"As part of our responsibility to offer ongoing engineering improvements to all our product lines, we are excited to now be shipping the VL550 and VL1100 luminaires," stated Bob Schacherl, vice president of sales and marketing. "We feel that by introducing these latest improvements, we are ensuring the sustainability of the product lines and solidifying our commitment to implement technology that leads the way in Green entertainment lighting, without sacrificing the performance expected from a VARI*LITE luminaire."
The VARI*LITE VL550 Wash luminaire is still based upon the Emmy Award-winning VL5 Wash luminaire, but with significant design improvements, including a 50kHz. drive system that quiets the operation of all two-phase motors in the fixture during movement and while in static positions. This luminaire is now available in the VL550, VL550D, VL550CD, and VL550 80V models. The VL550CD model utilizes a 315W ceramic discharge lamp that offers the color temperature of tungsten, a high CRI, and an incredibly long-rated lamp life of 8,000 hours.
The current VL500A luminaire model is now being discontinued, but will continue to be serviced and supported by the Philips Vari-Lite customer support team.
As the next generation of the VL1000 ERS luminaire, all models of the VL1100 luminaire will also have a new 50kHz drive system that quiets the operation of all two-phase motors. Additional enhancements include new, three-phase, ultra quiet stepper motors that provide a smooth, timed continuous pan and tilt motion; and a new central bearing system in the gobo wheel reduces noise and ensures smooth operation.
This luminaire is now available in the VL1100 Arc, VL1100 Tungsten, and VL1100CD models. As with the VL550CD, the VL1100CD model also utilizes a 315W ceramic discharge lamp for an 8,000 hour lamp life with more than 8,000 lumens of output, and a high CRI.
(Jim Evans)
