Laser light show & Laser show light

Laser show lights & Laser light show equipment

What is sometimes referred to as laser show light or lights is what professionals would call a laser display projector or system. The laser show lights emit a laser beam or beams in visible spectrum of light and usually work with the beam in some sort of way.

You may wonder what laser light show equipment is needed for an outdoor laser show, what’s the price of laser light equipment for home entertainment and what it would cost you if you went for something truly professional such as Kvant laser light projector. Let us explain some basics here.

What is laser light show equipment?

All the typical equipment used for performing laser show lights can be divided into 5 major groups:

Laser show lights / display systems (laser light show projectors) - devices that were purposefully designed and manufactured to project moving (scanned) laser beams and/or aerial laser light effects and/or laser light graphics such as text, logos and animations.

Although you can buy laser light “toys” from as little as few euros, the prices of professional level indoor & outdoor laser light projectors are relatively still quite high. Here is important to know, that what’s most expensive, doesn’t have to be necessarily the best.

Large outdoor laser show display done with high power laser show projectors

Laser beamers / beam bars / static beams - these can’t be called laser light show projectors as such, because their main and very often the only purpose, is to emit a single static (non-moving) laser beam or beams (sometimes from several outputs at the same time). These laser show lights are often fitted with some additional effects such as diffraction gratings. Some of the effects can make the laser beam moving and/or alter its appearance in some way. But because these movements and effects are not created by scanners, they are not scanned effects as such and therefore these laser show lights don’t belong into laser light show projector category.

There’s hundreds, if not thousands of all kinds of laser show lights available on the market and many may be sufficient for a small private parties, home celebrations and discotheques. However, these days only very few manufacturers produce quality laser show light projectors, that are suitable for professional use at concerts, tours, TV shows and other public events.

Although some far east manufacturers have done quite well in the last few years, when it comes to reverse engineering development, even the best ones are still quite behind the top European manufacturers when the quality of laser beams, control systems, scanners and functional safety features (which by the way are critically important) is considered.

Laser display control systems - these are usually supplied in a package that includes an interface and compatible laser control software and allows the data exchange (communication) between a control computer and laser show projector.

The latest trend in Laser Display Industry seem to be the control interface built into the laser projector itself, which helps to eliminate the usage of heavy ILDA cables that would normally run between the control interface and laser projector.

Hazers & Smoke generators - haze & smoke (as well as natural mist, fog, rain, dust and snow) are all perfect for laser show lights as they allow us humans to actually see the laser light. The laser light reflects off the particles of these elements and that is the only reason why we can see lasers. Without them - for example in vacuum, we wouldn’t be able to see the lasers at all.

In most situations it’s better to use hazers than fog machines, because they create lighter and finer haze with longer dispersion times.

The fog from foggers tend to be quite thick and heavy, falls down faster and usually leaves a sticky and slippery residue on virtually everything around - including sensitive laser show equipment.

Laser light projection “screens”

If the goal of a laser light show is to display some laser graphic images, text or animations, some sort of projection surface that we project onto or into becomes a necessary component of the projection. And where most of times the projection surface will be a wall of some sort, sometimes more fancy projection medium will suite the situation better.

Laser show light projecting into a water screen

The laser projections can be done onto (or through) a near-invisible gauze, a rear projection screen, holographic foil and maybe even some phosphor-like glowing textile material. But also into a water screen, fog screen, heavy rain and dense fog or snowfall.

Each display medium will offer something special and unique and opens tons of possibilities for experimenting.

We need to further divide all the above mentioned equipment according to where, what for and by whom the equipment is used. But that’s up to every laser light show performer to evaluate what equipment is the best for what they need to achieve.

A mobile DJ that works mainly in smaller indoor spaces for crowds of a couple hundred people at most, will probably want to use a different kind of laser light show equipment than a lighting professional that goes on European tour with famous band, performing outdoor displays for thousands of spectators.

Outdoor vs Indoor laser light show equipment

For large public outdoor shows all the laser display equipment must be professional grade stuff with all safety features present and functional, more rigged, ideally weather proof or at least water resistant. Not only the laser equipment needs to be tough, but also all the electrical and signal cabling have to be strong enough and certified for use outdoors.

In regards to laser projectors there’s one basic rule that will apply to most outdoor situations that require aerial laser effects: more quality laser power is better!

From this point of view our Spectrum systems are ideal for these types of projects and our current (2019) flagship system LD Spectrum 33 RGBY would be an ultimate winner.

The laser control system must be reliable and mastered by the programmer and operator, no matter if for indoor or outdoor laser show display.

The best way of controlling lasers professionally for both, large scale outdoor and indoor events, would be the native control from lighting consoles via DMX or ArtNet. All the Kvant systems can be controlled via DMX, ArtNET or both (as well as via network) and their profile personalities for all major lighting consoles can be found on lighting console manufacturers’ websites.

Hazers for outdoor laser light shows are rather big and chunky machines that are usually gas powered. Although it’s virtually impossible to predict an exact wind conditions, hence efficiency of hazers for the time of event, some sort of an artificial haze or smoke should always be provided, to support the visibility of lasers as much as possible.

The best projection “screen” for outdoors would be a cloud of heavy snowfall, but we appreciate this is not always achievable or something that can be planned and managed by humans. An installation of a large water-screen on lake or river is something that can be done and will provide an event with a huge and cool laser or video display area.

Home Entertainment vs Professional laser show lights

No one want’s to get hot & hurt with lasers which are hazardous and can cause the permanent blindness if they are not properly working or operated correctly.

When you use lasers at home and entertain yourself, family and friends, that’s your own thing. And although we strongly suggest to use a professional equipment and strictly follow all the laser safety regulations, no one can force you to do so.

Professional laser light show at public event. The laser safety first !!!

But performing for general public is something completely different and using anything else than professional grade laser show lights, that are reliable and contain all safety features required by law, could put you in a very serious and life-changing situation just like that!

Can Christmas Laser Light Projectors Violate State And Federal Law?

Christmas laser light projectors have become extremely popular outdoor décorations in recent years. They are very easy to install and take down, replacing hours spent attaching string lights on eaves and gutters. They are vibrant, dazzling and even customizable as the laser pattern can be changed. While impressive and seemingly harmless, homeowners must be aware of their legal responsibilities when using these items.

Lasers can actually be very dangerous and distracting to pilots operating aircraft. Since a laser focuses intense light on a very tight spot, a beam that makes contact with the eye can be the equivalent of staring into a bright spotlight or even at the sun. This runs the risk of causing eye damage to the pilot which can affect the ability to land the plane and put lives at risk. As a result, federal and state law criminalizes the pointing of lasers at aircraft. While the vast majority of homeowners point their laser light projectors upon their house, there is the chance that some of the beams can project into space and affect objects in the air.

KNOWINGLY AIM LASER AT AIRCRAFT (FEDERAL LAW)

“Whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or at the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined [up to $250,000.00] or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.” 18 U.S.C. §39A(a).

“As used in this section, the term “laser pointer” means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object.” 18 U.S.C. §39A(b).

This section does not prohibit aiming a beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, or the flight path of such an aircraft, by—

“[A]n authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research and development or flight test operations.” 18 U.S.C. §39A(c)(1). “[M]embers or elements of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing, or training.” 18 U.S.C. §39A(c)(2). “[B]y an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal.” 18 U.S.C. §39A(c)(3).

KNOWINGLY CAUSING DAMAGE OR DEATH TO AIRCRAFT (FEDERAL LAW)

Whoever willfully—

“[S]ets fire to, damages, destroys, disables, or wrecks any aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or any civil aircraft used, operated, or employed in interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce;” 18 U.S.C. §32(a)(1). “[I]nterferes with or disables, with intent to endanger the safety of any person or with a reckless disregard for the safety of human life, anyone engaged in the authorized operation of such aircraft or any air navigation facility aiding in the navigation of any such aircraft;” 18 U.S.C. §32(a)(5). “[P]erforms an act of violence against or incapacitates any individual on any such aircraft, if such act of violence or incapacitation is likely to endanger the safety of such aircraft; or…” 18 U.S.C. §32(a)(6). attempts or conspires to do anything prohibited under [these paragraphs];” 18 U.S.C. §32(a)(8).

shall be fined [up to $250,000.00] or imprisoned not more than twenty years or both.

INTENTIONALLY AIMING DIRECTED ENERGY BEAM AT AIRCRAFT (MICHIGAN LAW)

“A person shall not intentionally aim a beam of directed energy emitted from a directed energy device at an aircraft or into the path of an aircraft or a moving train.” MCL 750.43a(1).

“A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.” MCL 750.43a(2).

“This section does not apply to any of the following:”

“An authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research and development or flight test operations.” MCL 750.43a(3)(a). “Members of the United States Department of Defense or the United States Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing, or training.” MCL 750.43a(3)(b). “A person using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal.” MCL 750.43a(3)(c).

Both federal and state laws require that the actor “knowingly” or “intentionally” point the laser beam at an aircraft to trigger criminal liability. The prosecutor cannot secure a conviction if the offense was only done recklessly, negligently or accidentally. Of course, whether an act is intentional or not depends on the individual facts and circumstances of each case. The government has many resources, but they do not have mind readers. To decide if a crime was committed, police and prosecutors will consider the size of the laser display, the purpose of the display and its consistency with the time of year, the general direction that the lasers are pointed, and the proximity to airports and military bases.

Christmas laser light projectors are a great addition to any lawn display, but homeowners need to use these laser beams consistently with these statutes to avoid legal problems and protect the public. If you do run afoul of the law and need legal representation, then do not hesitate to contact the experienced attorneys at Kershaw, Vititoe & Jedinak PLC for assistance today.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Outdoor 200W LED Water Pattern Lights

Outdoor 200W LED Water Pattern Lights

Product Introduction

The multi-color transition effect of the azcolor lite water pattern lights are a good interpretation of the water pattern effect of sunlight in the morning, noon and evening. The double electric ripple speed is adjustable, which can remotely adjust a variety of water ripple effects and water ripple flow speed.

The color of the lights effect adopts a transitional rotation, and can display a combination of multiple colors at the same time. The special square light spot has the effect of seamless splicing, and the light spots between lamps and lanterns can be seamlessly spliced.

Application areas

The outdoor 200W LED water pattern lights have a very good waterproof structure design and can be used in various cultural and tourism projects, such as: aquariums, bridge lighting, river banks, park night tour projects, etc.