| Laser light shows add a dramatic
effect to a corporate presentation, a trade event or any instance
where media is being used to entertain.
Laser Defined
Laser is an aronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation.
The radiation from lasers is light, a non-ionizing form of
electro magnetic radiation, which is around us all the time.
It is only dangerous under certain circumstances such as when
a laser beam is projected into the eye, onto the skin or onto
flammable materials.
CD players and CD-ROM drives use low power laser diodes to
read data from the disk.
Characteristics Of Laser Light
Laser is a spectacular visual medium characterised by its
narrow beam and concentrated brightness.
Laser light does not diverge with distance like a normal
light or torch, rather is stays concentrated in its diameter,
even over long distances.
Laser power is measured in watts, but is not comparable to
wattages of light bulbs. Light bulbs disperse light in multi-directions,
whereas laser concentrates the light beam to a confined diameter,
so appears brighter for the same wattage.
The higher the wattage, the brighter and broader the beam.
Laser Light Show Systems
Simple multi-media shows may use a "Laser FX" unit
which projects multiple colour images in response to a music
system.
A laser Show System consists of a controller, a projector,
and a laser. Usually the projector and laser are enclosed
in one unit. We already talked about the laser.
Controller
The controller is usually dedicated to creating certain effects,
such as beams, patterns or graphics. The Controller sends
signals to a projector's telling it how to move the laser
beam right, left, up, down, etc. For some systems, such as
our Laser Choir, a DMX unit provides sufficient provides control.
More advanced systems, such as our Clubcat, use a dedicated
CPU or computer controller to provide the facility to handel
complex graphical imagery.
There are two types of primary controllers styles each with
flexibility, versatility and power: Beam/Fan/Abstract Controllers
and Graphics Controllers.
Projector
The projector contains a scanning system [Galvo] used to
direct the laser beam. The Galvo is capable of moving the
light at high speeds. A basic application will have a single
scanner or a pair of scanners for X,Y positioning. A third
Z scanner is added for "blanking" effects. Blanking
is blocking of the beam, such as used to separate individual
letters of a word.
Laser
The lasers used for public presentations are normally under
5mw of power. This level is considered "eye safe"
and do not require a license to operate.
If you are considering purchasing a laser ensure it meets
US safety and legal requirements. Many systems imported to
the USA, as typically sold on EBAY DO NOT meet these requirements
and can emit very dangerous laser power levels.
Recommended Laser Presentation Format
- Use as many lasers as possible for a more dramatic effect.
- To give the illusion of multiple beams, mirrors can be
positioned so when the beam hits them, it ricochets around
your room.
- Use the most sophisticated Controller you can. Motion
and variety are what attract and entertain.
- Using a Graphics controller adds complex and intricate
on screen projections.
- Use a USA certified system.
Resources
USA
- ABO Lighting Co., Ltd.
- Manufacturer of laser and disco lights.
- FirstLight Laser
Productions - ADAT format laser light shows and ADAT
and Showtime show programming for Planetariums and other
venues.
- Holo-Spectra Inc.
- Worldwide sales, rental, repair and installation of laser
effects. Specialist in laser projectors and control software.
Los Angeles, CA.
- International Laser
Productions - Laser system manufacture for advertising
and entertainment. Programming and design services.
- Kozmic Lazer
Show - Indoor and outdoor laser and pyrotechnic displays.
- Laser Fantasy International
- Laser show production, architectural lighting designs
and custom installations for theme parks, expositions, attractions,
corporate events, sports venues, festivals, entertainment
centers and museums. Bellevue, WA.
- Laser Images, Inc.
- Laserium laser concerts. Manufacturer of laser projection
systems for worldwide clients, laser special effects for
television and motion pictures, trade shows and conventions,
touring companies, theme parks, and other special event
productions. Van Nuys, CA.
- Laser Innovations
- Manufacturer of entertainment laser systems. All our systems
are available for sale or hire. From high powered lasers
to Controllers, we have the solution.
- Laser
Physics Ltd. - Development and manufacture of laser
equipment. Design and installation of laser show systems
for television, film and theater.
- Laser Show Technology
- Explores the hardware used to make laser shows. Little-known
details of early pioneering shows are revealed, including
the use of resonant scanners, vibrating mercury pools, and
other unusual special effects.
- Laserlight Showdesign
- Design, production and performance of laser, intelligent
lighting, pyrotechnics and fountain installations. Custom
software programming and show creation. Distributor for
advanced show technology products and producer of popular
ShowControl and BEAMagic software programs. Software workshops
and show programming seminars. ILDA-Member.
- Lasersmith Light Show
Systems - Lasersmith Light Show Systems produces laser
light shows and laser show equipment for use in conventions,
trade shows, casinos and special events.
- Long Island
Laser Works - Laser light shows for corporate events,
outdoor events, private parties, television, clubs, and
raves.
- Mobolazer - Manufacturer
of DPSS green laser systems, Argon and Argon-Krypton gas
laser systems, graphics projectors, graphics playback and
design systems for the entertainment industry.
- New Method
Lasers (NML) - Manufacturer and wholesale distributors
of laser lightshow hardware, X29 software, equipment, and
systems for laser light shows. Largo, FL.
- Oracle Laser
Productions - Laser system manufacture and event design.
- Pangolin Laser Systems
Inc. - Software and products for producing laser light
shows, and laser displays. Extensive information regarding
laser show technology.
- Precision Projection Systems
- Installation of large permanent laser show systems. Also,
subsystem, module, and component sales. Cerritos, CA.
- Showlasers, Inc.
- Laser show equipment, installation and show production.
Dallas, TX.
- Spectra-Physics
- Manufacturer of diode pumped, ultrafast, Nd:YAG, ion,
entertainment and CW tunable lasers. Mountain View, CA.
- Stellar Designs Inc.
- Laser show production. Full-color 3D laser graphics and
beam effects, as well as production services, for venues
ranging from ballrooms to arenas.
- Technological Artisans,
Inc. - Laser show system rentals, sales and installation,
and component sales. New York City.
- Zechlaser - Laser
show systems, laser lettering devices with separate controls,
and CO² laser and cutting systems.
Europe
- Cambridge Lasers
Laboratories, Inc. - International sales, rentals and
repairs of water-cooled ion laser systems.
- Laser Visuals Limited
- Suppliers of DPSS lasers, pc based controllers, scanners,
complete systems built to any spec and virtually any other
component required including holographic effects. Available
for any UK hire.
- Laser Animation
- Involved in laser light production for promotional, entertainment,
and private events. UK based.
- Laser
Electronics Ltd. - Sales, repair and reprocessing of
lasers, laser systems, laser controllers. Laser images/graphic
creation for hire. Located in the UK.
- Laser Electronics,
Ltd. - Suppliers of lasers and laser light show equipment
for leisure, film, and television. Lincolnshire, United
Kingdom.
- tarm Showlaser - Based
in Bochum, Germany. Laser show entertainment, equipment
and special events. Includes photo gallery of past shows.
- Laserland GmbH
- International laser and multimedia show production. Manufacturer
of high end laser show and multimedia systems. Germany.
- Freitag Technologies
GmbH - Laser show production, showlaser rental, custom
design services. Sales of optics, electronics, and accessories.
Located in Germany.
Asia Pacific
- LDS LightDesign
Australia - Laser show production, architectural lighting
designs and custom installations for theme parks, expositions,
attractions, corporate events, sports venues, festivals,
and entertainment centers. Sydney, Australia.
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