Ireland - On 19 February, Pink, the bad girl of pop, made a dramatic entrance onto the stage at the Point Theatre Dublin as she was lowered smoothly to the stage in a rusty steel bird cage (pictured right). Pink opened her show with the hit song There You Go, telling the 8,000 strong crowd that the evening was to be an 'illusion of music'. . .

Brilliant Stages were approached by production manager Rich Barr to work on the Mark Fisher design for the European leg of Pink's world tour. The company supplied two 'smart' hoists - to lower the cage to the stage - preferred for their ability to ramp up and down from a soft start to produce a smooth descent. The set pieces include two exaggerated speaker stacks mounted to an upstage raised walkway, accessed via two open-tread aluminium staircases on stage left and right.

The 64 speaker cones, constructed from fibreglass, are up to 3ft

Germany - The Fun Company, a new Germany-based venture aimed at bringing new show control solutoions to the market, launched its E.GO show control system at the recent Frankfurt ProLight&Sound exhibition. The E.GO system offers control of lights, video and sound in professional theatrical or event environments, and follows a fully modular concept which allows the user to add and combine any number of modules to one console.

In addition, each module can work as a stand-alone unit, so it can function as a full desk on its own. There are three modules available, each being tailored towards a specific use: the Designer module for direct access, the Performer for playing back complex shows and the Fader module for flexible device mixing.

Technologies such as the easy to use ColorTarget and the ShowDrive make the E.GO show control system one of the most versatile and easy to use s

USA - The Kansas and Missouri departments of transportation began operating the Kansas City Scout traffic congestion management and traveler information system in January this year. Designed to provide freeway travelers with the latest in technology and communication to help make their drive safer, faster and more manageable, the system's elements include traffic sensors, surveillance cameras, electronic message boards, and a highway advisory radio system.

Traffic information from these elements feeds into Scout's Operations Center located in Lee's Summit, MO. Operations staff monitor traffic on 75 miles of Kansas City's most congested freeways; and respond to freeway incidents by notifying the appropriate authorities to clear the roadway and keep traffic flowing as freely as possible.

Scout's traffic operations staff use information from its cameras and sensors to launch a co

UK - Projected Image Digital, specialist supplier of digital media server hardware, video and lighting control solutions and digital content for the entertainment industry, was established to develop and bring new products to the market that highlight the increasing convergence between lighting and video mediums.

At the Production Show 04, PID will launch PixelMAD, a revolutionary matrix control system that loads digital images and plays them back as Quicktime movies via DMX-controlled lighting fixtures. PID is the worldwide distributor of this new product, which was first used on Radiohead's 2003 Hail To The Thief world tour 2003, to generate dynamic and organic lighting effects across a wall of James Thomas Pixelline fixtures - saving hours of laborious programming.

PixelMAD utilizes software that runs on a Macintosh in a very similar way to the Catalyst digital media

UK - Birmingham based Presentation Service Providers (PSP) is continuing with its extensive investment programme in new equipment with the recent acquisition of Analogue Way's new OCTO-FX Switcher and a new range of projectors, the PLC XU55 and PLC XT16.

The OCTO-FX Switcher will enable seamless switching between computer, video playback and camera. The PLC XT16 projector is suitable for roadshows and meetings and the PLC XU55 is a wireless ultra portable projector ideal for medium sized meetings and seminars.

In addition to the recent investment in new equipment PSP has also announced the continuation of its expansion programme with the opening of a London base. PSP's decision to open in London is a reflection of the company's increasing client portfolio based in the Capital and its commitment to develop into one of the country's leading technical services providers.

Commen

Spain - Blitz Communications, one of the UK's leading providers of audio-visual equipment and services, has supplied sound and video facilities for the pan-European launch of General Motors' new Opel Astra and Tigra cars in Spain.

Blitz worked with Pci:Live, a live brand communications agency, to supply equipment used throughout the launch event, which was held over three weeks in two venues on Spain's southern coast. The unveiling of the new models took place at the Circuito de Jerez (host to this year's Spanish Grand Prix) and the farewell gala dinner at an indoor bullring in Torrestrella. The event was attended by over 8,000 dealers with their partners, as well as Fleet guests.

Frank Kucharski, project leader at Pci:Live commented: "We have managed similar launches for a variety of clients but this was one of the most ambitious and challenging. We needed the equipment

UK - Audio-visual specialist Integrated Circles has been nominated for a Museums and Heritage Excellence Award 2004 in the 'Best use of Technology' category. The nomination is for the use of the company's own digital SoundStore in the 'M11 LINKED' project. The digital SoundStores are hidden in lamp-posts along a three-mile walk, transmitting music, recorded testimonies and the rekindled memories of those who once lived and worked where the controversial M11 Link Road now runs.

Integrated Circles' managing director, Simon Beer commented: "It was certainly an unusual project. We custom-designed a solution featuring a powerful radio transmitter and our own digital SoundStore technology at its heart, which we knew was reliable enough to endure the harsh outdoor conditions. We also had to provide 1,000 receivers for the visitors to wear to pick up the commentary along the route

UK - XL Video is supplying projectors to the Siobhan Davies Dance Company for its acclaimed Birdsong work, which has just started the first leg of its UK tour. Siobhan Davies is one of the UK's leading choreographers, with a career stretching back to the early 1970s. Davies is passionately interested in the medium of dance itself - the way the human body moves, how it can be composed, and what it can achieve and evoke. Davies works collaboratively with her dancers rather than starting with a specific aim, and relies on their experiences and imagination to contribute to the palette of available movement.

An additional technical challenge for the intimate and emotional Birdsong is that it's staged in the round. So the only real solid surface the eight dancers had to work with was the floor!

Maximizing the dramatic possibilities of the floor, two Barco G5 video proj

USA - Gefen has announced a new method of high definition video extension which can transmit audio and video data up to 150ft over Cat 5 cable - the first time, according to Gefen, that Cat 5 cables can carry the large amounts of data required for HD clarity and precision. New chip technologies have created a method of packaging data that can be transmitted successfully using industry-standard Cat 5E cables, say the company.

Multiple resolutions up to 1080i and multi-channel digital audio are effective at distances up to 150ft, making the HDTV Extender over Cat 5 cable an economical alternative to fibre optics or copper cables for medium-length installations. It is highly advantageous when upgrading audio/video systems from analogue to digital because cabling does not have to be replaced.

THe HDTV Extender is available in two models that work with HD's two most popular interfa

USA - Kurt Kern, long-time TMB sales representative, has relocated to Cleveland to join Vincent Lighting Systems. TMB's East Coast sales manager, Brian Dowd, said: "Kurt has been a great asset and friend to us all. We respect the devotion to his family that prompted this move. The growth of our New York office over the past few years would not have been possible without Kurt's knowledge, talent and hard work. Paul Vincent and everyone at Vincent Lighting are very fortunate. Meanwhile, we now have to deal with our worst nightmare: a customer who knows our deepest, darkest secrets!"

"Who can blame Kurt for moving to a town with such an awesome football team?" said TMB's sales manager, Tommy Stephenson, famous follower of lost causes, adding: "Paul, did you get a chance to look at my resumé yet?"

"These have been great years," comments Ke

UK - Training classes for the High End Systems Catalyst Pro v3.0 Media Server and Software systems are now available in the UK and Europe by Projected Image Digital, based at Three Mills Studios in London's East End. The HES factory-approved course is a full-day session, which includes Catalyst set-up, programming and operator training, plus documentation and refreshments. Cost is £100 per person. The next available sessions are 26 May, 16 June and 30 June, with further dates due to be announced soon.

"With the growing convergence of lighting and video control comes the need to acquire new knowledge and skills," says David March, managing director of Projected Image Digital. "Our courses are designed and delivered by lighting and video professionals with an emphasis on real-world applications."

Contact +44 (0)208 709 8588 to make reservations.

(Lee Baldo

France - The organizers of the European Laser Show Festival have announced that the second edition of the event will take place in the city of the Cap d'Agde, situated near to Monptellier in the South of France, from the 23 - 26 June 2004. Nine European professional of laser display companies will compete for a variety of prizes at the event. These are LM Productions (UK), Laserforum (Netherlands), HW Lasertechnik (Germany), Laser Entertainment (Italy), Global Laser Systeme (Austria), Laser System Europe (Belgium), LPI (France), Omicron (Poland), Art Screen Multimedia (Russia) will be present for the Festival.

In 2002, 15,000 spectators watched the shows in the Gulf of St Tropez. In 2005, the organizers plan to stage the 'World Cup Laser Show' with competing companies coming from all over the globe.

(Lee Baldock)

Japan - Pioneers of AV sampling, Coldcut, used the new Allen & Heath Xone:92 mixer on their recent tour of Japan. The duo (Matt Black and Jon More) are renowned for creative use of audio-visual material and needed a mixer with a midi output facility, to control and synchronize both audio and visual material.

"The Xone:92 is the only DJ mixer with midi output in production, so we decided to test it on our Japanese tour," comments Coldcut's Black. "Jon already uses a Xone:62 for his audio mixing, so we knew that the sonic standard would be excellent and the build quality, superior. The Xone:92 performed very well and the sound quality delighted our sound engineer. We use a lot of material during our performances and we found that the mixer is very versatile and helps us manage different sources, giving us even more creative scope and freedom."

Black uses a la

The Netherlands - Rabobank, a leader in Dutch banking, has recently seen the replacement of some of its traditional printed posters with a high-resolution LED screen to deliver its messages to customers in an attractive and eye-catching format at its Helmond branch.

The screen, a Lighthouse Technologies LVP1950S high-resolution LED screen, has taken up position at Rabobank's branch near Eindhoven in the south of Holland. It replaces printed posters, which were costing the bank some 35,000 euros annually. Dutch systems integrator, Hecla Professional Audio and Video Systems, was the provider of what has become known as the 'Wall Street' solution, supplying the 3.6 x 3.6m (12.96sq.m) Lighthouse screen for the bank's external wall.

"This is a much more cost-effective and versatile solution than Rabobank's traditional printed posters," said Hecla sales manager, Jos den

USA - Entering its fourth month of operation, Prelite LA has established a firm foothold by providing its lighting pre-visualization services to a variety of different types of productions, the company reports. Lighting designer Eddy Brantley worked with Prelite to produce early renderings for the National Indian Gaming Foundation, while Dan Boland also worked with the company for the international tour of Grammy-award winning artist Missy Elliot. A Prelite system is currently at Fourth Phase Los Angeles, where lighting designer Merle McLain and programmer Jessmine Baker are pre-programming the forthcoming tour for Earth, Wind and Fire.

Lightswitch designer Norm Schwab used Prelite for an AmGen Pharmaceutical project in Los Angeles, while his partner John Featherstone had a Prelite On-Site system in San Diego for pharmaceutical leader Takeda's annual sales meeting is San Diego.

UK - IBM showcased its latest developments in the IT sector recently, with the help of an 84" NeoDigm plasma screen supplied by PlasmaScreen Co. The IBM stand at the Linux User and Development Expo 2004 held in Olympia 2, was managed by IBM's worldwide event marketing agency The George P Johnson Company, which employed the latest in AV technology to reflect IBM's leading market position. To achieve this, it contacted PlasmaScreen Co and incorporated the world's largest plasma screen into the structure of the stand.

PlasmaScreen Co liaised with George P Johnson's project team and installed the screen on site at Olympia, along with a PA system and radio mics to create a small theatre area within the stand. IBM's exhibition team then ran demonstration videos and gave Powerpoint presentations, which reflected the branding used in IBM's current marketing campaign to the seated a

Serbia - Talk of the town in the heart of Belgrade at the Terazije "Palace Albania" is a new public information and advertising screen installed by the LEA Group, which is being hailed as a pioneering project in communications for Serbia and Montenegro. The screen carries public information and advertising for companies as diverse as finance and investment, food and drink suppliers, apparel and sports equipment providers together with cultural affairs information and government announcements.

The LVP1650 LED screen is a product of Lighthouse Technologies Limited, providing 16mm pixel pitch with 5,000 Nits brightness and is ideal for advertising and display applications because of its superior image quality and superb color rendition. The LVP1650 employs 13-bit processing and Lighthouse Technologies' M4 uniformity control. The product has recently been prominent install

UK - Quadrant Visual Solutions has been named Audio Visual Hire Company of the Year by the Hire Association of Europe (HAE) at the Association's annual Ceremony and gala dinner at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel, Warwick in April 2004. "Quadrant's winning entry demonstrates an impressively high standard of professionalism," said the judges, adding: "They show a consistent record of delivery and high standards of service. In addition, they are able to demonstrate clear systems and procedures relating to safety, health and quality."

Quadrants' hire and events division employs 25 full-time staff from offices in Birmingham, Derby, and Nottingham. The service which has been built-up over the last 20 years now boasts 400 clients in the UK and £1.5 million of AV and professional video equipment for wet and dry hire including presentation kits for all budgets fro

UK - Global Display Solutions (GDS), market leader in the design and manufacture of display solutions, has joined forces with NextWindow, designer and developer of optical imaging technologies in the field of touch recognition. Under the agreement NextWindow will supply optical imaging technology forintegration into GDS's new 32" and 37" LCD displays, providing the displays with touchscreen capabilities.

GDS selected NextWindow for its touchscreen technology after GDS's research into the touch solutions available for large interactive displays identified NextWindow's technology as being superior in performance over other touch technologies on the market, say the company. This new joint venture will enable both companies to combine their unrivalled manufacturing and design capabilities to deliver touchscreen displays of unparalleled quality and innovation to industry s

UK - Immedia Systems has designed and installed an audio-visual infrastructure for the new Iris Murdoch Centre at Stirling University. After extensive fund-raising to raise the necessary £2.3 million, followed by building work lasting more than a year, the ground-breaking Centre was opened early last year by Dame Judi Dench. Having been nominated for an Oscar and won a BAFTA in 2002 for her role as Dame Iris Murdoch in the film, Iris, Dame Judi is well-acquainted with the issues facing those suffering from dementia - and the new Centre sets out to provide information, training, consultancy, conferences and publications for those working in this area.

Immedia's Dave Pritchard specified a dnp 130" New Wide Angle High Contrast Screen, with a focal length of 3200mm, provided by UK distributors Paradigm Audio Visual. This was cut to 2495 x 1880mm and recessed into the back wall

Finland - FogScreen Inc has launched its new interactive fog screen. The world's first 'airborne interactive touch screen' is next-generation technology developed from FogScreen's pioneering airborne projection screen. When you write or draw upon the interactive fog screen, say the company, the writing or designs miraculously and continuously float in the air.

Interactive, airborne projection screens will find many uses within the entertainment industry and in out-of-home advertising (interactive, walk-through advertisements in airports, malls etc). Because fog screens are unbreakable, they are especially useful in applications intended for the public, such as information screens. The company also points to the need for sterile touch-screen communication devices in hospitals and factory clean rooms, which could potentially be satisfied by the interactive fog screens.

FogScreen

International - Rod Stewart hit the road this spring to commence a world tour in support of his double platinum release, The Great American Songbook: Volume II. The tour, which began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will continue through US and Canadian arenas through the end of August before moving overseas.

The show is presented in two parts, opening to a basic rock and roll set, with Rod and band performing high-energy songs from years past, then transforming for the second half to represent a vintage music hall, complete with heavy gold drapes and back-up orchestra. Here the audience is treated to several highlights off The Great American Songbook: Vol. II.

To enhance the spectacular performance, international staging solutions provider Creative Technology is supplying large screen, high-resolution projection technology, including Watchout, Dataton's multi-display production

UK - Paul Brooks has taken over as general manager at Synelec UK - replacing the departing Steve Murphy. A subsidiary of French company Synelec Telecom Multimedia SA, leaders in the large-scale display/integrated solutions industry, Synelec UK say they will benefit both from Brooks' experience of the marketplace, and his knowledge of the company's systems.

As sales manager of his previous company, CCC Network Solutions, Brooks was responsible for selling and delivering most of the company's command and control room solutions - and high among their third party supply was Synelec's videowall displays. Prior to that, Brooks worked for Barco, helping them to set up their UK control room displays division and becoming one of their lead salesman in Europe. "After CCC I had been looking to get back into the control room environment when I heard that Steve Murphy was leaving Synele

UK - Of interest to organizers of club nights and party events, Essex Sound & Light (ESL) has announced that its Neo One Impulse text-to-screen system has won Best in Class award for Customer Relations Management at the Global Messaging Congress, held at London Olympia. ESL is the UK distributor for the system.

Neo One enables clubbers to instantly interact with each other, or the DJ. The system enables a text or picture message to be sent from the clubber's phone to large plasma or projection screens around the venue, which everyone can read. A dedicated control centre monitors every text, to ensure they comply with the club's moderation policy. Once cleared by the system, the message appears on screen within 15 seconds.

Neo One can also be used for internal promotions, such as forthcoming club nights or special drink prices. In addition to this, say ESL, the system can be us

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