Radio-Controlled Analogue Clock for Film & TV
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
As specialists in both motion control systems and radio lighting technology, we’re often asked to combine the two in creative and practical ways. A recent project is a great example of how seamlessly these disciplines can work together.
The brief was simple in concept but technically specific: an analogue clock that could be fully controlled from a lighting desk.
Controlled via Our 8-Way Radio Desk
Using our 8-way radio desk system, the production team needed to:
Move the clock hands to specific times on demand
Run the hands at variable speeds
Reverse direction when required
Create custom timing effects for set use
Rather than treating this as a standalone mechanical system, we approached it the same way we would a lighting fixture — making it fully controllable via radio DMX, the standard protocol used across professional film sets.
Integrated Motion Control via Radio DMX
To achieve this, we developed a compact motor controller that was fitted directly inside the clock. This controller allows the clock motor to be driven and manipulated using standard DMX channels — just like an LED fixture.
The result?
The clock can be operated from the lighting desk in exactly the same way as any other controlled element on set. No separate motion console. No complex additional infrastructure. Just seamless integration into the existing workflow.
Flexible Motor Options
Because of our background in motion control, the system isn’t limited to a single motor type. The control board can be configured to manage:
Stepper motors
DC motors
Servo motors
Radio control (RC) servo motors
Through radio DMX channels, motion parameters can be adjusted in real time — including direction, speed, and positioning.
A Unified Approach to Lighting & Motion
This project highlights a key advantage of our technology: we don’t see lighting and motion as separate disciplines. By combining both under the same radio control protocols used on film sets, we can deliver highly flexible, production-ready solutions that integrate effortlessly into existing systems.
Whether it’s moving clock hands, animated props, or multi-axis motion systems, we can design compact controllers that bring mechanical movement into the same wireless control environment as lighting.
If you’re developing a prop or scenic element that requires both motion and radio control, we’d be delighted to help.
