Chauvet Professional cites ease of pixel-mapping as a key benefit for its ÉPIX 2.0 LED display fixtures. The system component that makes this possible, the company notes, is the ÉPIX Drive 642, pictured here. It’s a dedicated controller that is Art-Net and Kling-Net compatible.
More details from Chauvet Professional (www.chauvetlighting.com):
Chauvet Professional’s ÉPIX 2.0 series was designed to provide a faster, easier way to create full-color pixel mapping LED video displays – even for users with limited technical knowledge. One of the keys to the ÉPIX series’ simplicity is its unique new dedicated controller, the ÉPIX Drive 642, an Art-Net and Kling-Net compatible unit that makes it easy to build video displays with the LED fixtures in the series — the ÉPIX Strip 2.0 and the ÉPIX Bar 2.0.
Compact and lightweight, the ÉPIX Drive 642 hosts the processing and power supply for the ÉPIX 2.0 fixtures in one convenient device. It features a built-in LCD control panel that makes it simple to set up and configure LED pixel mapping displays of all shapes and sizes in minutes, using multiple ÉPIX Strip 2.0 and ÉPIX Bar 2.0 fixtures, which themselves were designed to work together seamlessly.
Up to 16 ÉPIX Strip 2.0 or 4 ÉPIX Bar 2.0 units can be controlled by the ÉPIX Drive 642 via either industry-standard Art-Net (3.0 compliant) or Arkaos Kling-Net protocol. This compatibility with Art-Net and Kling-Net is what distinguishes the ÉPIX 2.0 series, allowing users to build and operate pixel mapping video displays much faster and easier than would be possible with older-style fixtures that are controllable only by DMX. What’s more, when the ÉPIX series is combined with Arkaos Media Master Express software, it forms a “drag-n-drop” system so simple to use that virtually anyone, regardless of experience level, can create intricate, exciting professional pixel mapping designs.
“The ÉPIX series, and notably the ÉPIX Drive 642 controller, were designed to make pixel-mapping easy – even for users without any training or technical knowledge,” said Anthony Chiappone, Product Manager for CHAUVET Professional. “With more clients today demanding video in productions and installations of all types, this near-effortless system is the ideal solution for lighting professionals who want to satisfy this request, but who may be complete novices when it comes to pixel-mapping. The ÉPIX Drive 642 controller provides an intuitive interface for easy Art-Net or Kling-Net setup and control of the ÉPIX display fixtures.”
By working with Art-Net or Kling-Net protocol, the ÉPIX Drive 642 streamlines the complicated process involved in configuring and controlling pixel mapping displays via DMX. When using DMX protocol, three separate channels are required to control each individual pixel (one each for red, green and blue), resulting in each fixture essentially needing its own DMX universe – an unwieldy configuration at best. This is not the case with Art-Net and Kling-Net, which are TCP/IP based and communicate through Ethernet. In fact, when used with Arkaos’ Kling-Net-based Media Master Express software, the ÉPIX Drive 642 provides users with a plug-n-play system that allows them to simply patch and play back even the most elaborate shows, making it easy to handle even difficult concepts, like video scaling – with little or no training. If Art-Net protocol is used, multiple universes of DMX can be run over the same cable, eliminating the time and effort required to install separate cables to connect each fixture to the control console. Additionally, with the ÉPIX Drive 642 users can easily manage configuration and software updates with a network-based remote web server.
The ÉPIX Drive 642 features industry-standard Neutrik powerCON in/out connectors for easy linking of power and network cables. Weighing just 5.6 pounds (2.5 kg) and measuring 8.3 x 10.1 x 3 inches (210 x 257 x 78 mm), the controller is ideally compact for touring and will take up little space in permanent installations.
In addition to its ease of use, the ÉPIX 2.0 series was designed to deliver stellar performance, producing a stunning visual experience at any venue or event. The ÉPIX display fixtures themselves feature exceptionally bright output, vivid color rendering, a 25-millimeter pixel pitch, and a wide 120° viewing angle. The ÉPIX Strip 2.0 is a one-meter strip with 40 tri-color RGB SMD 5050 LEDs, yielding a brightness of 1176 nits. The ÉPIX Bar 2.0 is a one-meter bar containing four rows of 40 (total 160) tri-color RGB SMD 5050 with 2,586-nit luminance. For added design versatility, both fixtures come with two different lens cover options: a frosted cover that produces a smooth look; and a clear cover for higher-contrast, sharper images.
All ÉPIX 2.0 series components are CE, MET and RoHs approved to meet universal safety and compliance standards.
