“Multi-Media” has just been redefined.

    Some 17,000 people recently witnessed Star Wars brought to life on stage in London’s O2 arena. The event condensed 13 hours of films and music into a 90-minute event that combined video, an 86 piece orchestra and an 80 piece choir. It delighted everyone in attendance, up to and including the creator of the film, George Lucas.

Last year, when Metallica was finishing a stadium tour and putting the finishing touches on their latest release, Death Magnetic, lighting designer John Broderick was preoccupied with other projects. The looming world tour meant that he was behind the proverbial eight ball.

If there was a box in which we could put lighting designers who are creative, expressive, imaginative and intelligent, Willie Williams might be the first to be put in. And he would probably also be the first to break out. The artist and production designer is a master of re-creation, often the first to conceive an idea and the first to abandon it and move on to a fresher one.

For a PDF of the June 2009 PLSN Buyers Guide, CLICK HERE.

 

Almost 20 years ago, Emmy-nominated director David Niles, a.k.a. Captain Video, had one of the first high-definition studios around. It was in the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York and it featured a giant projection screen and a hi-def projector on which he could show his work.

Software is the new frontier of lighting control. Advances in technology have made computers ridiculously affordable, powerful and readily available. The people who write code for them have harnessed that horsepower and put it to good use in our industry. Lighting control, for example, is making leaps and bounds, and DMXCreator software for the PC is a prime example.

John Lennon once said of touring, “It was like being in the eye of a hurricane. You’d wake up at a concert and think, ‘Wow, how did I get here?’” A hurricane is an apt description of the touring world; all the elements combine to create an experience that envelops audience and artists alike.

What thoughts come to mind when you hear the term 3G?  Could it be that ubiquitous cell phone spokesman, touting their company’s latest network?  Perhaps — but if you walked the aisles at April’s NAB convention, the video industry’s most exciting new buzz was evident at almost every turn — and yes, it’s also called 3G. 

In most situations, copying is a bad idea.  I have taught my son that copying from someone else’s paper in school or copying data for a book report from a web page is wrong.  If I were to copy a previous article and submit it as a new one, PLSN would almost certainly reject it. 

“True revolutionaries are guided by feelings of love.” — Che Guevara

If everything goes according to plan, the revolution will start at 9 a.m. tomorrow. The plan is for you to realize that you want Remote Device Management (RDM).  

One of my biggest joys of watching a live performance is when I see a lighting show where the designer has put a lot of thought into different aspects, when that lighting person is professional enough to know when to use the latest technological gadgets and when not to, when sometimes “less is more” and old school prevails.

Enttec recently announced the release of its new MIDIwing control software.  MIDIwing, in conjunction with Enttec’s already established playback, shortcut and programming wings, gives users the ability to define MIDI note or ASCII triggers for any lighting or media control device that will listen to the protocol. 

Gefen’s two new Wireless VGA Extenders are available in long range and short range versions. The GefenTV Wireless VGA Extender LR delivers video with analog L/R audio up to 100 feet, offering users the ability to tap into multiple Wi-Fi channels for optimal signal transmission.

The new Christie LX400 is an XGA 4000 ANSI lumens projector with 1000:1 contrast ratio. It weighs 15.8 pounds (7.2 kg) and includes an integrated carrying handle and cabinet. Among the key features are auto keystone, a customizable start-up screen, and Kensington™ style slot and security bar anti-theft devices.

Broadcast Pix announced a new 3G Switcher Frame as an upgrade for its Slate G Series of live video production systems. The new frame is native 3Gbps 1080p/60 and provides simultaneous multi-definition SDI I/O for 1080p, 1080i, 720p and standard definition and DVI. 

The new FSN Series multi-format video production switcher from Barco integrates SD-SDI, HD-SDI, 3Gbps, VGA, and DVI resolutions. The first in the series are the FSN-150, a 1.5 Mix-Effect (M/E) control console and the FSN-1400, the system’s 14-slot video processing chassis.

The preview release of Martin Professional’s new version Maxedia software, Maxedia 4 RC, is now available. It is the latest software update for the Maxedia media server.

Tomcat is introducing a new line of truss called Core. Its initially launch consists of 12-inch-by-12-inch, 12-inch-by-18-inch and 20.5-inch-by-20.5-inch box truss that is 24 percent stronger, slightly lighter and less expensive. 

Show Distribution has introduced a new handheld computer controller designed for the entertainment rigging industry. It can synchronize positions and balance loads on 250+ hoists of any make or model, including winches and scenery elevators.

LSC Lighting Systems’ new e24V3 Touring Dimmer has 24 channels of dimming and HotPower enabling up to 3,000 watts per channel of lighting, video and special effects from one box.

Cooper Controls has launched Version 2 of LightFactory PC-based lighting control software. A new fixture library engine with a hybrid of 100 percent dynamic fixture and generic fixture control and inherits almost 2000 fixtures from the Zero 88 library.

Goddard Design Co. has released V4.00 software for the DMXter4 RDM. It can query, test and configure RDM responders and expands the DMX512 test options with the addition of an Intercept and Modify feature.

Design & Drafting’s new LD Assistant 08.5 with sACN support allows consoles that support ACN, such as the ETC Eos console, to connect with LD Assistant over a local network.

The Colorado 1 VW is an LED wash light with 18 warm and 18 cool white LEDs producing a range of color temperatures from 2800K to 7000K. It has an IP 66 rating for outdoor use and a 30-degree field angle.

Acclaim Lighting’s Rebel Pro Par is an RGB color-mixing LED PAR with an IP65-rated housing that makes it suitable for indoor or outdoor applications. It has 36 Rebel RGB LEDs (12 red, 12 green and 12 blue) and it is also available with Cool White or Warm White LEDs.

XLNT Advanced Technologies has launched the PowerMotion DS8 Pro and Pro Plus Series of Solid State Motion Controllers. Each can control up to eight direct or low voltage chain hoists and features a solid state MCB per individual motor/channel, adjustable maximum power up to nine amps and a PL D, ISO 13849-1 and SIL2 compliant Emergency Stop System.

Martin Professional’s Windows-based LightJockey v.2.9.1 includes Vista 32-bit compatibility and new fixture updates, as well as other upgrades.  LightJockey will now recognize Windows Vista (32-bit only) as an operating system and allow for Universal USB/DMX interface configuration and use when running under Windows Vista.