Source Four PAR

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The ETC Source Four PAR fixture is considered an improvement upon traditional PAR cans. The Source Four PAR uses an HPL lamp (the same used in other ETC Source Four fixtures), a distinct maintenance advantage for facilities with both Source Four and Source Four PAR fixtures. The HPL lamp combined with newer aluminum reflector technology allows for more light output while using lower wattage. The light output of a 575 watt HPL is comparable to that of a 1000 watt PAR 64. The Source Four PAR can also be fitted with a 750 watt HPL lamp for even greater light output.

The fixture allows for beam and field adjustment using interchangeable lenses, and allows for "shaping" (with the multifaceted lenses) in the same way that PAR lamps can be spun for a more horizontal or vertical beam orientation. ETC manufactures five interchangeable glass lenses for this fixture:

Extra Wide Flood (XWFL)
Wide Flood (WFL)
Medium Flood (MFL)
Narrow Spot (NSP)
Very Narrow Spot (VNSP)

This interchangeability of the lenses is another significant advantage. Traditional PAR cans require a stock of individual lamps to achieve various beam angles.

The Source Four PAR can be two or three times more expensive than traditional PAR cans, however, replacement lamps are significantly less expensive than traditional PAR lamps, so the cost evens out over time. Source Four PARs are also "greener," in that discarding lamps puts significantly less material into landfills than traditional PAR lamps, which include a large reflector and lens as part of the lamp configuration. The shortened barrel makes the light source more visible at a much greater angle. In some cases, theatrical lighting designers and video directors may consider this an unwelcome effect as it can cause lens flare or (arguably) change the audience's perception of a theatrical scene. "Top Hats" are standard theatrical accessories that attach easily to Source Four PARs to eliminate this source visibility.

Source Four PAR fixtures have several parts, and in some environments (touring, rentals) require a measure of regular maintenance compared to traditional PAR cans. Nevertheless, most industry professionals agree that the advantages of the fixture (flexibility, size, light output, and cost-over-time) outweigh these considerations.

The Source Four PAR was a revolutionary first-to-market product, and several major conventional theatrical lighting manufacturers have introduced their versions of the Source Four PAR. Since the HPL lamp is proprietary to ETC, these imitation fixtures are often less efficient than the Source Four PAR.

[edit] Source Four PARNel

ETC Source Four PARNel

Main article: Source Four PARNel

A variation of the Source Four PAR is the Source Four PARNel, meant to be an alternative for Fresnel lanterns. The PARNel can be focused from flood to spot using a knob on the casing which rotates the lens instead of moving the lamp and reflector assemblies, which is necessary for Fresnel lanterns. It can be focused to a wider angle than standard Fresnels. The PARNel also uses the enhanced aluminum reflector technology, and at 575 watts puts out more light than a standard 1000 watt Fresnel lantern.