UK - An Audient ASP8024-HE has been installed in The Live Room, a community support project in Birkenhead, northwest England, providing a venue for musicians wanting to reconnect with their passion. The arrival of the console followed a recommendation - and generous donation - from Pete Townshend.
The brainchild of public-spirited Iain Ogilvie, The Live Room offers a lifeline for musicians who are dealing with issues of addiction, isolation and poverty. “Our goal is to support the mental health of participants through team involvement, and signposting to professional agencies where necessary. In doing so, we help them overcome challenges through the creative process.”
The concept of The Live Room came to Iain whilst he was working at the Keyboard Repair Centre in The Wirral. “I noticed an increasing number of older, retired musicians asking for repairs to their out-of-use gear. Some had not played in decades and in recent years had experienced some of life’s darker issues. They all missed performing,” he says. A bass player himself, he knew the feeling all too well. “The idea of The Live Room was born to give these guys and gals the opportunity to get back on stage. Music is a great healer.”
One of his customers wasn’t a retired musician. Pete Townshend needed a couple of his vintage analogue Yamaha synths repaired, and their meeting sparked a connection. Pete championed The Live Room idea, which was in its early stages at the time. In a letter of support he wrote: “This is right up my street. A studio for lonely, isolated nutters
USA - Floridian rockers Tedeschi Trucks’ summer 2023 tour staging was dominated by soaring horizontal LED battens which displayed pixels of video content, driven by Hippotizer Karst+ MK2 media servers. The battens were interspersed with LED fixtures to create a dazzling series of audience blinders, colour and sweeping effects to set the scene for the band’s brand of American blues rock.
The lighting design and programming was delivered to the tour by Infinitus Vox, headed by Tony Caporale, who used a Hippotizer Karst+ MK2’s NDI feed to his Depence R3 pre-viz software. This meant that during pre-production, he could view all of the lighting and video design together, before controlling the Media Server via a grandMA3 console.
“Since pixel mapping was the main focus here, the Karst+ MK2 was the right Hippotizer for the job,” says Caporale. “It offers flexibility - I’ve used this machine on heavily timecoded shows to doing a good old fashioned rock show like this one without timecode. I’m comfortable with it in many situations we face in production.”
For a show requiring large amounts of video content displayed via LED battens, Caporale took advantage of the Hippotizer PixelMapper feature, which was designed to bring creative video to lighting fixtures. The content was created by Danny Clarke from Gateway Studios and Production Services, as well as stock content manipulated for the creative design of the show by Caporale.
“I discovered a lot of ways to blend the pixel mapped content with the existing programming in the Pixel
Germany - LD Systems has launched a new product range specifically for the installation market. The TICA series offers compact solutions for any size project that are flexible, easy to install and packed with features that deliver better sound and control, says the company.
The series includes everything from media streaming and mixing preamplifiers to a range of amps with different channel and power outputs. There are also Dante networked audio interfaces, transformers, headphone amplifiers and control interfaces.
Installers can build entire systems using workhorse products from the series, or alternatively, the TICA series can be integrated into an existing installation providing additional connections or zones. They’re small, functional, single purpose products that are accessible and extremely easy to install.
“Our DIO Dante interfaces have expanded our Dante portfolio and we expect that integrators will be keen to try these new products,” explains Gabriel Alonso Calvillo, product manager, integrated systems. The DIO 44 and DIO 22 Dante interface feature four-step gain control and 24V phantom power per channel. Additionally, all interfaces have signal indicators and can be daisy-chained together.
“With the TICA series we’re also offering several mini amplifier models with low or high impedance outputs,” says Gabriel. “They feature different input connections and simple third-party control options via GPI or voltage-controlled inputs.”
The AMP 205 is a two-channel mini amplifier that combines its compact size with pa
USA - The Kalahari Resort in the Pocono mountains bills itself as “220,000sq.ft filled with wet, wild, fun”. The massive complex does indeed offer some distinctive amenities, such as the world’s first virtual reality water slide. On the weekend of 23-24 September, it was also the site of The Way, a Salvation Army young adult retreat.
In addition to enjoying the usual attractions at the resort during their recreation periods, the retreat attendees, who hailed from every East Coast state, as well as Puerto Rico, enjoyed high-energy performances by Unbound, a contemporary worship band.
Reflecting the ebullient personality and sound of the band was an eight-universe lighting and video show designed and created by Eagle Production Co. that Moshe Baskin ran on his ChamSys MagicQ MQ500M Stadium console.
Baskin busked his show, which he designed in Vectorworks and programmed in L8. Working with his Eagle Production Co. rig, he relied on silhouettes and split beams, as well as a variety of top lighting and side lighting to create an ethereal, spiritual aura around the band, as well as other performers, including the inspired dance troupe, Move. He also used on some richly textured monochromatic colour schemes to set the mood on the 28’ by 42’ stage.
“I aimed for very dreamy and spiritual atmosphere,” said Baskin. “My goal was to engage the crowd with uplifting looks without distracting from the performers. For the dancers, I used top spots for dramatic impact, and for front washing I got excellent looks from my Rogue R1 BeamWashes.”
UK - The growing international popularity of AV Stumpfl’s real-time media server platform, Pixera, has led to the Austrian family business’s opening an additional office in London, which will be exclusively dedicated to Pixera.
The vibrant creative scene in London in particular played an important part in the Austrian company’s decision to bolster the Pixera presence in the UK.
Pixera executive director Harry Gladow comments on the new development: “Our local roots in Austria are very strong, but we have always had a global mindset with regards to our vision for the worldwide Pixera community. Opening a new office in such a creative entertainment hotspot makes absolute sense now that our user community has grown so much that we need the local presence to support our organic growth strategy in the UK.”
The Pixera office in Uxbridge, London, will be run by its new UK managing director and industry veteran, Craig Harrower.
For over a decade, Harrower has helped realise international AV projects featuring advanced media server technology. “When Pixera 1.0 was released in 2019, there was a lot of scepticism in the UK market as to whether the industry really needed another approach to media server systems,” he says. “Four years later, the answer is a resounding yes, and I am looking forward to helping our fast-growing UK user community realise their full potential.”
Mexico - The recently inaugurated Olmeca Refinery, the largest oil plant in Mexico and one of the three largest in Latin America, has implemented several Christie solutions in its control rooms and offices, including LED and LCD video walls, video wall processors and a 30,000 lumen 3DLP projector.
Located in the port of Dos Bocas, Tabasco, the Olmeca Refinery can process 340,000 barrels per day of crude oil. The refinery consists of 17 processing plants, 56 storage tanks, 34 spheres, workshops, administrative and service buildings, and control rooms across the 556-hectare site.
The facility required a main control room to supervise and monitor oil production, several control rooms for surveillance throughout the refinery, and boardrooms to increase communication and productivity.
Video walls were critical for displaying scalable content from multiple sources simultaneously, including a wide range of camera feeds, SCADA systems from remote sites, and productivity KPIs.
“Christie video walls were chosen for their high quality and brightness, and we saw a real advantage of having a complete control room portfolio with a single brand,” says Dimas Lopez, general manager of Soluciones en Tecnologia de Mexico (STM), the Christie partner that acted as the project integrator.
Eight 1.4 mm pixel pitch Christie Core Series LED video walls, each measuring 8.5 x 3.2 metres, were installed in the main control room. “These systems stand out for their flexibility and scalability, as well as low maintenance,” says Lopez.
In the tactical roo
USA - Creative Technology has announced two key promotions in its executive management team. Effective immediately, Herb Brandt has been named president of the Creative Technology Group in the US and Stephen Gray will be taking on the newly created role of senior vice president of NEP Live Events.
Brandt is a 27-year veteran with extensive experience across all of CT’s business offerings. His most recent role as chief business officer focused on the client-facing side of the business, enhancing CT’s go-to-market strategies while developing new, innovative solutions for customers.
Stephen Gray has been a part of the Creative Technology family since 1994 and has built a reputation grounded in customer service and operational excellence. He will continue in his current role as chief operating officer for CT US while he takes on the responsibilities as senior vice-president for all of NEP Live Events.
Graham Andrews, who founded Creative Technology in 1986, will remain president of NEP Live Events and CEO of the global Creative Technology Group.
“I would like to thank both Herb and Stephen for their very significant contributions that have made this business what it is today,” offers Andrews. “Their dedication and hard work over these many years has helped to shape our capabilities and our culture which in turn has impacted the industry as a whole. I look forward to continuing to develop this world class business that we have all built together.”
Germany - After last year’s announcement of an exclusive free-TV partnership with the US National Football League (NFL), Cologne-based private broadcaster RTL Deutschland launched the 2023/24 NFL season with a bang. As part of its preseason, the NFL celebrated its premiere on Nitro, a special-interest channel within the RTL Deutschland network, on 12 August. The event took place in RTL’s new live studio, specially designed for NFL coverage and featuring Leyard Europe LED screens.
Initial work on the new NFL studio started in early February, with the RTL team employing the expertise of internationally renowned multi-disciplinary design firm, Veech x Veech, whose credits also include studios for media companies such as SKY News (London, UK), Red Bull Media House (Salzburg, Austria), and Al Jazeera (Doha, Qatar and London, UK).
Laurin Schmid, Leyard's sales manager for the DACH region, worked closely with RTL project manager Oliver Reich and the Veech x Veech design team, led by Stuart Veech, on the LED screen choice for the 265m2 facility. The primary goal was to ensure the best colour rendering on camera while avoiding unwanted artifacts such as moiré patterns and flickering.
"The preference for Leyard LED solutions by both the Veech x Veech team and the end client is rooted in past positive experiences with our products," notes Schmid. "For instance, RTL has already successfully incorporated Leyard products in four other studios across Germany. This historical context solidified the choice of Leyard as an LED manufacturer for the new NFL studio
USA - Grammy winning American rapper LL Cool J has been rocking cities across the US over the summer with a star-studded celebration of hip-hop formed as The F.O.R.C.E Tour - with pre-made and live visuals fired by a team of tvONE's Green Hippo Hippotizers.
With a line-up of special guests including DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Roots, and Ice-T, the tour was LL Cool J’s first headliner live shows in three decades and, in the run up said he wanted to ensure “everything is done right”. VUE Show Design Group was brought into the LL Cool J Camp through production designer Gary Westcott, with a brief of programming visuals “from top to bottom”.
“We were tasked with re-creating the show visuals to elevate what existed before,” says VUE Show Design Group’s design associate/screens producer, Bransen Black. “This show wasn’t like your typical concert tour - it was imagined to be one continuous set, with new guest artists every night. Due to this, the structure of the show was constantly changing, sometimes even in the middle of the show. Therefore, the lighting and video teams had to technically create a show that made it easy to pivot at any point in time, that could be easily recalled and refined on the fly but had a familiar structure.”
Black specified a Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 as the main media server, with a Hippotizer Amba+ MK2 as backup, from VUE’s fleet of Hippotizers. “The show utilised pre-made content as well as live manipulation,” he continues. “We heavily relied on the effects engine within Hippotizer to transform cont
UK - Vivitek has announced the DU7000 series of large venue projectors. The series comprises the DU7099Z, DU7199Z and DU7299Z, each offering varying levels of brightness. The DU7000 Series is capable of maintenance-free operation for up to 30,000 hours with stable and constant brightness and has an IP6X sealed engine design. This makes the series suited to large venues - such as auditoriums, lecture halls and sports arenas - as well as the rental and staging markets.
Through the deployment of Vivitek’s latest laser technology, the DU7000 Series provides high brightness of up to 9,600lm, high 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio and features great colour uniformity with vivid colour technology. The new projectors also mark a shift away from manual lenses, with support for up to nine motorised lenses, including a new short throw lens 0.47-0.50 up to 5.3-8.20 for tight installation spaces. All lenses are fully motorised (Lens Shift, Zoom, Focus) except D86-04705 (Lens Shift Only).The DU7000 series is equipped with Lens Positioning Memory to quickly recall user-defined lens positions (lens shift) for easy setup and perfectly proportioned images.
Compared to the previous generation of models, the DU7000 Series offers power consumption savings of up to 45%, while its laser light source is good for 30,000 hours of operation in Eco Mode with continuous 24/7 operation. With built-in colour sensor technology, the projectors can automatically adjust the lighting to maintain constant and stable brightness over long periods of time.
For customers in the rental and sta
China - ROE Visual has introduced the Vanish ST Series, an outdoor LED panel designed to excel in high-utilisation scenarios, to the European and UK markets.
The Vanish ST Series is designed to provide ‘exceptional value for touring, festival and outdoor live events’ needs’.
The VST Series is available in a solid panel, measuring 1000x1000mm, and comes in pixel pitches of 4mm (V4ST) and 6mm (V6ST), providing the brightness necessary for outdoor use, ensuring visuals capture attention in any environment. The Vanish ST has built-in curving blocks, allowing the frame to curve 10 degrees in a convex or concave configuration.
The Vanish ST will be showcased at the JTSE exhibition, held in Paris on 29-30 November.
Europe - The dnp Supernova range of ALR (ambient light rejecting) screens will now transition to Visual Displays Ltd (VDL), ensuring the brand continues its legacy as VDL Supernova ALR.
Originating in Denmark, the Supernova screens have been manufactured by dnp denmark A/S for many years, under the umbrella of Dai Nippon Printing of Japan. However, with the recent surge in the electric vehicle market, strategies are shifting. As a result, dnp announced that the Supernova range would cease shipment by the end of June 2024.
VDL and its founder, Greg Jeffreys, have long-standing ties with dnp, tracing back to the 1990s. Jeffreys initially offered consultancy to dnp as they forayed into the proAV rear projection screen market. This partnership later evolved, with Jeffreys' company, Paradigm, becoming dnp's exclusive UK distributor, before ultimately transitioning into VDL in 2016.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the potential of ALR screen technologies, with VDL pioneering its use in the higher education and corporate sectors. The tech giant Microsoft's ascent in the hybrid meeting and teaching arena further bolstered the demand for ALR projection, given its unparalleled ability to cater to larger display sizes, ideal for showcasing multiple content windows.
In support of partners within Microsoft and Epson, VDL introduced the VDL Digital Canvas - an all-encompassing display solution that amalgamates ALR screen, 3LCD laser projectors, and mounting accessories tailored for the global Microsoft Teams Room and education markets.
Adding to thi
Japan - Nikon Creates Studio, a new subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, has recently unveiled its new Heiwajima Stage, a multifunctional shooting facility created with the support of Global Vision Multimedia (GVM). Located at Nikon Creates’ imaging complex in Tokyo, Japan, the stage features the latest technology, including volumetric video recording systems and a large LED volume for virtual production (VP) setups, driven by Brompton Technology LED processing.
The studio's close proximity to Haneda Airport makes it easily accessible for domestic and international clients. It also allows for easy transportation of equipment, such as lighting and special machinery, enabling efficient shooting for productions of various sizes, including music videos, commercial films, movies, TV dramas, corporate video packages, and video distribution services.
Its impressive LED setup consists of a 10.4m wide by 4.2m high main LED wall made up of Absen AX1.5 PRO, plus a height adjustable ceiling for ambient lighting, comprising Absen JP4 LED panels which measures 6m wide by 4.2m deep. The studio also features two movable 1.8m wide by 3m high Absen LED side screens, again used for ambient lighting. The entire setup is powered by four Brompton 4K Tessera SX40 LED processors, along with 14 Tessera 10G data distribution units.
“The SX40 is the pinnacle of tech specifications, which is why we chose it when we started discussions about the project. It also has a proven track record in VP and XR studios around the globe," says Kazuhiro Hirano, president at Nikon Creates.
UK - Event management, production, and creative agency Glasgows has revealed its rebrand as OneTwo. The move follows its most successful years in the agency’s 37-year history.
OneTwo - a name inspired by its heritage in events and the traditional sound check - has expanded its services in recent years to include digital, film, and creative, as well as events. The agency has also seen continuous growth in both its team and its client roster, which includes the Post Office, Crown Commercial Service, and The Environment Agency.
The new brand identity, created in partnership with brand consultancy and design studio Two Stories, centres on collaboration; the combining of the agency’s service offering to create exceptional brand experiences, and the partnerships it creates with its clients, which are at the core of the brand.
OneTwo finance director Bernie Gorrell said: “Glasgows has evolved a huge amount in the time I’ve been part of the business, and this latest transformation allows us to showcase what we do in a creative, engaging, and fun way. We really wanted our personality to shine through, and our new brand allows us to do that.”
“The idea for the name OneTwo came from our talented team and it’s been fantastic to see everyone really embrace this change. It’s really important to us that everyone in the business remains involved as we continue to grow.”
Tim Lowell, joint managing director at OneTwo continued: “I’m super proud of what we’ve achieved with this rebrand. The OneTwo brand not only reflects what we
UK - Solotech has announced its partnership with Outernet, the immersive experience in the heart of London. This strategic collaboration solidifies Solotech's position as Outernet’s global 360 AV partner as it now looks to expand to future sites internationally.
"Our partnership with Outernet epitomises the standards by which we measure ourselves," says Bryce Jewell, managing director of Solotech UK. "The audio solution that we provided in London was a massive success, one that was ultimately recognised by many industry bodies. However, as Outernet looks to realise their ambitions in other markets, Solotech’s global reach and track record of delivering full 360 solutions will unquestionably add even greater value to our partnership. Together, I know that our combined strengths and expertise will continue to provide consumers with the most advanced immersive audiovisual experiences available."
Outernet shares the enthusiasm for this partnership. "We are delighted to partner with Solotech, a company that shares our passion for innovation and commitment to client satisfaction," explains Richard Blaney, technical operations director at Outernet. "Trust is a crucial part of all long term relationships, and following our experience of working together in London we are confident that Solotech will help us create immersive experiences that redefine the industry and set new standards in performance all over the world."
Philip Giffard, president, global sales and systems integration, Solotech agrees. “I am filled with immense pride and enthusiasm as we
USA - PRG (Production Resource Group) has appointed Ariane Coldiron as senior vice president, corporate events. Coldiron will head the corporate events division, reporting directly to PRG CEO Stephan Paridaen.
Coldiron was most recently SVP, brand experience at Freeman where she worked for nearly a decade. As SVP, she drove the company’s highly successful agency business, developing and implementing go-to-market and long-term strategies while managing a large and complex portfolio of accounts including industry giants like Google, SalesForce, Sage, and HP. She also held tenures at experiential agencies Jack Morton, InVision Communications, and TBA Global Events.
“Ariane’s extensive industry experience has uniquely equipped her for success in this key role,” said Paridaen. “She is a well-known and much-respected figure in the corporate events space, with long ties to agencies and show organisers. We are excited that she will lead our presence in this market.”
Coldiron said: “No other provider in the corporate events industry can provide such a full suite of technical production services or deliver them with such a consistent standard of excellence. The possibilities for growth are wide open, and I look forward to working closely with our team to realise them.”
Reporting directly to Coldiron will be Lauren Hendricks, SVP of sales & business development; Carter Dunham, VP of sales; and Max Brown, senior director of project management. She is based in Dallas, Texas.
Colombia - Hippotizer Media Servers have been installed at Caracol Televisión studios as part of a set upgrade for the popular singing competition Yo me Llamo (My Name Is).
The network is one of the biggest clients for AV equipment supplier and production design company Visual in Motion, which regularly deploys LED screens, lighting fixtures and Media Servers to set.
For the latest season of Yo me Llamo - where contestants mimic famous singers in live performances to be crowned winner - Visual in Motion collaborated with the network to design a set concept and specify LED screens, lighting, control, content and Media Server systems. The result was a decadent, classic theatre set complete with red velvet drapes, chandeliers and gold-framed LED screens driven by a Hippotizer Nevis+.
“The main challenge that we encountered was the amount of pixels, the different shapes of the LED screens, and the precision in the cues,” explains Alvaro Fuentes, CEO of Visual in Motion. “This was all easily handled by Hippotizer Nevis+. We have been using Hippotizers since the beginning of the company, when we conducted deep research to find the best available solution in the market. Since my background is lighting, I wanted to have video control via my lighting desk, and Hippotizer with the use of DMX does the job perfectly.”
Inside the studio, the team installed a large LED screen central to the backdrop of each performance, with further LED screens along each side of a catwalk. There were also three LED screens behind the judging
UAE - Creative Technology (CT) has announced the latest addition to its ever-expanding LED inventory - the ROE Vanish V8T.
“We are thrilled to be the first in the Middle East to introduce the ROE Vanish V8T to our clients with a substantial investment of 720sq.m. This investment underscores our commitment to providing our clients with the latest and most innovative solutions in event technology,” comments Andy Reardon, CTME’s managing director.
Tom Stocks, CTME’s head of video, adds: "This state-of-the-art LED panel is a standout performer in outdoor settings. Its exceptional brightness, remarkable viewing angles, and curve capabilities set it apart, making it the ultimate choice for a diverse range of creative applications in large-scale outdoor events and concerts."
Reardon continues: “As the Q4 season approaches, demand for the ROE Vanish V8T is already surging among our clients. Its exceptional capabilities are poised to elevate the impact of outdoor events and redefine the standards of excellence in the industry.”
Grace Kuo, sales director for ROE Visual, adds: “The Middle East’s entertainment and event industry is vibrant and fast-paced. Reaping the full potential of this growing market, ROE Visual and Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) are investing in high-quality LED products to offer clients the best possible solutions. Following the great success of the Qatar World Cup Opening Ceremony, CTME invested in the ROE Visual Vanish V8T series and with the opening of our new MEA office, we look forward to exploring furth
Hungary - Lightware Visual Engineering has announced the launch of Taurus UCX HC40, a video switcher designed with AV integrators in mind.
Taurus UCX HC40 simplifies 4K video, audio, and control signal transmission, while providing power over a single USB-C connection. As with the previous UCX devices, Taurus UCX HC40 makes AV setups cleaner and more efficient, by reducing the use of cables and connectors, says Lightware. Additionally, with data speeds of up to 5 Gbps thanks to USB 3.1 Gen1, it ensures high-quality and ultralow-latency of video and audio.
The new Taurus variant brings an improved USB Hub, providing faster connections and enhanced compatibility with non-compliant USB devices and extenders. It also includes a front live LED for easy status monitoring and the ability to configure internal pull-up/pull-down for Room Occupancy (OCS); more flash storage space, particularly advantageous for Lightware's LARA; and a new vent hole design for efficient passive and noiseless cooling that keeps devices running at the optimal temperature without a whisper.
Users who connect their laptop or other mobile devices via USB-C can charge up to 100W (120W total), thus eliminating the need to look for a wall plug and avoiding sudden meetings interruptions. Mac users can also enjoy an updated USB-Ethernet gateway for MacBook M1/M2 compatibility.
“Our commitment to innovation is one of the characteristics of Lightware Visual Engineering and it’s embedded in each one of our products and solutions. With Taurus UCX HC40, we are moving a step forward
USA - After unveiling a significant upgrade featuring over 4,800sq.ft of top-tier LED displays from digiLED, Tropicana Field, a multi-purpose domed stadium situated in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the long-standing home of the American professional baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays, has surged ahead in technological advancement across its entire facility.
This stride in innovation is prominently showcased in its Rays control room, where 1.3mm digiTHIN HD LED screens have been installed.
“When we began deliberating the choice of a screen manufacturer for our control room, we sought input from a diverse group of stakeholders, including members of the Rays family and professionals associated with other stadiums,” says Michael Weinman, director, Tampa Bay Rays. “A pivotal factor that influenced our decision was the exceptional support we received from digiLED.
“Their impressive product demonstration left a lasting impression, convincingly illustrating how their solutions could seamlessly integrate into our stadium. Ultimately, it was this demonstration that solidified our choice of digiLED for our control room.”
The integration of screens for the control room coincided with the deployment of other LED solutions provided by digiLED. This included the installation of three enormous 10mm VISION A LED screens, measuring 4,790sq.ft, alongside three additional screens strategically positioned throughout the venue, combining VISION A, and 1.3mm digiTHIN HD displays.
Continuing, Weinman explains, “For the Rays control room, we opted for
UK - VDC Trading is celebrating its 36th anniversary as a provider of tour-grade cabling solutions to professional and domestic users.
Established in 1987, VDC Trading developed a reputation for its audio and AV/IT live sound cable builds and installs; bespoke solutions for complex cabling problems; and for being the sole distributor of the legendary Van Damme cable range in the UK, popular with backline techs the world over.
VDC recently moved from its site in Kings Cross to a newly refurbished HQ in Tufnell Park which includes custom-designed office space and purpose-built warehousing, providing a solid platform for future growth. In conjunction with this move, VDC also acquired a large satellite warehouse in Hampshire to house non-urgent cable stock.
A commitment to innovation has always been at the heart of VDC’s growth. With a strong focus on customer needs and feedback, the company has consistently developed cutting-edge products that address industry challenges and elevate standards. Looking ahead, the business aims to further enhance its offerings, explore new market opportunities, and continue delivering exceptional value to its customers.
Niall Holden, founder and CEO of VDC Trading commented: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate 36 years of excellence in the industry. During this time, we have focussed on nurturing long-standing relationships with our customers. Not only do we consider countless famous bands and studios as part of our inner circle, but VDC and Van Damme products can now be found almost anywhere - from hotels
Canada – Green Hippo, tvONE’s brand in media manipulation and 3D Mapping, has announced an official partnership with DataVisual, positioning them as the exclusive distributor for Hippotizer Media Servers in Canada.
Concurrently, tvONE welcomes Daniel DeMarchi who will spearhead Green Hippo's brand presence in the Canadian market as the dedicated manufacturer representative.
DataVisual boasts an in-house inside sales support team, extensive demonstration equipment, product specification assistance, and comprehensive vendor training.
DeMarchi brings a wealth of expertise to his role, having held senior sales positions at prior organisations and has a robust background in pro AV, live events and rental/staging.
"I'm thrilled to represent Green Hippo and contribute my expertise in live event production, further enhancing Green Hippo's outstanding reputation in the industry." Says DeMarchi.
China - Established just under two years ago by Tencent Interactive Entertainment Group's Content Development Department (CDD), the Shenzhen-based CDD Virtual Studio has been pioneering new content production methods for China's largest online gaming platform, Tencent Games.
It currently stands as the only virtual studio in the country equipped with CDD's self-developed VP and XR dual-system automatic switching capability, which allows for rapid system switching within one minute, enabling the facility to meet the high-end VP and XR system shooting requirements for large-scale productions in film and television. The studio utilises Brompton Technology LED video processing and AOTO LED screen as part of its technical setup.
CDD virtual production technical manager Nornor Chen notes that since the studio’s foundation, the team has been very open to exploring new application scenarios through hands-on experiences in different sectors. “Based on the needs of Tencent Games and the market environment in Shenzhen, the studio has primarily been focussing on esports live broadcasts, virtual events, and Tencent’s virtual press conferences,” he says.
With an impressive LED setup that includes a 40m by 6m, 240-degree curved LED screen and a movable 12.5m by 11m LED ceiling spanning over 100sq.m the studio utilises AOTO LED panels with a pixel pitch of 2.3mm, powered by 12 4K Tessera SX40 LED processors and 24 Tessera XD 10G data distribution units.
To take advantage of the full potential of each LED, the AOTO RM2.3 panels were calibrated with Br
UK - Christie reports its continuing partnership with the BFI for the 67th BFI London Film Festival (LFF) in partnership with American Express. The BFI LFF returned to the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank of the Thames, where the concert hall served as the main red carpet gala venue from 4-15 October.
Dominic Simmons, head of technical services at the BFI, says, "Christie RGB pure laser projectors show extremely vivid colours and contrast on the screen. Last year, directors and film representatives witnessed their work on the Christie Real|Laser illuminated projector and loved what they saw. I'm pleased that we're able to again screen films in high quality using Christie for the Royal Festival Hall."
Christie cinema sales manager, Phil Lord, comments: “It’s a pleasure to continue our longstanding partnership with the BFI and the BFI London Film Festival this year, allowing us to provide projection befitting of such a prestigious event. With our RGB pure laser technology, the latest films shine brightly, with exceptional colour reproduction and vibrant images.
Featuring CineLife+ electronics and Real|Laser illumination, Christie RGB pure laser cinema projectors exceed DCI standards, excel in image quality and brightness, operational efficiency, and offer reduced costs and increased sustainability.
The Festival’s opening night saw the International Premiere of Saltburn directed, produced and written by Academy Award winner Emerald Fennell, starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Gra