Video and AV

One of the CT projections during the spectacular Opening Ceremony.

CT meets Olympic technical challenge

Details: 14 March 2016

Greece - Creative Technology London were contracted by Jack Morton Worldwide to provide a turnkey video solution for the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Andrew Hawker, CT's technical director, worked on the project for a year, and was responsible for designing and installing the projection system. Using eight Barco XLM25HD video projectors, images were projected onto eight floating 'rock fragments' during the 'Allegory' section of the opening ceremony, played out to a narrative and soundtrack of Mahler's 3rd Symphony.

'Allegory' was the most technically-challenging part of the ceremony, and took the audience on a journey through landmark periods of Greek history - spanning thousands of years - using sculpture as a metaphor.

When the galaxy of floating rocks surrounding the central feature of a cube rose into the air, the faces of the rock fragmen

CT commissions first digital PPU

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Creative Technology has commissioned its first digital portable production unit. Managing director Mark Elliott says that while this is the first to be developed, the company's intention is to build up to half a dozen of the units over the next 12 months. "We are taking our lead from the broadcast world," he stated. "Although our analogue PPUs still work extremely well, the new system will give us greater functionality in a smaller package, and added portability."

After extensive evaluation, CT decided on the Grass Valley Kayak from Thomson as the hub of the new system. The Kayak DD 1ME (mix/effects) digital vision mixer, he says is proving very popular in the rental staging environment in the US. "Although it has the added whistles and bells, the ergonomics will be familiar to traditionalists - it's a very approachable desk."

Alongside thi

Back, XL director Des Fallon (left) and Malcolm Whittall; front, John Hooker (left) and XL Video director Lee Spencer.

XL Video acquires Event Technical Services

Details: 14 March 2016

UK XL Video's busy Corporate division continues to expand with the acquisition of event AV specialists' Event Technical Services. Event Technical Services' former directors John Hooker and Malcolm Whittall have now joined XL Video's proactive account handling team, which recently expanded with the addition of Phil Goddard and Greg Rice.

"We're delighted to have John and Malcolm onboard" says XL's Lee Spencer. "Their collective experience, industry knowledge and contacts are a great asset to our busy and growing Corporate department, and their energy and enthusiasm fits perfectly with XL's future plans."

Together, the pair bring over 40 years of combined industry experience to XL. They will be responsible for designing, and project-managing the supply of complete corporate AV systems for XL's diverse range of events and shows. Whittall's broadcast live even

Massive Attack - Bristol Harbourside

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Massive Attack's summer festival tour was a high impact combination of electronics and visual expression, with James Thomas Pixelline fixtures and United Visual Artists' Dragonfly II software amalgamated into arguably the brightest show of the summer season. For those unable to prize their shades from their craniums after dark - this was the gig to be at!

The band wanted a visual departure from last year's LED wall, which featured low-resolution imagery. They favoured a less technical stage look, but also wanted to continue with digital technology: this provided the starting point for lighting designers Andy Hurst and Vince Foster and the UVA team, who came up with the concept of a super low-res horizontal wall of Pixelline - 151 pixels wide by 161 high - with gaps in between the units.

Highlighting the band in silhouette, the Pixelline wall served as a dynamic (and very bright)

Scene Change at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Leading digital media specialist Scene Change today announces the arrival of the next generation of the acclaimed Hippotizer digital media server family by Green Hippo. The current Hippotizer range has proved enormously popular since its launch at PLASA 2003, with applications ranging from nightclubs and events around the world to stage shows such as the new musical Mary Poppins, opening soon in London's West End.

The new Hippotizer family builds on that success, offering new functionality and increased power to meet the expectations of even the most demanding designer, and further stretching the possibilities of digital media. At the same time, the Hippotizer remains rugged, reliable and easy to use.

The new Hippotizer family consists of three members all built around the same Generation 2 technology. All three offer a fully hardware-accelerated graphics engine

Inition launches Autostereoscopic Monitors

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - London-based 3D imaging specialists Inition, on their PLASA debut, scored a show first by unveiling new large-scale autostereoscopic plasma screens which show 3D images without requiring the viewer to wear 3D glasses. Early generations of autostereoscopic screens had a very narrow viewing angle whereas the new types can be viewed from virtually any angle.

The company, which sells 3D video creation and imaging systems and is itself a specialist 3D content creator for a host of blue-chip clients, is showing LCD monitors which display stereoscopic video via a special interlaced video signal format. Each screen is retro-fitted with a filter which creates the illusion of a 3D image that appears to leap out of the screen.

The screens join the company's existing range of stereoscopic imaging devices, which includes a Sharp laptop - the first laptop available off the shelf with

Stardraw - Stardraw Control

Details: 14 March 2016

With its innovative approach to architectural building control and the potential to become a cost-effective control interface for a wide range of applications. Stardraw Control offers a new approach to solving the problem of controlling systems comprised of products from many different suppliers.

Stardraw's Rob Robinson explains what sets it apart from other control solutions. "Stardraw Control creates stand-alone control applications that can manage any kind of product from any manufacturer as long as it can be controlled or monitored remotely. It is designed to support any communications infrastructure and any protocol such as LAN, Wi-Fi, IR, RS232, EtherSound etc. Furthermore, the application that you have created with Stardraw Control will run on any Windows-enabled device from PC to PDA to touchscreen panel, as well as Linux, Mac etc. To our knowledge, no-one else offers such

PLASA Awards for Innovation - Winners for 2004

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - PLASA 2004 opened its doors on Sunday 12th September to enthusiastic crowds, with a full show, hundreds of exciting products and a real buzz across the show floor. Both visitors and exhibitors are commenting that the excitement is back and the industry future looks bright.

The Product Excellence Awards at the PLASA show have been a popular feature of the event for many years, highlighting the significance of the show as a focus for new developments for the industry. To reinforce this role, the awards have undergone an important change for 2004 with the focus being much more on genuine innovation and have been relaunched as the PLASA Awards for Innovation. The previous assessment criteria, which segmented the nominations into sectors, has been removed so that products were not judged within category lines, but on the grounds of their innovation alone. The judges looked for

Projected Image Digital in the news

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Projected Image Digital announced a raft of new products and developments, beginning with a Beta version of the MYRAD package which provides a reduced feature set version of the RADlite image server plus a hardware DMX interface - at a much reduced price compared to the original, full featured version. The new software will run on a standard PC, although for optimum performance a dual processor machine is recommended.

Two prominent products in the visual stakes on the stand are the VersaTILE LED modules, for which PID is Element Labs' preferred UK partner, and the large screen D-TFT40W LCD display from D-TEK Industries. Projected Image Digital is also showing its Beacon, EpOk and Amorphous royalty free digital content libraries.

Highlighting the company's growth in the audio/video convergence market, the new D-Mix Series, according to PID, "breaks new ground in the c

T-Systems to sell Barco screens in Germany

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - Barco has signed a cooperation agreement with T-Systems International GmbH at the IBC show in Amsterdam, under which Media&Broadcast, the T-Systems' media arm will market, sell and support Barco's full line of large screen display solutions in the sports, corporate branding and broadcast markets in Germany. The first joint project to stem out of this cooperation is the installation of a visualization solution at the 1. FC Kaiserslautern Stadium, one of the stadiums to host the soccer world championships in 2006.

T-Systems operates analog and digital transmitters for radio and television, and a digital distribution network that links transmitter sites and studios throughout Germany. The company is currently building an international transport network for broadcast and media customers that will provide broadband connections between large cities.

As a first joint proj

Projected Image Digital at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Projected Image Digital announced a raft of new products and developments at the PLASA Show, beginning with a Beta version of the MYRAD package which provides a reduced feature set version of the RADlite image server plus a hardware DMX interface - at a much reduced price compared to the original, full featured version. The new software will run on a standard PC, although for optimum performance a dual processor machine is recommended.

Two prominent products in the visual stakes on the stand were the VersaTILE LED modules, for which PID is Element Labs' preferred UK partner, and the large screen D-TFT40W LCD display from D-TEK Industries. Projected Image Digital also showed its Beacon, EpOk and Amorphous royalty-free digital content libraries.

Highlighting the company's growth in the audio/video convergence market, the new D-Mix Series, according to PID, "breaks ne

Sony to participate at ISE 2005

Details: 14 March 2016

The Netherlands - Electronics giant Sony has committed to the Integrated Systems Europe exhibition for the first time as both a sponsor and exhibitor. As a unique pan-European platform, the show offers Sony the opportunity to showcase its wide range of products designed for integrated B2B systems solutions. Sony's involvement will feature both on the exhibition floor and in the educational programme, say the show's organizers.

In addition to premiering new products to the European market, Sony will exhibit its diverse product range offering architects, consultants, designers, engineers and integrators the opportunity to experience Sony application-led solutions for the workplace and other public venues. ISEurope's intensive training programmes staged throughout the show will cover a variety of topical issues including home theatre, multi-room automation and digital signage. Offe

PLASA D-lited with CT's screen centrepiece

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Sited over the main Central Bar, a high resolution Barco DLite 7 daylight screen - supplied by Creative Technology - created a riveting information focal point for visitors to this year's PLASA Show.

Following its success last year, CT this year upped the ante, increasing the display size to 22sq m and intensifying the screen resolution to 7mm pixel pitch, to send a clear picture to all corners of Earls Court exhibition centre.

All of which delighted PLASA production manager Chris Toulmin, who proclaimed the display a complete success - particularly during the presentations for PLASA Awards for Innovation. Toulmin himself produced the content for DVD, using video editing and animated stings, created in a combination of Adobe After Effects and Particle Illusion - with a live camera feed for the awards.

CT also provided ten 42" plasma displays - strategically located

Lighthouse Technologies at PLASA 2004

Details: 14 March 2016

Hong Kong - Lighthouse Technologies made its debut at London's PLASA with screens in three separate areas of the show: the Prize Stage alongside the PLASA After Show Bar, the Picture Works stand and the DiGiCo stand. One of the show's major talking points, the Prize Stage, boasted a Lighthouse LED video screen of 6mm pixel pitch rental panels. The screen was displaying a show reel created by Lighthouse to promote the brands of the nine companies involved in sponsorship of the area: Avolites, DiGiCo, Lab.gruppen, Lighthouse, Meyer Sound, Mobil-Tech, Sennheiser, Stardraw and XTA Electronics.

The 6mm screen's high resolution has made it a firm favourite for motor shows, where great quality is essential and it was most recently seen at the Casa Azzuri, home to the Italian football team, during Euro 2004.

Screen rental company The Picture Works created a stunning display using Ligh

Harrods takes more Holo screen technology

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - After successfully pioneering Holo Screen and direct-to-glass rear projection technology in Harrods with the Peter Pan Christmas windows, display consultant Mark Jones of WOW Factor, has consolidated the same combination as an innovative and dynamic sales aid in two rejuvenated departments within the store.

Now installed as a permanent feature, the backdrop to the new La Perla lingerie, swimwear and designer studio departments on Harrods' first floor is provided by dnp Holo Screen technology, brought to life by Christie LX45 projectors.

Tasked with integrating the cutting-edge audio visual into a new contemporary concept, geared towards a younger clientele, was architects TPG International. Its studio director, Louis Trudel, explained: "Harrods wanted to create a space like nothing else - a cutting edge design with durability, using AV components on which they

Award winning City of Light display at Sefton Park

Liverpool Co celebrates national award.

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Liverpool Culture Company events team scooped a silver award at the Event Industry Oscars for the 'City of Light' display, which was held to celebrate Liverpool's Capital of Culture win.

The team received the award in the 'Best National Live/Public Event'' category at the annual National Events Awards, held in London's Grosvenor Hotel, at the weekend. The 'City of Light' event was held at Sefton Park over three days in September 2003 and attracted more than 60,000 people.

The team, which have also organized some of the biggest firework displays in Europe, created a stunning visual display which took a light hearted look at the history of Liverpool using state of the art technology. The event was pipped for gold by a mobile phone firm's campaign that illuminated ten of London's most recognisable buildings. But the Culture Company scored a major moral victory as it was the

Spectacular AV attraction for launch of F1

Details: 14 March 2016

China - As Shanghai geared up to host the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix on 26 September, central to the celebrations was a massive-scale laser and special effects spectacular on the Huangpu river, created and produced by a British company, Arcstream AV.

To promote Formula 1 and Shanghai City, the city government commissioned London-based Arcstream AV, leaders in the field of creative audio visual technology, to design and produce a multi-media display to light up the night sky, quite literally for miles, from a 40m floating barge which travels to various locations on the Huangpu river, adjacent to the famous Bund.

The show utilizes a giant waterscreen, a staggering 50m wide by 25m high, onto which video output is projected, and includes intelligent moving lights, full colour laser projection, smoke effects and a 10,000W audio system. The show lasted for 15 minutes, and features

Kramer's installation solution for VGA signals

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Kramer Electronics Ltd., a worldwide supplier of audio, video and computer graphics signal distribution, switching and processing equipment for the broadcast, production, security, education, home theatre and ProAV presentation markets, recently announced the introduction of the TP-100 and TP-200 VGA/XGA twisted pair transmitter and receiver. These units employ completely new circuitry, whilst complementing its existing twisted pair products.

Together, the Kramer TP-100 and TP-200 twisted pair transmitter and receiver provide an extendable and branching solution for sending computer video signals over a long distance. The TP-100 transmitter has a looping XGA input, ID bit control and two CAT5 outputs allowing it to send the original signal to two different locations simultaneously. It offers cable equalization and signal amplification for both outputs and can send the origi

<I>Bat Boy The Musical</I>

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - XL Video is supplying video equipment and services to Bat Boy The Musical which recently opened at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre. Video artist Mark Logue of Punk Films has produced visuals, after recommendation by cinematographer Jon Driscoll. Both have worked with XL Video on previous occasions, and the project was co-ordinated for XL by Malcolm Mellows.

Projection for Bat Boy The Musical utilizes two six-layer dual output Catalyst Digital Media Servers, controlled by a Hog500 console slaved to the Strand 520 master lighting desk. Video sources are displayed on the Catalyst DL1 moving light projector, two Barco SLM G8 video projectors, and a 50" Plasma Screen fitted to a scenic wall on the onstage 'revolve'. The imagery is used throughout the performance for atmospheric "implication" effects, and for supporting narrative.

Logue produced

MagicQ leads with media server connectivity

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - ChamSys celebrated the launch of its new MagicQ consoles at PLASA 04 with an innovative demonstration of its powerful distributed client / server architecture. Media clips were selected from thumbnails displayed on the MagicQ touch screen. The MagicQ 100 console controlled a Hippotizer media server with live retrieval of the media thumbnails onto the console. Being able to select media clips from thumbnails on the touch-screen of your lighting console has to be the way forward.

MagicQ is ideally suited to controlling media servers and all the associated control parameters through the eight separate encoder wheels. And with full Cue Stack capability on every playback fader it becomes easy to control highly cued shows. The distributed design will allow future systems to control an almost unlimited number of channels. ChamSys expect to be in a leading position to support the n

CT turn <I>The Big Picture</I> into media event

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - More than 1,400 guests from German advertising companies and agencies recently attended the premier day of The Big Picture. Invited by SevenOne Media, who market the ProSiebenSat.1 satellite TV group, they were able to enjoy a interesting LED setting as well as a spectacular show inside the Duesseldorfer Schauspielhaus.

The concept of Hamburg-based set designer and architect Juergen Hassler (Hassler Entertainment), the show was technically realized with assistance from CT Germany. The full-service providers and LED specialists supplied the complete technology package, including more than 100sqm of Barco LED modules and 12sqm of VersaLIGHTGUIDE, in tandem projection - as well as the technical project management and full on-site service.

Almost 300 modules of Barco ILite 6 LED were inserted into a uniquely sized LED ring measuring 18.5m in diameter. The LED, whi

Catalyst looks 'Gel' for Paul Mitchell

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Hair care company Paul Mitchell recently drew together the top dealers and salon stylists for a week-long meeting in Las Vegas. The Paul Mitchell Signature Gallery 2004 at the Mandalay Bay featured business meetings in the morning, with a runway of exotic hair-styles parading in the afternoon.

Through it all, a High End Systems Catalyst Pro v3.0 Media Server added hair-raising highlights to the corporate coiffure, the company say. LD JJ Wulf specified Catalyst along with 48 High End Systems Studio Spot CMY automated luminaires and a Flying Pig Systems Wholehog IIconsole for control. PRG provided the production gear.

Wulf explains the set-up: "We had 24 of the 4-k projectors using both Catalyst outputs. (Note: the Sanyo PLC-XP46 projectors used in this event are the same projectors used in the DL1 Digital Light fixture.) I also controlled the video switching through

AVC Edinburgh joins Electrosonic Group

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Audio Visual Consultants (AVC) of Edinburgh and Electrosonic has announced that AVC has become a member of the Electrosonic Group. AVC was founded in 1981 by Sandy Bolton in Edinburgh, and recently has operated as a partnership with the active partners being Douglas Bolton, Mike Buchan and Les Bushby. Over the years, AVC has gained a strong reputation as Scotland's leading AV systems integrator in the heritage market, and as an important supplier and integrator in the corporate and educational markets. AVC also has a significant service business.

Recently the partners in AVC decided that they could serve the needs of their market better as part of a larger group - at the same time Electrosonic Ltd was looking for ways in which it could expand its geographical coverage. Because the companies know each other well, having traded together since AVC's founding, their coming tog

Ani Difranco tours with Catalyst

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Ani Difranco is currently singing her new works on her 'Vote Dammit!' tour, designed to encourage individuals to make their voices known via voting. Political songwriters, activists, comedians and other guests add individual touches to each show along the way. Helping enhance her songs and message every night is a High End Systems Catalyst Pro v3.2 Media Server, along with a rig full of Studio Beam automated luminaires, all supplied by lighting contractor See Factor.

Long-time LD Phil Karatz has used Studio Beams before, but this is his first time to take out Catalyst. He says: "The Catalyst system has worked out great. I used mostly custom content but I also used a bit of the stock content - I like a lot of the art that shipped with version 3.2. I got a lot of content from Ani's office - she has cool art on her records. I also used digital pictures I have taken from

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