Lighting Technical Materials

Vista v2 Programming Guides - 3 - Fixture Chooser Layouts

May 2012

This third instalment of the Vista v2 Programming Guides will guide you through setting up your interface and organising your layouts, so you can quickly and effectively program your show.

Vista Without An Operator

April 2012

The Vista v2 software is not just limited to "live" production. Effortlessly unleash the potential of your installation using Time and Date events, Serial and Midi triggering and our simple visual interface that anyone can use.

Vista v2 Programming Guides - 2 - Patching

March 2012

Part 2 of the Vista v2 Programming Guides series will show you how our visual interface takes the hassle out of patching fixtures so you can quickly and easily unlock the potential of your lighting rig to create your own breathtaking productions.

Powerful Things Come In Small Packages

February 2012

Only slightly bigger than your iPhone, the ETC Tessera Touch Panel gives your installation 512 channels of DMX control with a custom user interfaces that supports full cue control, preset control, time and date events.

Vista v2 Programming Guides - 1 - An Introduction

December 2011

Effortlessly create professional lighting on the Jands Vista with this ongoing series of programming guides plus operators tips and tricks. Unlock the potential of your lighting rig, with this powerful, operator friendly platform.

Metal Halide Lamps: The Other Unsung Hero

November 2011

With all the talk of LED lighting, some may have forgotten about the other efficiency trooper in the lighting world the metal halide lamp. But what exactly is a metal halide lamp and how does it work?

Thermal Management: The Unsung LED Hero

September 2011

Thermal Management is arguably one of the most important aspects in LED fixture design but is also one of the least talked about. It is essential in ensuring long LED life and stable optical performance. This article will outline the theory behind LED heat exchange and how professional LED fixtures deal with this heat in order to maximise fixture life and optical performance.

Introduction To EOS Virtual Media Server

July 2011

Earlier this year ETC introduced a Virtual Media Server and Pixel Mapping for the Eos and Ion consoles, in this article we will introduce this advanced feature and run through some basic programming, so you can get on your way to making your LED screens sing.

Mine Has More Than Yours

June 2011

ETC has included its patented ‘x7 Color System’ into its new Selador Desire LED wash light fixtures. We examine how the ‘x7 Color System’ enables a lighting designer to achieve superior, complex and saturated colour compared to an RGB fixture, therefore allowing the designer to seamlessly implement the Desire as part of their traditional tungsten and MSR rig.

ETC Selador. Now Even More Desirable.

May 2011

ETC has announced the release of the IP65 rated D40XT as part of the new Selador Desire range of LED wash lights. The Desire range introduces a host of new features including new high output LED’s and level/colour management systems. The D40XT is the perfect solution for all external lighting applications.

Common Effects And How To Program Them On Eos, Ion and Element

March 2011

Here are some examples of how to achieve common effects, for intensity and colour, on ETC's Eos, Ion and Element.

Looked What I Stepped In... Pathport Touring Edition

February 2011

Along with shifters, a torch, my leatherman, multimeter and assorted screwdrivers, I've recently added a Pathport Touring Edition node to my toolbox of essential stuff for any show. Why is that you ask?...

Programming Effectively With Tracking Consoles

November 2010

The first lighting consoles were simple things. They had no memory and no programmer, just one lever for each dimmer. As the first digital consoles came onto the market to replace these, they mimicked the functional style and operation of their manual predecessors. With the inclusion of memory, we were given the ability to store a given lighting look with the push of a button, and there was much rejoicing. Lighting operation had never been easier.

Selador Series Demystified: Chapters 1-5

November 2010

David Hilton (ETC Field Project Coordinator) introduces and gives an overview of ETC's Selador Series Fixtures.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Closeup On The x7 Color System

Chapter 3: Fire And Ice

Chapter 4: Applications

Chapter 5: Hands on Selador.

Architecture for Control Networks (ACN) - What's the Big Idea? (Part 2 of 2)

September 2010

It’s been a few years since ESTA ratified E1.17 – Architecture for Control Networks, or ACN for short. In part one, we took an introductory step into what ACN can offer. Now it’s time to look at how it fits in with DMX and the other Ethernet protocols out there, such as ArtNet and Streaming ACN. We’ll also examine how we can migrate to ACN smoothly and hassle-free from the technologies currently in use.

Combining Your Ethernet Networks: A Good Idea?

August 2010

Ethernet. You may have heard of it: apparently it’s going to change the way our stuff talks to our other stuff. Audio, lighting and vision are all turning to Ethernet, office networks have used it for years and we’re only going to see more of it in the future. So, since everyone’s moving to this common transport protocol, why not combine them together on one super network? On the surface, there are some obvious advantages, but when you look at such a solution in a real-world situation, it gets a bit more complicated.

Architecture for Control Networks (ACN) - What's the Big Idea? (Part 1 of 2)

July 2010

It’s been a few years since ESTA ratified E1.17 – Architecture for Control Networks, or ACN for short. Since the initial excitement little seems to have changed, and for many it’s still unclear exactly what ACN does and how it makes the world of lighting better. Now, with DMX-over-Ethernet protocols such as ArtNet and Streaming ACN becoming more and more pervasive in entertainment lighting, it seemed like a good time to revisit ACN.

Understanding (and Upgrading) Your Lighting System

June 2010

This article concentrates not just on how a typical school or community hall’s lighting system works, but where and how existing systems can be upgraded to provide more flexibility and freedom in lighting a show or event.

Entertainment Lighting Control Philosophy

March 2010

Is there a new lighting control console in your future? Will you be buying – or selling – or using - such a console? How do you know which one is right for you – your team – or your customer? Beyond channel counts, DMX outputs, faders, touch screens and buttons described in most console datasheets and product comparison articles, how can you find out if a lighting control console will “feel right”? This article will explain how.

Dimmers Demystified

February 2010

Dimming technology is one of the oldest technologies still in use in modern theatre lighting. Despite this, it’s still one of the least understood. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the technologies in dimming technology and examine what they are, how they work, and if they’re genuinely useful or just marketing fluff.