USA - Wybron is launching the Net-IT PS600 at LDI 2007. The Net-IT PS600 is a 600W 24V power supply for Wybron products and other popular lighting accessories. The Net-IT PS600 receives DMX via DMX over Ethernet protocols and also acts as an Infotrace Gateway, providing all the benefits of RDM to the devices powered from it, says the company.

The Net-IT PS600 has two standard DMX outputs, making it a network node as well. It also features an LCD Display of user settings, the IP address and the protocol used. Wybron will demonstrate the Net-IT PS600 at LDI 2007 using Artnet.

"One advantage of the Net-IT PS600 solution is that it supports common DMX over Ethernet protocols," said Miles Dudgeon, marketing director at Wybron. "We have designed it to support ACN when fully implemented and are actively working to support other DMX over Ethernet protocols."

(Jim

UK - Kramer Electronics has introduced the VS-42HDMI Matrix Switcher for HDMI signals. The 4x2 switcher offers signal optimization and EDID data capabilities. Its feature set and small frame size make it ideal in HD-equipped conference, advertising, or rental and staging environments, says the company.

The switcher is compatible with all HDTV signal types and features Kramer re-Klocking and equalization technology that rebuilds the signal allowing it to travel longer distances. The VS-42HDMI is able to route any or all inputs to any or all outputs simultaneously and supports HDCP (High Definition Digital Content Protection).

The VS-42HDMI matrix switcher routes HDMI 1.1 signals up to 1.65Gbps bandwidth per graphic channel. Kramer uses a sophisticated EDID handling mechanism to make installation and operation of HDMI devices a "plug and play" experience. EDID data all

USA - Automation specialists Kinesys will be at LDI 2007 in conjunction with their US distributor TMB, where they will be demonstrating their K2 motion control system.

K2 will again be in action with Unusual Rigging's Revolution winch, following a very successful event staged in LA by TMB in October, designed to show the capabilities of these two products working together.

K2 offers a real-time 3D programming view so the objects are moved on the screen via a graphical interface by the operator - while the computer does the calculations.

The flexible nature of K2 makes it suitable for any number of environments, from concert touring to film, from theatre to TV, says the company. Recent US projects include Genesis, American Idol and Dixie Chicks.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Tensioned wire grid specialists Slingco exhibit at LDI for the first time in Orlando, showcasing their CABLEnet system.

CABLEnet is a completely custom tensioned wire grid system, designed and engineered to fit the exact space and specifications required by the venue - making it unique to the US market, says the company.

The CABLEnet system is created by weaving and tensioning high tensile steel cable within a frame, which is then hoisted to the required level in a theatre or concert hall and fixed to the building. This creates a totally safe 'virtual floor' on which lighting, audio and AV technicians and riggers can work in complete confidence.

Almost invisible from ground level, the grid also has the key benefit of creating no shadows when lighting fixtures positioned above it are shone through to the stage, studio or auditorium below.

(Jim Evans)

USA - American DJ has introduced the Dual Gem LED - and launched yet another of its classic club moonflower effects into the LED revolution. Like the company's highly popular Dual Gem, the Dual Gem LED is a dual-lens fixture that provides "double excitement" by projecting two moonflower effects from one unit. But instead of the halogen lamps used by the original, it is powered by high-output LEDs, which produce razor-sharp beams of red, green and blue light that will not fade and are not dependent on a fog machine for their brilliance, says the company."LEDs are acknowledged as the future direction of club lighting, because of the many benefits they provide," said Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. "This is why we have been re-designing our most popular halogen effects in LED versions. The Dual Gem is certainly one that ou

USA - ETC is set to unveil its next control desk, Ion, at LDI in Orlando. Visitors to ETC's stand will get the first look at this latest addition to ETC's Complete Control line - the much-anticipated follow-up and smaller sibling to its award-winning Eos desk.

Like Eos, Ion is designed for today's multimedia lighting rigs - delivering seamless control over conventionals, moving lights and LEDs, says the company. College and community theatres, TV studios and rehearsal halls are among the venues that will benefit from Ion's operational style. With its convenient small footprint - only 48cm wide - Ion is billed as "a compact, affordable solution for space starved venues, with the flexibility to grow even more powerful as needed".

Ion comes in 1000, 1500 and 2000 channel/output configurations and features an integral LCD for softkeys and non-intensity parameter control.

USA - FogScreen has announced that their successful AV rental partner programme will be showcased at LDI 2007. Resellers and dealers can continue partnering with FogScreen to sell and rent the fully interactive device.

"Our resellers and dealers have greatly benefited from having the FogScreen projection screen in their inventory," said Jorden Woods, president of US operations at FogScreen. "We are looking to expand our reach to new territories this year by adding additional resellers to our AV rental partner programme. With the added benefit of fully interactive functionalities and a dedicated technical team, we feel that this is the perfect time for resellers and dealers to partner with FogScreen."

(Jim Evans)

USA - "Provalo!! I'm Italian" will be the catch phrase at LDI, as LDR and Strong Entertainment Lighting introduce a new range of Italian theatrical fixtures, developed for North American designers.

This new line includes both Profile and Pebble Convex spotlights that are quite popular in Europe. But until now American designers had little opportunity to work with such tools, says the company.

Unlike an ellipsoidal, the Profile is designed around a spherical reflector and double condenser lens system - much like that of a movie projector. It provides a flat field and projects clear gobo patterns.

The Pebble Convex spot provides a crisper field than the Fresnel that is so popular in the USA. The LDR design adds the ability to change lenses in the field from PC to Fresnel and back again.

"Once they 'try it,' we are sure they'll be back for more," says Jack

USA - J. R. Clancy has announced the availability of a new hoist designed specifically for architectural settings with vast spaces and high ceilings, in which lighting fixtures are often out of reach of maintenance personnel.

The LumaLift architectural lighting hoist makes it easy and safe to lower lighting to an accessible level for re-lamping, cleaning, focusing and maintenance in lobbies, atria, arenas, gymnasiums, convention centers, auditoriums, churches, factories and warehouses, says the company.

"With all of the versatility and dependable automation available in the theatrical rigging industry, it's only natural that the ability to raise and lower lighting in a simple, safe, cost-effective manner would come to architectural settings as well," said Mike Murphy, executive vice president of J.R. Clancy. LumaLift is designed specifically for architectural setting

USA - Hall Stage will be exhibiting at this month's LDI expo in Orlando and will be showing the full range of high quality tracking systems now available from stock in the US. From the low profile T40 and industry backbone T60, through to heavyweight champion T70, all Hall Stage track products are built in the UK. Last year, Halls made over 18 miles of tracking for clients all around the World.

All three steel track ranges from Halls have been proven under the most demanding pressures over the last 50 years and can be found in hundreds of venues across Britain & mainland Europe.

Working closely with key partner, Thern Inc, Hall Stage North America will be showing the full catalogue of theatre products, including hoists, winches, roller systems & grid blocks to suit any venue rigging requirement.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Intelix recently released the Audisey 70V-AM, an eight channel 70V transformer module for use with the Intelix Audisey Athena matrix mixer/amplifier or in standalone 70V applications.

The Intelix 70V-AM provides eight toroid transformers in a compact 1U, 19 inch rack-mountable chassis. The Intelix 70V-AM features a rack and panel style input connector, providing a single quick connection point when used with the Intelix Audisey Athena matrix mixer/amplifier, and eight convenient screw terminal (Euroblock) output connectors.

The fully isolated transformers provide flat frequency response within 1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz, and are designed for an 8ohm 50W input.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Philips Lumileds has announced its new cool-white Luxeon K2 with TFFC LED. Chip and packaging advancements enable extended capabilities that deliver maximum performance in any environment, says the company.

"Customers are already making the move to 1000 mA drive currents and higher to take advantage of higher light output and improved efficacies," said Erik Milz, product manager at Philips Lumileds.

"Incorporating TFFC technology and package improvements gives us the best LED for the most demanding applications and environments such as automotive, signaling, general lighting and architectural applications. Using a single chip allows for the smallest optical source size making it easier to design optics such as reflectors, diffusers and lenses that are essential for most applications."

(Jim Evans)

USA - City Theatrical's new SHoW DMX wireless DMX received the 'Best Debuting Product of the Year' in the Lighting category at the LDI show in Orlando.

The SHoW DMX system utilises a method that synchronises the hopping pattern of the radio with the incoming DMX burst to attain levels of data fidelity previously unreachable with wireless DMX, says the company. Additionally, SHoW DMX has a range of features including adjustable output power, limited bandwidth mode, and limited burst mode that allow it to peacefully coexist with other radio signals in the busy 2.4 GHz band.

SHoW DMX also is fully RDM, so users can change radio settings and monitor receiver strength from their laptop during the performance, as well as monitor any other manufacturer's RDM gear on their production.

City Theatrical's president, Gary Fails said: "Our SHoW DMX system is truly breakthrough techn

USA - Digidesign's Eleven guitar amp emulation plug-in for Pro Tools, Avid, and Digidesign Venue systems is now available for purchase.

"Eleven really captures those subtle, yet immensely important nuances that make the guitar amp combos we cloned sound like the real thing," cites Dusty DiMercurio, marketing manager for Eleven. "Our Eleven team really went the extra mile with this plug-in by including non-linear characteristics often overlooked in other amp-modeling solutions - things like power amp sag, speaker cone breakup, cabinet resonance, and ghost notes. The result of this painstaking attention to detail delivers what we feel is the most incredible and realistic digital guitar amp emulations we've heard; it's something we're all very proud of here at Digidesign."

"Eleven was a very exciting, and truly challenging project for our engineers,"

Japan - The International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition (Inter BEE) held at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan from 20 to 22 November will see the debut of Lighthouse Technologies' new black-faced indoor LED panels, which are available in two models, the R4-B 4mm pixel pitch and R6-B 6mm pixel pitch.

By combining a superfine resolution with Lighthouse's new 3 in 1 black Surface Mount Device (SMD) LED, a much better contrast level and visual performance have been achieved, says the company. Their light-weight with a slim casing design makes these panels suitable for rental applications. They can also be easily installed and integrated.

"Reducing the environmental impact of our products is extremely important," says Lighthouse's managing director Mark Chan. "To be able to do this whilst enhancing the picture quality in this way is a real achievement. Our 6mm p

Denmark - Martin Professional has announced its newest flower effect light, the Mania EF4. Designed for anywhere decorative lighting is desired, the Mania EF4 houses eight multi-coloured metal gobos for "spectacular midair effects and cool projections". With 18 beams of light, a manually selectable gobo wheel and a manual focus that allows you to frost any effect, the Mania EF4 is extremely versatile, says the company. Its multi-functionality means it can be used for a variety of purposes - revolving dance floor design, funky wall or stage projection, brilliant mid-air effects and more.

The Mania EF4 features a long-life halogen lamp with 800 hours of action. And like all Manias, the EF4 operates continuously meaning there are no cool down periods and no stopping the show. The effect can be either sound triggered with patterns moving to the beat of the music, or automa

USA - M-Audio has announced the Studiophile Q40 closed-back dynamic headphones. This new product offering represents the company's entrée into the headphone market following years of success with studio reference monitors like the popular BX and EX series.

"The Studiophile Q40 headphones utilise professional-grade dynamic drivers that deliver full-range specs and stunning sonic detail," says the company. The extra-large drivers measure 40mm in diameter. The combination of vented diaphragms made of low-mass treated mylar, neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum voice coils, deliver efficient performance for enhanced bass. These elements come together in M-Audio's custom enclosure, which has been specially tuned to further extend low frequencies, the company says.

The headphones feature sealed backings and comfortable ear cups that completely surround the ear

USA - A chameleon-like capacity for change makes the new VersaBar 270 LED Color Wash from Elation Professional the ultimate versatile stage and theatre light, says the company. Equipped with 270 5mm LEDs and RGB colour mixing capabilities, the compact, lightweight VersaBar 270 not only changes colours on command, it also adapts to its environment by taking on completely different configurations.

Manufactured by Alkalite and distributed exclusively by Elation in North America, the VersaBar 270 features a selection of optional brackets and accessories that allow users to link multiple units together in different ways to create fixtures like light bars, blinders and various multilateral shapes - whatever the situation calls for. Additionally, an integrated power supply, auto switching from 100-240V, as well as power link of up to 10 pieces on one line and 3- and 5-pin DMX connectio

Denmark - Martin Professional has introduced Light Fox, a simple and inexpensive interface for control of colour changing luminaires in fixed installations. Light Fox is billed as an easy-to-use, wall-mounted, playback controller optimised for Martin's range of fluorescent Cyclo, LED Extube and LED Stagebar luminaires, but capable of controlling all types of RGBW fixtures.

Light Fox comes with 20 pre-programmed scenes - static colours or colour changing. Anyone can easily connect the controller and run programmes for quick atmosphere adjustments. Light intensity is also adjustable for instant mood manipulation, says the company.

The lighting presets are pre-programmed to achieve market-useful lighting looks with smooth cross-fades between presets. Free-for-download, Design Fox software allows for easy re-programming of presets. DMX communicable if needed, Light Fox can mange u

USA - GE Consumer & Industrial says that its ultra energy saving T8 linear fluorescent lamps (F28T8, F32T8/XL/HL and F32T8/XL/WM) now pair with the company's UltraStart multivolt (120-277V) programme-start ballasts (offered in .60, .71, .89 or 1.15 ballast factors). These ballasts significantly extend lamp life and reduce energy use compared to standard ballasts, says the company.The UltraStart ballast matches instant-start high efficiency energy savings and performance benefits, while protecting lamp life in frequently switched applications (five or more switches per day), the company says.

When used with the UltraStart programme-start ballast in settings such as office and industrial buildings, warehouses, retail chains, schools, hospitals and government buildings, the GE F28T8 lamp can deliver a 15% reduction in wattage compared with a standard three-lamp F32T8 system. It als

USA - Technomad Associates reports that its complete line of loudspeakers and subwoofers are compliant with the International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) IP56 rating under its IP Code. IP56 is a stringent standard for superior protection against hazardous parts and water ingression, and is an extremely rare rating for full-range outdoor loudspeakers. IEC provides international standards and conformity assessments for government, business and society for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

The IP Code, defined in IEC's international standard 60529, classifies the level of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects, dust, water and accidental contact. All Technomad products ranging from its 60W Vernal 15 loudspeaker to the 800W Chicago 15/12 subwoofer have an IP56 rating.

Technomad loudspeakers are installed around the world in cruise shi

UK - Christie has introduced the Christie HD405 - the first native HD model in the company's single-chip DLP portfolio. The new projector combines DLP image quality with full 1080p resolution, making it a solution for small-to-medium sized conference rooms, boardrooms, training rooms, home theatre and 24/7 applications where single chip DLP reliability is paramount, says the company.

The HD405 presents dynamic, high definition images with 4100 ANSI lumens brightness and a 1000-7500:1 contrast ratio. "The Christie HD405 is the first 1080p single-chip DLP projector in the Christie line, and the first to market with on-board 10-bit image processing and the capability to deliver 4100 lumens," notes Neil Wittering, director of product management, business products, Christie. "The combination of brightness, high resolution and advanced image processing single this out a

USA - The new EAW NTL720 is a self-powered line array loudspeaker system featuring a true three-way design and numerous other EAW patented and proprietary technologies housed in a compact (9.4" x 24" x 14.3") and low-weight (less than 50lb/22.68kg) package. The entire enclosure face of each NTL720 module is filled by a full-sized mid/high horn providing 110° (horizontal) by 12° (vertical) dispersion. The extreme horn size insures broadband pattern control throughout the entire MF/HF pass-band.

High frequencies are produced by six 1" dome tweeters, configured in two vertical columns (each with three tweeters) mounted on a manifold that feeds a single slot in the centre of the horn, highly effective in controlling vertical dispersion. Flanking the HF section, dual 6" cone woofers handle the MF range, also loading on to the horn, with minimal space

UK - Kramer Electronics has announced the availability of the VP-26 presentation switcher. The VP-26 offers four independent routing switchers as well as a master audio switcher all in one box, and is capable of passing computer graphics video, s-Video, component, composite or SDI signals at high bandwidth. Its multi-functionality, full feature set, and compact size make the VP-26 ideal in robust presentation and multimedia environments, says the company.

The VP-26 is a high performance switcher that includes three independent 4x2 audio/video matrix switchers and one independent 2x2 audio/video matrix switcher, all in a compact two rack unit frame for a standard 19" professional rack enclosure. It combines the functions of a 4x2 matrix switcher for computer graphics signals with audio, composite video and audio, and s-Video and audio, as well as a 2x2 matrix switcher for co

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