High End Systems: Color Merge... Opinions?

[gafftaper]

Hi,
I'm in the process of budgeting for a new college theater. The Color Merge has gotten my attention. Perfect color every time with no Gel to replace... it's coolest invention since gafftape. I've got some money to buy extra toys and I can afford to add a dozen Color Merge units if I want. I already have some intelligent lights in my inventory so the alternative would probably be to look at LED's or maybe the High End "Color Command".

Have you used Color Merge? What do you think?

[kingfisher1]

our school got to play w/ some one of these a couple years back, although i didn't get to play w/ tehm pearsonally. if i am remembering correctly (and i may not be) they were a little slow changing. otherwise i though they were a really cool invention.

[len]

I use them a lot.

Cons: Requires a brain and 4 pin data cable. For temporary set-ups (like I do mostly) they are about 5 minutes per unit to attach to the leko, plus hang time and the extra time to run the data and power to the fixture. I've shortened that by looming the cables together in the shop. Color changing is a bit slow, but no biggie for me. I do a lot of that on the fly for concerts, but no one really notices. Next show, I'll be syncing their colors up with a fiber optic curtain, so fade times will have be adjusted. Other than that, I don't see it as a big deal.

Pros: I really like the color saturation.

I would also look at http://www.seachangeronline.com/ a seachanger, which does the same thing as the color merge or the HES Color Pro HXI, which has an iris.

I'm not a fan of the color command at all. They're noisy when changing colors, although they can run off the same brain as the color merge. You can get up to 12 total units on one brain. The other reason I don't like them is that for the types of work I do, they just aren't that useful. Beam shape is all wrong for me. I like the shutters of the leko myself.

The Studio Command, the Color command on a moving yoke, without the external brain and without 4 pin data, is a very nice moving light. Still don't have the beam shaping of a leko, but you do get movement and other features.

[kingfisher1]

those were the words i was looking for len.

although i really can't even begin to complain about any intellegent light because of my limited exposer to them,

now if you have the extra funds i'd say go for it, its another toy!

[gafftaper]

So when you say they are slow is that in terms of concert use or theatrical use? As long as it can change over a second or two in a typical theater crossfade, I don't have a problem with it. But if it takes 5 seconds then that's a problem.

Thanks for the tip on the "Seachanger" I'll look into that as well.

[len]

I guess "slow" is relative to one's expectations. They seem slower to me than the Martin Mac 300. When I say slower, I mean the amount of time for one flag to go from all the way out to all the way in, or vice versa. But I do like the quality of the colors. I haven't compared them to the Mac 250 wash, yet.

Also, I like the output when using a ETC 575 watt leko over a color pro, which is also faster to change colors.

I haven't actually seen the seachanger yet. Don't know how that one compares. If you search the PLSN archives I believe there was a review of it recently.

[soundman1024]

Try looking into the economics of using a High End Color Pro instead of Color Merge. The color pro has a 250 watt lamp, but it is quite efficient with that. Something to remember though is that they just need power and DMX. There is no brain to hide somewhere, no dimmer channel taken up. If one had the DMX channels required (they are less than 10 and one could double them up making as many fixtures as needed run on the same DMX channels as long as they must be on the same color) I think they are a better option. If I remember right they have a gobo slot. Also they have a motorized shutter making strobe effects possible. Dimming can happen also. They, like the Color Merge, use CMY color mixing. Just a product suggestion. If you have a chance you could rent them and see if they'll work for you. As far as cons, they are larger than a leko, and also considerable heavier (probably around 40lbs). They are not moving lights in case you are curious. Here is a link to HES's page about them..
http://www.highend.com/products/dich...e/colorpro.asp

[digitaltec]

Hands down, if you are looking for a color mixing system for a conventional.... Seachanger!!!!

These things are truly amazing!!!

[soundman]

If that conventional is a source four then your golden.

I like how the sea changer did away with a PSU but untill I get tp play with one the install looks a little iffy. also at 2k per unit even the most basic 8 area wash would break the bank.

Depending on what your program is like and what you are using for control possibly some more/better moving lights or buying some basic parts for automation ( rams pumps and hoses)

[soundman1024]

The more I think about it the more I think a Color Pro probably doesn't have the throw a S4 has.