UK - LED video processing products manufacturer, Brompton Technology, has announced its latest Tessera v3.3 software features, bringing new possibilities that optimise the performance of LED panels to further streamline professional workflows. New features include Operating Modes, and Per-Batch PureTone. Additionally, the Tessera SX40 and S8 now have a preset to support the ACES AP1 colour space, as used by ACEScg. Finally, in collaboration with Mo-Sys, Brompton has added support for the company’s StarTracker camera tracking system when using panels fitted with the Tessera R2 or Brompton’s new Tessera R2+ and an SX40 or S8 processor with Frame Remapping. The new Tessera R2+ receiver card has the same SO-DIMM form-factor as the R2, which has set the standard for receiver cards for many years. R2+ is backwards-compatible with all existing R2-based panel designs, but
Europe - Shure has partnered with Crestron to support the upcoming Crestron Next Road Trip Europe, a tour with a mobile experience centre that will visit 38 stops in 19 countries. The truck will provide every attendee with a safe environment in which they will be able to get hands-on, one-on-one demos of the most recent audio technology from Shure and Crestron. The mobile experience will cover Shure and Crestron’s collaborative conferencing technology as well as the whole Crestron ecosystem of solutions for hybrid workplaces, classrooms, government organisations and more. Crestron Next Road Trip Europe will tour Europe from March, to offer dealers, partners, and customers all over Europe an opportunity to experience the latest innovations in audio technology from Crestron and Shure.
Belgium - Studio Zuid in Antwerp has transformed its entertainment offering with the purchase of a TiMax SoundHub-S64 spatial processor with MADI I/O. The venue’s semi-circular amphitheatre-like auditorium plays host to a wide and popular variety of immersive musical dining experiences, the first of which was an immersive production of The Bodyguard, originally made famous by the Whitney Houston film and award-winning soundtrack. Sound designer and venue audio director, Erik Loots, had a big vision for the type of production the venue needed and the level of audio flexibility he wanted for shows like The Bodyguard. For him, “TiMax was essential”. He explains: “I needed TiMax because of its capability of dealing with both channel-based and object-based audio. I have always been a fan of TiMax and its flexibility when it comes to immersive applications an
UK - Creative Technology received the Best Screen Supplier award at Festival Supplier Awards 2022. The company won the award for the delivery of the I-mags at Reading and Leeds Festivals 2021. “We’re extremely proud to have been recognised as Best Screen Supplier for the delivery of Reading and Leeds Festivals 2021. The hard work and long hours these events required from the ground up should not be overlooked and this award is for every person who pulled together to make them happen,” says Nick Knowles, project manager at Creative Technology. “Coming out of a dormant period for the music industry this summer had many challenges, one of which was the screen requirement for Reading and Leeds main stages. Having added a second main stage to each site, we doubled the amount of screen required across the same weekend. “In previous years, we had worked meticu
World - tvONE and Green Hippo have announced they will bring their new technologies directly to partners and end-users in their own countries, focusing on a series of local tradeshow events around the world. After making the move to not exhibit at ISE 2022 in Barcelona, the company will focus its efforts on a number of face-to-face activities, including Prolight & Sound in Frankfurt with Green Hippo distributor Cast Germany; Technology Exposed by Midwich; NAB with partners FX Design Group, DigiLED and DVG; PLASA Focus Leeds with AC Entertainment UK; Infocomm 2022, Las Vegas; Medialog by Kern & Stelly Germany; S14 Day by Comm-tec GmbH (Exteris ProAV) Germany; as well as a series of the popular Super User Events for Green Hippo. For clients in the Middle East, Spitfire will create a roadshow in Dubai and Qatar. “With the postponement of ISE 2022 and changing e
UAE - Christie 1DLP laser projectors are engaging guests with a variety of visuals in the Canada Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The 1,364sq.m (pavilion, located in the Sustainability District, welcomes guests with art installations, an interactive light and sound experience, and a 360-degree theatre. EllisDon, a Canadian contracting company, with Lord Cultural Resources, NGX Interactive and kubik maltbie as strategic partners, was awarded the contract to design, build and maintain the pavilion, and worked with kubik maltbie, which engaged Christie partner Electrosonic to deliver the AV systems and Eos Lightmedia to deliver the interactive lighting systems for the public presentation spaces within the pavilion. With the theme The Future in Mind, the pavilion encompasses outdoor and indoor elements, with AV systems throughout the pavilion designed, installed, commi
UK - Gloucester Cathedral is a building with many historic treasures. The cathedral, which dates to the year 1089, has centuries of history and craftsmanship on display - including important architectural features that are considered some of the best in Europe. The cathedral is also a favourite of Harry Potter fans as the cloisters served as the location for various Hogwarts scenes in the films. Maintaining a Grade I-listed building is challenging, and upgrades to onsite technology must be carefully considered and planned to prevent damage. When the cathedral decided to upgrade its audio capabilities, it turned to the flexibility, scalability, and low-impact installation benefits synonymous with Audinate’s Dante. The Dante platform is a complete AVoIP solution that allows audio, video and control data to be transported over standard 1GB ethernet networks. Whe
Singapore - Pixotope has announced two new hires in their Asia Pacific leadership team. Matthew Ma, former employee of Amazon Web Services and Avid, joins the company as general manager for North Asia. Matthew will be directly responsible for driving regional sales and advising on the regional functions of marketing operations, including developing distribution channels and building strategic relationships. The key locations for North Asia include China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. Matthew states, “I am delighted to start a new chapter with Pixotope in this exciting period for Virtual Production. Having worked with the North Asia market for media and web technologies for many years, a key focus for this role will be building relationships with partners and ensuring consistent growth as Pixotope expands further across the region.” With more tha
UK - There were some showers during the red-carpet premiere of Dune outside the Odeon Leicester Square in London, but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds or global press corps who turned out for the star-studded affair, produced by Limited Edition Event Design. Impact Production Services (IPS), which provided technical services for the event, deployed a powerful the Chauvet Professional F4IP LED panel for setting up the outdoor video walls. The IPS team used 236 of the 4.8 mm pixel pitch panels to create a 28m wide by 4m high video wall that ran almost the entire length of the red carpet. Displaying a series of dramatic images from the movie that were supplied by the film company and played back via a Disguise Media Server, the wall added a powerful and engaging cinematic flavour to the event, in addition to providing an attractive backdrop
Turkey - To advertise the launch of the Istanbul Financial Centre (IFC) in January, Istanbul film production company Autonomy partnered with Formula 1 on a dynamic commercial featuring virtual production by MGX Studios and powered by the disguise Extended Reality (xR) workflow. Holding 1.4m square metres of office space, a shopping mall, conference and exhibition centre and a five-star hotel, the IFC is a founding partner of the Formula 1 Rolex Turkish Grand Prix 2021. The metaphor of the IFC as a Formula 1 race car “driving forward the world of finance” provided a high-energy scenario for a commercial promoting its imminent opening. The commercial features extreme close-ups of a Formula 1 race car cockpit, complete with revving sound design, as the vehicle speeds through Istanbul and glimpses of the IFC are reflected on the driver’s helmet visor. Since t
Austria - AV Stumpfl has announced the creation of a new management position inside their screens sales department. On 1 January, Jan Walter joined the team as global business development manager, screens. Walter began his AV industry career as a field application engineer and recently worked as a senior regional sales manager for an internationally known technology manufacturer. The focus of his new role will be expanding AV Stumpfl‘s international projection screens distribution network. Walter comments: "Ever since I started working in the wider area of projection technology, AV Stumpfl screens have been a household name. I always associated their products with the highest quality possible and a great drive towards innovation. I see great potential for expanding the existing distribution network further and am looking forward to tackling this exciting challenge."<
UK - In August 2020, Harrogate Town FC were promoted to the English Football League (EFL) for the first time in their history. With promotion came new responsibilities. The League’s regulations precluded the use of the club’s Wetherby Road (EnviroVent) stadium’s synthetic pitch, and, as a narrow window of time did not allow the work on a replacement to be completed before the start of 2020/21 season, Harrogate Town arranged a temporary ground-share at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium. Comfortably maintaining their new League status during a season largely played in empty stadiums due to COVID-19 restrictions, the club, with work on a new grass pitch completed, prepared to return home. Other EFL infrastructure criteria also had to be met at the EnviroVent, one of which was provision for a permanent public address system, which according to the League’s regul
South Africa - Professional audio, AV and broadcast specialists Stage Audio Works has launched AV Distribution, a new company dedicated to "managing those markets chiefly served through a reseller/integrator channel". Anything that is project-based will remain the remit of Stage Audio Works. The executive and management teams of the Stage Audio Works group remain unchanged and the company continues to invest in the market with the ongoing development and expansion of local manufacturing under its Stage Plus and Pixel Plus brands. According to SAW CEO Will Deysel, the decision to form AV Distribution was a logical evolution of the process already started in March 2021 when the company restructured its sales operation into two distinct verticals - namely projects and distribution. The creation of a separate company sees the process through to its conclusion. “We
UK - Touch technology specialist Zytronic has introduced the ZyBrid edge touch sensor technology, developed to "create stunning multi-screen interactive video walls and tables". Designed to mirror the narrowest bezel video wall monitors, the glass sensors feature an ultra-narrow border (anywhere from 3mm to 0mm), creating a sleek appearance by using the maximum display area. The sensors can be innovatively linked when used with the associated all-new ZyBrid edge controller to enable seamless touch transition between screens, with potentially no gap whatsoever between adjacent active areas. Typically, AV installers fix a huge protective glass over the entire interactive video wall. They then often use a clip-on infra-red or camera-based touch detection system around the outside of the tiled screens. This arrangement creates a large, unsightly, protruding bezel around th
USA - Xytech, provider of facility management software for the broadcast and media industries, has been purchased by San Francisco-based Banneker Partners, a software-focused private equity firm. Xytech says customers can expect a seamless transition and the company will update its customers and partner in the coming days. Xytech CEO Richard Gallagher comments: “When I created Xytech, my primary goal was to bring facility management into the next generation to help media facilities - both large and small - be more efficient and productive. For more than three decades, this has been Xytech’s focus, and we are proud of what we have accomplished. Banneker, with its investment focus on software solutions aimed at specific verticals and willingness to invest to scale operational delivery, product innovation and sales and marketing, is the perfect partner for Xytech’s
UK - London welcomed in 2022 with a spectacular city-wide display, sending a message of thanks and hope to the nation and the world. Jack Morton, the global brand experience agency, helped to develop the original concept and worked in partnership with the Mayor of London’s office and a dedicated team of experts to create an extraordinary experience for the second year running. The 13-minute show designed for home-viewing was broadcast live on BBC One and watched by a global viewing audience of millions. Jack Morton’s creative show team worked in collaboration with On the Sly for the music production, Titanium Fireworks for the pyrotechnics design, and Skymagic for the swarm drone sequences. Patrick O’Mahony, creative director of Skymagic, comments: “We were delighted to collaborate again with Jack Morton to design and deliver the drone light show for Lo
UK - Solotech has announced the appointment of Bryce Jewell as managing director for the UK. He will drive the overall business strategy for Solotech and its two divisions, Live Productions and Sales and Systems Integration. Jewell has over 20 years of experience within the technology sector spanning the UK, US, Norway, and Australia. He has led the turnaround of the UK and US enterprise businesses as MD at Global Cloud Xchange, which operates the world’s largest privately-owned subsea cable system. Prior to Global Cloud Xchange, Jewell served as director, sales Europe at Pacnet. “This appointment is the symbol of a new major milestone for Solotech’s expansion in the UK and Europe, and a true testimonial of our intention to continue investing in our people, our technology, our operational structure and our brand,” comments Martin Tremblay, president and CEO of
UK - Sonosphere has welcomed the new year by remembering a busy 2021. Most significantly, the company was involved in the 5G Festival (5GF) project, central to the continuing advancements in using 5G technology in a new way for the entertainment industry. In addition, the Sonosphere management team completed a buyout of the company, with Duncan Bell joining as commercial director; this was swiftly followed by the team supplying immersive audio for the public launch of Ed Sheeran’s new album. 2022 is set to be as busy, with multiple projects in the pipeline including a major interactive multimedia exhibition that will open in Germany in the New Year, spatialising the work of a Saudi Arabian producer and composer, and an immersive audio installation into a major London venue. “The November 5GF trials were a seminal moment for the entire consortium of companies invol
USA - Solotech has acquired XR Studios, a full-service agency specialising in extended reality, including augmented reality technology for live broadcast and virtual productions. Located in Los Angeles, XR Studios serves high-end clients in multiple segments such as TV, music, Fortune 500 companies, and live events. XR Studios pioneered innovative performances such as Katy Perry’s American Idol finale and MTV’s 2020 Video Music Awards. Other notable clients include Billie Eilish, Leon Bridges, Amazon, Verizon, Twitch, and many more. Going forward, the company will continue to operate as a separate entity and brand. Through the acquisition, Solotech's Media and Entertainment Technology division will make a significant step towards realising its vision of developing new technological solutions that are at the crossroads of three markets: fans and artists, con
UK - With government advice putting the decision-making onto the shoulders of the public and consumer confidence eroding as a consequence, the live events sector is stressed to the limit, says industry organisation #WeMakeEvents (WME). Despite a devastating 2020 and a challenging 2021, businesses in the industry have worked hard to exceed revenues last recorded in November 2019 by the same month in 2021. But, says WME, the current climate has already eroded this by 80% during December 2021 and is forecast to continue through January. From the UK’s first lockdown in Spring 2020 until summer 2021, companies in this sector only received around 12% of the Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) awards whilst many of the freelance technical specialists who work in the industry are still catching-up on their finances, having had no work for over a year. WME says in a statement:
UK - Newly-crowned MOBO Awards Best Male Act Ghetts performed an energetic, crowd-pleaser gig at London’s Roundhouse in November backed by hi-res Desay LED screens from Production AV. The audience didn’t miss a beat as the Production AV team filmed the London rapper’s high octane show, using manned cameras positioned at FOH and in the pit. These were complemented by Production AV’s Agile remote cameras placed at the end of the stage catwalk and below the audience balcony. Overseeing the visuals for Ghetts and his tour manager, Neicee Oakley, was Production AV’s project manager Nathan Dunbar, whose concert touring experience and expertise spans large scale productions such as Glastonbury and the MTV World Stage, as well as artists including Little Simz. Dunbar says: “Ghetts’ touring team approached Production AV to deliver a complete visuals solution
Spain - ISE has announced details of its 2022 programme of conferences, education offerings from AVIXA and CEDIA, and show floor stages and networking lounges. Seven conferences will target key vertical markets served by the pro AV industry. Topics that will be covered include creating safe, sustainable, smart buildings; re-shaping the workplace; the new agenda in digital signage and exploring the strategies, learning models and trends that are driving the deployment of digital learning technologies in universities, schools, corporate bodies and training facilities. Presented in Spanish, the AV Experience Zone produced by AVIXA will showcase AV projects and present customer testimonials from experienced professionals in the sector. The showcase will be of interest to end-users from major vertical markets, professional technicians, and includes sessions for students acr
UAE - Following its expansion in Israel, USA, Europe and some regions in APAC, Pixellot has announced it is now operating in the UAE. The company has partnered with CAM Plus Sport, a Dubai-based sports system integrator, to enable amateur sports clubs and schools across the United Arab Emirates to create broadcast quality live streams and on-demand recordings of sports matches. Eleven permanent systems have already been installed within months of the start of the partnership. CAM Plus Sport launched during the pandemic as local sports began to open up again after a period of lockdown. While attending a Second Division football match, the company’s founder Ismail Al Mazmi noticed that spectator numbers were limited, and there were no cameras recording the matches for those who could not attend. Additionally, many parents were unable to watch their children playing spo
France - Dushow recently helped deliver the world’s biggest concert, Global Citizen Live, as lead technical partner for the Global Citizen Live event in Paris. Serving as the main official service provider for the broadcast event which featured Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Black Eyed Peas, Christine and the Queens, Doja Cat and Måneskin, as well as special guest performances by Angélique Kidjo, Charlie Puth and Fatma Said, and raised more than US$1bn to fight climate change, famine and vaccine inequity. Dushow partnered with its video-specialist subsidiary, Alabama, and sister company Magnum to deliver a complete technical solution encompassing audio, LED, lighting, video, cabling and power. This tour de force was made possible thanks to the wider Novelty Magnum Dushow group offering organisers a single point of contact for the complex 20,000-person show. T
