Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

Video and AV

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UK - Blitz|GES has bolstered its fleet with an investment in six Barco HDX 4K20 FLEX projectors.

Blitz|GES purchased the first batch of manufactured projectors, with the first projectors rolling off the production line in early October.

Paul Hutton, Blitz|GES managing director, commented, "There will be a significant increase in the requirement to display 4K images on events. Our purchase of the projectors is part of our investment in 4k ready equipment to meet our client's needs."

Carl Rijsbrack, Barco vice president events, added, "We're thrilled Blitz|GES are the first UK Rental & Staging partner to have added our HDX-4K20 FLEX projectors to their portfolio. We are confident the HDX-4K20 Flex projectors will ensure Blitz|GES can provide their customers with the highest quality and highest resolutions that are demanded, in a worry-free and future-proof way. We look f

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Europe - Continuing a long working relationship with production executive, Andy Derbyshire, event manager, Maggie Mouzakitis, event production manager, Lisa Shenton, and show lighting designer, Tom Kenny, PRG XL Video has supplied lighting for the 2016 MTV EMA.

This year's event was held on 6 November at the Rotterdam Ahoy and was hosted by US artist Bebe Rexha. The event opened with glamorous red carpet arrivals from the star presenters and performers, hosted by Laura Whitmore and Sway Calloway, and PRG XL also supplied lighting, rigging, and video technology for the red carpet event.

PRG XL's account managers, Kelly Cornfield and Mat Ilott were initially contacted by line producer, Sophie Huda, and Red Carpet event manager, Sean McNally, to supply an outdoor video wall, high impact lighting, and supporting rigging for the red carpet area. Working with set designer, Adam

Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

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USA - The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) chose ArKaos MediaMaster PRO to drive the visual content for its production of Green Day's American Idiot. MediaMaster PRO was chosen for the ease with which it handled the demanding artistic concept, its speed of mapping and its easy-to-understand processes for editing content and operation.

The ArKaos software was supplied by IED, whose principal partner, Jeffrey Brown, is also adjunct instructor for theatre/event media and video at CCM. Brown built three media servers specifically to take advantage of the MediaMaster software. "I have had a relationship with the people at ArKaos for years, and I have been a huge fan of their software since before I knew them personally," says Brown.

"Aubrey Berg, the director for Green Day's American Idiot, had certain desires for this production, most

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USA - Continuing to see an exponential growth in permanent LED video installation applications with a demand for ultra fine pixel pitch displays, PixelFLEX has announced the release of FLEXUltra 1.2mm LED video technology.

Through this expansion of the current product line that also includes fully front serviceable panels, the new ultra fine pixel pitch option of the FLEXUltra makes it an ideal LED video solution for any commercial design, architectural display or digital signage application, says the company.

"In a constantly changing visual world, LED video signage and displays are becoming commonplace in the commercial and architectural environments all around us," said David Venus, PixelFLEX director of marketing. "Our clients are constantly looking for higher pixel density products so we focused our efforts on creating not only an ultra-fine pitch product, but a produ

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Europe - Lighting designer Francis Clegg of London-based design house MIRRAD turned to control technology by British manufacturer Avolites to drive his atmospheric lighting for electronic retro-rockers Public Service Broadcasting's (PSB) 'The Race for Space' album tour.

The band's unique sound features samples of vocals from old public information films and propaganda material with a goal to "teach lessons of the past through the music of the future". This is reflected in the live show's black and white archive video content by Gerrad Blyth, which Clegg cleverly juxtaposed with vibrant colours and dazzling aerial effects in a design that won him a Knight of Illumination Award 2016.

Clegg opted to use the highly tourable yet sophisticated Avolites Quartz running Titan version 10 to programme his winning design: "The Quartz fit the bill perfectly as I run everything in cueli

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UK - Stars of stage and screen join the BBC Concert Orchestra at London's Royal Albert Hall for the European premiere of Disney's Broadway Hits - a celebration of the spellbinding songs behind some of the world's best loved musicals.

As the chosen rental partner for the Disney production, VER London supplied equipment, crew, logistics and peace of mind to allow the US creative team to hit the ground running at the venue, fully serviced via the local VER operation, fully backed by a global leading provider of quality equipment and support.

Delivered and configured ready for use in just five hours, the extensive equipment package required to capture the show in stunning 4K, included 17 cabled and remote Panasonic camera systems controlled via a bespoke fly-pack built around Evertz routers, Kayenne switching and Riedel communications.

Hosted by West End star, John Barrowm

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UK - Panasonic high brightness displays took centre stage at London Fashion Week as they were used by breakthrough fashion designer Paula Knorr at her Spring/Summer '17 collection debut show.

The Council gave the London Royal College of Art MA graduate the space and financial support to enable her to set up an installation at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Pall Mall, where four 55" Panasonic LCD displays, two TH-55LF8s and two TH-55LF80s, were used to show the video vignettes.

Supported by the British Fashion Council German-born Knorr's new collection, Collage of Herself, revolves around the idea of feminism and womanhood, and features a series of video vignettes filmed with real women talking about their perceptions and attitudes towards femininity.

"I collaborated with a motion graphic designer friend from Berlin to create three 15-minute videos. I wanted to c

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South Africa - DWR is setting up a charity organization aimed at freelancers. When freelancers fall ill, injure themselves or sometimes even pass away, it puts their family under immense pressure.

This charity will hopefully help a few people, on a merit basis, with basic assistance. This can either be in the form of helping to pay for school fees for a few months, maybe cover the rent, or providing grocery hampers. Each case will be submitted to the charity where a board will decide who we can assist and how.

Says DWR, "At the end of each year, DWR Distribution usually take pleasure in giving our clients gifts. This year, instead, we will use the money we would have used to buy presents to kick start the charity. It's something we believe will make a difference to someone who may find themselves in trouble when times are low. DWR will initiate the charity by donating R150

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USA - Roland has introduced its VR-4HD high-definition AV mixer, an easy-to-use, compact and portable AV mixer that integrates a digital audio mixer, video switcher, multi-viewer touchscreen and USB video/audio streaming interface into a standalone device.

"The VR-4HD is a portable live HD production solution ideal for schools, churches, council meetings, corporate events, sports, training, or any other live event," said Christian Delfino, vice-president of Product Management for the Roland Professional A/V Division. "Whether being used to produce an online broadcast, support a presentation or even as the hub for a multi-input teleconference system using standard online chat software, the VR-4HD's all-in-one hardware design and audio digital signal processing capabilities, including Auto-Mixing function, make it easy for a single operator to achieve professional results."

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The first AV Business and Technology Awards were held at the Cafe Royal in London in September. Around 300 of the UK's AV industry attended the event, which was organised by AV magazine. Dartford-based Electrosonic picked up two awards, the first for Systems Company of the Year and the second for Excellence in use of Videowall.

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Blitz Communications has launched a new web site. The site provides a wealth of information about the group's three divisions - Blitz Vision, Blitz Interactive and TP Sound Services. Easily navigated, stylish and informative, the site provides a comprehensive guide to the range of services provided by each division.

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The Blitz Communications Group provided the AV equipment and software, support and technical back-up for Microsoft's Tech Ed Europe 99 event. Organised by Ultimate Events, and held in the Rai Centre, Amsterdam, Tech Ed 99 was the largest event ever held by Microsoft in Europe.The event opened in the main auditorium with a wide screen spectacular made possible by Blitz's unique Suite P3, the new broadcast quality presentation system. Blitz also supplied AV for each of the 18 breakout rooms, which hosted approximately 340 seminars over the four-day period. In all the company supplied 23 crews, 40 video and data projectors, 30 separate switchers, 100 interfaces, 30 distribution amplifiers and around eight miles of cable.

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Screenco has expanded its sales and operations team. Mike Walker, formerly at sister company Creative Technology, joins MD Dave Crump and sales manager Anita Page as business development manager at the sharp end of Screenco's rental business. On the operations front, Andy Bramley has joined the team with responsibility for managing Screenco's new Portable Production Unit (PPU). Like Walker, Bramley has also worked with CT, but more recently has been out touring with a number of bands.

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One of the hottest tickets of the moment has to be for The Eurythmics' reunion tour. Peacetour, in aid of Greenpeace and Amnesty International, opened on September 17th in Cologne and will enjoy a four month run before ending in London in mid December. Lighting designer Simon Sidi will work with a rig supplied by Light&Sound Design, whilst video director Matt Askem has the luxury of no less than three of Screenco's brand new Saco 15mm pixel pitch LED daylight video screens, plus two Barco projectors which will feature specially commissioned graphics from Tim Head.

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Island East is a massive new commercial and high class residential development in Hong Kong. Its remarkable 'by appointment only' corporate visitor centre includes show areas, meeting rooms and marketing suites tailored to different kinds of customers. One of the key features is a 180° video show, designed by Electrosonic, which uses five Barco 707 projectors, with butted images projected onto a metal mesh. The mesh screen has lighting effects behind and during the show, the centre screen splits to reveal a rear projected image. All video sources are from Electrosonic MPEG2 video servers. Electrosonic ESLINX is used to control the 48 channels of dimming, the video servers, the Peavey X-Frame Media Matrix and the motorised doors.

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AV and multi-media specialist, Blitz Communications, has launched Suite P - its new broadcast quality presentation system. Two-and-a-half years in development, the Suite P integrates PowerPoint business graphics software and state-of-the-art digital video hardware, producing images which combine graphics, text and digital or live video footage. Images can be projected onto 1, 2 or 3 screens which are linked seamlessly together giving the appearance of one continuous screen.Suite P is now available for hire from Blitz at both its London and Manchester offices.

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Advanced Plasmavision Ltd, appointed AV rental supplier to the Rugby World Cup, delivered over 500 42inch Fujitsu Plasma display units in one month. Following a tough bidding process, Advanced Plasmavision was selected as the sole supplier of Plasma display products to three major UK Rugby World Cup venues - the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Twickenham and Murrayfield. Working closely with Steljes professional trade hire and Fujitsu UK, the company undertook all the technical and logistical demands required to supply multiple plasma displays and video source delivery systems at all three venues simultaneously.

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Busch Creative Services designed and produced the main exhibit displays at the 50,000sq.ft Spirit of Ford Tour Center, which opened in Dearborn, Missouri, earlier this year. One of the requirements was to create a large-scale animated display for the centre atrium of the building, which would be effective in high ambient light. The company opted for a 53ft by 8ft Electrosonic videowall, fed by DVD players, and consisting of 80 40-inch projection cubes. The Electrosonic videowall was chosen for its bright output and flexible programming options.

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Blitz Vision and TP Sound Services, two divisions of the Blitz Communications Group, recently provided visual and audio support for the Marks & Spencer AGM at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, for production company HP:ICM. Two main screens with 9200 Reality Projectors and a four camera portable production unit. Full two-way audio links, along with back-up audio and communications links via telephone lines, were taken into three separate overflow areas to accommodate the 2,700 shareholders attending the event.

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Laser Grafix recently spiced up the official opening of the 400-seater Shere Khan restaurant at the Trafford Centre in Manchester with their Monumental Slide Projection service. The ceiling of the Orient complex of the Trafford Centre had the new Shere Khan corporate image projected on it, along with images of poppadoms and curries.

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SPS has expanded its expertise by setting up a new division for the rental of Barco's modular LED daylight display systems. Heading the operation will be Bryan Leathem who has over 18 years experience in outdoor screen markets with Mitsubishi and Screenco - he is joined by Stuart Young, former operations manager at Screenco. The division's first rental contract is to be the opening ceremony for the New Millennium Experience Company at the Dome.

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After three years as PSL's head of concert touring, Chris Mounsor has left to specialise in more project-based work within the concert touring industry. Mounsor leaves PSL's concert touring business in the capable hands of Des Fallon, assisted by Scott Russell and Stephanie Jefcoate. Currently PSL (Presentation Services Ltd) are out on tour with Steps, B*witched, Boyzone, Lord of the Dance, Whitney Houston, Everything But the Girl, The Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Nine Inch Nails and The Spice Girls. PSL would like to wish Chris every success in the future.

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Giant screen sales and rental specialists, Unitek, has announced the expansion of its sales force.Roger Macnair, whose background was in plasma screens and LCD projectors, joined Unitek's screen sales team in September and has already successfully contracted projects including a sale to the Hilton Hotel group in Africa. Reacting to a substantial increase in rental activities, Unitek have also recruited Anita Page, previously sales and marketing manager at Screenco, who will be primarily concentrating on sales and marketing for the company's music and special events. Adrian Offord, previously with lighting hire company Playlight, also joined the rental team in November.

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PSL, Gearhouse and Action International (France), all members of the Gearhouse Group, have invested in £1.9m worth of state-of-the-art projection equipment from Digital Projection.PSL will extend their rental inventory with a further eight Power 8gvs and 16 Lightning 15sx projectors. Supporting Texas Instruments' DLP Technology, the Lightning 15sx is capable of outputting 12,000 ANSI lumens and claims to be the brightest DLP-based projector available.
  1. PSL's Christmas Record
  2. Barco's Major Role at Millennium Dome
  3. Electrohome Sells Projection Systems Division
  4. Black Box Wins AV Award
  5. Monster of an Exhibition
  6. Pixelite Unveils World's First Multi-Media Interface Video Screen at Home
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