Status of the Palette line

richdesign · Post by **richdesign** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 3:18 pm

I am a Marquee user and have been for about 4 years. With that console now discontinued, I keep an eye on the Strand consoles and look at this forum from time to time since much of the info is helpful, and also since I have to think about other consoles on campus that will need to be replaced at some point soon. I like the MQ software very much, so I think I would lean toward the Strand line at this point for new consoles.

My main question, then a comment:

What is the status of the Strand line? I look at the Strand website and I see "discontinued" next to a lot of the documentation. And what is the difference between the Light Palette and the Light Palette II, etc. Has Strand just thinned out the line, or is the whole line on it's way out?

Comment: I wish they would consider making the MQ line and the Strand line compatible so files could go back and forth. It would be a plus for strand when we have to pick out new consoles for other venues on campus since we already have a couple of MQ systems. Or maybe even let us pay something and then completely load Strand software on our MQ console. Maybe the hardware would now allow it, but it would be nice to have some options.

gooze · Post by **gooze** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:02 am

The Palette line is very much alive. Only the older software releases are described as discontinued.
You can import Marquee shows into the Palette, and export show from the Palette as asc files to re import them into Marquee.

BrianEvans · Post by **BrianEvans** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 8:24 am

If you are switching from MQ to Palette,
file conversion is not a problem.
Just email your shows to:
support@horizoncontrol.com

BobbyHarrell · Post by **BobbyHarrell** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 12:00 pm

The PaletteOS consoles are alive and well. The Palette is the small/mid range of desks. The LightPalettes are the professional line. The original Palettes (silver desks) were upgraded in 08 to the Palette IIs (black desks) from user comments on what they wanted to see. The website has lots of data sheets and the OLE is available free of charge so that you can look at MQ file. Just select File>Open and go to MQ files in the pull down box.

Let us know how you fare.

richdesign · Post by **richdesign** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:24 am

Thanks for the explanation. I like the software and hope to keep using, but the lack of development in the MQ like I'm sure will make me think about switching over to Strand before too long.

Does Strand offer a PC version like MQ did? Just curious, we use our MQ PC as a backup to our main console.

amoyer · Post by **amoyer** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:59 pm

richdesign wrote:Does Strand offer a PC version like MQ did? Just curious, we use our MQ PC as a backup to our main console.

Yes, the OLE program can be used as a full PC version of the console with the addition of a USB channel key and a node.

howardabrams · Post by **howardabrams** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:44 am

Speaking of compatabilty, is it possible to translate an .spf to .ssf? We just bought a LightPalette VL but use the 520i for touring. What's the easiest way to get the shows "down" to the 520?

RobertBell · Post by **RobertBell** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 2:55 pm

Likely not possible if using movers. Best to DMX snapshot the show on the 500 or use ASCI and Showport.

BobbyHarrell · Post by **BobbyHarrell** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:01 pm

With the 500 being the older software, it doesn't understand Palette so you can export to ASCII then use ShowPort (on the Strand website) to convert to SSF. But, Robert is right about the movers. You can setup your DMX patch for DMX IN on the 500 (just one universe) and snapshot the data coming out of the Palette and into the 500.

Just a thought.

strand-dev.com