Artistic Licence Re-Designs Cata-Lynx

Artistic Licence has launched a redeveloped version of its popular Cata-Lynx DMX512 to Art-Net converter.
Simon Hobday, Artistic Licence Technical Director, said: "The original Artistic Licence Cata-Lynx converter was initially designed just as a handy widget, but since its release it has proved very popular, especially amongst those needing to bridge the gap between lighting and video control technology.
"However, with the new Art-Net technology Artistic Licence has been developing, re-designing the Cata-Lynx range means that the product will benefit from many of the new features seen in Data-Lynx, while retaining the high specification and functionality of the original Cata-Lynx."
The result is a choice of two products in a standard 1U Rack Unit: the Cata-Lynx I/P and the Cata-Lynx O/P.
Cata-Lynx I/P is a rack mounted DMX512 to Art-Net Ethernet converter with two universes.
It is aimed specifically at the light and video convergence market for use with media servers providing a cost effective and elegant method to remote control any Art-Net compliant media server, including High End Systems Catalyst and Green Hippo Hippotizer. It can also be used with Art-Net compliant visualisation software such as Cast Lighting's WYSIWYG and Design & Drafting's LD Assistant.
Cata-Lynx O/P has been designed at the request of Artistic Licence customers who need to convert Art-Net to DMX512 plus RDM functionality, all contained within a 1U rack-mounted format.
Cata-Lynx O/P sends Art-Net to two DMX512/RDM Universes. Each Universe output has a 'built-in splitter' allowing two DMX connection for each universe. This 'built-in' functionality, using two female XLR connectors, reduces the need for adding additional splitters within a Rack-Mounted system.
Both Artistic Licence Cata-Lynx units are designed with all data cable entries at the front of the product, including DMX512 connections via 5-pin XLR's and a latching network connection via Ethercon.
The front panel also displays LED indicators for Ethernet and Art-Net/DMX status, and three hexadecimal switches to determine Sub-Net, Universe A and Universe B selection.
Configuration for both units is carried out by simply selecting the required universe/sub-net using the front panel wheels. Alternatively, the product can be remotely configured using the free of charge DMX-Workshop software via the network or the internal web-server.
Universal mains input for both Cata-Lynx O/P and Cata-Lynx I/P is via an IEC connector located on the rear of the unit. Housed in a 1U rack mount unit they can live and tour quite happily in a standard dimmer rack.
Hobday explained: "We see our Cata-Lynx units as the means by which the Artistic Licence Art-Net range continues to extend into rack mountable format. They provide the ideal solution for designers who want to house all their main Art-Net to DMX-converted control systems in rack installations."
Further information is available at: www.artisticlicence.com.
(KMcA/BMcC)