The RDMnet standard has been published!

ESTA Announces ANSI Approval of RDMnet!

ESTA’s Technical Standards Program (TSP) announced today that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved E1.33 RDMnet as an American National Standard. The ANSI designation is universally recognized as a mark of technical diligence and commercial impartiality.
Officially known as ANSI E1.33, Entertainment Technology – (RDMnet) Message Transport and Management for ANSI E1.20 (RDM) compatible and similar devices over IP Networks, the RDMnet standard was developed by the hard-working, all-volunteer members of the TSP’s Control Protocols Working Group (CPWG).

RDMnet is a generational step forward, extending existing RDM functionality beyond the current physical limits of local DMX512 connections onto wide area hi-speed Ethernet networks. It allows for large-scale system monitoring and configuration while adding mobile device support. RDMnet also provides “vendor agnostic” configuration of network gateways, as well as system partitioning between multiple venues on the same Ethernet network. Multiple control consoles are now easily integrated and synchronized on the same control network.

This new addition to the RDM family of standards will dramatically extend the usefulness and reach of one of the CPWG’s flagship control protocols.

RDMnet (as well as over 60 other safety and compliance standards) is available as a free download from tsp.esta.org/freestandards.

ESTA’s free standards library is available to you, courtesy of ProSight Specialty Insurance. ESTA and ProSight are committed to ensuring the safety of crews, performers, and audiences.

If you find value in the standards and guidance documents created under the TSP, please consider becoming an Investor in Innovation by making an on-line financial contribution (of any amount) to ESTA’s TSP at tsp.esta.org/invest.

Investing in the Technical Standards Program is investing in the present and the future of the entertainment technology industry. Whether you are concerned with safety in the workplace or issues of equipment compatibility, you can have an impact by either donating or volunteering to the Technical Standards Program.

ESTA’s Technical Standards Program is the only ANSI-accredited standards program dedicated to the needs of the entertainment technology industry. The standards created under the TSP are used directly or indirectly every day by almost every manufacturer, dealer, installer, production company and end user. These standards prevent accidents, protect lives and property, save time and money, solve problems, inform the industry, and enhance creativity.

ESTA announces Dallas plugfest 2018

The ESTA Control Protocols Plugfest, the event where manufacturers and developers test their products for control network interoperability is scheduled to take place from July 20 to July 23 at the D/FW Marriott Solana in Westlake, Texas. Both ESTA and non-ESTA members are welcome to attend the 16th version of this event.

Plugfest is a unique opportunity to connect your product with those of other manufacturers to test and resolve network compatibility challenges. Attendees bring controllers, intelligent lights, control protocol analyzers, and other network connected components. People attend from around the world to pursue improving their customers product experience.

The scheduled hours are 9:00am-11:00pm on Friday; 9:00am-11:00pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Members of the E1.20 (RDM), E1.31 (sACN), and E1.33 (RDMnet) task groups who authored the standards will available to answer questions and help explain our protocols.

This is chance to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of the CPWG – one of the Technical Standards Program’s largest working groups. ESTA invites the industry to drop in and experience Plugfest.

For more information, see here.

ESTA announces Dallas Plugfest, 2017

The next ESTA Control Protocols Plugfest, the event where manufacturers and developers can test their products for interoperability with other manufacturers’ products, is scheduled to take place January 20 thru January 23, 2017, at the D/FW Marriott Solana in Westlake, Texas. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Plugfest is an outstanding educational opportunity for control manufacturers and developers to gather together in person and test their products for interoperability to the latest standards from the Technical Standards Program’s Control Protocols Working Group. Attendees bring controllers, intelligent lights, control protocol analyzers, and various other tools and devices, in an effort to seek out and resolve interoperability challenges. People attend from all around the world to plug into this network and improve their products. In addition to ongoing Remote Device Management (RDM) and DMX512 support, this event will highlight the interoperability implementations of draft standard BSR E1.33 RDMNet, and the newly revised ANSI E1.31 sACN protocols.

The scheduled hours are 4:00-11:00pm on Friday, January 20, 9:00am-11:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9:00am to noon on Monday, January 23. The event is attended by members of the Control Protocols Working Group which authored the standards—they will be available to assist you and share their expertise. CPWG members can answer questions and help explain these industry standard protocols. As products using the ESTA RDM and ACN standards are now common in the market place, ensuring that products actually comply and deliver interoperability is important. This is an opportunity to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of the CPWG, one of the Technical Standards Program’s largest working groups. ESTA invites the industry to drop in and experience Plugfest. A full schedule and a link for hotel reservations can be found at http://www.esta.org/ESTA/meetings.php. For more information, or to register for the ESTA Control Protocols plugfest, contact the group’s organizers at plugfest@esta.org.

European RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest –…

Details for the next European RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest are now available at www.plasa.org/rdm.

The event will run Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd April 2016, in the UK, at Gatwick Manor, London Road at Lowfield Heath, just south of Gatwick Airport.

The Developers Conference provides a European forum for manufacturers, designers, consultants and prospective users to discuss and learn about the various control protocol standards emanating from the ESTA/PLASA Technical Standards program, and aims to ensure that the adoption of these new standards achieves desired levels of interoperability and reliability.

Conference sessions will cover the use and implementation of the published RDM, sACN and ACN standards, together with other projects in development such as”E1.33 : RDMnet”.

The “Plugfest” is a hands-on opportunity for product developers to try out their hardware and code implementations with products from a variety of other manufacturers. Participants enjoy the support from their industry peers in an environment that encourages co-operation and improved understanding of the standards, and aims to achieve high levels of interoperability. Typically, engineers participate in these events with the ability to code and debug aspects of their implementations on site, sometimes retreating to their hotel rooms to craft improvements before returning to the “Plugfest” to continue testing.

The sessions, despite their apparent informality, can be a valuable opportunity to learn how not to make the same mistakes, or misguided assumptions, as others may have done.
Participation is by invitation, and limited to registered delegates. The Developers Conference provides to Lighting Designers, System Integrators, Theatre Consultants, Production Electricians and Rental Technical staff.

If you need further information, please contact Peter Willis

North American Plugfest in July 2015!

The next PLASA Control Protocols Plugfest will be held July 24 through 27, 2015 at the D/FW Marriott Solana in Westlake, TX (Near the Dallas Forth-Wort Airport).

Plugfests are informal gatherings that give engineers and software developers the opportunity to test their product’s interoperability with a wide variety of other products using PLASA’s protocols. Recent plugfests have focused on RDM (E1.20) and Streaming ACN (E1.31), along with prototype implementations of RDMnet (E1.33).

The Control Protocols Plugfest plugfest is being held in conjunction with the July, 2015 PLASA Technical Standard Program meetings. Participation in the plugfest is free, and open to anyone who has an interest in the standards developed by the PLASA Control Protocols Working Group (CPWG).

See the PLASA TSP meeting schedule at http://tsp.plasa.org/tsp/meetings/index.php for hours, location, and information on hotel registration. Questions and further information can be found at the Control Protocol Forums http://www.rdmprotocol.org/forums/ , or by emailing sblair@rdmprotocol.org.

 

Background:
What is a plugfest? A plugfest is a chance to make sure your products work well with other products using the same protocol in an engineering “bits, bytes, and volts” focused environment.

There’s no formal agenda for a plugfest. Participants typically bring software products, hardware products, test equipment, etc.; anything that uses a PLASA standard protocols. In addition to existing products, it’s common to see prototypes and pre-release designs at a plugfest because it gives the developer a great chance to find, and fix bugs and interoperability issues before they cause problems for a customer.

Besides giving access to a wide variety of products, plugfests are attended by some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, with decades of experience in the room. If you have a problem or a question, chances are you’ll find someone who can answer it. In fact, the plugfests have been described by prior attendees as “Three days of free consulting”.

The PLASA CPWG does the hard work of writing control protocols. Plugfests are how me make sure those protocols deliver their promise in the real world.

European RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest –…

The dates for the next European RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest have now been announced.

The event will run Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th April 2015, in the UK, at Gatwick Manor, London Road at Lowfield Heath, just south of Gatwick Airport.

The Developers Conference provides a European forum for manufacturers, designers, consultants and prospective users to discuss and learn about the various control protocol standards emanating from the PLASA Technical Standards program, and aims to ensure that the adoption of these new standards achieves desired levels of interoperability and reliability.

Conference sessions will cover the use and implementation of the published RDM, sACN and ACN standards, together with other projects in the current PLASA Technical Standards Program such as”E1.33 : RDMnet”.

The “Plugfest” is a hands-on opportunity for product developers to try out their hardware and code implementations with products from a variety of other manufacturers. Participants enjoy the support from their industry peers in an environment that encourages co-operation and improved understanding of the standards, and aims to achieve high levels of interoperability. Typically, engineers participate in these events with the ability to code and debug aspects of their implementations on site, sometimes retreating to their hotel rooms to craft improvements before returning to the “Plugfest” to continue testing.

The sessions, despite their apparent informality, can be a valuable opportunity to learn how not to make the same mistakes, or misguided assumptions, as others may have done.

Participation is by invitation, and limited to registered delegates. The Developers Conference provides to Lighting Designers, System Integrators, Theatre Consultants, Production Electricians and Rental Technical staff.

European RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest 2014

PLASA Technical Standards in action.

PLASAtechnical announces that the RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest returns for 2014 and will take place on Thursday 24th, Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April, in the UK, at Gatwick Manor, London Road at Lowfield Heath, just south of Gatwick Airport.

The Developers Conference provides a European forum for manufacturers, designers, consultants and prospective users; and aims to ensure that the adoption of these new standards achieves desired levels of interoperability and reliability.

Conference sessions will cover the understanding, implementation and use of the published E1.20 and E1.37 RDM standards as well as the E1.31 sACN standard. Other projects in the current PLASA Technical Standards Program such as”E1.33 : RDMnet” will also feature.

In all, three new Control Protocol projects were proposed at the recent PLASA meetings, held in January in Dallas/Fort Worth Texas, and participants will have a chance to review and contribute to these important developments. The advancements in defining a standard method for firmware updates using RDM will also be presented.

The “Plugfest” is a hands-on opportunity for product developers to try out their hardware and code implementations with products from a variety of other manufacturers, with support from their industry peers in an environment that encourages co-operation and improved understanding of the standards, and with the aim of achieving high levels of interoperability. Typically, engineers participate in these events with the ability to code and debug aspects of their implementations on site, sometimes retreating to their hotel rooms to craft improvements before returning to the “Plugfest” to continue testing.

The sessions, despite their apparent informality, can be a valuable opportunity to learn how not to make the same mistakes, or misguided assumptions, as others may have done.

Participation is by invitation, and limited to registered delegates. The Developers Conference will also have relevance to Lighting Designers, System Integrators, Theatre Consultants, Production Electricians and Rental Technical staff. Thursday sessions will address all categories of participant, whilst the sessions on Friday and Saturday will target those who are actively engaged in or considering development and implementation testing. The” Plugfest “will run throughout.

A single registration fee of UK£95 per person (UK£75 for delegates from PLASA member companies, UK£50 Students) , payable in advance, covers participation and a buffet lunch.

Delegates may attend one or more days as they think appropriate. The registration fee is fixed, regardless of the number of days you attend, but you are required to indicate your proposed level of participation in advance. A discount is available for delegates from PLASA member companies.

Further information and signup will be available at http://www.plasa.org/rdm/

Any enquiries should be directed to Ron Bonner at PLASAtechnical. (tr@plasa.org)

It’s back! North American Plugfest Returns

The PLASA Control Protocols Plugfest, the event where manufacturers and developers can test their products for interoperability with other manufacturer’s products, is scheduled to take place January 17 through 20, 2014, at the Marriott Solana in Westlake, Texas. The Plugfest was created originally to support the Remote Device Management protocol (ANSI E1.20) but it has expanded to cover all the PLASA Control Protocol Working Group’s protocols, including the popular ANSI E1.31 Streaming DMX over ACN protocol, and now a draft version of RDMnet (BSR E1.33). In the past, Plugfest attendees from all over the world have brought controllers, dimmers, luminaires, analyzers, and various other tools and devices, and connected them all through a network to look for and to resolve problems; they will do the same this coming January. Complimentary coffee and snacks are served. There is no fee for participating in this North American Plugfest.

The scheduled hours are 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 9:00 a.m. to noon on Monday, January 20. A full schedule and a link for hotel reservations can be found at http://tsp.plasa.org/tsp/meetings/index.php. Reserve a room before the block is sold out! For more information or to register to participate in the Plugfest, contact Scott Blair at sblair@rdmprotocol.org

Plugfest Returns, RDMnet Draft Expected to Debut

The PLASA Control Protocols Plugfest, the event where manufacturers and developers can test their products for interoperability with other manufacturer’s products, is scheduled to take place August 2 – 5 at the DFW Marriott Solana in Westlake, Texas. A few implementations are expected of the draft standard for RDMnet, BSR E1.33, as the task group continues its work on the latest protocol being developed by the Controls Protocol Working Group of the PLASA Technical Standards Program. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Plugfest was created originally to support the Remote Device Management protocol (ANSI E1.20) but it has expanded to cover all CPWG protocols, including the popular ANSI E1.31 Streaming DMX over ACN protocol, and now draft versions of RDMnet (BSR E1.33). Plugfest attendees from all over the world bring controllers, lights, analyzers, and various other tools and devices, and connect them all through a network to look for and resolve problems. As the scope has grown, so has attendance, and consequently, the space. Complimentary coffee, bagels, and scones are served.

The scheduled hours are 4-11pm on Friday, 9am-11pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9am-12noon on Monday. The event is attended by members of the E1.20 (RDM), E1.31 (sACN), and E1.33 (RDMnet) task groups, who wrote the standards, and they are happy to provide their expertise. They will answer visitors questions and explain about protocols.

A full schedule and a link for hotel reservations can be found at the URL below. The deadline for hotel reservations is July 10, 2013. For more information or to register, contact Scott Blair at sblair@rdmprotocol.org