event news

Highlite International Cobrastrip Nominated for Plasa Award

Showtec brings to PLASA the latest innovation in active striplights. The newly developed Cobrastrip gives almost unlimited freedom for creative lighting design. A flexible striplight, all lights can be rotated and twisted against each other which allows the making of nearly any shape, opening up a whole range of possibilities. Also, each lamp can be individually controlled, allowing the creation of impressive chases and programs.

Cobrastrip has multiple DMX modes selectable,and contains 16 built-in programs for simple applications. Power is via Neutrik Powercon and DMX signals are transferred by Neutrik 3 pole XLR connectors, ensuring the best connection in any performance.Multiple Cobrastrips can be mounted together mechanically, always keeping the same lamp distance, and each Cobrastrip has 11 M10-thread mounting points to enable safe rigging.

www.highlite.nl

 

Alcons at PLASA 2010

At the PLASA show in London Dutch sound system manufacturer Alcons Audio will be exhibiting her pro-ribbon based sound system program.

Alcons offers a complete portfolio, from point-source, through line-source to line-array solutions, all based around proprietary and multiple-patented pro-ribbon transducer technology.

Rapidly making inroads in the installation market, the very successful LR7 micro line-array system, 3 CD’s wide and 1,5 CD’s high, which received great acclaim in different international reviews and tests, will be on the stand, together with the LR7Bass system.

Following the UK preview at the ABTT show, the BC543 cardioid subwoofer will be on display. This self-contained triple 18" subwoofer enables cardioid pattern control, when driven by the Digital Drive Processor in the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller.

Premiering at the PLASA 2010 is the BQ211: a high-power compact subwoofer system, featuring an all-carbon-coned 21" woofer with oversized motor structure in a double-tuned bandpass configuration. Very high-output low frequency reinforcement from a relatively small footprint.

Also, Systems from the ACO Architect Colour Option program will be shown. With ACO, Alcons sound systems can be seamlessly integrated into any interior through 180+ RAL colours.

To enable visitors to get an idea of the quality performance of Alcons sound systems, low-SPL demo’s will take place on the stand, with the VR8 compact monitor and the BF151 bass system.

Alcons are in Earls Court 1, stand J11.

 

www.alconsaudio.com 

Christie Previews 4K at IBC

Christie will present a pre-launch demo of its new Solaria Series 4K DLP Cinema projector line at IBC2010 in Amsterdam, September 10-14. Taking the lead with the world’s first demo of a DLP Cinema solution in 4K, the new Christie CP4230 features the enhanced 4K DLP Cinema chip from Texas Instruments (TI) (NYSE: TXN) and is designed to be compliant with the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) specification. It is the most robust and cost-effective 4K solution available today, based on time-tested, highly reliable DLP Cinema technology.

Built on extensive experience with over 14,000 digital cinema installations worldwide, Christie’s 4K solution incorporates the proven design concepts of the world’s best selling digital cinema projector line, the Christie CP2000. The projectors are the only DLP Cinema solution with the Christie 4K+4 advantage, which includes: Christie Brilliant3D technology for high performance 3D, Christie Pixel Track technology for perfect image quality, simple maintenance procedures, and the lowest cost of operation in the industry. For those looking to upgrade their existing systems, Christie also offers more options than any other manufacturer for fast conversion including the ‘15 minutes to 4K’ upgrade process.

"Christie is continuously investing in new product innovations to offer our customers the widest possible choice for their audiences," comments Craig Sholder, vice president, Entertainment Solutions, Christie. "We understand how important it is for exhibitors to safeguard their long-term technology investment, particularly as more 4K content comes on the market. Our experience with the 1.2" DLP Cinema chip has given us an advantage over the competition on developing premium 2K and 4K technology to keep pace with the digital cinema rollout."

Christie is scheduled to launch the Christie 4K Solaria Series this fall with shipments beginning in early 2011. Pricing for Christie 4K digital cinema projectors is anticipated to be 35% above 2K projector pricing. Development of Christie 4K solutions for markets beyond cinema will be based on market demand.

New Harting Connector Ideal for Stage and Concert Use

Han-Yellock is a new industrial connector series from Harting which incorporates a number of features that make it ideally suited to use in stage automation, concert lighting and power distribution systems.

In addition to offering an IP67 mated degree of protection, the connector features an integrated ‘seat-belt’ style latched locking mechanism that ensures damage limitation under harsh handling conditions. The new connector also allows single-handed mating or unmating, making it ideal for fitting in awkward access areas - often the case for theatre installations.

The locking facility is a key function of the Han-Yellock connector. When locked, the connection is resistant to vibration and shock. When unmated, a red ring is visible around the perimeter of the locking pushbutton. When fully mated, this ring disappears as soon as the internally protected stainless-steel springs snap into place, providing audible and visual user feedback. To prevent accidental opening of the connector, it can be double-locked by rotating the pushbutton through 90°. The combined hood and carrier-hood design allows cable assemblies to be pulled easily through theatre installation cable trays or trunking.

Another innovative design feature of this connector is the option to use two different insert designs. The Han-Yellock contact module system offers up to three 5-way, finger-proof 20 A rated male crimp contact inserts, which simply snap into place from the mating or termination side of the hood or housing, resulting in reduced installation cost from pre-wired assembly on the cabinet side. Separate pre-loaded back-to-back female moulded contact elements (multipliers) provide through mating. The multipliers are also available as bridges in various formats to provide power bus functionality.

User benefits include shorter wiring time with termination of male-only crimp contacts and thus lower inventory requirements. User safety is ensured with finger-safe designed inserts and a housing integrated crimp or QuickLock termination protected earth (PE) contact that is located in the PE contact chamber. On the hood or free cable side these modules are recessed, thus preventing insert damage when they are disconnected.

The other insert option provides a front or rear snap-in adaptor frame which facilitates modules from Harting's popular Han-Modular series. This allows a mixture of data control and power signals within the Han-Yellock connector, enabling it to be used in applications such as winch controllers in theatre automation systems for scenery fly-bar or fly-by-wire controls.

POPSSystem Direct-Weather Three-Way Sound System

One Systems, a leading manufacturer of high-output, high-fidelity direct-weather loudspeaker systems, is introducing POPSSystem, a new powered system at the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) show at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London in September.

POPSSystem is a powered three-way sound system featuring concert-quality components, 5,000 watts of tri-amped power, full digital signal processing and tough, roadworthy enclosures. Thanks to its high performance and incredible range of features, POPSSystem delivers an unmatched combination of audio quality, weather-resistance and flexibility.

POPSSystem is comprised of the POPS15, an active 15-inch two-way system and POPSSub, an active 18-inch subwoofer system. POPS15 features a powerful 15-inch (381 mm) woofer with a 4-inch (101.6 mm) voice coil and a medium-format compression driver coupled with a High-Q 60 x 40 degree constant-directivity horn that are capable of delivering medium to long-throw coverage and beautifully-detailed sound quality. POPS15 is equipped with Italian-built Powersoft amplifiers delivering 3,000 watts of peak, efficient, class-D power and features full digital signal processing for EQ, crossover, alignment, dynamics and protection.

POPSSub includes a powerful 18-inch (381 mm) woofer equipped with a 4-inch (101.6 mm) voice coil that delivers impressive bass output. Its Powersoft amplifier delivers 2,000 watts of power to ensure plenty of high-impact bass. POPSSub is equipped with large-diameter pneumatic wheels that enable it to be easily rolled across muddy sports fields or through tall grass. It is also equipped with a metal pole mount and it comes with an adjustable-height, crank-up loudspeaker mounting pole for elevating a full-range system.

POPSSystem also includes customized, extra-long, SJOOW-rated 30.5 m / 100 ft AC mains and XLR-type signal cables with premium moisture-resistant connectors (two of each). Each AC mains and XLR signal cables are supplied on portable cable reels for fast setup and ease in transportation.

 

 

 

 

POPSSystem will be on display at the One Systems booth during 1-J34 during PLASA2010.

Serapid Provides Flexible Theatre Configurations for Venues

As we are increasingly required to do more with less, cultural centres and entertainment venues are also trying to meet the same ever expanding demands. Many of these spaces are now referred to as ‘multi-purpose venues’ and are built or renovated to accommodate a vast array of performances and other forms of entertainment – from sports to live theatre to concerts, opera, dance, etc.

Multi-purpose venues frequently have the problem of accommodating various types of production to enable them to meet their full potential and often have the need to quickly and easily reconfigure their space.

Serapid’s Rigid Chain Technology allows linear movement of heavy loads over virtually any distance, horizontally or vertically and with pin-point accuracy, making the system ideally suitable whether a silent scene change is required, or whether the total configuration of a venue floor, walls or roof need to be changed. The unique ability to store the chain in any number of geometric configurations allows the systems to be fitted in almost any location.

At the PLASA 2010 exhibition, 12-15 September 2010, in London’s Earls Court, Serapid will introduce QSX – Quick Seating Xchange. In response to market requirements, Serapid has designed and patented this totally new system for use in flexible venues.

QSX is a mechanical process allowing changes to the configuration of venues. Built with the company’s LinkLift columns incorporated in telescopic guides to provide lifting and guiding functions, QSX uses a simple rotating mechanism to effortless transform a plain floor to either flat or raked seating configurations. With Serapid QSX System, changing floor and seating configurations of any venue is quick and easy.

Visit Serapid at PLASA 2010 on stand 2-P14 in Earls Court.

www.serapid.com

Squared and Modular Point Source Array at PLASA 2010

PLASA 2010 will host the European début of the latest products in Renkus-Heinz‘ expanding IC Live family of digitally steerable array loudspeakers - with a 'world first' in the striking shape of the new IC2, or 'IC Squared'. Also new to Europe is the CF/CFX Modular Point Source Array, a groundbreaking solution for today's small and mid-sized venues, including auditoria, night clubs, theaters and houses of worship.

IC2 sets a new benchmark in live sound loudspeaker design by combining the control and flexibility of Iconyx digitally steerable technology with the power and focus of a point source loudspeaker, creating the world's first 'crossover array' with the full benefits of both technologies.

Four 8-inch low frequency Neodymium transducers and 1-inch Titanium Nitride coated HF drivers offer high SPL point source performance, while individual steering control of each driver gives the IC2 unrivalled vertical pattern control for maximum intelligibility by delivering up to four beams, even in the most reverberant spaces. Each IC2 two-way 8-inch module delivers articulate musicality and powerful punch, with a versatile design that can be used as a stand-alone high-performance loudspeaker, a small ground stack or a flown array of up to 20 cabinets.

Iconyx and IC Live series of products deliver high-intelligibility speech and music solutions in acoustically and aesthetically challenging spaces from transport hubs and opera houses to churches and cathedrals, as well as being ideal for integration with LED screens.

Also new is the Modular Point Source Array series, on show in the form of the self-powered CF101-LA and nonpowered CFX101-LA systems. Designed for power, portability and versatility, it's a new solution for today's small and mid-sized venues, including auditoria, night clubs, theaters and houses of worship.

With the flexibility to be flown, ground-stacked or pole-mounted, the CF/CFX101-LA delivers the performance and pattern control of a line array, with the clarity of a point source system, in a compact, sleek and affordable design that's equally at home as a portable system or a permanent installation. Up to four CF/CFX101-LA cabinets can be arrayed to provide a 90x60 degree coverage pattern, delivering up to 9 dB more output and tighter vertical pattern control than a conventional single cabinet. Traditional line arrays require two or three times as many cabinets to provide the same range of coverage.

For a first hand look and listening visit Renkus-Heinz at the POLARaudio stand 1-F2 at PLASA 2010.

In picture: to be unveiled at PLASA 2010 is Renkus-Heinz Modular Point Source Array.

Australian Monitor at PLASA 2010

Australian Monitor will showcase a host of products at PLASA 2010 including its AMD series of mixers and power amplifiers and the new Revolution Series DSP.

The AMD series of mixer and power amps represent a significant step forward in connectivity, controllability and flexibility for constant voltage amplifiers, allowing integration to third party control systems, PC enabled control and remote control panels. Not only that, but the optional on-board DSP processing provides EQ, dynamics, delay and level control to completely customise any set-up.

Revolution series DSP has been over four years in development and provides a stunning DSP platform that is simple to both install and integrate as well as being intuitive to operate. With the series comprising AV Revolution and Zone Revolution models, virtually any installation requirement is covered, including remote control and paging – all with comprehensive, state of the art DSP processing.

Australian Monitor is distributed exclusively in the UK by POLARaudio and will be on stand 1-F2 at PLASA 12-15 September.

In picture: the AMD power amplifier from Australian Monitor.

PLASA International Rigging Conference Last Places Remaining

PLASA Events has confirmed that the first ever PLASA International Rigging Conference is close to a sell out. With over 160 delegates already registered from all over the world, there are now only 25 delegate places remaining.

Running alongside PLASA 2010, the PLASA International Rigging Conference is taking place on 13-14 September in the Earls Court Conference Centre. This 'world-first' unique event has attracted delegates from Europe, USA, Canada, Asia and Australia - making it an invaluable international industry forum for the international live entertainment and event rigging community.

Industry icons speaking at the conference include Unusual Rigging's Alan Jacobi, Star Events Group's Roger Barrett, Prolyte's Marc Hendriks, CM ET's Cristiano Giavedoni and Sapsis Rigging's Bill Sapsis.

Unusual Rigging's Alan Jacobi, LVO, states: "Unusual are delighted to be supporting the first ever PLASA International Rigging Conference. It will be the perfect opportunity for practitioners in the event and entertainment rigging industry to come together, under one roof, and debate a number of key issues - some controversial - which will help to shape the future of our industry. I would urge everyone connected with temporary installations, event and live show rigging operations to consider this an important industry forum that is worthy of everyone's patronage."

Alongside these speakers will be a host of global rigging experts talking openly about their pivotal roles in the development of the international rigging industry and the challenges this sector faces into the future. The conference promises to be a platform for airing questions and concerns, discussing key issues, sharing experiences and an opportunity to debate and dispel myths.

As part of the PLASA International Rigging Conference there will also be two live practical demonstrations taking place in Earls Court Two.

The first on Monday 13 September is a heat experiment in conjunction with Hawthorn Theatrical to demonstrate the effect heat has on polyester and steel slings under load. Such a demonstration to a live audience has never been attempted before, and it is hoped that it will give an insight to what may actually happen when slings get very hot.

On the second day of the Conference, there will be a rescue demonstration in conjunction with UK Rigging. A rescue of a casualty from height, it will cover some of the typical situations encountered and act as a thought provoking illustration of how assistance might be given to someone who has fallen on a fall arrest lanyard.

The full conference programme and delegate booking details can be found at www.plasariggingconference.com  As the event is to be hosted alongside PLASA 2010 at Earls Court, London, all delegate passes will include free admission for PLASA 2010.

 

Martin Professional Revolution Coming to PLASA 2010

From September 12-15, Martin Professional is bringing its latest range of professional luminaries, creative LED panels, atmospheric effects, sophisticated control systems, and a revolutionary surprise to PLASA 2010 in London.

Inviting and engaging, the Martin stand will be the ideal environment to display an innovative line that includes a product certain to be a springboard for revolutionary lighting designs. For full details, visit Martin at stand 1-F44.

The MAC 350 Entour is a cutting edge LED profile fixture that surpasses what has previously been possible in terms of brightness, efficiency and compactness in a hard edge LED fixture. Featuring proprietary LED technology, it is the market’s first real alternative to traditional HID-based profile fixtures. In a package smaller and lighter than market leading 250 watt fixtures, the MAC 350 Entour exceeds even 300 watt fixtures in brightness.

The MAC III Performance is a high-output profile moving head with a new interleaved framing system with full crossover of each blade and industry-first continuous rotation for new projection, framing and effects possibilities. It is available as a complete fixture or as an easy-to-swap module that installs in minutes on any MAC III Profile, eliminating the need to invest in two separate fixtures.

The EC series represents the new generation of indoor and outdoor LED screens, combining low weight and creativity with state-of-the-art image quality. It combines the image quality and precision of conventional high resolution screens (20 mm pixel pitch) with the creativity and low weight of mesh type screens. Featuring outstanding image quality and semi-transparency, the EC-20 is designed for rapid setup and teardown in combination with maximum flexibility and easy serviceability.

Easily convert any MAC 2000 Wash XB or MAC 2000 Wash luminaire into a powerful beam fixture with an inexpensive conversion kit that installs in minutes. Amazingly bright, the MAC 2000 Beam XB also includes smooth dimming, strobe, full color mixing, variable CTO, color wheel, and gobos.

The MAC 401 CT Zoom is an exceptionally versatile color temperature variable white light source wash luminaire with fast zoom. It not only delivers more light than traditional RGB LED fixtures, but projects a much better light quality, making it excellent for highlighting skin tones or textiles. Highly efficient, power consumption is much lower than traditional tungsten washlights. It is also available as a module that easily fits onto either side of any MAC 401 Dual, creating a white light or color plus white light source.

The M1 is the next generation lighting controller from Martin Professional. With the full power of a larger desk and the agility of a smaller one, the M1 is a state-of-the-art, all-in-one lighting desk. Following the philosophy and simplicity of our current controller platform, the Martin M1 sets a new standard as the most powerful and affordable full-featured lighting console on the market.

Version 2 software of Martin’s award-winning processor for LED screens includes a host of new and advanced features that make it even easier to use. Updates make it possible to combine screens with different resolutions on the same P3-100 Controller, adjust color temperature to match other screens, rotate content to any angle, and create groups of panels for faster handling of larger setups. Other new features are included as well.

Dozens of new features and improvements have been implemented into Maxedia to make the market’s most user-friendly media server even easier to use. New plug-ins for never before seen effects, new PufferSphere plug-ins, new super fast capture cards and other updates set the standard for HD playback quality, stability and ease of use.

The Ether2DMX8 is a highly capable DMX router and much more! As a DMX router, it translates Artnet protocol into DMX in/out universes but can also be used as a DMX merger, DMX splitter hub, fail safe device, cue playback, and DMX viewer monitor.

In picture: the EC-20 is designed for rapid set-up.

MILOS at PLASA 2010

Trussing manufacturer MILOS launches five innovative new products on Stand 1-G50 at the PLASA Light & Sound Show, Earls Court, London.

MR2 8x6m is the latest roofing product from MILOS, which is now available as part of their renowned MR2 range of roofing systems. MR2 8x6m meets the demand for a smaller, heavy duty stage for those projects requiring compact roofs with greater weight loadings. It can cover 48 square metres and is ideal for clients wanting a structure that can take more weight than MILOS' popular MR1 series, bit not needing anything as substantial in size as the MR3, MR4 or MR5 series. The roof is supported by MILOS MT1 towers and the frame constructed out of MILOS M290V Quatro trussing beams. All the wires required for wind stabilization are part of the standard package supplied with MILOS roofing systems. A tough PVC canopy is available in a wide variety of colors, and the roof comes with all certifications and an easily comprehendible set-up manual.

The MR Sloping Roof a cost effective roof for end users seeking a structure with fast assembly and break down. The attractive aesthetics make it an eye-catching centerpiece for all occasions - from music festivals to political to corporate presentations. The shape of the slope covers a maximum stage area of 48 square metres and is constructed from MILOS M290V Quatro trussing, ensuring excellent stability and weight loading for hanging sound, lighting, AV and other production equipment. MR Sloping Roof comes complete with safety wires, a PVC canopy and user-friendly set-up manual.

MILOS new Party Tent is for all types of outdoor events wanting a handy weatherproof space with no fuss. It can be used for providing catering facilities or spaces for private parties, weddings and any other social occasion. Designed for quick, straightforward installation and break down, convenient transportation and low volume storage, the Party Tent comes with a PVC canopy, available a choice of colours. No specialist requirements are needed for construction, it is highly versatile and can be erected on any surface - asphalt, grass, concrete, etc. Custom dimensioned Party Tents can also be supplied

The Safe Ballast is an invaluable accessory for the MILOS S4 xStage or Layher staging, eliminating the need for additional water tanks or concrete blocks to ensure the stage platform is stable. Safe Ballast is also designed to integrate with MILOS MR1 and MR2 Roofing systems and will therefore save costs for any additional work needed to deal with ballasting issues when these products are also being used.

The latest in ramp technology from MILOS is the OV50 ramp, designed as an ideal solution for the loading of any equipment up to 1000 Kg on wheels onto stages or into trucks.

It offers an extremely cost-effective solution for handling equipment with the maximum ease and safety. A special anti-slip surface ensures safe operation in all environments and weathers. OV50 is designed for flight case transportation, and can be utilised by any business involved in removing and transporting goods and equipment.

Custom versions to suit specific applications are available on request.

In addition to all the new products, MILOS will also be showing its most popular standard ranges of trussing, roofing and staging systems and screen supports, plus also demonstrating the company's ability to design and build complete custom projects, and deliver fast and efficiently with excellent back up and after sales support.

In picture: MILOS new MR Sloping Roof.

Busy PLASA for W-DMX

Wireless Solution Sweden AB will be showing the newest revolution of Wireless DMX control, W-DMX Generation 4 at stand 1-E43 September 12-15 at Earls Court in London. In addition to showcasing the new product line, Wireless Solution will hold a Wireless University seminar and for the first time at PLASA, bring the popular Swedish vodka and meatball party to the venue.

Wireless Solution has always claimed to be as good as cable, but with the introduction of W-DMX Generation 4, it’s actually better. Unlike any cable, the new G4 is able to repair corrupted data and vouches for maximum security by running on dual band and creating a backup duplicate of the signal. This new standard is transparent and works with several protocols, creating extreme flexibility and reliability without the need for additional controllers or software.

The new G4 product line includes Adaptive Frequency Hopping technology to avoid interference from Wi-fi, Intercom and other radio products, W-DMX invisi-wire and data-safe technologies for unparalleled fidelity, and support of RDM (Remote Device Management) so units can be configured remotely with no fuss or cables. W-DMX G4 is the only product on the market to support the 5.8GHz band as standard, ensuring that even if the 2.4GHz band becomes too crowded with other users, your lighting control remains rock solid. G4 also has the highest output power, up to 800mW on 2.45GHz and 1000mW on 5.8GHz.

The Swedish vodka and meatball party will be held on Monday, September 13 from 16.30 to 18.00. While sipping on complimentary vodka and sampling Swedish meatballs, guests can check out the G4 line, including the new Bluebox RDM Controller, a PC based DMX and RDM controller for controlling large rigs of RDM enabled products. It allows users to search for any RDM enabled product in a DMX/RDM Network, automatically patch and control the fixture, receive status updates and configure settings such as fixture mode, lamp on/off and more. Bluebox works with the W-DMX™ G4 range and will automatically search for and find any G4 transmitters and RDM enabled G4 receivers. Signal strength and wireless channels are displayed, plus configuration options such as signal power, transmitter/receiver pairing and compatibility modes.

Niclas Arvidsson, CEO of Wireless Solution says: "PLASA has always been one of our most successful shows, with some of the industry’s biggest heavy-hitters attending. We are looking forward to displaying our new G4 product line and offering our educational seminar. And of course, we take great pride in our knowledgeable sales staff and Swedish hospitality!"

The W-DMX Wireless University seminar will be held on Monday, September 13 from 3.00pm - 4.00pm in the Whitehall Room, Earls?Court 2, hosted by Wireless Solution Technical Project Manager, Ben Darrington. The seminar aims to educate the industry on the technology and benefits of wireless DMX.

MilTec Celebrate Tenth Birthday at PLASA 2010

MilTec (UK) Ltd will be celebrating their 10th Birthday at the PLASA show in September. MilTec have been successfully supplying professional lighting and sound equipment to the entertainment industry from their base near Maidstone in Kent since July 2000. This year at PLASA they will be showing several new audio and LED products to add to their existing catalogue.

Making their debut will be a range of lightweight multi-channel amps, three new 1U installation mixers/zoners, a processor and a 15 inch 600W sub bass cabinet. All these products were designed by MilTec’s technical director, Graham Gosden.

In the lighting products section there will be two new IP65 LED Pars fitted with 48x 3W RGBW or tricolour LEDs. There will also be new LED battens featuring 1W and tricolour LEDs, both featuring multi-zone operation.

The new LEDHead 50P is a 50W LED moving head profile with eight colours, eight indexable rotating gobos, motorised focus, prism and 16 bit pan and tilt. Also on display will be a 40W automated LED profile and a 324W LED moving head wash.

Two new LED starcloths will also feature on the stand, fitted with 128 tricolour LEDs and available in black and white cloth finish.

Join MilTec for a birthday drink.on stand number 1-F1 in Earls Court 1.

 

PLASA 2010 Visitor Registrations Rocket

A strong upsurge in PLASA 2010 visitor registrations has taken the total soaring past last year's pre-registered figure, with over two weeks still to go before the show opens.

Over 2,000 chairmen, 800 lighting designers, 1,000 engineers, 900 technicians / programmers and 500 installers are among them - with concert and touring, live events and theatre the fastest growing sectors and impressive growth coming from the AV visitor figures too. Confirming that PLASA 2010 continues to be viewed as a truly international event, 30% of registrations are from non-UK visitors.

Interest has been high as organiser PLASA Events has announced a stream of over 60 new and returning exhibitors over the summer, joining the show's regular cast of hundreds of key international brands, between them preparing to launch an estimated 500 new audio, video, lighting and stage technology products.

Also driving up interest is the expanded Education & Learning Programme and the co-location of two major new conferences: the first PLASA International Rigging Conference, with over 160 delegates signed up, and the inaugural AVNetworks 2010 Conference, aiming to bring people together at a critical time for standards developments in audio / video bridging (AVB) www.AVnetworks2010.com A new weekly email news service, launched this month, is keeping visitors abreast of what's new and what to bookmark, whilst new audio, video, lighting and stage technology & rigging web pages are providing a home for each sectors' latest news online (www.plasashow.com).

Show Director Nicola Rowland comments: "This late surge before the end of the summer holidays is excellent news for exhibitors and visitors. There's a tremendous buzz about PLASA 2010 which always translates into a great atmosphere on the show floor. And that's just the daytime - this year's after-show events will be jumping with parties and press events at some of London's most iconic venues."

Adding to the hive of activity, the PLASA 2010 Bar will be open until 8pm on the first three days of the show, whilst the PLASA Awards for Innovation Ceremony will celebrate the best new products from this year's crop on Monday evening (6pm in the PLASA 2010 Bar). Plus there's Early Opening, allowing visitors to take a look at the Awards-nominated products in the Innovation Gallery from 9.30am each day, whilst grabbing a complimentary coffee and bookmarking products to view later.

Register now to join the industry at Earls Court.

 

 

www.plasashow.com

Eurolite's Pixel Panel PLASA Debut

A combination which is everything but common – Eurolite's new Pixel Panel combines the latest technology, solid, elegant workmanship and a fair price. At London's PLASA Show the chic, black light effect with tricolor LEDs makes its first appearance on the market.

At first glance, one difference to many LED displays or walls becomes quite obvious. In contrast to widespread bar systems, where the LEDs are placed on small strips with emptiness in between, the Pixel Panel presents an alternative. Eurolite deliberately opted for a fully covered housing. The tricolor LEDs are fixed at little openings, only a few millimeters in size. In this way, the light can exit unhindered and produce its full power. Thanks to the large black surface area, the panel is an eye-catcher, even without illumination.

The technical side is striking as well. Equipping a panel with 16 highly modern and powerful tricolor LEDs (SMD 5050) marks a premiere for Eurolite. The multi-chip technology, where the LEDs close ranks and light escapes through a collective lens, guarantees a homogeneous colour mixture, even at short distances. The colours are concentrated and therefore seem to be more saturated. At the same time, the Tricolor LEDs mix a pure white, impossible to create with conventional RGB LEDs.

As every LED can be controlled separately, numerous configuration options arise. One panel occupies 48 DMX channels and that is why a control software such as Madrix can be recommended.

Installation is really simple. When the plastic board is removed, the base can be screwed onto the respective surface. The panels weigh 1.5 kg, measure only 25 x 25 cm and can thus be used very individually. And the more panels linked to form a bigger surface, the more impressive the effect becomes.

The Pixel Panel is ideal for permanent installation in bars, lounges, cafes or clubs, or in front of a DJ booth, and it will be great for mobile use too.

First German RDM Plugfest Success

Then first German RDM Plugfest took place on August 20 at the premises of Soundlight in Wennigsen-Steinkrug. Thirteen leading developers from nine companies discussed new solutions connected with DMX512 Remote Device Management. Software solutions were presented by e:cue and SK Software, while Arnold, Connex and Soundlight contributed hardware solutions.

"It was perfectly organised, a great place and an exciting atmosphere," said Dietmar Rottinghaus of Connex GmbH. "We are looking forward to meeting again very soon."

In picture: attendees at the first German RDM Plugfest at Soundlight’s HQ.

www.soundlight.de

Robe Launches New Green Initiative at PLASA

Robe will launch a major new green initiative - "Think of the Future - Consider Nature" - at PLASA 2010 to underline its ongoing commitment to developing and producing genuinely cutting-edge, innovative and energy saving products.

Using Robe's latest products, the renowned booth lightshow will consume 30% less power than before, and look equally impressive. There will also be no less than seven newly launched environmentally friendly moving light and LED products on stand 1-F47 from the Czech Republic based manufacturer.

Says MD Josef Valchar: "Robe has already been operating a strong green policy for several years; we are not just jumping onboard a current trend, and now is the time to push this philosophy to the next level." He adds that Robe intends to keep at the forefront of developing sustainable technologies and encouraging everyone to think seriously and imaginatively about their application in our industry, with "our collective futures in mind".

"Think of the Future - Consider Nature" also sees a whole new range of Robe marketing materials and merchandising, which will be available and running alongside all the classic Robe brand idents.

Robe's stand at PLASA this year will be as eye-catching and elegant as ever, sporting a strong green theme and colouration, and adorned by several strategically placed Bonsai Trees to really bring the environmental message home.

The ergonomics of the stand design allow maximum accessibility for visitors and customers to view the new products and meet the people behind them. The space is completely open all round, with an inviting feel, encouraging the rapid and fluid movement of people, with a raised area in the middle that can be utilised for meetings or chilling out and enjoying Robe's famous hospitality.

The top of the stand is draped on three sides and hanging from the roof will be a series of projection cones in stretched white fabric, with one larger central cone. These will be used to highlight Robe's powerful and versatile DigitalSpot 7000 and 3000DT fixtures and their projection capabilities.

Lighting and visuals for the stand are designed by Robe UK's Nathan Wan, and will utilise Robe's latest ROBIN series of moving lights, both 600 and 300 versions in Spot, Wash and Beam ranges, and also their ColorWash 750AT Tungstens. The New Product gallery will be open and accessible all around the ground floor area of the stand allowing people a close up look at the technology. The back of the stand will feature a section for sister company Anolis's latest architecturally orientated LED products, and at the top, a large projection screen will receive material from DigitalSpot 7000DTs rigged on the nearby HSL stand.

Robe's demo room will also be running throughout the exhibition, where individuals or groups can be booked in for an in-depth session on the new products and to learn more about Robe's concepts and dedication to carbon emission reduction.

www.robe.cz

Spotlight Srl at PLASA 2010

The Spotlight stand at PLASA 2010 will feature a selection of key models from the company’s extensive range of innovative entertainment and architectural lighting fixtures (Stand 1-C6).

The new Halogen Profile 1200W Low Voltage fixture delivers a high light output comparable to a 2000W unit. Featuring an energy and space-saving design, the luminaire is equipped with a dichroic mirror, fast fit lamp and built-in electronic transformer / DMX dimmer.

The new MIDI LED 100 Zoom is a real RGBW 100W LED spot with a 12 to 50 degree zoom function that delivers a high colour rendition and a light output similar to a 1000W fixture. The luminaire will be displayed in the single modular (four units) line array version, as well as the fully motorised version (ARC) of four elements in a frame with a global LED power of 400W.

A full range of Pole Operated System fixtures will be on display for the whole Spotlight production range. Models include the classical Fresnel for TV studios. Also showing are the the more compact 500W and 1000W spots (PC, profiles, Domino etc.) created for small theatres and schools, which allow the safe adjustment of the fixtures from the ground.

In addition to these ‘entertainment’ products, Spotlight will also be displaying the main fixtures from its ‘architectural’ line, with some significant improvements on the ‘Mini’ range and the completion of the ‘MIDI’ range with a motorised version for better distance focusing.

Spotlight is a highly specialised company developing and manufacturing professional products for TV studios, opera houses, theatres, concert halls as well as the entertainment- rental industry and professional architectural lighting.

Jands Shows Exciting New Control & Dimming Ranges at PLASA 2010

The exciting Jands line-up at PLASA 2010 will feature the new, exceptional value, touring FPX dimmer systems as well as a preview of the latest beta version of the V2 ‘Byron’ software for the revolutionary Vista lighting range (Stand 1-E10).

With a choice of sophisticated all-in-one consoles, and more compact Mac and PC based solutions, the award-winning Jands Vista lighting control system continues the Jands tradition of offering exceptional quality and value, with the flexibility to suit the needs and budgets of almost any show.

Shared across the whole family, the Vista’s intuitive interface lets the user work visually, making it fast and simple to control the look on stage using lights, LEDs, media, or all three. For real adaptability, even when using local production, the generic fixture model allows fast, easy changing of fixture types without affecting the contents of the show. Finally, the innovative timeline environment gives a complete, accurate picture of complex changes to get the detail right on the first attempt.

After extensive study of user feedback, Jands have refined the best elements of the Vista as well as introducing a host of new features to make it even faster and even easier to use. Re-building the software from the ground up, the new Vista V2 ‘Byron’ software is a whole new platform.

New features include really simple one button storing; fast cue list navigation; "super-search" filtering of items; powerful, perfectly synchronised effects that are simple to make; a library of matrix effects templates; ‘detail’ view windows; split fade times; an easy to use, on board, fixture editor; command line interface; and visual media server control. Vista 2 ‘Byron’ takes the Vista’s core idea of ‘think visually, work visually’ to the next level.

There are still times when the right thing for the job is a simple "old school" fader desk, and the reliable and ever popular Stage and Event families continue to provide the perfect solution.

As well as their wide range of controllers, on hand will also be models from the Jands dimmer line-up, including the superbly priced FPX, configurable HPX, and installation WMX. The range offers high quality solutions within the budgets of a wide variety of applications, whether theatre, concert, event, corporate, education or worship.

For those looking for an exceptional value touring dimmer system without being prepared to compromise on quality, take a look at the new 24, 36 and 48 way, fully patchable, touring FPX dimmer systems built to cope with a hard life on the road.

www.jandsvista.com

POLARaudio at PLASA 2010

POLARaudio will exhibit a number of new products at this year's PLASA show from many of the brands in its extensive portfolio. There will be live demonstrations of the latest in digital networked audio, as well as exciting developments in live audio and PA.

Highlights at this year’s show include new products from ASL, Australian Monitor, Aviom, beyerdynamic, Biamp, Renkus Heinz, MC² and XTA. In addition to this POLARaudio will introduce exciting new milestones from Dynacord. ASL, Cue, and Novasonar will also feature on the stand.

New products include, from beyerdynamic, D290 and D790 professional series headphones and headsets now available with an integrated level limiter, Australian Monitor AMD series Amplifiers and Revolution DSP, Aviom’s AllFrame Multi-Modular I/O System, the EN-54-16 certified Biamp Vocia and a new flush mount version of the already successful RED-1 (The RED-1F). Other products featuring at the show will include ASL digital, MC² and XTA Ti series networkable power amplifiers and E100 power amplifiers, Renkus-Heinz New IC² and CF101 Modular Point Source Array.

Chroma-Q LED Lighting at PLASA 2010

The Chroma-Q stand at PLASA 2010 will feature the launch of new mighty output coloured / White LED and battery powered LED lighting fixtures designed to meet today’s most demanding entertainment and architectural lighting applications (Stand 1-E11).

The new Chroma-Q Color Force line-up includes super bright RGBA battens that easily wash up to 8m high. Launching at PLASA and expanding the range is the Color Force 12, a compact 30cm wide, 2,000 lumens version that provides the ideal multi-purpose LED fixture for floor, wall or truss mounting. Other range features include a huge RGBA full colour palette capable of deep cold blues and red hot lava looks in a single fixture, CRI of 92, independently controlled cells, theatrical grade dimming and an extremely smooth, uniform wash.

Utilising the same advanced technologies, the new Daylight Force battens provide 5600K CCT White LED versions with a staggering 48,000 (1.8m) / 32,000 (1.2m) lumens output for washing large areas. In addition, the new Daylight Punch 5600K CCT White LED fixture provides 3,500 lumens for bright washlight results in a compact design.

The new Chroma-Q Color Charge is a 600 lumen, battery powered, RGBA, wireless DMX fixture which is ideal for any indoor temporary lighting application where wiring is a challenge or where install speed is critical, enabling users to transform a venue in minutes. It also features a highly efficient nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) power cell for up to 30 hours usage and up to 1,000 charges; approximately double the life of lead-acid batteries.

Other products on show include the Magic Box 19" rack mount range of EtherSwitch 7 / 7F seven gigabit touring grade network switches and other data distribution products, playback devices, colour changers, gobo rotators and associated lighting accessories.

Glyn O’Donoghue, product development director of Chroma-Q UK distributor, A.C. Entertainment Technologies, commented: "Following huge interest in new Chroma-Q LED fixtures shown last year as well as major product launches this year, we are expecting a record number of visitors to check out the range. PLASA is an ideal showcase for Chroma-Q due to the truly multi-purpose nature of the LED range."

In picture: Chroma-Q Color Force

www.chroma-q.com

Hall for Cornwall Organise Public Lighting Shoot Out

Hall for Cornwall, Truro, is hosting a lighting ‘Shoot Out’ on Thursday September 2. The day will focus on showcasing Profile, Fresnel, PC and LED wash fixtures from a range of several leading manufacturers.

"We are particularly pleased to be able to host what we understand will be the first public comparison of ETC’s Source 4 and Selecon’s new SPX range of profiles," says Hall for Cornwall’s head of operations, Simon Crick.

The day will run from 10am to 4pm, and interested parties are welcome to join in the fun.

"This is a superb opportunity for people in the South West to try out a whole range of products in a real theatre environment right on their doorsteps," continues Crick. "It is a very rare event for this to happen outside of London or in a non-trade show environment so we hope people will take advantage of this opportunity."

If you intend to come along, please e-mail simonc@hallforcornwall.org.uk in advance for an indication of numbers.

For further information on Hall for Cornwall visit: www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

New W-DMX BlueBox to be Unveiled at PLASA

Wireless Solution Sweden AB will unveil the latest product to the award-winning W-DMX line, the BlueBox RDM Controller, during PLASA 2010 in London, September 12-15 in Stand 1-E43.

BlueBox is the industry's first PC-based intelligent, integrated DMX and RDM controller software. Built from the ground up specifically for controlling large rigs of RDM enabled products, the BlueBox RDM controller allows users to search for any RDM enabled product in a DMX/RDM Network, automatically patch the fixture, and control the fixture, as well as receive status updates on the fixture and configure settings such as fixture mode, lamp on/off and more. This makes the BlueBox RDM controller perfect for quick setup and programming of corporate and live event rigs (much quicker than an equivalent DMX console due to the fast automation that RDM allows for), and is ideal for autonomous monitoring of large scale lighting installations in architectural environments.

The BlueBox RDM controller is built with a set of features specifically for the W-DMX G4 range. BlueBox will automatically search for and find any G4 transmitters and RDM enabled G4 receivers and display them clearly on the screen. Useful information, such as signal strength and wireless channels used can be displayed, and useful configuration options such as signal power, transmitter/receiver pairing and compatibility modes can be set up quickly and easily from dedicated W-DMX menus. Users can also see which RDM fixtures are connected through which W-DMX receiver, simplifying installation.

The DMX controller allows cue lists to be built, coupled with powerful timing control to enable automatic, architectural or event lighting to take place, with minimal user intervention. The clear, concise fixture alerting system alerts the user if there are any problems with fixtures on screen and by email, virtually eliminating all manual checking of fixtures in fixed installations. The cue list quick select allows dynamic shows to be programmed and run ‘on-site'.

BlueBox comes as an Ethernet dongle and PC software, and is optimised for touch screen PCs. Use of a simple wireless LAN allows the controller to be brought practically anywhere in a venue, making patching, focusing, testing and programming much easier. Multiple dongles can be used for multiple universes of DMX/RDM, allowing a practically unlimited system size.

5 Star at PLASA 2010

5 Star will be displaying a selection of its standard and custom designed and built cases most relevant to the entertainment industry at the PLASA 2010 exhibition.

Leading sound console manufacturer DiGiCo's recently launched their SD9 ‘Red Snapper' digital console - which is housed in its default 5 Star flight case that will be highlighted on Stand 1-L36. The SD9 case features a handy (optional) VESA mount TFT arm for attaching an external display screen and many other ‘5 Star magic touches' including branded support cheeks. The SD9's new 'end-cheeks' really highlight the console's aesthetics, so to compliment, 5 Star's Solid Edge 3D modelling and rendering software was used to create these stunning additional enhancements. The whole three-piece 'Nosecone' case layout has been designed for ease of handling and ergonomic use of the console, and go perfectly with DiGiCo's cutting edge technology.

Also on display will be another eye-catching set of cases, designed and manufactured with practicality specifically for Martin Audio's new MLA (Multi-Cellular Loudspeaker Array) System. This range of MLA trunks feature a cool ‘all-black' finish, including powder-coated hardware and aluminium extrusions. Road trunks for cables and multicore drums, flying frames, as well as 19" racks are all part of the complete system.

A selection of CNC-routed foam inserts will also be present, in the form of a professional tool case. This demonstrates 5 Star's flexible and dynamic machining capabilities - which also enhance the quick turnarounds and quality for which 5 Star is renowned - using three Thermwood CNC systems.

5 Star's standard ranges will include the ‘Arena' - cost effective general purpose road trunks, built to top quality 5 Star construction standards, available in three sizes, the Arena 600, 900 and 1200 from stock (black only) or to order in 5 Star's standard range of colours. All are finished with premium Penn-Elcom hardware.

5 Star's famous Tour Grade popular professional range features cases of the highest quality and strength, built to withstand the rigors of constant touring and the most challenging of transportation circumstances! Tour Grade specified cases are particularly relevant to the entertainment industry - and have been hugely successful in rock 'n' roll, concert touring, theatre, conference and event production sectors.

In picture: CNC-routed foam inserts.

www.5star-cases.com

Kinesys at PLASA 2010 with New Hoist Controller Range

Kinesys comes to PLASA 2010 with a brand new fixed speed chain hoist controller range and a stylish new website.

The new DigiHoist product range from Kinesys brings digital technology to the forefront of chain hoist controller design. Digital communications allow multiple controllers to be daisy-chained together, eliminating the need for bulky multicore cables. Self-healing emergency stop connections remove the requirement for shorting plugs, and monitoring of the hoist's status means that information about hoist presence and the state of the limits can be displayed to the user, and acted upon immediately to provide Group Halting if limits are hit whilst moving.

The new website goes live on September 12, the first day of the show, and has been built from the ground up with both specifiers and end users in mind. Easy to navigate product pages and an enlarged project and case study area demonstrate the Kinesys range of products in detail and in use. For end users, a brand new expansive support area facilitates unlimited access to manuals, demo software, data sheets, connection diagrams and FAQs on all products.

Showing at PLASA and in regular use in both venue installations and equipment rental applications is the Kinesys Libra load cell system. Available in both 3.25T and 4.75T variants, with Basic and Professional power supply options, Libra provides an reliable, easy to use method of making vitally important loading information available to venue managers or head riggers. To demonstrate the versatility of the Libra system, visitors to the stand are invited to compete in the ‘Test Your Strength' Challenge that will be running for the duration of the show.

Both the website and the DigiHoist range will on display on stand 2-Q6 along with a number of other Kinesys products that are in use everyday all around the globe.

In picture: the Libra load cell system.

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