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Lighting

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UK - Rock Solid Ethernet is a new book by Artistic Licence managing director, Wayne Howell. Ethernet technology is becoming commonplace in entertainment technology. This means that end users, specifiers, designers and engineers need to know the rules: What can you do? What can't you do? So what can you get away with?Rock Solid Ethernet is split into three sections, discussing the technology from the perspective of end users and specifiers, system installers and manufacturers and designers. Subjects covered range from making an RJ45 cable through network topology to the use of radio links. This book is laid out in a style that allows the reader to quickly find the answers to their questions.

Howell commented: "Over the past few years I have looked for a concise reference on the subject of Ethernet. Somewhat to my surprise I was unable to find what I wanted! There are many go

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UK - DHA Lighting, specialists in entertainment and architectural lighting, will introduce the Derksen Lightbrush colour-mixing architectural washlight system at this year's PLASA Show.

Lightbrush is a modular, colour-mixing system that uses three coloured (red/green/blue), energy-efficient fluorescent tubes to allow the creation of 16.7 million colours. Ideal for providing even washes of light and colour, Lightbrush can be successfully used where the throw available for lighting is less than 500mm.

Available in lengths from 636mm up to 1546mm, they are all housed in lightweight, rugged aluminium cases and designed for indoor or outdoor use. Cube and tower configurations are also available. Lightbrush units are controlled by Lightbrush controller modules, which may be programmed using the Lightbrush hand-held remote unit or controlled via the DMX512 lighting protocol.

Lightb

PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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USA - Originally called 'The Palace', Avalon has some serious history in Hollywood, having played host to everyone from Charlie Chaplin in the 20s to the Beatles, Culture Club, Nirvana and many others. It was made most famous by Jerry Lewis who produced his TV show from the venue for many years. Basically a theatre, it lends itself very well to staging productions, the high ceilings providing a great canvas for a light show, and still has the original hemp pulley system.

As Richie Worboys, who was commissioned to refit the club said: "When I was commissioned I picked ShowCAD Artist for the venue as my experience with it for the last seven years has been fantastic. The software approach makes it the ideal choice for a nightclub installation - not to mention the price and flexibility."

This flexibility extends to allowing users to build their own front-end control surf

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UK - CP Sound, Staines-based creative lighting and sound specialists, has completed the second stage of an installation at the popular Waxy O'Connor's concept bar in Birmingham.

This follows the original audio design and installation that was completed by CP Sound in 2002, including JBL speakers, a Rolec computer music system and RSE amplification. The entrance area has been jazzed up with the addition of five MADColor MBI 150 colour changing fixtures, controlled by a Raving MAD DMX controller, specified for its simplicity and ease of operation. Push button control offers a pre-selection of different lighting modes - 'mood', 'chill', 'dance' and 'mad'.

CP's Colin Pattenden recommended the addition of a JBL sub bass speaker to boost sound 'feel' inside the entrance. Downstairs in Waxy's main Church Bar, Pattenden and his team added four HTI 150 Arc discharge Power Flower lighti

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UK - Polaron plc has strengthened its position as a leading European lighting controls company with the addition of the iLight Group. The AIM-listed, broad-based technology group has acquired the entire share capital of iLight Group Ltd, with the purchased finalised on 1 September 2004. The iLight group, which contains the market leading lighting control companies' iLight Ltd and Zero 88 Lighting Ltd, is now part of Polaron's control systems division.

David Kerr director and majority shareholder of iLight Group Ltd, has agreed to join Polaron Controls Division board of directors as non-executive chairman. Commenting on the acquisition, Joe Stelzer, CEO of Polaron plc said: "In line with our stated strategy at the time of our Aim listing in March, this acquisition strengthens our controls division with an enlarged portfolio of products and specialised sales and R&D teams th

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Germany - The Compulite Vector console has recently been used on the RTL television production of The Dome 31. Filmed 3 September at the Frankenhalle in Nuremberg the three hour mega show, which has run four times a year since 1997, featured over 30 of the top German up and coming pop stars. The line up included UK groups Faithless and Blazin' Squad and US band Maroon 5.

With a stage of 450m2 and an audience of 10000, the shows producers wanted the best in lighting as well as the best performers, so lighting designer Dave Davey was called on to ensure the show was the most spectacular yet. With an extremely hectic schedule, Davey recruited Nigel Catmur as Show lighting director, Ross Williams as Catalyst operator, Russell Grubiak to run the audience lights and Bill Peachment to run all the moving lights on his Compulite Vector system.

The moving light rig consisted of 33 Marti

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Italy - During his summer tour Buoni o Cattivi (The good or the bad), Italian superstar Vasco Rossi played in sold-out stadiums and halls across the country. The show's impressive lighting concept, designed by LD Giovanni Pinna, included a large number of moving lights and LEDs, with control via a total of three MA lighting control desks.

The moving lights and dimmers required 4000 channels of control. Two grandMA full-size consoles, with 4096 parameters each, were integrated in a network: one of these consoles was the main desk, with the other serving as a backup. In addition, a grandMA light (4096 channels) was included to provide control of the LED technology.

The DMX data from all consoles was sent to a LAN switch (local area network) via Ethernet, using the ArtNet protocol. As the heart of the network this switch divided the data to further LAN nodes. These nodes

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USA Having spent the last three years with Vari-Lite, Sean Hoey has returned to High End Systems to take up the position of sales manager for the south eastern US. Between 1991 and 2001 Hoey was HES sales manager of various US regions, prior to being appointed director of American sales. Hoey said of his return: "I'm home. I'm optimistic about where the company is headed, and I'm very glad to be back where I belong."

CEO Frank Gordon commented: "We couldn't be more pleased to have Sean back at High End. He brings years of valuable industry experience, and we welcome him to our sales team as we move further into the digital lighting market."

(Barry Howse)

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UK - Stagetec Distribution will again be sharing a stand with Compulite at the PLASA show, helping with the launch of a range of new products, these will include the first showing of the new Vector Green console, the smallest in the range, but with the same power and flexibility of the larger versions. Vector Green still utilizes two powerful processors to ensure maximum stability and has all the features of the larger consoles with one built-in colour touch screen and one external monitor, 10 playback faders, a separate crossfade playback, four on-board DMX outputs and a further 12 over Ethernet. Vector Green is designed to follow on from the popular SparkTOP system by providing an extremely light and portable, yet powerful control console. It will be supplied complete with a clip-on cover to enable it to be easily carried around.

The Vector iControl is designed around the Comp

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Canada / USA - Cast Software introduced Vivien, a new software application for event and meeting design, at Event Solutions in Washington last week. The new product was received with overwhelming response, say Cast.

Vivien is an integrated solution for event design and rollout, designed to meet the needs of planners and designers servicing corporate events, special functions, incentive meetings, tradeshows and parties. The program is built on a specialized CAD engine that allows users to design any space in 3D. The Vivien 3D library contains a comprehensive collection of items, including tables, chairs, décor, AV, architectural, banquet, and staging items. Users simply click and drag the items into their virtual space. Everything is tracked by a database and paperwork component for issuing floor plans, layouts, reports, order sheets, schedules, and renderings.

"The show

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UK - As part of an ongoing exterior lighting upgrade, London's National Theatre has purchased a number of colour changers from Ambient Lighting Ltd, the UK distributor of Italian lighting manufacturer, Griven.

The fixtures purchased by the NT are the 1000W Colosseo CYM units from Griven's dedicated 'Architectural Dimension' range. The fixtures have been installed by the NT's own staff to light the exterior north face of the Lyttelton flytower, viewable from Waterloo Bridge and surrounds.

Ambient Lighting reports that the NT will host a continuous demonstration of the fixtures during the evenings of this year's PLASA Show, so that interested parties can see the unit in action in a real environment. The Colosseo will also be on stand at PLASA, alongside the 4000W xenon Kolorglobe fixture, aimed at large-scale architectural installation.

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UK - Scottish lighting specialist black light has formally launched its new Glasgow office, adding a significant string to the bow of Scotland's Lighting Company. Based in the Parkhead area of the city, the new office has actually been open for several months, during which time general manager Iain Weir has been building up the business, stock levels and developing relationships with a range of clients on the western side of Scotland and northern England. "Giving the office an initially low-key opening was a deliberate policy," says Iain. "That way we could ensure that everything was in place and working at 110% efficiency before the official launch."

"The new office shows black light being both proactive and reactive," adds managing director Gavin Stewart. "There is an enormous range of projects on the western side of the country, which we ar

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UK - In the last few weeks, DHA has supplied gobos to all of the new shows heading into London for the autumn, including Mary Poppins, The Woman In White, Saturday Night Fever and Bat Boy.

For Saturday Night Fever, at the Apollo Victoria, lighting designer Gavan Swift specified eight custom gobos for Martin MAC 2000s and two custom gobos for Selecon Pacifics as well as 204 stock MAC designs and 44 stock conventional designs. The Pacific gobos of the 'dancin' man' and 'halo' parts of the logo were used to light the logo on the show's front gauze. The gobos and lighting rig were supplied by Stage Electrics in Bristol.

Stage Electrics are also supplying the equipment for the new Cameron Mackintosh/Disney co-production of Mary Poppins, which will open in Bristol before transferring to London. Howard Harrison's lighting design includes 193 stock gobos f

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UK / USA - The Effects Company, UK manufacturer of a range of Special Effects products has announced an agreement with Jireh Supplies of Lawrenceville, Georgia - to distribute their range of products throughout the USA. Jireh is an established company which will carry a good stock inventory of the complete range of Effects Company products, which will be promoted to their existing and new customers, in conjunction with their manufacturers' representatives.

Managing director of The Effects Company, Martin Blake, says: "We have always sold directly to the end user or 'trade installer' in the USA but many enquiries 'go dead' when they cannot purchase directly in the USA. Now customers can purchase from Jireh Supplies, knowing their requirements can be shipped immediately from stock and have the full back-up and service of a reputable company. This pro-active sales agreement wi

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UK - Fed up with the usual freebies given away at trade shows? Then make sure you visit the ETC stand at PLASA 2004 for a chance to win one of its brand new, easy-to-use portable SmartFade consoles, worth £800! ETC is giving away a certificate good for one SmartFade 1248 each day - to have a chance of winning, all you have to do is visit ETC stands F39 or F40 to register your name in their Daily Draw.

While SmartFade is ideal for first time users, educational establishments and amateur groups, it nevertheless offers all the control performance required by lighting professionals. With three operating modes, SmartFade offers a simple Two Scene mode with 12 or 24 channels for novice users, or Normal mode, providing 48 or 96 channels with 288 or 576 memories and 48 sequences for more experienced users. DMX512 input facility also allows SmartFade to be used as a sophisticated backu

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UK - Massive Attack's summer festival tour was a high impact combination of electronics and visual expression, with James Thomas Pixelline fixtures and United Visual Artists' Dragonfly II software amalgamated into arguably the brightest show of the summer season. For those unable to prize their shades from their craniums after dark - this was the gig to be at!

The band wanted a visual departure from last year's LED wall, which featured low-resolution imagery. They favoured a less technical stage look, but also wanted to continue with digital technology: this provided the starting point for lighting designers Andy Hurst and Vince Foster and the UVA team, who came up with the concept of a super low-res horizontal wall of Pixelline - 151 pixels wide by 161 high - with gaps in between the units.

Highlighting the band in silhouette, the Pixelline wall served as a dynamic (and very bright)

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UK - Wakestock, which takes place in Abersoch, North Wales, is Europe's largest wakeboard music festival - a watersport/music combination which is proving highly popular. Sound, lighting and power for the event was provided by Cheshire-based VME.

The event was staged over three locations: Pwellheli inner marina and Abersoch main beach were used for the wakeboard competition, while Penrhos was the music site, where headline act Kosheen was supported by the Ordinary Boys, Snatch and others. It took two and a half days to set all power, lighting and sound equipment across the site.

PA for the main area was Kling & Freitag's Access system: four T9 and T5 cabintes, with 12 B5 and four B10s as subwoofers, powered by Lab Gruppen amplification. At front-of-house were a Yamaha PM4000 and an Allen & Heath ML5000. For each desk was an outboard rack carrying a Yamaha SPX 900 and SPX 2000, a dbx

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Greece - Le Maitre played a part in the Closing Ceremony of the 2004 Olympics, having been contracted to provide some of the special effects for the event by Jack Morton Public Events, producers of the ceremony. A team of six technicians were flown to Athens, along with 20 confetti blowers and over 500kg of confetti, glitter and streamers. The Le Maitre crew spent five days setting up the equipment in the Olympic Stadium between midnight and 6am, when the day's events had finished, trained 20 local technicians to help operate the cannons, and took part in two full rehearsals.

The effects created provided a spectacular accompaniment to the three-hour ceremony. The Chinese performance of the Beijing handover ceremony was given a dramatic finish using 15 of Le Maitre's Electric Air Cannons to fire yellow streamers from inside a giant lantern. The ceremony featured performances fro

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UK - Lighting designer Dave Byars used two Avolites Diamond 4 consoles for a recent show at The Eden Project with French band, Air. One was his touring console (he's been on the road with the band since the beginning of the year) while the second was supplied by Avolites to control illuminations specially installed to light the Eden Project's famous Biomes, which backed onto the stage.

For Air's performance, the Biomes were lit with a combination of James Thomas PixelPAR 90(A) architectural fixtures and Pixelline 1044 battens. The Biome D4 was operated by Fraser Elisha.

For the tour - a combination of own shows and festival slots, with lighting and sound production supplied by Entec - Byars needed a lightweight desk with compact dimensions that was easy to hoist up FOH festival towers. He also needed it to offer plenty of creative power, and found the D4 ideal from all perspectives.<

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USA - CITC, the innovative US manufacturer of special effects products, has supplied equipment to two recent film productions. Disney's forthcoming film, based on the first book from C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series, is currently being filmed in New Zealand. To achieve the winter-wonderland described in C.S. Lewis's land of Narnia, CITC supplied SnoBiz snow machines to Jason Drury of Film Effects in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, The Chronicles of Riddick, starring Vin Diesel and Ja Rule, has made use of CITC's Stratosphere Haze machine. The film's special effect technician, Bill Orr, had three large stages in which to maintain a balanced haze. He commented: "It doesn't have to stay on very long to make six hours of haze that's even."

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USA - Bill Morris has returned to High End Systems (HES) Inc in a new role as VP of sales. Based at the company's Austin, Texas headquarters, Morris will oversee sales of HES automated/digital lighting and Wholehog control products in North and South America and Asia.

Morris was VP of worldwide marketing at HES from March 2003 to March 2004. He has spent the last six months running his own marketing consulting firm based in the Austin area. Prior to his stint at High End, Morris was employed by Dell Computer Corporation and was responsible for developing and implementing Dell's software sales and marketing strategy. In earlier years, he founded and managed a marketing and public relations firm based in Dallas, Texas.

HES CEO Frank Gordon says, "We turned to Bill for this position because we recognize that he is customer-oriented, he understands the business and the direct

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UK - A.C. Lighting is set for another exciting show at this year's PLASA exhibition, where several major product launches and new distribution lines will be unveiled on the stand. Two new lighting products receive their official trade show launch at PLASA, and set new benchmarks in their fields of LED and lighting console design, say the company.

The Chroma-Q Color Block DB4 LED fixture features a modular design, comprehensive fixing options and advanced effects engine, allowing users to create a versatile LED system using stock of just one fixture type. The product will be shown its many configurations and fixing options.

Also launching this year from Chroma-Q is the 4Play - a fault-tolerant, self-healing 4-way DMX buffer designed to fully isolate all outputs from each other. Supplied with 4 x 5 pin connectors, each output is separately generated and boosted from the origin

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Denmark - Schouw & Co, the Danish parent company of Martin Professional, has reported that Kristian Kolding has informed the board of directors of Martin Professional that he wishes to resign his position as managing director by the end of the year at the latest. Kolding has steered Martin Professional through a six-year industrialisation process that has more than doubled the company's size, positioning it as the world's leading manufacturer of computer-controlled effect lighting.

Schouw & Co's statement said: "Martin Professional is facing a number of vital challenges. Many new initiatives have already been launched, and several long-term measures are currently being considered. Recognising the long-term perspective of this process of change, Kristian Kolding believes that now is the time to hand over the reins to a new top executive."

Schouw & Co also expressed

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Europe - Fons de Vreede has been promoted to a new role as High End Systems European sales director. Based in Utrecht, Netherlands, de Vreede joined the company last August as Sales Manager for Central Europe. Says de Vreede: "With the addition of our new UK Sales Director David Linger and our Southern European Sales Manager Vangelis Ziakas in Greece, we now have a fine and experienced European sales force and an experienced staff in the London office to cover more territory. I am looking forward to working with my two new colleagues as well as our customers in Europe. Especially now - we have such interesting products as our Catalyst and digital lighting range and the new Flying Pig Systems products."

HES CEO Frank Gordon comments: "I am looking forward to the synergy and leadership that Fons will bring to this sales region for High End. His 25 plus years of ind

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