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coolux Media Systems released Version 4.0 of Pandoras Box at prolight+sound in Frankfurt. In addition to many new software features, the entire Pandoras Box product range gets a complete overhaul, and finally introduces new, long-awaited hardware.

Since the introduction of the Pandoras Box Media Server, the product range has experienced a continual development process, integrating both the feedback and requests of our clients as well as the visions of our designers and developers. This development results in the release of Version 4.0 debuting at prolight+sound. The new Media Server product range offers three different hardware configurations:

PANDORAS BOX MEDIA SERVER PRO

16 video and 32 graphic layers

2 TB of redundant RAID hard disc space

PANDORAS BOX MEDIA SERVER STD

8 video and 16 graphic layers

1 TB of redundant RAID hard disc space

PANDORAS BOX MEDIA SERVER LT

4 video and 8 graphic layers

500 GB of redundant RAID hard disc space

All Version 4.0 coolux Media Servers feature real-time performance and the new built-in custom user interface on the front panel of the server to allow fast and direct set-up of IP address, output resolution and playback control. Optional SD-SDI input boards as well as HD-SDI boards featuring broadcast quality and ultra-low latency of only two frames are now available. The servers are shipped with Softedge and HD Playback capability included. In addition, optional SMPTE, DMX and RS-232 interfaces are available from coolux.

The Sensor Link is designed for custom installations that require integration of industrial encoders, distometers, analogue potentiometers and contact closures. Cues and parameters can be triggered and controlled with any Pandoras Box software.

The Media Player is now available in two versions: the STD edition with two video and four graphic layers and the PRO edition with four video and eight graphic layers and 16-bit digital keystone. All Media Players are shipped with integrated Softedge and HD Playback like the Media Servers.

The LT, STD and PRO editions of Media Manager now feature one, two or eight separate timelines, while the STD version comes with a jog/shuttle controller and the PRO version adds an additional timeline keyboard to the jog/shuttle controller.

PB Automation is a software development kit (SDK) for 3rd party integration. PB Automation can be easily implemented in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel or Access macros. The SDK provides direct access to all sequence controls as well as all device parameters, effects and presets. An unlimited amount of PB Automation clients can be created to talk to multiple Pandoras Box control systems. With PB Automation, custom integration with 3rd party software can quickly be realised with common programming languages such as Visual Basic scripts as well C+ and C++. coolux also offers individual training and custom applications on demand. See the audience interact with the system. Create custom touch screen user interfaces based on any projects design.

Pandoras Box Spark acts as a remote TCP/IP device that can be installed as a remote control service on any Windows XP PC.

Its purpose is to enable any coolux timeline to talk to Spark and initiate local commands on the target computer. Spark allows you to control the most common local commands such as system shutdown, reboot, Wake on LAN, web browser control, keyboard and mouse events, as well as almost any 3rd party software control. This is especially useful if you need to interact with PowerPoint on a PC or an application that has no standard remote control features.

In cooperation with our Switzerland-based partner Sonic Emotion, an optional multichannel audio plug-in integrates up to 24ch (48 KHz, 16 bit mono files) of synchronised audio channels to the Media Manager and Media Vision. It supports the use of ASIO-compatible audio hardware. The audio plug-in ships as software only. Hardware such as the MOTU Firewire 828MK2 or RME 24 Ch ADAT PCI cards are supported and can be purchased from coolux and their partners.

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latest news headlines

Myth or Reality

12th March 2008

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