Products

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UK - PLASA 2004 opened its doors on Sunday 12th September to enthusiastic crowds, with a full show, hundreds of exciting products and a real buzz across the show floor. Both visitors and exhibitors are commenting that the excitement is back and the industry future looks bright.

The Product Excellence Awards at the PLASA show have been a popular feature of the event for many years, highlighting the significance of the show as a focus for new developments for the industry. To reinforce this role, the awards have undergone an important change for 2004 with the focus being much more on genuine innovation and have been relaunched as the PLASA Awards for Innovation. The previous assessment criteria, which segmented the nominations into sectors, has been removed so that products were not judged within category lines, but on the grounds of their innovation alone. The judges looked for

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UK - Projected Image Digital announced a raft of new products and developments, beginning with a Beta version of the MYRAD package which provides a reduced feature set version of the RADlite image server plus a hardware DMX interface - at a much reduced price compared to the original, full featured version. The new software will run on a standard PC, although for optimum performance a dual processor machine is recommended.

Two prominent products in the visual stakes on the stand are the VersaTILE LED modules, for which PID is Element Labs' preferred UK partner, and the large screen D-TFT40W LCD display from D-TEK Industries. Projected Image Digital is also showing its Beacon, EpOk and Amorphous royalty free digital content libraries.

Highlighting the company's growth in the audio/video convergence market, the new D-Mix Series, according to PID, "breaks new ground in the c

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UK - Among TC Electronics' products on show is the EQ Station system, its latest offering aimed specifically at the live sound market.

At the heart of the system is the EQ Station itself, with a user interface rich in intuitive controls and a full-colour backlit QVGA TFT graphic display designed for visibility even in direct sunlight. Accompanying it are the MotoFader Remote which provides a familiar graphic EQ-style EQ fader panel for instant, hands-on remote control of the EQ Station's digital bands, and the PC/Mac Editor that runs on industry standard networks including the latest low-cost wireless systems - making it possible to EQ a house or monitor system from anywhere in the venue, including on stage.

Under the hood are separate display views for graphic, parametric and dynamic EQ; individual frequency, bandwidth and gain encoders; store / recall of settings with 250 us

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UK - Appropriately for a product designed to reduce the unwanted effects of noise pollution from installed audio systems, the new Basscreator from XLNT Advanced Technologies made a suitably quiet international debut on MTi Danmark's stand (F67) at PLASA. MTi announced at the show that it is to become a distributor for Basscreator and displayed the unit at short notice.

The product, which can also be used to enhance bass output from small loudspeakers, is the creation of XLNT Advanced Technologies, the Dutch DSP research and development company that was also responsible for one of PLASA 2004's biggest hits, the Innovation Award-winning CyberHoist / InMotion 3D Motion Control System.

Basscreator is a 1U rackmount noise control device based on the principle of the missing fundamental. It gives acousticians and other audio experts a tool for situations where noise emission from mu

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UK - At the PLASA Show, Pulsar's ChromaRange has been expanded to include a total of 17 MR16-sized LED fittings to provide a high level of design flexibility. Up to 60 MR16 ChromaRange units can be driven from a single ChromaZone. The new ChromaMR16 Heart further increases the flexibility of the ChromaRange, as it allows for the use of MR16-type low-cost standard fixtures. This new ChromaMR16 Heart features 18 high-power LEDs and is supplied with 3m of lightweight ChromaFlex cable.

17 different enclosures available to provide an unbelievable level of design flexibility. Up to five MR16 Hearts can be used on each output of the ChromaZone, allowing the use of up to 60 units from a single ChromaZone! An optional five-way splitter available, as is an an optional pin mounting kit available for enclosures that use the GU5.3 pins to support the MR16 module.

(Lee Baldock)

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Denmark - DPA Microphones has introduced the HMA5000 two-channel high-voltage microphone amplifier, which builds on the strengths of the well-established HMA4000. One of the main advantages of using a high-voltage mic amplifier rather than a 48V phantom powered version, is that it provides an extended dynamic headroom - by 10dB - say DPA. Another benefit is that the signal path in the HMA5000 is transformerless, allowing a frequency range from 10Hz to 100kHz (-1dB).

The DPA HMA5000 can be used to power DPA's high-voltage microphones including the 4003 and 4004 omnidirectional mics, the 4012 cardioid and 4016 wide cardioid, and the 4041-S omnidirectional solid state and 4041-T omnidirectional tube mics. By using the HTP4000 adaptor, the HMA5000 can also be used with ordinary 48V phantom powered microphones. "Together with one of our high-voltage microphones, the HMA5000 pro

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UK - Chauvet's new Legend 250 Zoom is a sophisticated, 16-channel moving light that effectively projects patterns, logos, glass gobo images, morphing gobos and even soft light. Multiple gobos, colors, prism and effects can be layered. Features include: linear motorized zoom (15° to 22°), variable iris, variable strobe, motorized focus, mechanical dimming, 8-bit or 6-bit resolution, automatic pan and tilt correction, independent frost, micro-stepping motors, coated optics, two colour wheels, one effect wheel and two gobo wheels.

Movement range is 540° of pan by 280° of tilt. Optical encoders at the base of the head automatically correct the fixture's position as necessary. Each colour wheels features five colours plus white. The effect wheel has two colours, two CT filters, two glass effects, a UV filter and one open position. One gobo wheel features nine interchangeable gob

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UK - Digigram, owner and supplier of the patented EtherSound technology, announced at PLASA 2004 that it has released an extended EtherSound specification along with its first implementation to all EtherSound licensees. In addition the company discussed the addition of a new 'entry level agreement' and 'authorized EtherSound implementor' partner program to the EtherSound licensing scheme.

This extension to the EtherSound specification enables bi-directional audio distribution over the same cable, as well as higher sample rate conversions at 88.2, 96, or 192kHz. The EtherSound licensees, which currently include NetCira by Fostex, Nexo, Bouyer, InnovaSON, and Auvitran, will autonomously determine their individual product plan to implement the new features into their products. Many existing EtherSound products are compliant with the new technology and can be upgraded in the field b

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UK - At the PLASA Show (12-15 September), Strand introduced its new OneLight Par and OneLight Fresnel - both of which are 575W MSR daylight luminaires featuring an integrated fan free electronic ballast and ignitor, making them ideal for quick set-up applications. The units are powerful and lightweight, say Strand, and maintenance is also quick and easy. The OneLight Par and Fresnel join the company's 150W and 250W CDM fresnels, which also have integrated ballasts. All of these products are ideal for a wide range of film, television and special event lighting, say the company.

Strand also displayed its new 2.8.5 console software for the 300 and 500 series control desks, boasting a number of enhancements. Key new features include extended luminaire attributes to support Catalyst luminaires, a new TrackBack command and a host of other new features. New software for Strand's wirel

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UK - KV2 Audio introduced the new EX 12 active full-range speaker system at the recent PLASA show in London. In development for the last two years, KV2's goal was to create a speaker that would "redefine the 12" two-way category", as the company's Marcelo Vercelli explains: "The EX 12 is a high precision, high performance speaker aimed at installed sound contractors, rental companies, churches, and the AV industry, who need a product that will deliver absolute clarity and resolution along with throw and wide coverage."

The components have been especially developed - for the bass/low-mid a 12" Transcoil design where the use of a secondary coil on the speaker's magnetic pole piece eliminates voice coil inductance, resulting in a much improved transient response, increased dynamic range and significantly lower distortion, say the company.

The compr

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UK - ETC showed its newly-acquired IES iSine dimming brand at PLASA: iSine, a groundbreaking core dimming engine, developed by Dutch dimming innovator IES, is believed to be the world's most advanced, proven sine wave technology, according to ETC. Brought under the ETC banner in June of 2004, IES now has the backing of ETC's global research, marketing and service resources.

ETC's passionate investment is an indication of the importance of the technology and is providing huge momentum to the acceptance of sine wave across the entertainment lighting market. ETC Chief Executive Officer Fred Foster said: "IES was the pioneer behind sine wave dimming technology in Europe. At the same ETC has been developing sine wave products in the US. With the acquisition of IES, we've had the unprecedented opportunity to unite the best people and ideas in the field and create sine wave solut

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UK - The latest extension to Bulgin's Buccaneer range of waterproof Ethernet connectors is an 'overmoulded' version of the pre-wired patchcords. Bulgin's Ethernet Buccaneer provides environmental sealing to IP68. Combining industry standard RJ45 connectors with the proven Buccaneer characteristics, this connector system provides a secure, reliable and practical solution to harsh industrial environments.

The body of the new 'overmoulded' patchcords is moulded directly over the pre-wired connector onto the cable. This type of construction can offer distinct advantages; the body forms a seal around the cable so no separate cable gland is needed, the cable is secured so no retaining cage is required and, as the termination is sealed, the connector is completely tamper proof.

A Polyurethane (PUR) cable jacket has been chosen for the cable. This presents very good mechanical propert

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UK - Element Labs launched the latest generation of its multiple award-winning LED based products at PLASA - VersaTILE and VersaTUBE. VersaTILE, the innovative edge-lit translucent panel, now has factory-set colour calibration as part of the product's upgrade to a fourth generation. Designed to overcome the variability in LED colour, a technique, often used in the manufacture of high-end LED video screens, analyses the colour profile of each individual LED and calibrates each pixel to ensure a uniform colour output across the entire device. This close control over colour accuracy also allows faithful reproduction of more difficult colours such as grey, brown, fleshtones and pure white.

VersaTUBE, the colour-changing light tube, has also been enhanced with improved colour rendition and other features. Among this year's most prominent dates for the product have been the German pr

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UK - The star of TMB's PLASA Show was the ColourPix Pro-V4 fixtures - the latest addition to TMB's ColourPix Video Fixture system. The hexagonal 4" RGB LED fixtures mechanically interlock together to form arrays of any imaginable shape (or groups of shapes) - rows, rectangles or random honeycomb designs. V-LED video graphics software is used to patch and matrix the fixtures within the array. The system functions as a low resolution video display, accepting video input of any kind via the V-LED controller. Up to 4,000 fixtures can be run from one controller and numerous controllers can be connected for almost infinite system size. Control wiring is a simple daisy chain, using standard 5-pin cables. There is no addressing necessary; the units patch themselves via the signal from the V-LED controller.

Features include control any number of fixtures, in any shape, from any vid

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USA - Doug Fleenor Design has announced a line-up of new products will be shown at the forthcoming ETS-LDI exhibition in Las Vegas (20-22 October).

The DMX to iPlayer 2 interface allows DMX512 control of the iPlayer2 and Light System Engine controllers from Color Kinetics Inc. The interface uses DMX512 data to set controller parameters via the controller's RS-232 input. The interface uses three (or optionally five) consecutive DMX512 channels to select trigger mode, show number, and intensity. Shows may also be triggered manually using the interface's three-digit thumb wheel switch.

The Remote Addressing Device (RAD) is used to set the DMX address of compatible products. Designed to draft version 2.0 of the RDM specification, RAD will be upgraded to comply with the released standard at no charge.

The CK300 power supply is intended to power Color Kinetics' LED fixtures in p

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UK - A slew of news was on offer from French digital audio networking specialists Digigram. EtherSound, its patented real-time Ethernet-based audio networking technology, now provides bi-directional capability over a single cable as well as adding higher sample rate conversions at 88.2, 96 or 192 kHz. The EtherSound licensees, which currently include NetCira by Fostex, Nexo, Bouyer, InnovaSON and Auvitran, will announce their plans to implement the new features independently, says Digigram.

The company has added an Entry Level Agreement to its EtherSound licensing scheme; the move is aimed at enabling pro audio manufacturers to bring EtherSound-compliant products quickly to market with minimal development investment. Meanwhile, Auvitran has been appointed as the first Authorised EtherSound Implementor.

New product includes the ES220 and ES220-L Ethernet Audio bridges, joining

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UK - Projected Image Digital announced a raft of new products and developments at the PLASA Show, beginning with a Beta version of the MYRAD package which provides a reduced feature set version of the RADlite image server plus a hardware DMX interface - at a much reduced price compared to the original, full featured version. The new software will run on a standard PC, although for optimum performance a dual processor machine is recommended.

Two prominent products in the visual stakes on the stand were the VersaTILE LED modules, for which PID is Element Labs' preferred UK partner, and the large screen D-TFT40W LCD display from D-TEK Industries. Projected Image Digital also showed its Beacon, EpOk and Amorphous royalty-free digital content libraries.

Highlighting the company's growth in the audio/video convergence market, the new D-Mix Series, according to PID, "breaks ne

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UK/Italy - Compulite, along with its UK distributor Stagetec Distribution, had the most successful PLASA show ever with the stand packed with visitors from the beginning until half an hour after the show finished. The new Dlite range of consoles was previewed at the show to unanimous acclaim. Vector Green was launched at the show and proved so popular that orders for six systems were taken on the stand.

For the first time user, the Dlite incorporates a two preset manual control section with preset masters and manual fade times, for the more experienced user there are 20 manual playbacks and for those that like to run things theatre style there is even a split crossfade playback with GO button. This combined with advanced features such as a built in LCD touch screen, effects generator and libraries ensures the Dlite has something for everyone.

Compulite are well known for produ

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UK - Shure Distribution UK, the exclusive distributor of Shure, QSC Audio, Phonic and Sound Devices, showed new products from each of its represented manufacturers at the PLASA Show. Shure showed its new SLX Wireless Systems, ideally suited to installed sound applications and working bands, delivering superior audio quality in an easy-to-use and quickly configurable package. Offering Shure's patented Audio Reference Companding technology, along with an innovative set-up featuring automatic synchronization, SLX supports up to 12 compatible systems per frequency band (country dependent), say the company.

From Phonic was the new MU range of compact mixers, fully-featured and competitively priced, and ideal for a variety of applications. Also on show, the new RoadGear range from Phonic, which is a fully integrated mobile sound solution. Housed in a stylish, durable, moulded case th

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UK - Voice alarm loudspeaker specialist Penton, exhibiting at the PLASA Show's Architectural Audio & Visual on the Upper Deck for the first time, showed off three new products.The PMC4/T and PMC4/TC are high impact ABS plastic enclosures, treated with UV inhibitors and sealed against water ingress. Inside are an 80mm diameter mid-range treated coned loudspeaker and a 4W / 100V line transformer. The speaker has wide-angle dispersion of 180° and a frequency response of 220Hz-12kHz.

The Sentry6 / RTC is a vandal-proof loudspeaker in a cast aluminium cabinet, containing a 140mm diameter dual coned loudspeaker and a 6W / 100V line transformer. Further protection is afforded by a steel front chassis and epoxy powder-coated grille. Specifications include wide-angle dispersion of 140° at 1kHz, extended frequency response of 200Hz-18kHz and 92dB at1m sensitivity.

The PWC6/T and PWC

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UK - Last week's PLASA 2004 event was the platform for Belgian manufacturer Apex to launch Intelli-X - a new digital speaker-management processor which complements the successful Apex Intelli-Q Real-time System Optimizer. The Intelli-X features four analogue and digital inputs and eight analogue outputs, and houses a large amount of DSP power. Every input has a user-settable delay, a 30-band graphic EQ, a 10-band full parametric EQ and two shelving EQs. The 4x8 matrix has no routing limitations and so can be freely configured to suit all professional needs, say the company. Every output has a user-settable delay, high- and low- pass filters including Butterworth, Bessel and Linkwitz-riley types at all available slopes, two shelving EQs, an 8-band full parametric EQ, a fully-adjustable limiter and phase reversal. All these processes are simultaneously available all the time, there

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UK - Mackie is used this year's PLASA show to preview its new family of live sound consoles - the Onyx 80 Series. Like the successful Mackie Onyx small-format analog mixers introduced earlier this year, the Onyx 80 Series consoles feature all-new analog circuitry, a full compliment of Mackie's flagship Onyx microphone preamps, and the renowned "British Voiced" four-band Perkins EQ.

The Onyx 80 Series consoles will be offered in four sizes: the 24-channel Onyx 2480, 32-channel Onyx 3280, 40-channel Onyx 4080, and 48-channel Onyx 4880. All four models incorporate features that any hardcore live engineer will appreciate including eight aux sends with stereo link function for up to four IEM mixes; an aux/group flip function; an 10x2 matrix; four mute groups; eight stereo aux inputs; and an optional rack-mountable redundant power supply. The master section and channel stri

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UK - Dutch manufacturer Prolyte has just completed one of its busiest PLASA shows ever, where it launched its latest product, the Prolyft hoist. The launch of a new product always brings a feeling of nervous anticipation but, the company reports, it can now look back on the PLASA Show as being a successful introduction for the new hoist.

Not only did Prolyte add six new Prolyft Service points to its existing network of 10, but the company says it received many positive reactions on the new hoist and the whole service program. In addition to the Prolyft hoist, the Soft steel was greeted with enthusiasm by many technicians, who could see the advantage of not having to attach a secondary steel if normal round slings are used.

Contributing to an already bustling stand was the presentation of the Crowd Barrier demo. This aluminium, lightweight crowd control barrier also received

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UK - The PLASA Show was the launchpad for the latest offering from French company InnovaSON, the compact and lightweight Sy48. "The Sy48 has been tailored to meet the needs of those looking for a mid-priced digital live mixing console without wishing to compromise on power or flexibility," commented Nick Cook, sales and marketing director at InnovaSON. "It also has the benefit of being designed by a company with 10 years' experience of producing digital live boards, and over 400 consoles on the road around the world. We've combined functions and features from our large format Sy80 with new ones added in response to user feedback and packaged them in a compact and lightweight surface to create what we believe is the digital live mixing console the mid market has been waiting for."

The Sy48 incorporates major features from the large-format Sy80 digital mixing

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