Jands will show a major software upgrade for their revolutionary Vista lighting console, at Plasa in September.

Originally released in 2004, the Vista introduced a whole new approach to constructing light shows, with ‘think visually, work visually’ as the core concept. The Byron release of the application takes this innovative approach to a new stage, introducing a true second generation of software, completely re-written from the ground up.

The Byron release reflects the attention Jands have paid to user feedback about the Vista, as well as the fresh vision Jands have brought to the whole concept of how a console works. The update provides easier and faster ways to do existing functions, and introduces a host of new features.

The Byron software will be free-of-charge to current users. Some of the key aspects of the new software include:

• genuine, zero-configuration, ‘no I.T. guy needed’, automatic networking
• tracking backup that synchronises a second console or PC to take over seamlessly in the case of a failure
• a second-generation timeline providing visual split fade times, a per-step timing structure that lets you instantly set fade and delay times for some or all the events in a step, and new filters that make it easier to see what’s going on with big rigs
• an extended generic fixture model that doesn’t limit the use of non-standard or overlapping features and adapts to all types of new and unusual fixtures
• a completely overhauled user interface reflecting user feedback, with search functions built in throughout
• a brand new visual method of controlling media servers
• new Matrix layouts and effects for use with LEDs and other fixtures
• a Command Line window that accepts keypad input for fixture selection, levels, timing, store and other frequently used commands

Faster and easier to use, the Byron release is a lot more than just an upgrade of the existing Vista. It provides an unrestricted, reliable software platform for building an ever more sophisticated and powerful console in the years to come.

Jands will preview Vista 2 ‘Byron’ on the AC Entertainment stand (1-E10) at the PLASA trade show in London, 13-16 September 2009.

London’s iconic Somerset House has been transformed by a massive architectural LED lighting installation. Designed by Patrick Woodroffe and controlled by a Vista PC system the system was installed by A.C. Special Projects Limited.

A.C. Special Projects Ltd. has provided a state of the art architectural lighting and control system for the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at the heart of Somerset House in London. Located between The Strand and the River Thames, Somerset House is a spectacular neo-classical building with one of the most architecturally stunning courtyards in the capital. A major arts and cultural centre with a year-round programme of large-scale contemporary exhibitions and events, each summer 55 fountains dance in the courtyard and the extraordinary space is host to a series of major open-air concerts and film screenings. In winter, the courtyard is transformed into one of London’s most popular ice rinks.
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A.C. Special Projects Ltd. supplied a varied range of lighting fixtures for the spectacular new British Music Experience (BME) at The O2. The BME is an interactive music exhibition within one of the world’s most popular music venues. Four years in the making, the exhibition enables music lovers to trace historic moments and trends through the decades, learn about music’s influence on art, fashion & politics and tailor the experience to their own music tastes through interactive elements. Furthermore, there is a full public and educational programme with workshops, lectures, master-classes & concerts.

In addition to a virtual concert, the exit show is joined to the exhibition’s pre-show area by a removable wall to enable the areas to be combined as a larger space for conferences and special live music events. The show lighting requirements for this space necessitated a console with a rapid programming environment suited to both corporate and entertainment lighting modes.

DALD project lighting designer David Atkinson specified the Jands Vista T2 lighting console. He commented: “The Vista’s highly intuitive graphic interface lends itself to a multitude of programming situations. The console covered all bases with its quick and easy approach to programming and provided an extremely flexible patching system that could cope with numerous changes, whilst retaining the base show information.”

The shows were programmed by Stewart Parker using WYSIWYG, with console training and some pre-programming assistance provided by A.C. Special Projects at their High Wycombe office. Using the Vista’s unique timeline feature, the team were able to upload the exit show audio soundtrack to the console and accurately plot scenes, ensuring the lighting and sound were perfectly synchronised. To enable simultaneous playback of the pre-show and exit show lighting designs, the shows were uploaded onto an Enttec E-Streamer DMX replay unit triggered by the AV control system.

A Jands Vista T4 console has provided lighting control for the “Live Action Arena” event at the Autosport International motorsport show. Held at the NEC in Birmingham, Autosport International is a highlight of the annual motoring calendar. A star-studded line-up of guests included Formula One’s top British scoring driver David Coulthard and Alan McNish, winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours race.

Forming the centrepiece of the event was the “Live Action Arena”, an action-packed show performed in front of 4,700 people six times a day. The show featured a spectacular range of demonstrations, breathtaking wheel-to-wheel racing and record-breaking stunts.

Lighting designer Nathan Wan has used the Jands Vista console on a variety of concerts and exhibitions in 2008, so had complete confidence in the console making light work of the impressive rig, which featured over 80 moving lights, various pyro flame effects and 72 ways of dimming.

The brief was to create a dynamic light show choreographed to music and 14 different car races. The performances lasted 90 minutes on the arena’s oval track and included video links from Formula One’s David Coulthard and commentator Louise Goodman.

The Vista’s intuitive interface allowed Nathan fast and easy access to his rig, in addition, the console’s innovative timeline editing proved a powerful time-saving feature for coping with last minute changes to the show’s running order and tidying up programming.

Hire company Network Productions Ltd. supplied the Vista console and lighting rig. Fixtures included Robe ColorSpot 1200 & 700 EAT’s, Robe ColorWash EAT’s and ten Safex Flamejett used for various racing sequences. In addition, 72 ways of conventional dimming provided source lighting for the racing drivers.

Summarising his experience with the Vista, Lighting Designer Nathan Wan commented: “I loved using the Vista because it enabled me to generate a dynamic show in less than a day. Also, the Vista’s Smart FX allowed me to create striking custom colour intensity and movement effects. The console’s playback controls and timeline really impressed me on this type of choreographed event, especially when the show director changed the order of the performance, and I was able to deal with it without a headache. I’m already planning to use the Vista on various installations and gigs confirmed for 2009.”

Happy New Year from everyone at Jands

Please note that the JandsVista forum has been upgraded and moved to:
www.jandsvista.com/forum/

The Jands Vista lighting control system has been selected as a finalist in the 2008 ESTA Rock Our World Awards for its product application in the casino at the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Connecticut.

The Rock Our World Awards recognize groundbreaking achievement by ESTA Members in new products, product applications, or projects. These awards were created to acknowledge the genius of both the creator of technology and the designer or integrator who applies the technology in a real world environment.

The Jands Vista solution was provided by Barbizon lighting company via Vista North American distributor A.C. Lighting Inc., to control the lighting system for the casino’s 50,000 square foot Premier Ballroom – the largest in the Northeastern USA.

The MGM Grand is part of the overall Foxwoods resort, the biggest casino complex in the world, with more than 40,000 guest visits each day.

Designed to be extremely flexible, the casino’s 50,000 square foot, column free Premier Ballroom and smaller Celebrity Ballroom feature movable air walls that enable the spaces to be broken down into smaller room zones for banquets, gatherings and other functions, and between them re-configured into over 230 possible combinations.

Foxwoods Entertainment Lighting Supervisor, Tom Roach, worked closely with Barbizon lighting company to help specify, supply, install and integrate the ballrooms’ architectural and entertainment lighting systems.

Each ballroom features nearly 300 channels of ETC dimming and a variety of fixtures, including Robe 700 spot and wash moving lights.

Due to the huge number of possible room configurations, each with a different lighting plot, Foxwoods wanted a solution that would provide seamless integration and intuitive control of the ballrooms’ complex lighting systems using both wall stations and performance lighting consoles.

Following a demonstration to Foxwoods, Barbizon System Integrator Scott Stipetic of the company’s Boston office specified the Jands Vista lighting control system.

He commented: “The Vista is sophisticated, powerful, and the right solution for this environment.
I knew that being able to see each room layout’s lighting plot visually, combined with a timeline, would make it so much easier for the staff to operate the lighting fixtures than on a traditional console. The Vista’s user interface also makes it very quick to manipulate cue structures, saving valuable room setup time. I was also confident that the support would be there from Jands and A.C. Lighting Inc., should it be needed, when installing such a technically complex product application. After Foxwoods saw the Vista demo they were adamant it had to be Jands Vista for this particular lighting control application.”

The Vista provides a flexible lighting control system that can handle the variety of ballroom layouts in a visual way. Control of each room’s lighting is represented graphically on a pen tablet screen. If an air wall is moved, the Vista simply updates the lighting and the control screens of the newly adjoined rooms, so the operator can always see what they are controlling.

Lighting for each of the 15 smaller room zones is controlled by a dedicated Vista PC, which is operated via VNC on a pen tablet screen from within the rooms. The casino also purchased 2 full size Vista T4 consoles and 4 Vista S3 playback control surfaces to operate conference or performance events taking place in the larger room configurations. All Vista products were supplied to Barbizon from A.C. Lighting Inc., the exclusive North American distributor for the Vista range.

The Vista lighting control system and all associated equipment was installed by Jason Hoots, Andy Aldous, Tracey Costa and Mike Goudzwaard in Barbizon’s Technical Services team.

Foxwoods Entertainment Lighting Supervisor, Tom Roach commented: “When I approached Scott Stipetic with the concept of having a permanently installed moving light system in the ballrooms which could be operated by banquets staff, he immediately recommended the Jands Vista for the application. The Vista allows us to offer a top of the line lighting system to our clients with out all the costs associated with trucking, rigging, flying truss, hanging fixtures, programming, running the event and strike and restore of the room. The banquets staff themselves are able to turn on and operate the moving lights, which helps reduce the turn around time between events – meaning more revenue for the company. The Vista is the top notch lighting control system we were looking for.”

Click on thumbnails for more images

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With two large ballroom spaces configurable by air walls into 230 possible layout combinations, lighting supplier Barbizon chose a Jands Vista control solution for the MGM Grand portion of the Foxwoods casino resort. For smaller-scale events the casino staff can control room lighting using a wireless pen tablet PC while a full size console is used to control lighting for performances at larger functions.

“The Vista is sophisticated, powerful, and the right solution for this environment,” said Scott Stipetic, system integrator for Boston-based Barbizon, noting the user-friendly features of the pen tablet graphics for the different room configurations. “I knew that being able to see each room layout’s lighting plot visually, combined with a timeline, would make it so much easier for the staff to operate the lighting fixtures than on a traditional console.”

The Vista provides a flexible lighting control system that can handle the variety of ballroom layouts. Control of each room’s lighting is represented graphically on the pen tablet screens. If an air wall is moved, the Vista simply updates the lighting and the control screens of the newly adjoined rooms, so the operator can always see what they are controlling. “The Vista’s user interface also makes it very quick to manipulate cue structures, saving valuable room setup time,” Stipetic added.

Click on thumbnails for more images

Tom Roach, Foxwoods Entertainment’s lighting supervisor, worked closely with Stipetic and Barbizon to supply, install and integrate the architectural and entertainment lighting systems for the MGM Grand’s Premier and Celebrity ballrooms. Each is equipped with nearly 300 channels of ETC dimming and a variety of light fixtures, including Robe 700 spot and wash moving lights.

“I was also confident that the support would be there from Jands and A.C. Lighting Inc., should it be needed, when installing such a technically complex product application,” Stipetic said. “After Foxwoods saw the Vista demo they were adamant it had to be Jands Vista for this particular lighting control application.”

Lighting for each of the 15 smaller room zones is controlled by a dedicated Vista PC, which is operated via VNC on a pen tablet screen from within the rooms. The casino also purchased two full size Vista T4 consoles and four Vista S3 playback control surfaces to operate conference or performance events taking place in the larger room configurations. All Vista products were supplied to Barbizon from A.C. Lighting Inc., the exclusive North American distributor for the Vista range.

The Vista lighting control system and all associated equipment was installed by Jason Hoots, Andy Aldous, Tracey Costa and Mike Goudzwaard in Barbizon’s technical services team.

“When I approached Scott Stipetic with the concept of having a permanently installed moving light system in the ballrooms which could be operated by banquets staff, he immediately recommended the Jands Vista for the application,” said Roach. “The Vista allows us to offer a top of the line lighting system to our clients without all the costs associated with trucking, rigging, flying truss, hanging fixtures, programming, running the event and strike and restore of the room. The banquet staff is able to turn on and operate the moving lights, which helps reduce the turn around time between events — meaning more revenue for the company. The Vista is the top notch lighting control system we were looking for.”

The MGM Grand is part of the overall Foxwoods resort, the biggest casino complex in the world, with more than 40,000 guest visits each day. The Premier Ballroom at the MGM Grand is also the largest such ballroom in the Northeast, measuring up to 50,000 column-free square feet. Like the smaller Celebrity Ballroom, the spaces are equipped with moveable air walls that let the staff create smaller rooms for banquets and other functions and gatherings.

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Three new venues across Europe with first class technical facilities and very different system requirements are benefitting from the Jands Vista’s advanced approach to lighting control.

Finnish professional systems integrator, Electrosonic Lightinen Oy Ab, has supplied Jands Vistas to the Levi Summit venue in Lapland. Multi-purpose facilities, hi-tech equipment and an auditorium large enough to stage world-class performances and major product launches make the Levi Summit a first class venue for diverse events.
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Jands Vista T2 consoles helped worshippers celebrate Easter at Europe’s largest all-night worship event, attended by 30,000 people at London’s ExCel, and a separate event at Wembley Arena.

Worshippers packed out ExCel’s main hall for ‘Festival of Life’, a unique event supported by over 150 churches in the UK which has become the largest all night non-denominational gathering of people in Europe coming together to celebrate God.

Reading-based production company SFL Group provided the complete technical solution and production management for both events. This included over 120 speakers of d&b audiotechnic with Yamaha digital control surfaces, Barco projection and control systems, acoustic draping and stage lighting.

Brighton-based Tamplins Stage Lighting, which has a reputation in the industry for providing lighting production services to conferences, rock concerts and one-off programmes in the Worship market, was engaged by SFL to provide the stage lighting element.

Show lighting designer Sam Tamplin knew there was only one console he’d want to use for the job of providing the lighting control on the massive ExCel event, and knew his choice would also have the full backing of his client.

He commented: “Last year I was looking for a more powerful desk to handle our growing show control needs and entered a competition to win a day’s free Vista training. I had to build a basic show using the Vista demo software, which left me very impressed by how user-friendly and intuitive it was. After then spending a whole day training on the console, I was absolutely convinced it was the only way to go, so I had to invest in one!”
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