THE BASICS
A BTBeacon (where “BT” = BlackTrax) has one purpose — to declare its location in the defined Space in two ways. Firstly, it powers and sets the pulsing diode for the BTCams to recognize. Secondly, each BTBeacon also has a tiny radio to transmit redundant X,Y,Z (in the event of short term occlusion). The BTBeacon is patented, as well as FCC and CE approved.
The tracking speed is 100 frames per second. That’s the speed at which the precise coordinates of your target are calculated and streamed to the downstream technologies. It’s real-time!
The accuracy is ¼ inches at a 50-foot distance. BlackTrax can track this ping pong ball hanging from a drone with 7mm accuracy, extra delays might be added if the light is not fast enough to keep up, however the tracking accuracy is that precise, especially important for multimedia uses. Check this video.
The standard BTSolution installation easily covers a 50 foot diameter. BlackTrax is scalable – from a small space to a stadium. Longer distances/bigger spaces can be achieved by using higher resolution BTCams, more BTCams, and/or different lenses. Upgrading packages can increase the distance up to 700 feet away (213 meters). It comes down to determining the right configuration for your needs. Tell us what you have in mind and we can quickly let you know.
At any one time up to 255 Tracking Points (connected to up to 85 BTBeacons) can be tracked in the space. Each BTBeacon can power/manage up to 3 BTStringers. You might use single or multiple Tracking Points on a Trackable – depending on your needs (multimedia usually has heavy demands). Offstage (out of sight) Trackables do not conflict with those in the Space.
IN-DEPTH INFO
The RTTrPL protocol from BlackTrax to a merge node, then we listen to the console via Art-Net or sACN.
For example, 2 hours for 2 persons? or 3 hours for 1 person?
We have installed BT in lots of places and many demos, usually one or two people go out for the original install and then we train dedicated people to look after the set up. A huge arena size touring show went out early May 2015, with 20 cameras and 60 active beacons running, with four days in a venue then they move on to the next. The tour is already booked for two years travelling in the States. Two people from CAST did the original install and trained the show people, the show provided two dedicated personnel for the show run to look after everything and manage the 60 BTBeacons per show.
Yes, and this is how shows are doing it today, plus the BTBeacons also come with a special, purpose-built pouch.
The Pouches are included and does not require additional cost.
We are currently running 44.5 ft cables from a BTBeacon to LEDs.
Normal Perform when used as a standalone in the server, but when in tracking mode becomes something called BTWyg and shows your tracking working information only, to help you very quickly understand what the system is doing. In addition, all touch screen based, Perform and BTWyg will only work in the presence of the server – the dongle is permanently built in. Currently there is a mandatory annual membership fee for a single BT as a system, which includes all new features and tech support for the whole system.
Yes, and this is covered already in the yearly mandatory BlackTrax Maintenance fee.
Today it is done directly with CAST. During the sale cycle we recommend that a touring show take some spares with them, as potential server failure can only be covered if a second server is purchased (otherwise it will take time to repair).
BlackTrax has the ability to work within described virtual zones and cause what we call an event e.g. (Trigger Points). For instance, build a virtual rectangle onstage that delineates a wall that you would have to walk through to leave the stage and BT will be able to turn on or turn off lights.
Although technically possible but not a current feature, in the future we might be able to do remarkable things such as:
1. Stop panning a robotic camera as you leave the stage and allow you to walk out of the picture.
2. Mute your wireless microphones until you return back to the stage.
3. Trigger a projected video to give you any creative effect you can dream up, e.g. project a door shutting as you leave the stage.
At the moment we suggest Luminode. Also, we are open to any third party device working with BlackTrax and the protocol is published on Github for developers. We recommend the following:
Luminode 1 – 2 processing engines & 1 DMX port
Luminode 2 – 4 processing engines & 2 DMX ports
Luminode 4 – 6 processing engines & 4 DMX ports
Luminode 12 – 16 processing engines & 12 DMX ports
More information can be found here: https://www.luminex.be/products/luminode/
Yes BT also controls zoom and iris for you, based on positional information of the BT Beacon. It will also douse and restore lights based on this position.
No, you can use any lights from your rig at anytime and always send them back to your console’s control when you want, in fact your console is completely in charge of all of this.
None, you can only see it working.
Yes, we have successfully developed a feature in BlackTrax to talk to and control lasers. In our tests we’ve been controlling a Kvant laser via DMX with beautiful results. Check out the video: