PLASA 2025: Innovation Doesn't Wait

PLASA Show 2025 in London had no shortage of energy — even as Tube strikes turned the city into a travel headache. BUT - manufacturers didn’t flinch, rolling out big launches and updates that point directly to where the industry is heading. The result: a show that reminded everyone that the pace of innovation in lighting and entertainment technology doesn’t slow down for anything.

ChamSys × Arkaos MediaMaster

One of the biggest headlines this year was ChamSys acquiring Arkaos — folding MediaMaster, GrandVJ, and Kling-Net into its portfolio. This move sets up a more unified approach to lighting, media playback, pixel mapping, and show control. 

Here are some key updates:

• MediaMaster 25: A ground-up redesign of MediaMaster 6, with a multi-screen interface, flexible workspaces, and user-defined GDTF personalities.

  
  

• New MediaMaster Servers: VS1+, VS2+, and VS4+ models, built for everything from touring rigs to fixed installations.

  
  

• Licensing & Support: Current Arkaos licenses remain valid at no cost, with expanded documentation and training rolling out globally.

  
  

• Integration / Previews: Preview clips directly on consoles via NDI or CITP, giving designers choices between resolution and bandwidth.

  
  

Why it matters: Lighting, video, and pixel content are increasingly inseparable. The acquisition reduces the juggling act between lighting and media control, giving production teams a more streamlined workflow from concept to showtime.

Claypaky at PLASA 2025

Claypaky showed up in London with serious updates in its moving-head and beam fixture lines, spotlighting durability and output. They also began their 50 weeks of 50 years campaign celebrating 50 Years of Claypaky.

• Ultimo Sharpy: The Sharpy re-engineered for 2025 and beyond. IP66-rated, powered by a custom 250W OSRAM HID lamp, with CMY mixing, dual prisms/gobos, frost, and optics delivering 100,000 lux at 20m. A familiar form factor, but significantly tougher and brighter.

  
  

• Arolla Aqua HP: A standout large-format moving head. IP66 housing, a 1400W white LED engine producing 60,000+ lumens, ≈220mm lens, 3.6°–55° zoom, framing shutters, dual color wheels, and built for outdoor, broadcast, and long-throw projection.

Why it matters: Both fixtures underline where the market is going — weatherproofing, high output, and optics that hold up across distance without sacrificing creative options.

Avolites

Avolites added another chapter to Titan with the D3 series, a compact, modular range aimed at crews who need to move fast but still demand serious capability.

Key models:

• D3-010: Portable, rugged console with 8 universes.

• D3-110: Larger footprint, 24 universes, touchscreen included.

• D3 Wing: Adds tactile control with faders/buttons.

• D3 Core & Touch: Rack-mounted processor and touchscreen interface for installs and remote setups.

  
  

Other highlights: Avolites continues to support its D9 and T-series, but the focus is on giving crews flexible options — scaling control from small gigs to larger tours without dragging around a flagship desk.

Why it matters: Touring schedules are tighter, crews are leaner, and setups need to move quickly. The D3 range is built to match those realities without cutting capability.

Wrap Up / Summary

PLASA 2025 highlighted three major directions for live entertainment tech:

• Unified Workflows: ChamSys + Arkaos points to fewer silos between lighting, pixels, and video.

• Power & Durability: Claypaky is showing that IP ratings and long-throw power are non-negotiable.

• Portable Control: Avolites is betting on modular systems that travel light but don’t compromise.

The takeaway for designers, integrators, and rental houses alike is clear: the bar is higher, the options are broader, and the expectation now is flexibility without compromise.