UK - PSL's expanding music division, further strengthened by the addition of Tim Stefiuk, has been servicing a number of high-profile tours this year, ranging from the chart-topping pop-rock of Razorlight to the frenetic rave environment of Slammin' Vinyl.

The ever-popular Pet Shop Boys are touring the UK and Europe, playing selected venues and the plum festival dates. Show designer Es Devlin's versatile screens, which allow dancers to perform inside them, act as the building blocks of a projection system which moves around, stretching from 4m to the full width of the stage. PSL has put its latest-model highly portable Barco projectors onto this show.

New indie band sensation The Fratellis are touring the UK with PSL projectors and screens, which can also be seen at this summer's big festivals, such as WOMAD, Rock Ness and Glastonbury.

For the second year running, PSL has su

India - The second PALME India integrated entertainment technology show promises to grow by as much as 25% under the weight of the sub-continent's fast-developing infrastructure, according to the promoters.

Inaugurated last year as PALA India, this year's exhibition (4-6 October, Bombay Exhibition Centre) will be spread over 3,000sq.m of exhibition space and is expected to feature around 200 brands distributed across 115 stands.

This is the target for exhibition manager James Raffoul, who has been taken on by IIR Exhibitions to maximise PALME India's potential. Having previously worked on high-profile exhibitions for Brintex and Emap, Raffoul says he couldn't resist the challenge to consolidate an incipient event in such a fast-emerging market.

"The fact that last year the show attracted 120 exhibiting companies spread over 75 stands, with 2,500 visitors attending, indi

Denmark - Already named 'Product of the Year' by the Confederation of Danish Industries - the latest in a series of awards - dnp's revolutionary Supernova optical front-projection screen portfolio combines new technologies with innovative design to produce ten times more contrast than comparable media displays, says the manufacturer.

Supernova technology is based on advanced film technology which involves nine separate micro thin layers to absorb ambient lighting. Since these optical screens filter out unwanted reflections, Supernova is able to deliver this quality even in broad daylight.

The full suite of five Supernova products - which are purpose-designed for specific professional applications - is now available in the UK and Ireland through the Danish manufacturer's exclusive distributor Paradigm Audio Visual.

Said Paradigm's Greg Jeffreys, "This technology has evol

USA - Hippotizer V3 media server started shipping earlier this month. The product launch follows sharp on the heels of worldwide Beta testing on productions including London's Theatre de Complicite, New York's Deuce on Broadway and the TPI Awards in London, where a network of three Hippo V3s provided both video and audio to the entire award ceremony.

V3 also featured in the World Premiere of Frobisher at the Calgary Opera and Hard Dance Awards 2007 in London. Upcoming productions to be served by Hippotizer V3 include Dancing With The Stars on NBC TV and five networked V3 Hippotizers will enhance this weekend's 2007 Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki, broadcast live to an audience of over 600 million.

(Jim Evans)

Eire - Dublin-based Zandar Technologies will be displaying a range of key product enhancements at InfoComm, 19-21 June 2007 in Anaheim. These enhancements are designed to increase both the flexibility and the usability of Zandar's products in a wide range of professional AV applications.

"InfoComm will be the first opportunity that the international pro-AV community has had to view our enhanced Predator Series of MultiViewers, which now offers dual HD output functionality, whereby a single MultiViewer can drive one or two displays at native HD resolution.

"We shall also be showing our flagship FusionPro+ series MultiViewers designed for mission critical environments where flexible configuration of multiple input sources is required for centralised monitoring," comments Deirdre Smith, CEO at Zandar Technologies.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Projected Image Digital (PID) has supplied, commissioned, programmed and created custom content for an Element Labs VersaPixel light ceiling installation at the new-build G Casino in Luton. This features 2,800 45mm round Versa Pixels.

This project once again saw close collaboration between the PID team, Paula Reason and Desmond Harte of London-based designers Cadmium Design and Grosvenor Casino's Senior Project Manager, Paul Taylor.

It follows a similar installation in Manchester last year. Here, Cadmium's first LED ceiling above the main bar area proved so popular with clients and staff and to be such a great atmosphere enhancer, that the concept has now become a design feature of operator Grosvenor's new 'G' brand. G Casinos present a stylishly designed modern environment, aimed at attracting a younger demographic.

Cadmium's Paula Reason explains that their brief was

Finland - Barco once again played a key role in show visualisation at this year's 52nd Eurovision Song contest, staged in Helsinki and hosted by Finish broadcaster YLE. With an impressive combination of LED technology and digital projectors, the show was bigger and more visually entertaining than ever before.

Show designer Mikki Kunttu's visual design featured more than 200 sq.m of Barco's new MiTRIX LED screen, 125sq.m of ultra bright OLite 510 LED modules and three SLM R12+ digital projectors. Barco rental partner Massteknik (Sweden) was the general video supplier to the show.

Fully integrated into the stage set was a gigantic curved screen 'the cobra'. This not only towered 9.5m up and behind the stage, but also stretched out in to the audience, creating an animated catwalk. In addition to that, extending around almost the entire stage was a massive LED backdrop made up fro

UK - The Lionel Richie tour has just passed through the UK. Show designer, Chris Medvitz of Lightswitch, spoke of his concept for the tour, back in the rehearsal period, saying: "We tried to take the look from videos and album artwork to make the transition to live. We were keen to keep the focus on the performers, rather than have special effects and gimmicks."

PRG Europe have supplied supplied kit for the show, Medvitz says : "We're using a great deal of LED fixtures as well as Color Kinetics ColorBlast 12, PixelLine battens, MAC 2ks, Vari-Lite luminaires and a handful of Syncrolite searchlights. A lot of the three or four thousand LEDs are built into the scenery, primarily so that we can do a lot of cool close up lighting with Lionel and the band. They allow us to have a lot of colour changing effects on them while performing, and we can put them in spaces wher

UK - The Sound & Light Company's new showroom in West Clayton, Huddersfield was the setting for an open day to preview the latest version of ShowMagic - Version 11. The event, held on 8 May, was attended by live performers, theatre technicians and AV & leisure installers.

With version 11, ShowMagic enters a new era of integrated AV and show control, the company says, taking full advantage of the speed and power of the new dual-core PCs and laptops. The first thing you will notice about version 11 is ShowMagic's new appearance, explains Kevin Caldwell, ShowMagic support manager: "We have received a lot of comments that the old look belied the software's capabilities. It was time to give ShowMagic a 'facelift'."

A laptop demonstrated ShowMagic AV running three AV outputs: a Powerpoint presentation rolled on a large LCD screen, whilst video and display pages were played

France - /ETC/ Paris has specified and installed a live interactive projection system featuring a combination of their OnlyView control system and Christie video projectors for a video artwork at the newly re-opened Chateau des Duc de Bretagne museum attraction in Nantes.

The renowned Chateau des Duc de Bretagne castle has just re-opened after 15 years of renovation work and 3 years of complete closure. It features an innovative new video artwork covering the entire southern frontage of the building, created by Sylvie Sieg and Pierre Negre from Grenoble based agency, Atelier Lumiere, specialists in urban illumination.

It was the first time Atelier Lumiere has used video projection. They approached /ETC/ Paris - initially in 2004 - to work alongside them on the collaboration because of the company's reputation and experience in the specialist field of monumental and building pr

UK - As the ABTT Theatre Show draws closer (13-14 June, Royal Horticultural Halls, London), its Organisers' - the Association of British Theatre Technicians reports that current pre registrations are indicating another record attendance and that again over 100 exhibitors will showcase a spectrum of technical solutions for everyone involved with housing and presenting the performing arts.

Computers Unlimited will showcase its Vectorworks Spotlight entertainment and lighting design software. Featuring new upgrades its now offers PDF import and export and legend improvements. The programme offers a comprehensive range of 2D drafting and 3D modelling and production management capabilities with advanced lighting design, visualisation and production tools that benefit all phases of the design process - saving time and money.

US based City Theatrical will introduce its Stackers Taper

Germany / China - 110PRO Ltd, the international event supporter and owner of the Stagehands.de and Hostesses.de brands, has announced the appointment of Li Xiuming as assistant to supervisor Shu Zang at the company's Beijing office, which opened in January 2007. Since joining 110PRO Ltd, she has been busy working on research, business development and preparing for the 2008 Olympics.

A native Chinese, Li Xiuming studied at the North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering and the renowned Hebei University in Baoding. She speaks not only English and French, but also Japanese.

"I am very pleased with the new support in the office, we have so much to do and new challenges are popping up everyday," reports Shu Zang, the supervisor in China. As of now, Li Xiuming is the point of contact for production issues in China.

Stagehands.de directs a unique and constantly expand

Germany - Four F3+ SXGA+ DLPTM projectors from Norwegian manufacturer projectiondesign are now at the heart of the conferencing facility at the Marshall Centre for European Security Studies, following an installation by systems integrator Screen New Technologies.

Named after George C Marshall, the US-born architect of the Marshall Plan which helped to rebuild Western Europe's shattered economy after the devastation of World War II, the Marshall Centre opened its doors in 1993 in the German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Jointly sponsored by the governments of the US and Germany, the Centre was originally tasked with furthering the cause of stability in post-Cold War Europe. Since then, its remit has been broadened to promote the peaceful co-operation of nations throughout North America, Europe and Eurasia.

The Centre's conferencing facility plays a key role in its annual prog

UK - 5 Star Cases has supplied XL Video with a specialist flight case for one of its Grass Valley Kayak HD mixer/switcher consoles, which is an integral element of its new HD PPU (portable production unit) systems.

The console case was specified by XL Video's Malcolm Whittall, who worked closely with 5 Star's design team on its development. It is designed so the desk stays sitting inside the case once in position and set up.

5 Star has also made cases for other XL Video consoles in the past, and Whittall comments, "They have an excellent woodworking department, are really flexible and will make things on request - always a great advantage."

The console case is based around 5 Star's Heavy Industrial range of flight cases and is sloped and shaped to the Kayak, featuring all the usual recessed hardware and the XL Video logo and graphics cut into the wood.

XL put the

Denmark - Martin Professional has established a separate business unit - Martin Visual Solutions - and named Lars Dall vice president of the new division.

A long-time Martin employee, Lars Dall who retains his current position as head of Martin's O.E.M. sector, assumed the new responsibility on 1 April 1 this year. His new tasks include implementation of the overall strategy and business plan within Visual Solutions, including staffing and build-up of the new division.

"The potential market for video walls is tremendous and presents a great opportunity for us to grow our business substantially," comments Dall. "We are determined to establish ourselves in this new field with a meaningful market share. In order to do so we will allocate significant resources to Martin Visual Solutions in order to establish the necessary momentum and create the focus needed to ensu

UK - Spider-Man 3 is alleged to be the most expensive film ever made, with a plethora of jaw-dropping visual effects. Its UK premiere, held on 23 April, saw one of the most ambitious visual accompaniments ever staged in London's Leicester Square: a vast Lighthouse Technologies LED screen system erected outside the cinema to give the invited guests and assembled star spotters a taste of what was to come.

Supplied by Hampshire-based rental company LED Screen Hire, a massive 153sq.m of Lighthouse R16 screen was arranged in a pattern of seven screen 'blocks' totalling 199 panels - one six panels wide by four high (6.09m x 3.04m), one four by eight (4.06m x 6.09), one three by nine (3.04m x 6.85m), two four by four (4.06m x 3.04m) and two six by five (6.09m x 3.81m).

Devised by AD Events, the screens were arranged in an uneven pattern, which was designed to resemble the Manh

UK - Le Mark Group has appointed John Henry's as its new London Stockist for its gloves & accessories range. John Henry's already offers an extensive range of spares, accessories, equipment and instruments, sold from their 5000sq.ft showroom, 'The Pro Shop', at its London premises.

Mark Gibbons, Le Mark Group's business development manager comments, "The Setwear Gloves & Accessories range only started a few years ago with Le Mark. Since the addition of the IronClad range we've noticed a tremendous increase in interest from both end-users and existing distributors. The addition of John Henry's stocking the range is a huge advantage, especially as they are a company already well established within this industry but, most importantly, one that is known as a friendly, fast and reliable supplier."

Paul Cooper, Pro Shop sales manager adds, "Having grown up in an indus

Dubai - Lighthouse Technologies has confirmed that Staging Connections, the event and exhibition services group with its Middle East subsidiary Gearhouse Staging Connections in Dubai, has purchased a total of 200sq.m of its R16i/o-II 16mm indoor/outdoor LED screen for the region. The deal, worth US$5m, was completed at PALME Middle East.

The Staging Connections Group, headquartered in Australia, operates from over 90 locations around the world. The group delivers production, design, staging and venue solutions across a wide spectrum of live events and exhibitions as well as providing venue services.

The purchase decision was made for a variety of reasons, as Gearhouse's managing director, Peter McCann explains: "Gearhouse and the Staging Connections Group have been instrumental in bringing the latest and best technology to the Middle East, introducing high-definition solu

UK -Just over a year after Church House Conference Centre in Westminster closed its doors for major building work, the Grade II-listed landmark reopened this spring to reveal a complete overhaul of the main Assembly Hall, the largest room in the house - aided by Radia Pro components and a Kelsey Acoustics cabling solution. See the May issue of Lighting&Sound International for a full report.

Owned by the Corporation of the Church House, and designed by renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker in 1939, the building serves as the headquarters of the Church of England. When the general synod is not in session it is let for corporate banquets, conferences and seminars.

The original, fixed tiered seating has been removed and replaced with a level floor; this gives the hall much more versatility and the ability to cater for t

UK - XL Video UK hosted a massive party to celebrate the opening of its new 42,000sq.ft premises in Hemel Hempstead. Over 350 friends, partners, competitors, freelancers, clients and others flocked to Eastman Way to enjoy XL's hospitality in a fun-filled night of social interaction, banter, drinking, eating, live music and dancing. Revellers also included large contingents from XL's operations in Belgium, Germany, Amsterdam and Paris.

One end of the warehouse featured a long SoftLED backdrop, and the Cisco Globe - a 7ft high MiPix construction commissioned by Cisco in the US - suspended in the ceiling. Three warehouse aisles featured Nintendo Wii machines hooked up to Christie S+20 Roadsters and 14 x 8 rear-projected screens, so gamers could get right into their different worlds - which was mostly boxing - by the end of the night.

At the far end of the warehouse - normally use

UK - Crystal Clear Audio, a company that specialises in AV installations for churches and schools, has installed the audio, video and stage lighting systems into a new church in Whitstable, Kent.

The entire installation at the Seasalter Christian Centre was cabled using Van Damme microphone, speaker and data cables, supplied by VDC Trading which also supplied all of the connectors for the project.

The Seasalter Christian Centre is an Anglican church that can accommodate a congregation of up to 350 in its main hall. The new building also includes meeting rooms and kitchen facilities.

Crystal Clear Audio's managing director Nick Fatkin says: "The AV and lighting installations were highly specified in order to meet the demands of the congregation and of external customers who use the hall and meeting rooms during the week. I used Van Damme cables because they are reliable

UK - Registrations are strong for this year's AGM with well over 100 members and 50 guests signed up for the event which is to be held on Wednesday 6 June at the Hurlingham Club in West London.

The event, which is free to all members, has a strong agenda this year and will feature a key vote on a major membership restructure, updates on the radio licensing issue which threatens every aspect of the industry and a highly respected guest speaker in former MP, Tony Benn.

The AGM, which begins at midday, will cover the key activities of the last 12 months, including the ongoing development of qualifications for the sector, PLASA's commitment to improve member services, the launch of an events division and the most recent developments in the organisation's high-profile lobbying campaign to challenge the auction of vital radio frequencies.

The AGM will also address the future as th

UK - CMT (Creative Media Techniques) supplied video and image based services and lasers for the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) 2007 Gala Dinner at Marlborough House on Pall Mall, London. The event was produced by Starlight Design and attended by a guest list of over 1000 including Bill Clinton, Madonna, Sir Bob Geldof, David Bailey, Liz Hurley and many more.

The CMT package - the fourth consecutive year they have supplied the event - included several LED and projection surfaces, a camera/PPU package, an 8-channel Watchout video control system, eight lasers and 14 crew to install, operate and support the visuals systems.

During the dinner, the ARK charity organisation (set up by the hedge fund industry to raise money for children affected by poverty, abuse, disability and illness) announced the launch of the Clinton-ARK Initiative for Mozambique, through a strategic partnership

UK - At-Bristol, one of the UK's leading science and discovery centres, has recently completed a major overhaul of the audio and video facilities at the various exhibition and conference spaces on its Bristol site.

The installation involved equipping the Science and Exhibition centres with AMX automation systems to control the AV facilities. All of the cabling was provided by VDC Trading, which supplied a range of Van Damme cables.

Ed Williams, At-Bristol's technical director, says: "This project was very extensive and has taken us nearly three years to complete. Although we were working to a tight budget, we insisted on using Van Damme cable because it is of such high quality and we wanted products that were going to be reliable and easy to maintain."

At-Bristol offers a world of hands-on discovery where exploration and education go hand in hand with a fun day out

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