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ETC Know-How Comes as Standard with Smart Solutions

Over the past two years, ETC has been introducing its Smart Solutions line, offering simple but powerful lighting systems for use by professionals and not-so-professionals alike. Taking the technological expertise for which the company is renowned, ETC has developed a family of affordable products built to the highest standards and offering advanced capabilities. This Smart Solutions range means that ETC dimming and control technology is now available not just to Broadway and West End theatres, but to smaller TV studios and touring productions, school theatres and semi-professional bands.

The newest members of the Smart Solutions family, launched at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt, bring the advantages of distributed dimming within everyone’s reach. ETC SmartBar and ETC SmartModule, introduced following ETC’s acquisition of IES of the Netherlands last year, already enjoy a reputation for consistent reliability and provide the flexibility of being able to place dimming wherever you need it.

SmartBar is a slim-line, rugged and self-contained dimmer bar that plugs straight into a domestic feed. For rental companies supplying corporate events and industrials this is a huge bonus - no need to carry heavy cabling or electrical distribution equipment, just plug in and go! SmartBar is also extremely light: one bar with four lamps can be carried very easily. With less weight, fewer parts and fewer connections to go wrong, SmartBar is the epitome of less is more! Combined with the new ETC SmartStand, a heavy duty adjustable stand for short term lighting set ups, it’s ideal for hotel and conference venues.

Moreover, SmartBar is a proven winner. The original integrated power bar, it was first introduced by IES back in 1992 and there are now 20000 units in use across Europe. 100% duty cycle rated, SmartBar is of professional build quality. The anodised aluminium custom machined heat sinks ensure that SmartBar won’t melt when the heat’s turned up. SmartBar is available with 4 channels at 6A or 6 channels at 10A.

Also being introduced at ProLight+Sound is ETC SmartModule, which has all the same attributes as the SmartBar, but not in-line as on the Bar. Ideal for a behind-the-scenes dimmer, it has the added benefit of load protection circuit breakers per dimmer. SmartModule has an integrated carry handle and can be used on the floor, in the truss, or under or behind the set.

Another great dimming product in the Smart Solutions family is SmartPack, the higher output dimming system which provides from six up to 12 channels and is available in three convenient versions: Rack Mount, Touring and Wall Mount. The Wall Mount system is a compact, permanent unit ideal for small scale architectural installations and will soon be upgraded to be compatible with the newly launched ETC SmartLink architectural lighting control panel.

Including a neat five or 10 button station panel, SmartLink offers remote control of presets and sequences in the SmartPack Wall Mount. It can also be used to link Packs together, operating presets and sequences across all units, making it ideal for use in restaurants, galleries and conference rooms, foyer and house lighting in smaller theatres, public spaces and high end residential. Using a topology free, two-wire network, SmartLink can be connected up in any convenient way and is easily configured without the need for any special tools. Available in white, ivory, grey or black, SmartLink button panels are smart in all senses of the word!

For non-architectural control, the Smart Solutions family offers SmartFade, a little console with big console attitude. Launched at PLASA 2004, where it was a huge hit, SmartFade has the distinction of being the first ETC product to be manufactured simultaneously in Europe and in the United States – which is entirely apt, for this is truly an international product. The four individuals who comprise the SmartFade design team are based in London, England; Holzkirchen, Germany; Gothenburg, Sweden; and Middleton, USA!

Used by lighting designers who are at the pinnacle of their profession and first time users alike, SmartFade offers users at any skill level the tools to program a lighting show. For novices, the simple two-preset mode provides a small, easy to operate 12 or 24 channel, two-preset console with a manual or timed cross fade section, bump buttons with master and a grand master. Normal mode, designed for more experienced users, provides 48 or 96 channels with 288 or 576 memories and 48 sequences. SmartFade can also be used as a replacement for ETC’s Reflection backup console, providing seamless and sophisticated backup for any DMX512 lighting console to ensure that the show does indeed go on.

The Smart Solutions range is testimony to the fact that spending a bit more money can get you significantly better equipment. Professionals working to a restricted budget will appreciate the performance and reliability of a Smart Solutions lighting system, while for people on the move, the build quality will take anything that life on the road can throw at it. ETC has always been recognised as being a manufacturer of top of the range products; with Smart Solutions they are making their expertise, their know-how and their design skills available to everyone.

http://www.etcconnect.com

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ETC Know-How Comes as Standard with Smart Solutions

7th April 2005

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