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Wybron Launches InfoTrace
Wybron Inc. has announced the launch of the InfoTrace RDM lighting control system, an innovative new system that uses RDM (Remote Device Management) for the control and management of DMX-controlled lighting devices such as colour changers, moving lights, conventional lights, and dowsers. (RDM is the new open standard of bi-directional protocol for DMX512 based control systems.)
“InfoTrace simplifies the set-up, maintenance, repair and integration of professional stage lighting,” says Keny Whitright, founder and president of Wybron. “Time saved during load-in and pre-show checks translates into more time to create innovative lighting sets for stage, touring shows, architecture, and other spaces.”
A complete InfoTrace system consists of the following components: InfoGate software and hardware, Wybron’s new line of IT products (Coloram IT colour changers, Eclipse IT and Eclipse II IT mechanical dowsers, and CXI IT dual scrollers), ColorExpress IT Gelstrings, InfoChip legacy converter, and finally, InfoStore web-based aggregate information tool. The heart of the system is InfoGate, specialised software that uses RDM to facilitate remote addressing and diagnostics for potentially every piece of equipment mounted on a rig. InfoGate works with all IT products and all RDM-compatible equipment from any manufacturer. In addition, any non-RDM equipment can be upgraded with the installation of an InfoChip. Because InfoGate can work with any equipment, the setup, unit testing, and troubleshooting for an entire rig can be coordinated from a single laptop.
Wybron’s “IT” equipment (Coloram IT, CXI IT, Eclipse IT, and Eclipse II IT) is equipped with a series of sensors that can relay a wealth of information to InfoGate. These sensors can detect everything from light, temperature, and voltage to fan speed and even gelstring frame color information. So while RDM equipment will allow identification and remote addressing, IT equipment can give more specific status information and even warn of potential problems, possibly averting failures in the middle of a show. If the status of a device indicates any problem, InfoGate displays an alert with the nature of the problem and the exact location. Troubleshooting is now done in a fraction of the time.
ColorExpress IT Gelstrings have InfoTrace capability too. Every gelstring is built with an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag, which relays information to the sensors on Coloram IT and CXI IT. The tag contains individual frame information as well as a unique job number, which allows for easy reordering.
For operations requiring remote monitoring or multiple locations, Wybron offers InfoStore, a web-based program that gathers all the information sent from InfoGate. This makes the supervision of multiple sets possible, even from a distance. For instance, at the close of several touring productions, complete status reports can be sent to InfoStore. The lighting dealer or rental house can view reports immediately, and any replacement parts or repair orders can be arranged in advance. When equipment arrives on site, it is already known if every piece of equipment is present and working.
InfoStore can also analyse combinations of readings, detect trends, and store unlimited amounts of information. Before long, it will be able to know the average life of a lamp or gelstring under various conditions.
In the past, setting up and monitoring a lighting system required constant access to a lighting console, hand addressing dipswitches at each fixture, and locating problems by physically inspecting the equipment. With InfoTrace, all of these things can now be done by one person equipped with a laptop.
“InfoTrace makes it easier to do what we could only accomplish with long costly hours in the past.” Whitright explains. “The benefits of InfoTrace go beyond traditional lighting products because with the introduction of this bold new technology, lighting designers and engineers will buy themselves time and ease of production.”
8th September 2006
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