-box that offers control from either a webpage or a button station like the SceneStation available from Interactive Technologies and outputs DMX control.

At LDI2010 I was introduced to the Interactive Technologies latest product, the CueServer Express.  This has to be the smallest website and DMX controller out there.  Don’t let the size and simple exterior fool you, there is some serious control in the CueServer Express.

The CueServer Express is the little brother to Interactive Technologies CueServer Pro and CueServer Mini control products. It is considered an entry level control device for portable applications and cost effective. Just like all the CueServer products, the CueServer express includes a built-in web server that provides access to a full complement of lighting controls, show programming and playback features without the need for special software or an Internet connection.

The power behind the CueServer Express lies hidden within this tiny little box of just 5″ wide, 3.5″ long and just 1″ high. It looks simple, but again, looks can be deceiving.  After connecting the CueServer Express to my local network, and plugging in a DMX line to some devices, it was up and running.  The CueServer Express was assigned an IP through my DHCP server, after finding what that IP was by simply pinging the network, I just had to goto the IP address via my browser and I was in.

What is happening behind the scenes and in the network is that you are communicating directly with the CueServer Express via it’s web server function.  You are sending commands and instructions over the network by TCP/IP to the CueServer Express.  Then within the CueServer Express, those instructions are translated and sent out the single DMX line to our devices.  The CueServer isn’t spending and receiving Art-Net, but standard web page instructions.

[singlepic id=1518 w=320 h=240 float=left]The beauty and simplicity of this design is the interface.  The default web page control out of the CueServer Express is fairly basic.  No frills and images to download, but a very basic and some what powerful control surface.

What caught my attention is “CueScript”, a programing language for the CueServer family. Think of it as the command line for the CueServer Express, very similar to most lighting controllers have. Rather then using the built in keypad on the web page, you can enter commands via the command line or CueScript.  The beauty part about CueScript is that you do not have to type out entire words, for instance, for channel, rather then typing out the entire word, just type c and then the number @ fl, ie: c1@fl.  Their is a help box below the command line that spells out what you have typed in plain English to assume you that you have typed in the command that you want.  The commands can be as long and complicated as you want them to be.

From the web page, you have the ability to use the built in keypad which is very similar to most lighting desk out there with a number pad, record and timing functions.  But wait, theirs more.  In addition to the number pad, you have three other keypad pages.  The second being a recall section for colors, just like pallets that you find on many other desk.  The last two pages are all yours, you can edit and record any command you like to 25 buttons per page.

Say command line isn’t your cup of tea, no worries, Interactive Technologies isn’t holding you back.  You have a number of other alternatives to send commands to the CueServer Express, such as the Brand New Figment iOS App, CuePad iOS app, custom Flash Applications and Interactive Technologies own button and touch screen station options.

For this review, I only had a chance to connect the Figment iOS app to the CueServer Express.  While I was temped  to try some custom Flash interfaces, it really didn’t pertain to the review.  As for the Figment App, so simple and easy.  Connecting the Figment App to the CueServer Express was just as simple as setting up the CueServer Express.  You just have to make sure the wireless access point that the iOS devices connects to is on the same network and subnet.  From there, the Figment finds any available CueServers and away you go.

The CueServer Express offers 512 channels on control, or a entire universe minus the ability to patch.  So patch is always 1-to1.  Another thing lacking out of the CueServer Express is the ability to patch multi-parted devices or fixtures that use more then one channel of control. Is this a limitation? Not when you look at when and where the CueServer is intended for.

The CueServer Express is marketed as a portable lighting solution and for architectural control.  I think the later is where the CueServer Express excels at.  Digging deeper into the controls and options on the CueServer Express, you’ll find the ability to write to four different cue list, each with independent timing and control.  On top of that are controls for triggers such as function buttons, contact closures, macros, timer list and most importantly, timecode events.

With timecode in an architectural installation, you don’t need an input or button station.  Record your looks and have them run at specific times of the day.  Creating and setup looks to go at a certain time during the day is super simple.  During my time with the CueServer Express, I quickly and easily created a time event that happened every day at the same time before I came home. So I came home to nice soothing orange uplight in the office, ah, soothing orange.

I enjoyed my time with the CueServer Express.  It was easy to setup, get up and running and begin to control some lights. While the controls and functions are super simple, it may not the best option for a rig with mass amounts of movers.  But in an architectural installation or a simmer heavy rig, the CueServer Express packs some pretty powerful features in a box the size of a roll of two inch gaff.

If you want to try the CueServer out, or at least try the web page functions, head over to interactive Technologies web site, www.interactive-online.com.

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Interactive Technologies Releases CuePad iPhone App

Do you own or operate a CueServer from Interactive Technologies? CueServer is a ethernet based lighting control board. Since it is network based, what limits you from controlling you CueServer from your iPhone?  Well, nothing now!

Interactive Technologies just announced the release of their latest product, the CuePad.  CuePad is a remote control of sorts that connects to you CueServer via a WIFI access point or for you more network savvy folks, through 3G or Edge.

Here is a little bit of what the CuePad can do.

With CuePad you can create up to 12 pages of 10 customizable buttons. Each button can operate as a remote CueServer button trigger or it can run a CueScript macro. CuePad can provide “live” LED indicator feedback on the buttons as well.

Use CuePad to create handy button interfaces for your CueServer applications.  Give homeowners the ability to control their lighting from their favorite mobile device.  Stage and Studio technicians can use CuePad as a remote control for their lighting rigs.  Trade Show and Museum users can use CuePad during product demos or walk throughs.  Most any CueServer application can be remotely controlled via CuePad.

CuePad is a $9.99 download from the iTunes App Store.  You can learn more about the app from Interactive Technologies web site, www.interactive-online.com.

UPDATE:

I found a quick YouTube video showing off how CuePad works.



Interactive Technologies Introduces The SceneStation

SceneStationInteractive Technologies, the makers of the CueServer, has just introduced their latest DMX Control device, the SceneStation. The SceneStation is a different kind of architectural Preset Station as is goes beyond just simple playback of looks, but can run chases, stepped sequences or a cue list of scenes.

Each of the five buttons on the SceneStation include a fully programmable RGB backlight LED with optional button caps that can be engraved with custom labels.  The SceneStation also includes an infrared port for controlling, programming and setting up the SceneStation with a programming remote.

The SceneStation can control any device that runs over standard DMX signal as the SceneStation has bi-directional DMX port.

Interactive Technologies will be launching the SceneStation at the PLASA Show at Earls Court in London, England next week as well as LDI in November in October. To learn more about the SceneStation, visit Interactive Technologies website at www.interactive-online.com.

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