Five Technical Standards Program Documents Are in Public Review

Five ESTA Technical Standards Program documents are available for public comment. The drafts, review forms, review instructions, and prior public review resolutions, if applicable, may all be downloaded at estalink.us/pr. Comments are due before the end date on the website. The documents will no longer be available when the date on the website is reached.

Control Protocols Working Group
BSR E1.33, Entertainment Technology -- (RDMnet) -- Message Transport and Device Management of ANSI E1.20 (RDM) over IP Networks
This standard describes a method of implementing ANSI E1.20 Remote Device Management messaging over an IPv4 network. The primary anticipated use of the standard would be to complement ANSI E1.31 on an IPv4 entertainment lighting control network. This project was originally described as offering extensions to E1.31, but in fact the messages work alongside E1.31 in the same network environment. Comments are due by the end of the day April 11, 2016.

BSR E1.31, Entertainment Technology -- Lightweight Streaming Protocol for Transport of DMX512 Using CAN
This standard describes a mechanism to transfer DMX512-A packets over a TCP/IP network using a subset of the CAN protocol suite. It covers data format, data protocol, data addressing, and network management. It also outlines a synchronization method to help ensure that multiple sinks can process this data concurrently when supervised by the same controller. This revision includes the addition of DMX universe synchronization. Comments are due by the end of the day April 11, 2016.

Rigging Working Group
BSR E1.4-1, Entertainment Technology -- Manual Counterweight Rigging Systems
The existing E1.4 standard is being expanded to include all manually powered systems, and those rigging systems in which scenery, stage lighting, or other theatrical equipment is hung from static battens. The first part of the E1.4 suite, E1.4-1, Manual Counterweight Rigging Systems, applies to permanently installed, manually operated systems of stage rigging hardware for the raising, lowering, and suspension of scenery, lighting, and similar loads. Comments are due by the end of the day April 11, 2016.

ANSI E1.15 - 2006, Entertainment Technology -- Recommended Practices and Guidelines for the Assembly and Use of Theatrical Boom and Base Assemblies
This standard was originally published in 2006 and is being considered for reaffirmation. The standard sets minimum specifications for the assembly and use of variable and fixed-height luminaire support devices, commonly referred to as "boom and base assemblies." This standard does not apply to towers, ground-support structures, or other devices that use winches or other lifting mechanisms, and does not apply to aluminum tripod or other similar lightweight stands, or stands with castered bases. Comments are due by the end of the day April 11, 2016.

Electrical Power Working Group
BSR E1.53, Overhead Mounting of Luminaires, Lighting Accessories, and Other Portable Devices: Specification and Practice
The standard covers specifications for the primary and secondary mounting devices for portable stage and studio luminaires and accessories. It also covers these mounting devices for special effects equipment (e.g. fog machines and bubble machines) that are often mounted along with lighting equipment on trusses and rigging system battens. The standard would give guidance on how to properly affix these mounting devices. Comments are due by the end of the day May 3, 2016.