Rumor Mill: Is Wybron Hiding Something in Their Truck

With the Wybron Mobile Showroom on the road, we have been hearing rumors that tucked away some where deep inside the truck, possibly in the cab, that there is a super secret new lighting fixture that Wybron is preparing to announce at the WFX show in Charlotte, NC later this month and then at the LDI show in Orlando next month.

From what we can put together, Wybron is preparing to announce an LED fixture.  We haven’t been able to confirm any specifics as of yet. But with the WFX Show starting on October 27, we are certain more information might get out before long.

LDI09: Rumor Mill – Behind Closed Doors

We love rumors around the industry here on iSquint and it seems like LDI will be the starting off point for some rumors to start spreading.

So what sort of rumors have been mumbled about around the industry with LDI right around the corner?

Lets first take a look at ETC, (Electronic Theatre Controls).  We have heard mumblings that their control line up of consoles is not complete yet.  So could this mean the release of a new console soon?  Details on this rumored new console that we are naming after our favorite alien, ET, are very scares. But we may be able to get a better understanding at LDI next month.

Next from Philips Strand, we have been hearing this phrase, Open Palette.  We are quite sure this is a new console, but open?  With the use of such a word as Open, we can only assume that means it will be an Open Platform in sorts similar to Open Source Code where users have the ability to customize features and/or layouts.

Certainly not last, will an LED ellipsoidal spot light be announced at LDI?  There is a huge race to be the first to the market with this.  But if something is rushed and not ready, there could be a huge backlash from the industry.  An LED ellipsoidal will happen, but when?

UPDATE:

Look like we were wrong about the strand Open Palette.  Seems like it has been around for a while!

Strand OpenPalette

PLASA09: Update on RSC LightLock

The other day we mentioned the pre show announcement of the Royal Shakespeare Companies LightLock device for hanging moving lights.  After speaking with a couple of our fellow entertainment news outlets we have some updated information.

The RSC LighLock was actually introduced last year at PLASA08 but only as a prototype.  Since then it seems that the RSC has been refining and developing it for mass production.

So what is the deal with it being re-introduced this year at PLASA09?  From the looks of it, the RSC has found a partner to manufacture the LockLight for them.  From putting mumblings together that we have heard around the industry and following various twitter feeds, we are pretty confident to say that Total Structures from California will be manufacturing the LightLock for RSC.  We are expecting this announcement to happen the first day of the PLASA show at Earls Court.

Rumor Mill: Zero 88 Fat Frog EOL

We have heard through the twitter-verse  via @BarbizonChicago that Zero 88 has discontinued the Fat Frog  moving light console.

We have not been able to confirm this rumor via Zero 88’s web site or on the phone.  If you hear anything different or anything more, let us know in comments.

UPDATE: Looks like the Fat Frog was discontinued over a year ago!  It just looks like stock has finally been depleted and thus not longer available.

Thanks Ryan and Carl!

Rumor Mill: New Dichroic Filters in the Works

We have heard through the grape vine that there may be a new line up of Dichroic Color filters on it’s way into the market in the coming months.  Ocean Thin Films, the makers of the color mixing engine, the SeaChanger, have been over heard talking about releasing their color filters into the market.

Ocean Thin Films produces their own dichroic filers that they use with in the SeaChanger color mixing engine.  It seems like a logical move to produce individual color filters for use in the lighting industry.

Details have on color matching current gel colors have not be mentioned.  As well as an expected release date, pricing. We have learned that these filters will fit with in the iris slot of most commonly used ellipsoidals.

Rumor Mill: New Follow Spot From Lycian Stage Lighting

We received an tip form our source under deep cover that Lycian Stage Lighting, the makers of Stage and live entertainment follow spots is on the verge of announcing a new follow spot to their line up.  The few details that we have are that the new follow spot is design to fill a spot in the market that has been lacking for years.  It is an entry level follow spot with a HMI/MSR lamp designed for smaller venues.  We have not seen any photometrics on the new follow spot as yet, but of under cover operative(UCO) is starting up the copier and we should have more details in the near future. Our UCO has tapped the phone lines and over heard that the new follows pot will fall between their standard line and professional line of follow spots in terms of pricing and within the line up of follow spots.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

UPDATE:

We received some more information from a twitter follower about the New Lycian Follow Spot.  It is the Mini Arc 200w HMI/MSR follow spot.  It is silent, runs cool with no fan operation.  It fits the in-between niche market. Thanks kdjh!

Also, forgot to mention that the fixture was shown at USITT this past month. Thanks bpeoples!

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.

Update: GrandMa 2 Lighting Console Almost Ready

We recently wrote a post about information on the GrandMa 2 has been lacking.  Turns out the the new console is up and running.  That being said, the new series 2 software is not.  While the new GrandMa 2 hardware has started to ship to select customers, the console is still running the series 1 operating system as the series 2 operating system is not finalized. Once the series 2 operating system is ready, it will be an easy upgrade for GrandMa 2 users that have recived the new console.  The GrandMa 2 is able to switch between running Series 1 and Series operating systems while the original GrandMa lineup is only able to run Series 1 operating system.

ACT Lighting, the North American distributor of the MA Lighting product line has had the information available for users to learn more about the new console as well as list pricing. Visit ACT Lighting website at www.actlighting.com for more information.

The new GrandMa 2 product line up is as follows:

• Full Size
• Light
• Ultra Light
• NPU (Network Processing Unit)
• Replay Unit
• Fader Wing

To learn more about the features that the GrandMa 2 consoles offer, visit MA Lightings website at www.malighting.com or the dedicated site for the new GrandMa 2 consoles at www.grandma2.de. The GrandMa 2 is expected to be shown at the USITT Stage Expo in Cincinnati this week, but will Series 2 operating system be shown?

Update: ETC’s New Console Spotted in the Wild

The rumors are true, ETC is set to launch a new console at USITT. In a recent Press Release from ETC, they will be, announcing a new console this month at the USITT Stage Expo in Cincinnati on March 19.

Details are still a little vague as the folks in Middleton have been tight lipped about anything to do about the new console. In the afore mentioned Press Release that ETC sent out today, they hint more about the New Console.

Getting back to lighting-control basics, but with cutting-edge innovation, ETC will reveal the newest console in the award-winning Eos® family. Designed for modest rigs dominated by conventional lights and a need for more hands-on fader control, this new board contains a roster of lighting-control fundamentals. Channel faders, submasters, cue lists, effects, plus control of devices like motorized accessories for conventional lights, LEDs and small numbers of moving lights – all the right, user-friendly tools for smaller venues such as schools relying on single board operators and volunteer staffs.

What we have learned is the the console is based on the Ion operating system, but has the look and feel of the discontinued Express console. Judging from the spy photo we received from an anonymous source deep in the underground of Middleton, the new console does mirror the Express console. What is interesting to note is the lack of encoders and LCD panel that is found on the Ion console. Since the new console is based on the Ion operating system, the moving light attributes must be handled by on screen controls.

New ETC Console at USITT CONFIRMED

We recieved a message from the lions outh today. ETC, as expected, is getting ready to launch the long rumored new lighting console to take place of the ever loved express console. The message from ETC outlines the going on’s with ETC at USITT in March.

Premiering at USITT: New ETC lighting-control console…. Be the first to see the newest console in the award-winning Eos® family. Going back to lighting-control basics but with cutting-edge innovation, this board is designed for modest rigs with conventional lights and a need for more hands-on control. All the fundamentals are here: channel faders, submasters, cue lists, and effects, plus control of devices like motorized accessories for conventional lights, LEDs and small numbers of moving lights. Ideal for smaller venues – like schools with single board ops and volunteer staffs.

Also in the same email, ETC mentions indroducing the Selador Series LED’s by ETC as well at USITT

Introducing Selador™ Series LEDs by ETC! ETC waited to get into LEDs until LEDs could be real stage lights, offering a color quality and light output that would blend with the gel colors of professional lighting rigs. Energy-saving and beautiful, the Selador Series’ x7 Color System™ fixture lines Paletta™, Lustr™ and Vivid™ offer cool and warm hues, saturated colors, bright white light, and natural-looking light for skin tones. Score one of our USITT-exclusive ETC Selador T-shirts – some of our coolest tees yet – at the ETC booth as long as quantities last.

Some of the other things that ETC will be offering at USITT are ‘Portfolio Workspace’:

‘Portfolio Workspace’ at ETC Connect Lounge.… USITT is a critical networking opportunity for students and educators. As a free resource this year we’re sponsoring our ETC Portfolio Workspace to help individuals make last-minute adjustments to their portfolios and résumés. Located in the ETC Connect lounge [Duke 252 room], the Portfolio Workspace will offer extensive office supplies as well as portfolio advising, all free.

ETC will also have their annual USITT Student Session:

ETC’s annual USITT Student Session.… Remind students about our special Student Session at the ETC booth, #1100, close of show, 5:00pm, Friday, March 20th, 2009. Students meet ETC people, ask questions, and rack up ETC swag. They’ll also have the chance to win one of three professional portfolio cases. To attend, they just have to stop by the ETC booth or ETC Connect Lounge ahead of time to get a VIP Student Pass, which will allow them to remain on the USITT show floor after show hours. Also, tell them they should pick up an application for an ETC LDI 2009 Student Sponsorship anytime at the ETC booth!

Rumor Mill: New Color Kinetics Fixture

There have been some rumors flying around that Philips Color Kinetics is going to be releasing a new LED fixture in the next couple of months. While there is not much more information then that, we here at iSquint are interested to see what one of the leading producer’s of LED’s will launch next.

Could this be the long awaited 5w LED’s?

Rumor Mill Update: Vari-Lite LED Fixture

Just a few weeks ago, we reported a rumor that Vari-lite is in the process of developing an LED moving head. Many of the top lighting designers and dealers were able to view the fixture in a private room at LDI this past year in Las Vegas, at half power (because of limitations of the off the shelf power supplies) and reports were that they were all blown away. Today we have learned more details of the mysterious LED fixture called VLX. The VLX is rumored to be about the same body shape and size of the current VL500 fixture with close to the same weight, 43 lbs. (19.5kg). The VLX is heard to be as bright if not brighter then the VL2500 wash unit with an output of about 13,000 lumens. The fixture does not look like an LED fixture or perform like one, it works and looks, even from the front, like a standard fixture except the colors really pop and are completely homogenized when mixed.   

While we were not able to determine what type of LEDs the VLX uses, it does use RGB (Red, Blue, Green) plus White LED’s. An amber LED may be added in at a later time, but as many people in the industry know, amber LEDs are not quite as bright yet. What is truly amazing about these LEDs is that they are developed exclusively for Vari-Lite and does not use Color Kinetics or Philips brand LEDs. The VLX will also utilize a 3:1 zoom lens (LED zoom?) without the use of any sort of frost diffusion.  

While information is scarce about the VLX right now, we can guesstimate that the fixture will be a little more than the price of a VL2500 Wash. Considering the cost of a moving light that still uses Metal Halide lamps and the VLX uses LED’s, the fixture housing may die long before the LEDs do. We haven’t heard anything about a release date, but chances are something will hit the market before the 2nd quarter of 2009. We also hear that the plan is to release an entire range of fixtures using this technology with par cans, cyc lights and exterior wash fixtures supposedly in the works.

To learn more about the entire line up of moving lights from Vari-Lite, visit their website at www.vari-lite.com.

Please note, the image in this post is a Photochop and NOT the actual image of the VLX.