UK - On of the UK's leading entertainment lighting suppliers, White Light, will be at the PLASA Show once again this year, showing new products and introducing new members of staff on stand G29. New products on show will include the Digital Festoon System, a radical rethink of conventional festoon lighting that allows each lamp along a festoon to be individually dimmed, giving the possibility of creating stunning lighting displays from apparently simple strings of lights.

The Digital Festoon System (DFS) can be programmed using a laptop or can be controlled from a DMX lighting console for integration with a lighting rig. The system carries both 48V lamp power and DMX using a patented data system; up to 200 lamps can be individually controlled on a single cable from each DFS power unit. Offering exciting opportunities to lighting designers, the DFS has been nominated for the PLAS

UK - ShowCAD will again be exhibiting at PLASA, demonstrating new features of its Artist show control system. Artist is now linked with Cast Lighting as a Registered WYSIWYG Developer, enabling users to program/visualize lighting plots virtually using their WYSIWYG software. ShowCAD has also linked up with Pathway Connectivity to utilize the Pathport Ethernet DMX distribution system. This powerful system is also ACN-ready, and gives Artist up to 32,000 DMX channel capability.

Automaton is a new product - ShowCAD's long awaited low-cost stand-alone show controller which can be programmed from a computer on or off-site using a web browser, and will then replay the programmed shows without the need of a host computer. ShowCAD will also be demonstrating how to integrate Artist with IP commands, as well as the standard MIDI, RS232, and digital connections. Also, the company reports,

USA - Utah's Salt Lake City Olympic Legacy Theatre uses a pair of Jem Glaciator heavy foggers to create a special cloud effect during the opening and closing scenes of a feature movie that is presented several times each day.

Supplied by Las Vegas-based atmospheric and effects specialists Water FX, the Glaciators are used to create a three-dimensional cloud at the beginning of the film, a curved 37ft (11.3m) fog barrier that covers the projection screen. The fog creates a curtain onto which three projectors cast images of blue clouds. The fog curtain is controlled via fans and manifolds, and at one point a hole is blown through the cloud to create for the audience the effect of flying through the clouds.

At the end of the movie, viewers journey back through the clouds. Some 150ft (45.7m) of ducting, plus 120ft (36.6m) of manifold and 100ft (30.5m) of tubing with a large diver

UK - A high-profile vodka bar in Bedford has become a showcase for the latest fashions in LED lighting. Purchased recently by Mark Walker for his girlfriend Deborah, Bar Soviet is equipped with the latest Mood panel and high-power Solar MR16 RGB downlighter technology - supplied by Ian Kirby's Lighting Effects Distribution.

Having finally taken over the premises which he had tried for four years to acquire, the new owner - who also runs the company Laser Light International - wasted no time. First he applied for a PEL (which he hopes will give him a 3am license) and then he contacted his friend, Glasgow-based Nadar Shahzad of Blue Audio. Shahzad reports, "Mark wanted the venue to constantly change colour. Although he hadn't seen the Mood panels, we had been sent a demo unit last year - and I knew this would be the perfect solution for him."

Offering a split screen di

UK - The Product Excellence Awards at the PLASA Show has 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 PLASA Awards have undergone an important change for the 2004 event (12-15 September), in order to focus on genuine innovation.

For the re-branded PLASA Awards for Innovation, the judges will be looking for products which advance the industry, demonstrate a new style of thinking, represent a key step forward in safety terms, or improve technical practices. There will be eight Awards for Innovation at the judges' disposal and currently over 60 nominations have been received, with just three weeks before the deadline of Friday 3 September. Exhibitors who still wish to nominate a product are urged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Nominees w

USA - Color Kinetics and Spectrum Manufacturing Inc, a subsidiary of UK-based A.C. Lighting, have announced a patent licensing agreement through which Spectrum will expand the Chroma-Q line of products with a new LED-based offering. The first new product, called Color Block, will be unveiled by A.C. Lighting at the PLASA show in London (12-15 September).

"Color Kinetics works proactively to help OEM and Licensing customers enter and find success in the intelligent solid-state lighting space, and we're very pleased to extend the advantages of our intellectual property to Spectrum, whose Chroma-Q line will now feature the proven benefits of LED technology," said Bill Sims, President and COO, Color Kinetics. "This agreement represents the latest achievement in maximizing the value of our technology know-how and supporting industry-wide adoption of intelligent solid-

UK - Following the news from Color Kinetics on its new licensing agreement with Spectrum Manufacturing, A.C. Lighting has given full details of the first in the new Chroma-Q line of high output LED products manufactured under the agreement. The Chroma-Q Color Block DB4, which was previewed in prototype form earlier this year, is a block of four DMX-controlled colour mixing LED lights which, due to its modular design and comprehensive range of fixing options, allows users to create a complete LED system using stock of just one generic fixture type.

The Color Block can be used individually or in a number of configurations. By changing a few quick-release clips or brackets, the units can be easily stacked together to make blinders or locked together in rows to make battens. Fixing options include wall, floor or truss-mounting using a yoke attachment, or by utilizing the built-in M

UK / USA - Artistic Licence has announced the re-launch of its LED based digital lighting range in the United States. The ET-LDI show in Las Vegas will provide the venue from 22 to 24 October. Artistic Licence offers a wide range of LED based colour-mixing products. The range includes 'off-the-shelf' products along with a projects department focussed on bespoke design. Artistic Licence has recently completed two major projects in London, totaling over 100,000 LEDs. The Projects department continues to expand with 'in-progress' sites in Melbourne, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.Artistic's managing director, Wayne Howell comments: "We are very excited about the US re-launch of our LED range. We have a diverse product range and a committed projects team that has a lot to offer the US market. Many of our competitors take an 'if it's not in the catalogue, we don't do it' a

USA - Elation Professional has been appointed the exclusive North American distributor for Antari products. Based in Taiwan, Antari has been designing and manufacturing fog machines for 20 years, as well as other atmospheric effects such as snow and bubble machines.

"We are extremely proud to represent such a world-renowned supplier as Antari," said John Lopez, national sales manager for Elation Professional. "Not only do they make some of the highest quality fog machines, but for the past two decades they've been a leader in research and development and have introduced countless innovations to the category."

Elation Professional will exhibit the Antari line at the 2004 LDI Show (Booth #2000) in Las Vegas, October 22-24, and a range of the Taiwanese manufacturer's newest foggers and other atmospheric effects will be on display. "We are very excited t

UK - Robe Show Lighting will launch a number of new products on a brand new, eye-catching stand at PLASA 2004. New products include the ColorWash 575 AT - the latest addition to the Robe Wash range, aimed primarily at theatres, TV studios, medium-sized stage applications. Features include full CMY colour-mixing, variable CTO, colour-wheel with five replaceable colours plus open, combined dimmer/shutter and rotatable beam shaper and indexable 360° with continuous rotation. The ColorWash 575 AT also boasts a 12° - 60° zoom range.

Robe's ColorWash 1200E AT is a powerful moving head washlight, featuring CMY colour mixing, variable CTO, two colour wheels (each with six easily replaceable slots for colours and effects), a combined dimmer/shutter and many more features, including a zoom range of 10° - 87°, depending on the lens type used.

The electronic ballast enables features

USA - Color Kinetics Inc has been issued with a US patent relating to a miniaturized, integrated, intelligent solid-state string light, in which individual LED nodes in a string configuration can be independently controlled. US patent number 6,777,891 relates in part to technology that is implemented in Chromasic, the company's proprietary integrated circuit that allows a reduction in the cost, size, weight, and complexity of systems requiring many small light sources. One commercial application of this technology is the iColor Flex SL product, introduced by Color Kinetics in September 2003 - a flexible, multi-purpose, intelligent solid-state string light comprised of individually controllable tri-color LED nodes. By refining control down to the singular LED level, this technology enables complex and intricately designed effects that may span many thousands of nodes - making previ

UK - ETS Sales & Hire is based just outside Norwich, where it provides a comprehensive repair service to the sound and light industry as well undertaking full electro/mechanical installations.

Run by partners Les Bell and Paul Saunders and ably assisted by Jenny Wright, over the past six years, the company has developed a simple, methodical approach to acquiring clients and building business relationships. Naturally included are many of the holiday and leisure groups who operate along the East coast from Lincolnshire via Norfolk to Hampshire in the South.

ETS has just completed its first audio system installation for its new clients Haven, part of the Bourne Leisure Group a portfolio that includes Butlins, British Holidays and Warners holidays.

Bell explains: "We had provided repair facilities for a number of the Haven sites, but had never had the opportunity to present

UK - The PRG Europe sales team (formerly VLPS Lighting Services) has announced it is to sell the new product Bak Pak from Entertainment Technology, a Division of the Genlyte Thomas Company.

The new groundbreaking Bak Pak IGBT dimming module is the ideal complementary device for conventional fixtures that require more advanced control. The Bak Pak is an individual dimmer that mounts wherever a need exists for a "single" dimmer, thus eliminating the need for additional rack space. Entertainment Technology introduced the Bak Pak at LDI 2003.

The Bak Pak dimmer is a powerful, silent, compact, affordable, IGBT DMX controlled lightweight dimmer that lives right where its needed. Complex technology - simple solutions.

The module, available in 750W, 1200W or 2400W versions, operates using standard USITT DMX512 protocol. It is also completely functional using on board contr

UK - Corporate and event lighting specialist Colourhouse is enjoying a summer of close collaboration with designers Bluey Design, working with them on projects for General Motors at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and for British Telecom's Exact Ball in Suffolk. At Goodwood, Bluey Design was continuing an association with General Motors stretching back to 2002, working for Jack Morton in Detroit. The General Motors Orangery is a space used by the executive officers of General Motors worldwide to relax and entertain their guests away from the bustle of the motor-racing outside. By day, the space contains a set creating an elegant and contemporary space; by night, the venue is transformed into a gala dining space.

Bluey Design was responsible for lighting both the exterior and the interior of the Orangery. The interior day set was enhanced with custom-made low-voltage stick lights

UK - In recent years the groundwork has been laid for dramatic changes to the way the UK will have to manage the several million tonnes of special or hazardous waste it generates each year.

The implications of the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations - which are currently being finalized and come into effect in August next year - are only just beginning to be understood, though it's too early to say exactly how the government will implement this directive. So too, the RoHS (Restriction of use of Certain Hazardous Substances) directives which follow 11 months later in July 2006.

These two heavyweights come in on the back of other existing legislation, all of which has been designed to ensure that EU countries meet some fairly ambitious targets for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.

In anticipation of the new legislation, specialist

Europe - Fresh from the Athens Olympic Games' Telmaco production team, Vangelis Ziakas has joined lighting manufacturer High End Systems Inc. as the new southern European sales manager.

Ziakas has eight years of involvement in the light and sound industry. For the last three of those years, he was product manager of High End Systems equipment for Telmaco S.A. in Greece. "I am really interested in High End Systems' digital lighting technology," says Ziakas, "as I believe that is a big 'revolution' for the lighting industry. I will do my best to promote it, and I am certain that my previous experience as well as my knowledge will help."

Based in Athens, Ziakas' territory includes Greece, Turkey, Italy, Serbia, Monaco and more. High End Systems' Tony Magana is handing over this territory to Ziakas. Magana will work out of the HES Europe office in London until

Germany / UK - Element Lab's Versa Tube has made its entertainment debut on the German touring production of Saturday Night Fever, currently playing Circus Krone in Munich. The project is the result of a highly successful collaboration between Element Labs Europe, based in Germany and headed by Claas Ernst, and UK partner Projected Image Digital. Element Labs Europe supplied 120m of the units to the production's main lighting equipment contractor, Showconcept. Control was through a PixelMAD media server control system specified by UK-based lighting designer Andy Voller.

The Versa Tube - already popular for architectural applications - is integrated into Saturday Night Fever's eye-catching set, designed by Walter Schwab. The units are used as powerful, dynamic and - at times - subtle effects, particularly prominently during the show's hi-energy 'disco' sequences. <

USA - Clay Paky America has announced the appointment of Giovanni Zucchinali as technical product manager. The Italian-born Zucchinali is no stranger to the Clay Paky range of products, having worked in Clay Paky's R&D department for six years and as service/product manager for seven. After a brief spell with another moving light manufacturer, Zucchinali has returned to the Clay Paky family to take a prominent role in Clay Paky's new American office. An Electronic Engineering graduate from Bergamo University, Zucchinali won the 1996 LDI award for Best Lighting Show.

"This is a great opportunity, as well as a challenge, both personally and professionally," says Zucchinali. "Living in a new country is, of course, a great experience. However, helping to raise Clay Paky's profile and status in the United States is a matter of professional pride. It is something that

UK - This September sees the introduction of a New Colour to the Supergel range of lighting filters from Rosco. "Light Relief Yellow 313" has been designed by Rick Fisher on behalf of the Light Relief Charity, the objective being threefold; to offer additional exposure to this important charity, to provide continual revenue to this important charity and to offer a new colour to this market leading range of long life, high heat resistant lighting filters.

When asked about the choice of colour Fisher said "I wanted the Light Relief yellow to be a warm late afternoon sunny colour. So many yellows look harsh or acidic when used. Light Relief yellow should be a good bridge between the pale straw shades and the ambers we use all the time", Fisher continued, "I am thrilled to be working with this wonderful initiative of Rosco's to benefit Light Relief and bring

UK - i-vision has completed a lighting, laser and audio installation at London's newest clubbing experience - Club Supreme in Vauxhall. Owner Nick Derry of Atomic Creations, an experienced promoter, wanted a cool venue with a high production values. The venue's railway arch location immediately lent itself to dynamic lighting and effects designs. Club Supreme's equipment spec was top of the agenda, and Derry chose i-Vision to deliver all the technical elements, and the best value-added solutions for his clubbing showcase. i-Vision worked closely with Derry on the visual and sound designs and ideas to produce a specification to meet his aesthetic, technical and budgetary needs.

The main room, a hard house haven, features seven GLP Ypoc 250 Spot moving lights and two Coef DVP 250 scanners, complete with custom Club Supreme gobos. There's also a Griven UV cannon, two mirror balls,

UK - Any colour from the popular Lee Filters colour range is now available as a pre-cut polyester insert for use in fluorescent lighting. The chosen colours will be cut to size and delivered to the user ready for install. The sleeves are made from a thermally stable, electrically insulating polycarbonate. The ends of each sleeve are capped with an end cap which fixes the sleeve to the fluorescent bulb, making installation easy. The sleeves are available in 0.61m (2ft), 1.22m (4ft), 1.53m (5ft) and 2.44m (8ft) lengths for T5, T8 and T12 diameter tubes.

Alternatively Lee Filters can supply you with pre-cut rolls of your chosen colour along with the clear polycarbonate sleeves enabling you to assemble the inserts and sleeves yourself. The pre-cut rolls are 7.62m (25ft) long and are available for T5, T8 and T12 diameter sleeves.

Lee Filters has also announced its new range of Quic

UK - Ian Brown joins Robe UK as sales and marketing manager, where he will be working alongside MD Ian Brown and the rest of the Robe UK team. Bringing a wealth of experience and industry knowledge in the moving light field to the Robe UK equation, Brown's past work includes extensive periods at both Martin Professional and High End Systems. His most recent work, with Stage Electrics, has also given him a hands-on insight into the UK rental market.

The two Ian Browns are very much looking forward to working together. Far from being confusing, "Having two Ian Brown's onboard has the distinct advantage of making it easier for people to remember the contact name," says MD Brown, adding, "It's great to have Ian on-board, "His enthusiasm, tenacity and skills fit perfectly into our future plans."

The latest Ian Brown will be working 'on the road' for Robe U

UK - Jump-Start - a small hand-held RDM and DMX512 programmer - is the latest product from the Artistic Licence test equipment portfolio. As the new Remote Device Management (RDM) protocol gains acceptance, the DIP-switches on the rear of moving lights will gradually disappear. There is no need for them as RDM allows the lighting console to patch the lights.

But, says Artistic's Wayne Howell: "What do you do when the lighting console is still in the truck? Or when you need to address a light in the workshop? Or if you want to check the temperature sensor? That's where Jump-Start comes in - plug it into the DMX connector and moments later you have a display of all the important information: start address, footprint, personality, sensors, temperature, voltage, lamp hours to mention but a few. A couple of key presses are all it takes to edit the settings, you can even plug int

USA - American DJ has introduced a new lighting effect for clubs and DJs. The Hyper Beam is a 250W multi-coloured prismatic effect which can be operated all night, with no duty cycle. Coloured rays of light reflect off of four mirrors through a rotating three-sided prism, creating constant movement and covering a wide area.

The Hyper Beam can create nine different colours plus white. An FX switch lets DJs choose from three different modes of operation: Sound-active prism rotation and continuous dichro dish rotation; sound-active prism rotation with dichro dish stationary; and sound-active prism rotation and sound-active dichro dish rotation. Each mode puts its own unique and exciting twist on the Hyper Beam's hyperactive performance.

"The Hyper Beam is a great example of American DJ's commitment to keep coming out with club and DJ lighting effects that deliver increasing

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