Future Insights: PLASA Show

FUTURE INSIGHTS

The latest product releases and announcements from this year’s PLASA Show.

ADJ

ADJ showcased six new moving head fixtures, demonstrating the latest additions to its range of professional moving head luminaires; including beam, wash and hybrid fixtures as well as the much-anticipated Hydro Series of IP65-rated models.

The flagship of the Hydro Series is the Hydro Beam X2, an extremely bright and feature-packed luminaire. Second in the new series is the Hydro Beam X1 – a compact yet potent moving head powered by an Osram Sirius HRI 100W discharge lamp. Finally in the Hydro Series is the new Hydro Wash X7 – a powerful LED wash fixture.

ADJ also displayed the new Vizi Wash Z19 – a 380W professional moving head wash fixture powered by 19 20W four-in-one RGBW LEDs. Finally, the new Vizi CMY 16RX is a true hybrid moving head that functions interchangeably as a spot, beam or wash fixture. www.adj.com

ARKAOS

ArKaos highlighted the latest version of it flagship MediaMaster Pro 5.6 real-time video control software on the stand of its UK and Irish Republic distributor, Entedi.

Now available with a totally new ‘license rental’ service, which enables weekly rental periods of MediaMaster Pro usage, this latest development greatly increases flexibility and affordability for anyone involved in specific projects or events on which they want to use this award-winning platform.

ArKaos also enjoyed the PLASA energy, observing that they saw more high-quality and serious visitors than last year, underlining PLASA’s place as a hub for the UK’s entertainment technology industry. www.arkaos.com

AVOLITES

Avolites showcased the Q4 media server, the latest development in the Q server range, on stand K50 at PLASA 2019. The new Q4 media server boasts four full 4K outputs, which can drive three layers of visually lossless, 4K content to every output simultaneously.

The new Q4 features Avolites’ powerful Ai software, built on the Salvation node engine, which provides the tools needed to create stunning shows, whatever the requirements. Furthermore, the new server will also ship with Modular Flex Inputs, allowing for video inputs to be swapped in and out to suit every situation. www.avolites.com

AYRTON

As Ayrton marks the halfway point of its Multi Twenty-one programme – it’s exciting three-year strategic vision to release 21 new, innovative fixtures by the end of 2021 – the company launched two new products and previewed another at a very successful PLASA 2019, along with its exclusive UK distributor, Ambersphere Solutions. Perseo-S and Huracan-X were the two to receive their official launch and visitors were treated to a first look at Karif-LT, due for release at LDI in November.

Shipping now, Perseo-S is Ayrton’s first multi-function, compact, powerful, IP65-rated fixture developed for intensive outdoor use. Huracán-X is a unique profile luminaire with some exceptional features. Continuing its theme of naming its products after the winds of the world, Ayrton previewed Karif-LT, its brand new 300W LED hybrid with an incredible 3° to 45° zoom range.

Ayrton was also proud to have supported the Knight of Illumination Awards by sponsoring The Ayrton Award for Drama, which was won by Anna Valdez-Hanks for Clique series 2. The KOI Awards celebrate the work of lighting designers in the UK and Ayrton will continue its support at the KOI-USA Awards in November. www.ayrton.eu

BROADWEIGH

Broadweigh Bluetooth system was a major talking point on the A.C Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) stand, having made its PLASA debut this year. The kit, which launched in June, has already been put through its paces at some major events – including the New York Auto Show and Glastonbury – and is in the running for the 2019 PLASA Innovation Award.

Visitors to stand E30 saw a demo of the Bluetooth cells. Broadweigh’s standard load cells were also on display as well as the Wind Speed Sensor and TwistLink. Broadweigh also launched its in-house calibration service. www.broadweigh.com

CHROMA-Q

Chroma-Q continued to celebrate its 15th year as a producer of performance LED lighting products by showing its latest range of LED solutions at PLASA 2019.

Making its PLASA debut was the new Chroma-Q Space Force onebytwo variable white LED soft light panel. The popular Space Force fixture, upon whose technologies the onebytwo is based, was also on display.

Visitors also experienced a demo of Vista 3 ‘Release 2’ (R2) control software, which adds a number of new features including expanded fixed installation and external trigger capabilities; an astronomical clock; and new auto show load options. The Vista EX and Vista MV control surfaces were also showcased. www.chroma-q.com

ETC & HIGH END SYSTEMS

ETC and High End Systems returned to PLASA on stand J38A/B with a selection of its latest products, ‘Tech Talks’ seminars by ETC specialists and an evening of networking and Augment3d games.

Augment3d is ETC’s first integrated 3D programming environment, which will be a part of the upcoming Eos v3.0 software. A range of the latest moving lights were displayed, including High End Systems’ SolaWash 1000, TurboRay and ETC’s Relevé Spot.

ETC’s newly acquired ArcSystem, BluesSystem and CueSystem product lines were also present, alongside interactive product presentations with product specialists on hand to provide demonstrations of the new options and features ETC has added to ArcSystem family, such as Fade to Warm and RDM versions of the entire ArcSystem range. www.etcconnect.com

HIGHLITE

Highlite International BV displayed an array of new items and developments at PLASA 2019.

As a long-term PLASA member and worldwide distributor of brands like Showtec, DAP Audio, DMT and Infinity, Highlite not only showcased the new Infinity Signature range and Chimp 2nd generation light controllers, but also the Infinity Furion family – with the Furion B401 moving head beam receiving a nominated for a PLASA Award for Innovation.

Stand G31 presented a wide range of Showtec products such as the new Showtec Polar 340 Wash FX and the Co2 hazer Mistique. www.highlite.com

GOBOPLUS

GoboPlus.com, along with its sister companies FollowSpotPlus.com, CutColourPlus and Inluster, enjoyed a very successful PLASA 2019 showing off the latest products in its range.

The presentation of the new Rosco Image Spot Mini marked the start of a new range of IP65-rated gobo projectors designed for all outdoor applications.

FollowSpotPlus.com also brought the range of LDR profiles, Fresnels and followspots to the attention of visitors, including the newly released architectural Fresnel lantern, Tondo F. www.goboplus.com

SOUND TECHNOLOGY

Sound Technology announced the UK shipping of the new Martin MAC Allure Wash PC, with its first UK appearance at PLASA.

This washlight variant of the MAC Allure Profile features a solid-state RGBW light engine with unique seven-segmented beam control. With instant colour control and pixelated beam, the MAC Allure Wash PC enables dynamic diffused projection and mid-air effects, previously not possible.

The light and colour engine are divided into seven full-colour pixels. Pixels can be focused on projection or in the beam for aerial effects. The user has full colour and intensity control over each pixel via DMX or create effects via the fixture’s effects engine. On top of DMX, Art-Net and sACN, MAC Allure fixtures can be controlled via P3. www.soundtech.co.uk/martinpro

NEXO

NEXO launched its new NXAMP4x4Mk2 amplifier, completing the new mk2 Series of power and processing solutions.

The NXAMP4x4mk2 is smaller and more than 12% more powerful than its predecessor and benefits from a new aesthetic, with a smart silver and black livery on the simplified front panel.

On the back, four high-end analogue inputs use cascaded converters for low-output noise, and four digital inputs are available through the rear panel expansion card slot. It also includes a new modulator chip, developed and patented by Yamaha especially for NEXO’s mk2 Series. www.nexo-sa.com

PROLIGHTS

PROLIGHTS PLASA highlights include the PLASA Awards for Innovation nominated PixieWash XB. Also nominated is the Mosaico XL, an extremely powerful, long-throw IP66 LED fixture for projecting gobos and textures with colour mixing, animation wheel and framing shutters.

The Panorama AirBeam IP lead the extensive PROLIGHTS IP65 family, which includes pars, blinders, battens, strobes and moving lights. PROLIGHTS RA2000 moving profile was also on show. Eclipse range of theatrical Fresnels, Ellipsoidals and Pars were on show. www.prolights.it

ROBE

Inspired by the launch of its new PLASA Innovation Award-winning ESPRITE moving light, Robe restaged the iconic Back to The Future movie franchise, presenting the first in a trilogy of new Robe products.

As well as the ESPRITE, this included Tetra, a new moving LED batten incorporating the same high-quality optics and LED light sources used in the Spiider and Tarrantula LED wash-beams. www.robe.cz

ROBERT JULIAT

Robert Juliat emerged from an extremely successful PLASA 2019 with UK distributor, Ambersphere Solutions, where it continued to celebrate its Centenary Year with new products.

Robert Juliat’s new Maestro server for SpotMe, developed in collaboration with tracking specialists, zactrack, extends the capabilities of RJ’s SpotMe. The complete Dalis range now includes Dalis 860 cyclorama fixture, Dalis 861 Washlight; Dalis 862 and Dalis 862S Footlights; Dalis Access 863 and Dalis 864. www.robertjuliat.com

SPOTRACK

Spotrack introduced TracMe, a smaller, extremely competitively priced sibling of Spotrack, at PLASA 2018, the software can control up to four moving lights from any vendor in a single universe, opening access to the technology to a greater range of application.

Spotrack exhibited on Stand N21 at PLASA and look forward to discussing the next generation of spotlight technology with lighting professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.

VARI-LITE

Vari-Lite has announced that its new Vari-Lite VL800 Series of fixed and moving head LED fixtures is now shipping. The new series of fixtures can be seen at the PLASA Show on stand E60 at the Olympia exhibition center in London.

Comprising three exciting new fixtures designed to work seamlessly in combination, the VL800 Series are colour-matched to be visually consistent.

What’s more, the user experience and DMX mapping are consistent as well, allowing lighting designers and programmers to easily use multiple fixtures together in a single application. The VL800 Series includes: Vari-Lite VL800 PROPAR, Vari-Lite VL800 EVENTPAR and Vari-Lite VL800 EVENTWASH. www.vari-lite.com

TRIPLE E

Triple E showcased its new 2Way Points System and the first product of its new Grip Equipment range at PLASA 2019 – including Triple E’s extensive range of track systems and plug-and-play track-mounted motors.

Triple E’s stand demonstrated the flexible ModTruss system, which was recently seen in the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts’ summer show, as well as forming the base of the iconic Greenpeace tree at Glastonbury.

The Triple E team was on hand throughout the show to discuss products, installations and stage engineering requirements such as schools, arenas, tours and all applications in between. www.triplee.ltd

ZERO 88

Zero 88 showcased its new RigSwitch remote-controlled switching system together with a host of other neat, practical and innovative power, data and control solutions.

Other exciting new and multifunctional products shown were the Betapack 4 – one product with six dynamic variants; the ZerOS Server – one product with three different uses, and a new Data Distribution range supporting both DMX / RDM, plus the latest Ethernet protocols.

All the lighting desks on the stand were running on the latest ZerOS 7.9.6 software release. www.zero88.co.uk