UK - Working on behalf of The Croatian Embassy, Cameron Presentations Edinburgh recently projected images of the country onto a building opposite the Scottish capital's world-famous Balmoral Hotel, using a Christie Roadster S+20K projector. The object of the exercise was to encourage tourism in Croatia and demonstrate the country's growing relationship with Scotland.

The President of Croatia, His Excellency Stjepan Mesic, visited the Scottish Parliament and met with Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP at a formal reception to mark his visit.

Contracted by the Embassy under their agreement with the Scottish Parliament, Cameron's positioned the powerful 20,000 ANSI lumens projector in a bedroom on the hotel's fourth floor to enable the Croatian Tourist Board's logo and multiple images of the country to be seen by thousands of people gathering around Waverley Station and Princes

USA - D-Tools has announced that PMI (Performance Media Industries) has joined the D-Tools Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) programme. Headquartered in Fairfax, California, PMI is an award winning engineering company that specializes in high-end Home Theatre.

"PMI couldn't be happier to be a part of The MVP Programme. It's a great fit for our company and provides our A/V dealer partners with tremendous power," said Terry Hill, general manager for PMI. "PMI has delivered world class service for years and now gives D-Tools SI users a simple method to specify our services. This will expand our reach to a larger market of system integrators."

"We are very excited to have PMI join the MVP Programme," said Adam Stone, president of D-Tools. "As the only company in the programme offering Home Theatre room design and engineering services, PMI brings a

UK - Blitz has taken centre stage in proving its theatre prowess by adding the adaptation of Alex to its impressive catalogue of productions. Alex, the much loved newspaper cartoon column has been converted into a play to celebrate its 20th anniversary and has opened at the Arts Theatre in the heart of London's theatre land.

Blitz worked with Eleanor Lloyd Productions for over a year providing a variety of equipment for workshop productions before deciding on three Panasonic D5600E DLP projectors with short throw lenses to enable the famous cartoon to be transformed from paper to two-dimensional figures on stage. The only real life actor in the show is Alex - the rest of the cast are in cartoon form, therefore it was imperative that the technology provided was both reliable and highly effective at engaging the attention of the audience.

Eleanor Lloyd comments: "Alex is an

USA - XL worked with tour creative director, Ray Woodbury of RK Diversified Entertainment and lighting designer, Scott Holthaus of 40W Labs to integrate video into lighting which resulted in a special modification of the five DL2s supplied by XL that shot rear projection with wide angle lenses to accommodate their vision for Kelly Clarkson's current tour.

Touring on behalf of XL is DL2 tech, Adam Finer. President of XL Touring, John Wiseman says: "This is our second tour with Kelly and we are excited to be included on another Kelly Clarkson sold out tour."

(Jim Evans)

USA - Middle Atlantic Products is introducing its RSH Series Custom Rackmounts that include enhanced thermal management features. The enhanced RSH Series better enables systems integrators to provide a clean, finished look for enclosures that house non-rackmount components and offering advanced ventilation and cable management at no extra charge, says the company.

Enhanced RSH Series Custom Rackmounts provide increased ventilation on the shelf sides, as well as the base, to promote optimised thermal management. The newly enhanced ventilation on all RSH Series Custom Rackmounts improves overall airflow by accounting for components that vent hot air to the sides.

"As audio/video technology continues to evolve, the requirements for efficient ventilation of the technology have also advanced," said Dean Wheelan, application engineer, Middle Atlantic Products. "The ne

UK - Kramer Electronics has introduced the VS-42HDMI Matrix Switcher for HDMI signals. The 4x2 switcher offers signal optimization and EDID data capabilities. Its feature set and small frame size make it ideal in HD-equipped conference, advertising, or rental and staging environments, says the company.

The switcher is compatible with all HDTV signal types and features Kramer re-Klocking and equalization technology that rebuilds the signal allowing it to travel longer distances. The VS-42HDMI is able to route any or all inputs to any or all outputs simultaneously and supports HDCP (High Definition Digital Content Protection).

The VS-42HDMI matrix switcher routes HDMI 1.1 signals up to 1.65Gbps bandwidth per graphic channel. Kramer uses a sophisticated EDID handling mechanism to make installation and operation of HDMI devices a "plug and play" experience. EDID data all

Italy - After more than a year of anticipation the new Fiat 500 was introduced to the public. The international press conference and the car's official presentation to the retailers took place at PalaIsozaki in Turin. The main technical feature of the presentation was the quantity of projectors employed to cover 1,400sq.m of screens. MA Lighting and Brother, Brother & Sons products helped to make the event run smoothly.

Various models of Barco projectors were used, depending on the different requirements: six FLM 18HD for the front screen, two FLM 20+ for the ceiling screen and nine SLM 12s. Six of these projectors were mounted on the Brother, Brother & Sons v-Base yokes for the floor screen. The precision of the v-Base allowed precise and repeatable pixel-to-pixel overlapping for the double full HD projection from a height of 25m. All v-Base yokes were controlled via DMX from a

Malta - Large format projection specialists E/T/C London returned to Malta to project onto the dramatic Fort St. Angelo in Valetta Harbour for the opening ceremony of the HotelPlan conference. Working for the Malta Tourist Authority and the Malta Fairs & Convention Centre (MFCC), the event was staged for 250 invited guests.

E/T/C London have worked in Malta several times, designing and co-ordinating large format projection shows, including the Welcome Malta celebrations in 2004, when 10 new member states joined the EU.

For this latest project, E/T/C UK's Ross Ashton was commissioned by Maltese production company Sign-It to create a special 15 minute narrative illustrating the history of Malta from its discovery 6000 years ago to the present. Ashton researched, wrote and produced the storyboard and originated all the artwork. The soundtrack was edited by Karen Monid.

E

UK - Blitz has designed a multi purpose Multi Definition Portable Production Unit (MDPPU) for its clients. Chief video engineer at Blitz, Simon Cox who designed the MDPPU explains: "Blitz is at the forefront of video technology and continually strives to provide an innovative and high quality technical solution for every client and event. When designing the MDPPU, our objective was to design a unit which is not only a comprehensive and complete video management system, but is also flexible enough to cope with all the demands asked of it."

Blitz says it designed and built the system around a core concept of quality and flexibility which has enabled it to replace its analogue PPU in favour of a completely digital system. The MDPPU is future-proofed by using multi definition digital systems which are switchable between SD and HD formats. This enables the client to bring i

UK - Television viewers and diners experienced a state of the art presentation at the inaugural Auto Trader Used Car Year Awards with the help of an Infinite Plasma screen supplied by trade AV rental specialists PSCo.

The ceremony celebrated the year's most popular used cars, as voted for by visitors to the Auto Trader website and viewers of ITV 4's The Used Car Roadshow, while the event was hosted by the television show's presenters Jason Dawe and Penny Mallory.

The event itself took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel and, with ITV 4's outside broadcasting crew on site, space was at a premium. The Infinite Plasma screen offered the highest possible resolution images for the lowest physical footprint, says the company. With its almost seamless display, the screens provide high quality performance at a lower cost than equivalent LED options.

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Europe - Thirteen years after their first top ten hits, Take That have returned to the international scene with a European tour of 50 dates in 10 Countries.

LD Simon Tutchner chose to use 160 projectors, of which 68 were Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 1200s and 40 Alpha Profile 1200s, supplied by PRG Europe. "They create the most excellent graphic effects, both quantity and quality wise," says Tutchner. "I had little time to prepare the show and the alternatives that these projectors give me seem truly endless. I chose the effects that could interact best with the scenography, which entails a huge curtain and seven mega LED video-walls, on which fantasy images and close-ups of the four singers were alternated."

The Alpha Spot HPEs and the Alpha Profile 1200s are installed on the three stages, two of which are in the background and a third, circular, in the middle

USA - FogScreen and PlayMotion have announced that they have signed a strategic partnership to bring fully interactive capabilities to the award-winning fog projection screen. Now people everywhere can manipulate and play with virtual objects that look as if they are literally floating in mid-air, say the companies.

PlayMotion's software enables users to physically interact with fun, educational and fully interactive programs that are projected onto FogScreen's projection screen. Participants can engage in virtual games and activities using their hands and bodies to experience 'superhero powers', build virtual landscapes, and play sports - all in mid-air.

"We are very excited about this new partnership with FogScreen," said Scott Burkett, CEO of PlayMotion. "The synergy between PlayMotion's interactive platform and the FogScreen device opens the doors for creati

Europe - XL Video is supplying robotic cameras and Christie FOH projectors to Arcade Fire's current European tour for Richard Stembridge's innovative video design.

XL's project managers Jo Beirne and Phil Mercer have been involved with supplying the band's video needs throughout 2007, and the latest leg of their hugely successful Neon Bible tour is the largest yet in terms of production.

"Working with Richard is always interesting and brings visually stunning results as the show is constantly evolving and growing" says Jo Beirne.

Stembridge was brought into the equation by lighting designer Paul Normandale, who was looking for a specific style and approach to facilitate what he anticipated would become a video-driven show. Normandale is well known for his offbeat designs and imaginative daring. He wanted someone with a fresh and non standard approach to vide

UK - Guerrilla projection specialists from PSL surprised Londoners by delivering one of the world's greatest-ever rock bands straight into the heart of the city. Heralded by the iconic image of lead singer Robert Plant, videos of Led Zeppelin were played out on some of London's most famous buildings, including the Science Museum and the National Gallery, to mark the release of the band's DVD Mothership.

PSL's Pod Bluman and his team ran a five-night campaign, across seven different locations - Trafalgar Square, the Haymarket, Chinatown, Covent Garden, Brick Lane and the Science Museum in Kensington. Each night, they premiered a different song from the new album release, playing it just once before packing up and moving onto a new location.

Performances of Black Dog, Whole Lotta Love and Kashmir were prefaced with a five-minute countdown, the project

UK - The South African superstars Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who first came to international prominence performing with Paul Simon over 20 years ago, called on the specialist branding and stage fabric experts Sunbaba to provide them with a series of colourful backdrop images for their 35 date tour of the UK.

Lighting designer Tim Speechley was responsible for the visual element of the performance by the nine-strong vocal group and he hit upon the idea of using the band's LP covers as an image. He ordered a number of coated polyester backdrops, emblazoned with images of the group's LP covers, which themselves told the story of Ladysmith's illustrious heritage at the heart of the anti-apartheid struggle.

"When I was planning the look, I realised that they had released about 40 LPs during their career and some of the covers were very impressive," he explains. "There

UK - Blitz has been commissioned to work alongside the production team of the award winning children's show, Lazy Town. Blitz is joining Lazy Town in its UK tour to motivate children nationwide to be more active.

Blitz is providing a full range of services for the show, supplying AV equipment including video control systems as well as a complete sound solution. The show began its journey in Hackney and is set to tour around the UK in 2008.

Blitz provided a d&b speaker system, Sennheiser radio mics and a Yamaha M7CL mixer. This technical setup was pioneered by sound designer Ian Horrocks-Taylor for the Lazy Town production, and Blitz worked alongside him to ensure consistency in the quality.

Ian Horrocks-Taylor explains: "Lazy Town carries an important message which is portrayed to the audience in a fun and highly entertaining manner so our te

USA - At the 41st Annual CMA Awards Show, broadcast in 5.1 surround sound on ABC Television from the Sommet Center in Nashville, XM Productions/Effanel Music implemented Genelec 8200 Series DSP Monitoring Systems. Genelec DSP systems comprised of 8250 and 8240 monitors along with the 7260 subwoofer were used in XM Productions/Effanel Music's L7 and OBU mobile recording trucks for the music mix.

The HDTV/5.1 broadcast was mixed and monitored by a team of top-tier professionals, all relying on Genelec to provide them an accurate monitoring environment. The audio portion of the broadcast was supervised by award-winning Audio Producer Tom Davis; the audio coordinator was Michael Abbott; the music mixers included John Harris and Jay Vicari.

John Harris, XM Productions/Effanel Music's lead music mixer, stated: "We had such success the first time we used the Genelec DSP system a

USA - FogScreen and American Exhibition Services, LLC (AES) have announced an exclusive reselling and rental agreement for the exhibition industry.

The agreement enables AES to sell or rent the FogScreen projection screen to all areas outside exhibitor booth spaces within convention centres and other facilities that are used for trade shows, conferences and organizer-sponsored events related to tradeshows. The turnkey services offered by AES will enable FogScreen to reach a greater breadth of consumers while providing AES's show managers a truly innovative way to "wow" their audiences, say the companies.

"This relationship with FogScreen allows us to offer trade show organizers a very compelling product that can truly differentiate their shows, while ensuring their messages reach their target audiences," said Bliss Beasley, executive vice president at AES.

UK - As a result of expanding market shares in the audio-visual and custom install sector, Dynalite Europe has appointed Phil Hardy as UK sales engineer to provide technical and sales support to dealers and distributors.

Hardy has been working for Dynalite in a technical support and engineering role for the last eight months and his promotion to this role will enable Dynalite to continue providing first class technical sales support to the custom installer and AV dealer whilst also managing the planned expansion of sales, says the company.

In his new post, Hardy will be "actively seeking out custom installers looking to distinguish themselves from their peers in an increasingly competitive marketplace".

(Jim Evans)

UK - DTS Digital Cinema today has announced the availability of its XD10 Media Player for digital signage and commercial A/V applications. The product combines an HD-capable A/V server and control package, suitable for a variety of applications from hotels to airports, theme parks to museums.

Drawing upon DTS' extensive experience in the cinema and image processing markets, the XD10 also provides highly flexible networking and configuration capabilities, along with the solid, reliable performance that DTS has been famous for delivering to 'the big screen' for over 14 years, says the company. The XD10 delivers video in a variety of formats over a broad range of bit rates. In addition to HD video, the XD10 also offers up to eight channels of audio. This flexible performance makes the XD10 an adaptable solution for A/V applications and leads to ease of installation for system integ

UK - Digital solutions specialists Projected Image Digital (PID) has specified, supplied and installed an innovative LED light work in the foyer/entrance of Tate Liverpool, located on the City's historic Albert Dock.

Tate Liverpool is one of the highest profile modern art galleries in the North West and also one of the busiest, attracting up to 600,000 visitors a year. Initially, PID were contacted by Manchester-based architects ARCA, this was following a phone call from lighting designer Paul Normandale and a demonstration by PID at Tate Liverpool in October 2006.

ARCA's Emma Corbett wanted to create a 'lightgate' concept, designed to refresh and revitalise the foyer and entrance areas, to help make the space work and flow better and be more versatile for the myriad of different functions and events hosted at the Gallery - from corporates to Northern Soul evenings.

The 'lig

UK - High-power projection specialist, ETC London became the first company to project video onto the 351ft high Shell Centre on London's South Bank, in an event marking the reopening of the Science Museum's Launchpad gallery - which is sponsored by Shell UK.

The eye-catching large format projection was a combination of video and PIGI projection, with live sessions of Launchball, a popular multi-level online game available from the Science Museum's website. This was played on a PC set up in the projection area and projected into a giant 40m by 30m mask on the building.

The mask was created by the PIGI projectors, and the game - via video projection - was beamed into this space. The PIGI projectors were also used to create a series of scrolling texts with information about the Launchpad gallery.

ETC's project manager Paul Highfield comments: "Obviously it was a gre

UK - Giant video display screens utilising digital signage solutions from 3M, together with technology from WindowGain, are transforming shop windows in the UK, including branches of Savills estate agents and retail centres owned by The Westfield Group.

WindowGain, a US-based out-of-home media company with a recently opened office in UK, has just installed its first two giant UK screens in Nottingham city centre. Using Vikuiti Rear Projection Film from 3M, WindowGain is able to transform entire store fronts into ultra large format high definition video screens able to present commercial advertising messages, public information messages and entertainment to passing shoppers.

Among WindowGain's first UK customers is The Westfield Group, the world's largest retail property group with assets valued at more than US$50bn, who will be using WindowGain's screens in its retail centres

UK - A study from the University of Salford has found that women in audio-video engineering are being held back by the industry's working practices, and more work is needed to open up careers in the sector.

University researchers asked students, workers, managers and academics of both sexes for their views on the career prospects of women in audio-video engineering. They found that the unsociable working hours, poor work-life balance and job insecurity are putting women off a career in the discipline.

The team behind the Women in Audio Visual Engineering (WAVE) project will present their findings and develop recommendations at an event at the BBC studios in Manchester on 5 December 2007 where the keynote speaker is BBC's head of technology delivery, Ela Jastrzebska.

The project was led by Dr Haifa Takruri-Rizk of the University's School of Computing, Science & Engineering. S

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