Remote Control

[icewolf08]

Here is an interesting project. I have been asked to help spec some gear for a remote TV studio. The company doing the install has hundreds of these remote studios across the country, everything can be controlled from master control in either of their two home studios. It is actually really cool, they can turn on and focus the cameras, mix audio, and switch the studio lighting on and off.

However, this new studio, the client want to do something a little more modern and have a cyc backdrop they can light. So, they want to use some LED strips to allow for some color creativity on the cyc. That is the easy part. The hard part is: how do we control it remotely. I Know we have had a few discussions on PC based lighting control, which I think is the way to go and use a VNC program to get in from master control. We are also interested to know if there are any hardware controllers that allow remote access that don't cost $10K or more.

So, the goal is to set up a simple system that will allow either a user at the studio or in master control mix a pretty color (or colors) and then be happy. So if you have suggestions on easy to use software, or hardware that fits the bill, let me know.

[mnfreelancer]

Whenever I think remote control one company name comes to mind - Crestron. The city hall I used to work in had a crestron system that controlled everything in the council chambers - projector screen, lighting, projector, audio levels etc. and could be interfaced to a LAN for remote control. I don't know of any Crestron products off the top of my head that integrate with DMX but I'm certain they have some. As for cost, I'm not sure, but I'd guess less than 10 grand. Somewhere to start, FWIW ?

[TimMiller]

you can run HOGIIIPC. Get on the network through a outside IP address, just like you would log on to upload a webserver. Then the person at the main location and the person at the remote location can both control the lights at the same time. You can buy routers that support VNC if you want to go that way, but all routers allow you to route specific ports and IP adresses. You would be best going with a DP2000 (will give you 4 universes) and then you can just use any pc to run as a hog server and allow you to control the lights. You can also buy a fader and programming wing so they can physically touch everything.

[icewolf08]

Crestron is the wrong kind of remote control. While they are useful for so many things, this is not the right application. HOG is an interesting idea. The other idea I have came from chatting with a buddy of mine over at ETC Architectural, and that is a Pharos system. They are designed to be able to be accessed remotely, and they do exactly what we need it to. So that is another possibility.

Any more options are more than welcome. We are trying to put together a couple proposals, to see where the client wants to go.

[Charc]

What about analog dimmers? You only need a few control lines. Why, how far away is the central office?

(Right, um, LED...)

[Footer]

Originally Posted by icewolf08

Crestron is the wrong kind of remote control. While they are useful for so many things, this is not the right application. HOG is an interesting idea. The other idea I have came from chatting with a buddy of mine over at ETC Architectural, and that is a Pharos system. They are designed to be able to be accessed remotely, and they do exactly what we need it to. So that is another possibility.
Any more options are more than welcome. We are trying to put together a couple proposals, to see where the client wants to go.

x-connect and a basic console, or any console that allows a remote over ethernet. Put in a VPN and you are set.

[dj_illusions]

I agree with footer, any console that can run a network and a vpn and you are set. we run our strand over a wireless network and is accesable from remote locations. we also have a controlsoft arch system which is remotely controllable.

[jmabray]

Pharos might be the way to go here. It's not a console, it's an LPC - Lighting Playback Controller. It is designed to be controlled remotely, either through some sort of button station, or a Crestron like system, or it's own software. As long as they aren't needing it to play back like a console you would be set.

The other option is if they are wanting to have it playback like a console is just that - a console. Take for instance an ION. Throw an ion in the master control room. Then throw a node/gateway in the remote studio. As long as the VPN is set up correctly, the node/gateway should be able to output the DMX from the console. It might not be as instantaneous as it normally would be if it were on a self contained network, but it doesn't sound like that would be an issue here...

[DarSax]

I think someone on here earlier was talking about their Strand board, and how they could go into their office on their computer and change levels in the theater? I remember him being chastised by others for not being able to see what was going on in the theater (fire...), but I don't remember the topic or who it was.

[dj_illusions]

as i write this I am using a parm pilot to change the lighting state in the theatre from the office i dont need to see it, i know what is going to happen haha