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The Guangzhou Opera House Lights Up with ETC

By BulbAmerica Editor

In May of this past year, the Guangzhou Opera House opened in China. The Guangzhou Opera House represents a landmark among operas houses with regard to its size, architecture, and technology. The 1,800 seat and 452,000sqft opera house required lighting that would match its size, thus, it was no surprise when lighting designers turned to ETC for their professional theatrical lighting technologies. The Guanzhou Opera House’s lighting system, from its controllers to its followspots was largely ETC. The stage’s lighting rig consisted of 360 ETC fixtures, which included 220 Source Four ellipsodials with beam angles ranging from 5˚ to 26˚ and 140 Source Four Revolution moving head fixtures. Sixteen of ETC’s Source Four Zoom were also used for narrower lighting. Like all high performance lighting systems, the Guanzhou Opera House’s lighting system featured numerous dimmers and ETC controllers.

The Guangzhou Opera House is an amazing step forward in theatre technology. Without the help of ETC’s Source Four technology, however, the opera may not shine as brightly. BulbAmerica stocks many of the same ETC Source Products used at the Guangzhou Opera House so you have access to the best lighting possible. Check out what we have to offer today! As always, feel free to comment or post a question on our blog or Facebook, or call (888)505-2111

By Victor Lopez | 19 November, 2014 | bulbs, followspot, lights, theater | 0 comments | Read more

New York's FAO Schwarz Gets an LED Makeover

By BulbAmerica Editor

The FAO Schwarz on New York City’s iconic Fifth Avenue is likely the most famous toy store in the world. The designers responsible for the lighting for the store’s renovation therefore faced a significant challenge when they were faced with the task of redesigning the store's lighting. The designers sought a lighting system that would sustain the store’s fanciful and exciting environment while remaining versatile and efficient. Another hurdle was devising a way of evenly and vibrantly lighting the store’s expansive 140ft by 60ft floor space and while ensuring that the store’s merchandise be adequately lit. The lighting designers settled on a plan to stud the entire ceiling with almost 80,000 individually addressed LED bulbs. When the project was finally completed the ceiling was adorned with an astounding 28,080ft of color changing light. Moreover, the ceiling lights also serve as a gigantic LED panel and can create lively shows, shapes, and images for the customers at the store to enjoy. The color changing and LED panel effects made them ideal for matching the lighting to the varying themes and displays used at the store.

Though you may not be able to create an LED light system quite like FAO Schwarz’s, you can come close, and save money and energy while doing it. Start adding color to your home or business lighting and check out what we have to offer today! As usual leave a comment or question on our blog or Facebook or call 1-877-622-0897.

By Victor Lopez | 19 November, 2014 | bulbs, christmas, effects, holidays, led, lights, outdoor | 0 comments | Read more

Exit Light, Enter Night: Metallica's Concert Lighting Keeps the Heavy Metal Light

By BulbAmerica Editor

I was thinking about my favorite lighting from some of the concerts I have been to over the last couple years, and one concert stands out in particular, Metallica’s concert from theirDeath Magnetic tour. Though my memory of this show (it was in the spring of 2009) is a tad hazy now, PLSN wrote a great article on their lighting and jogged my memory. The lighting scheme of Metallica’s show was simple. To the lighting designers nothing else mattered but the band’s performance and the audience’s enjoyment of it. The stage was the center of the action and the audience surrounded it so there was no backdrop. This presented two lighting problems: the audience had to be lit because the audience was the background of the show and the band had to be lit from above. Another complicating factor is that the members of Metallica like to move around a lot on stage. These circumstances required the lighting designers to use spotlights and truss mounted, automated followspots to keep track of the band members on stage.

The majority of the stage lighting was accomplished using an elaborate overhead truss system, fashioned to look like huge coffins, on which hung lasers, and a large number of moving head washes and other units. This lighting strategy was chosen to create a memorable, almost ghostly and fairly minimalist look, absent of hard edged light beams. There were also moving head washes set up on the drummer’s individual stage and on other parts of the stage for supplementary lighting.

Controlling the show was no easy task. As the PLSN article reported, Metallica typically chooses from a range of 30 songs that will play during a show, so the lighting designers had to program cues and scenes for all of these songs. This meant that by the time it was show time, their controllers had roughly 4,500 cues programmed, just so they were prepared for any song the band would play.

Though you may not have the resources or the heavy sound of Metallica, you can certainly put together a lighting system using followspots, spotlights, moving heads, and lasers to wow your crowd. Make BulbAmerica your one stop shop for lighting. As usual, leave a comment or question on our blog or Facebook or call us at 1-877-622-0897.

By Victor Lopez | 19 November, 2014 | bulbs, concert, effects, lights, outdoor | 0 comments | Read more

The World's Largest LED Screen is on Display in Shanghai

By BulbAmerica Editor

The 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, which began in May, is a multi-month event for the nations of the world to congregate and share with each other their cultures, peoples, and spirit. The architectural and artistic contributions of the nations present were not the only thing on display. Beginning this year’s world Expo featured a display of the wonders of LED technology with a light and fireworks show with the largest LED screen ever created at its center. The Shanghai LED screen was 9,500m, which is equivalent to nearly 105 football fields. The screen demonstrated many of the unique merits of working with LEDs. For one, because LEDs emit light from tiny bulbs and are clustered together, they can be formed into virtually any shape. This is especially useful for LED panels where they may need to be mounted in oddly shaped ceiling or wall spaces. The screen was also amazingly colorful, highlighting LEDs’ ability to rapidly change color and create bright, well rendered color. The durability of LEDs made them an obvious choice for the World Expo. The screen was situated on the banks of the Huangpu River in the center of Shanghai, so the weather and environment were unpredictable.

I probably sing the praises of LEDs too often on this blog but applications like the screen in Shangai beautifully display the technology’s versatility. From high resolution and low resolution panel displays to LED bulbs, consumer products,LED PAR cans, and DJ effects, LEDs are changing the lighting game. Though we can’t offer you a 105 football field long LED screen, we can offer nearly all other LED products and at great prices too, so check out what we have to offer! Don’t forget if you have a question or comment you can leave it on my blog or call toll free 1-877-622-0897.

By Victor Lopez | 19 November, 2014 | led, lights, outdoor | 0 comments | Read more

The World Cup Lights Up with Osram's LEDs

By BulbAmerica Editor

The World Cup soccer stadiums in South Africa are the object of attention of millions of viewers watching the greatest soccer talents in the world vie for victory. Some eyes, however, are trained on the stadiums in South Africa for reasons unrelated to soccer, namely their use of cutting edge LED and HID lighting technologies. Osram-Sylvania has agreed to supply all ten World Cup venues with environmentally friendly lighting solutions, and has done so, particularly at the Green Point and Moses Mabhida Stadiums, in a spectacular fashion.

The Green Point stadium, located in Cape Town, is one of Osram’s greatest lighting achievements in South Africa. The rebuilt Green Point stadium features its LED lighting as its architectural focal point. The stadium has a wavy balustrade of white light that wraps around the entire stadium. The stadium’s designers needed a light bulb that was slim and would not interfere with the stadium’s elegant architecture. To solve this problem Osram used its Opto Semiconductors and Golden Dragon Plus LEDs to be hidden, yet produce a striking white light. In total Osram used 482 luminaires which amounted to 1.8 meters of lights. These lights were installed along the wavy balustrade and the ring encircling the top of the stadium. The Osram luminaires, like most LED bulbs, have an estimated life span of 50,000 hours or more and guarantee the lighting system to be low maintenance.

The second of Osram’s largest lighting installations is at the Moses Mabhida Stadium (pictured above) in Durban. The Mabhida Stadium features a 350 meter long arch (1,148 feet), 105 meter (348 feet) high, spanning the entire stadium. The beam is illuminated by 12,000 Osram Golden Dragon plus LEDs as well as custom LED beams. The LED system on the beam features exciting strobe patterns that bring the stadium to life. In both the Green Point Stadium and the Mabhida stadium Osram also installed HID lighting, T5, and T8 fluorescent lamps. Osram’s decision to outfit the World Cup stadiums with LEDs signals the global push toward LEDs and other forms efficient lighting like CFLs and HIDs.

Embrace the World Cup fever and check out our LED and other green lighting technologies today.

By Victor Lopez | 18 November, 2014 | bulbs, led, lights, osram, world cup | 0 comments | Read more

Chauvet's Wondrous Wall: The DVM-HR

LEDs technology has revolutionized the way light can be used to render new effects. One of the most popular and most effective usages of LED lights have been LED screens and walls that can fluidly display colorful images. Chauvet’s DVM-HR is one of the best and most durable LED panels available, and in this article I will discuss some of its features that I believe make it an exciting piece of lighting equipment for your event, bar, club, sports venue, concert, entertainment or any other application. The DVM-HR features 2,304 LEDs (768 red, 768 green, 768 blue) grouped in 256 clusters of 9 LEDs each. All the DVM’s LED bulbs have a life hour rating of 50,000hrs to 100,000hrs. The DVM-HR LED’s technology coupled with its IP65 rating mean that it is suitable for indoor and outdoor usage, making it an extremely versatile piece of equipment. The DVM-HR features an easy to use and tough bracketing system that makes it easy to mount and easy to daisy chain other DVM-HR panels if you decide that you want a bigger screen. Daisy chaining DVM-HR modules is made easy, each module has an additional video output so you can link them all together.

In addition to RGB color changing, the DVM-HR can be used to display video, images, text, and graphics. You can even play DVDs or other forms of video on your computer or lap top and display them directly on the screen. The 31mm resolution and the ease with which you can attach DVM-HR units mean that you can use your DVM-HR for outdoor movie screenings and other similar events. The DVM works with nearly all video or graphic software, including the DVM Wall Studio Software and Show Xpress Time Line. To make connecting your DVM panel to your computer as easy as possible, Chauvet has included a two foot VGA-style linking cable and a two Neutrik PowerCon linking cable.

Chauvet’s DVM-HR is an extremely versatile and durable lighting panel. Because you can get make your DVM-HR bigger and bigger by simply adding additional modules, the venues in which you can use the DVM are nearly infinite. Let BulbAmerica be your one stop shop for the Chauvet DVM-HR and other LED lighting products. Also check out our DVM-HR package, which includes four panels, to save money. Check us out today!

By Victor Lopez | 18 November, 2014 | bulbs, led, lights | 0 comments | Read more

LED Tube Lighting: At the Center of Attention with Color and Image

With the proliferation of LEDs, display lighting has exploded with new products and innovative lighting ideas. One of the most exciting LED products geared for display lighting, night club lighting, and retail is LED color changing tubes. Both Acclaim Lighting and American DJ offer LED tubes. In this article the two manufacturers’ light tubes will be compared back-to-back to give you an idea of what is available and what these tubes can really do. ADJ’s LED 39in tubes have 144 LEDs and are user friendly, they can do almost anything. These tubes are 100% dimmable and when operated by the ADJ Rainbow II DMX controller and perform numerous pre-programmed sequences and can produce hundreds of hues using the tubes’ RGB color mixing. With the Rainbow II controller, the tubes can strobe and display impressive pre-programmed macros, or you can make your own chase sequences. ADJ Rainbow tubes are waterproof and include mounting brackets with each tube so you can use your tube anywhere.

Acclaim Lighting offers another great LED tube lighting option. The 47.25in Acclaim Pixel Tube comes in 15 LED and 30 LED versions. Like the ADJ Rainbow tubes, the Pixel Tube is ready for outdoor use with an IP rating of 65. The Pixel Tube has some tricks up its sleeve that sets it apart from the competition. The Pixel tube is designed for low resolution video applications. In conjunction with Acclaim’s X-software, your Pixel tube display will be the center of attention in any lighting system. One important implication of the Pixel Tube’s video capabilities is that it features 6-pin DMX connectivity versus standard 3-pin XLR in order to handle the additional video data. So, if you decide to opt for the Pixel Tube you will need to be able to accommodate 6-pin connectivity. Nevertheless, Acclaim Pixel Tube can provide your venue or retail application with exciting images in a simple package.

LED light tubes represent the forefront of LEDs’ boundless display applications. The ADJ Rainbow tubes are perfect if you want alluring RGB color changing, limitless color hues, and excellent strobes and chases. The Acclaim Pixel Tube is for the lighting designed that wants to blend light and image into a single package. BulbAmerica stocks both so you don’t have to decide between the two. Check these LED lighting tubes out right now!

By Victor Lopez | 18 November, 2014 | bulbs, led, lights, tube | 0 comments | Read more

The Time for Change Has Come: RGB LED Color Changers

Platinum has made getting exciting RGB color changing much easier for smaller venues like restaurants, bars, coffee shops, lounges, and other spaces. Platinum’s line of RGB color changing LED lamps come in medium E27 socket, MR16, and GU10 bases to give you maximum flexibility where you can utilize the bulbs and in what types of fixtures.Platinum’s RGD color changing lamps feature SMD color changing technology that allows you to change between an amazing 16 different colors. Platinum’s RGB lamps feature the performance benefits common to all LED light sources. Platinum’s LED lamps feature a 35,000 life hour rating and an energy draw of only 5w.

Platinum’s RGB lamps have excellent display abilities. Their 60 beam angle and their auto-flash and fade programs will allow you wash whatever it is you are illuminating in a bright, flat, and dynamic light. Platinum offers a great package that includes the four lamps and a remote control. The remote control, though small, can fully manipulate the color patterns of the lamps as well as perform basic functions like dimming and turning the lamps on and off. The package also comes with four PAR16 cans which are ideal for mounting the LED lamps and illuminating precise spaces like tables or the DJ booth.

The Platinum LED lamps and package allow you a formidable yet simple lighting system at a great price. The LED bulbs’ long lifespan and durable construction ensure that you will be able to set up your lights and never have to maintain them or change the bulb. Platinum’s RGB color changing lamps are low cost, low maintenance, low energy, and highly attractive—pick up yours today!

By Victor Lopez | 18 November, 2014 | bulbs, led, lights, rgb | 0 comments | Read more

LED Flood Lights: A Perfect Fit for Environmentally Friendly Lighting

By BulbAmerica Editor

As the demands for environmentally friendly lighting solutions continue to increase, consumers are looking for green light bulbs to retrofit their existing halogen and incandescent fixtures with. Flood lights especially are an important market for green light bulbs because typically they use incandescent and halogen lamps, both of which are among the most inefficient light bulbs. Recently, manufacturers including Optima, Osram, and Silver have designed E27 and E26 medium screw base LED bulbs to replace halogen and incandescent floods while utilizing their preexisting fixtures. As with all LED lamps, these LED floods are extremely efficient and have excellent luminous efficacy. Osram’s PAR 30 13w LN bulb is intended to replace a 50w halogen flood. This bulb, along with many other LED bulbs, has a 50,000hour life hour rating.

One important advantage that LED floods have specifically over incandescent and halogen floods is that they remain cool during operation and have cool beam bulbs. Halogen produce large quantities of heat, thus presenting a hazard to small children who may touch the bulb or in some cases a fire hazard. LED bulbs generate close to no heat and for this reason are safer and much more efficient than halogen floods. The cool beam of LED flood lights will allow you to use flood lighting in more environments than halogen bulbs, including high-end retail lighting, accent/display lighting, and other display environments where a warm or hot light can not be used because it could damage whatever is being illuminated.

Of course like most LED technology today, LED floodlights are more expensive than halogen or incandescent bulbs. This is only a temporary situation, and moreover, the savings on your energy bills, replacement bulbs, as well as peace of mind, make LED floodlights a wise and thoroughly green investment for your home, office, or business. Check out what we have to offer today!

By Victor Lopez | 18 November, 2014 | bulbs, led, lights | 0 comments | Read more

LED Light Strips: A Lighting Solution that Sticks

By BulbAmerica Editor

Under railings and shelves, on top of cabinets, above doorways, and under the edge of your swimming pool: the home and business contain many surfaces inaccessible to conventional lighting, denying key spaces proper light and decorative flair. That is, until now. Optima Lighting’s LED lighting strips provide a solution, allowing you to place lights in much-need but hard to reach places for both indoor and outdoor environments. The .472 in height of the strip and its 3M adhesive backing give this LED lighting strip a low profile and make it easily concealable underneath a railing or window sill.

Optima’s LED strip is packed with features. The strip’s RGB color mixing will provide your space with dynamic and attractive lighting. The strip has numerous color modes including seven color flashing, full color fading, looping, and seven primary color holding. This strip’s 30, 60, or 120 LEDs and high lumen count guarantee unmatched brightness, and at only 5.9w per 3.28ft strip, or 1 meter. Optima sells two versions of the strip, one geared for the outdoors which is completely waterproofed with a silicon coating, and the other intended for indoor use.

Optima's strip package promises all of the lighting benefits of the LED strip in addition to an added element of control with a controller and radio frequency remote that works at up to 164 ft, or 50 meters, from the controller. Both the controller and remote can fully control the light modes, the intensity of the light, the speed of the light pattern, and pause the pattern. The Optima package also comes with the option of a wall mounted control panel in place of a remote control. The package also comes with a power supply for your LED strip. The ease of use of the controller and remote control and the LED strip’s numerous features mean that you will be able to fully control your LED strip and maximize your space’s lighting potential.

By Victor Lopez | 18 November, 2014 | led, led strips, lights, stage lights | 0 comments | Read more

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