With the rapid development of science and technology, modern technology has contributed to the development of film and television technology. As a product of modern technology in film and television lighting technology, computer lights are used more and more widely in the production process of TV programs, especially in some variety shows, and the usage is also increasing, and there is a trend to replace conventional ordinary lamps. Computer lights only appeared on the television stage in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At first, in some large-scale outdoor concerts abroad, in order to enhance the atmosphere of the scene, some motor-controlled bobbin lights (PAR lights) were used to generate light beams that could swing and change colors. Looking back, this may be the original shape of the computer light. As a real computer lamp, it appeared in the middle and late 1980s. With the development of science and technology, especially the rapid development of digital computer technology, computer lights have evolved from the initial analog era to today's digital era. Today, computer lights have developed into a very large family, with at least hundreds of brands.

Faced with such a large group of computer lights, as a TV lighting technology worker, he must study and explore seriously as a subject, fully understand its development trends and technical characteristics, use computer lights correctly, and better produce TV programs. service. In addition, most computer lights are imported equipment, and the purchase and maintenance costs are relatively high, so we should try our best to minimize losses during daily use. Once a computer lamp is damaged, it is more difficult to repair, and many repair parts still need to be imported. Therefore, it is very necessary to fully understand the technical characteristics of computer lights and the attention problems in use. Based on the author's long-term work experience, the technical characteristics of computer lights and the attention issues in use are described below.

Technical characteristics of computer lights:

 There are many models and brands of computer lights, domestic, imported, scanning, and shaking heads, but they all boil down to the following characteristics.

1. Structural characteristics of computer lights

 There are roughly two types of computer lights that are popular nowadays according to their structure. One is a lens scanning computer light, and the other is a moving head computer light. The lens scanning computer lamp uses a reflective lens on the front of the lamp body to swing to project the beam. The lens is driven by two motors, pitch and azimuth, to complete vertical and horizontal swings. Its biggest advantage is that the lens is very light, it is very convenient and quick to control, and it can produce very fast beam movement changes. The disadvantage is that the beam movement range is small due to the influence of the reflector axis. Therefore, it is more suitable for suspension use. The moving head computer lamp is the original design form when the computer lamp originated. Its advantage is that the rotation of the lamp body drives the movement of the beam, and the rotation range is large, and it can be rotated 360°. This kind of movement effect can produce a full-fledged visual experience on the stage. The disadvantage is that the power of the motor that drives the head is larger, which causes the lamp body to be heavier. However, with the advancement of science and technology, this shortcoming has been gradually overcome, making this kind of lamps have been developed by leaps and bounds in recent years, and has become the mainstream computer lamp on the TV stage today. The volume can be made small, the weight can be made very light, and it is very convenient to use. The functions of this kind of computer lights are becoming more and more complete. From the beginning, limited by technology, it can only do simple color changing effects. It has been developed into a computer light that can produce very rich artistic effects, just like a lens scanning computer light. To

2. Features of computer lights

As a typical representative of modern lamps and lanterns, the functions of computer lights can be said to be very complete: generally include light color change, three primary color combination change, light brightness change, pattern combination change, pattern rotation change, prism effect change, soft light effect change, lens Changes in aperture contraction, lens focus changes, lens zoom changes, beam strobe changes, etc. In recent years, some computer light manufacturers have begun to consider connecting the computer light with video equipment, so that the computer light can project infinitely changing patterns and produce richer and splendid artistic effects.

3. Control characteristics of computer lights

Scanners are composed of actuators and control elements. The change of each output light of the scanner, that is, the movement of the light beam, the color of the light, the projected pattern, the brightness of the light, etc., are all controlled by the execution motor. The optics are completed. The control of the scanner is done by the computer. Each scanner is equipped with one or several CPUs. Through the processing of the CPU, the instructions given by the scanner console to reflect the artistic creation of lighting are sent to each action motor. These control commands are a set of digital signals issued by the computer. Each movement of the motor corresponds to a digital code, and each change of the output beam corresponds to a set of numbers. The commonly used control signal is DMX512 signal.

4. The use characteristics of computer lights

The light source of computer lights is generally provided by gas discharge bulbs, and the output light is high color temperature light (5600～6300k), while the output light of ordinary lamps is low color temperature light (2900～3200k). Therefore, computer lights are generally suitable for use as effect lights, and can produce beautiful TV pictures with peculiar lighting effects through TV cameras (the color temperature is generally adjusted to 2900 ~ 3200k). In addition, due to the high cost of the computer light, it has created its mobility characteristics. It can't be fixed in the studio like ordinary lamps, but according to the requirements of program production, the use position and venue should be changed at any time. Continuous transportation and installation during the flow process can easily cause damage to the lamps. To

Problems to be paid attention to in the use of computer lights

1. Problem with setting address code of scanner

 The computer lights are controlled by digital signals, using the internationally common DMX512 control protocol. Each lamp must have its own code, and the commands issued by the console use this code to identify each lamp. The encoder of the scanner is generally installed at the rear of the lamp (lens scanning scanner) or the base of the lamp (moving head scanner). Nowadays, the commonly used encoders are digital and switch.

Digital encoder is relatively simple to set up, usually through the encoder menu, turn to the address setting by turning the page, and then use the "+" (up/∧) "-" (down/∨) symbol key on the encoder To change the size of the number, after confirming, press the "ENTER" key to confirm. For example, a computer light with 20 channels. If the starting address code of the first lamp is 1, it is set to "001"; the starting address code of the second lamp is 21, it is set to "021"; in turn, the twenty-first lamp The lamp start address code is 401, so set it to "401". Now our commonly used "COMAR" computer lights and "STUDIOCOLOR" and "STUDIOSPOT" computer lights use the above coding method.

 In addition, there are many scanners that use switch-type encoders. It is composed of 9 small two-position switches (there are exceptions). When the switch is placed in the "on" position, it indicates that the numerical code represented by this switch is effective. The address code values ​​corresponding to switches 1 to 9 are shown in Table 1. For example: to set the scanner with the starting address code of 1, set the switch "1" to "on"; to set the scanner with the starting address code of 41, set the switches "1" and "4" And "6" are set to "on"; by analogy, the address codes of all scanners can be set.

2. The problem of matching between scanner and scanner console

 At present, there are countless domestic and foreign manufacturers producing computer light consoles of different models and brands. All these scanner consoles have a common feature, that is, they fully consider the humanized design concept, their control functions are powerful, the operation is simple, and the use is convenient. However, each brand has its own characteristics, and the output control signals are not the same, and some can not output DMX512 control signals. Therefore, when choosing a console for our scanners, we must consider the matching problem and see if the selected console can output the current worldwide DMX512 control signal. Also take a look at how many control ports the console has. Usually, the number of scanners controlled by a DMX512 control port is limited. The more control ports, the more scanners can be controlled. The number of scanners (N) that can be controlled by a DMX512 control port can be calculated by the following formula: N=512/Nc (where Nc is the number of channels of a scanner)

3. The signal line problem of the scanner

 Scanners are digital devices. They are connected in series through signal lines and execute commands from the scanner console to complete various actions (light movement, color change, pattern change, etc.). Therefore, the importance of the signal line can be imagined. If a certain signal line has a hidden danger, it will cause the control of the entire system to be disordered and fail to operate normally. In addition, pay attention to the control length of the signal line. Normally, the control length of the signal line should not exceed 150m. Otherwise, the control signal will be attenuated seriously and the computer lights cannot be controlled well. If the signal line is too long, consider adding a signal amplifier. In retrospect, many of the faults we encountered in actual work were caused by signal lines. Therefore, carefully measuring each signal line before connecting the signal line, and appropriately adding a signal amplifier in the control loop, is the author's long-term work experience, which can often achieve the effect of getting twice the result with half the effort. To

4. Power supply problem of computer lights

In the entire TV program production system, the lighting system consumes the most electricity. The power supply department generally provides a special power transformer to power the lighting system. The three-phase power output by the power supply has a phase voltage of 380V, and the power supply of the computer lights is 220V, 50Hz. Pay special attention when supplying power to the scanner. Do not connect the 380V phase voltage. Otherwise, the circuit board in the scanner will be burned and the entire lamp will be scrapped. Attention should also be paid to the power consumption of each computer light. Because there are many electrical equipment in the computer light, there are various motors, circuit boards, light bulb starting equipment and so on. If a computer light is calibrated to 1200W, its power consumption is generally about 2000W. In addition, pay attention to the problem of the neutral wire and ground wire of the power supply. If the power supply protection ground wire of the scanner is not properly connected, it may cause damage to the lamp. To

5. Transition and transportation of computer lights

 As a mobile lighting device, computer lights are very mobile, and they often need to be transferred every few days. Therefore, it is very necessary to make transportation packing boxes for computer lights. Some manufacturers’ computer lights are equipped with special packaging boxes, so please pay attention to the instructions when purchasing. Otherwise, it is necessary to ask a manufacturer specializing in the production of aviation packaging boxes to design and produce. Scanners are generally heavy, so pay special attention when carrying them. In addition to paying attention to personal safety and not causing personal injury, you must also understand the structure of the Fixtures. Generally, there are carrying handles on the lamp body. Never touch it or move it at will. , It may damage the shaft and optical components of the lamp. To

6. Stage installation problem of computer lights

When the computer lights are in use, most of them are suspended above the stage. Therefore, the safety and reliability of the suspension should be paid enough attention. This not only involves the personal safety of the actors and staff, but also takes into account the expensive equipment costs. It is quite difficult to repair the damage. To

7. Programming and artistic creation of computer lights

The ultimate goal of using computer lights is to better set off and render the artistic effects of stage programs. Every computer light operator must, on the premise of fully understanding the function of the computer light, compile a computer light control program according to the content of the stage program, and express the lighting effect appropriately, and must not overwhelm the audience and turn the program into a program. Light show.

Based on the above, as the concrete embodiment of modern lamps and lanterns, each of our specific operators can only fully understand the technical characteristics of the scanner, set an accurate address code for the scanner, choose a matching console, and connect it correctly. The signal line, correctly connected to the power supply, and mastered the correct installation method can better provide perfect technical services for the production of film and television programs.