Pharos VLC 1000 - Designer Video Lighting Controller with 512,000 DMX Channels in Black Finish

The Pharos VLC 1000 (Video Lighting Controller) is an exceptionally powerful and cost-effective solution designed specifically for large LED pixel arrays, such as building facades, bridges, and presentation walls. With the capability to manage a staggering 512,000 DMX channels, the VLC 1000 excels in environments that demand high performance and reliable integration. Its sleek black finish and compact design make it suitable for permanent installations, while its versatile functionality makes it a standout choice for professionals in the lighting industry.

The VLC 1000 is equipped with the advanced Designer Engine, which allows users to treat their light fixtures as a canvas for creative effects and video playback. The accompanying Designer 2 software enables fast setup and pixel-precise adjustments, allowing users to build intricate fixture layouts. The software's capability to create individually controllable and independently running timelines empowers users to design dynamic and visually striking pre-programmed lighting displays. This feature is particularly beneficial for complex installations that require both detailed planning and the flexibility to adapt on-the-fly.

One of the key features of the VLC 1000 is its high capacity and flexibility. The controller supports all commonly used eDMX protocols, including sACN, Art-Net I, and KiNET, transmitted over Gigabit Ethernet without restrictions on simultaneous usage. This level of flexibility ensures that users can implement a wide variety of lighting scenarios without being constrained by protocol limitations. The VLC 1000 is one of several variants within the VLC series, providing scalable options ranging from 512,000 channels up to a massive 768,000 channels, making it suitable for installations of any scale.

The controller features a high-definition DVI-D input that allows live video capture at resolutions up to 1080p60, along with internal video playback capabilities supporting various formats such as H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MJPEG, and QuickTime at resolutions up to 1080p30. With an internal 128GB SSD for media storage, users can easily manage and deploy content for their lighting displays. This combination of video and lighting capabilities enables a unique approach to multimedia presentations, enhancing the visual impact of events and installations.

The VLC 1000 also offers robust remote management capabilities through Pharos Cloud, allowing users to control their installations from anywhere in the world. This functionality includes real-time status checks, trigger firing, event scheduling, and project uploads, all accessible through a built-in web interface. The customizable interface supports an extensive JavaScript API, enabling users to create tailored controls that meet specific project requirements and aesthetic preferences.

For integration and triggering, the VLC 1000 utilizes the Designer Trigger system, which allows for responsive and reactive programming. The rules engine supports conditional logic and a broad range of interfaces and protocols, enabling users to send and receive commands from any system. Additionally, the controller's hardware and firmware are self-sufficient, eliminating the need for a dedicated PC on-site and ensuring continuous operation in demanding environments.

The VLC 1000 is designed with scalability in mind, allowing multiple Pharos Designer Controllers to be seamlessly linked together over a standard Ethernet network. This feature makes it easy to expand installations as needed, accommodating projects of varying sizes. Whether used as a standalone unit or integrated into a larger network of controllers, the VLC 1000 is easily programmed using the intuitive Designer software.

Features

• The VLC 1000 features a remarkable capacity of 512,000 DMX channels in a sleek black finish, designed for high-performance installations.
• Equipped with the Designer Engine for creative effects and video playback across large LED pixel arrays.
• Designer 2 software allows for fast setup and pixel-precise adjustments in fixture layouts.
• Supports all commonly used eDMX protocols (sACN, Art-Net I, KiNET) transmitted over Gigabit Ethernet without simultaneous usage restrictions.
• High-definition DVI-D input captures live video at resolutions up to 1080p60, with internal playback supporting major formats up to 1080p30.
• Includes an internal 128GB SSD for ample media storage, making it easy to manage and deploy content for displays.
• Remote management capabilities through Pharos Cloud allow global monitoring and control of installations.
• Customizable web interface supports extensive JavaScript API for tailored user controls and access management.
• Responsive programming enabled by the Designer Trigger system using conditional logic and built-in scripting for flexibility.
• Reliable hardware designed for 24/7 operation without needing a dedicated PC on-site.
• Scalable architecture supports linking multiple controllers over Ethernet for extensive lighting projects.
• Supports simultaneous operation of multiple protocols, maximizing control over lighting designs.
• Robust triggering capabilities with battery-backed real-time clock for calendar and time-based triggers.
• Compact design measures 19 x 13.5 x 1.8 inches and weighs 6.8 lbs, ideal for permanent installations in 1U rack space.
• Power requirements of 100-240V AC with a typical consumption of 40W and a maximum of 50W.
• Five-year warranty ensures reliability and support for installations.

Specifications

Supported Fixtures

• LEDs: RGB, RGBA, RGBW, RGBAW and W in any colour order, 8-bit or 16-bit
• Fixture Library: Pharos offers an online fixture library with over 30,000 fixture profiles, for easy download of your luminaires

Output

• sACN: ANSI E1.31 (with per fixture priority)
• Art-Net: Art-Net I, Art-Net II, Art-Net 3, Art-Net 4 (transmit only). Configurable broadcast override
• KiNET: KiNET V1, V2, V3; PDS/Data Enabler discovery
• Pathport: Pathway Connectivity protocol
• EDN: Via EDN: natively integrate, and output DMX, with the EDN
• SPI: Via EDN + SDI: synchronous and asynchronous serial data output
• DMX512: Via the EDN or any other eDMX node
• Audio Out: Audio Output with two audio layers; a background layer for ongoing audio, and an alert layer for high-priority overriding
• Simultaneous: Multiple protocols can be in operation simultaneously. Limited by patched channels, not universes used
• Scalable: Synchronises with up to 40 Pharos Designer Controllers over network

Triggering and Integration

• Startup: Commences programmed playback automatically on receiving power
• Clock: Battery-backed real-time clock for calendar and time-based triggers
• Astronomical: Sunrise/Sunset/Twilight and Lunar phases
• Ethernet: UDP, TCP, Multicast; send/receive any Ethernet message
• RS232 Serial: Configurable port; send/receive free syntax in ASCII, HEX or decimal
• RS485 Serial: Via RIO: configurable port; send/receive free syntax in ASCII, HEX or decimal
• eDMX: sACN or Art-Net
• Inputs: Via RIO: contact closure, active low, active high or 0-24V analog level
• Outputs: Via RIO: isolated relay outputs (48V, 250mA)
• MIDI: Via RIO A: MIDI Notes, SysEx or MIDI Time Code
• Timecode: Via RIO A: Linear Timecode (SMPTE, Film, EBU, NTSC)
• Audio Level: Via RIO A: stereo 30-band spectrum analysis
• DALI: Via RIO D: transmit and receive DALI commands
• Web Interface: Built-in or custom designed
• Wall Stations: Integrate with BPS, TPS 5 or TPS 8
• Conditions: Full conditional logic support
• Scripting: Lua scripting for total flexibility
• IO Modules: Supports our extensive IO Module library for easy integration
• Scalable: Supports Pharos Designer Remote Devices

Interfaces

• Ethernet: Network port for device access and management; Neutrik etherCON (RJ45 compatible) for 10/100/1000Base-TX Ethernet; Static IP or DHCP
• eDMX: Dedicated Ethernet port for lighting data; Neutrik etherCON (RJ45 compatible) for 10/100/1000Base-TX Ethernet; Static IP or DHCP
• DVI-D Input: Live video input to capture resolutions up to 1080p60
• DVI-I Output: DVI-I output (for future development)
• Serial: RS232 via DB9 connector
• USB: Two USB 2.0 Type A ports (for future development)
• Audio Out: Stereo analogue & digital audio ports with RCA connectors

Specifications

• Certifications: CE compliant, UKCA compliant, ETL/cETL listed, may be used as part of a Title 24 compliant lighting control system
• Power: 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz, 0.4-0.2A, 40W typical (50W maximum), IEC connector with switch (power cable not supplied)
• Configuration: Pharos Designer 2.2 or later
• Data Storage: Internal 128GB SSD (supplied)
• Temperature: 32F to 122F
• Humidity: 10-50% relative, non-condensing
• Ingress: IP20
• Physical: 19 x 13.5 x 1.8 inches, 6.8 lbs
• Shipping: 22 x 18 x 7 inches, 12 lbs
• Recovery: Hardware watchdog and recessed reset button
• Warranty: 5 years