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EQUIPMENT NEWS
Jands to launch new lighting console at PLASA
Leading Australian lighting manufacturer, Jands, will be unveiling its new console, the Vista, at the PLASA show in London (7-10 September). Featuring a major new design that takes advantage of the latest user interfaces, the Vista is a whole new world of speed, ease of use and sheer intuitiveness in lighting desks.
Dispensing with touch screens, keypads and tedious number crunching, the Vista uses a pen and a huge colour screen to give you unprecedented creative power and control over every aspect of your show. For the first time, the Vista incorporates a timeline that lets you see what's happening in your design in relation to time: when lights come on, when they go off, when they change colour and so on. You can jump in at any point to edit, and all the variables such as colours, focus and gobos are there on the one screen.
The Vista also features a generic fixture model that takes all the hassle out of changing fixtures. When you make a change, the Vista compares the two lights and works out how to adapt - even if the new light doesn't have the same feature set - no re-programming required.
And for the operator, the Vista provides splitable fader banks, a host of user-definable buttons and assignable encoder wheels to give you fingertip control of timing, chase speed and more.
The Vista console can be seen at Plasa on the AC Lighting stand, J32
www.jandsvista.com
Martin LightJockey Access At Your ‘Fingers’
For thousands of LightJockey users worldwide the answer to even more intuitive lighting control is at their fingertips.
Martin Professional’s new Fingers, a handy hardware interface for the popular software based LightJockey controller, is a robust, playback and programming wing that makes LightJockey even more intuitive and accessible, allowing the PC to keep pace with your imagination.
Highly customizable, Fingers permits a large number of the LightJockey functions to be mapped directly to physical faders, buttons and jog wheels. This gives the user easy, hands on, live show and playback control. LightJockey is a Windows-based lighting controller capable of controlling up to 100 DMX fixtures that lets you interface either 512 - 2048 channels. It is used extensively for club and DJ lighting control, special events, retail environments and more.
Fingers allows easy button control for launching programs, trigging of individual or multiple sequences and latching of specific cues/sequences. Next, previous and go functions for manual cuelists can be assigned to a button, and master and sub-master intensities are controllable from easy access faders and bump buttons. Control playback from hands-on faders or jog wheels, or override specific DMX output channels via faders. Even control fog output directly from Fingers’ intuitive layout.
www.martin.com
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au

Martin Professional Launches Fully Loaded MAC 550
The new MAC 550 features unprecedented illumination for a 400W fixture, astounding graphics and gobo animation system (yes, the same one you find in the MAC 2000 Performance), all wrapped within the award winning design of the MAC 2000. Combined with its motorized zoom and new color and gobo motors, it is a small revolution in the world of quiet, mid-sized fixtures.
The combination of efficient lamp (Osram double-ended HTI 400/D3 - 750 hour lamp life) with new glass reflector technology produces a light output of 9,300 lumens, higher than most 575-watt fixtures. Not only does this make for a very bright fixture, but by achieving greater output with a lower wattage lamp, customers save on power expenses.
In response to market requests for a zoom system in a mid range fixture, Martin has included a fully motorised zoom in the MAC 550 capable of beam angles from 14 to 30 degrees. Unlike step zoom systems that offer only two or three different beam angles, the MAC 550’s fully motorized zoom can achieve any beam angle within the range.
Lenses inside the MAC 550 come with optical coatings to decrease light loss and to provide a better projection quality. The lens system also comes with remote focus control for easy adjustment of the sharpness of the image projected.
A 6 slot, plus open, rotating gobo wheel with 16-bit accuracy features a set of exceptional gobo designs, all replaceable. Added to this is a 9 slot, plus open, fixed gobo wheel, also with a set of replaceable gobos.
Finally, in order to provide designers with the finest in graphics projection with which to enhance productions, a gobo animation system is included, the same system that was pioneered by Martin in the MAC 2000 Performance. All the unique effects achievable with the Performance - rising flames, drifting clouds, driving rain, turbulent water and much more – are achievable with the MAC 550.
Two colour wheels are included in the MAC 550, each fitted with 8 colours, plus open. All coluors on both wheels are replaceable, enabling designers to customize the fixture to their own particular requirements.
Along with a wide palette of standard colors, colour correction filters are also included - a half minus green filter for television applications along with two CTC filters, one giving a lower color temperature and one a higher colour temperature. Furthermore, a new coluor and gobo wheel motor driver system provides for faster bump speed.
The MAC 550 houses a combined dimmer/shutter capable of very smooth fades. The dimmer also works as a shutter for instantaneous blackouts and variable speed strobe effects.
A motorised iris is also included for reducing the beam size. A replaceable, rotating, 3-facet prism is also fitted in the MAC 550.

Pan movement is 540 degrees by 246 degrees of tilt. A new pan and tilt motor driver system gives exceptional speed for a mid-sized fixture. Movement is 16 bit. An intelligent position correction system automatically returns the fixture to its original position if knocked out of place.
The MAC 550’s road-tested modular design is not only highly durable, it is Martin’s most serviceable MAC yet. Multi connectors and spring loaded release mechanisms mean that no tools are necessary to remove and insert modules. And a multi position tilt lock keeps the head where you want it.
The MAC 550 is only available with electronic ballast. This gives the added advantages of flicker free operation, lower weight, extended lamp life and a power saving mode. Also fitted is a switchable power supply that requires no tools to select different voltage settings.
www.martin.com
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au

Beacon Digigobos
The clips are looped and Digitalgobo Files may be incorporated into a derivative work such as a live performance, film, video, broadcast, multimedia, advertisement, internet, presentation, or print project.You may rent them out in systems as RADlite or Catalyst® to end-users as provider of these systems.
For HighEnd Catalyst® , RADlite systems or Martin Eureka as well for mediabackgrounds or videoeffects.Provided at one DVD Rom with clips in PAL format 720x576 PhotoJPEG codec as basic files.Four (4) different formats are on the discs: PhotoJPEG (mov) -MotionJPEG A (mov) -Cinepak (avi) & MPG1 352x288. On the discs are 20 different looped clips that are royalty free (even for renting them out on graphic systems with no limitations).

www.beacon.nu
Australian Distributor: Gobotech www.gobotech.com.au

CLS DMX65R Dimmer
The CLS DMX65R is a new 19" rack, digital DMX dimmer based on noiseless IGBT technology.
The unit is only 1U high and offers highly professional features:
- 6 Channels DMX(512) Programmable DIGITAL DIMMER
- Mains: 2 x 16A inlet 100-250V 50-60Hz automatic Switching
- Output: 6 Channels x 5 A by Neutriks Powercon as standard
- Panel with various output connection to choose from by request
- USB input for PC connection
- Electronic Auto protection on each channel with auto reset
- Double fuses on each channel
- Overload protection, Short circuit protection, Temperature protection
T he CLS DMX65R is fully programmable:
- CLS auto DMX start address sense, Preheat on each channel
- Maximum value on each channel, Minimum value on each channel
- Dimming or Switchpack select on each channel
PC Program:
- Program all the settings from a laptop
- Program up to 20 Scenes that can be run from the Dimmer *
- Program Crossfade time on each Scene *
- Program Pause time on each Scene *
- View all the Dimmers settings
* For Stand alone mode
Because of the noiseless IGBT technology and the special CLS construction, there is no need for heavy chokes and filters used by conventional triac dimming. This takes down the space and weight to a minimum.
For example: six DMX65R put together in a rack will give a solution that is extremely compact and light for tourings and installations. 6 Unit high and 36 channels distributed out by 6 Harting, 6 Socapex, Powercons or whatever output the user will request. This will give the control of every lamp in the complete rig and easy flexible assembly at destinations.
www.cls.no
Australian Distributor: Network Entertainment Technology www.network-et.com
DHA Lighting announce Gobo Carousel
Planned for launch at PLASA 2003, Gobo Carousel is an optical effects system which sits in the focal plane of the lantern. It can be many things: a gobo changer containing two wheels each with five 70mm/B-size slots giving a potential choice of eight gobos plus open, or it can be a dichroic colour changer, or remove one or both of those wheels and fit one or two effects wheels. With independent speed and direction control of each, the range of effects possible is only limited by the imagination of the user. All this flexibility makes the Gobo Carousel the ideal accessory for the stock list of theatres and rental companies.
Designed exclusively for the ETC Source Four range, the Gobo Carousel requires no physical modifications to the lantern in which it is to be used - use of the Source Four's gobo slot and shutters are unaffected. Controlled by DMX from any standard lighting console, the unit has been designed to work alongside other generic lighting accessories. Running from 24V power on 4-pin XLR connectors the unit is compatible with many common colour scroller power supplies. Alternatively for smaller projects, the Gobo Carousel can be powered using the power adapters launched with DHA's new Gobo Rotator mk 2 range and set to operate in stand-alone mode.
The Gobo Carousel's first appearance will be on the DHA Lighting stand, stand H11, at PLASA 2003. It is also an entrant in the PLASA Awards for Product Excellence.
www.dhalighting.co.uk
Australian Distributor: Clearlight Shows www.clearlight.com.au
Studio Due Hercules architectural colour-changer launches at PLASA Show
Studio Due has chosen the PLASA Show to launch its most recent product development in the field of architectural lighting - the Hercules. The chassis of this fixture is manufactured in die-cast aluminium, guaranteeing safe use under the most extreme conditions.
Featuring a new reflector made of borosilicate glass, light-emitting efficiency has been significantly improved. The innovative shape of the reflector allows ultimate exploitation of light output (the lamp may vary, from model to model, between the new Philips MSA600 with 6000 hours life and excellent colour rendering, or the Osram HMP 575 and the Sylvania BA800W SE HR) thus making this new fixture an excellent alternative to projectors using 800W lamps.
The Hercules will be available on the market from October 2003 in two models - 600 and 800W. The 600W will come with magnetic ballast, dimmer, CMY colour-changing system (an updated version of this system is already in use on the CityColor with patent pending) and a 'basic' display to allow access to the main functions. The 800W model comes with electronic ballast, dimmer, CMY colour-changing, a conversion filter (3200°K colour temperature) and two more full colours - pink and red - further increasing the power of the colour mixing system. However, the major asset of the 800W version is its liquid crystal display, allowing access to various innovative functions. These include access to functions such as the lamp and the DMX address, but also to a complex timer system facilitating the programming of multiple and repeatable switch on and offs.
www.studiodue.com
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au

High End Catalyst DL-1 Moving Head Video Projector
High End Systems, Inc. is now shipping Catalyst DL1, a digital lighting engine that bridges the worlds of automated lighting and video projection. The Catalyst DL1 incorporates ruggedized moving light technology with a digital video engine and includes both lighting and video communications protocols. It is the lighting industry's first commercially available digital moving light.
HES will immediately begin promoting it to entertainment and information markets including theatre, television, film, concert touring, night clubs, churches and corporate events planners.
High End will publicly debut the Catalyst DL1 at the Professional Lighting & Sound Association (PLASA) trade show, Sept. 7 through 10 in London. Preview showings in August include the Nissan Auto Dealer Product Launch in Mexico City and the Aerosmith world concert tour.
Catalyst DL1 is the second generation offering in the Catalyst family of High End products. High End Systems started the move to digital-based lighting with the Catalyst moving mirror product two years ago. The original Catalyst combined a media server and moving mirror light with an off-the-shelf video projector. Catalyst DL1 significantly enhances the technology by housing a digital engine in a ruggedized package that has the look and feel of a moving light and the versatility of a moving projector. Users are able to take images from DVDs, videos and other types of media and display them onto a stage, wall, prop, screen or a set – with complete control over image size and shape. The Catalyst DL1 also provides the ability to project Digital Aerials and provide uniform color and beam intensity. Unlike conventional moving lights where the beam field has peaks and valleys, digital lighting creates a flat, even field with a high contrast ratio.
“The industry has been demanding technology innovation,” according to High End Systems CEO Frank Gordon. “We listen to our customers and they are clearly telling us that digital-based lighting can provide exactly what they are looking for.”
Adds Mike Wood, HES chief technology officer, "What this really does is give complete control to the lighting director. Anything they can think of, any kind of imagery, moving or static, subtle or overt can now be instantly part of the picture they are painting on stage. Imagination and creativity are released from the restrictions of current technology."
To help bridge the video and traditional lighting worlds, Catalyst DL1 incorporates the communications standards of both: VGA, RGBHV and S Video inputs for incorporating movie, film or graphics content, and DMX programming - a lighting communications standard that allows the DL1 to be remotely pointed or focused from any DMX-based control unit. DMX will also enable the video input selection to be switched – a feature that will enable the lighting director to choose content from multiple input devices simultaneously. Through a DMX console, the user can control color, brightness, contrast, focus, zoom and other video-related parameters of the DL1. An integrated fully closing iris even allows for a true blackout. DMX also allows bi-directional communication enabling electronic feedback on its temperature parameters, lamp life, filter quality and other details needed for maintenance purposes.
The Catalyst DL1 can be controlled from any DMX512 control console with imagery being provided by the Catalyst Media Server running Catalyst software or any other high quality video image source. To further complement DL1, High End Systems has scheduled an October release of the updated Catalyst Media Server based on Apple's new Power Mac G5 and Catalyst Version 3.0 software. This combination allows the Catalyst DL1 to take full advantage of the enhanced functionality of Apple OS X Version 10.2 (or later versions) and the latest developments in Open-GL based video cards.
As is standard with all High End equipment, Catalyst DL1 is ETL and CE approved for safety.
Catalyst DL1 is now shipping worldwide from High End’s Austin, Texas, headquarters, and its European headquarters in London and Asia office in Singapore.
www.highend.com
Australian Distributor: ULA www.ula.com.au

Latest in Martin Professional 250 Series, MAC 250 Entour Ready to Hit Market
Full-featured Entour combines new standards in light output and image quality with full array of graphical effects
Built from the ground up for greater performance and featuring an all-new look, the new MAC 250 Entour is the latest version of Martin Professional’s groundbreaking 250-watt automated profile spot. Like its newly released sibling, the MAC 250 Krypton, the driving force behind the Entour is the world leading technology and efficient design of the MAC 2000.
The MAC 250 Entour has been designed for environments where powerful effects are required from a compact 250-watt profile moving head - stage, studio and event applications, permanent installations and much more.
The Entour includes a number of important advancements including a superior optical system and new achromatic lens system for brighter output and unsurpassed quality imaging, while all new gobo designs and an additional gobo wheel provide an abundance of new graphical effects. Other improvements include enhanced movement, a specially designed dimming system and a market tested, modular design that users will find pleasingly familiar.
An improved dichroic glass reflector produces extremely high light output - more than competitive products using condenser based optical systems. The glass reflector combines with a high precision 17-degree achromatic lens system to maximize optical efficiency of the 2000 hour Philips MSD 250/2 lamp (included) to deliver razor sharp picture quality from a beautifully even beam. A narrow angle 14-degree lens is also included for longer projection throws.

For completely fresh graphical looks, a newly designed rotating and indexing gobo wheel offers a new selection of replaceable metal and dichroic gobos. The 16-bit precision gobo wheel houses 7 slots plus open.
An additional fixed gobo wheel with 10 replaceable metal gobos gives lighting professionals an even wider range of graphical effects possibilities. Also included with the Entour are a series of beam reduction gobos for easy adjustment of beam size. Gobo changes are fast and easy.
Rich colour shades are provided from a motorized coluor wheel housing 12 dichroic colour filters plus open with split position possibilities. All colour filters are replaceable, and with a wide variety of optional colours available, designers can customize the colour palette to fit their needs.

The Entour features an enhanced high resolution dimming system similar to the MAC 2000 that provides exceptionally smooth and even dimming. The full range dimmer/shutter is very fast and allows for smooth color and effect transitions through easy variation of the light intensity. Strobe effects are possible up to 20 Hz.

A bi-directional, 3-facet prism is smooth and rotates at variable speeds, adding unique effects to gobo projection. The prism can also be replaced, giving lighting professionals an added customizable feature. A remote focus provides additional effect possibilities, as well as various preset patterns for valuable programming timesavings.

The latest in pan and tilt motor technology produces both smooth and ultra-rapid movement, making the new MAC 250 fixtures the fastest moving heads that Martin has ever produced - and faster than competitive fixtures. Movement range is 540o of pan x 257o of tilt. If knocked out of position, a high-speed, automatic reset function realigns the fixture in seconds.
The Entour includes an easily accessible, multi-position tilt lock to ease handling when moved on a frequent basis, as well as a convenient, low noise operation mode for
The Entour’s MAC 2000 inspired modular housing is available in black, white or titanium finish. Rugged yet stylish, it makes service and maintenance simple with fast access to modules and critical components.

The Entour is DMX-512 controllable, equipped with 3 and 5 pin XLR IN/OUT connectors for data, and prepared for future new standards such as ACN or Ethernet based protocol. The new series also includes a new light sensitive yellow LED display for easy fixture programming, and customized settings allow each user to cater the fixture to their liking. The display provides easy-to-use maintenance menus and concise error messages. A convenient, easily switchable power supply covers worldwide voltages and frequencies.
www.martin.com
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au

Robe ColorSpot 1200
Introducing ColorSpot 1200 - the latest addition to Robe’s comprehensive AT (Advanced Technology) family of moving head and colour changing fixtures.
Designed for large theatre, TV and live shows, and for installations in multi-purpose venues and large clubs, ColorSpot 1200AT is available now.
The fixture uses a powerful Philips 1200 SA discharge lamp as its light source, and this is further boosted by a high quality super-efficient optical system, to the ColorSpot 1200 one of the brightest moving fixtures currently on the market.
Major features include a versatile CMY colour mixing system, variable CTO plus an additional static colour wheel, 12 rotating indexable, replaceable dichroic glass gobos. These are on two wheels, which offers a total of 48 gobo combinations. Further there is a motorised iris, 4 rotating prisms and effects, and variable frost.
Zoom is 13 – 42 degrees, and of course there is remote focus, dimmer and shutter facilties.
The progressive colour temperature correction system – from 5600K to 3200K is designed for and makes ColorSpot1200 ideal use in television and film applications as well as traditional entertainment environments.
www.robe.com
Australian Distributor: ULA www.ula.com.au

HogPC Goes Into Overdrive
Since the introduction of the popular USB mini-wings, Hog PC has been setting a standard for PC-based lighting control. Utilising the well-known Wholehog 2 operating system as its base, Hog PC provides a powerful but inexpensive controller, whose capabilities can be extended by a range of USB accessories.
Flying Pig Systems has now released a new version of the Hog PC software increasing the capabilities to 7 universes of output rather than 4. This change has been made specifically to allow Hog PC to act as backup to a fully-overdriven Hog 2 console.
As an added bonus, the new version also allows Hog PC to display 4 console screens, rather than the 2 previously supported, and it supports a second USB playback wing to expand its playback capabilities.
The Hog PC was originally envisaged as a playback solution for installations, and it has been very successful in that market. But with the new programming and playback wings, it has been gaining particular favour with console programmers wishing to own their own controller and have something portable enough to travel with.
Although the Hog PC software is based on the Wholehog 2 console, the USB accessories are all designed with the styling of the brand new Wholehog III, and are compatible with the Hog III console and planned Hog III PC-based products.
www.highend.com
Australian Distributor: ULA www.ula.com.au
FogScreen hits the market
FogScreen is a new system which offers an intriguing method for forming a high quality, physically penetrable dry fog display. The FogScreen, which has international patents pending, provides a highly unusual, 'floating' projection surface that people can walk through - and leaves no residue.
Dr Ismo Rakkolainen, co-inventor of the FogScreen, from Tampere University of Technology in Finland, says: "The fog is made of ordinary tap water with no chemicals or anything. Our patent does not comment on what particles are used, so any kinds of fog, smoke, or other particles can be used, but water is a safe, harmless, low-cost, and simple material to use. The device is suspended high above the audience, and it is also robustly built. The health and safety risks have been checked with many experts."
FogScreen Inc has been founded to develop, manufacture and market FogScreen, and is headed up by Mika Herpiö, who told us: "We are now especially looking for leading lighting and sound or special effects rental companies who would be interested in purchasing one or more units . . . as well as representatives abroad," says Herpiö.
www.fogscreen.com
ELC's dmXLAN new WYSIWYG interface
As registered WYSIWYG developers, ELC Lighting has developed its famous dmXLAN nodes so they can be used in conjunction with WYSIWYG, the world's standard lighting software visualization programme. dmXLAN not only offers the conversion of DMX to Ethernet and back, but also a fully integrated solution allowing complete network management by means of PC or pocket PC software.
Thanks to the high number of channels required by many of today's moving light fixtures, the 512 channels of the DMX protocol can sometimes not be enough. The demand for a new protocol offering a higher number of channels with accelerated speed and bi-directional transmission led to the development of the Artnet protocol for DMX on Ethernet, by Artistic Licence.
The ELC dmXLAN nodes are ideal for use with WYSIWYG software and make connectivity easy. The node4 unit has four DMX inputs and four DMX outputs and a MIDI/RS232 port for passing through WYSIWYG Autofocus commands, i.e. colour and focus data, to connected supported consoles. The 10mBit Ethernet port can be connected to the network, and the IP address can be set.
For rental companies, the new nodes will allow an easy interface from DMX to WYSIWYG including Autofocus. The advantage for WYG-studios is that multiple WYG stations can access the same dmXLAN node4, multiple node4s can be used in the same network to connect multiple consoles, including multiple Autofocus (MIDI) connections and all WYG stations can use Autofocus on the same console.
To use WYSIWYG with ELC, the customer will need a dmXLAN Node1, for a single DMX universe, Node2 for one or two universes, or Node 4 for four DMX universes. For more channels, more units can be linked through the network ports. The dmXLAN system is a DMX and fixture management system, based on Ethernet, but it can also be used without Ethernet for installations up to four DMX lines.
The dmxLAN control software is made for windows PC and pocket PC (also for easy wireless connection via Wi-fi Wireless LAN systems). The special dmXLAN to WYG software is available for free to download from the website and can run on the same PC as WYSIWYG.
www.elclighting.com
Australian Distributor: Clearlight Shows www.clearlight.com.au
Australian Distributor: Show Technology www.showtech.com.au
All New Aqua Light from ADJ
Due to popular demand Show Technology have instructed their suppliers to design and construct a waterfall like effect, which they have called the Aqua Light. The unit throws the effect of water streaming down a wall, an effect that was previously only available with top of the range intelligent light fittings. An internal colour wheel adds to the dynamic by slowly changing the colour giving the effect vibrant tones; this in turn can be paused at any moment in the sequence on a particular colour or in the middle of two colours to give a shimmering water effect. A high-speed fan keeps the unit running nice and cool to reduce wear and tear on all components. The unit takes a 15v 150w EFR dichroic lamp and is excellent value at only $269 retail.
Please contact Darren McLanders, Pro Shop sales representative on (02) 9748 1122 for any further details or order instructions.
www.showtech.com.au
GE launches Cinema Fluorescent 32 & 55 lamps
The Cinema fluorescent 32 and 55 lamps are the latest from GE Speciality Lighting. These lamps are designed to ensure high quality lighting performance in stage and studio applications.
Gboyega Obafemi, general manager of sales and marketing for Speciality Lighting says: "Traditional fluorescent lamps have not been widely used in photography and film-making because of relatively low CRI and the prominent green spike found in typical fluorescent phosphors. GE's Cinema 32 and 55 fluorescent lamps now have a CRI of 95 and colours that respond to the spectral sensitivity curves for film and digital imaging equipments."
GE offers these lamps in standard T8 and T12 linear fluorescent and High Lumen Biax compact fluorescent formats. The linear fluorescent range also includes shatter-resistant CovRguard types. The CovRguard lamps are wrapped in a 15mm thick casing of GE's exclusive Lexan shield that helps contain the glass, phosphor and chemicals if the lamp is broken.
The GE CovRguard protective sleeving blocks 98% of the UV light emitted from an unprotected fluorescent lamp (all UV-C, UV-B and most UV-A). This is critical for protecting expensive sets and wardrobe from the fading effects of UV exposure. The HLBX cinema lamps offer the same performance as the linear Cinema lamps and operate on electronic flicker-free ballasts.
"The Cinema 32 has a chromacity of X =0.415 and Y=0.337 with CRI of 93. The Cinema 32 mixes well with both incandescent and quartz halogen light sources without colour correction. The Cinema 55 is a broadband spectrum daylight lamp with a chromacity of X = 0.306 and Y = 0.315 and a CRI of 95. The Cinema 55 mixes well with ambient daylight and short arc discharge HID light sources without colour corrections. GE Cinema lamps are zero-colour corrected and offers maximum protection with minimum light loss with the CovRguard," adds Zoltán Vámos, technology vice-president for Europe. Thanks to their quality of light these lamps can be used in stage, studio, filming, photography and digital imaging industry.
www.gelighting.com
Littlite introduces LED gooseneck at PLASA
US manufacturer Littlite is taking advantage of the boom in LED technology to produce their coolest product yet, the Littlite LED Gooseneck Light - which can be seen for the first time on the Fuzion plc stand at PLASA 2003. 21st century LED technology gives a new impetus to this evergreen product, with advantages including long life, shock and vibration resistance, and cool operation. The LED-based Gooseneck offers even illumination over a wide area (including consoles and control panels); good quality colour rendering (with the addition of red LEDs to the usual white LED sources); switchable red only output (for unobtrusive use), plus long-life and low power consumption.
www.littlite.com
Australian Distributor: Lightmoves www.lightmoves.com
Five lasers in one from American DJ
American DJ's new DMX Penta Beam features five lasers, each of which produces a different geometric pattern. An intelligent 4.9mW red laser effect, the Penta Beam will send stars, ellipses, circles and other geometric shapes across a club's walls, floor and surfaces. Its five laser beams project out over a wide area, making it a great effect for even large-size venues.
"The Penta Beam is a unique effect, because it incorporates five separate lasers into one compact unit," says Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of companies. "Plus, it's an intelligent laser, so you can do a lot of creative things with it. With its DMX programmability, five separate lasers and wide beam spread, it's a really great effect for clubs that want the excitement of a multi-pattern laser light show, yet also want the ease and economy of a single affordable fixture."
A 6-channel DMX fixture, the Penta Beam includes one channel for each of its five lasers, plus one channel for special functions. In addition to being operated with a DMX controller, the Penta Beam can be set in Sound Activation Mode to chase to the music via built-in internal programs. When in the Sound Activation Mode, users can control the intensity of the effect's response to music with a Volume Sensitivity knob located on the rear of the unit. The Penta Beam can also be configured Master/Slave and linked in multiples for a larger, even more dazzling, coordinated laser light show. When operated as a stand-alone unit or Master/Slave, American DJ's optional MINI/C Controller (sold separately) can be used to control blackout function.
www.americandj.com
Australian Distributor: ELSTA
New Miniaturised Beltpack From Production Intercom
Production Intercom Inc. is pleased to present a new, miniaturized, portable headset station or "beltpack" for headset intercom systems. At 4.0 x 2.5 x 1.03 inches, the BP.15 is only 15% (by volume) the size of the full-sized BP-1 and weighs in at only 4.8 oz. The BP.15 is durable, housed in a ribbed aluminum extrusion with protective plastic end bezels. It may be used with headsets employing either dynamic or electret microphones, with a control provided to adjust the input circuit’s sensitivity to match a wide range of transducers. Separate front panel buttons switch the microphone On or Off and activate the signal function. They are different shapes to provide easy identification by touch in the dark. A bright LED indicates a signal being received; a dimmer green one identifies the microphone as being "live." An optional vibrate function is available. The BP.15 has been designed to operate with our Production Intercom's system or any other operating at 24-30VDC with an unbalanced 200-Ohm termination. Shipments are due to commence in the third week of July. The BP.15 carries a limited, three-year, "no quibble" factory warranty.
www.beltpack.com
High End ColorCommand PAR/Washlight
ColorCommand™ is a colour-changing PAR/Washlight that is unique not only to High End Systems’ line of luminaires but also to the industry. ColorCommand uses a patented colour mixing system that incorporates automated (remote) changing of colour and beam angle control in a fixture that is cost comparable to a PAR can and scroller, but at just a fraction of the cost of moving lights.
Positioned as an alternative to PAR can or Fresnel lighting systems, ColorCommand provides the functionality of these fixtures but eliminates the need to manually change lenses or lamps to control beam size or add gels to change colour. The colour media used in ColorCommand is dichroic borosilicate glass -- it won’t fade or change colour as a result of use so a custom colour created during rehearsals for a show or event will appear identical a month or year later.
The ColorCommand dichroic color mixing system uses a patented design that incorporates two lenses and three colour wheels. The first lens splits the light into 25 separate beams which pass through CMY (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) color-mixing glass. The second lens rejoins and projects the light into a fully saturated, evenly coloured beam. Because of the beam-splitting technology, the CMY colour wheels are able to perform almost instantaneous colour-changes (1/3 of a second to go from clear light to virtually any colour imaginable), from subtle pastels to deep saturates and everything in between. It can quickly -- and quietly -- bump between any of these colours or make slow, controlled fades -- all through a fat beam with a uniform field.
Specific features of ColorCommand include:
--Very rapid snap changes from any color to any other
--Quiet – even during snap changes
--Fully variable beam angle
--It's compact and lightweight – not much larger than a PAR can.
--Simple to operate – just 4 DMX channels: cyan, yellow, magenta, beam size
--Ability to fit barn doors, top hats, snoots and other accessories
--Live colour fading from one colour to another at any speed with no strange intermediate colours
--Fat output beam: 8-inch (200 mm) diameter
--Smooth colour mixing including pastels and saturated colours
--Fully dichroic colours – no gel scrolls to specify, prepare in advance or replace when burnt out
--Colours never fade – same on the last day of a long show engagement as the first
--Smooth, stepless movement allowing slow imperceptible colour fades over many minutes
--Even, soft edged wash with good beam distribution for easy blending
--Incandescent lamp – colour temperature (3200K) matches other incandescent fixtures
--Efficient optics with high output from a 750-watt compact biplanar lamp (800 watts in Europe)
--Inexpensive – comparable with a PAR can and scroller

www.highend.com
Australian Distributor: ULA www.ula.com.au
High frequency electronic ballasts from Power Gems
Power Gems has launched a new range of high frequency electronic ballasts for HMI, MSR and UV lamps. This patented technology offers many advantages over conventional square-wave ballasts, including fewer parts, an integrated ignitor and lower costs.
The 300kHz sine wave lamp drive system is particularly suitable for OEM build-in/build-on applications and provides a 'full power solution in one box', so users don't have to add-on special cooling, ignitors (cold and hot re-strike options) and line filtering to meet relevant standards. Convection-cooling can also often be used depending upon the application, thus eliminating noisy fans.
www.powergems.com
New High End Product Previews
High End recently previewed some prototype new products: Color Merge is a diecast accessory for a Source Four Profile (fits 5,10,19,26,36 and 50, 15-30 zoom and 25-50 zoom) adding CMY colour mix capability and it is aimed to replace a scroller. The unit uniquely mounts in the middle of the fixture - an easy affordable retrofit, no fans and no replacement gel strings.
Color Command is a dimmable tungsten colour changing wash light with unique CMY coluor mix mechanism and beam spreading capability - it is a non moving intelligent light with a high output - use it where you might have used a Par can and scroller or a moving wash light is too expensive.
Color Power is a power supply unit capable of driving up to 12 Color Merge or Color Command units or a mixture.
www.highend.com
Australian Distributor: ULA www.ula.com.au
BeaMover video projector
Scene Change, the video projection specialist, has brought theatre video projection a step closer, Until now, the cost of 'theatrical'-style video projectors - DMX-controlled and with automated positioning - has been prohibitive.
Now Scene Change has introduced BeaMover, a more affordable DMX-controlled video projector which takes a bright (3,000, 4,000 or 5,000 lumen units available with a contrast ratio of up to 800:1) video projector from Sanyo and fits it into an automated yoke, which has positional feedback to ensure accuracy. Five lenses are available for the projector, giving a choice of beam angles. Edge focus and zoom are remotely controllable via DMX.
The BeaMover also offers DMX control of horizontal and vertical keystoning, image flip, projection blackout, unit reset and signal source selection.
BeaMover can simultaneously accept three input signals, with any combination of RGBHV, YUV, HD, D-Sub, Composite and S-Video connectors specified at the time of purchase.
Images can be provided to the BeaMover from any suitable video source, such as a computer, video or DVD player, or a device such as the Hippotizer digital media server, also available from Scene Change.
www.beamover.com
www.scene-change.com
Stage Technologies launches Saxis
Leading automation supplier Stage Technologies has launched the Saxis, the latest edition to its leading-edge control system range. A complete single axis automation control system, the Saxis has been specifically designed with the smaller production in mind.
Compact in size, the Saxis can be plugged directly into a three-phase mains power supply and incorporates all the advantages of servo-motor control - including precise and near-silent operation. With on-screen diagnostics, absolute position feedback, position readout, programmable speed and accelerations and speed override during cue run, the hand-held interface gives the operator complete control. Six preset positions and a Dead Man's handle also ensure that the production's automation requirements are executed seamlessly, accurately and safely.
Ted Moore, head of Stage Technologies Rental said: "The Saxis is a welcome edition to the rental department's repertoire. This will enable us to offer cost effective, high-specification automation solutions for productions requiring only one or two axes, something we believe the entertainment industry has been lacking for some time."
www.stagetech.com
Intelliway announces new Alkalite lighting brand
In an announcement timed to coincide with the launch of a dedicated website, Intelliway has revealed an ambitious product development programme for its new Alkalite range of LED products.
"Solid-state fixtures already account for the major part of our production, and now we're looking to Alkalite to accelerate product and information flow," explained Jason Echols, director of Alkalite sales and marketing at Intelliway. "Selling through a distribution network will allow our distributors to get onboard and share their market insights with the confidence that an exclusive commercial arrangement brings."
In addition to three new LED series aimed at architectural LED applications, integrated LED club systems and compact sound-active LED effects, Alkalite will also be offering a range of metal halide source intelligent lighting, DMX controllers and fog and haze generators. These three series will only be available to Alkalite's distributors outside of the US and major European markets. "In the US and Europe, we'll be limiting our brand offerings to the three Alchemy, Pixel Pod and dotZ LED series, noted Echols. "As confident as we are in our ARK Pro lighting, jplex DMX consoles and Plasma FX foggers, with the overabundance of good suppliers in this category already operating in the North American and European markets, we'll be promoting these lines to our distributors in the smaller international markets."
"We're set to bring out six distinct new product series, all designed and produced in-house with innovative, often patented, features. The first thing we agreed on was our intention to put as much distance between our new brand and the idea of a 'one-stop shop' for Chinese disco lighting as we possibly could. With that agenda, we began developing models like the Kaliflower 250 in the ARK Pro series, a six-channel DMX moonflower; the Tracpod in our Pixel Pod series, which integrates DMX, sound-active, and stand-alone control with eight full-color LED clusters; and the entire series of portable effects in our dotZ range, which includes LED fixtures which mimic classic disco effects."
The Pixel Pod and dotZ series are shipping now, with the ARK Pro series set to ship in August, and the Alchemy, jplex, and Plasma FX lines to follow in September. www.alkalite.com

New Selecon Pacific 14 – 35 with B size gate
Looking for a slightly wider beam angle than our very popular 12–28 and one that will take a B size pattern? Selecons new 14–35 is your answer, uses the same lens tube as the 12–28 and is available at the same cost. The beam is a crisp "white" light with little or no distortion, ideal for pattern projection and precise beam shaping. It is the same physical tube as the 12 - 28 Zoomspot with a different optical arrangement to take the B size pattern. As the gate is wider, it makes more use of the available light, therefore a little more efficient.
www.seleconlight.com
Equipment News April - June 2003

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