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UK - Clay Paky has launched the Alpha Spot HPE 1200, described as the 'highlight of the Alpha range'. Its luminosity is guaranteed, says the manufacturer, by the combination of a top performance optical unit and a 1200 W discharge lamp.

Featuring a large, newly designed effects section, CMY colour mixing and a 10°- 40° linear zoom, the luminaire is also the quietest of the range.

Features include a metal iodide 1200W lamp, and an effects section providing a graphic system comprising 20 gobos and an animation disc; two rotating gobo wheels, each with six bi-directional, indexable and easily interchangeable decorative glass and dichroic gobos, selectable 'Gobo shake' function; morphing effect; one wheel with eight fixed and easily interchangeable gobos and variable rotation.

There also two bi-directional rotating prisms, three frost filters, stop / strobe effect and a high s

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UK - One of the highlight product launches of the PLASA Show was made yesterday on the Allen & Heath stand as the company launched its digital live mixing console, the iLive. Developed for live sound applications, iLive's 'ground up' design features an extremely flexible architecture with large-scale audio distribution and control. iLive is designed to bring an analogue feel to digital mixing and draws on the company's extensive experience in live sound and digital technology, say the company.

The heart of the system is the iDR-64, a 19" rack-mounting modular mix engine providing 64 channels into 32 mixes, which can be assigned as auxes, groups, matrix and main outputs. The iDR-64 is a stand-alone mixer comprising the 8-channel audio interface cards, DSP processing, and communication ports. The unit is controlled via an Ethernet network and can be connected to a variety of

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UK - British LED luminaire specialist Tryka has launched several new products at the PLASA Show - one of which is receiving a particularly favourable response, say the company. The company has chosen the PLASA Show as the launch-pad for two new and ground-breaking DMX drivers. The IDS-4 and IDS-12 Intelligent Drive Systems offer four and twelve outputs (RJ45) respectively and are able to control up to 144 LEDs each. Both models encompass seven modes (static colour, crossfade, criss-cross fade, cyclic wash, solid chase, fade chase and DMX) - each with several pre-set functions. The units, based on the unique 'colour cool' technology which is patented in Europe, USA, Australia and Japan, use Pulsed Amplitude Modulation to drive the luminaires. Other features of the IDS drivers include thermal feedback control, easy plug and play set-up, and full DMX address mapping.

Meanwhile, on

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UK - E:cue has launched its 'Butler' Ethernet to DMX gateway, which features 1024 DMX channels and an integrated replay unit.

The Butler allows up to two DMX lines to be controlled an e:cue programmer or media engine. Soft-Patch allows two different DMX lines to be inserted or the same line can be repeated several times. The DMX signal is available via RJ45 connectors or, optionally, XLR adaptors.

The Butler can also be used as a standard replay unit, and an internal SD card provides memory for several shows generated by the e:cue programmer including the use of liveFX functionality. Show size is limited solely by the SD card capacity, and if a show requires more than two DMX universes several Butler devices can be linked via e*net and synchronised during replay, while the integrated IR receiver provides a simple method of recalling shows from any IR remote controller.

(Mike

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UK - The PLASA Show has seen the launch by ETC of the latest generation of its IES Matrix sine wave dimming system, in which dimmers of different ratings and dimming techniques can be mixed in the same installation.

The company's its IES Matrix Mk II, with just 44mm additional headroom, is one of the most flexible systems available, with a wide choice of channel ratings and module options, plus higher density and improved efficiency.

The extra 44mm has enabled ETC to increase the density of the rack up to 180 dimmer channels and provide the highest sine wave dimming density around. With space for up to six dimming channels per module, Matrix Mk II is customisable with up to 180 x 3kW or 90 x 5kW dimmers per rack. Sine wave modules are available as 4 x 3kW, 4 x 5kW and 1 x 10kW, with an even greater choice of channel ratings for SCR Basic and high filtering modules. With relay

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UK - UK based performance video specialists Picture Works used PLASA to show off its latest LED screen, video projector, camera and production technologies. Founder and MD Robbie Wealleans said the show had been "very successful" for the company, adding "It has been an amazing year for us so far".

On show was the brightest video projector on the market, the 25,000 ANSI lumen Christie Roadie, currently on tour in the USA with Coldplay. It featured during the band's headline slot at Glastonbury where, the following day and on the second stage, Picture Works deployed what Wealleans describes as the "largest LED screen ever seen in the UK" for DJ Fatboy Slim's set. The production included a 3D effect achieved by issuing the audience with 3D glasses. Part of the screen also featured on the company's PLASA stand, demonstrating Picture Works' purchase of 1

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UK - AV rental and 'advanced product sales specialists' PSCo launched its new FogScreen AV product at PLASA 2005. The system, which enables mid-air image projection, is distributed exclusively in the UK by PSCo.

FogScreen creates a dry fog, using ordinary water, to produce a seamless projection area that's viewable on both sides. It can also be used in interactive mode, enabling viewers to use their bare hands as a mouse to write or draw in the air and use the fog as a touch screen.

It has so far been used to create walk-through advertisements, AV features for presentations and walk-through entrances for shops and exhibitions.

The product joins the M-PDP seamless plasma display, launched in the summer.

(Mike Lethby)

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UK - Digital mixing for live sound applications took further significant steps forward at PLASA 2005 with a number of new products and technologies unveiled, news of leading players working together and confirmation of further developments coming to fruition over the winter months.

Allen & Heath has entered the digital mixer domain with the launch of the iLive digital mixing console system. Developed for live sound applications, iLive's 'ground up' design features a flexible architecture with large-scale audio distribution and control. iLive is designed "to bring an analogue feel to digital mixing and draws on the company's extensive experience in live sound and digital technology".

The heart of the system is the iDR-64, a 19" rack-mounting modular mix engine providing 64 channels into 32 mixes, which can be assigned as auxes, groups, matrix and main outputs. Th

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UK - Following the January 2005 launch of Harman Pro Group's HiQnet communications protocol for professional audio systems, the Group introduced at PLASA 2005, HiQnet System Architect configuration and control software for HiQnet audio systems.

HiQnet System Architect is a Windows-based application that provides audio professionals with an intuitive, unified platform for system design and operation of all audio devices in the signal chain from microphone to speaker'.

HiQnet System Architect has been developed in close cooperation with audio professionals to provide an intuitive, robust front-end to the industry's most sophisticated, highest performing audio system, explained Rick Kreifeldt, vice president, Harman Pro Group, system development and integration group. System Architect is versatile and eminently configurable to needs and applications of audio professionals in a va

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UK - Martin Audio announced a number of new additions to its [product portfolio at PLASA 2005. On preview were the W8LMD and WMX, two versatile cabinets designed to further augment the established range of Martin Audio Line Array products. Also on debut at Earls Court was a new series of ceiling speakers.

The W8LMD is a mini, wide-dispersion vertically arrayable enclosure - designed to be used individually and in small quantities for short to medium throw (<30m) applications or as a downfill element for the W8LM. With its 20° vertical dispersion, fewer cabinets cover the same area as a conventional line array element, yet still benefit from the smooth, predictable coverage of a vertically-coupled system, says Martin.

The WMX is a compact, flown/groundstack sub-woofer featuring the company's Hybrid loading. Primarily intended for use with the W8LM, it shares the same cabinet w

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UK - Expanding on its Control Contractor line of installation speakers, JBL Professional introduced the Control 300 Series large format in-ceiling loudspeakers, including seven new models, at PLASA 2005. The line consists of six full-range point-source coax designs featuring 8" and 12" drivers, multiple power levels and transformer options, plus a 12" in-ceiling subwoofer.

Through the use of Constant Coverage waveguide design, claims JBL, the Control 300 models feature "exceptionally broadband pattern control, ensuring remarkably consistent sound throughout the listening space". The 8" model goes a step further with the addition of a 12" diameter waveguide, providing the pattern control of a 12" horn from an 8" driver.

The Control 300 models were designed to be easier to install than most large format ceiling speakers. The new EZ-Ra

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Building on the success of the V-Series in sound reinforcement, Tannoy is now offering a fully active version called VNET. By integrating its Dual Concentric point source, constant directivity drive unit with leading edge digital signal processing (DSP), network control and class D amplifier technologies into these high definition sound reinforcement (HDSR) loudspeakers, Tannoy says it is providing a fully monitored active speaker system; a turn key solution for the most demanding sound reinforcement applications.VNET's capabilities were demonstrated at PLASA 2005 via impressive live performances by former members of Wet Wet Wet

All VNET models are supplied with the active speaker system fully optimised; requiring only room equalisation to finalise the set up. Room EQ is simplified via user accessible signal processing based on the latest third generation SHARC DSP that can be used in

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UK - EAW used PLASA 2005 to demonstrate a new family of self-powered loudspeakers that benefit from "a revolutionary DSP technology that represents the first fundamental leap forward in loudspeaker design for more than a decade".

Making its first appearance in EAW's new NT Series loudspeakers, Gunness Focusing (named for its developer, EAW's director of research & development David Gunness), is billed as "a revolutionary new approach for dramatically improving loudspeaker performance using the intrinsic advantages of digital signal processing (DSP). In contrast to conventional DSP implementations, however, Gunness Focusing represents digital correction done properly: algorithms tailored exactly to fix correctable loudspeaker anomalies. The result is sonic performance rivalling that of the best recording monitors."

EAW says that Gunness Focusing can theoreti

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UK - Digigram took advantage of the IBC and PLASA exhibitions this week to showcase the extension of its EtherSound product range for touring, installed sound, recording and broadcast markets. ES881, ES1241 and ES16161 form a range of rack-mount AES/EBU to EtherSound interfaces in a variety of I/O configurations that will connect any digital product to an EtherSound network.

ES881 offers four stereo AES/EBU inputs (eight ES channels) and four stereo AES/EBU outputs (eight ES channels) while ES1241 and ES16161 provide two stereo AES/EBU inputs (four ES channels) and six stereo AES/EBU outputs (12 ES channels), and eight stereo AES/EBU inputs (sixteen ES channels) and eight stereo AES/EBU outputs (16 ES channels) respectively. ES881 and ES1241 come with XLRs on the digital audio inputs and outputs while ES16161 features Sub-D connectors. All devices offer sample rate converters on

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UK - Compulite launched its new Vector Lite lighting console at the PLASA show at Earls Court, London, this week - the first showing of this new product anywhere in the world. The Vector range has already proved popular in the market due to its flexibility, both in terms of playback and its user-configurable programming syntax, say Compulite. Vector systems are already in use on major TV, theatre and live music productions around the world Vector Lite is the latest, most compact member of the Vector family that already includes the Red, Blue and Green.

With the addition of the 'Lite', the Vector line now offers a comprehensive and effective solution for any venue, whatever the type or size. As a stand-alone console or as a tracking backup unit, it brings the most advanced control technology available in the market to limited-budget venues. The Lite offers four DMX512 universes (

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UK - Turbosound announced a new series of contractor products at PLASA 2005. The TCS Compact series is being promoted as a multi-model range, offering contractor-specific features that encompass installation, audio performance and aesthetics, says the UK manufacturer.

Designed to offer contractors a range of installation alternatives, the TCS Compact products can be supplied as standard in black-painted cabinets or with an all-over-white finish. They are also available as weather-resistant variants to IP54, and can be ordered in custom colours to suit specific interior design and architectural requirements. The range comprises the TCS-081C, TCS-101C, TCS-121C and the TCS-151C, fitted with 8", 10", 12" and 15" LF drivers respectively, together with the TCS-115C and TCS-118C single 15"and single 18" bass cabinets. TCS-215C double 15" and TCS-218C

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UK - Community launched four new models in its iBOX series of installation loudspeaker systems at PLASA 2005. The new iBOX iHP3500 series are high performance 3-way systems, based on a third enclosure dimension which is slightly larger than the existing 1200 and 1500 series.

The iHP3564 and iHP3594 are large format, full-range systems. The driver complement in both consists of a 15-inch (380mm) high power low frequency driver, an 8-inch (205mm) mid-range driver and a 1.4-inch (36mm) exit / 2.87-inch (72.2 mm) edge wound voice coil compression driver. High order crossovers minimize band overlap and the large format horn flare delivers well controlled dispersion, 60 x 40 degrees for the iHP3564 and 90 x 40 degrees for the iHP3594.

Both the iHP3564 and iHP3594 can be used in passive or bi-amp operating modes. The passive mode is designed to deliver "outstanding performance w

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Finland - The Finnish visual technology company FogScreen was awarded the highly prestigious Plasa Award for Innovation on 12 September, at the PLASA 2005 show in London - Europe's foremost exhibition for the entertainment and presentation industries. The PLASA Awards focus on excellence in design and development work across these industries.

The awards, which are judged by a panel of professionals, attracted 66 nominations leading to eight technical awards and an additional award for environmental impact. The judges believe the FogScreen to be a genuine first.

The FogScreen is a penetrable projection surface consisting of dry fog made from pure tap water. The fog is cool and dry to the touch and can be walked through quite comfortably. Images projected onto the FogScreen take only seconds to reform.

"We are very grateful for this award as it represents another importan

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UK - Denon DJ had cause for a double celebration on the stand of parent company, D&M Professional Europe, at this year's PLASA Show in London. First they scooped a trio of trophies at the annual T-Scan Awards (sponsored by DJ Magazine at the elite Cobden Club) and on the same day one of the UK's top DJs, Jonathan Lisle, visited their stand to demonstrate the new DN-S3500 twin CD/MP3 player, arriving straight from the PLASA seminar room where he had joined the panel discussing the role of the digital DJ.

Denon's three gongs were for Best Dual CD Player (DN-D4000), Best DJ Mixer Under £800 (DN-X1500) and Best New Single CD Player (DN-S1000). Commenting on the success, D&M Pro Europe's technical sales and marketing manager, David Atkinson, said: "We are delighted that all three of these products have been recognized. The DN-S1000 needed to beat stiff competition in that

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UK - Midas has announced its adoption of the AES50 standard interface for multi-channel digital audio, and that it has licensed the AES50 (SuperMAC) and HyperMAC technologies from Sony Pro-Audio Labs, Oxford for implementation in Midas and Klark Teknik equipment.

AES50, implemented by Sony as SuperMAC, can carry up to 48 bi-directional audio channels plus 5Mbps of generic Ethernet control data on a single CAT5 cable. HyperMAC can carry up to 384 bi-directional audio channels plus 100Mbps Ethernet on CAT6 cable or fibre.

Despite the current availability of many different proprietary methods for transmitting audio over Ethernet hardware, Midas believes that the AES50 approach has some key advantages - especially in live sound applications. Extremely low latency (less than 70 microseconds) allows multiple links to be used without unacceptable delay build-up, and robust error corr

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UK - Yamaha's latest addition to its award-winning range of digital consoles, the M7CL, sits comfortably in the mid-point between the more studio/installation oriented DM and O series, and the flagship live mixing consoles PM1D and PM5D. Maintaining the classic feature set of the PM range, and the highly respected operational power of all Yamaha digital consoles, M7CL presents a uniquely accessible control surface.

"If there is any fear factor left for sound engineers in the concert fraternity, this is the desk that will lay that fear to rest," says the company's Karl Christmas. "Easier to use than a conventional analogue desk: That was the dream we set ourselves; the development of Centralogic being the interface which made that dream a reality. A completely intuitive touch-panel control surface guides the user through a natural progression thanks to a straightfo

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UK - Visual-Patch, developed by Artistic Licence, has won the PLASA 2005 Award for Innovation. Combining video recognition technology and newly developed software, Visual-Patch can map and patch even the most complex lighting arrays.

A digital camera is positioned before the array and detects the size, position and shape of each pixel to be used, in both symmetrical and random patterns. This information is then analyzed by Visual-Patch, which generates an automatic lighting plot on screen.

Visual-Patch uses Remote Device Management (RDM) to set the start address of each fixture during the patching process. RDM is a new control protocol that allows lighting fixtures to talk back to the controller.

When Visual-Patch completes you are left with a lighting rig that is fully patched and a lighting controller that knows the position and address of every fixture. All that without e

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Australia - Ardiso - Artificial Digital Solutions is a new specialist designer and manufacturer of leading edge digital LED light sources and control interfaces. The company's design expertise is in the lighting of rare artifacts for museums along with architectural and entertainment effects lighting.

Museum fit outs are the company's fastest tracking product range with products like the Avalon series featuring a flat smooth distribution, no UV and a thermal design. The company say that these features will lead changes in the way delicate artifacts in museums are lit in the future.

Ardiso has designed a complete spatial control system that will soon intelligently monitor the complete cabinet controlling everything from temperature, light levels, viewing presence, feedback and shutdown, all from a central logic device mounted below the display cabinet.

With the pre-release of

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UK - Barco is holding an open day this week to showcase its new B-10 - a cost-effective solution to providing large screen LED video and graphics wherever they are needed. The Barco B-10 is a a mobile, self-contained outdoor LED solution, which incorporates a rotatable 9sq.m LED display mounted on a trailer.

The B-10 is a cost-effective mobile LED solution incorporating Barco's well-known SLite 10 outdoor LED technology, which is aimed at bringing the 'wow' factor of an LED display to any event, large or small, say Barco. The B-10 is a multipurpose display solution that can be used to play any type of video or data content, including play back live footage or show advertising and promotional messages.

The B-10 works in accordance with the 'drive and play' principle. Drive to the event location, pull out the screen, and the show is on in no time. No need for structures or truss

  1. New lens tube options for Source Four
  2. C-Series from Lab.Gruppen
  3. SeaChanger colour engine's theatrical debut
  4. Software showcase is a hit for 5 Star
  5. Celestion introduces QX1215
  6. New RF wireless systems at PLASA 2005
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