Plugfest Returns, RDMnet Draft Expected to DebutPLASA 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 25-28 at the DFW Marriott Solana in Westlake, Texas. This meeting is expected to see some of the first implementations of the draft standard for RDMnet (BSR E1.33), the latest protocol being developed by the Controls Protocol Working Group (CPWG) of the PLASA Technical Standards Program. Everyone is welcome to attend. Plugfest has been a twice-annual event in North America for several years, and it has recently gone international. Last April, the first European Plugfest was held in London. Regular meetings of the event are held in January and July in Dallas, Texas. Attendees bring controllers, lights, analyzers, and various other tools and devices, and connect them all through a network to look for and resolve problems. People attend from all around the world in an effort to improve their products. Plugfest was originally created to support the Remote Device Management protocol (ANSI E1.20 RDM) but now it has expanded to cover all CPWG protocols, including the popular ANSI E1.31 Streaming DMX over ACN protocol. As the scope has grown, so has attendance, and consequently, the space. It began in a small suite but this year Plugfest moved into a large suite with room to grow. Complimentary coffee, bagels, and scones are served. The scheduled hours are 4:00-11:00pm on Friday, 9:00am-11:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9:00am to noon on Monday. The event is usually attended by most of the members of the E1.20 (RDM), E1.31 (sACN), and E1.33 (RDMnet) task groups, who wrote the standards; they are available to provide their expertise. Task group members will answer questions and explain about the protocols. This is an opportunity to take advantage of their knowledge and experience. PLASA invites the industry to drop in and experience Plugfest. A full schedule and a link for hotel reservations can be found at the URL below. The deadline for hotel reservations is January 7, 2013. For more information or to register, contact Scott Blair at sblair@rdmprotocol.org. 
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