This weekend, 250,000 spectators at the 35th British Grand Prix enjoyed a close-up view of racing heroes Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard, via two 4.8m by 8.1m jumbo TV screens from Screenco, supported by 16.5m high tower structures provided by ESS, the international staging and structure specialist. The 43 tonne screens were located at key spectator spots on the circuit, namely Copse Corner and Chapel Curve and relayed live TV coverage. So far this year, ESS has provided support structures for Wimbledon, the Grand National, the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot, as well as the one-day international cricket tests at Lords and Edgbaston, as part of the UK tour by Pakistan. In addition, ESS has also supplied screen supports at Twickenham for various national rugby fixtures. This brings the total number of locations where ESS has provided camera and screen supports to eight so far this year.

ESS was asked at the eleventh hour by Wimbledon organisers to provide a second TV screen to meet spectator demand for Tim Henman’s nail-biting Semi-Final match. This was in addition to the original screen support on ‘Henman Hill’ supplied by the company at the beginning of the world-famous tennis tournament. ESS was able to design, build and erect the second tower structure to support the huge screen, once again supplied by Screenco, within eight hours, working through the night to deliver the project four hours ahead of schedule.

Tim Norman, managing director of ESS, said: "The Silverstone contract is a great endorsement for ESS’ capabili

At PLASA 2001, the Coe Tech stand will include the latest launches from top Italian brands Coemar, TAS, and Travel Show, as well as Futurelight from Germany, Poly Optic products from Australia, and smart neon controllers from Fluid Neon Technologies in California.

Coe-tech is launching the Coemar I-Spot 150 at the show, a luminaire for bar, pub, café, restaurant, club, retail and other leisure markets. The I-Spot 150 features an 150W CDM SA/T short arc lightsource, 530° pan and 284° tilt, six interchangeable rotating gobos, seven colours, motorised focusing, strobe effect, sound-to-light mode, master/slave operation and hugely efficient light output for the size of fixture/lightsource. Also on show will be the Coemar CF7 HEX - the latest addition to Coemar’s award-winning hard-edged CF7 range of luminaires. The HEX (hard-edged) version features enhanced optics with a 30% brightness increase, 21-channel mode for even more precise movement and a glass front lens to filter incoming smoke, dust and other potentially troublesome environmental elements. All CF7 features can now be made into the HEX model (if required) with a new retrofit kit. Other Coemar products on the stand include the Coemar Supercyc 2.4. – the first CMY cyc light offering 425° pan and 212° tilt movement, and the Coemar Panorama Cyc Power - a highly flexible CYM cyc floodlight designed for exterior use. Both units utilize Coemar’s Twin Lamp Technology (TLT), a unique optical system that dramatically multiplies the luminous output while

As you would expect, there’s an air of mystery about the new headquarters of the Magic Circle. Those wizards of trickery have spent seven years and £2 million rebuilding and refurbishing to create a new permanent base. At its heart sits an intimate 162-seat theatre, the first theatre to be built in this area of London since the Barbican. Here members of the Magic Circle, and the public, can marvel at the latest prestidigitations. This is no mean box of tricks: the theatre is technically well planned and equipped with the latest technology to cope with both Magic Circle shows, and for special events and corporate hire.

Gradav Sales of London chose a variety of Selecon products to provide the necessary lighting for a wide range of events. Selecon Pacific lanterns were used for front-of-house - the acclaimed optics of these luminaires make them ideal for gobo projection. Behind the proscenium arch, a selection of Selecon Acclaim Fresnels are used, a lantern with the output brightness of a 1kW lantern but using only a 650W bulb, greatly reducing heat on such an intimate stage, and of course lowering power consumption.

"As well as our members using the theatre, we hire out the building for corporate events," said building technical manager, John Hill. "We find Selecon’s versatile range of lanterns allows our corporate clients to achieve the results they desire, and provides us with a lighting system neatly tailored to our own members’ presentations."

A Cadac J-Type Live Production Console was among the cast for the momentous Three Tenors Concert in Beijing's Forbidden City - the first ‘foreign’ event ever to be staged in this unique venue. Organised by the Chinese National Cultural and Arts, the concert took place on 23rd June 2001 - in front of a live audience of some 30,000 - and was broadcast to over three billion worldwide. A huge temporary stage was erected in front of the entrance to the Emperors' Palace, with the stage area encompassing 300m from front to back. The 72-input two-frame J-Type performed alongside Meyer Sound's new M3D line-array system, with the sound system attracting extensive praise for its quality and subtlety on this remarkable occasion. Sound engineering director, John Pellowe, is responsible for all technical aspects of the Three Tenors concerts, along with Alexander ‘Thorny’ Yuill-Thornton II, who handles the sound system design and system optimization.

Pellowe explained that the Forbidden City concert presented some unusual challenges: "I have been involved with the Three Tenors concerts from the very first one in 1990, and with Pavarotti since 1985 - reckoning to have faced just about every eventuality in all those years! But China was different - not least because of the difficulties presented by the language and the sometimes limited local resources. We are used to working with one major local sound supplier, which just was not feasible in China, and this did present us with some interesting issues. We knew that we would be using CCTVs [the Chinese broadcas

AC Lighting Inc has announced a complete redesign and restructuring of its website and web policy. By taking the site under their own direct and local control, the website will become more responsive and able to more easily reflect changes in products and services. "By analyzing exactly what our customers wanted the website to achieve, we have radically changed how information is accessed on line with regards to the products that we handle," said Bob Gordon, president and CEO of AC Lighting Inc. Goprdon continued: "People want potentially three things from our website: they want information on a product that we sell, information about us, or they want to quickly and easily download something. Click on a manufacturer’s logo on our home page and you find information on everything that manufacturer sells as well as being able to access manuals, prices, and software about the product you are currently looking at. Anywhere in the site you can with one click find out who to talk to, where we are and how to contact us as well as being able to view everything that is available for download. If you know exactly what you are looking for, whether it be a piece of software, a manual or a spec sheet just click on the quick download button and everything is there in front of you."

This is the first phase in a four-phase plan of improvements to the company’s web presence. WhiteHorse Enterprises, an internet/intranet development company based in Malibu, designed the site under the direction of AC’s Mike Falconer, who commented: "The whole site h

Screenco has met a production requirement from leading communications agency, Skybridge, for a large, bright mobile screen, to service a series of Channel 4 parties around the UK to celebrate their association with test cricket. Called C4 Summer Tour, the curtain raiser to the England v Australia series took place on July 6 with a beach party in Brighton featuring Fatboy Slim and Groove Armada, and project-managed by Skybridge technical director Lee Eld. In Brighton, the Fatboy Slim set was filmed for a Channel 4 special, transmitted the following week. Screenco provided a trailer-mounted 40sq.m Jumbotron JTS35 CRT daylight video display - the largest of their mobile systems. Lee Eld explained that this year’s tour was the result of a similar series of successful events they carried out for Channel 4 last year. "Working with artistic director and producer, Alex Poots, we have come up with the infrastructure and staging. There are two V-dosc PA towers and a little 8m x 4m stage for the DJ - but the whole event is really based around the big screen."

Production for each event builds up on the day before the five-day tests, which start on a Thursday. The programming incorporates a free-to-air screening of the cricket during the hours of play on each day, followed by a dance party on the Friday evening and a Film 4 film show on the Saturday. The Jumbotron takes VT feeds from live camera relay, satellite transmission of the cricket action and Beta playback of the films and the graphics.Commented Lee Eld: "I have a strong relationship with Screenco; they ar

The 26th Sound Broadcasting Equipment Show (SBES) will take place at the NEC in Birmingham from 14-15 November 2001. The way that audio systems within broadcast environments has changed can be described as nothing less than radical: audio networking is the key to how radio stations and studios will see their future and the expansion of products in this sector is likely to witness rapid growth. Companies such as IBM/Jutel, Klotz Digital, and The Oxford Sound Company have been pivotal in the implementation of substantial installations for the BBC and GWR during the course of 2001. "We can set up a studio without having to be concerned about exactly what it is going to do," commented Tim Donaldson, GWR's Technical Director. GWR have recently completed a move to a new studio that is fully networked using Klotz Digital equipment and dining out on the fact that "this is the largest radio only facility that has been built since BH," (BBC Broadcasting House) his commitment to radio reflects the optimism within the radio broadcast industry.

IBM/Jutel have also chosen SBES to show their network solutions. IBM being no stranger to computer networks, their partnership with Jutel of Finland providing the audio expertise has been rewarded by a substantial contract being awarded by the BBC for the English Regions project totalling 26 local radio stations. The Oxford Sound Company is midway through the installation project for these and a resolute Andrew Riley commented: "This is the way that broadcasting can be made to be efficient, reliable and really taking ad

Nu-Light Systems of Warrington have been awarded with the Warrington & Cheshire Research and Innovation Award for their work on the newly-released laser animator system and its potential markets in signage and the Airoamer, for improving environments. They then went on to receive the overall Award for Warrington & Cheshire Business of the Year 2001. Debbie Clayton, managing director, comments: "We were delighted to receive the Awards, due to the calibre of businesses we were up against, from telecommunications companies to national retail outlets. It is important to us as a team for our work to be recognised outside of the industry. It has further confirmed we are moving in the right direction."

Mike Wake, technical director, added: "Receiving the first Award surpassed our expectations, but Business of the Year is amazing, a real team morale booster. It’s the first time in 13 years I have ever known Debbie speechless!"

Logic System Pro Audio has announced recent sales of its loudspeaker systems to PA rental companies. London-based Gighire has added eight Logic System units to its existing monitor system. Gighire’s Jon Pickett looked at many options before deciding on the CM20 15" plus 2" co-axial cabinet. Pickett, who joins a rapidly-increasing list of CM20 users, said: "When we weighed up all the options, the CM20 had the performance, was the right size, could be run off our existing control equipment and was also competitively priced. Coupled with our own experiences of Logic System’s excellent build quality and reliability, it was a fairly easy decision to make."

Meanwhile, PA company Acousys Sound Systems of Wokingham has just added another Logic System CS1296 system to its ever-increasing array of hire stock. The system has been purchased in order to fulfil a heavy summer workload which will include the ‘One World’ stage at the famous WOMAD festival in August. Kevin Drain of Acousys Sound commented: "Ever since we invested in the first batch of the three-box, bi-amp touring system late last year, we knew that it was only a matter of time before we added some more. Sonically the system is excellent, whilst the fact that it is incredibly practical and manageable is equally important to a company such as ours." The system went straight out to the Reading University Summer Ball to cover the Dance Arena where artists included Phats & Small, Transglobal Underground and Romina Johnson.

A joint project involving manufacturers Allen& Heath and Audace has provided a UK conference and exhibition venue with a unique paging system.

Bryan Waters, MD and founder of Audace, explained that the HIC system required a larger number of output zones than A&H’s DR128 digital matrix could provide. "The first challenge was the need for a system of 16 zones. We wanted to provide the Centre with a single control system that would work with two of the Allen & Heath units." Waters, who professes a keen enthusiasm for the Cornish pro audio manufacturer’s products, set up Audace specifically to provide one-off solutions and off-the-shelf support products for the blossoming digital market. "When the DR128 was launched, there was nothing like it on the market for anything like the price - and there still isn’t," he enthused. "However, the software supplied with the DR128 is for set-up, rather than an operational programme. Our solution, which is part hardware, part custom software, allows non-technical operators (in this case the HIC’s team of receptionists) to control paging levels and zoning from a simple control panel, while technical staff have full access to the two DR128s for the Centre’s computer network."

The central paging panel, which was commissioned for this project, offers users a pre-selection of multiple paging zones, which combines with a push-to-talk microphone to provide access to the Centre’s nine halls, the foyer, backstage and technical areas. Output level to each of these may be set within

Arbiter and JBL recently took residence at the Hammersmith Apollo, to host the first UK demo of the Vertec Line Array system. The day was designed to give clients an opportunity to view the product up close and allow them some hands-on time with the system.

One of the issues JBL was most keen to emphasize was that of weight, or rather lack of it, for each Vertec VT4889 enclosure weighs only 69kg, including rigging hardware. Each enclosure includes two lightweight 15" low frequency loudspeakers, four powerful 2250H 8" midrange frequency loudspeakers, coupled to RBIs (Radiation Boundary Integrators), and three compact 2435 high frequency drivers fitted to WaveFormers.

The system is already establishing a strong following, both in the US and Europe, where some of the key touring supply companies have systems out with a number of headlining bands.

The historic Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic Orchestra has taken delivery of a Sony DMX-R1000 digital console, supplied by Total Audio Solutions. The orchestra will use the consoles to record its acclaimed performances at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, as well as for BBC Radio 3 recordings in their Studio Seven Concert Hall. The console will also accompany the orchestra on the regular overseas concert tours and international broadcasts that it undertakes.

Virtually all recitals are recorded to digital stereo and BBC recording and mixing engineer (programme manager) Stephen Rinker was instrumental in deciding to opt for the DMX-R1000. "We carefully evaluated the criteria by which we should select our replacement console," he explains. "This encompassed a move to digital, and it’s fair to say that the DMX-R1000 was the only digital desk that fully matched our specification. It represented very good value for money, as well as having impressive audio and a rugged build quality."

PLASA has worked in co-operation with some of London’s leading entertainment venues to offer an exclusive insight into the workings of some of the city’s most famous venues; this exclusive backstage tour immediately follows the close of the PLASA Show in London this September. Theatrical London delegates will visit the world-renowned Royal Albert Hall for a night at the Proms; the Apollo Victoria Theatre to see the upgraded Starlight Express; Tussaud’s Group Studios for an exclusive technical tour, and the Donmar Warehouse for a ‘Divas at the Donmar’ performance. To top it off, you can step back in time at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre . . .

Wednesday 12th September: The experience begins with A night at The Proms, The Royal Albert Hall, featuring Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring. Pre-show drinks will be served in the foyer. Performance starts at 7.30pm.

Thursday 13th September: This busy day starts with a coach-ride from Earls Court to The Royal Albert Hall for a guided technical tour of this famous venue, before moving on to the Apollo Victoria Theatre for a guided backstage tour of the recently-upgraded Starlight Express. Following lunch, travel by coach to the Tussauds Group Studios for an exclusive to PLASA tour of the facilities behind the Group’s famous visitor attractions, before visiting Madame Tussaud’s in Baker Street, with an option to go on to the London Planetarium. After a short break, delegates meet up at the Donmar Warehouse, with a tour and performance of Divas at The Donmar featuring Sian Philips. Drinks wil

The Swiss city of Berne is having the lighting system in its municipal theatre modernized by the Transtechnik Group at a cost of around 425,000 Euros. Due to be completed at the end of this month, the project will bring state-of-the-art lighting technology to this famous theatre. The new system includes two lighting control consoles - a Focus NT and a Prisma NT - each of which is fitted with a moving light controller and connected to the digital auxiliary console via a Transtechnik DMX-Gate protocol converter. The converter converts the DMX signals from the lighting consoles to the Profibus signals for the auxiliary console (and vice versa) to allow the devices to exchange data. The Profibus standard requires only a thin, two-wire cable for transmitting control signals, which means that there is no need for thick bundles of cables to the auxiliary console. Profibus also permits bi-directional communication: for example, a command to switch the foyer lighting is issued in one direction, and a confirmation that the command has been successfully carried out is sent to the auxiliary console in the opposite direction. If the confirmation is not received, the operator can take corrective action immediately. Transtechnik is also providing seven FDX2000 dimmer cabinets and nine HPZ211 convection-cooled Niethammer followspots, mounted on motorized yokes (from Lichttechnik) including colour changers and automatic iris drive.

As part of the modernization, the theatre will also have a remote control facility for the lighting functions and a control position in the auditorium, allowin

The US-based Entertainment Services & Technology Association (ESTA) has announced that BSR E1.8, Entertainment Technology - Loudspeaker Enclosures Intended for Overhead Suspension - Classification, Manufacture and Structural Testing, is now available for public review, and will be until 25 September 2001. Loudspeakers suspended overhead should not pull apart and rain debris on people below, and this draft document is an attempt to offer guidance to a manufacturer to make sure such a mishap does not happen. The document describes the structural requirements for loudspeaker enclosures intended for overhead suspension, which include enclosure construction, component part security, enclosure suspension hardware, manufacturing control systems, structural testing, and product representation. The standard is intended to enhance the safety of speaker rigging at popular music concerts and other performances.

Further details are available from the Technical Standards Program section of ESTA’s website.

Show Presentation Services (SPS), the leading equipment rental and staging specialist, has announced that it increased its turnover from £8m to £13m over 2000, and achieved a 58% increase in pre-tax profits for the same period, as a direct result of its integrated event services strategy. The results reinforce SPS’s position as a leading independent AV rental and staging business. High business growth rates were achieved by the scenic construction and lighting rental departments in particular, of 241% and 148% respectively. SPS’s investment in a Barco D-Lite7 Modular LED screen was validated by the turnover generated with the successful launch of its LED rental business. A part-year contribution from the Earls Court and Olympia AV contract that commenced its five-year term also boosted SPS’s increase.

"This year has seen more challenging business conditions," acknowledges Robin Coles, managing director of SPS. "The first half of 2001 has been flatter than we anticipated but the launch of our new Event IT division in February, is adding positively to our already comprehensive service offering. We are seeking booking levels increase for the second half of the year, and an impending strategic acquisition will consolidate our position as the leading independent AV rental and staging business in the UK."

Trantec’s award-winning S5000 radio mic system was used by Sprout, the event-production division of Marcom Presentations at Disneyland Paris recently to assist the communications of 200 delegates at a major conference. Marcom’s Jason Adams revealed that a selection of lapel and handheld mics were used over the course of the week-long event for new employees. Adams confirmed that the inventory included 10 channels of S5000: "We favour the Trantec system because it offers great reception and it’s easy to set up and use."

The Community AirForce system made an impact on its UK debut when it supported two back-to-back shows by Status Quo in the Channel Islands recently. The kit was supplied from the rental stock of Lancashire-based HSL, who have enjoyed a long relationship with the promoter, Paul Couser, from Onstage Events. The two venues were the 2000-capacity Beau Sejour Centre in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, and the 2,500-capacity Fort Regent in St. Helier.

HSL produced a special ‘mini-rig’ for sound engineer Andy Taylor, providing two AF3 short-throw and four AF10 bass per side (configured as two rows of three enclosures). This was underpinned by eight VLF218s. HSL production manager, Will Soden, said: "We are still assessing the system. However, this configuration proved more than adequate to provide full coverage at the levels required." AirForce was run completely flat, using only the system processor settings, to the satisfaction of Quo’s front-of-house engineer.

Couser commented: "I was very impressed with the Community system - particularly in Jersey where we were able to fly it - and will be using it again with the SAS All Star Band, which includes Midge Ure, Leo Sayer, Fish and Chris Thompson."