Hello all, I'm hoping with the collective wisdom of this forum I can get an answer to some questions...

We're looking at hiring some fixtures (in addition to drapes and such) to make one of our venues look completely different for an event we have in may. Amongst the fixtures we're looking at hiring is the "Chroma-Q Color Web" (link with some specs here, We're looking at the 250 version). I have used LED fixtures before, we have several LED PAR styled lights as well as some Pulsar ChromaStrips.

There's obviously no point in us hiring in this ColorWeb unless we can use it, and use it well. We're looking at a week long hire which will allow me enough time to see what works and what doesn't.

What I'd like help with:
Does the controller that comes with the ColorWeb have any built in patterns? For example, the Pulsar ChromaStrip controller has a DMX channel that selects differnet effects/built in chases. From the research I've carried out it doesn't appear so- Although next port of call is to ring up a supplier to see if they know.

There are ColorWeb personality files for Avolite's Azure (which is the desk that I'll be using). Will the shape generators on the Azure be able to work the colour web? I've used them on other fixtures in the venue with great effect. I can't see why the colour 'shapes' wouldn't work, but I've never used them on an LED fixture.

Should we look into hiring a media server? It's worth noting that I've never used a media server before, and therefore will be a fairly large learning curve there, but as the event is in May it might be possible for me to find a way to learn. This is a route I'd rather not go down as we don't *really* want to show video on the wall- Although if a media server seems to be the only approperate route we would hook some cameras up to get its full worth.


Regards,
Richard

Firstly knowing where you are may help.

Media server is certainly your best option, your best option would be to talk to the hire company you are going to use.

With the 250 Cameras would be pointless, 125 at a distance can use a camera feed, but it's still not great, however you could integrate projectors or LED screens into the color web.

Thank you for the quick reply, I realise the resolution on these panels isn't best suited to having detailed images.
We're planning on having 10meter wide by 2 meter high setup which would be on the stage behind the DJ. From my small knowledge of media servers, I think that they offer much more than we require and are too powerful for this setup. This is for a club setup, and therefore colour and colour sweeps/chases are all that's required. The venue is in Stoke-on-Trent.
I'm obviously open to suggestions for other fixtures that can create a similar effect to the colour web, it's just these ones we've seen on a rental website.

There are no built-in effects. It is just three channels per cell.

You can use the shape gen for this as long as you patch individual fixtures for each cell. Doing this will help avoid the programming hell but you might not get the smoothest fades this way.
Also, depending on how many pieces of web you are using, the potential number of fixtures may be considerable. Since these have no dimmer channel you have to choose between HTP and LTP. The console has a maximum of 240 HTP channels, but once you near this limit it will slow down noticeably. Running as LTP will avoid this but you won't be able to fade in/out by fader.

Given these problems and the fact that you really need plenty of pieces to be of any use I would always use a media server.

/edit: 10x2m = 20x16 cell = 320 fixtures. Azure max is 240.

Hi Richard,

The colourweb power psus don't have inbuilt effects like the chromazone stuff. The large psu has an inbuilt test function that only runs basic colours on each output to check panels and cabling.
Unless you want to spend a long time plotting and have a lot of channels and universes available I'd recomend using some sort of server or controller designed to run led arrays. The ability to map bitmaps and effects onto the web opens up so many possibilities that just aren't possible with an azure. There are a few packages out there (pixelmad, madrix...) the firm that hires you the web will be able to assist you with the correct kit and configuration for the rig you need. If not, chat to AC, they sell the stuff!!!

Good luck, love to see some photos pf how it turns out,

Martin

I would recommend getting the media server. Even on the low res 250 stuff (you've not specified what you're planning to use), 20m² takes up almost two full universes and is 320 pixels (40x8), trying to do interesting effects on an Azure would take ages to program (can't difficult to use the shape generator to do a colour fade from the bottom to the top for example, or a starfield).

Media servers do have advanced features, but they do come in handy even with such low-res stuff as colour web.

You could (ignoring the fixture limit), but you would have to select the fixtures in a specific order and set the phase correctly. Selection orders are stored in groups. But, yes, ridiculously complicated.

Personally I'd look for a completely different idea. 40x8 grid over 10x2m probably won't be very effective, it won't fit on an Azure if you want to use shape gens and will be very difficult to program however you look at it. Media servers, while the only realistic solution, do seem over-the-top on this resolution.

How about some Colourblocks instead?

MagicQ has a fairly good effects engine specificly for this kind of LED setup. If the ColorWeb has the Artnet PSU's then you should be able to control it directly from a laptop with MagicQ PC. (I guess you would need an ethernet hub)

The software is free and you can download it from chamsys.co.uk

Hi there,
We've supplied/setup Colorweb in a 5m X 2m configuration as a back drop for a DJ @ a local nightclub. Although I've said it before recently on the forum I'll say it again.....Over lapping and double hanging the web will make a huge difference to the impact you can create. If your budget will stretch to it I'd strongly advise double hanging purely based on the 2m drop.
When I setup the web it took about an hour and that included setting up an Arkaos media server. I agree with previous posts that a media server is pretty over kill but in the long run the only way forward, it is also worth mentioning that a media server like arkaos which isn't the most powerful solution around can be triggered simply from a keyboard in its most basic state making it a very fast and easy solution. If you want to spend another 15 minute or so you can start running text over your colour web with video fill.

As arkaos is also available as a 21 day demo (LED Mapping disabled). You could play with the demo to get your head round how it works and setup some basic effects well in advance and drop your hire down to 1 or 2 days thus saving some money that may allow you to double up on your resolution. Feel free to PM me if you have off topic questions or alternatively post them here if they may help others.

Germaine