Get Your Jazz Hands Ready. Robe Prepares to Launch ESPRITE

I am going to forgo the standards here and just have you watch the video. Read more after the show.

More from the Press Release:

Robe embraces the spirit and dynamics of multiculturalism and the unmistakable joie de vivre that marks London as an entertainment hub and PLASA 2019 as a key exhibition and meeting point for the worlds of theatre, performance, rental and staging … making it the first exhibition launch of its brand-new ground-breaking ESPRITE™ LED profile moving light.

This very bright and precise moving light is the first to use Robe’s ground-breaking new generation 650W WTE (White Transferrable Engine) light source.

This has been fully designed, developed, patented and manufactured by Robe in its factory in the Czech Republic … to ensure the very best performance.

ESPRITE is the first in a new series of Robe luminaires that will feature fully replaceable / transferable white source LED engines!

This high-performance luminaire can potentially replace old and entire fleets of workhorse discharge fixtures.

Offering a cost-effective and easily changeable LED engine, Robe has eliminated the white source problems of unpredictable life and performance inconsistency.

The LED module holds a host of useful data in addition to the date, serial number and usage … which can be accessed via a free mobile App.

The crystal-clear, extremely bright and hugely economic WTE LED engine brings another wave of true lighting evolution!

Thanks to this powerful LED light source and highly efficient optical system, the fixture is outputting 27,000 Lumens. With this amazing light output and a way-cool set of features, the ESPRITE is ready to stun and impress users working across all lighting disciplines.

Many other design innovations include a new cooling system that removes any airflow over the optics, resulting in reduced residue deposits and vastly extending the periods between cleaning.

A 5.5 – 50° zoom range provides a high-quality flat-field beam, combined with fabulously smooth CMY colour mixing, extremely fast bumping colour wheels and a unique coloured prism for producing a new level of effects and animations.

Versatility can be maximised with effects like the animation wheel, variable CTO, two colour wheels, rotating and static gobos, a 6-facet rotating prism and a selection of 1°and 5° frosts.

Together with a set of accurate framing shutters, and invaluable LED ‘adjuster tools’ like C-Pulse flicker-free management for optimisation with the latest HD and UHD cameras, the unit also has L3 (low light linearity) dimming for perfect results in the most demanding of performance conditions.

All these factors ensure that ESPRITE will enjoy great longevity and provide the excellent maximum short, long and extended ROI that’s synonymous with Robe products.

Robe’ s reputation for quality, innovation and design has been built over 25 years and is the result of constantly asking questions and listening to feedback from end-users on all levels. This has enabled the brand to constantly and continually redefine the boundaries of technology.

Learn more about Robe and the Eprite by visiting www.robe.cz

Robe Product Reference iApp

Robe Lighting has released the Robe Product Guide for iPhone. The RPG features an interactive catalog of Robe’s fixtures including the ability to download manuals, DMX charts, gobo sets (if applicable) and key data. If downloading PDF files, it would be beneficial to also have the iBooks app from Apple as you can catalog your PDF files.

The Robe Product Guide is available now from the iTunes app store for FREE.

#LDI2010 Preview: LD Tim Dunn Presenting in Robe’s Stand

Do you know lighting designer Tim Dunn… Well, you should! He is the designer behind the closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup! Check out some of the photos from the Closing Ceremony. Want to meet him? Well Robe has you covered.

Lighting designer Tim Dunn from Gearhouse South Africa will give a presentation about lighting the acclaimed Closing Ceremony for the 2010 FIFA World Cup for Robe at the Lighting Design International (LDI) exhibition 2010.

The presentation is currently scheduled to run once daily for the 3 days of the show – one of which will be in Spanish. Full details to follow.

Interested parties can register for a place at the front desk of the Robe booth – 2324.

Robe ColorWash and ColorSpot 2500E ATs and REDWash 3●192s were used extensively – along with other fixtures – in the award winning event at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, produced by The VWV Group.  It has been hailed as the most spectacular World Cup ceremony to date.

Dunn’s presentation will detail the challenges faced by him and his team, which included precision lighting around the large format pitch video projections, and the subtleties of pinpointing the large cast with millimetre accuracy …. whilst still producing a show with all the spectacle and power required to WOW a stadium audience there for the final of the biggest sporting event in the world.

Added to that was an incredibly short timescale, limited access to the stadium, and a series of customisations needed to rig lights in the right positions – with all the associated red tape. Dunn will also expand on his use of MA Lighting’s Visualiser to pre-programme the show, and the control network used to route over 30 DMX universes.

There will also be the opportunity for a full Q&A session.

Copies of a new book, “Sense of Occasion”, a fabulous pictorial documentation of Dunn’s recent design work – featuring events as diverse at the South African Presidential Inauguration to the Opening Ceremony of the T20 Cricket Championships in Bangalore, India – will also be available for viewing at the presentation.

FIFA 2010 Closing Ceremony Photos

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PLASA 2010: The Robe Party, Wish I Was There

Robe Lighting sent out a Press Release about a “phenomenal” PLASA 2010.  Not only did they launch 9, yes nine new lighting products that are “green” under the “Think of the Future – Consider Nature” campaign, but also threw one hell of a after party! The Robe Party took place Sunday night at the Cafe de Paris in central London with I would have to assume, all Robe fixtures.  Looks like they had a Michael Jackson look-a-like too.  Think thriller was the them?

Looks like it was one kick ass party.  I wish I could have been there!

In addition to a great party, Robe also had an amazing booth setup from the photos that were included.  I bet it was some fun to design and light!

Update: More Info On Robes 7 New Fixtures at PLASA 2010

Robe Launches another 7 groundbreaking new environmentally friendly products at PLASA 2010 – in addition to the ROBIN LEDWash 600 and 300 fixtures that were detailed in a separate press release.

These latest developments are all part of Robe’s new “Think of the Future – Consider Nature” drive, which underlines the company’s commitment to developing truly unique, genuinely power saving products that are smaller, lighter, brighter and utilising the latest lightsource technology and control systems, but with all the intensity and output of their predecessors that used more powerful lamps.

ROBIN MMX Spot

The Robe ROBIN MMX Spot is built on the successful ROBIN platform and has an  optimized optical path utilizing a brand new 800 W discharge lamp, this combination produces prominent light output which exceeds that of the currently available 1200W discharge fixtures.

Many features include a speedy 8.5 – 42.5 zoom range, complemented by two rotating gobo wheels and a revolutionary  designed animation wheel (patent pending) which can be combined for the creation of spectacular and complex new effects. DMX controlled noise reduction of the unique cooling system make this fixture ideal for low noise environments needing high light output.

Other features include a CMY and CTO dichroic colour flag system, for smooth and quick colour mixing, variable frost effect and remote beam flatness and hot-spot control. The RNS2 navigation system has an LCD touch screen, battery back-up and gravity sensor for auto screen positioning, so it’s always the right way up whatever the orientation of the fixture.

ROBIN® 600 Plasma Spot

The mega-bright ROBIN® 600 Plasma Spot moving light maximises all the unique possibilities offered by the highly innovative Plasma lamp technology – a usage that Robe has pioneered in the moving light industry.

This includes a perfect colour rendering index (CRI) of 94, an extremely flat and even light beam (1:1.5) and a lamp lifespan of over 10,000 hours with a very powerful output of high quality light. The ROBIN® 600 Plasma Spot can provide lighting solutions in situations with very demanding requirements for all types of live events and for HD recording.

The ROBIN 600 Plasma Spot uses the Luxim Lifi ENT 31-04 480W plasma lamp source, with a Luminous Flux of 30,000 Lm and a CCT of 5600 K. It has a linear motorised zoom of 10 – 40 degrees for additional dynamics, fast and smooth colour mixing via a CTO and CMY dichroic colour flag system in conjunction with a light homogenisation system. It has a frost effect, both rotating and static gobo wheels, rotating indexable prism and very fast motorised iris, electronic dimming of between 20 and 100 % plus a highly effective strobe,

ROBIN 600E Spot

The ROBIN® 600E Spot has a dramatically increased light output (compared to the ROBIN 300 Series) and lower power requirements, thanks to a hot-rodded optical path made from carefully selected components.

The super strong light-output can be maximised by using ROBE´s unique Hot Spot Control system, together with the linear iris to create very powerful tight beam effects. An innovative patented cooling system ensures the best lamp operating temperatures and allows DMX controlled noise reduction. Users have complete control of all features of this fixture, making it ideal for low noise applications which also need high light output – like theatres and presentations.

It uses the new Philips MSR Gold 575/2 MiniFastFit lamp, giving a CCT of 7,400° K and a luminous flux of 36,000 Lm, along with a CRI of 68 and 750 hours lamp life.

The linear motorized zoom of 10°– 45° (2° – min. zoom with iris, 56° – max. zoom with frost) increases the dynamics and scope of the unit, which also has a CMY + CTO dichroic colour flag system for smooth, fast colour mixing. There is a colour wheel with 7 + 1 user replaceable magnetic “SLOT & LOCK” trapezoid shaped positions, and 2 gobo wheels – one rotating and one static, plus a 3-facet 11° rotating indexable prism. The motorized iris is extremely fast and the electronic ballast can help create amazing dimming and strobing effects.

ROBIN 600E Wash

The ROBIN® 600 Wash also features a massively increased light output and lower power requirements – thanks to an optimized optical path. The HotSpot Control on the Wash 600 is even more sensitive using the powerful Philips MSR Gold 575/2 MiniFastFit lamp. A unique silent control system enables users to carefully adjust to the desired noise levels whilst maintaining the best lamp operating temperatures, due to the newly patented lamp cooling system. All “top hat” accessories are compatible with the new ROBIN 600 Wash fixture.

The motorised zoom is from 10 – 35 degrees. A CMY + CTO dichroic colour flag system facilitates quick, smooth colour mixing and there are 7 + 1 user replaceable magnetic “SLOT & LOCK” trapezoid shaped positions on the colour wheel. The
Mechanical dimmer/shutter and electronic ballast with dimming and electronic strobing gives highly effective 1 – 10 Hz strobe effects.

ROBIN® 600E Beam

The ROBIN® 600 Beam has an amazing linear iris ranging between 1 and 6.5 degrees. By implementing this feature over a wider range, users can have full control over the beam size. More gobos in the gobo wheels enhance customizable beam shaping. Two black-hole positions are available for a full and fast blackout in dark-sensitive environments. The extended focusing range additionally allows for very precise focusing, starting with closer distances.

The ROBIN 600 Beam uses the new Philips MSR Gold 575/2 MiniFastFit lamp, and has an electronic auto ranging power supply, 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. The RNS2 – Innovated Robe Navigation System offers LCD touch screen and battery backup, with gravitation sensor for auto screen positioning whatever the fixture’s orientation and operation memory. Other features include motorized focus, variable frost effect, and pulse sequences. The very fast motorized iris, opening and closing pulses up to 3 Hz and via the mechanical dimmer/shutter, strobe effects of 1– 10 Hz can be achieved.

CityLine 48

The latest Cree multichip LED technology is harnessed in these customizable powerful LED battens with an unbeatably strong and uniform light output, suitable for all applications needing large areas washed with smooth and beautifully coloured light. Built in a durable aluminium housing with IP 65 rating with embedded power supply unit, the bright multichip LEDs are calculated to create ideal colour mixing in a single-point-source definable pixel pitch. Quietly convection cooled, control protocols like DMX and RDM allow easy setup via the Control display screen, and daisy chaining of DMX and power lines is possible via Powercon connectors. An integrated universal mounting system enables the CityLine48 to be floor mounted or hung in any position on walls or trusses.

The standard beam angle is 24°, with 38 x 24° as optional. Other features include white balance adjustment, 255 inbuilt colour Macros, a 4 digit LED display, 2 – 8 DMX control channels with RDM support and 3 user-editable programmes up to 68 steps each. It will work in stand alone mode, DMX and master/slave operation.

CityFlex48

CityFlex 48 is a great innovation. Using the latest Cree multichip LED technology, these powerful customizable units with an unbeatably strong and uniform light output are suitable for any application. The unique design (patent pending) allows multiple lighting formats from one fixture – be it a compact floodlight format, traditional linear LED format or a variety of different angled options. The fixture´s incredible flexibility means previously unobtainable effects are now available ….. from a single unit.

Housed in a durable aluminium casting IP 65 rated, the CityFlex48 is fitted with bright multichip LEDs that create excellent colour mixing in single-point-of-source with definable pixel pitch. A universal mounting system gives multiple rigging options for floor, wall or on to trussing . A separate quiet convection cooled control unit running via DMX, RDM and other protocols allows easy setup via control display screens, while DMX and power lines can be daisy chained via Powercon connectors.

Robe to Launch ROBIN 600 & 300 LEDWash Fixtures at PLASA 2010

Robe launches its amazing new ROBIN 600 and 300 LEDWash fixtures at PLASA 2010 – these are 2 of a raft of 9 new environmentally friendly lighting fixtures slated for release at PLASA. Apart from the low energy consumption, both fixtures incorporate a smooth, homogenised light engine and emit a fabulous quality of light similar to that of a conventional source, but hugely brighter at a fraction of the power.

ROBIN LEDWash 600

The super-slim ROBIN LEDWash 600 features 37 x 10 Watt RGBW multichip LEDs that are each individually controllable. These are arranged in 3 concentric rings designed for creating stunning colour and pattern effects when pointed towards an audience …. as well as for providing comprehensive, even wash coverage of performers, stages, spaces, scenery, etc.

The 3 LED rings are completely unique (patent pending) and sets the LEDWash 600 aside from other LED wash light products, also making it a truly ‘multi-purpose’ unit. The inner and middle rings can be dimmed leaving only the outer ring for tunnel effects and fading and chasing simultaneously between all 3 rings can create some truly psychedelic and mind-blowing kaleidoscopic effects. The unit can also be strobed and pre-programmed with random pulse strobe effects.

The 10W RGBW multichips deliver a whole array of true colours – from the richest saturates to the subtlest and most delicate of pastels – and can be output as pure colour without any ‘pixelation’ or blockiness. The 4-in-1 multichip also enables a true white to be produced as well as a whole spectrum of different colour temperature whites. The 15 – 45 degree motorised zoom is also an extremely versatile feature that will enhance the scope for all types of applications.

ROBIN LEDWash 300

This is a very compact fixture weighing a mere 10 Kgs – so ideal for all small-to-medium applications, particularly those where space and accessibility is an issue.
It utilises 108 single RGB 3 Watt LEDs and has a motorised zoom of between 12 and 40 degrees giving great flexibility. The life expectance of the lamp is 50,000 hours and once again, superior homogenisation of the lightsource ensures completely smooth colour mixing and a dynamic array of true colours and hues.
Both ROBIN 300 and 600 LEDWashes have a self-levelling LED touch screen display with full battery backup, so the fixtures can be set up without hard power. The thermal and movement sensor system monitors the units during transport and operation, and they will work with all current available control protocols, including DMX512, ArtNet, RDM, MANet, MA2 Net, etc., along with all the other products in the ROBIN range.

Other benefits of LED units include low maintenance, and the compact size of both fixtures make them ideal for expedient flight-casing, so more fixtures to be packed in a truck for less space.

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.

Robe Launching 11 New Products at ProLight + Sound

Robe Lighting is kicking of the year with 11 new products being launched next week at ProLight + Sound 2010 in Frankfurt Germany. Robe is expanding their ROBIN series of moving lights by adding 6 new fixture while also increasing their LED line up of fixtures by adding to the LEDForce series of products.

ColorBeam 2500E AT™

Following the phenomenal success of Robe’s ColorBeam 700E AT, a brand new high powered ColorBeam 2500E AT™ fixture is launched – and becomes the most powerful moving head yet to be designed and produced by Robe.

ColorBeam 2500E AT™ delivers an exceptionally bright and intense beam light output, and is designed for the large scale applications where extremely powerful tight beam-effect fixtures are required. A Multi-step zoom facility provides variable beam size from between 1.5 and 10 degrees. Rotating gobos and rotating prisms can be used to create spectacular mid-air effects and there is also full CMY/CTO and variable frost for creating fabulous washing effects in a wide variety of colours.

This very exciting product has been developed in response to feedback from designers and specifiers of all types, and is in a class of its own. It uses a compact high-pressure Philips MSR Gold 1500 FastFit metal halide lamp and has a dichroic glass reflector for maximising the light efficiency.

ColorSpot 1200E AT Profile™

The Profile version of Robe’s flagship ColorSpot 1200E AT series drew a lot of interest from theatre and TV market after its preview at the last PLASA show. On top of many the features and functions of the ColorSpot 1200E AT it has inbuilt modular framing shutters that enable the fixture to be used like any standard profile discharge lightsource, when very precise framing and pin-pointing of objects and areas onstage is required. For full flexibility, the framing shutter module uses 4 rotating blades, and the final framed image can also be rotated. A newly included linear variable frost allows smooth scene transitions and blends.

ROBIN® 600E Spot

The ROBIN 600E Spot has an incredibly bright light output – thanks to a special optical system and new Philips 575W discharge lamp it is giving the same or higher output than 700W fixtures on the market today, which makes it also a super energy-efficient. The very strong light-output can be maximised by using ROBE‘s unique HotSpot Control system together with the linear iris to create very powerful beam effects. The hot spot intensity is even brighter than that of 1200W fixtures!

An innovative patented cooling system ensures the best lamp operating temperatures and allows DMX controlled noise reduction. Users have complete control of all features on this fixture, making it ideal for environments where noise levels are critical and light output requirements are high. The lightsource is a brand new compact high-pressure metal halide Philips MSR Gold 575/2 MiniFastFit lamp, just launched at the Frankfurt show.

ROBIN® 600E Wash

The ROBIN 600E Wash also features a fantastic light output and lower power requirements – thanks to the new 575W lamp and optimized optical path comprising of carefully selected components. A unique silent control system enables users to carefully adjust the desired noise levels while maintaining the best lamp operating temperatures, due to the newly patented lamp cooling system. All “top hat” accessories are compatible with the new ROBIN 600E Wash fixture.

ROBIN® 600E Beam

The ROBIN 600E Beam has an amazing linear iris ranging between 1 and 6.5 degrees. By implementing this feature over a wider range, users can have full control over the beam size. It has also enabled the provision of more gobos in the gobo wheels for customizable beam shaping. Two ‘black-hole’ positions are available for a full and fast blackout in dark-sensitive environments. The extended focusing range also allows for very precise focusing, starting with the closer distances.

Robe’s ROBIN ‘Classic’ series offers all the functionality and quality engineering of the ROBIN brand in a compact and cost-effective package ideal for multiple applications.

ROBIN® 300 Beam Classic

The Robin 300 Beam Classic uses a Philips MSD Gold 300/2 Mini FastFit lamp and has a beam angle of 1.5 °– 6.5 °, complete with dichroic glass reflector for maximising the light output. There is a colour wheel with 7 replaceable ‘Slot&Lock’ dichroic filters, plus both static and rotating gobo wheels. A variable frost effect ensures a smooth transition in effect from a beam light to a regular wash light and there is also full dimming, variable strobe effect and pan/tilt of 540/260 degrees. The lamp is a compact high-pressure metal halide Philips MSD Gold 300/2 MiniFastFit.

ROBIN® 300 Spot Classic

This fixture has a host of specially designed modular features including a 12°–36° zoom, colour wheel, rotating gobo wheel, colour/gobo wheel, rotating prism and many others. The ROBIN 300 Spot Classic is a punchy profile fixture with features such as linear zoom, a full package of rotating gobos, colour – gobo wheel including 4 colours and 5 static gobos and a standard colour wheel. Up to 24 colour mixes can be achieved with a combination of the colour and colour/gobo wheels.

ROBIN® 300 Wash Classic

This is a flexible, lightweight, silent fixture with a zoom range of 10 °– 35 °. The compact dimensions of the ROBIN 300 Wash Classic make it easy to conceal in smaller spaces and for more discreet installations, whilst providing an extremely efficient light output and a stunning colour range from the gentlest of pastels to the richest of saturates. The enhanced CMS system mixes real colour correction quickly and accurately. The 7+1 colour wheel with its easily replaceable magnetic positions can spin rainbow effects at high and low speeds.

Light4ce

Robe uses its considerable expertise and resources in LED manufacture to launch Light4ce – a new series of LED products. LEDForce LED PARs have been developed to complement and/or replace conventional PARs in clubs, installations, rental applications and any other market needing a true “workhorse” fixture. Bringing all the advantages of low power, LEDForce products are virtually maintenance free and have a massively longer life expectancy than conventional PARs.

LEDForce 7™ RGB/RGBW

This unit utilises a new compact tri-colour and quad-colour LED technology driven by a 7 x 3 in 1 RGB LED or a 7 x 3 in 1 RGBW LED multichip, all in a tough small housing.
The fixture features a very bright beam, smooth homogenised colour mixing with no pixelating or multi-colour shadows.

LEDForce 18 eXterior™ RGB/RGBW & LEDForce 18™ RGB/RGBW

This fixture also uses tri-colour and quad-colour LED technology with an 18 x 3 in 1 RGB LED or an 18 x 3 in 1 RGBW LED multichip. It is IP 65 rated for external use, and has superior colour mixing with no multi-colour shadows. The extremely bright beam has a 25° angle, and it’s housed in a tough aluminium die cast shell. The LEDForce 18™ RGB/RGBW fixture is an indoor unit with exactly the same spec as the LEDForce 18 eXterior™ RGB/RGBW.

You can see all 11 new products along with other products that Robe makes at ProLight + Sound in Frankfurt Germany starting March 24 through the 27.  Visit the Robe stand at C35 in Hall 11.1.  You can also learn more about these fixtures by visiting www.robe.cz.

Robe Launches New Robin Moving Light Series

Robe Lighting launched a new line of moving lights at Prolight+Sound Frankfurt this past week called the Robin (Robe Innovative Concept).  The first fixtures in this new line up of Robin series of lights is the Robin 3 Plasma Spot, the Robin 300E Spot and the Robin 300E Wash.

The Robin series of moving lights utilize the latest in lamp technology, Lifi Plasma Lamp and the MSD Gold 300/2 MiniFastFit lamps from Philips. Impressive results are archived in the color rendering output using the plasma lamp technology, while the punchy output of the Philips lamp is multiplied by a unique Hot-or-Not-spot reflector solution allowing remote hot-spot control.  This is just one of the latest technologies that Robe is developing and is patent pending.

The Robin 3 Plasma Spot is the first in a new generation of fixtures, coming complete with the features of every designer’s dreams – An extreme light output of 18,000 Lumens, a perfect color rendering index (94), an extremely flat and even light beam (1 : 1) and a lifespan of 10,000 hours.

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