BetaBrite 1026 single-line LED sign (PVC enclosure)
The BetaBrite 1026 is the original version of the BetaBrite, in the same brown-grey PVC enclosure as the Alpha 215. Where the Alpha 215 shows fifteen characters, the BetaBrite drops one character position at the far left and right: 13 characters of 53 mm on a single line, in tricolor (red, green, amber). Control via RS-232 with the model 1026 infrared keyboard (the old, large remote, as on the 215). Later succeeded by the BetaBrite Classic (black aluminium enclosure sized to the display, model 1036) and the full-color BetaBrite Prism.
Still supported for software and repairs.
Legacy model, no longer available as new. Current alternative: BetaBrite (Classic)
Product information BetaBrite 1026
Display
| Lines per screen | 1 line |
|---|---|
| Characters per line | 13 (the Alpha 215 enclosure shows 15; here one character position is lost at left and right) |
| Character height | 53 mm (2.1 inch) |
| Pitch | 7.6 mm (0.3 inch) center-to-center |
| Pixel diameter | 5 mm (0.2 inch) |
| Color | Tricolor: red, green, amber (8 colors + 3 rainbow effects) |
| LED type | Discrete (through-hole) |
Enclosure
| Material | Brown-grey PVC enclosure, identical to the Alpha 215 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Same as the Alpha 215: l = 734 mm x d = 53 mm x h = 114 mm |
Control and operation
| Communication | RS-232 (serial) - no RS-485 or Ethernet (the Alpha 215 does have RS-232 and RS-485) |
|---|---|
| Remote control | Model 1026 infrared keyboard (the old large one, as on the Alpha 215) |
| Protocol | Alpha protocol |
| Message capacity | 65 messages |
| Message memory | 30,000 characters |
| Display modes | 26 modes (Automode, Hold, Roll, Rotate, Wipe, Flash, ...) |
| Memory retention | Typically 1 month |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the three BetaBrite models?
The BetaBrite came in three generations. The single-line tricolor version (PVC and Classic) has the same 13-character display; the difference is in the enclosure and the connection. The Prism is the most recent, full-color version.
| Feature | BetaBrite 1026 (PVC) | BetaBrite Classic (1036) | BetaBrite Prism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Brown-grey PVC (Alpha 215 enclosure) | Aluminium, black (sized to the display) | Aluminium |
| Characters | 13 (1 line) | 13 (1 line) | 13 (1 line) |
| Color | Tricolor (red/green/amber) | Tricolor (red/green/amber) | Full color (64 colors) |
| LED type | Discrete | Discrete | SMD (3-in-1 RGB pixel) |
| Character height | 53 mm | 53 mm | 53 mm |
| Connection | RS-232 | RS-232 (Ethernet via adapter) | USB or RS-232 |
| Remote control / operation | Infrared keyboard 1026 (large, as on the 215) | Infrared keyboard 1036 | PC software (WYSIWYG) |
| Generation | Original (PVC) | Successor (aluminium) | Most recent (full color) |
How do you recognize the old PVC BetaBrite (1026)?
By the brown-grey PVC enclosure, identical to that of the Alpha 215, and by the large model 1026 infrared keyboard. The later Classic version has a black aluminium enclosure (sized to the display) and the model 1036 keyboard. Both versions use RS-232.
How many characters does the BetaBrite 1026 show?
13 characters on a single line. The enclosure is the same as the Alpha 215 (which shows 15 characters), but one character position is lost at the far left and right.
Which colors does the BetaBrite 1026 show?
Tricolor: red, green and amber, with 8 colors and 3 rainbow effects through mixing.