Accessorize Now with New VDO Sceptron Items

The Martin creative LED strips known as VDO Sceptron just received several new accessories.  You can read about the previous accessories here and the great line of diffusers here.  Creative opportunities are abundant with the VDO Sceptron and P-3 System Controllers and now the new accessories allow for even more flexible designs and usages.

The first new accessory is the Pivot Coupler.  With this nifty item you can attach VDO Sceptron strips together and then adjust the angle in 15 degree increments.  In fact, you can select every 15 degree angle between 0-180 degrees!  This part allows designers to come up with amazing configurations that are easy for technicians to build.

This accessory is now available from Martin and Martin dealers as part number "91611793 VDO Sceptron Pivot Coupler".

The next new accessory is a Floor Stand that allows the VDO Sceptron unit to be mounted on the deck.  This is ideal when used as an uplight, a front light, or a direct view source placed on the ground.  The stand can be installed in two different methods, either directly on the end or inset to allow coupling of multiple VDO Sceptron units.  When combined with the Asymetrical Wall Wash Lens it makes for a great uplight system.

This accessory is now available from Martin and Martin dealers as part number "91611792 Set of 2 VDO Sceptron Floorstands".  Note that they are sold in pairs.

The Low Profile Half Coupler allows for a quick and easy connection to a VDO Sceptron and negates the need to use a sliding bracket and half coupler by combining the abilities into a single half coupler.

This accessory is now available from Martin and Martin dealers as part number "91611790 Low Profile VDO Scpetron Half CouplerHalf".

Finally, Martin now also offers a Spigot Adapter which allows the VDO Sceptron units to easily connect to many standard OEM accessories such as a Doughty Turtle Plate and more.  With the Spigot connector endless configurations are possible such as upright stands or other unique placements.

This accessory is now available from Martin and Martin dealers as part number "91611791 VDO Sceptron Spigot Adapter 28mm".

Martin VDO Sceptron units have become very popular with designers around the world and are in use on major television shows, touring acts, and special events.  This video further describes the units and the possibilities:

The Power of Sceptron

 

The VDO Sceptron creative video products from Martin have gained popularity on a multitude of different production types.  With the adoption of these powerful products, more accessories are becoming available too.

Currently there are thirteen different diffusers available for the VDO Sceptron range with both white and smoked options available.  The smoked versions allow the units to virtually disappear when not illuminated from within.  Several lens options also aid in direct viewing or wall washing applications.  The video below demonstrates the multitude of choices and also demonstrates the simple method to swap diffusers on VDO Sceptron units.

In addition to the actual VDO Sceptron units, there are also several P-3 video processor options to choose from.  P3-050, P3-100, P3-150, P3-200, and P3-300 are rack mount units of varying pixel output sizes that allow productions to purchase systems designed for only what is needed.  Plus, the P-3PC software provides over 20,000 pixels of control from any PC as well as diagnostic tools and layout creation abilities.  Furthermore, Hippotizer V4.0 and greater units can now have P-3PC installed internally for direct P-3 output from an industry standard media server.

This previous post describes why P-3 processors are better than using DMX to control Martin creative video products.

The multitude of possibilities with Martin creative video products continue to amaze designers around the world.  The VDO Sceptron, P-3 processors, and VC products all work together to help create interesting custom video displays and installations.

 

P3 Processing vs. DMX Control

Martin Professional makes some great creative video products that can add excitement and imagery to any production or architectural installations.  All the products including VDO Sceptron, Exterior Pixline, and VC grids, strips, and dots can be controlled by either DMX or via the Martin P3 system controller.

With DMX you simply address each product via RDM and then use a lighting controller or media server to map the control of the pixels.  However there are many downsides to using DMX to control pixels and display video.  These include latency, poor smoothing, steppiness, artifacts, and synchronization problems.  Although many productions can be successful when controlled by DMX, most users prefer the P3 control system for the best video playback on any of Martin's video products.

The P3 system controller allows not just easy setup and configuration of a video system, but it also processes video input exceptionally well.  With a range of products available including the P3-100, P3-200, P3-300, and P3-PC the system is totally scale-able depending on the number of pixels you wish to control.  Plus for no cost, you can use P3-PC to prepare your video mappings and use test program for setups. (See this previous post about P3-PC)


The P3 system controllers also have the ability to receive 2-way communication from each connected device.  This allows for easy identification and setup as well as thermal reporting and throttling.  The P3 system is much more than a video processor as it provides many control possibilities.  Color temperature adjustments, on-the-fly mapping changes, as well as gamma adjustments are just some of the robust features.   In addition, users can now install P3 onto Hippotizer V4 media servers from GreenHippo.  This functionality allows direct P3 control and processing to be output from the media server itself.

To fully understand the difference between using DMX and a P3 system controller check out this video that details the differences:

Offline Prepping with P3-PC

The Martin P3-PC software is a wonderful tool that can be activated with a Martin One-Key to control up to 20,000 pixels of Martin LED products.  It is also usable as a free tool to prepare and pre-program systems that will use any of the P3 Controller products.  You can actually do quite a lot with the software without a One-Key and then simply load your configuration file into a P3 processor.

First, you need to download and install the free Windows based software from the Martin website.  Then start it up, select off-line use and start a new configuration.  The first step after naming your file is to select the minimum dot pitch that will be used in your display (you can also select a specific fixture/screen by name if you are unsure).

Next you will be asked to set the Maximum Workspace Area or the total number of pixels that will be within your control.  After making this selection and clicking Finish you will be presented with the main P3-PC screen.

I am not going to go into the full details of how to use P3-PC, for this you can follow the user manual, however it is important to know that it is very simple to use.  Basically you select your fixtures/screens from the list and drag them onto the workspace area.  You can move them about to match your set or desired layout.  There are many tools and wizards to help you add and manipulate your fixtures or screens.  In fact, you can even import an image to use in the background to help you match your desired layout.  In the image below you can see where I imported a basic DJ layout and started to layout my VDO Sceptron 10 units.

The power of being able to prepare and pre-program your video layouts on any PC is incredible!  The P3-PC system really makes the entire process easy.  In fact, when you arrive on site and connect to the actual rig, there is a simple process that lets you quickly highlight and select your fixtures so that they are instantly mapped correctly to your layout.

All the above mentioned features are available offline on the P3-PC system or directly from any P3 System Controller.  Plus remember that with the Martin One-Key you can use the P3-PC software as a full functioning controller too.  The P3 range of Video Processing Controllers are extremely powerful yet easy to use.  They work well with all previous, current, and future video products from Martin Professional.

VDO Sceptron Creative Accessories

The first product in a brand new line of creative video products has just been released by Martin Professional.  The VDO Sceptron family of products are a series of robust and water-proof LED video "sticks" designed for the rental market.  Each one is fully pixel-level calibrated to ensure perfect color and intensity matching.

The three versions are as follows:

10 mm pixel pitch (now shipping)

20 mm pixel pitch (shipping soon)

40 mm pixel pitch (shipping soon)

Each is available in 2 different lengths (1.05 foot/320mm or 3.28 feet/1000mm) and can be controlled either from the P3 System Controller or via DMX.  If you have not seen the VDO Sceptron products yet, contact your Martin dealer as they are really cool.

But there is much more to know.  There are many different accessories available for the Sceptron units.  First is a wide variety of diffusers available in either white or smoked.  The smoked (grey) diffusers are great when you want the units to "disappear" into the set when not in use.  There are different shapes available too.  The options are: Square (included), Flat, Round, and Tube.

Round Diffuser

Furthermore there are also two lens options: A Narrow Lens for 20 mm and 40 mm units and the Asymmetric lens that fits all models.  The Asymmetric lens is great for washing a wall or part of a set and it allows the unit to be placed very close to the illuminated surface.

The VDO Sceptron units also have a range of attachment devices to allow for quick installation of creative setups.  First is the Sliding Bracket that allows addition of a clamp or half-coupler at any position within the unit.  In addition, a Linear Coupler allows fixtures to be easily linked end-to-end while the Parallel Spacer allows the units to be hung parallel to each other.  Two different models easily adjust between three spacing options: 30/40/50 mm or 60/70/80 mm.

Additionally a specialized VDO Sceptron Accessory & Test Tool is available to assist with two important functions.  On one end it has an embedded magnet that is used to activate an internal "test button" on the VDO Sceptron units.  The other end it has a point on the front to assist in removing diffusers or lenses.

Many exciting stage designs and looks can be created with the new VDO Sceptron products.  With unparalleled brightness, calibration, easy of installation, and the power of the P3 System Controller the VDO Sceptron units are the perfect choice for any production. 

Check out this video featuring Wouter Verlinden, Product Manager LED Video, as he further explains the products and possibilities: