Germany - Outline will be holding a Press launch during this week's ProLight + Sound in Frankfurt to announce its latest products for 2005. These include a new monitor designed using the HARD principle, and Globe Sub - a universal self powered sub bass.

The Italian manufacturer will also We shall also be announcing its Compass (compact polar adjustable sound system). "This 'line source loudspeaker' takes the line array technology quantum leaps forward," says Outline. Compass has a fully adjustable horn flare which is manoeuvred via servos contained within the cabinet and controlled via software. Dispersion can be calculated and adjusted between 60 and 180 degrees in the horizontal and between 0 and 15 degrees in the vertical. Flying hardware will also be mechanically adjustable via computer controlled servos. Compass will see its physical launch at PLASA 2005 in L

USA - The Entertainment Technician Certification Programme (ETCP) Council has announced that the rigging candidate handbook and application forms are now available. The first ETCP rigging examinations (arena and theatre) will be held in November 2005 in conjunction with the ETS-LDI trade show. Candidate information, including eligibility requirements and application forms, are available on the ETCP website.

"All experienced riggers are invited to take the industry's first rigging certification exam," says an ETCP spokesman. "The rigging certifications are designed for highly experienced riggers. Qualified riggers can apply for either one or both exams. Individuals must meet eligibility requirements to apply for the exam(s).

"The content for the examinations is based on a job analysis performed by twenty-four subject matter experts under the guidance of a pr

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) will launch its annual Summer School 2005 at the A.C. Lighting North Trade Show being held at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds on April 26 & 27.

ABTT Summer School 2005 is being held at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry. Four Awards are being offered: In addition to its successful Bronze for Stage Technicians, this year sees the launch of a Silver Award for Stage Technicians, a Silver Award for Sound Technicians and a Silver Award for Stage Electricians. For the first time, these Awards will have full accreditation from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama, making the ABTT Awards the first accredited courses for technical and production practitioners in theatre.

The Bronze Award is five intensive days taking the following subjects: Electrical Fundamentals, Portable Appliance Testing, K

USA - Compulite Systems has renewed its presence in the US with the establishment of Compulite USA, a wholly owned subsidiary. "This is a key stage in the implementation of the company's growth strategy, and overall mission." says Ohad Ashery, Compulite's VP of marketing and business development.

"Naturally, we see huge potential in the North American market", Ashery continues, "Compulite has always been known for it's outstanding responsiveness to customers, and the new subsidiary will enhance our ability not only to sell, but also to provide follow-up services such as training and support to our valued customers in the US.

"We also expect to gain first-hand knowledge of the specific needs of the North American market, that will be quickly translated into new products, supplementing our established product lines."

Located in Wallingford, C

Liechtenstein - Neutrik is extending the popular D-chassis line with USB and FireWire receptacles. The new NAUSB and NA1394-6 will be shown for the first time in the UK at Sounds Expo, London, this month.

"Digital signal transmission is becoming more and more important in the Pro Audio world. With these digital connectors, Neutrik eases the integration of digital tools in the sound studio environment, offering convenient connections of any hardware using any of the two standard Bus technologies," says Neutrik's marketing director Norbert Nachbauer.

"The chassis of the USB and the FireWire connector fits to the D-panel cut-out established by Neutrik, which is universally accepted throughput the Pro Audio market. This makes the upgrading of existing consoles and panels remarkably simple - unscrew a no-longer required S-chassis connector and replace it with a NAUSB

Germany - For a form of entertainment so steeped in tradition, many theatrical productions nowadays employ a vast array of cutting-edge technology. But should theatre stick with 'traditional' production values or are moving lights, moving sets and moving sound becoming a necessity? These are questions that will be considered by lighting designer Ken Billington in his keynote address at Showlight 2005.

Lighting technology is also at the heart of Were you right?, a session where David Taylor will ask Richard Pilbrow (both of Theatre Projects Consultants) about some of his early prophesies for the future of stage lighting. Although Pilbrow is renowned as a theatre designer and producer, the chairman of Theatre Projects was a pioneer of modern stage lighting. His 1970 book Stage Lighting became a standard reference work.

These two papers are part of a wider pr

USA - High-end wireless technology manufacturer Lectrosonics is introducing what it claims to be the world's smallest professional audio wireless transmitter.

Scheduled to be unveiled at NAB 2005 in Las Vegas, SM (Super Mini), this transmitter is said to delivering 107dB signal-to-noise ratio and flat frequency response to 20kHz. Lectrosonics' Digital Hybrid Wireless technology uses both 24-bit digital audio and analogue FM signal transmission methods to encode a digital signal into a robust analogue format for transmission over a UHF FM carrier.

The SM's receiver captures the signal and DSP circuitry recreates the original digital audio. Says Lectrosonics, "This unique system represents the best of both wireless worlds: exceptional digital audio qualitycombined with the spectrum efficiency and long range of highly-optimised FM wireless systems."

Larry Fisher, Lect

Slovakia - Slovakian Superstar is the country's first series of the Pop Idol roll-out, and has captured the nation's popular imagination, with up to 1.8 million TV viewers (out of a population of approx. 5.5 million), a highly enthusiastic public, and 3,678 original applicants, whittled down to the 11 most talented finalists.

Superstar is broadcast live each Friday night from the National Tennis Centre arena in Slovakian capital, Bratislava, staged in front of 1,500 highly vocal fans. STV has put 2.6 million Euros into producing the series, making it the country's largest TV project to date, and very much a matter of National pride. The live show tickets are allocated as give-aways for various competitions and about half via the show's main sponsors, including Nestlé.

Naturally, production values are right at the top of the agenda, with STV seeking the best technical and crea

USA - On Wednesday, 13 April 2005, two draft rigging standards were posted on the ESTA website for public review. BSR E1.4, Entertainment Technology-Manual Counterweight Rigging Systems, and BSR E1.21, Entertainment Technology - Temporary Ground-Supported Overhead Structures Used to Cover the Stage Areas and Support Equipment in the Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events, will be available on the ESTA website until the end of the day, midnight GMT, on 28 June 2005. They can be accessed at http://www.esta.org/tsp/documents/public_review_docs.php.

BSR E1.4, Entertainment Technology-Manual Counterweight Rigging Systems, describes the design and construction of manually powered counterweight rigging systems. The primary purpose of the standard is to enhance the safety of these system, which

USA - Mike Wood Consulting LLC has announced the addition of a free subscription service to its web-based database of entertainment technology patents. This database has been running for over a year and is updated weekly with US Patents relating to entertainment technology, with a particular emphasis on lighting patents.

After signing up to the free information service on the newly re-designed website, users will be automatically e-mailed whenever new US patents are issued that are interesting or relevant to the entertainment technology community. Subscribers will receive an e-mail from the system at most once a week and can cancel their subscription at any time. The e-mail will contain brief descriptions of the newly issued patents and links to allow direct downloading of full pdf files.

The patent database is fully searchable and currently contains over 500 US patents includ

UK / Sri Lanka - When the devastating effects of the tsunami struck the countries around the Indian Ocean over the Christmas period, the services offered by the entertainment production industry weren't those that were immediately required as part of the disaster recovery effort. Three months on, however, as the countries work to return to normality, the UK lighting industry has been able to offer assistance to colleagues working in Sri Lanka.

Production manager Alison Ritchie heard about the damage caused to the lighting, sound and staging equipment stock of her friend Thushan Dias of Mahinda Dias Engineers. MDS has supplied lighting sound and staging services in Sri Lanka for more than 50 years, and Ritchie knew Dias having worked with him when Shared Experience toured to Colombo in the 90s. After the tsunami, she contacted him to check that he was OK, and heard that though he

USA - Color Kinetics Incorporated announced on April 22 that the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted its motion for summary judgment regarding three of Super Vision's claims: interference with prospective business relationships, trade disparagement and defamation.

Colour Kinetics' statement added: "By granting summary judgment for Color Kinetics on these three Super Vision claims, the Court determined that no reasonable jury could find for Super Vision on its claims of interference with prospective business relationships, trade disparagement or defamation and, therefore, no trial need be held on those issues. Furthermore, arguments regarding summary judgment motions with respect to patent validity, enforceability and infringement are expected to be heard by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in May 2005.

UK - Orbital Sound has announced its appointment as the exclusive UK distributor of HME Professional Audio's DX200 wireless digital intercom system, which boasts affordable and reliable 2.4 Ghz license free operation. Adding to its expanding sales product range, it augments the company's potential to sell and hire innovative communications solutions across a host of applications.

In addition to its 2.4Ghz licence-free operation, the DX200 Wireless Intercom System provides clear, secure and interference free communications with an advanced and easy-to-operate digital design. The system is compatible with all 2 and 4 wire ring intercom systems and can be readily integrated into existing installations. A standard DX200 System comes with a base station and four full-duplex belt packs but up to 15 belt packs per system can be accommodated for more users. Two base stations can be link

UK - Event company Number One Venues has secured Westminster City Council's planning committee's approval to develop one of London's prime central locations into a high quality corporate and indoor sports events venue.

Number One Piccadilly - The London Pavilion - is a listed building on a triangular site bounded by Shaftesbury Avenue, Great Windmill Street and Piccadilly Circus, overlooking Eros, a site previously occupied by Rock Circus. Building owner Burford Group considered a number of options for the space, and director Mark Boyes commented: "Number One Venues' concept is the first one which not only envisages a versatile and stunning interior facility, spread over five floors, but also provides a unique new venue for the heart of London."

Number One Venues' plans will create a flexible central London venue ideal for events for up to 1,000 guests - including ro

UK - North London sound reinforcement rental specialists John Henry's have added a EAW KF730 compact line array system to their inventory of EAW cabinets. The new system comprises twenty KF730 mid/hi cabinets and eight SB730 subs plus the relevant flyware.

According to JHL managing director John Henry, the purchase was made after an evaluation and testing process of line array systems from a variety of manufacturers. "As a multi-disciplinary service company, we felt that it was appropriate to add a line array system to our inventory in order to offer our clients a full complement of cabinets to suit every application. We opted for the EAW KF730 system in particular because it has received an enthusiastic response from clients and technicians alike on every occasion we have used it."

JHL's Pepin Clout added: "The system proved its mettle from the very first time

UK - The Pharos Lighting Playback Controller has won the Best of Category Award for the Controls and Controls Software category at the Lightfair International 2005 tradeshow in New York. The award, announced at the show at the Jacob K. Javits Center on April 12, follows the Pharos' acclaimed initial showings at LDI 2004 in Las Vegas and ARC 05 in London.

Richard Mead, managing director of Pharos Architectural Controls, said: "The response at Lightfair from designers and installers alike was tremendous. The Pharos LPC bridges the gap between entertainment and architectural lighting in a way that proves attractive to users in retail, themed or architectural environments. Pharos LPC is a solid-state, fit-and-forget solution for control of colour mixing fixtures, conventional dimmable fixtures and ballasts, and automated moving lights using either DMX or DALI protocols. The uni

UK - Event service company PSL has underlined its relationship with projector specialists Sanyo by placing a significant order for products at the compact, portable end of the market. The move forms part of an ongoing review of its rental fleet, and is designed to give its clients access to the latest technology in its inventory.

"This equipment will be spread across our depots in Potters Bar, Birmingham, ExCeL, PSL Central and The Brewery, and will support our activities nationwide," said PSL managing director Gary Davis. "Sanyo products have an excellent feature set and offer great value for money, while we know we can always depend on good support."

The order consists of large quantities of PLC-XU47 2000 ANSI lumens Ultra Portable Compacts; PLC-XC10 3000 ANSI lumen Compacts; and PLC XP56 5000 ANSI lumens Portable Networkable Projectors.Said Sanyo's Crisp

UK - SES, the Slough-based power and distribution specialist, has won the contract to convert all the PRG Group's power distros to the new BS7671 colour code. The move will involve some 200 items of 15 types purchased before early 2004, when PRG instigated the new regulations ahead of their compulsory introduction on April 1st 2006.

This follows SES's close collaboration with PRG in the run up to the 2004 Athens Olympics, when the two companies co-designed twenty-four 72-way MCB distribution boxes, which, says PRG's Peter Marshall, were "expertly built and delivered ahead of schedule in time for the shipments to Athens". PRG then chose SES for the colour code conversion work and, says SES's Mark Cooper, "It's great to continue our very positive working relationship with PRG - the UK's largest lighting rental operation. It endorses SES's commitment to service and q

UK - Phil Cobourne has joined Showsec as UK Safety & Project Manager. He will primarily work on large scale events and develop the company's health and safety consultancy service.

Previously employed by the Tussauds Group at Warwick Castle, his 11 years there included numerous events from the castle's in-house classical concerts, the film première for King Arthur, three episodes of Mastermind, the first National Lottery outside broadcast and pop concerts ranging from Simply Red in 1999 to the Summer Nights concerts in 2004.

Showsec is servicing a steadily increasing number of one-off and annual events requiring professional crowd management, security and health and safety services. MD Mark Harding commented: "Phil brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and he will help to increase the momentum we have towards a health and safety conscious

Austria - Midas' Austrian distributor Audiosales has sold a 40-channel Verona console to VTR (Veranstaltungstechnik Rieder), a Viennese multimedia rental company offering high level video solutions to high calibre clients from across the country. VTR has invested heavily in video equipment over the past years, and wished to upgrade its audio quality, a move which included replacing the main audio mixing desk which had been in residence for some time. Criteria included much-improved sonic performance, better signal to noise ratio - especially when placed near dimmer or amp racks - a small frame size and a reasonable price point.

After a shootout between four British-manufactured consoles, VTR chose the Midas Verona. "Although VCAs are a nice feature to have, we don't need them very so much, so we focused more on the audio quality," says Mischa Volavsek, technical direct

UK - Autograph Sales has announced the appointment of five regional dealerships as authorised product resellers. Stage Sound Services of Cardiff, Pro Audio Systems of Bradford, Impact from Newquay in Cornwall, B&H Syscom of Peterborough and Midlands-based Pro Audio Solutions are the first five companies to join this new initiative.

The scheme provides customers for Aviom, Clear-Com, Countryman, EM Acoustics, Fischer Amps, K&M, MC2 and Milab with local pre and post-sales support, backed up by in-depth technical knowledge and instant-access stock at Autograph Sales.

"We're very excited about these new partnerships," says Autograph's Susie Alterman. "The range of brands that we represent appeal to a much wider audience than ever before, and having regional specialists will give pro audio customers in every part of the UK the local knowledge and backup that they nee

UK - RCF has announced it is to host a two-day customer Open Day 'In House' exhibition, at Coombe Abbey Hotel, Brinklow Road, Coventry, on June 28 and 29. Opening hours are 10am-7pm on the Tuesday and 10am-4pm on the Wednesday.

During the event RCF plans to show many of its professional and commercial audio sound systems. These will include active demonstrations of the new ART Series and the larger format 4PRO Active Speaker System, including the new 4PRO 7001 4 Way Active System, launched at this year's Frankfurt exhibition. The Open Day will also see the first full UK demonstration of the RCF Acustica compact speakers.

RCF's Phil Price commented: "It is important for our customers to be able to see and hear our new speakers systems. This year alone RCF have introduced new models in all our major ranges as a well as a complete new range of Monitor Q Installation speakers

UK - PLASA Media has received a warning about a con-man operating in the London area who has stolen several thousand pounds worth of equipment from a London-based AV hire company. The culprit gave his name as David Jones from BBC Worldwide, and presents convincing paperwork - and an internal answerphone message at the BBC itself - to back up the claim. He then collected, via courier, a range of equipment including laptop computers and plasma screens, and disappeared.

The BBC is aware of the problem, we are told. If anything suspicious arises, please contact Simon Brown at the BBC's investigations department on 0208 752 5094.

(Lee Baldock)

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