Whether it is a concert or a club, dance hall, KTV and other entertainment venues, the pursuit of stage lighting effects is getting higher and higher, and now advanced science and technology have also played a role in promoting the development of stage lighting technology. The advent of computer lamps has opened a new chapter in the lighting industry. However, since most of the computer lights are now imported equipment, maintenance and purchase are more difficult. So we have to fully grasp some knowledge about computer lights. Below we will introduce to you the technical characteristics of computer lights and several problems to pay attention to in the process of using computer lights.

First, the technical characteristics of computer lights

  There are many models and brands of computer lights, domestic, imported, scanning, shaking head, but they boil down to the following characteristics.

(1) Functional characteristics of computer lamps

  As a typical representative of modern lamps, the functions of computer lamps can be said to be very complete: generally including light color changes, three primary color combination changes, light light and dark changes, pattern combination changes, pattern rotation changes, prism effect changes, soft light effect changes, lens aperture shrinkage changes, lens focus changes, lens zoom changes, beam strobe changes, etc. In recent years, some computer lamp manufacturers have begun to consider connecting computer lamps with video equipment, so that computer lamps can project infinite changing patterns and produce richer and more brilliant artistic effects.

(2) The use characteristics of computer lights

  The light source of computer lamps is generally provided by gas discharge bulbs, and the output light is high color temperature light (5600~6300K), while the output light of ordinary lamps is low color temperature light (2900~3200K). Therefore, computer lamps are generally suitable for use as effect lights, and beautiful TV pictures with peculiar lighting effects can be produced through TV cameras (color temperature is generally adjusted 2900~3200K). In addition, due to the high cost of computer lamps, it has created its liquidity use characteristics. It cannot be fixed in the studio like ordinary lamps, but must change the location and venue at any time according to the requirements of the program production. During the flow process, it is necessary to continuously transport and install, which is very easy to cause damage to the lamp.

(3) Structural characteristics of computer lamps

   Now the popular computer lamp is divided into two types according to the structure form, one is the lens scanning computer lamp, the other is the moving head computer lamp.　　Lens scanning computer lamps rely on the swing of a reflective lens on the lamp head on the front of the lamp body to project the beam. The lens is driven by two motors, pitch and azimuth, to complete vertical and horizontal oscillation. The biggest advantage is that the lens is very light, it is very easy and quick to control, and it can produce very fast changes in beam movement. The disadvantage is that the beam movement range is smaller due to the influence of the mirror axis. Therefore, it is more suitable for hanging use.

  Moving head computer lamp, is the original idea of the origin of computer lamp, its advantage is that the lamp body rotation drives the beam movement, the rotation range is large, can achieve 360 ° rotation. This movement effect creates a full visual experience on stage. The disadvantage is that the motor driving the moving head has a large power, resulting in a heavier lamp body. However, with the advancement of science and technology, this shortcoming has been gradually overcome, so that this kind of lamp has been developed by leaps and bounds in recent years, and has become the mainstream computer lamp on today's TV stage. Its volume has been able to be very small, the weight can be very light, and it is already very convenient to use. The function of this computer lamp is also more and more complete, from the initial technical limitations can only do a simple color-changing effect, has developed to the same as the lens scanning computer lamp, can produce a very rich artistic effect of the computer lamp.

(4) Control characteristics of computer lights

  Computer lamp is composed of actuators and control elements, each output light change of the computer lamp, that is, the movement of the above beam, the color of the light, the pattern of the projection, the brightness of the light intensity, etc., are completed by the executive motor to manipulate specific optics. The control of computer lights is completed by computers, each computer lamp is equipped with one or several CPUs, through the processing of the CPU, the instructions given by the computer lamp console to reflect the creation of lighting art are sent to each action motor. These control instructions are a set of digital signals issued by the computer, each action change of the motor corresponds to a digital code, and each change of the output beam corresponds to a set of numbers. The commonly used control signal today is the DMX512 signal.

Second, several problems to pay attention to in the process of using computer lights

(1) The signal line problem of the computer lamp

  Computer lamps are digital devices, they are connected to each other through signal lines, and the instructions provided by the computer lamp console are executed to complete various actions (light movement, color change, pattern change, etc.). Therefore, the importance of the signal line can be imagined, if a certain signal line has hidden dangers, it will cause the control disorder of the entire system and cannot operate normally. In addition, pay attention to the control length of the signal line, under normal circumstances, the signal line control length is best not to exceed 150m, otherwise, the control signal attenuation is serious, can not control the computer lamp well. If the signal line is too long, consider adding a signal amplifier. In retrospect, many of the failures we encountered in real work were caused by signal lines. Therefore, careful measurement of each signal line before connecting the signal line and appropriate addition of signal amplifiers in the control loop are the experience gained by the author in his long-term work, and often can achieve twice the effect with half the effort.

(2) Computer lamp programming and artistic creation problems

  The ultimate purpose of using computer lights is to better set off and render the artistic effect of the stage program. Every computer lamp operator user must fully understand the function of the computer lamp, according to the content of the stage program, prepare the computer lamp control program, to properly express the lighting effect, must not be noisy, the program into a lighting exhibition.

(3) The setting problem of the computer lamp address code

  The computer lamp adopts digital signal control, using the internationally common DMX512 control protocol. Each lamp must have its own code, and the commands issued by the console identify each lamp through this code. The encoder of a computer lamp is generally installed at the end of the lamp (lens scanning computer lamp) or at the base of the lamp (moving head computer lamp). Now commonly used encoders are digital and switched.

  Digital encoder is relatively simple to set, generally through the encoder menu, by turning the page to the address setting, and then using the encoder "+" (up/∧) "-" (down/∨) symbol key to change the size of the number, after confirmation, confirm by pressing the "ENTER" key. For example, a computer light with 20 channels. The starting address code of the first lamp is 1, which is set to "001"; The starting address code of the second lamp is 21, which is set to "021"; In turn, the starting address code of the twenty-first lamp is 401, which is set to "401". Now we commonly use "COMAR" computer lamps and "STUDIOCOLOR", "STUDIOSPOT" computer lamps, which use the above coding methods. 　　

  In addition, many computer lights use a switching encoder, which is composed of 9 small two-bit switches (there are exceptions), and when the switch is placed in the "on" position, it indicates that the numerical code represented by this switch works. The address code ＆#118alues corresponding to switches 1 to 9 are shown in Table 1. For example, to set the computer light with the starting address code of 1, set the switch "1" to "on"; To set the computer light with the starting address code of 41, set the switches "1", "4" and "6" to "on"; And so on, you can set the address code of all computer lights.

(4) The transfer transportation of computer lamps

  As a mobile lighting equipment, computer lamps have strong mobility, and they often have to change the field once in a few days. Therefore, it is very necessary to make a shipping box for computer lights. Some manufacturers' computer lights are equipped with a special box, and they should pay attention to the instructions when purchasing. Otherwise, it is necessary to ask another manufacturer specializing in the production of aviation packaging boxes.

  Computer lamps are generally heavier, special attention should be paid to handling, in addition to paying attention to personal safety, do not cause personal injury, but also to understand the structural composition of computer lamps, the lamp body generally has a handling handle, must not be randomly moved, otherwise, it is possible to damage the shaft and optical components of the lamp.

(5) The matching problem between the computer lamp and the computer lamp console

  At present, there are countless manufacturers at home and abroad producing computer lamp consoles of different models and brands. All these computer lamp consoles have a common feature, that is, fully consider the humanized design concept, its control function is powerful, simple to operate, easy to use. However, each brand has its own characteristics, and the output control signal is not the same, and some cannot output the DMX512 control signal. Therefore, when choosing a console for our own computer lights, we must consider the matching problem and see whether the selected console can output the DMX512 control signal that is currently more common in the world.

  Also look at the console has several control ports, usually a DMX512 control port to control the number of computer lights is limited, the more control ports, the more computer lights controlled by the number. The number of computer lights (N) that can be controlled by a DMX512 control port can be calculated by the following formula: N=512÷ Nc (where Nc is the number of channels of a computer lamp) stage lighting equipment

(6) The stage installation problem of computer lights

  When computer lights are used, most of them are hung above the stage, so the safety and reliability of hanging should attract enough attention, which not only involves the personal safety of the cast and crew, but also takes into account the cost of expensive equipment, once broken and repaired is quite difficult.

(7) The power supply problem of computer lamps

  The power supply department generally provides a special power transformer to power the lighting system, the three-phase power output of the power supply, the phase voltage is 380V, and the feed power supply of the computer lamp is 220V, 50Hz. Pay special attention when powering the computer lamp, do not connect the phase voltage of 380V, otherwise, the circuit board in the computer lamp will be burned, and even the entire lamp will be scrapped. The power problem of each computer lamp should also be paid attention to, because there are many electrical equipment in the computer lamp, there are various motors, circuit boards, bulb starting equipment, etc. If a computer lamp is calibrated to 1200W, its power consumption is generally about 2000W. In addition, pay attention to the zero wire and ground wire of the power supply, if the computer lamp's feed power protection ground wire is not connected well, it may cause damage to the lamp.

  Based on the above, computer lamp as a specific embodiment of modern lamps, each of our specific operators, only fully understand the technical characteristics of computer lamps, set accurate address codes for computer lamps, choose the matching console, correctly connect signal lines, connect the feed power without error, master the correct installation method, in order to better provide perfect technical services for film and television program production.