"State of the Wholehog" 2008

In the interest of all our users and as a response to several recent threads, I would like to further explain our current plans regarding Wholehog lighting control systems. We take all suggestions and comments very seriously and always appreciate all our users and their feedback.

Our core controller development is lighting control software that can be used in several different hardware system types. Our goal from a hardware standpoint is to bring our products to more users by creating different controllers for different markets and price ranges. For example, the Hog 3PC software and Road Hog console are perfect for low budget and small production needs. The Hog iPC and Road Hog Full Boar are best placed in medium sized budgets and productions, while the Wholehog 3 console remains the flagship product for large productions of all types. The development of new hardware products doesn’t require much distraction for the core software development team and therefore does not slow down software enhancements.

The software development team is split into two main goals. First is the core development team, which is focused on producing software that all products benefit from. They are currently working on the DP8000, a new processor capable of sixteen universes of DMX and Art-Net. This work also includes important system wide changes that significantly improve all software functionalities on all platforms. Once the DP8000 is released, this team will continue to develop other large features and requests such as keystroke macros, effects engine rework, and other enhancements.

The other portion of the development team continues to support the current releases with bug fixes, new libraries, and smaller feature requests and implementations. Soon you will see a release that contains new features such as Network File Sharing, new quick defaulting commands, and other recently requested items.

The goal of all software development is to continue to provide our users with a powerful, stable, and reliable lighting console. The Wholehog 3 console remains the flagship product of the line and will continue to hold its place as such. We have seen an ever-growing increase in our user base, and this trend looks to continue for quite some time. No matter which console hardware they select, they will be using the same software and thus increasing the value of the entire Wholehog product line.

Again we are very thankful for all users and owners of our consoles and wish to express our thanks for your continued support and use of our products. We are dedicated to ensuring our software and hardware provides each of you with exactly what you desire from a lighting console (and hopefully we can exceed your expectations too).

As always, please feel free to contact me directly with any further questions, comments, or suggestions you might have. I am happy to discuss your needs and concerns on a personal basis. brad_schiller(at)highend.com
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  • OK...so I have actually just returned from my semi-annual visit to Austin (mainly this time to see DL.3).

    I actually saw several DP-8000s built and being tested....I even saw one spitting out DMX to a fixture in the development lab. So it really can't be far off from going to market at this point.

    I too had some concerns regarding where the product line is headed with all the focus seemingly being put on the RoadHog consoles and accessories lately.

    One thing I noticed that should illustrate where the thinking is right now is that in the test lab there are no fewer than (7) full Hog-3 consoles, whereas there are only (2) iPCs, (1) RoadHog, and (2) RoadHog Full Boar......not to mention several large racks of DP-2000s, and many wings of all flavors.

    Additionally walking around the developer's cubicles I noticed that every developer had a full Hog-3 in their workstation with DP-2000s (and some DP-8000 prototypes).....I did not see a single iPC, RoadHog, or FB console actually in anyone's workstation.

    So it is very clear to me from that observation alone (in addition to lengthly dicussions on many topics with the team down there;) )...that Hog-3 is very much in the foreground as far as development path. Many of those much requested features that are missing from the old H2 and ones that were promised when H3 was first released will be added after the DP-8000 comes out (which as I already said looks to be very soon from what I observed).

    The RoadHogs add to the product line making it more robust overall, but Hog-3 is still the king by far.

    And just to add to the list of reasons why I still own a Hog-3 and haven't bailed out for one of the newer products....

    - The size and weight of a console. I can take a console, switch and 2 DPs with me on the subway here in NYC b/c the case fits right through the turnstyles (you laugh, but I actually do this quite often).....not so with RoadHogs.....also I have flown with my H3 as extra luggage for a reasonable fee to many parts of the world....I would hate to see the bill for a RoadHog Full Boar as it is much larger/heavier.

    - the tactility of the grooved faders on Hog-3...I can feel where I am using the grooves without having to take my eyes off the stage...not so with RoadHog

    - The buttons around the screens are actually very important b/c I can press a button and select something off the screen simultaneously...whereas with the RH console the toolbars are on the screens....and the screens can only register one touch at a time

    I think the other reasons have been covered well in the earlier posts.
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  • OK...so I have actually just returned from my semi-annual visit to Austin (mainly this time to see DL.3).

    I actually saw several DP-8000s built and being tested....I even saw one spitting out DMX to a fixture in the development lab. So it really can't be far off from going to market at this point.

    I too had some concerns regarding where the product line is headed with all the focus seemingly being put on the RoadHog consoles and accessories lately.

    One thing I noticed that should illustrate where the thinking is right now is that in the test lab there are no fewer than (7) full Hog-3 consoles, whereas there are only (2) iPCs, (1) RoadHog, and (2) RoadHog Full Boar......not to mention several large racks of DP-2000s, and many wings of all flavors.

    Additionally walking around the developer's cubicles I noticed that every developer had a full Hog-3 in their workstation with DP-2000s (and some DP-8000 prototypes).....I did not see a single iPC, RoadHog, or FB console actually in anyone's workstation.

    So it is very clear to me from that observation alone (in addition to lengthly dicussions on many topics with the team down there;) )...that Hog-3 is very much in the foreground as far as development path. Many of those much requested features that are missing from the old H2 and ones that were promised when H3 was first released will be added after the DP-8000 comes out (which as I already said looks to be very soon from what I observed).

    The RoadHogs add to the product line making it more robust overall, but Hog-3 is still the king by far.

    And just to add to the list of reasons why I still own a Hog-3 and haven't bailed out for one of the newer products....

    - The size and weight of a console. I can take a console, switch and 2 DPs with me on the subway here in NYC b/c the case fits right through the turnstyles (you laugh, but I actually do this quite often).....not so with RoadHogs.....also I have flown with my H3 as extra luggage for a reasonable fee to many parts of the world....I would hate to see the bill for a RoadHog Full Boar as it is much larger/heavier.

    - the tactility of the grooved faders on Hog-3...I can feel where I am using the grooves without having to take my eyes off the stage...not so with RoadHog

    - The buttons around the screens are actually very important b/c I can press a button and select something off the screen simultaneously...whereas with the RH console the toolbars are on the screens....and the screens can only register one touch at a time

    I think the other reasons have been covered well in the earlier posts.
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