UK - DB Systems (DB) reports that it has purchased approximately £100,000 of new equipment, including seamless LCD panels and 3D Pyramoid units, which are a form of 3D holographic projection.

DB has also made a further investment in Microsoft Surface units, which the company originally introduced to the UK event and exhibition market at the end of 2009. Microsoft Surface is a revolutionary multi-touch system that allows several users to simultaneously touch up to 52 points on the screen. Users can also operate a variety of programmes and features to perform numerous functions at any one time, such as maximising and minimising windows, viewing product data, as well as animation and video content.

The investment in new equipment has come as DB prepares for a busy spring calendar of events. Over the next three months, DB will be supply AV & IT services to 14 events. DB will

USA - Connectivity solutions provider Gefen today announced the availability of its new Video Wall Controller. A "premium solution for professional applications", it provides an easy method of creating high definition imagery spread across four displays stacked in a 2x2 configuration, say Gefen. A rugged metallic enclosure makes it suited to rental and staging applications as well as static digital signage presentations.

The Video Wall Controller outputs high definition video up to 1080p full HD from a single PC or video source using DVI connectivity. When combined with computer applications, resolutions are supported up to 1920x1200. One DVI input is split to four DVI outputs connected to four hi-def displays. Video can be spread across all four displays or just three, two or one display, giving users additional control over the creative content.

Pivotal to the Vide

USA - Audinate has joined the AVnu Alliance as a Promoter Member. The AVnu Alliance is an industry organisation that is dedicated to the advancement of professional quality audio and video networking via the adoption of the emerging IEEE Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) standards. AVB is a developing standard for media networking that employs elements such as IEEE 802.1as Clock Synchronization, IEEE 802.1Qav quality of service, and 802.1Qat traffic shaping, to improve the transport performance of audio and video across standard Ethernet networks.

The AVnu Alliance is leading efforts to promote and support the creation and implementation of compliance test procedures and processes that provide interoperability of AVB-enabled networked products for the professional A/V, automotive, and consumer electronics markets.

"Since our inception, Audinate has used standards to develop a co

UK - As football mania descends on the UK in advance of the World Cup, Arcstream AV is working with various clients to develop World Cup focussed interactive technologies, including a new virtual football game.

Neil Dickinson, managing director of Arcstream AV comments, "The World Cup means that people are looking to create fun promotions that engage clients, as well as the obligatory big screen in the office and pub. We have combined two of our most popular products, the interactive wall and floor to create a 'virtual penalty shoot out'. People are invited to kick the virtual football on the interactive floor, while a goalie projected on the wall dives for the ball."

The technology uses interactive cameras to monitor the accuracy and velocity of the kick and determine the player's skills. Dickinson adds, "This is a fun use of interactive technology and you can

Australia / Germany - Smart AV will present its latest Tango software release, version 2.4, at Musikmesse 2010 in Frankfurt next week. Changes include major additions and a myriad of small feature improvements. Smart AV expects the latest version to increase the already widespread appeal of Tango and the efficiency of the user's workflow experience.

Firstly, Tango now works with Desono's DSD/PCM mix engine and Stagebox. Desono products are high quality solutions for audio acquisition and production in the live, recording and broadcast markets, and when combined with a Tango or a Pro Series Smart Console it provides a unique and powerful combination.

Following enquiries from users wanting to use a Stagebox in conjunction with their DAW and Tango, development was initiated and has resulted in a particularly powerful solution. The unit can convert microphone signals into PCM or D

UK - Videowall specialist PSCo has announced the launch of the Infinite Plasma 4250 and 4250R range to its portfolio, with new product developments which positions it as one of the most exciting videowall products currently available in the UK.

According to PSCo, Infinite Plasma is a bezel-less plasma screen which offers the smallest seam gap of any plasma or LCD videowall technology available on the market, at less than 3.5mm in multi-formations. The new OPM-4250 is the fifth generation and boasts improved colour reproduction, increased digital input compatibility and the ability to address a wall of up to 100 screens without external processing.

Technical manager at PSCo, Ed Martin explained: "The OPM-4250 is fractionally slimmer than its predecessors and almost 3kg lighter. Practically every aspect of the Infinite Plasma has undergone some kind of improvement. There ar

UK - Hawthorn has supplied over 70 linear metres of its new LED video cloth, Media Surge, to the BBC for its Eurovision: Your Country Needs You 2010 heats; working with set designer Alex Craig and LD Mark Kenyon on yet another TV production.

Six acts competed for the honour of representing the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo in May, singing a song written by Pete Waterman.

Your Country Needs You featured a stunning set with a backdrop of 72 linear metres of Hawthorn's LED video cloth, 4m high. The programming was supplied by the show's production team and Hawthorn's engineers operated the Media Surge.

Alex Craig, commented, "I was delighted to find an LED cloth product that gave me the large scale coverage that I needed at a price I could afford, and with a soft pixillation that looked fabulous on close up shots."

(Jim Evans)

Norway - The F82 three-chip DLP projector from Norway's projectiondesign is now shipping.

Anders L°kke, international marketing & communications manager at projectiondesign comments, "We're very excited about the F82 and its potential. All the functions and advanced features required to power today's most challenging and sophisticated projection systems are to be found in the latest addition to the projectiondesign professional series."

Producing images at 10,000 lumens brightness strengthens the F82's presence and accessibility to a growing number of large venue applications including rental and staging.

Available with native 1080p and WUXGA resolutions, and compatible with a range of signal formats, makes the F82 series suitable for reproduction of high definition video or data-centric applications.

Building on the company's own three-chip DLP design, the F

USA - Cree reports that its high brightness LEDs are used in Lighthouse Technologies' high definition video screens installed this season in the American Airlines Centre, the Dallas home to both the NBA's Mavericks and NHL's Stars. Cree's versatile 3-in-1 high-brightness LEDs are delivering crystal-clear, high definition images to fans throughout the arena.

In addition to hosting thousands of NBA and NHL fans, the American Airlines Centre also features numerous concerts and live entertainment throughout the year. Opened nearly 10 years ago and seating up to 20,000, the installation of 25 Lighthouse LED video screens is part of a large-scale technological renovation project at the arena. This includes the first 1080x1920 high-definition video screen in any NBA or NHL facility. Overall, the new digital screens will increase video visibility throughout the facility, providing spect

UK/Netherlands - European AV resellers and integrators attending a meeting of the Genuine Lamps Alliance (GLA) in Amsterdam called on projector lamp manufacturers to join the Alliance's anti-copy lamp initiative.

Founded with the support of international lamp distributor Just Lamps, the GLA campaigns to bring the issue of counterfeit, or 'copy lamps', to the attention of the distribution channel, consumers, institutional and business buyers. Copy lamps often infringe intellectual property rights, offer inferior performance and, in some instances, cause equipment damage or even physical injury.

Members of the GLA are committed to selling only genuine projector lamps. Genuine lamps comply with intellectual property rights, guarantee the user a specified level of performance and are tested to ensure that health and safety standards are met.

The copy lamp problem is increasing i

usa - After an acclaimed world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California, the new musical American Idiot is set for Broadway.

Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer and featuring music by multi-Grammy Award winning punk trio Green Day, the new rock tuner takes the St. James Theatre beginning 24 March, 2010. Opening night is set for 20 April.

American Idiot follows the journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world, lived through Green Day's score. The musical includes every song from the album American Idiot as well as several songs from the band's 21st Century Breakdown.

Mayer leads a creative team that includes scenic design by Tony nominee Christine Jones, video and projection design by Darrel Maloney and lighting design by Kevin Adams.

The set is fed by 15 Hippotizer HD V3

UK - Centre of the Cell is a science centre helping children and young people learn about biomedical science and research through digital games and audio visual displays. The centre is located in a pod suspended over the biggest open plan research laboratories in Europe based in Whitechapel, London.

D.J.Willrich (DJW) was subcontracted by the lead contractor Beck Interior, to provide a full Medialon integrated system in Centre of the Cell. DJW also worked closely with the project designer, Land Design Studio.

In Centre of the Cell, visitors are immersed in a full audiovisual experience throughout five different 'spaces', or scenes. Being the main A/V show and media controller of the installation, Medialon is in charge of the set up of each of these scenes along with their timings. The Medialon system remotely controls the power up and down of all the A/V devices installed in t

UK - Specialist high-power projection company E/T/C has decided to divide the company into two separate entities as of 29 January, 2010. ETC UK Ltd, a subsidiary of E/T/C, has been acquired by projection artist and designer Ross Ashton. Ashton is now operating as an independent company called The Projection Studio, and plans to develop its creative strengths by further expanding into large-scale artistic and projection projects.

E/T/C Paris will continue being involved in major international projects, headed up by the same teams that have worked on high-profile shows around the world for many years. The two companies look forward to a continuing collaboration on selected projects in the UK.

(Jim Evans)

UK - PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 - which takes place on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April at the Royal Armouries - is fast building its profile as a show for new products as well as networking, with a host of products launching in Frankfurt scheduled to make their first UK appearance in Leeds just a few weeks later. Among these are the latest developments from some of the 31 new exhibitors who have signed up to PLASA Focus since the first show last year - leading to a completely sold out event.

From the audio world, exhibitors include Allen & Heath, showcasing new products including the iDR-16 3U MixRack and iLive-R72, iLive software v1.6, Xone:PB, Xone:XD40 headphones and ZED-10 and ZED-10FX mini mixers; Ateis International with its new ECS-Teleconference unit echo cancellation system; Cloud Electronics' new MA60MEDIA combined mixer/amplifier/digital music player; Duran Audio's AXY

UK - Specialist AV company PSCo is relocating its HQ to new premises in Reading. PSCo will move its headquarters in March enabling the company to develop and grow with new product ranges being added to its rental and sales portfolios.

Stuart Holmes, managing director of PSCo comments: "Moving to the new HQ is an absolute must for PSCo. Our portfolio of products has increased in scope and volume significantly in the past three years and we have developed our technical and support services to ensure these new technologies are accessible for our partners.

"Our rental fleet has grown continuously with the recent addition of projectors and the larger warehouse facility will allow us to dedicate more time and specialist resources to maintaining the rental products.

"Looking at our rental clients needs, we will be able to offer a more flexible and efficient service.

Germany - Arcstream is partnering exclusively with Ray Laser Technologies (RTI) to launch the new Nano laser range.

The new Nano range is the culmination of a year's research and development by RTI and brings a range of OPS, full colour, laser systems ranging from 10 Watts to 42 Watts; the flagship model being the Nano Rainbow - the first and only OPS laser on the market with six individual wavelengths. The lasers are all assembled in RTI's factory in Germany with the majority of parts and electronics being manufactured onsite.

Ray Laser Technologies managing director, Karl Kaes explains, "We are using the smallest laser diode drivers available for high power laser diodes, this means easier handling due to smaller size and weight, higher efficiency and lowest heat dissipation. Service friendly module technology and easy replacement of each colour gives the opportunity to

UK - Hawthorn will be exhibiting at PLASA Focus once again this year. Alan Jackson, head of installations at Hawthorns, will be on the stand this year to discuss ServiceSafe, Hawthorn's new testing and servicing division, launched earlier this month.

Hawthorn's MD, Martin Hawthorn, will also be at the show and commented, "Last year's show was well organised and extremely well attended, a credit to PLASA, so much so that we re-booked our stand on site. It's ideally placed for us with our Midlands based head office and we got some good leads. This year we're showcasing Media Surge, our new LED video cloth, which has proved a big hit with both the corporate and the film & TV markets, as well as our dry hire customers."

(Jim Evans)

UAE - Swedish image processing and show-control specialist Dataton returns to Dubai for PALME Middle East with a new take on its flagship product, Dataton Watchout. Version 4.2 of Watchout, which will be making its regional debut at the show, incorporates a new development, Watchout Systems Manager.

Based on Adobe Flash technology, Watchout Systems Manager allows users to create interactive front ends for their Watchout-driven systems and presentations. It includes two ready-to-run applications for remote control and scheduling of shows, and also features an Application Programming Interface (API) and a Communications Library so that users can create their own applications.

Michael Engström, director of sales at Dataton, comments, "Remote control and scheduling are invaluable aids in larger, more complex multimedia installations. The remote-control application within Wat

UK - XL Video UK continued its long and productive working relationship with The Stereophonics, supplying video - cameras, PPU and screens - equipment and crew for the latest UK leg of their Keep Calm & Carry On world tour.

XL account handler Chris Saunders has worked with the band since they first started using video, circa 1998. At that time they were still playing relatively small venues and their use of video was considered groundbreaking. He also produced their longform Day At The Races video, and has been involved with all their tours and live work ever since. Throughout, he has seen the application of video in the band's show visuals grow in ambition and innovation parallel with the development and availability of the relevant technology.

The 'Phonics live video visuals have invariably been a lighting design driven element - and Saunders has seen several L

UK - XL Events, the corporate event arm of concert video giant XL Video, have deployed TiMax Tracker as the core of a groundbreaking show control system for The Tweenies worldwide arena tour. In the illustrious company of Midas, DiGiCo and d&b audiotechnik, the unique performer-tracking system was used to automate not only the TiMax SoundHub audio localisation but also over a hundred moving-light fixtures and a Pandoras Box video effects server plus its attendant live cameras.

Roving TiMax Tracker tags are distributed in toys to children by spotters in the audience, to control tracking cameras which feed images of the childrens' faces to Pandora's Box where they are rendered for projection onto the heads of the dancing Tweenies. The radio mic'd talent are also tracked so their voices can be followed by the demanding and discerning audience.

XL Group director Rich Rowley takes

New Zealand - A full Medialon system has been integrated in Alexandra Park, a leading horse racing venue in Auckland. The system was installed by SpyGlass Group along with Automation 4, a UK-based professional automation and show control designer and programmer, who provided the entire Medialon system programming for this project.

One Medialon Manager V5 Pro license is used as the main A/V and building management control system of Alexandra Park. The installation has been designed to control all the building's audio visual play out across the race course.

Six projectors and 12 50" plasma screens located around the bar and other corporate entertainment areas are fed a combination of media by the Medialon control system. Live feeds from the race course internal TV channel together with music, video and advertising material are routed to the various screens.

The Medialon c

UK - For the first time ever, for one night only, St. Stephen's, the tower housing the Big Ben bell was bathed in red light from base to spire to mark the start of Sport Relief on Friday 19 March.

This show was designed by lighting design student Simon Gray a level three student at Rose Bruford College, as his final year project.

"I wanted to take on the challenge of transforming a truly iconic building, and make people take a second look at a familiar landmark," says Gray. "Big Ben is one of the world's most famous images, and to many it represents London. It was a natural choice to do this for Sport Relief, and I was delighted to be helping to raise awareness of this fantastic fundraising campaign."

Gray and his team of students from the Lighting Design and Lighting Programming courses at the College required special permission for the eve

UAE - The UAE in conjunction with Masdar hosted the third Preparatory Commission Meeting for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi in January this year. Recently opening its Headquarters in the UAE capital, IRENA has been mandated by governments worldwide and promotes the adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy.

The Bridge Live Communications, a UAE-based experiential marketing company, contracted by IRENA, called upon Creative Technology Dubai to provide video equipment for the commission meetings held in the Emirates Palace Hotel Ballroom - one of several venues chosen to hold the numerous events and meetings.

CT Dubai provided two pairs of Christie HD18K DLP projectors used to front-project onto two 6m wide screens placed at either side of the main stage. Three Sony DXC D50 cameras, all with long lenses, were positioned out fro

USA - Visual supplier Chaos Visual Productions is on the road with Alicia Keys' 2010 Freedom Tour, which is promoting her 2009 album release, The Element of Freedom. Her schedule opened with a 28 February performance at Bell Centre in Montreal and will cover North America and Europe over the next few months, with her last show 4 June in Lyon, France.

Chaos is providing an LED system, which consists of 390 tiles of Winvision 18.75mm. There are nine different LED screens, flown by cable winches on nine lighting headers, under three lighting trusses. The screens begin the show on the stage deck and are used to reveal her, her band and then her set.

Content comes from four Pandora's boxes. The content and Imag are managed by a Vista Spyder and are triggered by a Grand MA console. There are two 12k Barco projectors for the two side screens, three HD cameras and two ro

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