Overview of the LDI trade show in Las Vegas

Two weeks ago, the most important trade show event related to our wonderful industry took place overseas. Of course, as every year it was out of our budget to go to it, but what do we have the Internet and social media for.

I invite you to review this year's most important and interesting lighting launches. I'll just point out that the order of manufacturers is completely random, as things popped into my head.

Portman Lights

Here, exactly, we had the opportunity to look at the new devices even before their live launch. We are talking about the Portman EVO ELEMENT along with the E-CONN connector. The Element is nothing more than a "cut in half" P2 EVO Hexaline, while the E-CONN is such a clever connector that allows you to build shapes out of them. About the device itself we managed to record a video, which I upload below, and here you will find a link to the article.

Martin

If you thought that the essence of a compact wash device is MAC Aura, you were fatly mistaken. The German manufacturer has decided to surprise the market by releasing a new compact device. The Martin MAC ONE is a device with a 120W LED light source and RGBL color mixing mode.

Maybe the zoom range is not impressive for a "washa" (4°-27°), but note that the device weighs just 4kg. Once again, you can't deny Martin's ability to create a cool design, which is given a front 150mm fresnel lens and 24 LEDs installed all around. If it shines as it looks, this device is a great complement to the BOLD series. For more infomation, click here.

German Light Products

After the market success of the JDC1, it was time for its newer and more trend-oriented version. JDC2 IP, which is a floodlight, but not just any floodlight! The device is equipped with the recently fashionable strobe bar in the middle, based on 84 LEDs of 10W each, with the possibility of dividing into 12 individually controlled segments.

However, this is not the main course in the device, but its matrix. Equipped with 1,728 diodes that literally and figuratively create a beautiful "TV". The device gives us control over 12 or 24 segments on the TV, but if that wasn't enough for you, the JDC2 has a built-in video processor with the ability to display more than 100 built-in macro effects.

If that's still not enough for you, you can connect your computer via two GigaBit EtherCON ports and use NDI to send whatever you like to the device. We are also dealing here with IP65 waterproof rating, and the device itself has a 180° tilt movement capability. Technical specifications at this link.

Another product that caught my eye is the extreme large version of the impression X5, with the MAXX (you know, mega, super, etc..., GLP chose MAXX). Here we are dealing with 37 LEDs with 40W power and RGBL color mixing mode. Zoom range of 3.5°to 65°, and IP65 rating. "Frying pan" is 38cm in diameter, with a weight of 30kg. One would like to hang it once and not take it off....

I have a feeling that this is the direction - that is, TV studios, camera, big productions, given the number of built-in color management systems. Here you'll find glow emulation, 64 colors from the LEE palette, infinite CTC adjustment, plus a color management system where you can choose whether you want power, high-quality colors or even desaturation. Technical data as usual click.

Claypaky

When Martin goes into miniaturization, the Italian manufacturer does the opposite. And so the world debut at LDI was a device called RHAPSODYA. A multi-functional "Profile" type device with 1200W of power based on an LED light source and RGBAL color mixing mode.

It's hard to fit all the features into two paragraphs, as we would naturally go beyond two paragraphs, but of the highlights. Zoom from 6°-60°, virtual CTO from 2500K to 10000K and output power of 24k lm. All in an extremely compact housing and weighing only 48kg,,,,, You can check out the rest for yourself here.

It's worth mentioning that the well-known and well-liked Arolla (which we wrote about here) and HY B-EYE K15 - with Aqua appendages - join the waterproof family with IP66 rating. A proprietary followspot system called "BuddyLight" was also demonstrated live for the first time. More information here.

Elation Professional

Here we are up to date, the American manufacturer presented luminaires that we have already looked at on the pages of the portal in relation to PLASA 2023 and some of them we saw in prototype versions in Frankfurt. The Proteus Odeon, a hybrid device with a variable CRI motor, or the Proteus Radius - a small variant, beam, with high power, but small housing.

ChamSys

As is standard, in addition to announcing new software features, the English brand unveiled a system of solutions for data distribution. GeNetix, as ChamSys has named its collection of networking devices, provides us with a whole new range of products for "networking."

GN10, GN5 and GN2 are nothing more than fully configurable network gateways supporting Art.-Net and sACN. Interestingly, the devices, when connected via USB to a computer, fully unlock MagicQ software. All products support LTC and MIDI send over Ethernet.

In addition, devices such as network switches, rack switches, wall switches and DMX recorders have been added to the product range. You can find the entire new product range here.

Robe

The Czech manufacturer has unveiled two completely new products and one series. The first is the iT12 Profile - that is, the name already tells us what kind of device we are dealing with. Equipped with gobos, a knife system, an animation dial and other bits and bobs, it's a NON-movable head. Based on a 500W replaceable LED light source, the Robe TE emits a 13k lm beam. Interestingly, the Czechs also seem to have noticed that it rains often, the device is IP65 rated.

Robe's second throwback is the T32 Cyc, a device dedicated to illuminating cycloramas. As we know, it will find many more applications especially among our creative rods. Equipped with 16 40W LEDs and RGBAL color mixing mode. It is deceptively reminiscent of the CYC series from Elation Professional.

The final highlight of the event at the grazing booth of the Czech manufacturer was the launch of the new retro HolyPATT and MolyPATT. It turned out that if you cut the back out of the PATT it would create a cool new retro, such a joke. And seriously, based, of course, on dimmable warm LED bulbs - on paper with a beautiful shift to mimic the extinction of regular incandescent. If I'd seen them before, I'd be smiling to take them to the carol service I'm currently going to.

ADJ

The brand seems to want to provide tailor-made solutions, However, when I once called for a gateway for testing it turned out to be missing. So to my surprise and pleasant surprise ADJ presents its data distribution solution.

NET 8 is an 8-port gateway made with PoE technology compatible with DMX, RDM, Artnet and sACN protocols. The device will be available for sale from Q1 2024.

Summary

There's no denying it, the phrases game-changer and such various other optimistic slogans are raining down on social media. A few cool novelties are there, but it's more of a manufacturers' race than real "game-changers."

There's also no denying that there's so much out there, until I'm probably tempted to do a second part of the review!