Video and AV

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21 January 2025

UK - Speaker applications are now open for PLASA Focus Leeds, which returns to the city’s Royal Armouries museum from 13-14 May 2025. Renowned for its welcoming and vibrant atmosphere, the ever-popular PLASA Focus Leeds trade show attracts over 2,000 professionals each year and showcases more than 150 leading brands from across the lighting, sound, AV, rigging, staging and production industries.

Speaking as part of the event’s seminar programme is a unique opportunity to connect with a broad audience, as the sessions draw over 600 industry attendees across two theatres during the show’s two days. 

“Your insights could have an impact far beyond the UK, reaching professionals eager to learn and innovate,” say the show’s organisers. “This is your chance to position yourself as a thought leader, sharing knowledge that could help shape the

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21 January 2025

Spain - Naostage will showcase the interactive future of AV technology at ISE 2025. In partnership with fellow French companies Groupe Novelty and XD motion – with which it is sharing its booth – as well as several other key industry partners, the tracking pioneer invites ISE attendees to discover the power of real-time tracking through an immersive media show, hands-on demonstrations, and live dance performances.

Stand 6L900 will centre on an impressive immersive showcase, featuring a 6m × 4m LED wall and 6m × 6m LED floor provided by Groupe Novelty (via its Spanish subsidiary, Novelty Spain). Leveraging Naostage’s tracking platform, K System, to create interactions between guests and the LED video content, a looped five-minute AV show will transform the space into an interactive celebration of the immersive potential offered by the combination of r

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21 January 2025

Spain - Hive is set to debut its most powerful media engine yet, the Beeblade Nexus, at ISE 2025. Alongside Nexus, Hive will unveil version 1.2 of its intuitive software, introduce the Nucleus chassis to European audiences, and headline the Panasonic Interactive Immersive Experience. Attendees can meet Hive’s leadership team and new members at stand 5E880 in Hall 5 to explore their innovations for live entertainment and fixed installations.

The Beeblade Nexus is the newest addition to Hive’s Beeblade family, delivering ‘exceptional performance’ in a compact, scalable SDM format. The Nexus introduces a daughter board system with optical fibre Ethernet interfaces, supporting 10, 25 and 100 Gigabit connectivity, enabling ultra-high bandwidth uncompressed streams via SMPTE 2110 and NDI. With an 8K60 2.1 HDMI output, Nexus quadruples the pixel count of it

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21 January 2025

UK - PRG UK has appointed Phil McMichael as UK sales & business development director, with Miles Hillyard promoted to commercial director as the company continues to focus on growth.

McMichael has over 20 years of experience in the event industry, working with high-profile clients and growing their accounts. As sales director at Blitz, he focused on corporate accounts and agencies including Boeing, Temenos and Karla Otto. He then co-formed JLLive that later merged with JLLighting and JLUSA to form JLGroup, where he worked with the likes of Pico+, 2Heads & Disney.

“I’m thrilled to take up my new role at PRG UK, forming part of the leadership team and supporting both our strategic development plans and growth ambitions across all sectors of the live event, sports, television, theatre and music industries,” says McMichael. “With a backgr

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21 January 2025

USA - Media server technology company tvONE has appointed Jonathan Begleiter to the position of director of sales North Central and South America, and Alex Jerome as director of marketing.

Begleiter is promoted to the director of sales (NCSA) following 13 years at tvONE, most recently as SE regional sales manager. He brings more than 35 years’ experience in the AV industry, working within successful distributors and manufacturers, and offers considerable commercial and residential integration experience.

“I have proven results attaining revenue in my SE regional roles and a track record of providing superior customer support,” says Begleiter, who is based in Florida. “I’ve showcased this through all aspects of the design and implementation of projects, working with integration channel partners, consultant specifiers, and in end user system

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20 January 2025

UK - Lang UK has confirmed that it is now an official rental and sales partner of AV Stumpfl’s Pixera media server system.

Lang UK’s managing director Anika Lauth says of the partnership: “Our whole team is excited to start this journey with AV Stumpfl’s Pixera system. Pixera servers are powerful, versatile and future proof, making them an excellent fit within our portfolio.”

Craig Harrower, managing director of AV Stumpfl says: "With their in-depth market expertise and well-established regional network, Lang UK is an outstanding partner for the UK. Their logistical excellence ensures the fast and reliable delivery of our products. We are confident that this collaboration will enhance our service quality and strengthen our presence in the UK market.”

Lang UK was originally formed in 2017 in Hemel Hempstead, relocating in 2021 to a

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20 January 2025

Spain - Absen will work in partnership with industry ecosystem partners to provide a visitor experience with a range of display solutions during ISE 2025. On Booth 3N400, Absen will showcase its latest product advancements for applications including control rooms, conference rooms, DOOH, creative commercial displays, as well as AbsenLive rental staging solution.

Together, Absen and Datapath, providers of visual solution services, have developed an advanced control room solution by integrating Absen's KLCOB V2 series with Datapath's Aetria.

Absen’s KLCOB V2 LED display is specifically designed to meet control room requirements, displaying data clearly with high contrast, colour accuracy, and reliability. It works in coordination with Datapath’s Aetria, a centralised control room solution, allowing operators to manage data sources and IT systems fr

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17 January 2025

Germany - Singer Helene Fischer hosted her annual Die Helene Fischer Show at the end of 2024, with a host of guest stars and a total of 21 separate LED surfaces all powered by tvONE’s Green Hippo Hippotizer Media Servers.

A total of nine Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 and two Hippotizer Tierra+ MK2 Media Servers were specified to run 21 LED surfaces, alongside two Hippotizer Play licences to manage the systems. The content primarily consisted of pre-rendered visuals, provided by Gravity Germany, which were designed for the multitude of performers.

“The video materials were delivered as individual loops, which were then programmed and assembled within the Hippotizer Media Servers,” says Christian van Deenen from trust.event group, which specified and supplied the Hippotizers. “Throughout the show, more than 1.5TB of data was played back, cons

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17 January 2025

Spain - Brompton Technology (stand 3E100) will showcase its Tessera solutions, including some of its latest software innovations from the recent Tessera v3.5 release. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore how the company delivers video quality tailored for any size of project, with examples on show including its renowned Dynamic Calibration technology and HDR content capabilities.

A team of Brompton experts will be on hand to engage with show visitors, providing insights into the unique benefits of these powerful features and technologies.

“We’re excited to return to ISE and showcase how Brompton continues to lead in delivering exceptional quality and service,” says Dries Vermeulen, business development manager, Europe at Brompton. “This year, we’re highlighting the powerful advantages of our Tessera hardware and software solut

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16 January 2025

Spain - AV Stumpfl will present the latest addition to the Pixera ecosystem – the Pixera zero – at Integrated Systems Europe 2025. The Austrian manufacturer will kick off its 50th anniversary year at the ISE show.

Designed for digital signage and multi-display applications, the compact Pixera zero media server combines a powerful hardware configuration with a space-saving design, performing in even the most demanding environments. Available in three models – PXZ-0, PXZ-2, and PXZ-4 – the server provides up to four 4K video outputs, all within a robust and compact 210mm × 265mm × 89.3mm form factor.

Equipped with an Intel Xeon processor (six cores, 12 threads, up to 5.0GHz) and 32GB of RAM, Pixera zero ensures seamless playback of uncompressed 4K content. Its NVMe storage technology supports a constant read rate of up to 5GB/s, ensuring high

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16 January 2025

The Netherlands - A leading theatre organisation has chosen Unitour racks from LSC Control Systems to provide power management and dimming solutions. With five Unitour racks specified for its three auditoriums in Heerlen, Parkstad Limburg Theaters (PLT) is one of the latest performing arts hubs to adopt solutions from the Australian manufacturer.

PLT operates seven venues across the cities of Heerlen, Kerkrade and Sittard in the country’s south-eastern region of Limburg. Ranging in capacity from 120 to 1,100, these venues play a significant role in the cultural lives of the communities they serve. Across the organisation, PLT hosted almost 1,500 events in 2024.

Amid this busy environment, PLT’s head of lighting, Rob Debets, recalls his team looking for a “very flexible and reliable rack” when they saw the Unitour on the LSC booth at Frankfurt

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16 January 2025

Spain - Alfalite will showcase a comprehensive ecosystem of display solutions at ISE 2025 with two stands in Hall 4. Among the highlights is the public debut of its MATIX AlfaCOB & AlfaMIP technology, designed for high-resolution and high-brightness applications, integrated into the new Neopix and UHD Finepix LED panels.

At its main booth (4R300), Alfalite will present Neopix, the brand’s flagship product featuring MATIX AlfaCOB & AlfaMIP technology. Available in five pixel pitches – 1.5mm, 1.9mm, 2.6mm, 2.9HB mm, and 3.9HB mm – this premium panel is suitable for rental and film VP XR applications.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to discover the UHD Finepix series, another product powered by MATIX technology. Specifically designed for critical applications in Control Rooms and Corporate settings, the UHD Finepix panels come in f

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13 January 2025

Spain - Absen will unveil its latest innovations at ISE 2025 on Booth 3N400. The company will be showcasing a diverse range of display solutions, from digital art installations to versatile conference room solutions, creative retail displays, robust control room solutions, and dynamic DOOH applications.

Absen will be showcasing a digital art installation featuring the work of a renowned artist. “This installation will leverage the company’s state-of-the-art LED display technology to bring art to life in a truly immersive way,” the company says.

For the modern workplace, Absen, in collaboration with Yealink and Crestron, will introduce its 136'' all-in-one X Series 4K display as a comprehensive solution for modern workplaces. This display is designed to seamlessly integrate with Crestron's control system, offering both Yealink's Room-Based Meeti

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09 January 2025

Europe - ISE 2025 returns to Fira de Barcelona Gran Via from 4-7 February 2025, offering a platform to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and peers.

With a wide range of categories and the experiential Audio Demo Room feature, ISE 2025 covers all technologies essential in creating impactful live events including stage lighting, rigging and staging equipment, loudspeakers, DIVA control consoles, spatial audio, holography, video mapping, intercom systems and more. ISE 2025 will showcase the tools and solutions that are driving the industry forward.

A ticket to ISE 2025 grants attendees access to eight expansive halls, including the newly added Hall 8.1. There are seven distinct Technology Zones and the Innovation Park, where startups showcase their groundbreaking ideas on the Pitching Stage.

ISE 2025 features an expanded Lighting and St

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09 January 2025

UK - The holographic in-camera video effects seen around the London Eye during the BBC live broadcast of the New Year’s Eve Celebrations were created through the use of hologram effect projection fabric Hologauze.

The fabric was created by UK-based Holotronica to create what it describes as a “forced perspective illusion”. Hologauze is set a short distance in front of the camera, covering the full frame of the desired shot. Custom video content is then projected onto the Hologauze and mapped to fill the space required.

The camera captures the projected content on the Hologauze, as well as the environment behind, while the rest of the Hologauze is effectively invisible. Using this technique with Hologauze enabled the holographic effect to be achieved during the live broadcast.

Pixel Artworks created and delivered the effects and

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08 January 2025

USA - Audinate Group has announced the release of Dante Studio v2.6 software and Dante AV-H v1.5 technology. Both updates, now available for download, support multichannel video with up to four video Rx channels, delivering enhanced control and functionality to meet the growing demand for versatile AV solutions across industries.

Designed to support a range of applications – from unified communications and education to live events – these latest releases add multichannel functionality, enabling rich, multi-angle video experiences suited to corporate meetings, classrooms, and live streaming environments.

Dante AV seamlessly integrates with existing Dante audio systems, while Dante Domain Manager or Dante Director can offer centralised control, robust monitoring, and user access management.

Dante Studio v2.6 brings Dante video directly to P

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07 January 2025

USA - On New Year’s Day, LD Systems celebrated 50 years in business and took a significant step towards securing its future by becoming a part of the Clair Global Group through acquisition.

“This partnership honours LD Systems’ rich legacy while providing the resources and shared vision to ensure its continued growth and success for the future,” says a statement.

LD Systems, based in Houston, Texas, with additional offices in San Antonio and Austin, is a provider of audio, video, and lighting production services and installed solutions serving the US market and beyond.

“We were impressed with LD’s caring culture, long-term client relationships, and their commitment to quality, and that standard of unwavering service and excellence will continue with us,” said Clair Global CEO, Troy Clair. “The shared vision is exciting as we c

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06 January 2025

USA - Sphere Entertainment delivered the Sphere New Year’s Eve Celebration presented by Lexus – a custom Exosphere content show to ring in 2025 on the world’s largest LED screen. This included a celebration of major cities around the world as different time zones approach midnight, culminating with Sphere serving as Las Vegas’ official countdown to 2025 as part of the destination’s citywide New Year’s Eve fireworks show.

And immediately after the clock struck midnight, Sphere showcased content from Afterlife Presents Anyma The End of Genesys, which played inside Sphere on New Year’s Eve. The Celebration also featured a festive Lexus activation and art from XO Artist UON Visuals.

“Sphere is a global landmark, and we’re excited to be sharing New Year’s Eve with our fans around the world through our Exosphere show,

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06 January 2025

South Africa - Lifted – Let the Blind Sing returned by popular demand this season, playing at the South African State Theatre in the capital, Pretoria, with video mapped imagery driven by tvONE's Green Hippo brand of Hippotizer Media Servers.

The production and visuals have been designed by Wilhelm Disbergen – a multi award-winning production designer designing theatre productions for more than 20 years – who was appointed to deliver a dynamic visual backdrop for the show. The staging features a white cyclorama with suspended plastic corrugated sheets that are painted white, adding visual texture and an unusual projection surface, onto which Disbergen is projecting content using a 12,000 lumen Panasonic PT-RZ12K laser projector.

Zakhele Mabena, band leader and composer on many of the biggest theatre musicals staged at the South African

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20 December 2024

UK - A heartwarming Christmas story told through projection-mapped animations in the run-up to Christmas is being driven by tvONE's Green Hippo brand of Hippotizer Media Servers onto the façade of The Queens Hotel in Leeds.

The animation, To Leeds, With Love, is brought to the city by LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District). It is a reimagining of The 12 Days of Christmas song, featuring a cheeky gingerbread man who is on a mission to decorate the hotel for a festive party.

Two Hippotizer Karst+ MK2 Media Servers are powering video onto the front of the historic hotel via seven Panasonic projectors – five RQ50K, one RQ25K, and one RZ21K, with one other RQ50K backup being stored off-site in the event of a hardware issue. They are positioned in two 7.5m tall towers constructed in Leeds City Square, in front of the hotel buil

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19 December 2024

Finland - The rock-band sound of Finnish favourites Apulanta met the sweeping strings of the Sinfonia Lahti for a series of special concerts recently – with a stage-wide, wraparound LED backdrop powered by tvONE's Green Hippo brand of Hippotizer Media Servers.

Taking place at the city of Tampere’s 15,000-capacity Nokia Arena, the two-night extravaganza drew fans of Apulanta – one of Finland’s most popular groups – to experience the fusion of rock and symphony. New-kid-on-the-block Avantrum Visuals designed and delivered the visual elements of the show, including stage, lighting, video design and live camera feed storyboarding, and lighting programming and operation.

“At the very early stages, when designing the looks for each song, we were already imagining how we could utilise Hippotizer’s possibilities to deliver something special for

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18 December 2024

USA - Trilogy Studios in Fort Worth, the largest cinematic volume in Texas, is a 30,000sq.ft facility with three advanced stages: a main stage, a car-processing stage for automotive shoots and a commercial stage.

During the design phase, Trilogy Studios collaborated with specialist integrators Optic8, and lead engineer Roman Schoissengeier-Nagel, to bring to life a complex virtual production infrastructure. Stage Precision's SP software was chosen for its ability to deliver seamless, scalable, and unified data management across all three stages, equipping Trilogy Studios with the tools needed to offer clients an innovative and adaptable virtual production environment.

"The focus was on creating a unified control solution across all three stages," explains lead engineer Roman Schoissengeier-Nagel. "Each stage required high-precision camera tracking an

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17 December 2024

Europe - The Showlight Student Sponsorship deadline is approaching. Applications close on Friday 31 January 2025. The scheme is open to students and recent graduates of lighting for the performing arts, events, broadcast, film and architecture.

Successful applicants enjoy free-of-charge entry to Showlight 2025, with access to the full Programme of Papers, admission to the exhibition of major lighting equipment manufacturers, networking opportunities during the daily breaks and lunch, as well as a place at one of the Company Dinners on the Tuesday evening and the Conference Dinner on Wednesday evening. Around 30 places are available but spaces are filling up fast.

Former Showlight student participant and presenter of Sweeney Todd – A Site Specific Experience, Amy Mae Smith, comments: “Showlight is an inspiring few days where you

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17 December 2024

Europe - Garbage’s latest European tour was the band's first headline tour for five years. The huge dynamic shifts in their music were matched by intense stage lighting and graphics displayed on large-scale, high-resolution LED screens, delivered by independent video technology company, 80six. 80six deployed a combination of ROE Visual LED screens powered by Brompton LED processing to ensure a suitable display of the band's visuals.

The client's primary requirement was to produce a solution that would keep up with the visual complexity of the show and have the highest accuracy. High-quality LED equipment was crucial, providing a flexible, creative visual backdrop, powerfully enhancing the creativity of the performance and immersing the audience in the emotion of Garbage's music.

80six provided a 12m by 7.2m ROE Carbon 5.7 LED screen for the two are