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ETC's New iPhone App Calls the Lighting Cues
Lighting technicians and programmers love their iPhones - and they want to use them everywhere! ETC is answering the call by allowing them to turn their Apple handhelds into miniature lighting-controllers. ETC has just introduced its iRFR (Radio Focus Remote for iPhone and iPod Touch), while donating all the proceeds to industry-aid organisations Light Relief and its US equivalent Behind the Scenes. The iRFR will offer all the functionality of an ETC Net3 Radio Focus Remote unit, working with ETC's Eos, Ion, Congo and Congo jr lighting control desks. The iRFR is supported in the current Congo software release (v5.1) and will be supported in the upcoming Eos release (v1.5).
According to senior product development manager Dennis Varian, ETC had frequent requests for a device like the iRFR: "While we were asking ourselves how to price an application like this, Luke Delwiche from ETC Tech Services in London suggested we give the profits to charity. We thought that was a great idea."
While users are purchasing the iRFR application from the iTunes store, they will designate the charity of their choice. The Light Relief or Behind the Scenes logo will then appear as the iRFR start screen.
ETC software engineer Chris Mizerak developed the application with a view to making it as user-friendly and direct as any Apple application, with added peace of mind. Varian explains: "Since anyone who has an iPhone or iPod Touch can download the iRFR application, they have the potential to take control of a lighting system. So we implemented full security controls to lock out all unauthorised users."
Because the iRFR application is purchased through iTunes for iPhones and iPod Touches that people already own, they install it and have it immediately - no hardware or special factory-coding required. "ETC also makes purpose-built remotes, of course - like the RFR - for more rugged, collective use," says Varian, "but this is a great personal device."
In picture: iRFR for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch
2nd July 2009
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