Artistic Licence Engineering provided a small but powerful presence at LuxLive 2012, with a stand jam-packed with new technology. Exhibiting for the first time at this London based show, the company's impressive display attracted high numbers of visitors who were both knowledgeable and focused.
dVnet, the company's new digital video-to-network converter, was officially launched at the show. Pre-recorded and live web-cam imagery played out in spectacular style across a wall of Luminous Textile panels, the new LED product from Philips.
"dVnet can render video to a media wall in less than ten mouse clicks, a feature that we took great delight in demonstrating," reports technical director, Wayne Howell.
Designed for architectural or retail applications that require versatile yet simple programming, dVnet is the billed as ideal complement to many types of display media. With HDMI digital video input and protocol support for Art-Net 3, sACN and both variants of KiNet, dVnet offers maximum flexibility and customer choice.
"Various potential clients had particular installations in mind, and were keen to understand whether dVnet was suitable for their needs," continues Howell. "The great thing is that it already checks all the boxes - we designed it that way."
Artistic Licence Engineering is a firm believer in the smart, eco-friendly approach to lighting. This requires fixtures to be used and controlled in a more intelligent manner, a philosophy that underpins the company's new range of sunDial dimming technology that was previewed at the show.
"A key focus at LuxLive was to demonstrate how our modular sunDial products are suitable for all types of dimming - reinforcing our 'source agnostic' view," explains managing director, Simon Hobday. "In particular, we wanted to showcase our OLED drivers, as control of this new technology is something few companies (we would say one - us!) have yet to master. Visitors were really impressed with the smoothness of the dimming curve we achieved on the Philips Lumiblade GL350 OLED panels."
In addition to OLED, sunDial's dimming capabilities were shown off with conventional LED and halogen fixtures. Demonstrating the 'intelligent' aspect of the range, sunDial's in-built DMX remote device management (RDM) feature was used to monitor current flow to the halogen fixture. Such feedback can be exploited in smart installations, for example in producing automated fault reports.
"The other winner at the show was our new Phase Detect dimmer," concludes Wayne Howell. "This device sits on the end of a conventional mains dimmed circuit to provide flicker-free dimming of LED fixtures in retrofit systems. As conventional incandescent lighting is replaced by more energy-efficient, solid-state technology, demand for such products is likely to go through the roof."
Incorporating its own constant current driver, the Phase Detect Dimmer provides both power and modulation, removing the need for the auxiliary drivers often supplied with low-voltage LED fixtures.
"We are starting to see a few products aimed at the retrofit market, but overall the dimming quality is not good," continues Howell. "Our R&D has put a great deal of effort into developing a product that achieves a fantastic dimming profile - something that we were proud to show to our visitors at LuxLive."
Artistic Licence Engineering anticipates the release of its Phase Detect Dimmer next month - December 2012.
