GLP Gears Up for Key Fall Shows...and Ramps Up the X Factor

October will mark one of GLP's busiest periods ever -- on both sides of the Atlantic -- as the burgeoning X-series continues its journey, the company says.

Following the success of their X4 family on high profile tours and events this year, the German company is planning a dynamic presence at both this year's PLASA Show (London ExCeL October 4-6), with the announcement of several new products which will then carry over to LDI in Las Vegas, October 23-25 (Booth #571). The product showcase will include the new X4 L.

In London the company will have a dedicated section on the large booth of their UK distributor, AC Entertainment Technologies (#F30).

There is certain to be considerable interest in the new budget-conscious impression X1, the company says. This marks a departure from other products in GLP's X range, by featuring four high powered, 15W RGBW LED's, with a narrow fixed beam output, that offers continuous pan and tilt motion in a compact housing.

The fixed beam optics are interchangeable between different angles, starting with the standard 7°. The compact base of the impression X1 houses Neutrik PowerCon in and thru connectors for easy daisy chaining of multiple fixtures, whilst the power supply is fully auto sensing from 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz.

GLP's US president, Mark Ravenhill says that the X1 offers an inexpensive entry to GLP's ground-breaking technology -- particularly for the installation market and small to medium rental houses. "Aside from the considerable cost savings, what separates this from the X4S is that it is lighter, with a fixed beam of 7° -- interchangeable with other fixed angled beams, rather than a zoom," he says. "However, as it offers continuous pan and tilt rotation, it can produce a really fast spin."

Moving up the spectrum, the GLP impression X4 L offers a full package of a pixel mapping LED luminaire with a fast zoom operation from 7° to 50°.

An additional feature for the X4 L is an inbuilt accessory holder that can both set an indexed position or rotate continuously. Built to house beam shapers and other effect filters, this option adds an extra level of versatility in beam control.

For the color system, the X4 L houses 37 high power RGBW LEDs. With their quad color technology and 15W power, they provide both a broad palette and a crisp high intensity output.

Rounding out its comprehensive feature set, the impression X4 L offers smooth full range dimming (with no color shift), as well as electronic strobe functionality, variable color temperature correction, and 16-bit pan and tilt control.

Commenting on the product's main attributes, Ravenhill says, "What makes it unique are firstly the full pixel mapping control, so that you can run any kind of pattern across it, including lo-res video effects -- a feature we have consistently been asked for. The next cool thing is that the zoom mechanism has been redesigned so that it runs extremely fast -- as it is in the X4 Bar. Although it has the same zoom range as the other units in the range it almost snaps from one extreme to the other. Finally we have a beam shaper accessory built into the fixture which enables an optical accessory to be added in, which can then rotate." At launch GLP will have a standard beam shaper although that range will expand with user demand.

Finally, GLP will give a sneak preview of the next addition to the X4 series -- the X4 Atom. Although still under wraps, this is a non-moving fixture, using four-color Osram chip (justifying its position in the X4 range).

Compact yet bright, the X4 Atom supports an impressive 9:1 zoom ratio (3.5°-34°) -- but significantly it is also IP65 rated so it can be used outdoors, running from an external PSU / data box (initially a 12-output version).

"Since it uses the same format as industry standard color scroller cable, all the rental houses who have stopped using color scrollers can now get some new life out of their cable infrastructure," says Ravenhill. While the number of control channels is still to be finalized, the fixture promises smooth dimming with no color shift to maintain the high quality.

Ravenhill sees the target markets for the X4 Atom not only as a "beauty" or fill light in the TV world (as was originally intended) but thanks to its zoom, early field test reports show its strength as a great truss toner as well as a scenic uplight. An interlock mechanism allows a number of units to be built into configurations such as a 4-Lite, 8- Lite or any other shape, which will add further flexibility.