Finland - FogScreen Inc has launched its new interactive fog screen. The world's first 'airborne interactive touch screen' is next-generation technology developed from FogScreen's pioneering airborne projection screen. When you write or draw upon the interactive fog screen, say the company, the writing or designs miraculously and continuously float in the air.

Interactive, airborne projection screens will find many uses within the entertainment industry and in out-of-home advertising (interactive, walk-through advertisements in airports, malls etc). Because fog screens are unbreakable, they are especially useful in applications intended for the public, such as information screens. The company also points to the need for sterile touch-screen communication devices in hospitals and factory clean rooms, which could potentially be satisfied by the interactive fog screens.

FogScreen

UK - Summit Steel has purchased a large rigging automation and movement system by Kinesys from Brilliant Stages. It consists of 30 model LL Lodestars, operating with Elevation 1+ vari-speed hoist controllers and Kinesys' Vector Motion Control software. The purchase is part of Summit's ongoing commitment to the specialist area of movement and motion control, say the company.

Each Elevation 1+ Variable Speed hoist controller allows the variable speed running and full positional control of an electric chain hoist via an RS485-based protocol. The unit itself also incorporates a full variable-speed manual control plus remote handset control for basic running. Units can be daisy-chained together for easy set-up of multi-point lifts.

Summit is using Kinesys' Vector Motion Control software as the primary show control. Vector is a fully-featured motion control sequencing system that c

USA / UK - High End Systems has released the latest version of software for the Flying Pig Systems Wholehog III lighting console. Version 1.3.6 adds initial direct interaction for remote focus with Cast Lighting's WYSIWYG Perform R8 visualization software via Ethernet, as well as improving the functionality of many existing features and enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the system. Version 1.3.6 is now available for download at www.flyingpig.com.

This is the second software release by the recently re-organized Hog development team, following just two months after the release of v1.3.5. Since the departure of several developers in January, High End Systems has been quick to build a new development team. While several of the original developers still occupy the London office, most of the new team is based in the

UK - Of interest to organizers of club nights and party events, Essex Sound & Light (ESL) has announced that its Neo One Impulse text-to-screen system has won Best in Class award for Customer Relations Management at the Global Messaging Congress, held at London Olympia. ESL is the UK distributor for the system.

Neo One enables clubbers to instantly interact with each other, or the DJ. The system enables a text or picture message to be sent from the clubber's phone to large plasma or projection screens around the venue, which everyone can read. A dedicated control centre monitors every text, to ensure they comply with the club's moderation policy. Once cleared by the system, the message appears on screen within 15 seconds.

Neo One can also be used for internal promotions, such as forthcoming club nights or special drink prices. In addition to this, say ESL, the system can be us

Hungary - Raymax has introduced its new MovingLED fixture, which incorporates LED technology in a remote-controlled moving head unit. The company says the light output of the fixture is comparable to that of a 575W arc lamp-based washlight - using just a fifth of the energy.

Imre Pesti, general director of Budapest-based Raymax said: "We required a lighting solution that offered a lower power requirement than traditional lighting sources so that we could eliminate forced cooling and noise. Lumileds' Luxeon LEDs combine the brightness of conventional lighting with the small footprint, long life and other advantages of LEDs. The Luxeon last the fixture's lifetime so there is no requirement for specialist disassembly or cleaning [and] there are no openings on the body of the fixture.

Each fixture utilizes 90 Luxeon LEDs in blue, green, amber and red to create a fast and fl

UK - Dynamax Technologies announced today the exclusive UK launch of what it claims is "the digital sign industry's most intelligent scheduling and broadcast software yet" - PointOfView-NG. The system, which will be officially unveiled at the In-Store Marketing Exhibition at Earls Court (15 - 17 June 2004), is a new method of delivering dynamic advertising content to display screens at remote locations, say the company.

New features of the software include full audit capabilities and management functions enabling operators to control where and when messages are displayed, at the touch of a button. The software is designed to alert network operators if the displays are not being utilized to their full capacity, maximizing the ROI with digital screen networks. Dynamax's development director, Howard Smith, comments: "To make best use of digital screen technology you

USA - Doug Fleenor Design, specialist manufacturer of DMX512 distribution and interface equipment for the entertainment industry, has announced its three latest product additions. Firstly, the Preset 10 snapshot console, available in two enclosures, records DMX512 scenes from any DMX source and plays them back at the press of a button. The Architectural version mounts in a single-gang switch box and is powered by a Class 2 'doorbell' transformer. The Portable version is fully enclosed with DMX in and thru connectors and has a universal power supply. Both versions store up to 10 scenes, each of which can have its own fade time from 0 to 999 seconds. As a backup device or as a stand alone console the Preset 10 has many uses.

The second new addition, the Pork Chopper, is an economical method of increasing the total number of control channels of a Flying Pig Systems Wholehog II con

USA - Biamp Systems has introduced its new MXA Series of mixer/amplifiers. "Our new MXA Series is designed to meet the most demanding needs of installers, and integrators," said Ralph Lockhart, president of Biamp Systems. "As a replacement for the CMA Series, it provides our customers a more streamlined design and smoother running system than they've ever had before."

One of the current trends in commercial installations is the requirement for more power. The MXA Series mixer/amplifiers deliver on that promise having been built on the bedrock of the CMA Series, but offering improvement with four more powerful models: 35W, 75W, 150W, or 300W power amplification, each in a 2 RU space. Each model in the series provides a six-input mic/line mixer with an integral power amplifier, including an output transformer for delivering rated power into direct or distribute

Germany - Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH has released a new update to its Nuendo and Cubase digital audio workstations. The 2.2 versions of Nuendo, Cubase SX and Cubase SL will offer new remote control features, with Cubase SX and Nuendo also receiving three new VST plug-ins. The update for all three programs is now available as a free internet download to existing owners.

The added functionality includes improved support for hardware controllers. New in Cubase SL, Cubase SX and Nuendo 2.2 is support for the Mackie Control Universal Extender units, in addition to the current support for the main Mackie Control unit. Multiple Extender units can be added to a Mackie Control to offer direct access to channels in Cubase SX, Cubase SL and Nuendo. The Generic Remote area of all three applications has also seen an overhaul, with control for a full set of functions now implemented in

UK - Following the release of the DN-X1500 mixer, Denon has announced a new rack kit (RMK1500), which will allow users to operate it rack-mounted. The rack version of the DN-X1500 occupies 8U of conventional 19" space.

The DN-X1500 is the world's first 12" four-channel DJ mixer to offer 8-channel input matrix control - and the latest addition to Denon's leading range of professional DJ equipment.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - The new RoadGear range from Phonic is a fully integrated mobile sound solution, housed in a moulded case, it contains a powered mixer and two loudspeakers along with all relevant cabling. Both models in the range, the RoadGear 160 and 260, offer enough storage space to safely pack microphones and associated microphone and speaker cables, plus dedicated space for wireless microphone storage, making RoadGear the perfect sound system for use in pubs, clubs, schools, churches and a variety of other applications. Set-up can be achieved quickly and when it comes to break down, RoadGear can be quickly packed up and wheeled away.

The RoadGear 160 and 260 have an output capacity of 160 and 260W as well as four and six channel powered mixers respectively. Features common to both models include 2-band EQ, XLR inputs with universal phantom power, a digital effects processor, 3-band equ

Denmark - Mach Speakers has expanded its Ceiling/In-wall series of loudspeakers with the new MIW66. The MIW66 is a two-way ceiling or in-wall speaker with separate driver units and excellent sound quality in a strong, moulded plastic cabinet, with a specialized backing case.

The MlW66 is designed for discreet placement and easy mounting in areas where high-definition in-fill sound is required. It features a built in 70/100V module and includes a six-step variable output volume. A 1" polycarbonate dome tweeter and 6.5" propylene woofer provide 90° x 90° dispersion and outstanding sound quality, says Mach. It includes an easy-to-use and secure mounting system, as well as simple press-release terminals for fast connection.

The MIW66 is suited to a wide range of wall cavity or ceiling cavity installations - venues of all sizes, conference rooms, retail stores and mor

France - Nexo has released the NX242 Digital Tdcontroller, an advanced proprietary processor that provides crossover, driver protection and system alignment for the whole range of Nexo cabinets, as well as enabling high-quality audio networking using the EtherSound protocol, through the NXtension Expander Board.

The new NX242 offers all the generic functions of a digital loudspeaker controller, but its real value is its precision interface with Nexo loudspeakers. Acoustically matched to each Nexo component, the NX242 uses complex software algorithms and precision circuits to provide flexible loudspeaker management and enable increased sound pressure and operational reliability.

For the first time, a Nexo digital controller is able to offer flexible networking options. Through use of the optional NXtension Expander Board, the NX242's functionality can be enhanced by Digigram's

Italy - The new RCF PR 4092 has been designed to provide a flexible solution for any paging and music application in PA systems. With nine inputs and two outputs, each of the inputs can be sent to output A only, output B only, or both A+B; in this way PR 4092 can also be used as a double preamplifier - 'A-bus' dedicated to paging, 'B- bus' for BGM programs.

Thanks to the "two in one" design, priority function relevant to the inputs is active on the output selected only, by not affecting the other output bus. Input one has overall priority (voice or contact activated) and can be used for emergency paging; Inputs two and three together can be set with priority on Inputs four to nine.

RCF has also launched a new 1000 series of PA amplifiers. The AM1122 is a five input mixer amplifier offering 120W of amplification into either 70V/100V line or four-ohms low impedance cir

Czech Republic - Robe's new ColorSpot 575 AT brings the features and design of the Robe's latest ColorSpot 1200 AT into a smaller fixture for those applications where space is a premium. Target applications include installations of all types - clubs, live and multi-purpose venues, theatres and retail environments, concert touring and events, etc.

The ColorSpot 575 AT includes effects such as two separate gobo wheels and two separate colour wheels (nine dichroic filters and open and eight replaceable dichroics plus open), all with Robe's "slot and lock" system; a remotely adjustable, motorized multi-step zoom with three different apertures of 15, 18 and 22 degrees; motorized iris; three-facet prism that rotates in both directions at variable speed; separate and variable frost effects and remote focus.

A new optical system and a new dichroic glass reflector dramaticall

USA - Apollo Design Technology, the US manufacturer and distributor of custom gobos and other lighting effects and accessories for the entertainment industry, has introduced the Smart Color line of colour changers. Operational advantages include the continuous, bi-directional scroll mode that doesn't require a lighting console.

Apollo ships Smart Color scrollers with a pre-installed mounting plate and gel shield, and pre-loads the gel string. Manufactured to Apollo specifications based on recommendations from experienced scroller users, Smart Colors are made from lightweight aluminium and utilize precision motor bearings for quiet operation. Available with 5.25", 7.25" and 10" apertures which maximize light output, they also feature a universal mounting plate that adjusts between 5 .75" -10" to fit all ellipsoidal and many wash fixtures and is also avail

UK - At this year's ABTT show, lighting specialists Lee Filters will be unveiling eight new colour additions to its exclusive 700 series - filters created by some of the top designers in stage, screen and architectural lighting.

Rick Fisher, Dave Davey and Kate Wilkins were the latest group of lighting designers to be invited to the Lee Filters factory to work alongside the Research and Development team to create their own unique colours. Free from the constraints of existing products, the designers have been able to create exactly the mood or effect they require and produce solutions to specific problems.

The new colours from Dave Davey are Provence (701), Twickenham Green (736), Dirty White (744), Hampshire Frost (749) and Burnt Yellow (770). There are two new colours from Kate Wilkins - Virgin Blue (723) and Easy White (747) and one from Rick Fisher - Cool Lavender (708).<

UK - Rosco will show two new products at the ABTT Theatre Show at London's Horticultural Halls (16-17 June). The X-Effects Projector, say Rosco, provides large-scale 3D effects previously unavailable to lighting designers: it utilizes a 200W Enhanced Metal Arc source, whose short arc allows for an output of 5,000 lumens, and a 2,000-hour lamp life. The colour temperature is comparable to a Xenon source at 6000°K but with nearly two times the luminous efficacy of a halogen source.

The effect itself is created by rotating two B-size glass gobos off centre of the optical path. This results in a projection that does not appear to have a visible direction or pattern. Onboard potentiometers control the speed and direction of both gobos, and the colour slot will accept dichroic colour filters. Lens trains are available in 30, 50 and 70° configurations. Due to the efficiency of the la

USA - VLPS Lighting Services is debuting the new video demo of the Virtuoso EX1 Media Server on its website (address below). Officially launched on 1 April, the EX1 media server employs a moving perspective camera and five-point lighting in a virtual 3D environment.

"The EX1 3D virtual environment contains two separate backgrounds, up to three interactive geometric objects, a positional camera and five light sources - which can be difficult to explain in words," comments Mike Snyder, EX1 product manager. "Plus, writing or talking about it just doesn't do enough justice to the EX1's capabilities. You really have to see it at work to appreciate its unique differences from the other media servers in the market."

Bryan Faris, senior programmer and developer of the EX1 video, says: "We've been holding ongoing demonstrations for clients at our studios but we

Australia - Coemar DeSisti Australia (CDA) has announced the addition of new products to its portfolio. Imagine 300 is an elegant new display projector, say the company, which allows the projection of a range of gobos for striking visual effects. Utilizing a high-output HTI arc lamp, the fixture is suited to a range of applications, including point of sale promotions and marketing events. Features include high-output, long-life arc lamp, twin condenser lenses, thermal protection, die-cast aluminium construction and a range of optional attachments including rotating gobo and adjustable pivoting mirror.

CDA has also announced the addition of the Europoint range of powerful motorized hoists and droppers, ruggedly constructed and suitable for lifting extremely heavy luminaires and other equipment. Features include SWL capacities ranging from 100kg to 200kg, maximum heights up to 5m,

UK / Italy - Following a meeting at SIB Rimini in March, Hall Stage has secured a UK distribution deal with JAB Italy for their superb ranges of riggers' tools, bags, torches and accessories, all of which will be available from Halls direct, or from their many distributors around the Country.

"We've been looking for a good manufacturer of this type of kit for a while and came across JAB in Rimini this year," said Charles Haines, Hall Stage commercial director. "They have a fantastic sense of design, quality and detail and fit very well into our catalogue."

Featured here is the WingNut spanner set, for use on 13mm, 17mm and 19mm wings as well as the standard bolt hex heads. The second spanner in the set is specially designed for mini Omega bracket hooks and wing nuts found on moving heads. The set is laser cut from aero-grade aluminium and comes in a neat b

Australia - ARX Systems, the Australian pro audio manufacturer, has announced therelease of its new AudioBox range of precision tools, designed to perform essential professional audio functions in an ultra compact, flexible package. The first two products in the series released are the ISO Later and the ISO Splitter.

ISO Later is a transformer isolated de-coupler, for preventing and removing ground loops and for use in applications where complete galvanic isolation is required, e.g. installations, broadcast feeds, remote recording, etc.

The ISO Splitter is a transformer isolated 1 input to 2 outputs splitter, for splitting one mic or line level input two ways in applications where complete galvanic isolation is required. Both units feature heavy-duty all-steel chassis, fibreglass PCBs and ultra-low noise audio transformers, and are available in single-channel or double-header

UK - Chain hoists are normally selected by a number of criteria - the weight they can lift, speed of travel, height of lift and so on. They are rarely, however, chosen for their aesthetic qualities. That is, until Andi Watson, lighting designer for Dido's current North American and European tour, became involved. Fundamental to the show's lighting design were clean lines and minimal intrusion by the hardware involved in moving the lighting and video panels around.

The chain hoist of choice was the CM Prostar, but a problem still existed in how to achieve repeatable and reliable positioning. The solution was the Prostar Elevation, a product that Kinesys believes is the only variable-speed Prostar solution in the world. Kinesys was able to combine their Elevation 1+ control units with a conversion to the Prostar chain hoist to allow precise positioning and a full range of speeds t

USA - Christie Digital Systems, a leading provider of visual solutions for business, entertainment and industry, has introduced the Christie Roadie 25K, the next generation of its purpose-built projection solution for large audiences and high-end users. Utilizing advanced three-chip DLP technology, the Christie Roadie 25K features 2K resolution, a 1500:1 contrast ratio that is among the highest on the market, and an unmatched level of brightness performance for Xenon-based projection systems, at 25,000 ANSI lumens.

The Christie Roadie 25K also features separate projection head and ballast, and an external extraction fan that provides more versatility and placement options. A self-aligning lamp, adjustable brightness levels and eight lens options enable the use of a single projector for a wide variety of solutions to better match a user's precise needs. The projector also feature

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