Martin Announces LightJockey II and Hardware Replacement Program

As of October 2010, the Martin LightJockey II will ship with the new Martin One-Key protection device, one Martin USB DUO DMX and the MSD5 MC Edition 3D Visualizer.

At the same time, Martin Professional announces a LightJockey hardware replacement program. Through the program, old LightJockey hardware from an ISA PC card to a Universal USB device can be returned for exchange. The replacement kit includes the Martin One-Key, either one or two Martin USB DUO DMX’s and an MSD5 MC Edition 3D Visualizer. Further information on the exchange program will be published on the Martin discussion board.

I have not seen a link or any additional information on the hardware replacement program as of yet.  Check back in after PLASA 2010 as more information should be available.

Martin Announces New USB DMX Dongle, USB Duo DMX

When ever Martin Announces or releases a new product, it seems like it comes in pairs or a whole bunch at once.  Following the announcement of the Martin One-Key, Martin Professional announces a new USB DMX device called Martin USB DUO DMX.

This new USB device carries two XLR 5 pins and the latest DMX implementation with RDM capability. Each Martin USB DUO DMX can be used to give two additional DMX outputs/inputs to the following software:  LightJockey II, M-PC Basic, M-PC Pro, MSD5, MaxModules, Martin M1 and Maxedia. Drivers for the Martin USB DUO DMX are available for Windows XP, Vista, and 32- or 64-bit Windows 7.

No information about pricing or availability has been made public yet, but as PLASA 2010 is right around the corner, there is a good chance you can see all of Martin’s new offerings at their stand in Earls Court.

W-DMX Launches BlackBox F-2500 at PLASA 2010

Wireless Solution Sweden AB will be debuting the latest addition to the award-winning W-DMX™ line, the BlackBox F-2500, during PLASA 2010, September 12-15 at Earls Court in London in Stand 1-E43.

The W-DMX™ BlackBox F-2500 is the newest advance in Wireless DMX technology. It’s the world’s first multiple universe unit that can act as 2 Transmitters, 2 Receivers, and 1 Repeater – three functions in one. It’s also the world’s first unit that supports Dual Band of 2.45GHz and 5.8GHz as standard. It carries patent technology for Adaptive Frequency Hopping, Error Correction, and High Fidelity for the most reliable, interference-free signal available.

Bundled with the new W-DMX Bluebox RDM Controller, the F-2500 offers a breadth of control capability. The Bluebox RDM Controller is a PC based DMX and RDM controller for controlling large rigs of RDM enabled products. It allows users to search for any RDM enabled product in a DMX/RDM Network, automatically patch and control the fixture, receive status updates and configure settings such as fixture mode, lamp on/off and more. Bluebox works with the W-DMX™ G4 range and will automatically search for and find any G4 transmitters and RDM enabled G4 receivers. Signal strength and wireless channels are displayed, plus configuration options such as signal power, transmitter/receiver pairing and compatibility modes.

The BlackBox F-2500 together with BlueBox makes for an extremely flexible unit. Users have many functions in one unit (less is more). Before now, it was not possible to get 3 units in a single model to support all standard protocols such as DMX, RDM, Streaming ACN, etc. And with the BlueBox functionality, it provides the world’s first embedded PC solution for both DMX and RDM Control. In addition, the unique RDM function (patent pending) from Wireless Solution makes it possible to Clone units by RDM, remotely access units for service purposes and more.

To learn more about the W-DMX BlackBox F-2500 before the show, visit W-DMX website at www.wirelessdmx.com.

Midiator Launching Vision Pro Console at PLASA 2010

PLASA 2010 will see the release of the Vision Pro from Midiator. The Netherlands-based company is set to launch the visual show control device during the trade-fair at stand H1.41. The Vision Pro will officially be released on the first day of PLASA 2010, when Midiator’s founder Menno Pleij and James Heron of renowned media-server manufacturer Green Hippo show the first ever 3th-party integration of the proprietary HippoNet protocol, the foundation of the Hippotizer family.

At Midiator’s stand there will be multiple demos showing integration of the Vision Pro with several media-servers, light consoles and other kinds of show devices. Users can get demonstrations or get ‘hands-on’ with the product in conjunction with equipment from brands such as Barco, TV-One, Kiss-Box, FlyingPig and of course Green Hippo from one control surface.

Visitor’s can also see unique setups at the stands of Midiator’s UK distributor (AC Entertainment) and Green Hippo, together with a small setup at the innovation gallery. The current line-up of distributors consist of AC Entertainment (UK), CSI (France), Technical Supply Japan (Japan), Theatrixx (Canada), Perfect Design Factory (Hungary) and Interlight (Benelux). Midiator invites distributors with interest of distribution of Midiator’s product portfolio to visit their booth. Appointments can be made in advance.

Not going to make it to PLASA or you just can’t wait to read more, head over to Midiator’s website at www.midiator.eu.

LSC Prepares to Announce New Dimmers at PLASA 2010

Heading up this year’s LSC Lighting booth is the new Redback Wall-mount range. Whilst the flavour of this new product is in keeping with the “value for money” design brief of the original Redback rack-mount range, the new wall-mount range has been redesigned from the ground up.

At the heart of the dimming system is a colour LCD touch-screen, making operation of the dimmer a breeze. Available in 6, 12 and 24 channel versions these dimmers deliver a slimline, efficient and ergonomic design including such features as RDM, built in memories, remote control via wallplates and panic input as standard.

The EKO dimming system, already found in many TV studios, major theatres and conference centres, schools and churches across the world has been upgraded to offer both TruPowerTM control and RDM. TruPower permits any channel on the dimmer to be set from the control system to be either dimmed or direct power meaning that any channel can be selected to provide power to dim a light one day and to provide direct power (no electronics in the way) to an intelligent fixture the next.

EKO has also been upgraded to offer RDM functionality allowing the possibility to monitor or control an EKO over the DMX network. Anything that can be monitored or controlled from the front panel of the dimmer can now be done remotely.

All of these new products will be on display on the LSC PLASA stand 2-P17. You can learn more about LSC Lighting’s products by visiting their website at www.lsclighting.com.

Cast Software Set to Debut BlackTrax at PLASA

CAST Software of Toronto, Canada will be debuting their newest technology, BlackTrax (patent pending), at PLASA, September 12-15 at Earls Court in London, Stand 1-G15. BlackTrax is a revolutionary motion tracking system for people and objects that operates in real time. BlackTrax is designed to work with CAST’s game-changing BlackBox system of multi-directional high-speed control coordination.

The BlackTrax system works using a proprietary sensor device that is placed on the moving object(s), giving tracking information for what we like to call Six Degrees of Freedom – X, Y, and Z coordinates (in First Phase), roll, pitching, and yaw angles (coming soon). BlackTrax monitors the velocity of the object(s) in motion, as well as giving important spatial relationships between objects and people in a 3D space – and each moving object or person is an individual measurable set of data, completely distinguished from the next. BlackTrax monitors all of these parameters at a very high speed and with stunning accuracy.

BlackTrax is safe, and uses redundant monitoring of several varieties to track the people and objects you need to monitor. When line of sight is breached in your system (which is the primary mode of tracking), inertial movement and X, Y, and Z parameters are still maintained until the person(s) or object(s) come back into the line of sight.

When you need real time monitoring of one, two, or hundreds of objects and people in all six degrees of freedom, you need BlackTrax.

Avolites Prepares to Release Titan Mobile Desk at PLASA

Avolites has begun releasing information about their latest control desk, the Titan Mobile.  The official release is set to happen during the PLASA show this month in London England.  They have been building up hype and excitement about the new desk all over the social media sites and networks and it seems to be working.  They have got me interested and wanting to learn more about the desk.

I am still waiting to see a spec sheet about the board to see what it can handle, but from the limited information that Avo has put out on the mobile, it is designed to be connected to a windows laptop to get a heads up display that is so needed with advanced controls.

If you have sometime, check out the “slide” show on the Titan Mobile on Avolites website, www.avolites.org.uk.

Eurolite Set to Show Off New Pixel Panel Tricolor At PLASA

A combination which is everything but common – Eurolite’s new Pixel Panel combines the latest technology, solid, elegant workmanship and a fair price. At London’s PLASA the chic, black light effect with tricolor LEDs makes if first appearance on the market.

Right at first glance one difference to many LED displays or walls becomes quite obvious. In contrast to widespread bar systems, where the LEDs are placed on small strips with emptiness in between, the Pixel Panel presents an alternative. Eurolite deliberately opted for a fully covered housing. The tricolor LEDs are fixed at little openings, only a few millimeters in size. In so doing, the light can exit unhindered and produce its full power. Thanks to the large black surface area, the panel is an eye-catcher, even without illumination.

The technical side is striking as well. Equipping a panel with 16 highly modern and powerful tricolor LEDs (SMD 5050) marks a premiere for Eurolite. The multichip technology, where the LEDs close ranks and light escapes through a collective lens, guarantees a homogeneous color mixture, even at short distances. The colors are concentrated and therefore seem to be more saturated. At the same time, the Tricolor LEDs do mix a pure white, impossible to create with conventional RGB LEDs.
As every LED can be controlled separately numerous configuration options arise. One panel occupies 48 DMX channels that is why a control software such as Madrix can be recommended.

Installation is really simple. When the plastic board is removed, the base can be screwed onto the respective surface.
The panels weigh 1.5 kg, measure only 25 x 25 cm and can thus be used very individually. The more panels  linked to form a bigger surface, the more impressive the effect becomes of course.
But where should the panels be used? Everywhere a surface (square, long drawn-out rectangle etc.) needs illumination with strong colors and many variations. As permanent installation in bars, lounges, cafes or clubs, or in front of a DJ booth, for mobile use (wedding DJs etc.) makes perfect sense too.

Robe Going Green at PLASA

Robe has some huge news for PLASA next month.  They are keeping the product announcement under wraps right now, but they will be announcing 7 new products at PLASA.

What makes these seven new fixtures exciting is the commitment to going green that Robe just announced.  Robe is launching a major new green initiative – “Think of the Future – Consider Nature” – at PLASA 2010 to underline its ongoing commitment to developing and producing genuinely cutting-edge, innovative and energy saving products.

Each of the 7 new fixtures will be environmentally friendly by saving up to 30% in energy savings.  Compared to what, I am not sure, but energy savings is always a good thing.

I am expecting to hear more about these new products well before the opening of PLASA, but who knows when the Press Release will come in.  Stay tuned.

ETC Has HUGE News For PLASA 2010

PLASA attendees will be the first to see the latest in Source Four® technology. The hugely popular family of luminaires is welcoming a new, long-awaited member – the Source Four HID Zoom eX – ETC’s 15° to 30° zoom optics in an IP65-rated enclosure for outdoor use. Solid, user-friendly industrial design coupled with the 12,000-hour high-efficiency 150W HID source make the Zoom eX ideal for exterior lighting where shutter cuts or pattern projection are required.

The PLASA-Award-winning Selador® LED line-up will also be on display at the ETC stand, including the new Fire™ and Ice™ and the Vivid™-R. Fire and Ice offer bold color palettes that meet or exceed the saturation of gelled light. The Vivid-R produces 50% more light than the previous Vivid — while consuming 10% less power. Selador fixtures are all energy-saving powerhouses with a light and color quality that other LED fixtures cannot duplicate.

Also at PLASA, ETC will show Eos®, Congo® and SmartFade&erg; control desk models, with impressive software updates. Eos V1.95 software includes the new Virtual Media Server for Eos and Ion — a tool for easy programming of LED arrays or arrays of fixtures to create large-scale graphic images or effects. Congo V6.1 provides an improved color engine –the Color Picker known from Eos — as well as enhanced support for calibrated fixture templates.

An exciting update for the super-compact SmartFade lighting-control desks proves that smaller, budget-conscious venues can access sophisticated control: With V3.0, SmartFade ML will now be able to utilize the full feature set of LED fixtures with up to seven color parameters.

New V1.2 software for ETC’s Unison Paradigm building-control systems includes ETC Color Picker functionality and improved timed-event editing tools. Paradigm systems bring sophisticated and green-minded technologies to theater-house and foyer lighting control, as well as to rehearsal spaces, offices, and even the external lighting of facilities. Paradigm activates sophisticated house-light looks at the touch of a button, running moving lights and LED effects as well as conventionals.

ETC’s PLASA stand, #1-G39, is located by the bar and business lounge in the center of Hall 1.

Kinesys Announces New Fixed Speed Chain Hoist Controller Range – DigiHoist

Have you heard of Kinesys before?  If you fly truss, you really should!  Kinesys offers load sensing devices to monitor a rigs weight at the pick points.  It’s pretty important stuff to know, last thing we want is a truss out of balance or falling from the air.

Kinesys is expanding their product line with the release of the all new DigiHoist product range at PLASA next month. The DigiHoist brings digital technology to the forefront of chain hoist controller design.

Digital communications allow multiple controllers to be daisy-chained together,  eliminating the need for bulky multicore cables.  Self-healing emergency stop connections remove the requirement for shorting plugs, and monitoring of the hoist’s status means that information about hoist presence and the state of the limits can be displayed to the user, and acted upon immediately to provide Group Halting if limits are hit whilst moving.

If you are heading to PLASA next month, make sure to stop by Kinesys’s stand at 3.25T and 4.75T to demonstrate the versatility of the Libra system. For more information on Kinesys, visit their website at www.kinesys.co.uk.

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.