| _version_ | 1866902263260250112 |
|---|---|
| author | Bertenshaw, David Ronald |
| author_facet | Bertenshaw, David Ronald |
| contents | <p>Design of memory control for large scale repertory theatres, developed from 1973-76 from a concept by Richard Pilbrow, the consultant for the new British National Theatre and chairman of Theatre Projects. His concept was based on a fully saturated rig, controlled by a highly sophisticated purpose-built lighting control. Total control of intensity, colour change and orientation of some spotlights was provided. The system was project named <strong>TCS</strong> (Total Control System) and was marketed as <strong>Lightboard</strong>.<br>The concept of latest-action-takes-precedence (LTP) and multiple timed fades were also pioneered on this desk, together with the idea of a lighting designers palette control.</p> <p>The system had multiple memory-content submasters, two manual / timed playbacks with multi-speed cues and VDUs focussing only on used channels. The first systems (TCS) launched the National Theatre in 1976, with later TCS2 systems having colour VDUs sold in Germany.</p> <p>Due to the need to use minicomputers (and needing a dedicated co-processor) it was very expensive, but provided the model for the later much more popular Galaxy system using microprocessors.</p> <p>This record is the design and technical documentation of the system. A narative description of the genesis of the system and the origin of the British National Theatre is hosted at http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6299862 </p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_20009555 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | TCS and TCS2 (Lightboard) Technical Documentation Bertenshaw, David Ronald Lighting/history Theatre Minicomputers/history stage lighting lighting control <p>Design of memory control for large scale repertory theatres, developed from 1973-76 from a concept by Richard Pilbrow, the consultant for the new British National Theatre and chairman of Theatre Projects. His concept was based on a fully saturated rig, controlled by a highly sophisticated purpose-built lighting control. Total control of intensity, colour change and orientation of some spotlights was provided. The system was project named <strong>TCS</strong> (Total Control System) and was marketed as <strong>Lightboard</strong>.<br>The concept of latest-action-takes-precedence (LTP) and multiple timed fades were also pioneered on this desk, together with the idea of a lighting designers palette control.</p> <p>The system had multiple memory-content submasters, two manual / timed playbacks with multi-speed cues and VDUs focussing only on used channels. The first systems (TCS) launched the National Theatre in 1976, with later TCS2 systems having colour VDUs sold in Germany.</p> <p>Due to the need to use minicomputers (and needing a dedicated co-processor) it was very expensive, but provided the model for the later much more popular Galaxy system using microprocessors.</p> <p>This record is the design and technical documentation of the system. A narative description of the genesis of the system and the origin of the British National Theatre is hosted at http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6299862 </p> |
| title | TCS and TCS2 (Lightboard) Technical Documentation |
| topic | Lighting/history Theatre Minicomputers/history stage lighting lighting control |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20009555 |