Laserworld - ShowNET PRO Interface

Professional network interface for laser control protected by a robust, weatherproof aluminum housing, therefore suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The Laserworld ShowNET PRO Interface is equipped with an integrated ShowNET DAC with display for easy control. It offers all the features of the standard ShowNET, the powerful laser control card with digital-to-analog converter (DAC), DMX / Art-Net, stand-alone and ILDA streaming functionality!

This interface can be used in different ways and combinations:

• As an automated playback system for laser shows
• As a DMX-triggered playback system for laser shows
• For ILDA streaming: as an ILDA IN - to - LAN - to - ILDA OUT adapter (ILDA range extender, ILDA over LAN, ILDA over network)
• As a DMX IN - to - LAN - to DMX OUT adapter

As an automated playback system for laser shows

Especially fixed installations of laser shows often require an automated playback system. In many cases it is not possible to install a computer-controlled system. Laserworld ShowNET interfaces come standard with a microSD card and can read standard ILDA files (*.ild), which can be exported by Laserworld Showeditor or any other laser software that supports ILDA file export.
After saving the desired files to the microSD card, a simple dip switch setting puts the interface into autoplay mode and it automatically starts playing the show files saved on the microSD card. There are also many preset figures already saved in the internal memory of the ShowNET interface, so they can also be used for autoplay.

As a DMX-triggered playback system for laser shows

As described above, the ShowNET can play standard ILDA files from a microSD card. This playback function not only works in autoplay, but also allows individual DMX triggering of individual patterns. Further changes to the figure, such as intensity, base color, size, offset etc. can be controlled via the standard DMX512 protocol, without having to save a specifically modified figure. This feature of the DMX-controlled laser playback system also makes ShowNET suitable for large-scale live laser show productions, where preset figures are often simply triggered via a highly professional lighting controller.

For ILDA streaming: as an ILDA IN - to - LAN - to - ILDA OUT adapter (ILDA range extender, ILDA over LAN, ILDA over network): two interfaces per signal line are required

Those who still use an older USB DAC interface often face the problem of having to run long ILDA cables. However, the possible overall length of the ILDA cables is limited due to the way the signal is transmitted. Therefore, some use USB to LAN extenders to transmit the USB signal over longer distances. However, these solutions do not always work reliably and, especially when it comes to lasers, it is important not to receive unwanted signals on the control line.

The Laserworld ShowNET interface can extend the ILDA signal from the ILDA output of any other ILDA output interface, for example a Pangolin Flashback 3 (FB3), over any distance, turning it into a TCP/IP network signal. This allows standard network switches and standard CAT cables to be used for signal distribution. Transmission via fiber optic cable is also possible.

Up to 16 interfaces can be used to feed the ILDA signal into the network and up to 16 interfaces to output it again. Each input interface gets an individual address (can be set with dip switches) and the receiving interface is set to the address of the corresponding receiver. So, all input interfaces can be connected to one network switch, all output interfaces are connected to another network switch and these two switches are connected by just one network cable! Of course, if only one signal line needs to be extended, there is no need for switches - a direct LAN cable is sufficient.

ShowNET hardware features

• 12-bit resolution X/Y scanner outputs (4096 different positions on each axis)
• 8-bit resolution color outputs (256 different intensity values ​​per color channel): red, green, blue, intensity linked to green
• DMX512 input and output (not isolated)
• 100 Mbit Ethernet port
• Flexible IP address setting: static address, DHCP or AutoIP
• Internal MicroSD card for ILDA file playback (ILDA 4/5 RGB format code), accessible via LAN
• Standalone operation and DMX IN/OUT via DMX adapter
• Maximum scan speed ~100,000 points per second (100 kpps)
• Up to 16 devices can be used in parallel for multi-projector laser shows
• Built-in Art-Net to DMX converter

Main features

• Touring grade aluminum housing with M10 thread for mounting clamps, fasteners, etc.
• IP64 protection rating
• Internal switch
• Safety eyelet
• 5-pin DMX input/output
• ILDA output
• Laser control card with DAC function for digital to analog signal conversion (ILDA laser output)
• DMX / Art-Net control
• Standalone operation
• ILDA streaming
• Fully compatible with the professional laser software Showcontroller
• Fully compatible with MadMapper / MadLaser and TouchDesigner and more

User benefits

• Full Ethernet control
• Ability to extend the ILDA signal from the ILDA output of any other ILDA interface
• Standalone SD memory card
• Supports scanning speeds up to 100 kpps
• Numerous control options for the laser: ILDA, Professional DMX (2 ways), Professional Art-Net (2 ways), stand-alone, Master/Slave, ILDA streaming receiver, LAN (computer control, built-in DAC)
• Case IP64

Areas of use

• Automated playback systems for laser shows (when it is not possible to install a computerized control system)
• Multi-laser configurations
• Indoor and outdoor laser shows

Technical characteristics

• Basic Patterns: over 120 (layers, tunnels, fences, waves, etc.)
• IP rating: 64
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 20 x 11.5 x 16 cm 
• Weight: 2.04 kg
• What's in the box:
  • ShowNET PRO Interface
  • microSD card 
  • Power cable
  • Manual