Tryka LED had recently sealed a distribution agreement with One 4 All. This was the first time Tryka had demonstrated its LED colour-changing lighting products to the Italian market. Indoor fixtures include colour changing strips in a variety of lengths (with the option of optics to control the light output), the flexible LinkLED in either single-colour or RGB, the popular MR16-sized Module 3 and Module 6 and the bigger Module 12. Tryka's outdoor range features IP67 and IP68 rated units (the latter suitable for underwater installations); projectors include the Module 12 (equivalent in size to AR1-11/Par 36) and Module 36 (now available in IP68 version) and in-ground units like the compact but bright Module 1.

Czech Republic-based Robe Show Lighting go from strength to strength, launching six new products at SIB. The new ColorWash 1200E AT is a powerful moving head washlight with CMY colour-mixing, variable CTO, two colour wheels (each with six easily replaceable slots for colours and effects) and a combined dimmer/shutter among its many features. The unit offers a zoom range of 7-50°, depending on the lens type used. Also included is an electronic ballast for flicker-free operation, a large LCD display (as seen on the company's ColorSpot 1200 AT), and an Ethernet connection.

Among its other launches were the ColorSpot 575E AT - an electronic ballast version of its popular ColorSpot 575 AT, offering flicker-free operation, enhanced light output, extended lamp life, power-saving mode for economy and reduced weight, while the same large LCD display and Ethernet connection add to its user-fri

This was the third SIB since the exhibition switched to a biennial basis in 1998, and the second since it moved to the new, out-of-town Fiera. In common with most other international exhibitions of late, SIB 2004 appeared a slightly smaller event than previously. Obviously, this is partly a reflection of economic conditions; European exporters have been hit hard by the weakening US dollar, and this on top of the catalogue of disasters which has helped to dent business confidence in recent years. However, anecdotal evidence from more than one exhibitor (and one of those a major player), suggests that the decision to go biennial is also a factor: some, it seems, believe that by making that move, SIB relegated itself from the trade show top flight.

But let's not be too negative; this was a busy show for the most part (although the organizers' claimed 70,000+ visitors seems to have more th

Link introduced new products in its LK connectors and Eurocable ranges. For its new LKS rubber locking ring, Link is offering a free replacement service in the case of a break within three years; encouragingly, this includes a 'no questions asked' policy - so you can do what you like with them. The company also introduced rubber locking rings for its LKH connectors and for the LK Audio range of connectors.

Martin Professional seemed to have half a hall at its disposal, filled with its various sector-specific product ranges and a very hospitable bar which L&SI was honoured to attend once or twice. Mark Ravenhill showed us the new extension wing for the Maxxyz lighting control desk, which is now beginning to make its mark on the live touring circuit. The extension offers two extra banks of 10 playbacks for larger shows, with motorized faders and LCD buttons as per main console. The extension slots easily onto either side of the desk, thoughtfully catering for both left- and right-handed operators.

New to Martin's DJ product range is the Mania PR1 high precision gobo projector. This 250W unit can take steel or glass (D-size) gobos, and offers adjustable gobo rotation speed and a colour slot for interchangeable colour filters. Also new for the DJ market, the EF1i is a 100W fixture which comb

Decima's distributed product lines include Look Solutions' range of tiny smoke machines and Le Maitre's more heavy duty models; also represented were hoists from Verlinde and rigging hardware from Doughty Engineering, as well as ETC Europe and Transtechnik Lichtsysteme. New from ETC was the CEM+ (Control Electronics Module) which, the company says, takes dimming to a whole new level. Designed to connect directly to the ETCNet2 Ethernet system, the CEM+ equips the dimmer rack with an Ethernet control signal input that is fully configurable with a range of patching and priority programming capabilities. ETC also showed its new RRFU (Radio Remote Focus Unit), which joins the RFU (cabled Remote Focus Unit) and WRFU (Wireless Remote Focus Unit) in the company's range of hand-held tools.

Italian manufacturer Coef showed its stylish new MP 200 wash and spotlight fixtures, both single-arm yoke-mounted moving heads using a 150W lamp source (CDM-SA/T, HQI-T or HSD). Features of the wash version include 11 colours plus open (with intermediate colour positioning), adjustable speed rainbow effect and strobe, blacklight filter and internal PFC; the spot version additionally offers four metal and two dichroic gobos (all interchangeable).

Alongside its Giotto range of moving head fixtures and its Regia lighting control consoles, SGM introduced its stylish new Palco range of LED-based architectural washlights. Design for both indoor and outdoor use, the IP65-rated Palco fixtures use high-power Luxeon LEDs in either 3W (Palco 3) or 5W (Palco 5) variants. The output is given as an impressive 2,500 lumens for the Palco 5, and a range of interchangeable lenses are available to suit varying throws. Palco units are compact and weight just 13.5kg.

Ayrton's export manager Ivano Burato reported good business for the company's LED-based Easycolor colour changing moving heads, which come in large (36 LED) and small (18 LED) flavours. Burato added that the level of interest in the products from the TV studio market in particular had been surprisingly strong; examples include the use of 28 units for the French pop TV show, Hit Machine.

PSL - 'Programmi e Sistemi Luce' - now supplies a number of brands aside from its core show lighting products. Other ranges available from the company include the Lightmakers range of lighting fixtures for theatre, architectural, exhibition and decorative applications, the Aromadispenser - which does exactly what it . . . etc, Tecno Truss trussing and the Party Line range of DJ lighting effects and smoke machines, among others.

Italian manufacturer LDR is one of the few companies around which has enjoyed significant sales growth over the past 12 difficult months; director Lisa Papi puts this down to the company's compact and therefore manageable size, and also the relatively tight market focus of its range of stylish but functional theatre luminaires. On the same stand, Jan de Jonge was showing the latest dimming products from IES, with emphasis on custom units for differing power requirements.

A bespoke solution designed for the National Theatre in London is now offered as standard - a 6 x 2.5kW dimming pack switchable to 3 x 5kW.

The new iSpot 1200 from Coemar, previewed at SIB, is a moving head fixture available in normal or electronic ballast (EB) versions. Utilizing a 1200W discharge lamp, its includes a five-colour wheel, a high-resolution colour-mixing system, two gobo wheels (each with six gobos), two rotating prisms, proportional frost, CTO correction filter and iris.

Also from Coemar, the ShowColor 3200K and ShowColor 1200 have a halogen lamp and a discharge lamp with electronic ballast respectively. These moving head spotlights are designed for stage and TV studio applications, and form part of a new range of luminaires engineered to provide maximum light output from the source, say Coemar. Both offer colour mixing via an "innovative radial CMY system", while the discharge version additionally offers a strobe effect.

The iWash LED brings LED technology to Coemar's moving head fixtures. Addi

Another SIB exhibitor quietly enjoying significant growth is Dutch company Highlite International, which now produces a huge range of lighting, audio and trussing products. Company owner Huub de la Haije told me that since the company was founded in the early 90s, it has doubled its turnover every two years. Highlite has always manufactured its products in China, and has more than 10 years' worth of relationships with Chinese manufacturing interests under it belt. Consequently it is somewhat ahead of the game now that everyone's eyes turn are turning eastwards.

On the Ianiro stand, Artistic Licence's Mark Thompson was showing the intelligent Pixi-Led array which demonstrates Remote Device Management (RDM) in operation, with each individual fixture feeding back status information to the controller - the same technology Artistic employed in the Broadgate installation. Also with Ianiro was High End Systems, whose Fons de Vreede, Phil Mercer and Tony Magana were on hand with the Catalyst digital media server system and the Catalyst DL1 moving head.

Spotlight was present in its role as both manufacturer and distributor. Its own new products included the Evolution series of high performance profile spots, which now consists of eight models available in both halogen and discharge versions, and ranging from 1000W to 2500W. The discharge units feature a built-in electromechanical dimmer which allows the fixture to be dimmed through a dimmer channel in the same way as a halogen profile spot, while taking advantage of the higher performance levels of discharge sources.

Spotlight also introduced the ARC Video Performer system. The ARC is an intelligent yoke-mounted video projector, which in combination with the Video Performer digital media server system provides a complete package for video content manipulation, processing and projection. In its distribution role, Spotlight was joined on stand by a number of leading brands including Com

Studio Due's highlights included the 'Photowall', a 1200e large format scrolling projector, and the CS2 (2 x 250W) and CS4 (4 x 250W) moving multi-par fixtures. Also new is the Silver Line of architectural lighting products, including the Hercules 800e and 600m models, the CityColor 400 and 300 models and the MiniCity 250/SL, 150/SL and 100 models - all of which are IP66-rated.

Of the lighting players, Clay Paky's launch of the impressive Alpha range of 575W moving head fixtures was one of the highlights of the show. The three Alpha models are the Alpha Spot, Alpha Spot HPE and Alpha Wash. 'HPE' signifies 'High Performance', and accordingly the Alpha Spot HPE boasts a redesigned optical system, a 10-40° zoom and electronic focusing. With CYM colour-mixing and a seven-colour wheel, linear CTO for colour temperature correction and pastel shades, plus its three gobo wheels (of which two are indexable, interchangeabe and bi-directional), two prisms (2-facet and 5-facet), three frost filters, 0-100% dimming and stop/strobe effect, the Alpha Spot is a fully-featured unit. Another new feature is its 'fast-clamping' capability which provides quick switching of graphic effects discs.

The Alpha Spot is a lower-budget option, with a 15-35° zoom, two colour wheels and

Swefog showed its smart new Live T26, the design of which includes a handy carrying bar and a nozzle that wouldn't look out of place on a drag racer. The unit utilizes Swefog's X-Power heavy duty 2,600W smoke generating system, and produces 1,800m/min output.

UK - For performing arts professionals and students based in Scotland, it's a long trek to trade shows in the Midlands and south to see the latest products and talk to equipment manufacturers. So this year the Department of Technical and Production Arts at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) added a Sponsors Trade Show to run alongside its annual graduate exhibition. Spearheaded by Ros Maddison and David Ripley (RSAMD's head of Technical and Production Arts and production manager respectively), the combined event was held on 24-25 March.

The show fulfilled three functions: to give the Academy's sponsors something in return, by bringing their products out 'to the market' and providing a forum to informally talk direct to the students; to give the students the opportunity to talk to the companies, to discuss products, working practices, work placements and employ

UAE - The Middle East is an exciting market for lighting, sound, AV and systems integration providers. For example, the UAE is slated to invest $28billion in new architecturally-driven projects over the next five years. Across the Middle East region, research has indicated that the sound and lighting industry will be worth $2billion per year within five years.

This huge level of investment aims to open up massive new income streams to these previously oil-dependent states, with tourism and leisure on the grandest of scales being the big earner of the future. All good news for suppliers and installers of entertainment, presentation and communication systems.

Against this background, IIR Exhibitions has put the Pro Audio & Light Middle East - PALME - exhibition firmly on the international trade show calendar after just two events. This year's show, which took place in February,

Switzerland - L&SI was recently a guest at the Geneva Motor Show, courtesy of Barco's Media and Entertainment division. And not without good reason did Barco extend their largesse . . .

Inevitably there was good and bad at the Geneva Motor Show. Bad was the profusion of aggressive-looking cars - you know the type? The shape of car is all squat and muscle - something akin to an automotive Pit Bull Terrier. It's a sad day for western males when even an MG saloon appears obliged to prop up the failing ego . . . whatever happened to those sleek, rounded, curvaceous sports cars of the 60s?

The good news was presentation. Pal Expo Geneva is vast, with acres of floor space, typical of a truly international exhibition centre. But for the car show certain rules are in evidence, primarily one that limits stand design and floor usage. Stands, or at least their vertical scenic elements

France - Early spring in Paris and the 22nd SIEL show opened its doors to what the organizers claimed were 25,893 visitors. Essentially a national show attracting a largely French audience, SIEL is unsurprisingly dominated by French Distributors. There were few international manufacturers exhibiting independently and those that were hailed mainly from the European mainland.

There was a very relaxed feel to the show with practically everyone stopping for a long lunch at around 1pm (how civilized!). This year the show was divided into two distinct areas with entertainment lighting and sound exhibitors on the upper floor and the rather livelier and more colourful nightlife and events show on the ground.

Siel was attended by many of the usual suspects along with a few interesting new faces showcasing some fascinating and innovative products. LED technology at last seems to be est

Germany - Frankfurt's ProLight&Sound exhibition closed its doors on 3 April after registering a 30 % increase in visitor numbers, say the organizers. This is the largest number of visitors ever recorded in the 10 years since it was launched. Over the four days of the fair, 26,735 trade visitors - including more than 9,000 industry professionals from outside Germany.

"The fair was very well attended, business people have been able to make the contacts they want and, with the innovative segments of media technology and systems integration, a new, future-oriented growth market is opening up for the sector," said Florian von Hofen, chief executive of Germany's Association for Professional Light, Sound and Event Technology (VPLT), summing up the fair.

The mood of the exhibition appeared to be indicative of a new upswing in the sector: according to the organizers' research

UK - The Museum and Heritage Show (12-13 May) is set for its biggest and best show yet. Taking place from at its new home at Earls Court, London, the event brings together the world's leading suppliers and contractors to museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions, along with the latest services.

Supporting Museums & Galleries Month's objectives of attracting new visitors to the UK's wealth of museums, galleries, and visitor attractions, this year's show will see and extensive programme of seminars, showcases and technical presentations all designed to provide industry professionals with the information and inspiration needed to enhance their visitors' experience.

Andrew McIntyre, chair of the Visitor Studies Group, will offer an insight into the reasons visitors visit and, perhaps more importantly, why non-visitors stay away, whilst the Museum Trading Association will

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