Technical Terminology

[SparkySteve]

guys I'm starting this topic after a discussion in a now closed topic, and a conversation in the pub.... INTELLIGENT FIXTURES -

The moving lights have no intelligence whatsoever

- Do we think they really are intelligent, in a metaphorically speaking sense??

 

I know I can quote a few people when I write this,

 

Yes, because it contains a microchip

(rather alot actually!)

 

but then other people say that it can't be because it hasn't got a brain etc....

 

Just wondering what other people think, coz we had quite a large conversation about this

[Stu]

I'm with Gareth on this one (I do believe it was you who posted the original comment wasn't it Gareth?) - yes it's got lots of lovely electronic equipment in it and the like, but if you place it on the rig, give it power etc, and leave it to it's own devices, it will do just that, and sit there til you tell it to do something!

 

A mover will never work out the best way to gobo wash the stage, or highlight that drum kit etc etc, and nor will it ever make a dodgy design look good, it's all up to the operator to make it do the right things! :blink:

 

Stu

[SparkySteve]

yeah it was gareth, This post!... but I'm not trying to take sides. myself and colinmonk were chatting about this in the pub, and it was quite a good debate looking at it from all angles. Just thought the Blue Roomians might be interested too

[gareth]

Yes, because it contains a microchip

(rather alot actually!)

Unless it's a very old one, your washing machine contains a microchip (more than one, probably). So does your TV remote control, in all likelihood. Does that make them intelligent? No, you have to decide for yourself whether to put those blue pants in with the white shirts, or whether you want to watch Eastender or The Bill.

 

"Intelligent - having or showing (usually a high degree of) understanding." (Concise Oxford Dictionary). In what possible way could this definition be applied to a black plastic-and-metal fixture with a lamp and a load of motors, optics and electronics inside?

 

Like I say, the fixtures are automated, not intelligent. If you want intelligent lighting, you hire an intelligent lighting designer.

[SparkySteve]

I know I can quote a few people when I write this,

 

 

QUOTE 

Yes, because it contains a microchip

 

(rather alot actually!)

 

Like I said, this isn't my opinion I'm just relaying what was said in conversaions I've had with people

[gareth]

Like I said, this isn't my opinion

So what is your opinion, Steve?

[colinmonk]

but where on this forum people refer to moving heads as intelligent fixtures, you shouldnt flame them!

 

How do you define between an intelligent fixture and a conventional fixture? most people define as that! Were not saying they can think for themselves, its a way to distinguish between the two is it not?

 

Wyg defines them as these as do so many other people... not saying they do all the work! it is in the operator or designer!

[Bryson]

While we're on the subject of terminology....

 

I know some people will think I'm a pedant, but:

 

The light bulb in a theatrical fixture is a Lamp

The fixture in which you place this bulb is a Lantern

 

If you're feeling posh and/or french, you may call the Lamp and the Lantern together a Luminaire.

 

Please folks, I've said it before - but it matters - they're very different things. If you tell me you have a 100-lamp rig, I can't help but wonder what Lanterns they're in!

 

And while I agree that Intelligent Lighting isn't. (If you see what I mean.) I do recognise that (mostly as a marketing tool!) the manufacturer love to call automated lighting "intelligent" and I know what you mean. Until such time as there really is intelligent lighting ( at which point we're all out of a job) I'll accept it as the colloquial name for automated lighting.

 

 

Having said all that...I'm not entirely convinced that all the LDs I've encountered were intelligent...remember: statistically, half the people you've met are of below average intelligence...

[SparkySteve]

my opinion... is that these fixtures should be named as "obedient" rather than 'intelligent' as intelligence implies a sentient quality unobtainable by an inanimate object.

 

This argument goes back years, probably since the invention of the first "intelligent / obedient fixture" aka... the moving light. There probably never will be a definate answer, and argument such as this will go on for years and years to come.

[SparkySteve]

but where on this forum people refer to moving heads as intelligent fixtures, you shouldnt flame them!

 

nor should people be flamed for starting a simple discussion... as this is after all a discussion board, For Discussing!

[Stu]

my opinion... is that these fixtures should be named as "obedient"

Makes them sound like old, knackered dogs. Well I suppose that would describe some fixtures...

 

Stu

[gareth]

Wyg defines them as these

A search through the .pdf file of the Wysiwyg release 7 manual turns up 10 occurences of the phrase "automated fixture", two of "moving lights", 5 of "moving mirror", 1 of "moving head", and no occurences at all of the word "intelligent" - so I think you may be wrong about that.

[gareth]

nor should people be flamed for starting a simple discussion... as this is after all a discussion board, For Discussing!

I haven't flamed anybody - this is discussion. If you want flaming, let me know and I'll happily oblige. :blink:

[gareth]

my opinion... is that these fixtures should be named as "obedient"

Very apt - the programmer gives instructions via the desk, the fixture obeys. (Usually!)

[colinmonk]

Ok - Wyg V7 only defines down as far as Moving head and Moving Mirror or DMX Devices in the Library ( ive got the software ) ( previous releases used to define down to intelligent and conventional )

 

But Moving fixtures are usually and genrally classified down as far as Intelligents and Conventionals, only because its easy to define your rig fixtures this way.