Gearhouse AV's operations manager Bhans Sheomangal explains how they were looking for a "reliable product that can be easily deployed and used for numerous tasks including the creation of multiple plasma screen effects". The brief was to find something that was: "Good quality with excellent and consistent colour reproduction," he comments, adding MicroTiles are proving to be the "perfect" solution for many applications.
Built on proven DLP technology, MicroTiles are designed for maximum image quality in demanding, high ambient light level environments. "The price is also good, and this combined with the general robustness and great longevity of the product compared to a plasma screen, make it an even more cost-effective option," says Gearhouse SA. The Tiles were purchased via Christie South Africa.
The MicroTiles can easily be seamlessly integrated into any set or scenic elements, which is a great asset as Gearhouse is frequently involved in set design and build via sister company Sets, Drapes, Screens (SDS).
When all used together as one surface, the current 100 MicroTiles make up a 4 x 3 metre area. "The colour calibration and temperature over all the tiles when used in this format has been superb, and is calibrated via proprietary software that calculates and balances according to the age, chroma levels, etc., of the different tiles," the company says.
"The picture quality, reproduction and colour balance are all excellent," enthuses Sheomangal, "plus the light weight compared to plasma or LED panels is another massive advantage. If the front laminated screen needs to be replaced for any reason, the operation is straightforward and quick."
Gearhouse MicroTile projects so far have included the Vuka Awards, where for a live telecast from the Theatre on The Track at Kyalami, Midrand, the Tiles were built into a prominent and eye-catching heart shape set piece.
At the 2010 METRO FM Music Awards staged in the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, Gearhouse's full technical production, included a section of the set made from MicroTiles behind the presenter platform, which was used for some tasty visual eye-candy.
For the ANC Lekgotla strategy meeting in Mogale City Krugersdorp they were deployed in a completely different context - providing multiple power point presentation and information points.
The Gearhouse marketing department has also found the MicroTiles invaluable. A number are used on Gearhouse's current exhibition stand for the playback of video clips, montages and stills images illustrating a diverse range of projects and events, all helping to promote the company and its skills and services at various trade shows and exhibitions.
The Micro Tiles can be fed with any video input. For some of these applications, they have been run via grandMA VPUs triggered from a lighting console, and on others by a Wings Platinum screen/display management system.
(Claire Beeson)
