glossary book
Show Laser Glossary, Definitions & Explanations This Glossary shall provide general definitions for terms used on this website as well as give some background information on terms and topics used in show laser and entertainment industry.
If you find a mistake or if you have suggestions for additional terms, please drop an E-Mail to [email protected]

Glossary - Terms and DefinitionsGlossary - Terms and Definitions

Music mode is also known as "sound-to-light mode" and is a specific form of automatic mode. In music mode, a lighting fixture or show laser is controlled by music. The music is usually captured via an integrated microphone in the laser. The microphone sensitivity can be easily adjusted using a rotary control.

A mainboard (also known as a motherboard) is a printed circuit board that contains the main electronic components of a computer or any other processor-driven system. The components on a mainboard are connected to each other via conductor tracks. The integrated ShowNET mainboard is about the size of a credit card and contains the processor as well as the SD card slot for loading your own ILDA files, animations, and frames.

The Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) is the highest laser power that is considered safe for the eye. This value usually ranges in the allowed level for laser class 2. The term is mainly used when specifying the safety of an audience scanninglaser show.

See this video for the explanation of the difference between MPE and Accessible Radiation (AR):

What is a Mesh Screen?

A mesh screen is used to display laser graphics, logos, patterns, etc on it. Without any projection surface, fog, haze, etc. laser beams will not become visible.
Mesh screens are made of a thin textile material with many small holes in it - comparable to a fishnet. It is suitable for front projections as well as rear projections.
The term gauze screen is used as a synonym for mesh screen.

Picture of a Mesh Screen (right side)

gauze screen

Further information on Laser Screens

What is a multimedia show?

A multimedia show is an entertainment event where several forms of media, such as audio, video, light etc. are included. Show laser projections, as beams, graphics and texts, are combined with effects like fire, pyrotechnics, water, video projections, music and the like. All these effects create impressive multimedia shows together with the right music, especially highlighted and underlined by the laser effects.

Where are multimedia shows used?

Multimedia shows with laser displays and different kinds of other media are especially used for large sporting events, openings, concerts, musicals and other huge stage shows.

Is it difficult to display a multimedia show?

For beginners it is not that easy to sychnronize all media, but well-trained show production designers will be able to implement even the biggest laser and multimedia show installations.

Aquamedia

By combining water and laser beams it is possible to create impressive new effects. The laser beams are reflected by the surface of the water, watershields are used as a projection surface and on water fountains whole laser shows are displayed.
See more examples of water & laser effects


Fire

Pyrotechnical and / or flame effects enhance laser shows and draw the attention of the audience.


Which show laser suits best for a multimedia show?

Depending on the scale of your multimedia show, it is strongly recommended to use professional to high-end show laser systems. The bigger your venue, the more power should your laser light offer. When you decide to use show laser devices in combination with water effects, then you should consider laser displays with water proof housings. For graphics projectionsfast scanning systems are needed.

Examples of multimedia shows

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Multimedia Projects

Learn more about multimedia shows

What is a nightclub laser?

A nightclub laser is a laser system for entertainment purposes especially used in clubs and discotheques. These single or multi-color laser systems are usually accompanied by music and sound effects as well as fog machines, video-projections, etc. Combining laser light systems with melodies emotionalizes people through a multitude of audio-visual impacts. Rhythmic beats are accompanied by different illumination effects that harmonize to the lyrics and underline the mood of the sound.

How do nightclub lasers work?

These laser projectors display focused laser beams and effects such as animated images and patterns on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces without refocusing even over a long distance. Laser systems exist as single or multi color show lasers and are sometimes combined with accessories such as mirrors, projection screens, remote projector heads, and other devices, to display different kinds of beam effects.

Which nightclub laser do you recommend?

That depends strongly on your venue. The bigger your location, the more power your show laser should provide. To reduce maintenance efforts you should consider buying a laser light with a dust proof housing - look for laser systems with Sealed Housing Technology.  If you want to show own graphics and animations, a show laser system with ILDA connection and fast scanning system will suit best for your purpose.
Laserworld offers many laser lights from budget version to high-end professional system, there is no limit. But also small laser systems for beginners can fit in your club. With their music and automatic modes, there is no need in training show laser software programming. Just start the laser and enjoy pre-programmed patterns like tubes, waves, circles, etc. Bring back the nightlife to your club.
For further information on finding a specific nightclub laser, please refer to our tool "Find Your Laser"

Examples of nightclub laser shows

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#Nightclub laser shows


Learn more about nightclub lasers and nightclub laser shows

Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser is a laser light technology which is used by laser sources manufacturer Coherent in its Taipan and Viper laser sources. The term is abbreviated with OPSL.

>>> For details see the definition of OPSL >>>

What is an outdor laser show?

An outdoor laser show is an open-air event for entertainment purposes, consisting of displays of constantly moving laser lights. You may see outdoor laser shows at festivals, concerts, street parades, in amusement parks, on cruise ships and the like. Outdoor show laser light systems project effects such as animated images and patterns on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces using single and multi-colored laser lights. Usually laser beams and effects are accompanied by music and sound effects as well as video-projections and water screens creating huge and impressive show laser events. Outdoor laser shows are mainly multimedia events, where laser beams are combined with sound, light and video projections, but also sky or landmark laser shows where laser beams are shot into the sky over a particular area are common outdoor laser shows.

What are the best show lasers for an outdoor laser show?

Our high-end laser systems of the RTI PIKO and RTI NANO Series or of the tarm G and the tarm HD Series are particularly suitable for such events. Especially suitable for outdoor logo projections and fixed installations is the Laserworld PL-5500RGB Outdoor show laser system, as seen in the video below.

Find more information about outdoor lasers:

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#Outdoor laser shows

What is OPSL?

OPSL is an abbreviation for optically pumped semiconductor laser which describes a technology that is used by Coherent for their special show laser modules.
The construction principle of OPSL sources is complicated, but in general the benefits from the resonator principle (DPSS and gas lasers) and the semi conductor principle (Diodes) are combined. Due to this a comparativley compact module design with high performance and excellent beam parameters becomes possible. However, these OPSL components are relativley expensive.


Further details and a comparison to other laser sources can be found here: advantages of OPSL technology

What is an outdoor laser?

An outdoor laser is a show laser system especially suited for open-air events. Outdoor lasers are being used for festivals, street parades, concerts, on cruise ships, in amusement parks, for displaying graphics on mountains, as sky laser systems, etc. Outdoor lasers can display large beam shows for big audiences as well as demanding graphics and animation laser shows. Outdoor lasers exist as single-color solution and as multi-color systems that are capable of displaying laser rainbows into the sky. They suit very well for multimedia shows by combining the powerful laser beams with sound, conventional light, fire, water and other effects.

What are the best show lasers for an outdoor laser show?

Our high-end laser systems of the RTI PIKO and RTI NANO Series or of the tarm G and the tarm HD Series are particularly suitable for such events.
The RTI NANO show lasers are already water and weather-proof according to IP 65, for other laser devices we recommend special weather-proof housing like the NANO dark weather. Especially suitable for outdoor logo projections and fixed installations is the Laserworld PL-5500RGB Outdoor show laser system, as seen in the video below.

 

Find more information about outdoor lasers:

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henley-swim-002.jpg
AC_Lasers_PIKO_G10_Installation_web_2.jpg
genclik-park-ankara-002.jpg
Laserworld_at_Henley_Swim_1.jpg
Landesgartenschau-GD-Lichterfest-0007.jpg
Helsinki_Laserworld_web_1.jpg
HRCharlieRaven_Glasto13_076.jpg
IMG_2474_mese_web.jpg
IMG_0710.JPG
IMGP4895.jpg
LMP-Madrid-laser-and-video-show-(23)_web.jpg
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#Outdoor laser shows


 

What is outdoor laser lighting?

Outdoor laser lighting means ambient lighting in gardens, parks or other outdoor locations displayed by laser lights. It can be a permanent laser installation e.g. onto trees in the nature or on walls in amusement parks, but also seasonal lighting effects with christmas lasers or small garden laser systems to impress your neighbours.
Outdoor laser lighting needs laser systems that are water and weatherproof or come in a special outdoor housing. Depending on your purpose even small lighting effects like the Laserworld Garden Series will suit your preferences. They create moving laser dots in different colors and come with a remote control pad for choosing the effects.
Laserworld also offers a christmas laser system for displaying christmas graphics like bells, santa clauses, snowmen, etc.

More Articles ...

  1. Polychromatic Acousto-Optic Modulator
  2. PCAOM
  3. Party Laser
  4. PPS
  5. Rear Projection Screen
  6. RGB Laser
  7. Rainbow Laser
  8. Scan Speed
  9. Safety Rope
  10. Stage Laser
  11. Scanner
  12. Safety Button
  13. Safety
  14. Show Laser Light
  15. Sky Laser
  16. Show Laser
  17. Show Lazer
  18. Safety Zone
  19. Timeline
  20. TTL Modulation

Subcategories

Distributed brands:

Distributed Brand LaserworldDistributed Brand tarmdistributed brand Ray Technologies
Distributed Brand Laserworld ShoweditorDistributed Brand ShowcontrollerDistributed Brand PangolinDistributed Brand coherent