Rolec has launched its new PHD-1 Music Store. The product is ideal for pubs, bars and cafes looking for a dynamic choice of music and a quick, simple and fuss-free device from which to play it. The unit can store up to 2500 tracks and the latest chart hits can be added thanks to a monthly update CD supplied by Rolec. Pre-programmed timed announcements, adverts, tag lines and promotional offers can also be stored. The machine’s internal clock is date-sensitive, offering the facility to recognize specific seasons and programme appropriate music up to a year in advance. It can also play standard audio CDs.

The Music Store offers all the flexibility of a computer-based system, operated through just four buttons on the front, but because it’s a dedicated player, it doesn’t h

A new sound installation at the famous Globe Arena in Stockholm, scene of the 2000 European Song Contest, will feature clusters of Martin Audio Wavefront 8 Compacts. The audio rental and contractor company DM Audio AB - Martin Audio’s Swedish distributor - has finalized the design to update and expand the installation which they undertook 12 years ago - when the arena was originally built.

"The reason for the expansion," explained DM Audio’s Lars Wern,"is that when the arena has hosted touring artists their sound engineers have often received complaints from the audience seated in the highest seats. Most tours do not bring enough equipment, or simply could not tilt the speakers upwards enough (the catwalk is situated 36 metres above the floor). To help the visiting sound engineers, it was decided to install a delay speaker system that could be added to the ma

ANC Sports Enterprises of Purchase, New York, has completed the installation of Lighthouse video banners at four major US sports stadiums, along with the latest version of its proprietary FasciaSoft 2001 control software. It takes the total of Lighthouse video banner installations by ANC Sports to over 4,300 linear feet.

The installations are also the first of their kind to employ 24-channel input video switchers, allowing wipe and fade transitions between displays, rather than simple cuts. Lighthouse LVP25 (25mm pixel pitch) LED video panels make up the video banners at each of the stadiums.

ANC installed 924 linear feet of Lighthouse LED signage in Philips Arena in Atlanta, which is home to the NBA’s Hawks and the NHL’s Thrashers. The system became operational at the start of the 2001-2002 NHL season. 340 linear feet (two locations of 170-feet) of Lighthouse LED signage

Fourth Phase is accustomed to working in strange and interesting locations, but using an open-top double-decker bus as a drive-by projection platform is a first! Contracted by Simon Garrett, managing director of event organisation specialist Pandemonium, Fourth Phase London was asked to project the Audi logo onto the exterior walls of the Audi showrooms on Piccadilly to mark a press launch. The projection, seen by thousands, took place between 6-9pm on the evening of Friday, 22 February.

The search for the ideal projection platform was initially narrowed down to a particular room at The Ritz, which stands opposite the Audi showroom, but unfortunately it was unavailable. In a moment of inspiration, the Fourth Phase team noticed an almost suitably positioned Big Bus Company bus stop! Fourth Phase hired a bus for the evening, which was parked at the bus stop quite legally for the duration

Stars from the British and American film industries braved the atrocious London weather, crossing the rain-soaked red carpet into the Odeon, Leicester Square for this year’s Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).

With the event now acting as a curtain raiser for the Oscars, and transferring to BBC television for the first time, the event’s profile was higher than ever this year. Helping to keep it sky high were Creative Technology, who flew 84 modules of the new Barco i10 high brightness LED display - its most prestigious outing to date. The screen was configured as a 12 x 7 display (in 16:9 aspect ratio), and attached to four CM Lodestar motors. "Having done the Orange British Academy Film Awards for the last two years we were again asked to provide image magnification based on our successful track record," said CT’s director of sales, Guy Mapley. &

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ETC Halcyon Silent

High End Systems Halcyon Silent builds on ETC’s legacy of fanless automated fixtures by incorporating features from the highly sought-after Halcyon family. Halcyon Silent perfectly balances silent operation with brilliant output of 18,400 lumens and high-impact features. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

Digital Projection International has released the Lightning 25sx projector. At 14000 ANSI lumens and SXGA resolution, the Lightning 25sx is one the world’s brightest projectors. It is complemented by a palette of more than 1 billion colours, absolute greyscale tracking and luminance uniformity greater than 90%. It is suited to a wide range of applications and the on-screen results are engaging video, HDTV and computer imagery with an inherent ‘Film Look’ appeal.

(Ruth Rossington)

The Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers’ first combined seminar/exhibition event exceeded all expectations when it took place on Wednesday 27 February at Birmingham's recently upgraded Alexandra Stadium.

The full day's seminar programme covered a wide variety of subjects including Video Conferencing, Audio Measurements, VA Standards and a 'behind the scenes' look at the acoustic problems of Paddington station. There was also a sneak preview and demonstration of the World's first disposal loudspeaker! But the undoubted highlight of the day was the inaugural Warren-Barnett Memorial Lecture in memory of two respected figures in the industry which was delivered by Peter Mapp.

Twelve specialist PA/VA manufacturers supported the event with stylish 'table top' displays, and all reported a high level of interest from the nearly 100 ISCE members and others who braved a squal

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Create new traditions – Cameo P6 - High Output Full-Spectrum Ellipsoidal

Cameo's P6 is a future-proof LED profiler with a powerful 600 W RGBACL engine and 16,000 lumens. It’s an energy-efficient replacement for 2.5 kW halogen profile lights in theatres and venues. With excellent light quality and natural colour rendering, it fits perfectly in theatres, musicals, TV studios, congresses, and live events.

With an LED life of 50,000 hours and low power use, the P6 cuts energy costs and supports the EU’s ‘Green Deal’ goals for climate neutrality by 2050. It also meets updated eco-design rules for lighting.

www.cameolight.com/p6profile

The SIEL show certainly had a buzz to it this year: most exhibitors were pretty upbeat about business in general and attendance seemed good, but the organisers’ claim of just under 25,000 visitors (unaudited) over the four days is still a little hard to swallow when compared with the audited, de-duped attendance figures of other shows. Percentages are more reliable in the circumstances, and in terms of international attendance, the published figure of just under 5% indicates that this is still a predominantly French show, but a highly successful one at that.

LIGHTING

Impact Diffusion distributes lighting brands such as Clay Paky, MA Lighting, Pulsar, ELC, Color Kinetics and Rainbow. News from the stand at SIEL included the very latest addition to Clay Paky’s Stage Line of moving head fixtures - the Stage Profile Plus SV. This HMI 1200 fixture features an impressive

Stardraw.com has appointed Prevost SA as the exclusive premier partner for Belgium and Luxembourg. With over 50 years experience in the professional sound industry and exclusive distribution of 14 of the top lines in the pro audio and AV market, Prevost is well placed to make the maximum impact with Stardraw. According to Stardraw sales director David Morrison: "Prevost numbers among the top pro audio distributors in northern Europe, and is definitely the right choice for us as a premier partner. Indeed, Stardraw complements Prevost's existing portfolio very nicely as we already have relationships with most of the other manufacturers they represent, so I am looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship."

(Ruth Rossington)

Built in 1805 as stables for the Prince of Wales, the Brighton Dome has since established itself, in conjunction with the Corn Exchange and the Pavilion Theatre, as one of the country’s leading music venues. But for the last three years it has been in the dark, during which time it has been entirely gutted, undergone a £22m refurbishment programme. The refurbishment has equipped the venue with an adjustable stage area, increased storage space, improved front of house facilities, additional seating and a state-of-the-art acoustic system, together with four different sets of lighting and sound.

Technical Planning International, the consultants responsible for the stage engineering during the refurbishment, commissioned Centre Stage Engineering and Delstar Engineering to handle the overstage and understage developments respectively. Motion control specialist AVW Controls was sub-co

Philips CSI has appointed Reg Nicholls as general manager to head up its growing UK operation. He takes over from Kevin Diss who has just been appointed general manager of Philips Lighting in the UK.

Previously general manager of Philips Analytical in Cambridge and responsible for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Nicholls has a wealth of experience in general management and sales. In his new role at Philips CSI, he will be responsible for expanding Philips’ already strong market presence in the CCTV, PA, congress and communications markets.

Philips CSI has recently invested heavily in major new products including new generation REO digital observation systems, new AutoDome and NetCam cameras, new digital CCTV products, new digital congress systems, plus complete new ranges of PA systems including PLENA and FlexiLine and the advanced Praesideo - the world’s first fully dig

LCA - Lights, Camera, Action Ltd are supplying Strand Lighting, MovieMaster ballasts, Mole Richardson lighting, Avenger grip equipment and Rosco filters to Salon Films in Thailand for the latest Jackie Chan movie, HighBinders. Currently filming in Thailand, the film will also be shot in Hong Kong and Prague and stars Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Jonathon Rhys Davies, Christy Chung and Anthony Wong.

Nick Shapley, managing director of LCA commented: "It was a huge challenge to supply Salon Films with the vast amount of lights and lighting grip in such a short space of time. However, I am happy to say we fulfilled the client’s request despite the challenges of pulling in so many products from so many suppliers." The DOP for the film is Arthur Wong, chairperson of HKSC - the Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers.

(Ruth Rossington)

As part of a continued effort to increase the wide-scale availability of its automated lighting systems, Vari-Lite Inc has announced the establishment of a Dealer Network, which will carry a full line of Vari*Lite products for sale or rental. The names of the eight companies that comprise the initial Northeast Sales Network were made public yesterday.

"Each member of this dealership network has a solid reputation among lighting professionals and has established itself as a leader within the industry," said Bob Schacherl, Vari-Lite's vice-president of sales and marketing. "Vari-Lite will continue to explore opportunities to add to its Dealer Network where and when it makes sense financially and strategically."

The Northeast Dealer Network includes Barbizon - New York (sales), High Output - Boston, (sales and rental), Parlights - Frederick, MD (sales and rental), PR

Kellys nightclub complex at Port Rush is one of the province’s busiest venues. The complex includes the ultra modern LUSH with its even cooler Chill Out room and the now totally refurbished Wild, with its traditional stone and wood interiors.

WILD is split across two floors with separate sound systems: on the top floor the venue retains its existing RCF Event system, whilst on the ground floor a new EAW system has been spec’d. Local installation company, Light and Sound FX were involved in the original installation and won the contract to handle the system revamp. Darren Gardener of Light and Sound FX explains: "Our brief was to reconfigure the Event system upstairs and put a new sound system in on the ground floor. We decided to talk to Andy Austin Brown at Mackie, as he'd been involved in the original spec, and since we had no flying options, he recommended the EAW s

MC2 Audio has announced the first sale of its amplifiers in the Sultanate of Oman. Bright Lights of Muscat made their first approach to MC2 Audio at the PLASA 2001 exhibition in London and their order for amplifiers from both the MC range and T Series followed in early February 2002. MC2 Audio’s Ian McCarthy commented: "We look forward to future collaboration with Bright Lights and wish them every success with our products."

(Lee Baldock)

SGM has launched a new range of professional moving head fixtures. The new Giotto Spot 400, Wash 400 and Profile 400 are professional moving head fixtures designed for use in high profile entertainment applications including concerts, theatres and television studios. All three fixtures are compact and lightweight and have a range of features including 400W hot re-strike MSR lamp, 9°-24° motorized zoom, electronic ballast (90-245V).

(Ruth Rossington)

The new Artistic Licence discussion forum is now up and running. In addition to offering technical support for the company’s product range, the company is actively promoting an open discussion of the technical standards issues facing the industry. So if you have a view or need more information on ACN, DMX512-A, RDM or Art-Net, the Artistic Licence Forum is the place to visit.

(Ruth Rossington)

Leading pro entertainment industry lighting sales specialist TMB has appointed two new European distributors for its new PowerPAR fixture. In Germany, Seigen-based Trendco will be handling sales for the TMB PowerPAR, and in France and Belgium, Sonoss will be leading the way. Both deals were confirmed at the SIEL show in Paris.

In announcing the distributorships, TMB is underlining its confidence in a buoyant European market. In fact, with the popularity of the PowerPAR taking off, it was essential to expand the European network quickly. Both companies also distribute Wybron, whose Eclipse II dimming shutter was on display mounted on a PowerPAR at SIEL. The Eclipse II is a perfect device for the PowerPAR, turning it into a dimmable fixture and opening further applications for the unit. The PowerPAR continues to grow in popularity for a variety of applications. The fixtures have recently

Star Hire (Event Services) Ltd has been awarded the contract to provide all of the technical facilities for the evening celebrations throughout the Queen’s Jubilee Baton Relay. The Baton Relay is scheduled to visit 500 towns in 50 days with the last town on each day hosting an evening celebration; culminating in the final show being the opening ceremony of the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Having been selected from 23 competing tenders, Star Hire has been contracted to provide their Mobile 11-09 StarStage along with video screen, sound, lights and power. They will also be responsible for the design, manufacture and fitting of all branded imagery on the stage and all the associated vehicles. "The logistics of setting up 50 events consecutively is challenging but not unfamiliar territory," said Star Hire’s technical director Roger Barrett. "The combinatio

For the third consecutive year, UK distributor HW International ensured that the Mean Fiddler-owned London Astoria was furnished with a plethora of Shure microphones for the NME Carling Awards. The shows ran for a week-and-a-half during February and included bands such as the Pet Shop Boys, Aphex Twin, Ash and Starsailor. One of the most anticipated gigs was The Charlatans who performed to an enthralled capacity crowd. The Charlatans were supported by Reading's Cooper Temple Clause, the bill was completed by ex-Ultrasound star Matt Jones' new band Minuteman and promising Northern rockers Moco.

Matt West, London Astoria's in-house sound engineer, commented: "Shure were able to supply us with a generic mic set-up which would suit most guitar-based bands. Their mics are robust and reliable and used the world over, so I was more than happy to have them to offer to the bands and their

Autograph Sound Recording, the sound design and rental specialist, is taking opera to the masses this season, with two electrifying events scheduled back to back. Bizet's tragic masterpiece Carmen, plays for 16 performances at the Royal Albert Hall, while Beethoven's opera of love and liberation, Fidelio will be screened live next month, on the all new BBC Four.

The annual Raymond Gubbay opera in the round opened at the Royal Albert Hall on 21st February, with a brand new production of Carmen. Autograph has supplied sound and communications for the past four Gubbay opera productions at the Royal Albert Hall. This year's opera is using a large Meyer Sound loudspeaker system, comprising of over 60 UM-1s for vocals and two arrays of MSL-4 and PSW-4, for the orchestra mix, while D&B E3 loudspeakers are located in and under the stage as front fill positions.

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