Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better: The SD-50

Let’s get the basics out the way: The SD-50/40 (and SD-50/08) is a complete stand alone stereo audio playback system with 40 Show Control Outputs (the /08 has eight control outputs). The show control and DMX-512 output options make it into a complete Audio and Show Control solution.

• Adds forty digital (on/off) Show Control outputs to the Sd-50. Eight of the outputs can be used for controlling eight model airplane-style ServoMotors
• Optional GPS clock (Sd-50/GPS40) for triggering using a 365 day schedule or by location
• Locations where sounds and shows are played are set using Google Earth
• DMX-512 inputs for controlling Animation & Audio. DMX-512 outputs for up to 512 channels
• Automatic “program in place” download through your PC’s serial port or the MMC/SD card. Draw the sequence you need on your computer using our easy-to-use PC•MACs software, or with “Hardwareless RealTime” mode, program using the PC’s mouse and keyboard
• Four MBytes of nonvolatile Show Control memory. Using all forty (or eight) SD-50 (/40 or /08)Show Control outputs, this gives a show capacity of about eight hours at thirty updates per second! Once downloaded, show data is retained for approximately forty years.
• Networkable: Four optoisolated inputs can be used to start, stop, pause, continue, or access shows
• Show Control outputs are each rated for 150 ma. continuous, or 500 ma. peak. This can drive small solenoid valves, relays, LEDs, lights and other similar loads
• Program shows a year in advance- 365 day scheduling allows for show changes and adjustments any time within a year.

So how does this translate to real-world use? Well, there’s all kinds of really cool uses we’ve found for it so far, and we guarantee it can do more than what we can even comprehend. The only limit… is your imagination (or lack of hardware!)!

One of the most basic and common uses for the SD-50’s is fountains. This product rocks it in this category- synchronize the water displays, lights and sound to make the most intriguing water displays. Thanks to the addition of the atomic clock input- even super complex synchronization can be achieved. One client had four fountains at a major intersection and wanted them to work in sync together. A pretty sweet idea, except they were initially told they were going to need a pretty expensive and large system installed directly under that intersection- requiring construction and all the problems that come with it. Beyond all the practical issues- it was quite expensive. In comes the heroes at Gilderfluke with the SD-50’s! Since the GPS antenna connects with the satellites above, each fountain connected to the SD-50 were easily set up to work together, controlling the lights, sounds and water displays in sync with no construction and far less hassle.

Another major use for the SD-50 is roller coasters. Whole rides run off this one 2-1/4”x 5-1/4” rectangle. The SD-50 is uniquely useful for this task not only because it seemingly does everything (it can’t/won’t find you a girlfriend) but due to its demonstrated durability and resilience. The product can handle the intensity of roller coasters, moving every day all day at extreme speeds in all kinds of weather. It’s built to last. Just take her down and clean her up periodically to prevent any build-up from the elements (and you don’t even need to do that often!).

Interestingly enough, another very common use for the animation outputs for church bells! It can be set up to ring the bells that have been on that church since the dawn of time or to project bell tolls through the SD-50 itself. Given less and less churches want to require an alter boy or hunchback to toll the bells hourly or for mass-the SD-50 is an exceptional replacement. This is another example of using the atomic clock, since it automatically connects with all other clocks in sync with the GPS satellite, the time accuracy is correct within 1/1000th of a second. The illustrate this point, in a small, Midwestern town there stands two churches on opposite sides of town from each other. Without the other one knowing, they both got SD-50’s to control their church bells which made for a fun byproduct– they chime together, every hour on the hour- perfectly in sync despite the fact they have nothing to do with one another.

More generally, the SD-50 is also used in very complex parades to ensure proper timing for lights, sounds, music and animation. It’s also extremely useful for theme park attractions, some very popular magical attractions almost exclusively run off SD-50’s. Beyond the awesome multi-control capabilities that allow such attractions to run all day every day, the SD-50 provides 365 day programming, so you can schedule a change or an all new show to happen at any specific moment between now and a year from now. This is particularly advanced since most other mechanisms hold up to one week of scheduled programming at a time- which is nice because you can set it and forget it!

As you can see, there are a pretty sweet variety of things you can do with this product! Even though we have a hearty variety of stories of the SD-50 working its magic worldwide– we love to hear more stories from customers who’ve used it! Don’t hesitate to tell us your story! You may just be highlighted in an article or future blog post!

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