chapter one
introduction
The
Expression Show Control System (ESCS) allows you to program and run
complex, automated lighting effects controlled by SMPTE (Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers) time code received by the system.
An
ESCS consists of at least one Programmable Show Controller (PSC) and may
also include any number of
Remote Show Controllers (RSCs). Both units contain
the same control electronics, but the
RSC cannot be programmed directly. When
you are creating or editing a show,
RSC show information must be created and
recorded on a
PSC, then downloaded to the RSC. A Designer’s Worksheet
digitizer tablet and video monitor allow you to program the
PSC. In addition, the
PSC allows you to save the shows you create on 3.5-inch disks and print show
information on an optional parallel printer. Once you have programmed a
PSC (or
downloaded show information to an
RSC), its lighting effects run automatically,
with timing control provided either by externally generated SMPTE time code, or
by the
ESCS’s internal clock.
Each
ESCS unit outputs 512 DMX512 control signals. It also contains a mainte-
nance panel that allows you to perform some operations without connecting the
digitizer and monitor.
This chapter includes information to orient you to the system and the manual
. It
includes the following sections:
•
Features
•
Using this manual
•
Text conventions
•
Customer support