I had an opportunity to test-drive the new console at USITT and think that it will be good addition to the Strandline. As I understand, it will eliminate the 300 Series console an perhaps the 500 Series as well. In terms of functionality, it does allow for easier manipulation of commands due to the the Linux platform. Specifically, multiple screens can be open on the monitor allowing faster configuration of data.
The Educational Theatre Association has asked me to teach an Intro to Automated Lighting class for Teachers at the Thespian Festival this June and I am in hopes that Strand will supply one of the new consoles for the session. As I learn more about the console, I will pass it along.
So the screenshots make the interface look pretty crowded. When I was doing lighting stuff all the time I was big on Strand, and the full screen CLI they had was really great for me. Alot of information in a concise format that I can manipulate with a keypad very rapdily. This new interface looks like something that needs a mouse which is incredibly slow compared to a keypad/keyboard. Never played with one, probably never will, but just going off the screenshots.
I just received confirmation that Strand is loaning us two of their new Pallettes for a class I am teaching in Lincoln, Nebraska in June. As we are currently using a 300, I am excited to see if it is any easier to use.
I will let you know my impression of the new console
I will be getting in on Thursday one of the palletes to run a show off of. I will let you guys know how it goes later in the week/next week after the show opens.
We are hoping to trade our 300 series for a pallatte of some kind in the near future. I am looking forward to it. luckily our desk is still on warrantee and since it has crashed on us twice, once the night before a show, (that was a long night) we have decided to drop the 300. I wish the pallette had two monitors, even with windows, it just isn't the same.