UK - The propellerplasma. rotating video display, which spins on its Z axis, just like a propeller, is available exclusively from Arcstream AV, which holds distribution rights for the UK & Ireland and the Middle East. A number of screens can be used simultaneously, with seamless sequencing from one screen to another, says Arcstream. The effect is intensified when several propellers are synchronized. A whole range of display configurations are possible if more than one propeller is employed. The type, direction and duration of the rotation can be set according to requirements. The display receives wireless video signal and power supply, which means permanent rotation in both directions is possible.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Hall Stage is launching several new products at PLASA. On display will be the award-winning DGS counterweight drive and a series of new hoists from ASM, including the Synchro and the Spider steel band units. The new ASM D8++ chain hoist offers a high specification at entry-level prices. D8++ means no secondary safety line required, say Hall Stage, so quicker and easier installation and no noisy brakes - so the unit can be used in show conditions.
Hall Stage will also have the laser-locating stage truck system from Visual Act on - or near - the stand. There is also the first new track system from Halls in a good few years - an attractive, lightweight, motorized aluminium system, called T300, which has been designed for presentation environments, such as conference rooms, small-scale theatres and preview cinemas, say the company.
Hall Stage can be found at the PLASA Show on stand P40.
(Jim Evans)
UK - PRG Europe provided extensive lighting facilities for this year's Henley Festival, which takes place on the banks of the River Thames immediately following the famed Regatta. "It's been described as a cross between Glyndebourne and Glastonbury," said festival director Stewart Collins. "And each year the site looks better and better, because of the way it is lit after dark by PRG. This year, it looked fantastic. Dusk was at 10.15pm, at which point the entire site was illuminated - as opposed to floodlit - using cutting edge lighting to stunning effect."
PRG Europe has been working with the festival for the past five years, says project manager Peter Marshall, lighting the whole site, providing all the crew and organising the lighting for the main performance venues. The site lighting was designed and theatrically lit by lighting designer Theo Cox to create different moods and themes throughout each evening. The programme features a range of performances, from classical through to dance to rock and roll, comedy and jazz.
"I created a constantly evolving environment," said Cox, "based on gentle rotation of spirals rolling between ambers and pinks. An occasional rip down the site - in, say, a hard white and blue flicker - would wake people up a bit and keep the interest level up. I like to make a feature of trees - hanging mirror balls in them is always a winner - but this year a cluster of 12 Chromaspheres inspired most interest and comment. Site lighting was a compromise between functional and aesthetic. Using rakes of moving
UK - Avesco plc's Creative Technology fulfilled the screen requirements for the recent stadium section of a tour by Oasis. The company positioned four Barco D-Lite 7 LED screens at the rear of the stage, controlled by a Kinesys tracking system with slow start/slow finish actuators that allowed them to move in the vertical plane, to fly in and out of the set during the show. Two further 8.1m x 5.4m D-Lite 7 screens, were positioned left and right on the stage wings to provide straightforward IMAG footage.
SDI feeds from a front of house PPU were routed into a central matrix, allowing any of the feeds to be switched into any of the screens at any time. This meant that if an input feed dropped out, there was the means to send a good feed to another screen without a break in video footage. The combination of stage and IMAG screens allowed video director Dick Carruthers and his company, Cheese Film & Video Productions, to give Oasis fans an innovative mix of abstract images and creative live feeds.
"We've had a long and happy relationship with Oasis through Dick Carruthers," comments Avesco's business development director, Dave Crump. "The core of the production team have been working with the band over a number of years now - the experience and talent of those involved make it a very smooth operation.
"Our first show with Oasis was at London's Earls Court on the Definitely Maybe tour. They are a band that always wants to push the boundaries of imagination in both their video content and set production. For example, on the 2000 Then and
UK - Jem's industry standard AF-1 has served the entertainment industry well as a multi-purpose fan for years, serving in clubs, studios and theatres, and on countless tours and events. A more powerful version of the AF-1 Fan, the AF-2, has now hit the market. Employed in a variety of ways - projecting smoke over long distances, converting smoke to haze, producing wind effects, or keeping equipment like amp and dimmer racks cool, or performers themselves - the AF-2 is all about moving air, namely awesome output and power! In fact, it is nearly three times as powerful as the AF-1.
Besides increased power and airflow, the overall design has been enhanced to become even more state of the art. Like its predecessor, the AF-2 features DMX as standard (both 3- and 5-pin) and can also be remote controlled with features such as auto timer, speed/output control and 8x mode, which expands the time capability of the standard timer settings by multiples of eight.The AF-2 can be easily truss mounted (the flying bracket is compatible with the Omega clamp system known from Martin fixtures) or floor positioned. For easy floor positioning an accessory 'touring frame' is the ideal option. The frame not only acts as extra protection, but also makes it easier to carry and move the fan around.
Useful in a variety of environments such as stage applications, theatres and theme parks, the AF-2 can be used alone or as part of a complete fog system by linking with other Jem machines for simultaneous operation between fan and smoke, and is an ideal way to convert a fogger into a hazer, say
UK - Arena Structures provided a selection of temporary structures for the Chelmsford site of V Festival 2005, where Oasis, The Streets, KT Tunstall, Franz Ferdinand and Scissor Sisters all entertained huge crowds throughout the weekend. The structures, which ranged from 20m x 30m to 5m x 5m in size, were used all over the site, most notably for the NME signing tent, where a number of performers including Magic Numbers and Good Charlotte met and signed autographs for fans.
The backstage artist's bar was also housed in an Arena structure, which was busy throughout the weekend with artists and production crew alike watching the action on stage through plasmas which displayed a live feed from the main stage, and catching the action from the weekend's football matches. Commercial manager Rory O'Neil explained: "This event gave us the chance to show that Arena Structures is about more than just sporting events and exhibitions, and that we have a much broader skill base than that. It showed that we can adapt to the needs of production and creative companies involved in a festival - and interact with all the different clients on site to bring their ideas to fruition."
Three structures were used for the Virgin Hospitality areas, including a 15m x 20m structure in which Virgin's guests were entertained behind the main stage, and two auxiliary catering areas where food was prepared for the guests. In addition to these, Arena provided another 23 structures to the site, including 8 first aid areas, artist and crew catering, wristband exchange, and creating a studio
UK - Denon DJ is launching two new DJ mixer models that will be previewed at PLASA 2005. The DN-X500 Matrix Mixer and DN-X900 Digital/Analogue Matrix Mixer are designed to provide "the best possible combination of audio quality and features for DJs in both the analogue and digital domains".
The DN-X500 is a professional 4U 19in rack-mountable analogue matrix mixer, with eight line and two phono inputs that can be freely assigned to any of four channels. Four smooth 60 mm VCA channel faders provide level control, and a responsive 45 mm VCA crossfader offers contour adjustment. Independent PFL channel meters help DJs to optimise and match levels for each source, ensuring a smooth transition between sources when crossfading.
Each channel has a 3-band equaliser with independent EQ kill switch (high-mid-low), and an independent EQ off switch also features. Any channel, including the Master, can be pre-monitored through the Booth Output in the same manner as with headphones, including volume control. A powerful, clean headphone output is also provided.
The DN-X900 features a combination of digital and analogue technologies. It comprises the same feature set as the analogue DN-X500, but adds numerous digital enhancements. In addition to eight analogue line inputs and three phono switchable, the DN-X900 offers four digital inputs on coaxial connections. Two digital outputs are also provided in S/PDIF coaxial and TOSLINK formats.
A Track Mark feature (Track ID) allows DJs to make a new track on a CD burner without ever removing hands from the mixer. A Zone O
UK - Biamp has appointed Steve Metzger to the newly created position of business development manager for the entire company. He will report directly to president Ralph Lockheart and will be responsible for researching new technologies as well as growing new business for the company.
(Jim Evans)
Germany - MA Lighting has released a new software version 5.60 for grandMA multimedia consoles and it is available now for free download from MA's website. At the same time, the company is offering another useful tool - grandMA video, a fully network integrated (MA-Net) and software based media server.
Many new and innovative features have been added to the new software, version 5.60. In conjunction with additional tools such as grandMA 3D, grandMA onPC and grandMA remote, the grandMA console becomes a much more powerful multimedia control tool that meets the sophisticated requirements of today, says MA.
The new grandMA video software can be controlled with advanced features including browsing, previewing bitmaps of video footage and pictures as well as arranging the content of the media server directly on the console via MA-Net. The 'Channel Value' organization within the 'Fixture Editor' has been redesigned and will support channel values with 16-bit resolution for every single fixture.
The installation dimming system, dimMA, can be remotely configured from the lighting console via network. This includes the monitoring of dimmer feedback as well as error messages.
(Jim Evans)
Australia / USA - The International Communications Industries Association Inc (ICIA/InfoComm), the premier trade association for the audiovisual industry worldwide, is pleased to announce its participation at Entech 2006 (Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre February 13 - 15 2006).
ICIA/InfoComm will offer a one-day program consisting of four 90-minute seminars featuring AV design, display, signal management and presentation support for end users. The seminars are being presented by InfoComm Academy's instructors at Entech. A breakfast meeting of the newly created ICIA Australia and New Zealand Member Council will precede the seminars. In addition, ICIA will host a booth on the exhibition floor.
"ICIA is delighted to participate at Entech next year," said Terry Friesenborg, CTS, senior vice-president for international development of ICIA. "Demand has dramatically increased for audio-visual training, as well as certification of individuals and companies around the world, reflecting the pervasiveness of AV presentations and communications technology everywhere, especially in business, government and education. Entech has provided us a great platform to offer our education in Australia."
The AV industry is experiencing phenomenal growth as demand for information communications technology expands in every field. With applications spanning video-conferencing, presentations and lectures, training, command and control, entertainment, distance learning, electronic retail signage, and high-end home theatre, customers are seeking qualified AV technic
UK - Distribution for Schoeps microphones in the UK and Republic of Ireland is now being handled by ioCo Limited - a company formed by Neal McCormack, who has over 15 years experience of distributing Schoeps products. The intention of the new venture, says McCormack, is "to bring this prestigious microphone range, much beloved of the recording cognoscente, to a much broader user base, especially in education, theatre and live sound."
(Lee Baldock)
Slovenia - When NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and 300 parliamentarians attended the NATO spring assembly, held this year in Llubljana, Slovenia, PA company MK Light Sound took the opportunity to debut its brand-new Nexo GEO S system at the elegant evening gala, staged for the delegates in Llubljana's VIBA film studios.
Production company Teater d.o.o. created a sophisticated evening of entertainment and hospitality for more than 1200 guests, featuring a live orchestra, classical soloists and circus performers. Recently appointed as Nexo's distributor in Slovenia, MK Light Sound is also one of the country's leading sound rental companies. Using Nexo's GEOSoft v2 software, Dean Karov designed a system using all MK's new GEO S inventory, except for the CD18 subs, for the NATO event.
Either side of the stage were arrays of 11 S805s plus a single S830 downfill cabinet, and behind each array were three CD12 sub-bass units. Entirely powered by Camco Vortex amplifiers, the system was managed by Nexo NX242 processors. The brief required 360° of coverage, so some of MK's existing PS10 inventory was used to provide coverage for the area behind the stage after the concert, mostly for background music. FOH engineer Artur Azarkevic, mixed on a Yamaha PM5D digital console.
MK Light Sound had to consider its purchase of a line array very carefully. "This is a small country of two million people," explains MK's Dean Karov. "As a sound provider, you have to be very versatile - the jobs can range from opera, to DJs, to live concerts, or public event
Australia - Australian manufacturer LSC Lighting has secured prime position at this year's PLASA show - right behind the popular Innovation Gallery at the front of the hall. Despite numerous attempts to gain information on LSC's new product releases at PLASA this year, a company spokesperson has repeatedly stone-walled by just offering the company's stand number - H11. What can be so secretive not to reveal any details prior to the show? LSC is in its 15th year as an exhibitor at PLASA, so why not just blurt out what's coming? Everyone else does . . .
LSC will unveil the big secret at the PLASA Show - on stand H11.
USA - New Jersey based Circuit Lighting Inc has been busy supplying Robe moving lights to a series of high profile televised sporting events including a recent Showtime Boxing HBO pay-per-view broadcast from Washington DC.
Lighting was designed by Gatto & Associates and the show utilised 18 Robe ColorWash 1200E ATs (with electronic ballast), four Robe ColorSpot 1200E ATs and 180 Source Four Pars to outline the ring - all controlled with an Avolites Pearl 2004.
This follows the announcement of Circuit's newly acquired dealership with Robe Show Lighting, which sees this rental company now exclusively carrying the full range of Robe automated fixtures. Circuit Lighting has now completed the first phase of its inventory overhaul and has replaced all existing automated fixtures in the rental and production department with Robe ColorSpot and ColorWash 1200 ATs and E ATs, and Robe ColorSpot and ColorWash 575 ATs and E ATs.
Other recent Circuit/Robe events have included the JUMP Broadway Finale (LD Mirash Lekaj) and an event for the Cultural Association of Bengal (Lloyd Reynolds/Luciano Savedra), both in New York. Circuit president Richard E. Tilley believes that Robe products "represent the future of entertainment lighting. That's why I've made a definite commitment to replace our existing automated inventory with Robe".
(Jim Evans)
UK - The sixth series of Big Brother, filmed at the specially constructed Big Brother House in Elstree Studios, London, came to a dramatic close recently. The show's creators, Endemol, built an outdoor eviction area, which was the site of the nail-biting live evictions on the final night which attracted nearly 8 million TV viewers.
Production manager Lynette Woods-Reynolds managed the area for the 11 weekly evictions, which was expanded for the finalé episode when the last four contestants were evicted in front of the live audience. Woods-Reynolds explained: "We brought in a brilliant team of suppliers, who worked really well together to create a live event that looked great on television, which was what most of the people around us were concerned with. We had so much equipment in there we had to limit the public guests to 750, then there were the sponsor's guests, all the media and our cameras, but the whole event ran very smoothly."
Mojo Barriers UK supplied its Pit Stop stage barriers to flank the catwalk that guided the evictees from the Big Brother House through the crowd and press to the 'studio stage'. Mojo's Jim Gaffney explained: "We worked with Lynnie to devise a barrier design that included distinct public areas and press pens, within which the security team could operate efficiently. It all gets a bit excited when the 'stars' come out of the house, so a sturdy barrier is essential for everyone's safety."
Serious Stages supplied the dome stage used for the TV interviews, this was dressed with a set in line with the studio'
The Netherlands - Three Dutch AV companies have recently purchased Allen & Heath consoles to cater for their expanding rental businesses. Amsterdam-based AV supplier, Ducab, acquired an Allen & Heath ML3000 VCA live sound console, as part of a system upgrade.
''Our main markets are corporate presentations and conferences, so speech intelligibility and multimedia applications are our focus, as well as mixing the artists and bands that perform at these events," comments Ducab's account manager, Dennie Tenniglo. "We needed a new high-quality PA system with a console that is both compact and multi-functional - the ML3000 was the best choice.''
JacoRent - the rental division of system integrator, Jacot - specializes in corporate events, conferences and presentations. The company has a large client base in the local and national governments, and selected the ML4000 VCA console to cater for the growing business. Rental consultant, John Koster, explains: ''The ML4000 offers the exact functionality we need, and we are impressed with its flexibility and sound quality. Also, the mixer's value for money made it a good investment."
Finally, Ruad Audiovisual purchased four WZ314:4:2 mixers. Arend Minkman, rental coordinator, comments: ''Our rental projects require small, versatile consoles with good sound quality. The WZ314:4:2 meets all our demands with its sub groups, matrix, and stereo channels. Besides that, we are very happy with the sound quality and signal-noise ratio.''
(Jim Evans)
UK - Lighting designer Jonathan 'Speedy' Cole of Speedy Productions recently purchased a Compulite Vector Blue console with iControl wireless remote, initially for use on the Gilev Show Band UK Tour. Gilev was established in 1995 and is now a vibrant 16-piece band with more than ten years of successful performing experience behind them. The band caters extensively to a variety of high profile audiences on both the private and corporate circuit.
Speedy comments: "The current Gilev tour utilises 48 Pulsar Chroma panels, 24 Vari*Lite VL6c, 12 Vari*Lite VL5, 12 SGM Palco, 12 Par 64 and 60 Egg Strobes, all of which have to be programmed on the day at each venue over a very short get-in period. I needed a console that could be programmed extremely quickly and be able to deal with 'on the fly' changes during the show, as well as being able to handle a range of different fixtures (often different at each venue) including overlaying images and video on to the LED banks."
He continues: "Using the Vector offline editor I can pre-program most of the show at home on a PC (or on the tour bus!) without the hassle of 'getting the desk out', saving valuable time on site, as soon as we get to the venue, we are 'ready to party'. We are making great use of the Vector's LED matrix software, using the built in touch screen to very quickly create letters and names on the LED wall."
(Jim Evans)
USA - Color Kinetics Inc has announced that the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted all of its motions for summary judgment against Super Vision International Inc with respect to the validity and infringement of Color Kinetics' patents and inequitable conduct.
By granting summary judgment for Color Kinetics, the Court determined that there was no genuine dispute of material fact and that Color Kinetics was entitled to judgment as a matter of law against Super Vision on Super Vision's claims of invalidity of Color Kinetics' patents, and that the patents are infringed by Super Vision. The Court also found that Color Kinetics was not guilty of inequitable conduct regarding its actions with the US Patent and Trademark Office, as alleged by Super Vision. As such, no trial will be held on these issues.
"This major win vindicates Color Kinetics' intellectual property rights and reaffirms the validity of our patents, which protect important innovations spanning eight years of research and development in intelligent solid-state lighting," said Bill Sims, President and CEO, Color Kinetics. "This resolution sends a strong message that we can and will successfully defend our intellectual property against others who attempt to exploit our investments in innovation. We look forward to our continued progress in developing the fundamental technologies that will drive worldwide use of intelligent solid-state lighting."
The issue of damages is subject to a trial at a later date. There is no further scheduling update with respect to
UK - Two of London's longest established recording facilities - Phoenix and Gateway - have merged to create a new orchestral recording facility at Pinewood Studios. The facility will be known as Phoenix Two, representing both the re-emergence of Phoenix Sound from the ashes of the Wembley development and the alliance of the two studios. The Gateway studio at Kingston has now closed following the ending of the 20-year relationship with Kingston University.
The new studio will accommodate up to thirty musicians and aims to provide for the classical, jazz, commercial and contemporary music recording that Gateway and Phoenix have become recognised for. Tie lines to the enormous, and adjacent, F Stage at Pinewood will make full orchestral recording available in the future. A location recording facility will also soon be available. Engineering staff of both studios will be at the new facility to work closely with existing clients.
The control room will be based around the 72-channel Neve VR console formerly in Studio 1 at Phoenix Wembley and will include full 5.1 surround monitoring, video projection, a wide variety of outboard equipment and a complete range of multitrack capability. Recording and mixing music and audio for film, television and CD, ADR plus all post production options will be available.
Pinewood is already home to a mixture of audio and music related business activities - these include Artemis Music and Spatial Audio. The intention is to work closely with these and other companies on site by offering complete audio packages for film and television pr
UK - Pearce Hire provided the lighting and power for five open-air forest sites this summer, for concerts by Ian Brown, The Beautiful South, Madness, Daniel Bedingfield and Jools Holland. The Forestry Commission organised Forest Tour has been growing in popularity over the last four years while still maintaining its relaxed atmosphere. Pearce Hire provided the site power and lighting for High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Bedgebury Pinetum, Westonbirt Arboretum, Delamere Forest and Dalby Forest in the North Yorkshire Moors.
Each concert has a specially installed temporary infrastructure among the trees in the forest, and attracts crowds from 3,000 to 5,000 people. Pearce ran the stage power from a pair of synchronised 200kVA generators. Power distribution was installed to the dressing rooms, bar areas, catering and at Westonbirt, hospitality area.
The stage lighting was supplied by Pearce Hire, in accordance with each of the acts' own lighting designers. The lighting rig at each venue included a selection of Martin Mac 550s and Mac 600s, Source Four Profiles, Par 64 6-lamp bars, Par 64 ACL Bars and various specials.
Pearce Hire's John Huson comments: "At Dalby forest the Beautiful South wanted to do a film shoot to produce a DVD of the gig to go on sale around Christmas. This meant that for this one show, we brought in a multitude of additional equipment to increase the dramatic effect on stage. The band's stage set involved white backdrops and white risers on stage so they designed a film-friendly lighting rig which made the most of the set, with among o
UK - CGA Integration, via Multiservices Limited, recently upgraded all Healthlands gyms across the Midlands with new full wireless audio systems. CGA's Chris Gunton explains: "CGA integration specialises in this type of installation. We offered the customer a range of wireless products and he chose the Audeon. This system dovetailed with the existing system and still offers them reliability and space for later expansion."
Mike Leaver of Multiservices Ltd reports, "CGA were very efficient and supplied us with the best product and service we needed for our customers."
(Jim Evans)
Taiwan - Vari-Lite has appointed Total Solution Marketing to operate its Regional Service Centre in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. With the creation of the new Centre, Vari-Lite says it will be able to provide prompt, convenient and qualified service to all end-users in the rapidly developing Southeast Asian market.
"The Regional Service Centre will act as an extended arm of the Vari-Lite factory after fulfilling all the rigourous paperwork and technical training requirements as required to become an authorised Vari-Lite Service Centre," said Julie Smith, Vari-Lite support services director. "This will serve our customers better by minimising equipment downtime, increasing product life span via timely qualified maintenance, and reducing customers repair expenses through logistical savings. It will also serve to facilitate future training and knowledge transfer to all end-users."
"We are honoured that Vari-Lite has recognised the continuing efforts we have put in place to achieve our joint initiatives towards improving customer satisfaction," said Glenn Wong, executive director of Total Solution Marketing. "With the Regional Service Centre in place, we have taken a huge step forward in our ultimate objective to becoming a total solution for all our customers' product requirements."
Bob Schacherl, Vari-Lite VP of worldwide sales, added, "We have established similar set-ups in China and Japan, and by further expanding this initiative, we are showing our long-term commitment towards our increasing number of customers
USA - Nichole Ortiz has joined L-Acoustics US to serve as the company's sales and marketing co-ordinator. Paul Freudenberg, vice president of sales and marketing, made the announcement. Based in Oxnard, Ortiz is now assisting Freudenberg with all aspects of L-Acoustics' domestic sales and marketing efforts. Among her current responsibilities are the execution of marketing initiatives, planning trade show activities and events, maintaining the company's inventory and sales databases, handling literature requests, arranging travel, aiding the accounting department, and other related duties.
Prior to joining the loudspeaker manufacturer, Ortiz most recently served as account co-ordinator, office manager, and administrative assistant for the president and vice president of Allenbrooke Insurance Agency in San Diego.
"We're delighted to welcome Nichole to our team," says Freudenberg. "Although this is her first foray into the pro audio business, she has already proven to be a very capable associate and valuable player here at L-Acoustics US."
UK - Mojo Barriers will launch its Mojo BLMS (Barrier Load Monitor System) at PLASA 2005. The BLMS is a new system designed to measure the pressure applied to a section of barrier by a crowd at an event and represents a significant step forwards in health and safety of crowds attending live events, claims Mojo.
The system has been in field trails for over a year and has been identified as a useful tool to predict and control audience situations before they get to a dangerous state. It comprises an innovative system of pressure sensors, built in to the load bearing arms of the barriers, linked via ethernet to an Apple computer. The whole system is totally unobtrusive to personnel working in the pit and has been carefully designed to be practical in a concert or festival environment, adds Mojo.
(Jim Evans)