Description
VLC+
The Pharos VLC+ (Video Lighting Controller+) is designed to control the world’s largest lighting façade projects.
It 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.
- Capable of playing two full HD videos, while seamlessly crossfading into two further videos.
- Its 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.
- 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.
Perfect for very large video and lighting applications such as observation wheels, bridges, and stadia, VLC+ provides the tools to easily wrap video content around a structure, with the built-in video composition reducing the need for external equipment.
- Rugged 2U device is self-contained using its 512GB SSD for media (H.264/MPEG-4/MJPEG/QuickTime)
- Designed for ultra-reliable 24/7 operation.
- Integrates seamlessly with the other Pharos Designer Controllers.
- Additional integration options supported by our range of Pharos Designer Remote Devices and IO Modules.
The VLC+ is programmed using the free Pharos Designer 2 software and existing lighting installations can be managed locally with the built-in web server, and from anywhere in the world via Pharos Cloud.

High Capacity
Big just got a whole lot easier. The VLC+ can output all commonly used eDMX protocols (sACN, Art-Net, KiNET) over Gigabit Ethernet as well as providing its full canvas over DVI-D, and there are no restrictions on using these eDMX 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 up to 3,000 universes of eDMX from a single unit.

Render Engine
Make your light fixtures a canvas onto which you can paint with a compositions of creative effects and full HD video playback, including dynamic rotation, translation and masking. The powerful 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.

Pharos Trigger
Timing is everything. Whatever the stimulus, Pharos Trigger can handle it. You can control your lighting installation with responsive, reactive programming. Pharos Trigger is a rules engine that uses conditional logic and a broad range of interfaces and protocols. 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.
Remote Management
Future-proof your lighting projects by connecting your Pharos Controllers to Pharos Cloud, a secure remote management service from SixEye. This allows remote, but direct, control of your Controllers from anywhere in the world, letting you check all of your Controllers’ statuses, inputs and outputs, fire triggers, schedule events, upload new projects and much more. All through one portal, accessible at your own Internet domain.
All Pharos controllers also have their own Web Interface that can be accessed on a local area network that provides real-time statuses, access to the full log and the ability to fire triggers on the controller.
Scalable
The right fit for every installation. Multiple Pharos Controllers can be seamlessly linked together to work as one via a standard Ethernet network giving impressive scalability. 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 free Designer 2 software.
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.
Easy to use
Easily build huge lighting projects for use across stadiums, architecture and landmarks with powerful Pharos Designer 2 features such as fixture template – a tool that enables you to create a composite fixture that is an arrangement of any single-element library fixture, allowing strings and tiles to be built up from individual nodes into reusable templates to speed up commissioning.
Pharos Designer 2
Programmed and configured using the free Pharos Designer 2 software – available for Windows or Mac OS X – with upload over Ethernet.
Reliable
Hardware and firmware are self-sufficient, so no PC needs to be left on site. Rugged, compact unit designed for 24/7 operation and reliability.
Firmware
Microprocessor-based system supports firmware updates via the network from Designer software or the web interface.
5 Year Warranty
Designed and manufactured in the UK, with quality and reliability our top priority.
Certifications
CE compliant; ETL/cETL listed; California Title 20/24 Compliant
Pharos control products are highly flexible, customiseable and scalable. Our controllers work seamlessly with our remote devices and accessories for a huge range of protocol options.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for below, please get in touch with one of our sales team who will be happy help you build a solution for your project.
Supported Fixtures
LEDs
LED fixtures (RGB, RGBA, RGBW, RGBAW/WA, 8-bit, 16-bit, white)
Fixture Library
Pharos offers a cloud library with over 13,000 fixture profiles, for easy download of your luminaires
Output
sACN
ANSI E1.31 (with per fixture priority)
Art-Net
Art-Net, Art-Net 2, Art-Net 3, Art-Net 4 (configurable broadcast override)
KiNET
KiNET V1 (DMX out) and V2 (Port out); PDS/Data Enabler discovery
Pathport
Pathway Connectivity protocol
EDN
Can natively integrate with and output DMX through the ports of the EDN (Ethernet Data Node, supplied separately)
Scalable
Synchronises with up to 40 Pharos Controllers over network
Simultaneous
Multiple protocols can be in operation simultaneously. Limited by patched channels, not universes used
Triggering & Integration
Startup
Commences 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
eDMX
sACN or Art-Net
Web Interface
Built-in or custom designed
Conditions
Full conditional logic support
Scripting
Lua scripting for total flexibility
IO Modules
Supports our extensive IO Module library for easy integration
If you have questions about any of the below, please get in touch with one of our sales team who will be happy to help.
Specifications
Certifications
CE compliant, ETL/cETL listed
Power
100-240VAC / 50-60HZ / 0.4-0.2A
40W typical (100W maximum)
IEC connector with switch*
*Power cable not supplied
Data Storage
Internal 512GB SSD (supplied)
Configuration
Pharos Designer 2.5 or later
Temperature
0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F)
Physical
19″ Rack unit, 2U, 16″ deep
Recovery
Hardware watchdog and recessed reset button
Warranty
5 years
Interfaces
Ethernet
Neutrik etherCon (RJ45 compatible) for 10/100/1000Base-TX Ethernet; Static IP or DHCP
eDMX
2 x internally-switched dedicated Ethernet port for eDMX; Neutrik etherCon (RJ45 compatible) for 10/100/1000Base-TX Ethernet; Static IP or DHCP
DVI-D Input
Live video input up to 1080p60
DVI-I Output
DVI-I output for monitoring patched pixels and DVI fixtures
Serial
RS232 via DB9 connector
USB
Two USB 2.0 Type A ports (for future development)
Audio Out
Stereo analog & digital audio ports with RCA connectors
If you have questions about any of the below, please get in touch with one of our sales team who will be happy to help.
Order Code & Variants
VLC+ 50
Video Lighting Controller Plus 50 (25,600 channels eDMX)
VLC+ 100
Video Lighting Controller Plus 100 (51,200 channels eDMX)
VLC+ 250
Video Lighting Controller Plus 250 (128,000 channels eDMX)
VLC+ 500
Video Lighting Controller Plus 500 (256,000 channels eDMX)
VLC+ 1000
Video Lighting Controller Plus 1000 (512,000 channels eDMX)
VLC+ 1500
Video Lighting Controller Plus 1500 (768,000 channels eDMX)
VLC+ 3000
Video Lighting Controller Plus 3000 (1,536,000 channels eDMX)