UK - PRG XL Video continued its support for Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity, providing event technology for the Nordoff Robbins Boxing Dinner at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

The evening was hosted by Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke; and boxing champion David Haye was honoured with the Nordoff Robbins Boxing Icon award. Musical entertainment came from singer and West End star, Beverley Knight.

The annual event, which raises funds for the music therapy charity, was supported by an array of stars, and included dinner, a live auction and a programme of boxing featuring a title fight between Alan Higgins and Eric McKonzo.

Working alongside industry colleagues, John Henry's Ltd, who provided the production, audio and staging; and Zig Zag Lighting; PRG XL supplied video equipment for the event including plasma screens, camera system and projection. These

UK - Marquee AV is continuing the expansion of its production and theatre lighting operations with the appointment of Peter Abery as project manager.

Senior project manager, Rob Whitaker, said, "Having recently taken on Paul Barker, the addition of Peter Abery now completes a very strong team to handle the lighting, audio and video requirements for projects of any size or complexity."

Abery has formerly worked for several specialist lighting installers, interspersed with extensive freelance work in television broadcast lighting for the BBC and ITV. He also enjoyed a spell in professional repertory theatre as head of the technical department and in house lighting design at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch. He has many lighting projects to his credit, including installations at York Theatre Royal, Wells Cathedral School Concert Hall, BBC New Broadcasting House, Redbridge Colle

USA - MCA Nashville recording artist Clare Dunn is now making a name for herself as one of the hottest touring artists. Having already opened for many of country music's biggest stars, the Colorado native has embarked on her first solo tour and production designer Mike Marcario was brought on to create a high-energy design that could accentuate the artist.

To bring the full design together, Marcario worked with Nashville-based tour provider Elite Multimedia who supplied him with a complete lighting and LED video system that has the ability to be self-triggered through the artists backing tracks.

"Clare's live show is a super high-energy and a fun experience even without touring production," began Marcario. "I'm very happy to have gotten the call to help take the show to the next level with some visual aspects. When we started production meetings, our biggest goals for the

Sweden - Dataton has appointed Lars Sandlund as chief executive officer, effective October 2016. In this newly created position, Sandlund will be responsible for implementing the strategic expansion of the well-known AV manufacturer.

Lars Sandlund is no newcomer to the company or the industry, having worked at Dataton for seven years. His most recent position was as COO, responsible for the daily operation of the company.

"I'm looking forward to leading and developing Dataton, with its admirable reputation for innovation, great products and proud 43-year history. My goal is to ensure that Dataton maintains and reinforces its top position in the market for at least the next 43 years," comments Sandlund.

Dataton has expanded significantly over the last five years - appointing new sales partners, moving to purpose-built headquarters and doubling the number of staff on the

USA - As LDI 2016 got underway inside the Las Vegas Convention Centre, LED video manufacturer PixelFLEX debuted its new AR-LED technology. The AR-LED video design received an overwhelmingly positive response, and the technology is now preparing for its initial launch into the world of entertainment and commercial LED video design.

"We could not be more pleased with the response we received from the performance of our new AR-LED video technology," said David Venus, PixelFLEX director of marketing. "There were many times where viewers simply sat in amazement, mesmerized by what they were seeing. After such a positive response, we are very excited about launching the AR-LED into the market to see just how creative designers can truly be."

Utilizing the patented lensing found in the FLEXLite series if LED panels, the new AR-LED has a 6mm pixel pitch with a broad viewing angle

UK - TiMax developers, Out Board, claim 'the busiest summer ever' following this year's prolific run of outdoor shows using the unique TiMax SoundHub spatialisation and TiMax Tracker performer tracking automation systems.

Kicking off at Erfurt Domfest, TiMax SoundHub and TiMax Tracker brought Tosca to glory with rental partners Neumann and Muller. Switching from the traditional to the ultra-modern, the next role for TiMax was at the opening ceremonies of Switzerland's ground-breaking, Gotthard Tunnel. With world leaders in attendance, Basel-based audiopool provided sound production and put TiMax Tracker to work imaginatively, but most atypically, as a visual cueing aid to manage audio localisation down the length of the elongated arena.

TiMax was specified in the most picturesque locations: Switzerland's large-scale Thunersee Festspiele with its stunning Swiss lakes

UK - Technical and creative production specialists CPL (Central Presentations Ltd) continues its investment in the newest and most innovative live production technologies with the purchase of a d3 4x4 media server.

This was followed by a comprehensive two-day on-site training course at CPL's HQ in the west Midlands, UK, for CPL's staff and key freelancers.

CPL's Simon Haydon explains that it was essential for both core members of CPL's video division and the company's regular freelance designers, programmers and video technicians to be included in the session. "To get the most out of the investment, it's important that a cross section of people are familiar with the system and know how to maximise its massive potential," he commented.

The d3 purchase follows on from a substantial shopping spree focussed on LED screen in the last six months, so with that and plenty of h

UAE - ShowLED was awarded the top gong for a brand new category at the fourth annual Light Middle East Awards: Exterior Lighting Project of the Year.

ShowLED Hybrid Pixels cover a full fa

UK - British dance group Clean Bandit has selected Really Creative Media to lead the design of their new stage show content and delivery ahead of the release of their upcoming Sophomore album. The new concept, launched at the band's one-off headline show from the Roundhouse, is a bespoke blend of VJ and time coded content, designed to be varied for each audience.

Jack James, creative director at Really Creative Media described the company's innovative approach to designing the content.

"The content creation approach was driven massively by the band and their vision for the new show. We also took guidance from the show designer extraordinaire, Rob Sinclair, which allowed us to use some really creative visual techniques.

"One trick, for example, saw us using video synthesizers that produce colourful oscilloscope-style patterns, which respond to the flow of the mus

Portugal - TAC (The Audiovisual Company) in Portugal has upgraded its media presentation rooms and main stadium LED displays at FC Porto, Drag

New Zealand - Demonstrating its ability to extend the performance capabilities of LED visualization solutions as an engaging, immersive, and revenue-generating platform in architecturally sensitive environments, NanoLumens has announced the completion of a major new installation in Auckland, New Zealand's architecturally significant Britomart Transportation Centre.

According to NanoLumens vice president of strategic accounts Almir DeCarvalho, the installation is the result of a collaboration between NanoLumens, QMS Media, and Digital Place Solutions (DPS.

"Taking on a project like this isn't for the faint of heart," emphasized Almir DeCarvalho. "It takes a combination of design and engineering creativity, superior display technology, and a client willing to embrace new thinking to produce a next-generation advertising solution that benefits everyone involved - the transpor

UK - Christie has signed a wide-ranging, long-term partnership agreement with the Barbican Centre in London to provide leading visual technology solutions to the arts and learning centre.

The partnership will transform the public spaces of the Barbican by providing new platforms for its rolling programme of artistic commissions and new focal points to communicate with the public. Christie will supply the latest laser phosphor projection, LED video walls, as well as Christie MicroTiles and Christie Pandoras Box media servers. The displays will be seen at entrances, across the foyers and at key points throughout the building. As part of the partnership, Christie will have access to meeting rooms and conference facilities to host partners and clients.

To coincide with this new partnership, the Barbican is holding an open call for artists, collectives and designers across all

Taiwan - Christie's rental staging partner Hexogon Solution Pte Ltd has ignited the Christmas spirit by delivering spectacular visuals that captivated thousands of spectators who turned up for the official lighting up ceremony of the highly-anticipated Christmasland in New Taipei City event on 19 November.

The stunning projection mapping performances, which run nightly until 2 January 2017, are planned and executed by Hexogon Solution using a total of 42 Christie Boxer 4K30 3DLP projectors. A slew of bright and vibrant visuals depicting Christmas adventures of the Santa Bear and Fang Tou Bear family project onto the fa

UK - Blitz|GES has bolstered its fleet with an investment in six Barco HDX 4K20 FLEX projectors.

Blitz|GES purchased the first batch of manufactured projectors, with the first projectors rolling off the production line in early October.

Paul Hutton, Blitz|GES managing director, commented, "There will be a significant increase in the requirement to display 4K images on events. Our purchase of the projectors is part of our investment in 4k ready equipment to meet our client's needs."

Carl Rijsbrack, Barco vice president events, added, "We're thrilled Blitz|GES are the first UK Rental & Staging partner to have added our HDX-4K20 FLEX projectors to their portfolio. We are confident the HDX-4K20 Flex projectors will ensure Blitz|GES can provide their customers with the highest quality and highest resolutions that are demanded, in a worry-free and future-proof way. We look f

Europe - Continuing a long working relationship with production executive, Andy Derbyshire, event manager, Maggie Mouzakitis, event production manager, Lisa Shenton, and show lighting designer, Tom Kenny, PRG XL Video has supplied lighting for the 2016 MTV EMA.

This year's event was held on 6 November at the Rotterdam Ahoy and was hosted by US artist Bebe Rexha. The event opened with glamorous red carpet arrivals from the star presenters and performers, hosted by Laura Whitmore and Sway Calloway, and PRG XL also supplied lighting, rigging, and video technology for the red carpet event.

PRG XL's account managers, Kelly Cornfield and Mat Ilott were initially contacted by line producer, Sophie Huda, and Red Carpet event manager, Sean McNally, to supply an outdoor video wall, high impact lighting, and supporting rigging for the red carpet area. Working with set designer, Adam

USA - The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) chose ArKaos MediaMaster PRO to drive the visual content for its production of Green Day's American Idiot. MediaMaster PRO was chosen for the ease with which it handled the demanding artistic concept, its speed of mapping and its easy-to-understand processes for editing content and operation.

The ArKaos software was supplied by IED, whose principal partner, Jeffrey Brown, is also adjunct instructor for theatre/event media and video at CCM. Brown built three media servers specifically to take advantage of the MediaMaster software. "I have had a relationship with the people at ArKaos for years, and I have been a huge fan of their software since before I knew them personally," says Brown.

"Aubrey Berg, the director for Green Day's American Idiot, had certain desires for this production, most

USA - Continuing to see an exponential growth in permanent LED video installation applications with a demand for ultra fine pixel pitch displays, PixelFLEX has announced the release of FLEXUltra 1.2mm LED video technology.

Through this expansion of the current product line that also includes fully front serviceable panels, the new ultra fine pixel pitch option of the FLEXUltra makes it an ideal LED video solution for any commercial design, architectural display or digital signage application, says the company.

"In a constantly changing visual world, LED video signage and displays are becoming commonplace in the commercial and architectural environments all around us," said David Venus, PixelFLEX director of marketing. "Our clients are constantly looking for higher pixel density products so we focused our efforts on creating not only an ultra-fine pitch product, but a produ

Europe - Lighting designer Francis Clegg of London-based design house MIRRAD turned to control technology by British manufacturer Avolites to drive his atmospheric lighting for electronic retro-rockers Public Service Broadcasting's (PSB) 'The Race for Space' album tour.

The band's unique sound features samples of vocals from old public information films and propaganda material with a goal to "teach lessons of the past through the music of the future". This is reflected in the live show's black and white archive video content by Gerrad Blyth, which Clegg cleverly juxtaposed with vibrant colours and dazzling aerial effects in a design that won him a Knight of Illumination Award 2016.

Clegg opted to use the highly tourable yet sophisticated Avolites Quartz running Titan version 10 to programme his winning design: "The Quartz fit the bill perfectly as I run everything in cueli

UK - Stars of stage and screen join the BBC Concert Orchestra at London's Royal Albert Hall for the European premiere of Disney's Broadway Hits - a celebration of the spellbinding songs behind some of the world's best loved musicals.

As the chosen rental partner for the Disney production, VER London supplied equipment, crew, logistics and peace of mind to allow the US creative team to hit the ground running at the venue, fully serviced via the local VER operation, fully backed by a global leading provider of quality equipment and support.

Delivered and configured ready for use in just five hours, the extensive equipment package required to capture the show in stunning 4K, included 17 cabled and remote Panasonic camera systems controlled via a bespoke fly-pack built around Evertz routers, Kayenne switching and Riedel communications.

Hosted by West End star, John Barrowm

UK - Panasonic high brightness displays took centre stage at London Fashion Week as they were used by breakthrough fashion designer Paula Knorr at her Spring/Summer '17 collection debut show.

The Council gave the London Royal College of Art MA graduate the space and financial support to enable her to set up an installation at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Pall Mall, where four 55" Panasonic LCD displays, two TH-55LF8s and two TH-55LF80s, were used to show the video vignettes.

Supported by the British Fashion Council German-born Knorr's new collection, Collage of Herself, revolves around the idea of feminism and womanhood, and features a series of video vignettes filmed with real women talking about their perceptions and attitudes towards femininity.

"I collaborated with a motion graphic designer friend from Berlin to create three 15-minute videos. I wanted to c

South Africa - DWR is setting up a charity organization aimed at freelancers. When freelancers fall ill, injure themselves or sometimes even pass away, it puts their family under immense pressure.

This charity will hopefully help a few people, on a merit basis, with basic assistance. This can either be in the form of helping to pay for school fees for a few months, maybe cover the rent, or providing grocery hampers. Each case will be submitted to the charity where a board will decide who we can assist and how.

Says DWR, "At the end of each year, DWR Distribution usually take pleasure in giving our clients gifts. This year, instead, we will use the money we would have used to buy presents to kick start the charity. It's something we believe will make a difference to someone who may find themselves in trouble when times are low. DWR will initiate the charity by donating R150

USA - Roland has introduced its VR-4HD high-definition AV mixer, an easy-to-use, compact and portable AV mixer that integrates a digital audio mixer, video switcher, multi-viewer touchscreen and USB video/audio streaming interface into a standalone device.

"The VR-4HD is a portable live HD production solution ideal for schools, churches, council meetings, corporate events, sports, training, or any other live event," said Christian Delfino, vice-president of Product Management for the Roland Professional A/V Division. "Whether being used to produce an online broadcast, support a presentation or even as the hub for a multi-input teleconference system using standard online chat software, the VR-4HD's all-in-one hardware design and audio digital signal processing capabilities, including Auto-Mixing function, make it easy for a single operator to achieve professional results."

The first AV Business and Technology Awards were held at the Cafe Royal in London in September. Around 300 of the UK's AV industry attended the event, which was organised by AV magazine. Dartford-based Electrosonic picked up two awards, the first for Systems Company of the Year and the second for Excellence in use of Videowall.

Blitz Communications has launched a new web site. The site provides a wealth of information about the group's three divisions - Blitz Vision, Blitz Interactive and TP Sound Services. Easily navigated, stylish and informative, the site provides a comprehensive guide to the range of services provided by each division.

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