Hardware Overview
This version of Pharos Designer can be used with the following controllers:
- Pharos LPC 1/2/4: Serial numbers greater than 006xxx
- Pharos LPC X: All Serial numbers
- Pharos VLC : All Serial numbers
- PharosVLC+ : All Serial numbers
- Pharos TPC (with or without EXT): All Serial numbers
NOTE: LPCs with a Serial number lower than 006000
Controllers
LPC 1/2/4
The Pharos Lighting Playback Controllers (LPCs) are solid state lighting controllers capable of being programmed with a series of light shows which can be controlled through either internal of external triggering.
This programming is all preprogrammed through the Pharos Designer software before being uploaded to the controller for stand alone operation.
Each type of LPC is capable of controlling a number of universes of DMX or eDMX compatible lighting fixtures. The number of universes that can be controlled is indicated by the number in the name of the controller (e.g. LPC 1).
LPC X
The LPC X is designed to meet the unique needs of large landmark projects. It is available in capacities ranging from 10 DMX universes up to 100 DMX universes from a single unit with further scaling over Ethernet.
The LPC X provides the same programming options as the LPC, but the outputs are limited to eDMX protocols.
TPC
The TPC is a Lighting Playback Controller with a touchscreen, allowing for simple user interaction with the programmed show file, and output of 1 universe of eDMX lighting control data.
As with all controllers, the programming for the TPC is done through Pharos Designer and uploaded to the TPC.
EXT
The EXT is an extension to the TPC to provide additional connectivity to external systems and devices. It is a mains powered device, which provides PoE to the TPC, along with Digital/Analog inputs, a DMX connection, an RS232 connection and a DALI connection.
VLC
The VLC is designed to handle large single canvases of DMX fixtures e.g. building façades, bridges or media screens. It is available in capacities ranging from 50 DMX universes up to 1500 DMX universes from a single unit with further scaling over Ethernet.
As with the other controller's, the VLC is programmed through Pharos Designer and uploaded to the VLC.
VLC+
The VLC+ is designed to handle large single canvases of DMX fixtures e.g. building façades, bridges or media screens. It is available in capacities ranging from 50 DMX universes up to 3000 DMX universes from a single unit with further scaling over Ethernet, and allows multiple layers of media output to be displayed on the canvas, along with dynamically moving and rotating the content.
As with the other controllers, the VLC+ is programmed through Pharos Designer and uploaded to the VLC+.
Remote Devices
Remote Devices can be used alongside controllers to increase the functionality and/or connectivity of the control system. They are connected to the controller using Ethernet network connections and most are powered over PoE using the same connection.
RIO (08/44/80)
The three types of input/output RIOs allow various amounts of inputs and outputs to be added to the system. The inputs can be used for triggering within the project, and the outputs can be used to turn on other systems using volt free relays.
RIO D
The RIO D allows for connection of the Pharos system to a DALI bus. This can be used either to output DALI commands to DALI ballasts, or to receive DALI commands from a DALI controller (or both).
See DALI for more information about outputting and DALI Triggers for more information about receiving DALI commands.
RIO A
The RIO A provides additional MIDI connections, and an Audio input into a project. This audio input allows for triggering based on the volume of the incoming audio, or the audio input can be used to receive Linear Time Code into the project.
BPS
The Pharos BPS is a Button Panel Station which provides 8 programmable buttons, which can be used to control aspects of the project. Each button includes a white LED, which can be freely programmed to output various effects.
TPS 5
The Pharos TPS 5 is a 5" Touch Interface built to replace the TPS hardware. It can be configured with a customisable interface to control aspects of the project. The Interface is designed within Pharos Designer and uploaded to the TPS 5 as part of the project.
Multi-touch support is available for TPS 5 from PharosDesigner 2.10 and above.
TPS 8
The Pharos TPS 8 is an 8" Touch Interface built to replace the TPS hardware. It can be configured with a customisable interface to control aspects of the project. The Interface is designed within Pharos Designer and uploaded to the TPS 8 as part of the project.
Multi-touch support is available for TPS 8.
TPS
The Pharos TPS is a Touch Interface which can be used to control aspects of the project. The Interface is designed within Pharos Designer and uploaded to the TPS as part of the project.
EDN
The Pharos EDN is an Ethernet Data Node which provides 10 or 20 outputs of eDMX to DMX/RDM, dictated by variant, such as EDN 10. It can easily be configured within Designer and is patched exactly the same way as an LPC or any Pharos Controller.
It can also be converted to SDI mode, where it will work with attached SDIs (Serial Data Interfaces) to output a synchronous or asynchronous serial data protocol, set within the Network view.
SDI
The SDI (serial data interface) is an accessory to the EDN. It connects directly to an EDN via an RS485 serial connection, allowing the EDN to output synchronous (SPI) or asynchronous serial protocols to fixtures such as addressable LED tape.