This is the archive, no???

Luminex Brings GigaCore 10 Networking Switch to the Masses

Back at ProLight+Sound 2017 in Frankfurt Germany, Luminex gave a sneak peak to their latest offering in the entertainment network product range, the GigaCore 10.  Why get excited about a networking switch?  In our industry, EVERYTHING is going to be networked. While experienced technicians may have a good handle on computer networking, Luminex has developed their range of products to offer simplicity while vast amounts of control when needed.

The GigaCore 10 is their most versatile switch as it offers plug-in-plug technology while still offering a level of control for more advanced setup.  It is a small package, just under 10″ wide with 8 gigaport etherCon connections, 4 on each side.  Users can choose between either FiberFox or Neutrik opticalCon fibers connections.  Powering the unit is a PowerCon TRUE1 connection.  Users can also specify a version with POE ports.  

Learn more about the Luminex GigaCore 10 here.

More from the Press Release:  

Since Luminex’s soft launch of the super-flexible GigaCore 10 Gigabit switch – at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt earlier this year – it has fast established itself as the manufacturer’s most versatile plug-and-play Gigabit Ethernet Switch to date.

The GigaCore 10 is specifically designed to address the rigors of the live events and touring industry where effortless set up, flexible use options, compact size and rugged reliability are key. To complement this, Luminex has designed a thoughtful range of accessories to enable easy rigging in all professional environments – including touring trusses, 19 inch rack and wall mountings.

Safeguarding the product’s industry relevance, Luminex has developed and validated the key features of the GigaCore 10 in collaboration with its dealer network, third party manufacturers and end users.

With eight fully pre-configured Ethercon ports (to transport all commonly-used lighting and audio protocols) – four on each side of the unit – plus two (optional) FiberFox or Neutrik opticalCON connectors and a safety-standard compliant PowerCon TRUE1 Connector, the GigaCore 10 enables speedy design and set up of converged, multicast, PoE (Power over Ethernet) capable networks, while avoid the usual pitfalls of bandwidth issues.

One of GigaCore 10’s key features is the ‘easy group’ function, which allows users to modify groups, change port settings or add devices to the network on the road, with speed and ease. Not only that, this modification can be achieved without reprogramming the entire system. Lighting, audio and video protocols can be assigned to different colour groups and sent over the same network with a guarantee that each device will receive the correct protocol signal, whether it be Dante©, RAVENNA/AES67©, Q-LAN, sACN, ArtNet, MANet2, HogNet, RTTrPL (BlackTraX) or IEEE 1588 PTP V2.

Another key feature is the ability to provide PoE+ – in this case a maximum per unit of 130W with PoE+ on each port up to a maximum of 30W. Ports running PoE+ to critical devices can be prioritised so that, in the unlikely event that the overall limit of 130W is reached, GigaCore will cut power to the lowest priority device first.

RGB LED status indicators on each port help users to quickly identify the activity on the port such as: group (VLAN) settings, PoE status, redundancy or if the port is part of an aggregated set of ports delivering a higher total bandwidth for applications such as video.

The quick to navigate (and password-protected) status page, which can be accessed via any browser also allows system users to quickly identify a single device in a multi-device system by ‘poking’ the unit from the user interface; in response, the LED on the ‘poked’ unit will wink! In addition, if a connected device has ‘frozen’, the user interface can facilitate a remote reboot of the afflicted kit.

The option to create up to 10 unique profile presets, one of which can be a preferred default that automatically reloads on reset, can be invaluable in a festival scenario. When faced with a roster of LDs or FOH engineers that may need to connect a different manufacturer’s console to the lighting rig or PA system, this feature can save time on a major re-patch – not to mention the wear and tear caused by repeated re-plugging of cables and connectors.

Should a link fail, Luminex’s RLinkX redundancy protocol, validated around the world with third party manufacturers of lighting, sound and video, is enabled on all Ethercon and fibre ports and indicated by a blue LED when active. Such redundancy offers a stress-free, seamless, 20-40 millisecond switchover speed to a redundant link.

The latest GigaCore 10 version includes the often-requested SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), enabling users to remotely monitor the status of a GigaCore 10 device. Information on temperature and TX or RX traffic on each port can be accessed via a separate monitoring software such as PRTG or, alternatively, via Luminex’s own, free-to-access application, LumiNet Monitor. Such monitoring access is crucial to engineers working with converged networks, where high data consumption may be a concern.

GigaCore 10 is 100% Luminex designed and manufactured. Created as the ultimate effortless solution for versatile, intuitive and scalable networking, it has been built to suit any application or environment and allows users with little or no IT knowledge to set up a pro AV network with ease.

The GigaCore 10 will ship from the beginning of October 2017 and can be seen at IBC in Amsterdam, PLASA in London, Interbee in Japan and LDI in the USA. 

Mid-Atlantic Vectorworks User Group Meeting at the Mothership 10/14

I love user groups, they are so much fun.  User group meetings bring together like minded people that share the same passion and love of whatever the user group is about.  This time is it is Vectorworks!

On Thursday, October 14th from 7pm to 9pm, Vectorwork aficionados and lovers of the CAD program will converge on the mothership, Nemetschek’s headquarters in Columbia Maryland to talk, discuss and learn new tricks with Vectorworks 2011.

Not only is this a great time to learn new things, but talk with other users about problems, questions and issues that you face when working with Vectorworks.  On top of that, it’s a great place to networks and meet new and exciting people!  Then being at the mothership, we’ll get a chance to meet some of the people behind the software! I am totally there!

Here are all the details and how to register for the VUG-MA.

Date: Thursday, October 14th
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m. EDT
Place: Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc.
7150 Riverwood Drive
Columbia, MD 21046

Make sure to send a note to the group leader, Tom Pearce, (tns@coronal.net) to let them know you are coming. If you are not in the Mid-Atlantic region, no worries, there are still a ton of other VUG meetings across the country, check out the VUG website to find a meeting near you.

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.

DC Theatre Technician Cattle Call Announced

Do you live and work in the DC Metro area like I do?  Are you looking for part time, possibly full time work with in the the theatre industry?  Then mark your calendar for Sunday, May 9th and Monday, May 10th.  The DC Theatre Technician Cattle Call was just announced!  More from the Press Release:

The 2010 DC Technician Cattle Call will be held over two days, Sunday May 9 from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM, and Monday May 10 from 9:00 Am until 6:00 PM, at the Harman Center for the Arts. Sunday will be devoted to Carpenters, Riggers, Electricians, Sound Engineers, Painters and Prop Artisans. Monday will be devoted to Costume Technicians, Makeup Artists, Stage Managers, and those of you who fall into other categories but are on run crew for shows.

Similar to an acting cattle call, each candidate will be given 8 minutes in front of the group of representatives from theatres and production companies around the DC Metro area.

Companies already committed to attending this year include:

  • The Alden Theatre
  • Arena Stage
  • Barbizon Capitol
  • Folger Theatre
  • Gala Hispanic Theatre
  • George Mason University Center For The Arts
  • Imagination Stage
  • JCC Of Rockville
  • Metrostage
  • Round House Theatre
  • Shakespeare Theatre Company
  • Studio Theatre
  • Theatre J
  • Traveling Players Ensemble
  • Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co

And more are adding every day.

To book an appointment email: klyphs@mac.com. You MUST put Cattle Call 2010 in the subject line.

Be sure to include your full name, email address, and which day you would like, as well as whether you would like a morning or afternoon appointment.

Each applicant will be expected to supply 40 copies of their resume on the day of their appointment.

Wireworks Introduces MCat5 Network Multi-Cable

wireworks-mcat5-webWireworks out of Hillside, New Jersey is preparing to announce a new multi-cable with Cat5 connectors called MCat5. Think of the MCat5 cable and connectors as a Socapex break-in and break-out cable for networking with Cat5 cables. The MCat5 makes running multiple lines of networking cable quick and easy by combining 6 individual lines into one and then broken out or in at either end.

Where could this be useful, think of running multiple network feeds to a tech table in the house or multiple line to a truss or batten where a lighting network is in use.

The cabling device uses a sturdy multipin connector in place of standard RJ45 connectors for creating a rugged point-to-point connection. The MCat5 is made of heavy-duty CATe rated cable with a extra-tough double jacketed shielded cable design. With a small overall diameter of 0.57″ and weighing 14 lbs. per 100′, the MCat 5 is designed to be easy to work with and hold up to the rigorous demands of tour and live production.

Each of the tails supports six channels or runs of 10/100/1000BASE-T signal. Tail sets are also available to support 12 channels or runs of 10/100BASE-T using cable sharing technology. Each individual RJ45 connector on either end of the tail sets are color coded for easy identification.

Runs up to 250′ are available with either standard RJ45 or ethercon connectors on the tail sets. Pricing has not be released yet.  For more information on the MCat5 from Wireworks, visit their web site at www.wireworks.com.

© 2020 Justin Lang Design, All rights reserved.