>Displayed on the attractive, leafy DHA Lighting stand was the new Gobo Carousel - an optical effects system which sits in the focal plane of the ETC Source Four profile. This can serve as a gobo changer containing two wheels (each with five 70mm/B-size slots giving a potential choice of eight gobos plus open), or a dichroic colour changer, or effects unit, utilizing either one ot two wheels. With independent speed and direction control of each wheel, this is a highly felxible unit, and is aimed specifically at theatres and rental companies.

>The Spica series is a range of automated lighting from 5 Star Systems in 250W and 400W discharge versions. Fast pan and tilt, comprehensive colour and gobo wheels, plus the ever-popular prism all shine through a motorized focusing system (two step 16°-20° and 20°-25°). Also on display was the VisualDMX Windows application for programming and controlling any DMX512 device. Aimed specifically at club light jockeys, the key feature of this software is its intuitive interface, which masks much of the specifics of technical lighting control, leaving easy grab functions visible; you might not know which lamp type you've grabbed, but the software will turn it red for you anyway.

>Since its foundation, Link has concentrated on manufacturing and distributing a wide range of cables, connectors and accessories dedicated to this sector. The company has recently introduced two new cables, specifically designed by Eurocable for Yamaha's PM1D system, and a copper interface between the CS1D console and DSP1D unit.

>The new VL3000 Spot from Vari-Lite adds to the rental inventory of service-company VLPS. The new lamp features a 1200W source, extremely smooth movement, two gobo wheels with full indexable rotation (and morphing between them) plus effects wheel, 6:1 zoom optics and full CMY colour mixing. The VL3000 weighs 35kg and has the same upper enclosure footprint as the 2000 series. Quiet and bright.

>ELC Lighting showed its new dmXLAN range of Ethernet nodes, based on the ArtNet protocol. It allows the user to convert from DMX to Ethernet and back and enables complete system management via a PC or Pocket PC software. It can be wall- or truss-mounted as needed. The software is WYSIWYG compatible and the company is officially licensed by to be a Registered WYSIWYG Developer.

>On the Bosch stand, Integrus took pride of place; a digital IR transmission-based conferencing system with light and nifty receiver belt-packs, Integrus can operate up to 32 channels, each individually configurable. In addition to a much improved signal-to-noise ratio (<80dB) the big advantage of this digital IR system is its ability to work in adverse conditions, not least broad daylight. Also from Bosch, the less sophisticated Ultro CCS80 system now has an acoustic feedback suppressor for hassle-free set-up on portable conferencing. Bosch also announced that it is licensed to sell the Intellivox system, developed by Duran Audio, and now badged to Bosch.

>Italian company Luci Della Ribalta (LDR) is one of Europe's leading lighting manufacturers for both the architectural and entertainment markets. New products on show this year included LDR's Soffio CDM-T luminaires, Canto followspots and Gobo Wizard.

>Remixer One and the simpler R1 titles are both applied to XTA's new DJ mixer. A departure for XTA, whose wares are more normally to be found in the realms of live concert, the R1 is a high spec mixer with a comprehensive EQ section that will shame many a rival. The usual toys are there - plug-in DJ effects modules for dynamic filtering, phlanging, crossfader - but it's the features such as balanced inserts which will set this unit apart. This was in prototype form, so expect production models soon.

Also from XTA was the DP6i, the install version of the highly acclaimed and well-known DP226. It has a tamper-proof front panel with just four buttons to access your own programmed presets. All the usual parameters and controls are accessed and set from your PC.

>There were two new products from Formula Sound - the Q18 foldback mixer system for use in small studios and the AT-1 controller, a noise control device for use in conjunction with the company's Sentry unit for power socket control. Essentially, Sentry will cut power to club/bar audio systems where over-excited DJs feel impelled to exceed agreed noise level limits. AT-1 provides a more sophisticated intercept, taking the Sentry system measurements and controlling the output levels to the PA system.

>In the market since 1982, Bryant Broadcast was a new exhibitor at PLASA this year, bringing a range of power distribution units, audio/video patch fields, flexible multi-pair audio snake cables, microphone and stage boxes and cable drums to the show. New products included a number of cost-effective 'hybrid' audio/video cables for digital projector systems in boardroom and education applications. Bryant's Bob Hart told L&SI that the company's power units and drums went down a bundle, adding: "If the number of catalogues and CD-ROMs we got through is anything to go by, then visitors were previously lacking in equipment suppliers like Bryant for the nuts and bolts of technical installs!"

>Award for Design Excellence

>High End Systems Inc

>Catalyst DL1

The Catalyst DL1 is a digital video engine which bridges the worlds of automated lighting and video projection. It is the second generation offering in the Catalyst family of High End products. Whilst the original Catalyst combined a media server and moving mirror light with an off-the-shelf video projector, the 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 DL1 also provides the ability to project Digital Aerials and provide uniform colour and beam intensity. Unlike conventional moving

>The new V12HP and V6 installation loudspeakers were being shown by Tannoy. The former is an up-rated version of the V12 dual concentric enclosure, while the V6 - which will be available in November - incorporates a re-engineered 6.5" dual concentric driver. A range of lower-priced bracketry is now also available. For the studio market, the first fruits of the partnership between Tannoy and the TC Group were on show - the Ellipse iDP monitors, featuring integral digital signal processing. For its own part, TC Electronic, launched the EQ Station-8, EQ Station-4, EQ Station-2 and the MotoFader-64. Together with a PC/MAC editor, these products form a high-end equalizer system designed for use in touring monitor and FOH applications, as well as fixed installations in theatres and concert halls. Coming in 2-, 4- and 8-channel configurations, the EQ Stations are all 2U units featuring AD/

>Building on the success of the LPX24, the new LPX48 lighting console from Leprecon Pro Lighting was given an unofficial launch at PLASA, a preliminary to its official debut at LDI in November. Sales manager Ed Cheeseman explained that the desk was aimed at clients looking for well-priced, cross-functional control for both theatrical and moving head fixtures. The company currently has no UK distributor and would like to heighten its European exposure.

>5 Star Cases showed the revised Eurotrucker, the popular general road trunk in the Tour Grade specification. New features include a revised divider system and paint finish on the internal trays, new foam inserts for moving head luminaires. The company also now offers CNC engraving of clients' logos into the trays and divider sets for added corporate identity.

>Pride of place on the Stagetec Distribution stand went to the production version of Compulite's Vector lighting desk, but there was also much interest in the latest edition of Compulite's Rave - a compact lighting control desk aimed specifically at the club/DJ market. Also on stand, from Australia's LSC Lighting Systems was the Maxim lighting console and its smaller sibling, the Minim. LSC's new range of ePAK and ePRO dimmers was on display, as was Acutek Control Solutions' 72-way dimmer rack - launched at PLASA last year and featuring LSC e-1220 modules at its heart.

>Dimtek-Dynalite gave a tantalizing glimpse of future home life through its new range of automated products for controlling lighting, home entertainment and climate - all at the touch of a single button. The company's main business is in the commercial arena with the provision of elegant, state-of-the-art control systems for a variety of situations.

>Compulite's new Vector lighting desk, designed to be at home in a range of environments, was attracting a lot of attention on the stand it shared with UK distributor Stagetec. You can read more about this desk in our review of it first use on the Australian Logies in our September issue. The latest version of Compulite's Rave was also enjoying hands-on attention.

>Philip Sparkes, managing director of Maltbury Staging, noted that the company was enjoying its busiest ever year. In addition to its popular aluminium staging lines, Maltbury was also promoting its Cro-Bar alloy crowd barrier, designed to be easy to manoeuvre and lift. Sparkes was pleased with the visitors he'd had on the stand, describing them as "a good cross-section of the industry".

>Giving a high profile to two new products was ADB Lighting Technologies. With ring control of its beam-shaping functions, including the 360° rotation of shutters and a 15°-30° zoom, the Warp theatrical luminaire is now in full production. A retro-fittable motorized version will be available next year. Also on show was the Mentor control desk, a mid-priced, lightweight unit featuring up to 360 instruments and 8192 DMX addresses. Extendable up to 120 faders via extension wings, it features a series of user profiles to enable operators to quickly adapt the desk to their needs.

>Steve Lerman, director of sales and marketing for Lycian Stage Lighting, was extremely positive about being at PLASA this year. He explained that Lycian is so pleased with the American and Canadian markets that they can now take the time to concentrate on the European and UK markets. On display were several models from the Lycian range with all eyes on the SuperArc 1294 4kW followspot.

>The prototype of the Power-Tiny fogger was on display for Look Solutions (on the White Light stand), with production due for October. It's a battery-operated fog generator for mobile use and heats up within one second, allowing adjustable fog output. The battery supplies energy only when necessary which greatly increases the stand-by time. Kirsten Eicher told us that the company was having a great show, attracting interested customers who were serious about buying.

>Two new PA ranges were the focus of the Cerwin Vega stand. Vision is the company's new flagship product, comprising four dedicated enclosures - 1200 and 1400W subs, plus 1200 and 700W mid/highs - along with a 12" coaxial unit which can be used either as a wedge monitor or small PA enclosure. Aimed at the entry/mid-level PA market, ProStax also features five models - two single 15" mid/highs, a dual 15" mid/high, sub and 12" coaxial wedge/PA unit.

>Rolec Music and Marquee Installations were sharing a stand on the upper deck, with Rolec's VHD-3 video/music playback system for the installation market launched at the show. Available in SVGA, flat and touch-screen versions, the unit schedules and mixes audio, video and colour graphics into a seamless AV program. A pause facility allows DJs to select individual video tracks for mixing into their set. Rolec's other installation-based music management products were on show, including the low-cost PHD1 and the higher-spec'd LHD2 and LHD3.

>Lamp specialist Mico Lighting, who have now been in the business for over 30 years, was once again promoting its wide range of lamps and accessories at PLASA.

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