Category Archives: From the Grid

From the Grid

Cognito2: Powerful control. Easy to use!

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Cognito2 ImageSee for yourself.  Parlights is scheduling hands-on Cognito demonstrations.

Powerful enough to control an entire stage of LED’s, Cognito2 features an approachable, intuitive, easy-to-use interface.   Next generation lighting control…for Mrs. McGillicudy, and everyone else.

The challenge?

Stage are getting more efficient, but they are also getting more complicated.  High efficiency, high output LED fixtures are replacing borderlights and spotlights on stages of all sizes.  All of those color-mixing LED’s need a lot more control than the borderlights did!

Unfortunately, the powerful controls required by LED’s can be difficult to operate.

The answer?

Cognito2, from Pathway Connectivity.

Easy to use: Cognito looks, feels, and operates like a smartphone.
Powerful: Cognito has all of the features that experienced operators expect.
Affordable: Cognito is a cost effective, high quality solution.

Learn More

 

 

 

The best way to understand is to see it for yourself !
Contact Parlights and schedule your Cognito Demo today.

Contact Parlights

 

 

 

Curtain Call Blog, From the Grid, Parlights News

See us at PLASA Focus in Baltimore!

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Parlights will be at Plasa Foicus in BaltimoreParlights will be exhibiting at the PLASA Focus show in Baltimore, MD on May 8th and 9th in Booth #408.  We look forward to seeing you there!  Our team of professionals will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss new technologies and Green Theater Solutions, including:

  • LED Performance Lighting
  • LED House Lights
  • Ethernet-based Intercom Systems
  • Next Generation Control Consoles

…and more

Event Details:

What: PLASA Focus Baltimore
When: May 8 – 9, 2014
Where: Reitz Arena, Loyola University, MD
Admission: Free

 

 

 

 

About PLASA Focus Baltimore:

PLASA Focus: Baltimore 2014 is the essential entertainment technology event for Maryland and the surrounding states. The first dedicated event for the region, PLASA Focus brings people together to see the latest products, network, and learn. This year visitors can expect to see 60+ exhibitors showing the very latest theatre and live event production products. The show is also an opportunity to meet with colleagues and to network with the industry’s leading manufacturers, dealers, rental houses and production companies. With free registration, a free education program, and plenty of opportunities to meet new people, there’s no better way to make a difference to your year ahead!

From the Grid

Parlights Talks with Cognito designer Rob Bell

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Parlights CEO Cary Levitt, and president Walt Dowling, caught up with with Robert Bell (center) of Pathway Connectivity in the City Theatrical booth at USITT today. Mr. Bell created the Cognito console and recently visited Parlights to personally demonstrate the board’s intuitive features. The Cognito solves the complex task of programming shows for systems that include incandescent dimmers, moving lights and color changing LED fixtures.  Customers love the streamlined user interface and drag and drop technology and give it high marks on ease of use.

Parlights talks with the Cognito designer, Robert Bell.
Parlights talks with the Cognito designer, Robert Bell.

Learn more here:

Cognito

or call Parlights for your demo.

From the Grid

Break A Leg, Don’t Catch A Cold–Keep Theatrical Makeup Germ Free

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Roger's palate

These simple rules from professional makeup artist Roger Riggle will keep your shared theatrical makeup germ free, and your cast healthy. First, gather some supplies: a small glass, cotton balls, 91% isopropyl alcohol, and hand sanitizer.

Billions of microbes live on your hands, so always make it a rule to wash with soap, rinse and do it again before applying makeup. If that isn’t possible, use your hand sanitizer, and reapply frequently.

Dip ONCE and apply. For mascara use disposable applicators, load with enough product for both eyes, and then discard after use.

Ditto for lipstick—surgical Q tips are tightly wound, making them good applicators.

For pencils—sharpen prior to use. Repeat after use, then swish the tip in alcohol. Remember to wipe the handle.

Cream makeup can be removed from container with a small spatula onto a disposable surface and used from there. Wipe down the spatula with alcohol after use.

Brushes can be cleaned between applications by using a squirt of Ben Nye brush cleaner and swirling on a paper towel until no more color comes out.

 

 

Parlights carries Ben Nye makeup for all your production needs.  Watch our seminar page for upcoming makeup workshops.
 Contact Parlights
Curtain Call Blog, From the Grid

What’s the Difference Between a Lamp and a Light Bulb?

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Lamp Collage About 30 bucks 😉

Seriously – Stage and Studio Lamps put out a lot more light, and are designed to run hotter than regular light bulbs. There is a special chemical reaction (called the Halogen Process) that puts the tungsten that makes up the filament (the part that glows) back on the lamp filament as it cools.

Find out more about the Halogen Process here!

Parlights carries an extensive inventory of stage and studio lamps (many under $30!)

Contact Parlights

Curtain Call Blog, From the Grid

5 Ways to Green Your Stage

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1. Don’t leave the house lights on when there is no one in the audience area

2. Replace your Ghost Light lamp with a compact Fluorescent

3. Only use enough stage lights during rehearsal to light the rehearsal…no need to burn ’em all.

4. Recycle cardboard, cans, and glass. You do it at home!

5. Fix it or upgrade it – most lighting equipment can be repaired for less than the cost of replacement.

Parlights offers upgrade and repair services for equipment from a variety of manufacturers, including Altman Lighting, Strand Lighting, and Entertainment Technology, and EDI.

Contact Parlights

Curtain Call Blog, Dimming Control, From the Grid

Cognito Comes Out of the Shadows!

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Pathway Cognito Control Console

Natural language control comes to lighting programming. Never again will you need a DMX look-up chart.

Cognito won’t intimidate the less-experienced user and won’t disappoint the most demanding professional. The CognitoTM console solves the complex task of programming shows for systems that include incandescent dimmers, moving lights and color changing LED fixtures. Cognito is network-ready and features a streamlined user interface to guide you through the process of selecting lights, adjusting their attributes, and recording reference libraries, memories and cues. Once programmed, the show is played back manually or with sequenced playlists.

Click here for a PDF copy of the Cognito brochure.

Click here to Jump to the Control Consoles Page

Curtain Call Blog, From the Grid

FORE!!! New PLPROFILE4 Now Shipping

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NEW FROM PHILIPS STRAND SELECON

The PLPROFILE4 is the best LED front of house fixture we have seen with output comparable to a traditional ellipsoidal.  Low energy consumption, virtually no maintenance, infinite colors, and no additional dimming required make this the go-to light of the future…now!

The PLPROFILE4 luminaire is a LED, variable-beam profile with precise beam control and pattern projection from a high output beam. An innovative combination of LED source technology and precision optical design, the PLPROFILE4 luminaire delivers Philips Selecon’s industry benchmark projection quality in a compact, robust luminaire.

The PLPROFILE4 luminaire uses the same proven LED engine as the Philips Selecon PL3, PL1, PL Series 1 luminaire range, and the Philips VARI*LITE VLX wash luminaire ranges, meaning color matching is simplified across the stage. The user interface is the same ensuring ease of use.

A key benefit of the PLPROFILE4 luminaire is that it is no longer necessary to change lamps or color filter. Combining the superior control and light quality of a Philips Selecon Profile with seamless fading between colors allows designers a new level of creativity. Less power consumption and no dimmer circuits makes the PLPROFILE4 luminaire the obvious choice for pattern projection and stage washes on the larger stage.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF COPY OF THE PLPROFILE4 DATASHEET

Curtain Call Blog, From the Grid

LED STUDIO PANEL NOW AVAILABLE!

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STRAND STUDIO PANEL LED

Strand Lighting has introduced a compact LED fixture perfect for the studio or on location. Studio Panel operates on AC or DC power pulling only 50 watts! Location operation through industry standard batteries is built in. This unit will provide a soft, even wash at 19 degrees with diffusion lenses for 40 and 60 degrees. An optional barndoor set simply snaps on to the unit. Whether you have a studio set to light or a simple location interview, the Studio Panel LED is the right choice. Still Photographers will love this high output, low-energy fixture as well. Call Parlights today for more information.  Click here for a Studio Panel PDF Cutsheet

 

 

Compact lightweight design

  • Standard 19 degree beam angle with available diffusion lenses (40 and 60 degree – both sold separately) for a wide range of focus control
  • 8 or 16 bit control from any DMX512 control source
  •  Local control for intensity and color temperature
  • 9 built-in color temperature presets including 3000K,
  • 3200K, 4000K, 5600K, and 6000K
  • Snap on barndoors (sold separately)
  • Battery power (DC) input
  • Operates on 100-240 VAC or 12 – 24 VDC
  • cETLus listed, CE and C-Tick approvals and markings for global operation