VLC+

The Pharos Designer VLC+ (Video Lighting Controller+) is designed to control the world’s largest HD video and lighting façade projects.
Powerful processor
The VLC+ renders multiple layers of effects and HD video from internal storage or live input, and features processing including rotation and masking. Up to an unprecedented 3,000 universes (1,536,000 channels) of eDMX and DVI-D can be output from a single control unit with integrated show control.



Playback two full HD videos, while seamlessly crossfading into two further videos
Wrap video content around a structure, with the built-in video composition reducing the need for external equipment
Offers simultaneous playback and blending of multiple layers of video, picture-in-picture and adjustable masking

Translate and rotate multiple layers of content during playback
Features

Render Engine
Make your light fixtures a canvas onto which you can paint with creative effects or video playback. The powerful Pharos Designer 2 software allows you to build your fixture layout fast with pixel-precise adjustment. Then use individually controllable and independently running timelines to build dynamic, striking, pre-programmed lighting displays across your canvas. Read more

Designer Trigger
Designer Trigger is a rules engine that uses conditional logic and a broad range of interfaces and protocols so you can control your lighting with responsive, reactive programming. Send and receive any command, to and from any system. Conditional logic is supported, along with a powerful built-in scripting language for unlimited flexibility. Read more

Massive Capacity
Big just got a whole lot easier. The VLC+ can output all commonly used eDMX protocols (sACN, Art-Net, KiNET, as well as the EDN), over Gigabit Ethernet and there are no restrictions on using these protocols simultaneously. The VLC+ renders effects and video from internal storage or live input onto a canvas up to 16,000 pixels wide or high, and can output from 50 up to 3,000 universes of eDMX from a single unit.

Composition Engine
Programmed using our Designer 2 software, the powerful composition engine lets you move and rotate video content in real time, apply custom masks for video transparency, and apply colour and intensity gains to user-defined areas of the image.

High Definition
Live video can be captured on the DVI-D input at resolutions up to 1080p60. Dual 1080p30 internal playback means two full HD video streams can be played by the video lighting controller, and cross-faded seamlessly into two further streams. In total, up to eight players are available, subject to performance limitations. Support for all major formats such as H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MJPEG and QuickTime with the built-in 512GB SSD provides plenty of capacity for media storage.

Remote Management
Future-proof your lighting projects by connecting your Designer Controllers to Pharos Cloud. This allows remote, but direct, control of your controllers from anywhere in the world, letting you check the status, fire triggers, schedule events, upload new projects and much more. All through one portal, accessible at your own Internet domain. Read more

Scalable
The right fit for every installation. Multiple Pharos Designer controllers can be seamlessly linked together to work as one via a standard Ethernet network to synchronise your façade and your interior lighting automatically. For additional integration options simply add Remote Devices to further extend the network. Whether one controller or many, it’s all easily programmed using our Designer 2 software. Read more

Perfect for very large video and lighting applications such as observation wheels, bridges, and stadia

Rugged Unit
Rugged 2U 19″ device is self-contained using its 512GB SSD for media, ensuring dependable, 24/7 operation. Designed and manufactured in the UK, with a 5 year warranty.

Gigabit Ready
Separate Gigabit Ethernet ports for management and DMX-over-Ethernet (eDMX) output.

Easy to use
Easily build huge lighting projects for use across stadiums, architecture and landmarks with powerful Pharos Designer 2 software, with tools to simplify high pixel-count layouts

Video Layers
Additional video layers can be made available for playing up to 8 presets, media, text or other such content simultaneously, subject to hardware performance limits.
Unsure which controller to choose? Learn more about the LPC & VLC families here
TECHNICAL INFORMATION & DOWNLOADS
VLC+ Datasheet
Click on the image below to download the datasheet.

Download Software
Download the latest version of our Designer software.
Comparison Chart
See and compare features and specs of all our products.

Supported Fixtures
LEDs
RGB, RGBA, RGBW, RGBAW and W in any colour order, 8-bit or 16-bit
Fixture Library
Pharos offers an online fixture library with over 20,000 fixture profiles, for easy download of your luminaires
Output
sACN
ANSI E1.31 (with per fixture priority)
Art-Net
Art-Net I, Art-Net II, Art-Net 3, Art-Net 4 (transmit only). Configurable broadcast override
KiNET
KiNET V1 (DMX out) and V2 (Port out); PDS/Data Enabler discovery
Pathport
Pathway Connectivity protocol
DMX512
Via the EDN or any other eDMX node
EDN
Can natively integrate with and output DMX through the ports of the EDN
Scalable
Synchronises with up to 40 Pharos Designer Controllers over network
Simultaneous
Multiple protocols can be in operation simultaneously. Limited by patched channels, not universes used
Triggering & Integration
Startup
Commences programmed playback automatically on receiving power
Clock
Battery-backed real-time clock for calendar and time-based triggers
Astronomical
Sunrise/Sunset/Twilight and Lunar phases
Ethernet
UDP, TCP, Multicast; send/receive any Ethernet message
RS232 Serial
Configurable port; send/receive free syntax in ASCII, HEX or decimal
RS485 Serial
Via RIO; configurable port; send/receive free syntax in ASCII, HEX or decimal
eDMX
sACN or Art-Net
Inputs
Contact closure, active low, active high or 0-24V analog level via RIOs
MIDI
MIDI Notes, SysEx or Timecode via RIO A
Timecode
Linear Timecode via RIO A (SMPTE, Film, EBU, NTSC)
Audio Level
Stereo 30-band spectrum analysis via RIO A