Technical
Cable Markers
Very important to use proper cable markers in the projects
Cable markersor cable identification is important when implementing your sound and light project. Once your sub contractor pull all the audio, video and signal cable to the rack and the sound mixers and they will usually mark temporary on the cable before our project team step in.
The project team will use the cable marker before they solder the cable with connectors. Just google cable markers and you will find there are many type of marker in the market. The common one is cable tie identification, label printer, slide on cable marker or EC-1 type cable marker.
Before you do this you must have the approved shop drawing or single line drawing showing each line or the actual cable pulling from the which starting point to the which ending point. Transferring this information to the cable marker will ensure that the cable is fully permanently marked.
Cable tie identification come with integral identification plate make of white nylon which can be mark with indelible marker pens. These identifying ties make it possible to fasten and mark cables in a single operation.
Cable label printer is also commonly use where the information is enters into the handheld printer and the printed label will wrap on the cable. Cable markers also include thermal transfer labels, thermal transfer ribbons, tags, and wire wraps.
Slide on cable marker is also commonly used for it is easy to use. It is also called colour coded cable markers or EC type cable markers. It is made from soft PVC and durable that will that will resist oil, grease, acid abrasion and chemicals.
These markers are available in straight & Chevron cut as per international code. It must be fitted before solder connection is made or terminal is attached. It is normally come in 1000pcs and only cost less than RM15 per rolls. You can purchased in any electrical and electronic shop.
The marker will expands to fit various cable diameters and retracts to hold wires firmly in position. The standard comes with yellow body with marking in black ink. Other colour is also available.
By Admin
www.artisticcontrols.com
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Zero 88 Jester ML48 in Taman Budaya Kuantan
Zero88 Jester ML48 in Taman Budaya Kuantan
Recently Taman Budaya Kuantan in Pahang has upgraded their Lighting Control Desk to the new Zero 88 Jester ML48 a 48 channel desk Lighting Desk with ability to control moving heads. This was to replace the old Strand desk.
Taman Budaya Kuantan is located in front of JKKN building which is on the way to Teluk Chempedak, and once you pass the main traffic lights junction, just follow the signboard to Seri Malaysia Hotel on the left side of the road just before the Vistana Hotel.
Besides the open stage or platform located in front of the JKKN building, there is also an Auditorium inside the building, where the arts, theatres and cultural performances are held.
Taman Budaya Kuantan Pahang
Taman Budaya Kuantan Auditorium
In the Auditorium where the mixtures conventional theatre Lightings and Effect Lightings like DMX controlled LED color Par and Moving Head use in any production require an integrated control desk to control both the conventional lighting and effect lighting. Normally you will find this in a larger desk like in big auditorium or theater. The choice of Zero 88 Jester ML48 control desk was made because of ease to program of the moving head for the effect while storing the scene in sub master or memory.
The Jester ML48 offer users a cost effective solution for control of up to 30 moving lights. The consoles have effects engines, the ability to store palettes or preset focuses and use the comprehensive Zero 88 fixture library.
The JesterML48 desk also offers direct control of 48 dimmer channels. Playback is either via the submasters or through a traditional theatrical cue stack.
Zero 88 Jester ML48 training in progress
A full day Zero 88 Jester ML48 training was conducted on 26/4/2010 to the lighting operator. With the two dedicated lighting operator Mohd Shaiful and Ahmad Shah their learning of the desk was easily pick up and by the end of the training they can program the desk for the next coming shows.
For more info www.zero88.com
Are you ready for Astro B.yond?
Recently Astro Malaysia has launched Astro B.yond which is HDTV broadcast. Many people still do not know the meaning of HDTV and asking if it is necessary to change to Astro B.yond and what is needed to ready enjoy it.
What is HDTV?
HDTV stands for High Definition TV. Watching HDTV is about watching high-resolution picture quality. Current Astro broadcasts are in standard-definition TV (SDTV), which has about 400 visible lines of resolution. HDTV, on the other hand, offers up to 1,080 lines of resolution, which has approximately five times more detail than SD.
HDTV format such as 1080p has more pixels than conventional SDTV - PAL format
If you refer to the picture above, it is akin to having two to four times the number of pixels to render the same image, which means that HDTV provides far more detailed images than SDTV.
There are currently two main HDTV resolution formats: 720p and 1080i. The numbers refer to the number of lines or horizontal resolution on the screen, while the letter suffixes refer to “interlaced” and “progressive” scanning of the picture. The native resolution for a 720p video source is 1,280 x 720 pixels and for 1080i, it is 1,920 x 1080 pixels.
There is also another standard called 1080p which is called True HDTV. The 1080p format is mainly used in Bluray discs and HD DVD. Normal video DVD is only 480p resolution (720 x 480 pixels).
In an interlaced picture, only half the picture resolution is displayed at any one time.
Because they interchange so rapidly, the eye perceives it as a whole picture.
With progressive scan, all the lines in the picture are displayed simultaneously, resulting in a clearer, more defined picture.
At the moment, HDTV content is hard to come by in Malaysia, although it has been available in Japan and the United States for some time (predominantly via TV broadcasts). Our only best bet will be on Astro B.yond HDTV broadcast.
Astro’s B.yond will primarily broadcast in 1080i, but if the source content is in 720p, broadcasts will be in the same resolution.
Unlike standard television, HDTV resolutions are typically in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, which makes it ideal for movies and today’s widescreen flat-panel TVs, most of which are HD compatible. Sound quality is also improved and, when available, is in full Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound.
What do you need to watch Astro B.yond?
You will need a widescreen HD television with a HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) input to properly display Astro’s B.yond HD programmes. HDMI is the new standard Interconnect for HD devices. Of course you need to subscribe to the new Astro B.yond programme. By paying RM20 extra per month you will receive new set-top box and smart card, a new outdoor dish.
Most widescreen flat-panel televisions sold in stores today will display HD picture, but take note of the actual display resolution of the set.
Those labeled as “HD ready” typically have a resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels, which is really only enough for 720p HD content. However if the programmes offers picture with up to 1,080 horizontal lines some of the detail will be lost as they will scale it down to 720p or less.
To view the picture in its full glory, you should get a “Full HD” unit. These have a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, which can perfectly display all 1,080 lines of resolution.
Next, the dilemma would be whether to purchase a HD Ready Plasma TV or Full HD LCD TV? Plasma TV provide a high contrast ratio and pictures looks super crisp clear but it has lesser pixels whereas LCD TV at the same price can provide more pixels, but images do not look so vivid and the backlight make things worse.
At the moment, 1080p-compatible LCDs are few while 1080p plasmas are not officially available in the country yet but I can see they started to come on shore recently. An 42 in LCD TV Full HD Panel (1920 x 1080) cost around RM5,000 to RM8,000.
However, those with normal SD resolution TVs can still enjoy the benefits of the new B.yond service.
Connection can be made via the normal composite or component video connections, but there will be reduced resolution.
However, as the incoming picture is in HD, the picture quality will be much better than existing Astro broadcasts – and potentially better than DVD quality.
Are you ready for HDTV?
With the newly launched Astro B.yond, are you ready to change to HDTV? The main problem with HDTV is that almost everybody is perfectly happy with today’s SDTV broadcasts and DVD movies.
It’s because colour, contrast and movement are more easily appreciated by the human eye (and the brain). These are things which today’s TVs already do pretty well and also something which HDTV doesn’t improve on.
So unless you’re a HiFi nut, the differences between SD and HD are really only apparent on a big TV or a projector.
You need to but a 40 in or bigger HD TV in order to ready enjoy the HD content and if the TV size is lesser than that then you would see the different unless you sit too near.
And in scenes with a lot of movement (in action films, for example) the increase in resolution is all but invisible – since motion blurs out details.
But that’s not to say that HD is irrelevant – if you do have a big TV or a projector, the difference is rather amazing. Movie buffs will no doubt salivate at the added detail in the scenery, costumes and other textures (skin, hair, walls, etc) in their HD movies.
See also other related articles:
Astro TV Launched HDTV on Dec 11
Zero 88 Jester ML Operating Software 3.0
Zero 88 Jester ML24 with Operating Software 3.0
Zero 88 has released JesterML Operating Software version 3.0 for the Jester ML series and Jester TL for quite some time since December 2009. Release 3.0 adds MIDI Show Control functionality, support for Inverse channels, plus a number of other improvements.
Recently we have the chance to upload the release 3.0 software to one of Jester ML24 console before deliver to our customer. The old version was 2.3 and after upgraded we can really see different in the console. The older version only show 3 lines of display in the LCD display and after installing the release 3.0 we can see more lines display which is helpful and other features like assign fixtures in setup mode uses MFKs button to select fixtures library. It is important to keep the Jester ML console up to date as often software is available as it has new features as well as critical update for the console.
How to upload new software?
To perform a software update on the jester ML, first download the file form the Zero 88 support website and unzip it to the root directory on a USB memory stock. The USB Memory Stick must contain the .JOS file and .JOH file (the help files).
Next boot the Jester ML with the memory stick in the USB port and hold down the left and right cursor buttons before turn ON the power to the console. The update will begin almost immediately (about after a few second depending to the memory stick size) and you can see the instruction appear on the LCD display. The Upgrade Menu will appear on the LCD and the monitor screen if you plug in.
Follow the instruction process as shown and you will that it is quite easy to follow. After the update is complete you can remove the memory stick and the desk will load the new software.
Bosch GSR 14.4-2-LI Cordless Drill
Today I went and bought a set of Bosch Cordless Drill for our project installation and service work. After much checking around on the brand and model I decided to stick with Bosch brand. For me having been using Bosch power tools for so many years it is natural that I choose Bosch brand. They are still reliable and easy to use.
Bosch GSR 14.4-2-LI cordless drill is the latest range from Bosch and the prefix LI means it is powered by Lithium-Ion battery for longer and lasting use. The 14.4 volt means it is powerful. The weight of the drill with the battery is only 1.3kg and it is lighter compare to the older model. It can be use it as cordless drill or cordless screwdriver.
Every project company must have this tool for the installation work. Most of the company usually subs the installation and cabling work to the contractor and they will only do soldering and termination work. What about smaller installation? Our technical team will have to do the installation themselves and they need the right tool. Having this cordless drill will simplified the work and it will impress the customer for our fast work.
I bought it for RM550.00 at Bosch authorized center. I think it is reasonable price since I also get the Bosch cordless touch light with lithium-ion battery.