Wave Integrated Systems - a division of the Eastlake Group - were chosen by GCE and BBC Scotland to supply and install audio visual solutions to a specific design built around enhancing visitors and audience experience of the Halls' new music and education facilities. Ewen Grimes, Head of Wave Integrated Systems explains the issues that posed a challenge: "The installation requirements were complex, with 16 different areas within City Hall each having its own communication objectives. For example, there are pavement facing areas, which capture the attention of the public passing the building. Then there are reception areas, where there was a requirement for up to date scheduling information. A children's area required interactive displays to be installed at low level and is used for encouraging the kids' interest in music.
We were also asked to address the issue of customers who are unable to access the hall until the intermission. Was there a way that we could let them view the performance in the bar areas whilst they were waiting?"
The solution was an integrated installation, with display devices ranging from 40" LCD panels to touch screens to 50" plasma screens, and five glass holoscreens. Wave introduced a product called Turning Heads, which converts any surface into an audio speaker, and used this to turn the glass windows at the front of the hall into speakers, so that passers-by could not only see previous performances on the screens but hear them too. Five broadcast cameras in the auditorium film the performance and allow it to be shown in real time on displays in the bar areas for those latecomers who have missed the start of the show.
One overriding requirement was the simple control of the varied content on all of the different displays and Wave recommended the OneLAN Net-Top-Box as a solution, having used the product very successfully in other installations with similar requirements.
The chosen solution demanded flexibility and cost effectiveness. The Net-Top-Box offered both. The resulting content of the displays is driven by six Net-Top-Boxes which control the different information into different areas and allow content to be scheduled at relevant times."We really feel that these products have contributed to the re-emergence of City Hall as a first class venue for the city of Glasgow," concluded Ewen.
(Lee Baldock)
