ENTTEC's Datagate Mk2 Works with More Protocols, Mobile Devices

TouchOSC Layout

(pictured) TouchOSC Layout: To be more mobile friendly, ENTTEC now supports the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol on the Datagate Mk2. The Datagate Mk2 can respond to OSC commands offering integration with the iPad, iPod, iPhone, and Android devices.

Now the Datagate Mk2 supports sACN and OSC protocols, and sports a new Compressor module

Melbourne – Three new features make the Datagate Mk2 Version 1.2 more interactive, scalable, and adjustable. ENTTEC's popular Ethernet-DMX networking tool now supports the Streaming ACN protocol (sACN), opening it up to use by more customers. The addition of the OSC protocol allows it to work easily with mobile devices. And its new Compressor module allows the user to proportionately reduce levels on all 512 channels like a throttle.

What makes the Datagate Mk2 different from other Ethernet-DMX nodes is the myriad of data manipulation tools in conjunction with easy visual programming.

The Datagate Mk2's new Compressor block reduces output values of whatever data source is sent through it, in proportion to a designated control channel. Acting like an inhibitive submaster on many hardware consoles, this feature may be used to limit output originating as a static scene, or from live DMX input.

To be more mobile friendly, ENTTEC now supports the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol on the Datagate Mk2. The Datagate Mk2 can respond to OSC commands offering integration with the iPad, iPod, iPhone, and Android devices. Users of desktop and laptop computers have OSC fluent applications to choose from as well. Popular titles, like Touch OSC and Lemur allow users many different ways to integrate a custom front end or interact with ready-made ones, turning their mobile devices into control surfaces for 32 DMX channels with the Datagate Mk2. Those 32 channels may in turn be leveraged to provide nearly limitless control options, when connected to the Datagate Mk2's various switching and compressing signal processor modules. The Datagate Mk2 with OSC control also works with ENTTEC's newly launched lighting control software, D-PRO.

“Using TouchOSC and the TouchOSC editor you can easily create custom layouts which tie directly to the OSC protocol and D-Pro playback modules in the Datagate Mk2,” said Carl Spaulding, ENTTEC's Sales Manager for the Northern Region, U.S. and Canada.

The addition of the sACN protocol allows the Datagate Mk2 to talk to a broader range of equipment. ENTTEC's sACN development partner DesignLab, based in Chicago, was instrumental in implementing this new protocol on the Datagate Mk2. Additionally, DesignLab will be the first rental house offering the Datagate Mk2 to the production rental market in the United States.

Originally launched in 2010, the Datagate Mk2 is a powerful network node that has easy-to-use Visual Profile Editing and incredible flexibility. Available protocols now include: Art-Net; DMX; Kinet; ESP; OSC; and sACN. Available tools include: Merging; DMX generating; switching; shifting; and compressing. It can natively play back up to 99 cue lists exported from ENTTEC's D-Pro control software and can be upgraded to an RDM controller and RDM sensor data management tool.

About ENTTEC Pty Ltd and ENTTEC Americas, LLC

ENTTEC Pty Ltd of Melbourne, Australia designs and manufactures innovative lighting control systems for entertainment and other specialty applications. While budget friendly, ENTTEC is committed to delivering quality lighting products and a high level of support and service to loyal customers all over the world. Their range of nearly 100 products includes the popular DMX USB PRO, groundbreaking RDM tools, DMXIS (a 2009 Rock Our World Award winner), and professional lighting control software, D-PRO. In 2009 ENTTEC introduced Aleph Lighting (www.alephlighting.com), a creative line of LED lighting solutions. ENTTEC Americas, LLC, based in Hillsborough, N.C., imports and distributes all ENTTEC products to the North American market.

For more information, go to www.enttec.com or contact Jeremy Kumin, general manager of ENTTEC Americas, LLC, at [email protected] or 888-454-5922 (U.S. voice and fax).