Robe - Leaderboard - 27 Aug25 - Jan26
ISE 2026 - Banner - Oct 2025

Events

Details
ESTA's dedicated Interconnectivity Pavilion was designed to offer an engineering model of how Remote Device Management (RDM) actually works, and an illustration of the benefits it will offer the lighting industry. And the benefits are many: it provides an automatic equipment check, telling the controller exactly what fixtures are connected; it does away with the need for DIP switch/fixture display settings - parameters can now be set directly from the console or RDM controller (good news for manufacturers and for productions with DMX devices in inaccessible places); also, the controller is alerted with status and error messages, including faults and lamp hours. The Pavilion also ably demonstrated how the RDM data packets run through the DMX data stream with no ill-effects on performance, even on non-RDM compatible fixtures.

Details
Robe Show Lighting displayed their full range of luminaires, including the latest ColorSpot 1200 AT (for Advanced Technology) and the 1200E AT version - which includes an electronic ballast for flicker-free operation, improved light output and lamp life, and power-saving mode.
ISE 2026 - Banner - Oct 2025

Details
Tomcat's John James had news of the company's new web venture - TheLodestarStore.com - which offers next-day delivery across the US for its CM Lodestar products. This site goes live on 1 January 2004, and the service extends to the global market from 1 April.

Details
Martin Professional picked up the Entertainment Lighting Product of the Year Award for its Maxxyz lighting console and the Staging & Effects Product of the Year for Jem's ZR 24/7 Hazer. On top of this, to satisfy customer demand, they introduced a new moving head laser fixture - the MAC 250 Laser. This high intensity 532nm, 250mW (green) YAG laser offers 540° pan and 257° tilt, plug and play operation and a patented intelligent safety feature. It comes with a range of effects, including radial flowering effects and an upgradeable library of graphics. Other features include full range electronic dimming and a pulsating variable-speed strobe, while a high-speed, rotating, three-facet prism effect extends the effects capability. Martin also showed its Jem and Magnum brand smoke machines, seen in September at PLASA, while the audio branch of the family, Mach, showed the new, low profile SP

Details
Perhaps surprisingly for what is predominantly a lighting-oriented show, J Eric Wade, the president and CEO of DiGiCo USA, said that he thought the 'immediate' response at LDI had been stronger even than that received at AES in New York; that could be because this is a more 'immediate' market; but whatever the reason Wade (pictured here with Dave Webster) was well pleased with the show.

Details
If the PLASA Show in September provided a much-needed boost of optimism to a largely struggling industry, North America's main showcase, LDI - The Entertainment Technology Show, has emphasized the perception that, at last, the economic downturn is becoming an upturn. With over 10,000 visitors on day one and palpably more buzz than in Vegas last year, LDI has, to quote one long-term exhibitor who no doubt echoed the thoughts of many, returned to the quality of business of three years ago. It's been a tough time economically, compounded by terrorism, disease and war - but things, it seems, are looking up.

Details
Pulsar's increasingly evident Chroma range of LED lighting fixtures was on show, including the new 30% brighter ChromaBank batten and the ChromaPanel300 - the half-size version of the ChromaPanel600 (600mm square) colour changing LED tile.

Details
Italian cable manufacturer Link showed two new cabling options for the Yamaha PM1D digital mixing console, as part of its Eurocable range. Bundling SCSI, video sync and audio cables into one casing and mating it with its proprietary LK connectors, Link's new solution offers offers reduced set-up and get-out times with greater cable connection integrity. The elegantly-named CVS LK YMHSCSI is suitable for connecting the CS1D and DSP1D modules, as well for cascading DSP1D, DSP1D EX and AO8/DIO8 connections. The CVS LK YMHPM1D is composed of a single cable to connect the PM1D control surface to the brain unit. In the US, these products are available from distributor Atlantic Audio, headed up by Craig Beyrooti.

Details
Among the new architectural lighting fixtures on show from Altman was the SpectraPar (right) - an LED-based colour changing luminaire for indoor or outdoor use. SpectraPar utilizes 36 1W LEDs inside a cast aluminium housing, and offers three interchangeable lenses.

Details
ETC was making an impression at LDI on two fronts. Product first, and the US launch of the Source Four Revolution, the moving head version of the industry standard profile luminaire, with improved optical system. Bill Gallinghouse, VP of business development and marketing, told me that the response to the Revolution has been excellent since its launch at PLASA, and the interest shown at LDI had certainly continued the trend.Away from product, ETC was also noted for its LDI Student Sponsorship programme, which again saw six lucky lighting design students from across the US join the company on an all-expenses-paid trip to LDI to 'schmooze' with leading industry practitioners. ETC's Fred Foster semi-joked that this initiative was introduced in an attempt to do something better with ETC's money than simply throwing big parties - and it looks like it'll pay off (although the parties were good

Details
Martin Audio had a good show: apart from the joy of being one of the hardy Brits who filed into the Cricketers pub at an unholy hour to watch England win the Rugby World Cup, sales director Rob Lingfield also reported that the company's W8LM mini line array has been selling very well since its PLASA launch, with in excess of 350 boxes sold and systems currently out with Eddie Izzard and the Stereophonics.

Details
BSS Audio's new software control suite for the Omnidrive Compact Plus - SB2 - has undergone rigorous testing at the hands of Adlib Audio on David Bowie's Reality tour (see page 16). The software allows selection of the new 'WhiseWorks - NTM' filter in the FDS-366T, which provides a higher performance 4th order crossover filter. The new software is designed to run on the latest PC operating systems, including Windows 2000 and XP.

Details
Under the creative direction of Richard Belliveau, the High End Systems stand was one of the highlights of the show. Eschewing the 'architectural' approach to stand design which seems to have predominated in recent years, their demonstration of the Catalyst DL1's considerable capabilities was conducted in an enclosed 'black box' - and was all the more powerful for it. The stand was continuously packed with visitors - if some thought the aisles were quiet at times, High End could be to blame. Interestingly, the Catalyst DL1 (running off the new Catalyst Version 3 Media Server) now incorporates a Sony camera in its head, and was therefore able to simultaneously film and project the audience, stylishly incorporating us into the demo. This show was a reminder of what powerful lighting effects - combined with strong imagery and a thumping soundtrack - can do.

Details
As its Pixelline LED fixtures become an increasingly common sight on tour and on TV, James Thomas Engineering used LDI to launch PixelDrive for Mac, the Macintosh-based version of its new control concept for driving DMX fixtures, which has been developed alongside IRAD, the developers of the RADlite digital media server. The Mac version is expected to find particular favour in the US market and we can expect further additions to the range next year with the development of a 'value-engineered', streamlined version of RADlite on both platforms.

Details
Dimming specialist IES showed its iSine dimming technology, which it claims is the world's most advanced sinewave dimming technology. With a number of high profile installations across Europe and a Best Product Award from this year's Showtech exhibition in Berlin, the Dutch manufacturer has some weight to back up its claim. With iSine, IES dispenses with what it calls the 'mature' phase control techniques of conventional dimming systems, which inherently create unwanted noise and harmonic distortion because of the way they 'chop' into the wave form. iSine technology's far greener solution employs an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). For more on IGBT, sinewave dimming and dimming technology in general, see this month's Technical Focus feature on installed dimming systems.

Details
Color Kinetics Inc (CKI) had one of the most eye-catching stands, thanks largely to its striking new LED effect, the iColor Tile FX (see picture). Each 2ft by 2ft (600mm by 600mm) panel incorporates 144 individually addressable RGB LED nodes (432 LEDs in total), powered by CKI's Chromasic system, enabling surprisingly high-resolution control of the light output - allowing morphing colour waves, animated objects, logos, emblems and customized patterns.

CKI's Light System Manager is an integrated software/hardware solution engineered to enable large-scale and intricately designed installations that exceed the limitations of today's lighting programming and network protocols. LSM facilitates the management, authoring and control of show effects that span multiple DMX universes and scale to tens of thousands of individually controlled LED-based nodes.

The PDS-60ca is a cost-effective co

Details
France - The SIEL exhibition, France's leading entertainment technology trade show, will once again combine the worlds of live entertainment, events, nightlife and music when it returns to Paris from 1-4 February 2004.

In order to reflect the fast pace of technological development and innovation in the entertainment and events markets, the Trophée Louis Jouvet will be awarded at the show, honouring the most original innovation of the year, in a ceremony at the Espace Label des Prestataires on Tuesday 3 February at 6.00p.m.

Specialized audio technologies will be presented in the Espace Audio. This year, SIEL is highlighting line array systems, and a number of brands will be taking advantage of the exhibition to show their systems. For the live entertainment and events sectors, SIEL is offering four high-level conferences in partnership with the SYNPASE (Syndicat des Prestatair

Details
Australia - PLASA Media has recently received a warning that an unofficial directory falsely purporting to represent exhibitors is being circulated to potential exhibitors at this year's Entech show in Australia. Juliusmedia Pty Ltd, the official publisher and organizer for the show, say that those taking part in the event should be aware that they may receive a listing form from a firm called Data Verlag AG (Austria) with 'Entech Australia', and their own exhibitor name prominently displayed upon it. The form proposes to continue a supposedly free listing in a directory which has no official connection with Entech. Buried in the fine print is the promise to invoice the company signing the form the amount of US$981. The advice to all Entech exhibitors is to discard any such offer, and to contact Juliesmedia Ltd through the website address below, should they receive any similar pro

Details
UK - Stagecraft has made a major investment in new hire equipment to enable organizations to use cutting-edge sound and lighting technology in their performances. The company has seen a significant increase in the demand for professional lighting, sound and staging equipment during 2003 and is currently working on installations in schools, event management for music and drama festivals, and on conferences in South Africa.

The Hire and Live Events department was recently responsible for the creative design and technical management of seven major events over three weeks. One of these included a 1920s themed event for a 60th birthday celebration. "Centred around the art deco period, this was a great event to work on," commented technical director Mike Naish. "Our team was involved from the very start of the planning stages. We designed the invitations, set, lighting

Details
UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians' annual showcase, The ABTT Theatre Show, staged in London's Royal Horticultural Halls on 16-17 June, has expanded into a third hall - the Assembly Hall.

The decision was made by show director Roger Fox, supported by the Show's administrators, Pandemonium Productions Ltd, headed by Simon Garrett. According to the ABTT, the new cost-effective exhibition packages available exclusively in The Assembly Halls are ideal for new exhibitors, particularly key service and educational organizations. Roger Fox says: "ABTT Theatre Show is a unique forum and is a vital technical showcase for professionals in theatre and auditoria. By encouraging new exhibitors from areas such as PA/VA, video and building services, the show broadens its appeal. We're confident that The Assembly Hall will add value to show as a whole."

ABTT reports

Details
UK - As part of PLASA's ongoing role as a CPD Network Provider for RIBA - the Royal Institute of British Architects - PLASA's Nicky Greet, in conjunction with Andy Brining of Stagepoint (and with input from Chris Higgs of Total Fabrications), has developed a seminar entitled Design Considerations for Buildings used for Corporate or Entertainment Applications, to provide architects with essential information in the design stages. The first will be delivered at PALME in Dubai next month (16-18 Feb), with others to follow.

The RIBA CPD Providers Network exists to provide quality, assessed, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for architects and other construction professionals. Manufacturers and suppliers from practically every sector of the construction industry are now represented on this highly respected Network.

The Association had been looking for an opportunity

Details
UK - The Annual General Meeting of the Production Services Association (PSA) will be held on 9 February 2004 at the Hammersmith Novotel, and will followed by the PSA Conference and the Total Production Awards Dinner, and the PSA is encouraging all members to attend if possible.

The conference includes the detailed unveiling of the new IOSH / PSA Safety Passport Scheme. A Safety Passport works like any other passport, say the PSA; in this case it identifies the holder as having undertaken basic health and safety awareness training and allows access to "passport controlled" workplaces. Many industries insist that workers hold a Safety Passport before they can gain access to the workplace or even obtain work.

The AGM starts at 10am, and is followed by the Conference beginning at 11am. Lunch is served at 1pm and it is envisaged that the finishing time will be around 2.3

Details
Spain - Reed Exhibitions Iberia, the Spanish and Portuguese division of the worldwide exhibition organizer Reed Exhibitions, has decided to postpone Scenotech, the international stage technology and entertainment exhibition, scheduled for 21-23 March 2004 in the Campo de las Naciones Convention Centre, Madrid.

The company says the decision has been taken because, with under three months to go before the event, the organization does not have sufficient critical mass and quality to ensure the fair would be on the same high-quality level as its many other shows. By postponing Scenotech, Reed Exhibitions claims it is also "responding to the demand of major business and institutional agents in the sector, who are complaining that there are too many international events organized for this year."

Reed Exhibitions had previously re-scheduled the event from the original dates

Details
UK - VME Ltd, the audio and lighting sales and hire company, has appointed Jane Fernihough as its new events director. Fernihough joins VME having spent the past seven years at Wigwam Acoustics where she was part of the Wigwam Events Team. Her experience with both indoor and outdoor events range from the Royal Albert Hall to some of Europe's largest parks, and televised events for Britain's leading gospel television station.

Prior to her post at Wigwam, Fernihough had worked in a variety of roles in the entertainment industry. Her responsibilities as VME events director is to extend the company's client base and to fully utilize all the facilities that VME have at their disposal.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

  1. International lighting event in Dublin
  2. East Meets West
  3. TPi 2004 Awards
  4. RSAMD exhibition and sponsors' Trade Show
  5. Crest Performance
  6. JBL
Page 121 of 324

Latest Issue. . .