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30 May 2025

USA - Green Hippo’s new Hippotizer MX Series Media Servers were out in force for this year’s WWE WrestleMania spectacular, pumping out 4K live action and pre-made content across a wealth of LED screens and strips.

Eight Hippotizer Kasai MX Media Servers – which are distributed by ACT Entertainment in North America – were at the heart of the video setup, working with 12 Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 and two Hippotizer Karst+ MK2 Media Servers. The 2U, 10-bit video playback, robust Kasai MX Media Servers empower users to run two 4K outputs and offers Genlock for large surface displays that need more than one output.

The Netflix live-streamed, two-night WrestleMania event took place at the 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. Upstaging once again took the video helm, supplying all the Hippotiz

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30 May 2025

UK - 12th Knot, the rooftop cocktail bar at the riverside Sea Containers Hotel, is known for its city views and upscale atmosphere in a prime location on London’s South Bank. When the time came to upgrade its audio system, the hotel turned to Tateside, who already provides managed AV services across various areas in the hotel. The client envisaged a new audio solution that would complement, rather than compromise, the carefully curated ambience of its popular rooftop destination.

“We’ve worked on projects throughout the Sea Containers hotel for a long time, including the cinema, background audio systems and the event space,” says Jack Cornish, technical director at Tateside. “When it came time to upgrade the 12th Knot bar, they trusted us to deliver something special.”

The existing audio system at 12th Knot was no longer meeting the evolv

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30 May 2025

Europe - TAF has increased the quality, efficiency, and output of its truss manufacturing activities with the addition of a highly advanced laser cutting machine on its production line.

Aluminium tubes used in the construction of TAF’s highly regarded truss will now feature precisely curved and angled cuts that are not only carried out extremely quickly and efficiently but will also contribute to higher strength and stability.

Thanks to the increase in production output with TAF’s new laser cutting machine, TAF is able to further ensure the delivery of its Truss on Time promise.

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30 May 2025

USA - Amadeus Acoustics will showcase its Amadeus ART platform at InfoComm 2025. Unveiled for the first time at ISE 2025 in Barcelona, the platform will be shown on the Amadeus booth #7050.   

The Amadeus ART platform is a versatile, software-based audio system that empowers venues of all sizes to achieve superior sound control. Its modular and scalable design enables seamless management of sound across individual spaces or multiple zones, providing precision and adaptability for any event or application. Whether hosting immersive audio experiences, managing advanced room acoustics, or delivering crystal-clear sound for corporate presentations, ART offers versatility and performance.   

"ART was created to push the boundaries of what’s possible in audio control," says Fabio Kaiser, CEO of Amadeus Acoustics. "We’ve combined cutting-edge tech

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30 May 2025

Germany - HK Audio has introduced a powerful new system package within its Linear 5 MK2 series: the Linear 5 MK2 High Power System. Designed as a scalable, ready-to-deploy solution for large venues and open-air events, this new configuration combines key components from the MK2 range to deliver ‘exceptional sound pressure, throw and low-frequency performance’.

At the heart of the system is the Linear 5 MK2 308 LTA mid/high unit. This horn-loaded, long-throw active mid/high speaker is suitable for wide dispersion and deep coverage in demanding environments. When combined in clusters or stacks, users can benefit from preset-based configuration and seamless horizontal coverage.

The system is paired with the Linear 5 MK2 118 Sub HPA - the most powerful subwoofer in the series. With its 18-inch woofer and bass reflex design, it delivers significantly

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30 May 2025

USA - Shure will be landing in Orlando as a headline partner for InfoComm 2025. Celebrating 100 years of innovation, Shure demonstrates its continuous dedication to the AV industry by revealing solutions for all professional environments.

Ahead of the show, Shure is announcing two new conferencing solutions that will enable AV and IT integrators to better support varied meeting spaces.

In January, Shure introduced its IntelliMix Room Kits. Now, the company announces that the powerful compute and touch panel included in the room kits will be offered as a standalone base kit - the IntelliMix Foundation System - enabling qualified AV professionals to mix and match with Shure’s versatile Microflex Ecosystem portfolio of microphones and loudspeakers and complementary third-party camera and control products.

“Shure has been offering superior, d

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30 May 2025

USA - Elation invites lighting professionals to Experience Tomorrow at Booth #7671 at InfoComm in Orlando.

Elation will showcase new product lines including the award-winning Paragon, Elation’s new flagship automated lighting series. With TruTone variable CRI technology, interchangeable lenses, a comprehensive FX package, and a weatherproof IP54 rating, Paragon combines multiple fixture roles in a single design, representing ‘a leap forward in intelligent lighting for entertainment’.

Also new is the first luminaire in a bolder breed of workhorse lighting, Rebel. The Rebel Profile is a powerful yet compact LED profile moving-head with IP65 rating designed for attention-grabbing visuals in both indoor and outdoor applications. The fixture delivers intense beams, sharp projections, and a comprehensive effects package for captivating mid-a

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30 May 2025

USA - The lighting design community is mourning the loss of Paul Marantz, co-founder of Fisher Marantz Stone, who has passed away. A lighting visionary, he helped to transform the perception of lighting design as a profession.

Alongside Jules Fisher, Marantz co-founded the company that would become Fisher Marantz Stone in 1971, creating a legacy of creativity and genius that continues to inspire to this day.

Paula Martinez-Nobles, president, Fisher Marantz Stone said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Marantz. Paul and Jules founded the company that would become FMS in 1971, creating a legacy of creativity and genius that continues to brighten our lives and the world around us. Thank you, Paul, for your wit and wisdom. We honour your life and legacy.”

Initially working in theatre lighting, Marantz held a strong inter

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29 May 2025

UK - Teddy Swims’ record-breaking and sold out I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy tour headed across the UK and Europe with PRG providing video, automation and lighting, including their brand-new GroundControl Multi for the Followspot system.

Having amassed over 8.7bn streams globally, Teddy Swims has captured the hearts of music fans worldwide with his live show and chart-topping hits such Lose Control and The Door. For his 2025 UK and European leg of the I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy tour, the team once again chose PRG to provide lighting, automation and video, but this time upgrading to PRG’s latest followspot innovation – the GroundControl Multi.

The GroundControl Multi is the newest addition to PRG’s GroundControl Followspot family. This system can control up to 16 lights through a single Ground

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29 May 2025

Hungary - Lightware Visual Engineering emphasised its status as a European-based technology company to clients and colleagues at its recent seminars. With all product design and manufacturing carried out at its headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, the message was clear: ‘Lightware is well-positioned to face the current global challenges with confidence and ensure its customers continue to benefit from an efficient service and cutting-edge technology’.

As supply chains face increasing uncertainty, Lightware’s commitment to local, European manufacturing offers a reliable and future-ready alternative for partners across the continent and around the world.

Although manufacturing is centralised in Budapest, Lightware operates across a total of 18 offices worldwide, supporting customers in the EMEA, APAC and Americas regions. This combination of Europe

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29 May 2025

UAE - Situated in the luxury residential area of Dubai Hills, on the Business Park, DUO Gastrobar has joined the growing list of haute cuisine restaurants being sucked into the fast-developing neighbourhood.

Founded by Duoband Restaurant Group from St. Petersburg, headed by Renat Malikov and Dmitry Blinov, it has already earned a Michelin star for their cuisine, while their clientele ‘luxuriates in an interior characterised by light, airy colours and natural materials’. The musical ambience is delivered by Martin Audio’s CDD series.

It wasn’t the aesthetic of the white CDD5s so much as the sound quality that had impressed the owners, according to regional distributors Pro Lab LLC. Already with a presence in the area, the operators were aware that Martin Audio is the brand of choice for many upmarket establishments and also for project designe

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29 May 2025

Germany - The Digital Signage Summit (DSS) Europe concluded with a record of almost 500 delegates following three days of strategic insight and technologies at the Hilton Munich Airport, Germany. Organised by invidis in a joint venture with Integrated Systems Events (ISE), DSS Europe took place from 21-23 May, bringing together innovators and thought leaders to debut its new three-day format.

Florian Rotberg, conference chair and managing director of invidis consulting, reflected: “Over the past three days, DSS Europe 2025 has not only set a new benchmark for innovation and collaboration but has also highlighted the pressing challenges and future opportunities that our industry must address.

“From groundbreaking advancements in digital signage to meaningful conversations about sustainability and user engagement, this year’s summit has truly red

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29 May 2025

The Netherlands - The 3,000-capacity Poppodium 013 concert hall was transformed into a nightclub when NachtCollege brought its all-night party to the Dutch city of Tilburg in mid-April. Technical production was led by the venue’s in-house team, headed by senior lighting designer Paul Cox.

To help deliver the immersive experience the event called for, 48 ADJ Vizi Beam CMY fixtures were dry-hired from local rental supplier Spectrum AV to supplement the venue’s house rig. Paul arranged the fixtures across four trusses – two on each side of the dance floor – running the length of the hall. The upper trusses were mounted near the ceiling with fixtures suspended downward, while the lower trusses hung directly below, with fixtures positioned upright. This layered setup allowed Paul to fill the air above the crowd with intricate, overlapping beam patterns th

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29 May 2025

Europe - Wireless LED lighting manufacturer Astera has launched QuikPunch, the latest in its innovative ‘Quik’ series, which started with the QuikSpot launched at the end of 2024.

QuikPunch delivers precise, high-quality light via its Fresnel lens, featuring a 13º – 60º zoom, with no stray light and 8,000 lux at 3m. It is optimised for fast set-up and practical operation and comes complete with a battery-driven PrepBox and ChargingPlate. It delivers Astera’s colour science, based on its high-colour-rendering RGBMA Titan LED Engine – but as it happens with QuikSpot, QuikPunch adds OutputGain for deeper colour saturates.

It does exactly what the name suggests, ‘punching’ high-quality light into the picture while consuming just 75W of power, producing an output equivalent to a 200W LED PAR for stage and event use. All this plus an impres

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29 May 2025

USA - InfoComm is offering visitors to this year’s show a ’2030 Vision’ into the future.  Attendees who drop by the Chauvet Professional booth (6453) at the Orange County Convention Centre will be able to experience a sampling of that promising time.

The company is ensuring that the future is bolder and brighter than ever thanks to technologically advanced products like those in Chauvet Professional’s Ovation Rêve family, which includes the Rêve E-3, a full-spectrum LED ERS-style ellipsoidal. With colour temperature presets ranging from 2800 to 8000K, the Ovation Rêve E-3 maintains remarkable brightness and high-quality light with emulated redshift for a tungsten feel.

Also representing the Rêve family at the show will be the ultra-bright Rêve P-3 IP, an IP65-rated multi-colour full-spectrum-white LED PAR with power and quality of light

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29 May 2025

USA - AV Stumpfl will continue its year-long 50th anniversary celebrations at InfoComm 2025, bringing its new media server platform, Pixera zero, and its flexible AnyShape projection screen technology to the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando.

Following its introduction to European audiences as ISE and Prolight + Sound earlier this year, Pixera zero will make its North American trade show debut at InfoComm, giving US-based AV professionals their first in-person look at the most compact member of the Pixera ecosystem. Visitors to booth 1760 can also experience AV Stumpfl’s versatile AnyShape screen, highlighting the creative potential of projection surfaces that go beyond the rectangular norm.

Designed for maximum performance in a minimal footprint, Pixera zero is available in three models – PXZ-0, PXZ-2, and PXZ-4 – and offers up to fou

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29 May 2025

Canada - Denis Richard, who unexpectedly died on 29 March 2025, was a pioneer in the Canadian music touring and production industry. During his nearly 50-year career, he made a significant and lasting impact on the growth of the entertainment lighting production and rental industry in Canada. In that time, he toured with and managed lighting and production services for live artists and supported multiple popular TV productions. Christie Lites has paid tribute:

“For the last 30 years, Denis was a key account handler for Christie Lites’ Toronto office. His professional life exemplified his exacting high standards. Denis led by example, always demanding as much from himself as he did of others. He loved and was fascinated by people. His curiosity about what drove others meant Denis got to know those he worked with and what they wanted swiftly. Many of the l

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28 May 2025

Switzerland - Tim Routledge became one of the first production designers to specify GLP’s new versatile and supercharged Creos – part of a cornucopia of lighting that animated Florian Wieder’s set design at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel.

These washlights were joined in the designer’s toolkit by another newly released GLP fixture, in the shape of 12 Mad Maxx CW fat beam searchlights, along with 200 impression X5 IP Bars and well over 100 randomly dispersed JDC1 hybrid strobes.

But it was Creos, with its 18 × 40W RGBL LEDs, motorised 1:12 zoom and seamless pixel clustering that took the accolades at the 12,400-capacity St Jakobshalle.

Tim Routledge had been seeking a particular fixture to sit underneath the transparent LED screen. He contacted Simon Barrett at GLP UK, who instinctively suggested Creos.

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28 May 2025

UAE/Qatar - Disney’s The Magic Box, a spellbinding theatrical spectacle that brings classic Disney moments to life in a bold, arena-scale production, opened last month in Doha after a successful five-week run at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Behind the scenes of the UAE leg of this technically complex tour was Unusual Rigging & Engineering (URE).

With a need for fly bars, Kinesys automation, and high-capacity performer flying winches, the show is a theatrical production layered within an arena tour - demanding a rigging solution that blends theatre precision with touring efficiency.

“From the moment I joined Proactiv Entertainment, I’ve always enjoyed working with Unusual Rigging,” said Dani Marin, senior technical manager at Proactiv Entertainment, the company behind the Middle East tour. “They’re my go-to team

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28 May 2025

USA - Ayrton Rivale Profiles and grandMA3 full-size consoles with two grandMA3 Processing Unit L packages played key roles when Wooli made his headline debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 12 April.

Wooli, the dubstep producer and DJ also known as Adam Puleo, brought his Mammoth Mountain III show to the Red Rocks venue in Morisson, Colorado. The third edition of the production marked his first time headlining at the outdoor amphitheatre where he was accompanied by guest artists.  Red Rocks is on the bucket list for a wide variety of artists,” says Alex Wroblewski, who has been Wooli’s tour director for more than two years. 

“For Wooli’s first show at Red Rocks we wanted to go bigger than we ever have before and use every available foot of that stage. We even added lighting and lasers to the audience bowl to create a more immersive ex