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Pixel Mapping Made Easy… With CHAUVET Professional’s ÉPIX 2.0 Series

Posted on February 28, 2014
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It’s now faster and easier than ever to add high-quality video content to your shows and designs, thanks to our new ÉPIX 2.0 series of linkable LED fixtures. Art-Net and Kling-Net compatible, these fixtures can be set up in minutes to produce full-color pixel mapping video displays, even by users with limited technical knowledge.

The ÉPIX 2.0 series includes two linear fixtures: ÉPIX Strip 2.0, a one-meter strip containing 40 tri-color RGB SMD 5050 LEDs; and ÉPIX Bar 2.0, a one-meter bar with four rows of 40 (total 160) tri-color RGB SMD 5050 LEDs. Designed to work together seamlessly, both fixtures feature a 25-millimeter pixel pitch, excellent color rendering, and a wide 120° viewing angle.

Also included in the ÉPIX series is a dedicated controller, the ÉPIX Drive 642, which hosts the processing and power supply for the ÉPIX 2.0 fixtures in one convenient device with a user-friendly LCD display.  Up to 16 ÉPIX Strip 2.0 or 4 ÉPIX Bar 2.0 units can be controlled by the ÉPIX Drive 642, using either industry-standard Art-Net (3.0 compliant) or Arkaos Kling-Net protocol.

The ability to create and control pixel mapping displays via Art-Net or Kling-Net is what makes the ÉPIX 2.0 fixtures such an ideal, easy-to-use video solution, even for novices.  Unlike DMX protocol, which requires a separate channel to control each individual pixel — and thus can get quite complicated and unwieldy, with each fixture essentially needing its own DMX universe — Art-Net and Kling-Net are TCP/IP based and communicate through the Ethernet.

When you use ÉPIX 2.0 fixtures with Kling-Net protocol and Arkaos Media Master Express software (sold separately), the unit will immediately appear on your computer screen with a very intuitive graphical “drop and drag” interface that requires little training to operate. If you use Art-Net protocol, you’ll be able to run multiple universes of DMX can be run over the same cable, eliminating the time and effort required to install separate cables to connect each fixture to the control console.

“LED video displays are becoming a must-have design element at concerts and productions of all types, as well as in nightclubs and other installations,” said Anthony Chiappone, Product Manager for CHAUVET Professional. “We came out with the ÉPIX 2.0 series to give designers a fast, easy way to create professional video displays for their clients, regardless of their technical knowledge.

“By offering Art-Net and Kling-Net control options instead of being restricted to DMX, the ÉPIX series takes the complexity out of pixel mapping,” Chiappone added. “If you use Arkaos Media Master and Kling-Net with the ÉPIX fixtures, you essentially have a plug-and-play system that allows you to easily patch and play back even the most elaborate shows. Even if you don’t have Media Master software, Art-Net is now included in most major lighting controllers, so you can run the ÉPIX fixtures through your console’s video mapper, which again is  much simpler than using DMX.”

Another feature that makes it easy to build high-impact video displays with the ÉPIX 2.0 series is CHAUVET Professional’s new hardware linking system. The system allows multiple units to be linked on top of one another while maintaining perfect alignment, for the fast, effortless construction of vertical displays.

Ideal for both the club/installation and touring/production markets, the ÉPIX 2.0 series delivers stellar performance, along with its ease of use. Exceptionally bright in output, the ÉPIX Strip 2.0 produces 1176 nits and the ÉPIX Bar 2.0 an impressive 2,586 nits. This extreme brightness, along with the units’ vivid color rendering and wide viewing angle, combine to create a stunning, high-quality video experience at any venue or event.

Two different lens covers are included with each ÉPIX 2.0 unit, giving the fixtures added design versatility and value. One is a frosted cover that produces a smooth transition between pixels; the other is a clear cover for high-contrast, high-impact visuals.

In addition to making pixel mapping easy, the ÉPIX 2.0 series was designed to provide a conveniently lightweight and transportable video system.  The ÉPIX Strip 2.0 weighs just 4.4 pounds (2 kg) and measures 39.4 x 1.4 x 4.6 inches (1000 x 37 x 118  mm).    The ÉPIX Bar 2.0 weighs 7.6 pounds (3.5 kg) and measures 39.4 x 4.2 x 4.6 inches (1000 x 107 x 118 mm).  The ÉPIX Drive 642 controller (required for operation of the ÉPIX system) weighs 5.6 pounds (2.5 kg), measures 8.3 x 10.1 x 3 inches (210 x 257 x 78 mm), and features NEUTRIK° powerCON° in/out power connectors. All ÉPIX 2.0 series components are CE, MET and RoHs approved to meet universal safety and compliance standards.