Sweden - The Nobel Prize Banquet, which follows the Nobel Peace Prize Awards, took place as usual at Stockholm's City Hall. Among those in attendance were the King and Queen of Sweden, and other members of the Royal Family, a host of Nobel Laureates, politicians, dignitaries and VIPs, totalling approximately 1400 guests.

The lighting at this event is taken just as seriously as the prestigious guest list. Not only are there strict rules regarding rigging and visibility, the banquet is broadcast live on Swedish National television's SVT1.

Spectra Stage & Event Technologies in Stockholm supplied creative design and production management services, plus all lighting and AV equipment for visual requirements at the banquet. W-DMX transmitters and receivers were used to control the fixtures. Spectra utilised SGM's latest Giotto Synthesis 700 moving lights, Barco R18s for the projectio

Belgium - Ampco Belgium collected the Installation Europe Award for Technical Excellence in Entertainment on the opening day of the Integrated Systems Europe Show in Brussels on 1 February. The award recognises the company's pioneering system design at the Kursaal Theatre, Belgium in 2005, which features a radical implementation of the Multi-Channel Reverb (MCR) concept.

The Kursaal, a newly refurbished 2,201 seat multi-purpose auditorium in Ostend, was equipped with an MCR system that allows the reverberation time of the room to be varied, without the addition of electronic reverb, in nine discrete steps at the touch of a button. This allows it to provide an acoustically optimized playing and listening environment for every type of performance from orchestral and opera to TV shows and reinforced music.

The system has to perform four separate roles - sound reinforcement for co

Belgium - The third edition of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) closed on Friday 3 February having broken the 10,000 visitor marker, the organisers of the event at the Brussels Expo have announced.

This year's show saw almost 11,000 attendees, an increase of nearly 50% over the 7,401 trade visitors last year. As well as "a huge influx" from Europe, visitors also came from other parts of the world, including the Middle East, Taiwan and USA.

The organisers say: "Representatives from across the wide spectrum of exhibitors expressed their satisfaction at the number of leads gained through end user sales and recruitment of new dealers and distributors. ISE 2006 was seen as the best platform by far for them to be able to showcase their wares and network with industry professionals.

Mike Blackman, managing director for Integrated Systems Europe comments: "We are

USA - US-based loudspeaker system manufacturer Renkus-Heinz will showcase a number of key proucts at this year's NSCA exhibition (16-18 March, Las Vegas, USA). Top of the list is the revolutionary Iconyx Digitally Controlled Column Loudspeaker Series - now shipping and dismantling the rules of what can be achieved in the most acoustically challenging environments around the world.

Also on show will be the new CF/CFX Series of high value, high performance loudspeakers, now shipping to both portable and installed sound dealers. The self-powered CF Series incorporates Renkus-Heinz's new PF-1 Intelligent Digital Amplifier, while the CFX Series is designed for use with external processors and amplifiers, say the company.

Also available will be EASE 4.2 - a majoe free upgrade: Acoustic Design Ahnert (ADA)and Renkus-Heinz Inc as worldwide distributor, will preview EASE 4.2 at NSCA in

UK - A new product from Court Acoustics Ltd, the Vocal Management System has been designed by Stephen Court in a joint venture with Recording Studio Design Ltd, and is "the first piece of kit developed entirely for the vocalist - arguably the most important member of the band, yet traditionally the one person who has no capital expenditure for equipment".

Stephen Court told us: "Ever since we left the recording studios to help our clients achieve the same sound on stage - the quality difference between the studio and a live performance has been a problem, and the singer's voice in particular. Traditionally, in a studio, the vocals are processed through a lot of expensive and complicated equipment. Even if a singer could afford to take all that gear on the road, it would be an almost impossible task to set up. We took samples of singers' voices in both studio and i

Germany - At the ProLight + Sound in Frankfurt, Kling & Freitag will present the close-to-production prototypes of the new digital speaker controllers CD 24 and CD 44. The digital controllers replace the previous analogue system controllers.

The development goal during the conception of the CD 24/ CD 44 was to set new standards for sound quality and operating safety. In doing so, a high-resolution DA/AD converter (96 kHz / 24 bit) and a sophisticated limiter concept were used. Two fully automated independent limiters monitor and limit the cone excursions and the thermal load of the speakers using a sense connector at the amplifier output. Despite this complex circuit technology, the latency time is only 0.7ms. Every output channel can be used with individually parameter sets (macros) and saved as new pre-sets. The controllers operate with a mains voltage of 90 to 240 volts.

Th

UK - Farnborough International Ltd, organiser of the world's largest airshow, has appointed ATC/PSL as its official AV and IT equipment supplier for its July 2006 event.

Farnborough International Airshow 2006 is again set to be the biggest, most internationally attended aerospace event in the world.

Although Potters Bar-based ATC (Aviation Television & Communication) has been a regular supplier to the Farnborough Air Show, this is the first time that the joint resources of ATC and its new parent group PSL will be combined, providing seamless and fully integrated delivery of the Show's AV and IT equipment requirements from a single source.

"We believe we can make it more successful for Farnborough International Ltd than ever before," says PSL's managing director Gary Davis. "It's a very prestigious contract for PSL, and one of the biggest events in the calendar

UK - Lightfactor Sales highlights the latest products from its control, display and architectural ranges of lighting at ARC 06. This includes the latest LightProcessor architectural dimmers and control solutions, along with luminaires from SGM, LDR and Xilver. SGM and Xilver products will be controlled wirelessly via Wireless Solutions' Wireless DMX, and Prolyte trussing will also feature on the stand.

SGM's PALCO LED colour-changer is featured. The fixture is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use (IP65 rated). PALCO uses of a series of high-power Luxeon LEDs (with RGB colour mixing - five blues, 20 greens and 24 reds). It's available, with 3W LEDs.PALCO Mobile is a new IP22 rated version of the fixture with motorized pan and tilt movement. It's DMX controlled with optional remote control unit. The fixture has RGB colour mixing and a combination of high-power Luxeon 3W/1W LEDs (

UK - Following their success in 2005, Hawthorn has organised a new series of events to take place at its base in Old Dalby in Leicestershire. The 'Hawthorn@Home 2006' events will give lighting, sound and AV users the opportunity to get 'hands-on' with the latest equipment and technology. The events also aim to give manufacturers, suppliers and users to discuss the products and to gain an insight not normally available outside large tradeshows, say Hawthorn.

The days will kick off with lunch and an informal get together, followed by the hands-on/demo of the equipment. The first three events are:

3 March: Moving Lights and Lighting Desks'
Companies participating include Avolites, Martin Professional, ETC, MA Lighting, Robe and Zero 88. Hawthorn will also have on show its range of Clay Paky Alpha Spots and Washes, as well as other moving lights in their rental and sales

Italy - Turin is set for the Winter Olympic Games, which open today. The Games have generated a great deal of work for Italian Prolyte distributor Decima and its client Ital Stage. On Gold Medal Plaza, a silver Dome has been taking shape, looking impressive even in its unfinished state.

Ital Stage, partly based on consultancy from Prolyte, has developed the main construction for the silver Dome. The stage structure is a mix of steel and aluminium. Prolyte S52SV truss is used for the middle grid, B100RV truss for the main grid, combined with S36R truss which will act as supporting structure for an inflatable on top of the stage.

The inflatable structure provides a flow of heated air to prevent snow accumulation on top of the roof structure: the circular roof has an overall height of 22.8m and a clearance of 17m. The structure has a cantilever of 16m at the front, which is suppo

Belgium - Barco have announced that organizers of the Berlin International Film Festival have selected D-Cine Premiere DP100 and D-Cine premiere DP90 projectors for all digital screenings.

The festival is taking place from 9 to 19 February 2006. In total, four Barco digital projectors will be used for a full agenda of digital screenings in theatres throughout Berlin, on this year's "Berlinale". "We are delighted to be cooperating with Barco, as they really have a long-term commitment to high quality leadership in digital cinema," says Dieter Kosslick, festival director. "We have worked with them during the Berlinale of last year. Audiences were thrilled with the system's performance."

Based on DLP CinemaTM technology of Texas Instruments, Barco's digital cinema projectors answer the demanding needs of the cinema industry. Barco today counts over 5

Although the 'N' in NAMM residually stands for 'National', the organisation is actually a very active international association for music products. Certainly the annual show in Anaheim, California is increasing its global pull year on year, notwithstanding the bedrock of banjo dealers from Arkansas. Professional audio, as a result, is benefiting in much the same way as it has across the pond in Frankfurt - if not on quite the same scale. MusikMesse bolted on to ProLight & Sound, but as yet there is no sign of an equivalent in Orange County.

The habit of using the show's concentration of delegates without exhibiting, imported from Europe as it happens, is on the up. Pro audio movers and shakers, sensing the new globalised year and a glint of movement in well targeted sunglasses, come to dip a toe in the water. This is almost literally true, given that the main arena for 'off-axis' busin

Alcorn McBride caters for a niche theme park market with its range of AV products. Their Digital Binloop now provides 16- and 24-Bit digital audio and/or MPEG-2 digital video in a compact and highly reliable package designed for continuous daily use. Ethernet, CobraNet, and SDI video outputs have also been added. The system has been designed to provide flexibility, with a confident 10-year warranty.

Audio-Technica showed the latest additions to its UniPoint range of microphones, first seen at PLASA last autumn. Main features include 'UniGuard' technology - a new approach to shielding from RF interference; the 80Hz UniSteep filter for removal of unwanted low frequencies, without affecting vocal quality; and the robust, easy-to-adjust goosenecks.

The conferencing market was the source of perhaps the biggest news at the show: beyerdynamic's announcement of its acquisition of Interkom, and also of the resulting new product, Revoluto, certainly drew attention. Revoluto's 'line array microphone' technology results in a neat, toblerone-shaped desk-top block - no more goosenecks - and a pick-up pattern that promises to cater for even slouchy delegates. The proof of the pudding will be at the system's live demo in Frankfurt in a few weeks' time.

In the shoot-out at the large venue display area, Christie certainly came out guns blazing with the latest Roadster S+16k 3-chip DLP projector. Again aimed at the rental and staging market, this very bright (16,000 ANSI lumens) compact projector certainly set the bar high, offering detail and depth of colour, and with contrast ratings as high as 1600-2000:1.

Christie's Brant Eckett says that their competitors' products have a head start: so Christie continues to go beyond the basics in terms of user-friendly detail. Designed with built-in handles and multiple rigging points, this projector is designed to travel with maximum ease. Replacement lamp costs are low, and Christie offers two-year parts and labour warranties (excluding the light engine).

Martin Audio was again present, showing its install products including the AQ Series, AM Series and Contractor Series of loudspeakers. While not having a bad show by any means, Martin Audio, interestingly, hadn't experienced the same level of interest from visitors as at the previous ISE event.

Shure presented a selected product portfolio for the install market at ISE: highlights included the new conferencing processor, and the digital conferencing processor which integrates unique echo- and noise-cancellation, with their DFR and Intellimix technologies. Expected availability is Summer 2006. Other products included the UHF-R Wireless system as well as their line of Microflex installed microphones, and DFR22 Digital Feedback Reducer. Shure also presented audio seminars on automatic mixing and wireless technology as part of the show's education program.

Barco showed what it says is the most silent 20,000 lumens projector on the market, the FLM series, specifically built for the rental and staging market. The company hopes that the projector's "extreme brightness, compact design, and low noise" will prove the perfect solution for these applications. The first projector in the range is the FLM R20+, and has a contrast ratio of 1800:1. Existing lens ranges can be used on the FLM series. The projector was on display in the large venue display area, and has advanced 10-bit processing which ensures exceptional video performance, say Barco.

Panasonic showed the world's largest plasma screen - a huge, and hugely impressive 103" monster. With full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution and a 3000:1 contrast ratio, the screen incorporates Panasonic's high-speed pixel drive. Don't attempt to lift this one on your own . . .

Danish Interpretation Systems showed its range of systems, incorporating a host of features including integrated automatic camera control. See Technical Focus for more.

UK / Germany - Allen & Heath will be showing its latest products at the forthcoming Pro Light & Sound show in Frankfurt, 29th March - 1st April 2006, with primary focus on the iLive digital mixing system and Xone:3D mixer/controller.

The heart of the iLive system is the iDR-64, a 19" rack-mounting modular mix engine, providing 64 channels into 32 mixes, which is a stand-alone mixer comprising 8-channel audio interface cards, DSP processing, and communication ports. The unit is controlled via an Ethernet network and can be connected to a variety of controllers, including a range of newiLive control surfaces, Allen & Heath's PL range of remote units, or a laptop/PC.

Two EtherSound ports are provided for low latency remote audio distribution, connection of an additional unit to expand the system to 128 channels, FOH/monitor signal splitting, and the connection of multi-track

Belgium - ISE spread its wings even further at its third event, held in Brussels at the beginning of February. The show which broadly styles itself 'The European meeting point for AV systems Integrators' is proving to be just that: with a huge increase in both exhibitors (about 50%) and visitors (in excess of 30%) in 2006, it's an undeniable force on the installation technology circuit.

With regard to the elements particularly of interest to L&SI (i.e. installed audio and lighting, show control and display technologies for professional, as opposed to home markets, and with the emphasis on entertainment and leisure, rather than industrial applications) the growth was perhaps less significant, although still worth a look.

German manufacturer KME showed its latest loudspeaker products including the Pano mini line array and the RCM V2.0 remote control module for its self-powered speakers - the follow-up to the TCP/IP remote control module. Hardware improvements include a Power Over Ethernet circuit which gives the user a redundant power supply for added reliability in installations, and an automatic speaker impedance control system.

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