Products

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Canada - Cast Software, maker of the WYSIWYG design and visualization suite, is offering registered end users the opportunity to catch-up to Release 15 plus step-up to a higher product level for half the regular price of an upgrade - for a limited period. The 'Catch-up' scheme will aow users to access WYSIWYG's new features including streaming video, transitions between lighting looks, performance enhancements in CAD views and, for the first time in WYSIWYG, very realistic people, say Cast.

At the same time, WYSIWYG Report users can upgrade to Design or Perform; Design users can upgrade to Perform, and all channels of Perform can upgrade to Perform Unlimited.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - For the second consecutive year, Pioneer received the award for 'Most Innovative Technology' at the House Music Awards, held on 17 November 2005 at London's famed Hammersmith Palais. Last year, Pioneer collected the Most Innovative Technology award for the CDJ-1000s series, but this year the genre-splicing DVJ-X1 DVD decks took the award.

During the ceremony, hosted by the Cuban Brothers with special guests including Erick Morillo, Arthur Baker and BBC Radio 1's Pete Tong and Annie Mac, over 20 innovators were revealed as award winners. Among these, the House Music Awards honoured David Guetta (DJ of the Year, Best Live Set and Stand Out Event), Mylo and his Breastfed imprint (Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Breakthrough Label), dance music diva Barbara Tucker (Outstanding Vocal and Best Live PA), and Pete Tong who received the Outstanding Contribution to Hou

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UK - Canford Audio has announced the launch of over 800 new products via the internet, with more to come. The new additions are available either online (www.canford.co.uk) or via the company's telephone sales lines. All pricing, full technical details and application notes are initially to be found online.

Canford's already wide range, encompassing over 12,000 lines, has just grown by more than 800 items. Canford took the decision to launch the new products through their website immediately, in advance of the imminent publication of their catalogue due early in 2006. The full-colour 2006 edition will mark Canford's 30th anniversary and will contain the 800 new products and many more, say the company.

Canford signalled its commitment to a fully interactive online store some years ago and has been steadily developing the site over the last five years. The size of Canford's portf

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UK / USA - The latest version of Dataton Watchout - the production and presentation system used in large-scale, high-impact presentations, picked up an LDI Product of the Year award in Orlando this month. The new version, Watchout 3, is faster and more responsive, and features a completely remodelled user interface, say the company.

Watchout 3 offers easy access to offline programming and client demos, while the Stage window is improved and offers high-quality previews. New settings for preview quality and the masked preview mode help enhance both the producer's and the client's experience, say Dataton: users can even preview live video and remote computers in the Stage window.

(Lee Baldock)

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Liechtenstein / USA - Neutrik's OpticalCon fibre optic connector system picked up its second award of the year at the LDI exhibition in Orlando, Florida on 12 November. Earlier in the year, the company collected the Pick Hit Award at the InfoComm show in June. At LDI, OpticalCon was chosen as Product of the Year 2005 in the sound category.

Neutrik's OpticalCon particularly impressed with its robustness and favourable price. A unique feature is the automatic sealing shutter with silicone gaskets to protect the optical fibre against dust and dirt. OpticalCon is available with the approved push-pull locking mechanism, say Neutrik.

The Neutrik group is the worldwide leading manufacturer of professional connector systems for the entertainment industry. The array of products ranges from XLR connector systems, jacks and plugs, loudspeaker connector systems, patch panels, coaxial conn

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UK - ProdyTel has announced a reduction of 35% off its S-Cluster system, which has recently been successful in securing a series of major orders, say the company. The systems are to be installed throughout the German Railway network after a pilot project was conducted by tramway operator SSB in Stuttgart earlier this year. ProdyTel say: "SSB were so impressed that they are due to update their complete audio communication system to S-Cluster technology in 2006."

One of the very first S-Cluster installations was the Metro system in Athens, which was completed just in time for the Olympic Games. The S-Cluster encoders and output boxes are now streaming train times, background music and security alerts to stations via a fibre optic network. S-Cluster system can also stream audio using Mpeg 4s and aptX over a standard IP Network (TCP-IP).

"This is great news", c

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The Netherlands - Bosch Security Systems has announces a number of additions to its DCN Digital Congress System, making it "the most complete and versatile system of its kind available on the market today" according to the company. Key improvements include a chairman 'free-seating' facility, high-speed optical cable connection, graphical display of all language character types, and microphones which are "immune to interference from mobile cell phones" - a new technology for which Bosch says it has filed a patent.

DCN Next Generation has been designed and developed in close consultation with congress delegates, interpreters and operators. As a result, the system is suitable for a wide range of applications ranging from straightforward discussion groups to multi-lingual congresses with thousands of delegates. The system allows delegates to choose the floor lang

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UK - Projecta's SlimScreens are high quality projection screens which rollout using a spring mechanism, incorporated in a compact case. The latest addition to this successful range is the SlimScreen XL, measuring 244cm across, which accommodates the wide range of 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 sources used in today's professional presentations, say the company.

The SlimScreen XL features integrated mounting brackets, and is ideal for any location where presentations are held on a regular basis, but where a permanent screen is not required or desirable, such as boardrooms or classrooms, say Projecta.

An extra thick metal roller prevents sagging screen fabric and a 5 cm black border all round increases perceived contrast of the projected image. The SlimScreen XL is available in flame retardant Matte White screen fabric.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Allen & Heath has upgraded the WZ20S - the stereo model - in its compact best-selling MixWizard range to WZ³ status, joining the WZ³16:2, WZ³12:2 and WZ³14:4:2.

The new WZ³20S benefits from several design improvements, including a new mic preamp, advanced grounding scheme, more responsive 4-band EQ, and the addition of a dedicated mono output fader for use as a mono sum of LR, or as the aux6 master - ideal for aux-fed subs and dedicated Centre mixes. The dual stereo channels now have a sub-panel switch, which allows the TRS 'A' inputs to route direct to the LR buss, plus, the 'B' inputs have been upgraded to XLR.

Designed for mixing multiple stereo sources, the WZ³20S retains 4 mono mic/line channels, 8 dual stereo input channels and 2 stereo return inputs - providing a total of 44 connections and 22 sources to the mix - which makes the mixer ideal for applications

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USA - The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York is currently hosting SAFE: Design Takes On Risk, an exhibition comprising of contemporary design objects and prototypes of safety, with a Mojo Barrier being incorporated into the exhibition.

The US exhibition currently underway, started on 16 October and runs until 2 January, incorporates objects addressing human fears and worries, from the most exceptional to the most mundane. Mojo Barriers was identified by the exhibition's organizers as an object of safety, through their use at events across the world, displaying the barrier with details of its creation and use.

Patrick Jordan of Mojo Barriers commented: "It was a surprise to be asked to provide a barrier for an exhibition, and for it to be featured in the display rather than as a guard for it! It is a compliment that other people have identified our barriers as

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USA - Symetrix, a leading provider of signal processing technology for the installed sound market, announces the latest upgrade to its SymNet Network Audio DSP platform - SymNet Designer Version 6.0. The primary focus of the new release is the addition of Acoustic Echo Cancelling (AEC) functionality to the SymNet platform, say the company. This process operates entirely within SymNet's onboard DSP and requires no outboard cards or additional hardware. The system is capable of running up to eight channels of AEC in any of the SymNet family DSP devices.

As with previous upgrades and additions to the SymNet toolkit, Acoustic Echo Cancelling is offered as a series of software modules that can be added to a SymNet design at any time based on the system application. Included modules perform at three different bandwidths for use in telephone conferencing, video conferencing, and wideba

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Denmark - The latest Mania series light from Martin Professional, the Mania SCX600, is the second scanner in the Mania series, featuring a powerful (and easy to access) 250W halogen source with state-of-the-art optics. The "ultra-fast" SCX600 features separate colour and gobo wheels to provide a range of effects: these include two interchangeable rotating glass gobos and five interchangeable rotating metal gobos, along with nine interchangeable colours and a split-colour feature. Also included is a separate shutter for fast strobe effects. "The SCX600 powers out shows like larger scanners but with all the convenience and savings of its class," say Martin Professional.

Easily portable, the SCX600 is DMX controllable, with the added options of sound activation or stand-alone operation. Compact, lightweight and rugged, the fixture comes in a durable and stylish

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UK - Software provider Stardraw.com has announced that the following capabilities have recently been added across the suite of Stardraw's design and documentation applications.

The first is Connection Scheduling. For some time, Cable and Dogleg objects, which show interconnections between products in the Schematic drawing environments, have had the ability to 'glue' to and move with symbols as they are repositioned. In Stardraw Audio and Stardraw A/V, their functionality has now been extended to identify the products they connect. This allows you to generate reports from schematic diagrams that tell you what device is connected to what, and via which cable, without the need for extraneous data entry - another big time-saver for contractors, say the company.

Default Line Width is an enhancement that boosts the legibility of printed output. Text appears much sharper, bolder and

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UK - ADSworldwide has announced the introduction of new products. Two discreet ceiling loudspeakers have been introduced to meet the increasing requirement for aesthetic fixtures. Both the miniature and micro ceiling loudspeakers supplied by ADSworldwide are in keeping with modern design requirements. Similar to familiar 'eye ball' ceiling fittings these new units provide a good quality diffused sound, compatible with the ambience normally associated with low ceiling location such as reception areas.

The miniature unit comes with a special back enclosure making it ideal for such areas as swimming pool changing rooms where water and condensation are an issue. Competitively priced these attractive units are not only decorative but extremely effective as low level sound reproduction units.

Also new is a loudspeaker horn aimed at music applications as well as voice reproductions.

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UK - Audix has launched its new HT-5 omni-directional light, slimline headset microphone. The company say it is ideal for artists working in theatre, live sound, musicals and TV work.

It is designed to maintain high speech intelligibility without sounding hollow and harsh, while the ultra slim condenser microphone is unobtrusive. Audix say it has also made sure the headset is very comfortable adjusting for different head sizes and weighs just 1.1ounce (31grams). The flexible and durable steel frame includes a strain relief at the back of the frame to protect the microphone from damage.

The dual ear piece ensures it is stable on the head during dance routines. It has a flat response across the audio spectrum and an SPL handling of 140dB. It comes in either black or beige.

Available with either 3pin or 4 pin mini XLR. The Audix HT-5 is available now from Stirling Trading.

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UK - Crest Audio has introduced the first in a series of new mixing consoles, all designed for the install market.

Sharing the same frame sizes as the company's HP-Eight Series, the new HP-W features two additional sets of alternative stereo outputs, including a dynamics section which can be used for recording purposes or as a versatile stereo output for delay speakers, secondary rooms, etc.

Other features include an ambient mic input and a dedicated stereo input module with four mono and four stereo inputs. All mono inputs feature line inputs via an additional jack to the XLR mic input. Another new module features eight-channel automix which can be disabled, making the HP-W ideal for the contracting market when no technically trained personnel are available. All input modules feature a BNC connector for adding a Lillite while auxiliary outputs will be XLR. Other provisions in

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USA - Chauvet's Colorsplash Jr. is a four-channel, linkable DMX-512 LED washlight. Fitted with 86 ultra bright red, green and blue light emitting diodes, it is suited for architectural, ambience-setting and entertainment applications say the company.

The Colorsplash Jr. can create numerous colors via RGB color mixing. Other features include blackout, dimming and strobing capabilities, individual control of the red, green and blue diodes, built in color change programs, master/slave mode and a 23-degree beam angle. Lumens output is 110 lumens at meter. The lifespan of the diodes (44 red, 21 green, 21 blue) is estimated at up to 100,000 hours. Power is switchable, 115V/230V or 230V. Each unit weighs 3.31lbs and has a two-year limited warranty.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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Denmark - The Mania EFX500 is the latest effect light in the Martin Mania series. It is a powerful, 250W halogen effect featuring a combined colour and gobo wheel.

With a rotating and swivelling mirror drum, the EFX500 kicks out a dizzying array of razor sharp optics. A combined colour and gobo wheel houses numerous gobo designs. Other effects can be achieved through electronic dimming, strobe effects and manual focus. The result is a high powered yet low priced entry level effect light.

With a long life lamp the EFX500 is DMX controllable or defaults to the music or auto trig. And as with all Mania products the EFX500 is officially ETL, cETL and CE approved meaning users are assured of the fixtures' safety and performance. It comes in a durable yet stylish housing complete with hanging bracket.

The Mania EFX500 is designed for both installation and portable use. It is ideal

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UK - Stage Electrics has announced the availability of a DMX DVD Controller to work alongside the Pioneer 7300D professional DVD player.

The DMX DVD Controller enables users to control the DVD player from a lighting desk. With simple DMX commands users can start and stop the DVD player, jump to a specific track, play it for two seconds, jump two tracks back etc! In a nutshell, users can coordinate video / audio source with lighting cues - ideal for theatre applications.

To get a fully functional DMX-controlled DVD player system, you need both a DVD 7300D player and a DVD Controller. The DVD 7300D has many features including the ability to play both video and audio discs, different sync functions and a serial interface to enable control functions from an external computer.

The DVD Controller is run by two DMX channels and, since the player plays both video and audio discs, th

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UK - Doughty Engineering's popular Supaclamp has been retooled and improved, enabling the price to be lowered, say the company. New production technology means that the Supaclamp is manufactured to a higher quality and features several additional benefits, including a 'plug-in' nylon insert to allow it to be easily converted between clamping to either round or flat sections. This insert clips into its own 'storage' position just behind the lower jaw when not in use. The new clamp fits to any surface from 5mm to 50mm and meets all appropriate safety standards. Two finishes are available, polished aluminium and black powder coated. All screws are now manufactured from stainless steel to guard against rust and corrosion, say Doughty.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - 5 Star Cases is supplying Unusual Rigging with 100 new flight cases for one tonne Liftket motors, the first of which are rolling off the production line at the company's Wisbech-based manufacturing plant. Unusual have had to increase their hoist stock to facilitate an incredibly busy touring season, bringing their total motor count to over 1000! Once again, they came to 5 Star to build rugged road cases for the new hoists, which have been specially customised both inside and out. The light blue exteriors feature the Unusual Rigging logo and full contact details. On the inside, the Tour Grade cases are fitted out with a specially designed framework to accommodate the hoist.

The trunks are a brand new design based on a familiar 5 Star hoist case shell, with further enhancements including a refined CNC machined cradle support. This cradle system comprises 24mm birch ply which

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France - L-Acoustics recently took advantage of the 119th AES Convention in New York City to announce the worldwide launch of two self-powered two-way coaxial loudspeakers, the 108P and 112P. Both combine the significant advantages of L-Acoustics' proven coaxial point source technology, with the convenience of self-powered performance and on board digital signal processing, says the company.

Christian Heil, L-Acoustics president comments: "The introduction of a self-powered line of products does not indicate a change in our strategy, but an emphasis of L-Acoustics position towards multi-purpose, easy-to-use portable applications . . . It is not in our intention to extend the concept of self-powered speakers to the entire L-Acoustics range, however this approach seems relevant to us for small-to medium-sized multi-purpose systems."

According to L-Acoustics: "Both

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UK - A new product launched by Formula Sound will help venue operators benefit from more efficient emergency procedures by providing effective and reliable control over audio systems, the company says. Its new CX10 will help venues meet today's increasingly strict fire regulations by enabling a designated priority audio signal to be automatically routed into all output channels of an audio system, thus allowing fire alarms and emergency announcements to be delivered simultaneously to all parts of a building.

The CX10 has been designed in response to specific demands from the market for an audio priority unit that enables multi-source audio systems to interface with fire alarms. It connects between the mixer/pre-amp and the power amplifier and can handle up to 10 audio output channels. The priority signal (such as a fire alarm or emergency microphone) is connected to a designated

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UK / USA - Following the UK launch of its new Congo lighting control console at PLASA 2005 and subsequent introduction to the US market at LDI last month, ETC has registered some 550 requests for Congo Offline Editor, which allows anyone to take the board for a test drive - by trying out the software on their own PC. Such intense interest in the free download is backed by sales and orders, both of which are growing rapidly. Congo has been selling extremely well in Europe, but now sales in the States are rapidly gaining on them, says the company.

One of the most recent installations in North America is the Holland Performing Arts Centre, a new state-of-the-art complex in Nebraska. "I had my choice of any lighting console for the Holland," says production manager Buck Weyerman, who had read about Congo's heritage before the board was available to American markets. He was

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