USA / UK - coolux Pandoras Box 5.1 software release is now available. Building on the success of Pandoras Box Version 5.0 launched at PLASA last fall, over 50 distinct improvements and upgrades have been added, including Media Encryption, 3D Warping, and a new Matrix Patcher. The new user-friendly Version 5.1 software package makes Pandoras Box a yet more powerful creative tool, uniting state-of-the-art rendering technology with intuitive live media and show control.

Features and improvements include:

New Matrix Patcher: Relocate individual pixels for creative setups when working with conventional LED processors, e.g. Barco, Daktronics, Galaxia/Winvision etc. A real time-saver for repositioning pixels, even with unconventional LED fixture shapes.

Timeline Key Presets: Store and recall any amount of timeline keys as presets and update their data in all instances. Significantl

Belgium - Visualization expert Barco has recently signed a series of major deals. One of the eye-catchers is that with the European audiovisual expert AED Display. The company purchased 18 HDX-W18, 24 ultra-bright HDF-W26 and 10 HDQ-2K40 projectors. The new range will be presented during demo days, including workshops, on 10 and 11 July next.

A long-term customer of Barco and part of the AED group, AED Display is a trendsetter in Europe's rapidly changing audiovisual industry. The company provides AV professionals with both rental and installation services. Its broad rental pool, which comprises Barco's full range of projection and image processing systems, is now being extended with the new compact HDX-W18, the very bright HDF-W26 and top-of-range HDQ-2K40 projectors.

Thierry Heldenbergh, managing director, AED Display comments, "We are very excited about these new add-o

USA - Christie Lites has opened a Nashville office and warehouse, the latest additions to its multi-office network of full service stage lighting supply locations across North America.

Effective immediately, the Christie Lites Rental Rep team will support clients from its newest regional office location within the Soundcheck complex at 740 Cowan St. in Nashville.

Equipment support of the full CL range of lighting and rigging equipment will come from Christie Lites' new warehouse and prep location in the Nashville suburb of Antioch. The 50,000sq.ft. high volume facility is located at 650 Dana Way.

Shannon Scott, long time industry professional from Huntsville AL, has joined the Rental Rep team and is based in the new Nashville location. Scott started in the industry in 1997 in operations and quickly began touring with such acts as Hank Williams Jr. He was most recently a seni

UK - An audience of over 700 Yorkshire business people paid and turned up to hear worldly wisdom and wit at the 17th Yorkshire International Business Convention, held in Leeds.

Over the past 17 years, the event has brought together some of the world's most inspirational and influential speakers, from Bill Clinton to Mikhail Gorbachev. This year's sell-out event was run in a purpose-built marquee at Wellington Place, Leeds with a parallel presentation at Bridlington Spa and a two-way helicopter taxi service for the speakers. The Leeds event was the last in the series, although YIBC will continue to be staged at Bridlington Spa.

The complete audio visual production was supplied by Saville Audio Visual, providers of the AV technology for practically all previous YIBC events. Saville technical project manager, Richard Zamberlan said, "Holding the event in a marquee brings its

Germany - Last month, all Germany was gripped with football fever. In addition to record TV ratings, the fans who gathered in vast numbers in front of giant screens all over the country to watch live relays of its performances underlined the popularity of the German national team. In arenas, including the stadiums in Kiev and Lviv where the matches were being contested, as well as at football parties all over Germany, sound reinforcement from Bosch Communications Systems provided the competition with acoustic support - whatever the size of the gathering.

In Dresden, the excitement was delivered in XXL format. Every time trainer Jogi Löw's team took to the field, around 12,000 fans assembled at the Königsufer on the banks of the Elbe to follow the action. To get them really geed up, the organizers (the City of Dresden and the company that produces the city's film nights) hired

USA - Norway's projectiondesign has supplied core technology to Electrosonic for the new building of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. Electrosonic was the main contractor involved with the installation of audiovisual equipment and systems throughout the building.

Electrosonic was tasked with delivering AV systems that met the needs of media consultancy RomeAntics and media designer and producer Local Projects.

"Almost all the smaller screens at the NMAJH that require projection use projectiondesign," explains Bryan Abelowitz, system sales consultant at Electrosonic.

Depending on the throw distance, image brightness and resolution required at each location, Electrosonic selected projectiondesign F12, F22, or F32 projectors, and Abelowitz is pleased with their size and performance.

Anders Løkke, marketing director, projectionde

UAE - Dubai-based AV company, MediaPro International, recently fielded three Christie Roadie HD+35K projectors (along with two Christie HD18K 3-chip DLP projectors) to beam the action for the Etisalat Pro League football finals - a major event in the Abu Dhabi city of Al Ain.

Contracted by Al Ain Football Club, the production company ensured that the high output 35,000 lumens projectors, brought the event to life for the 11,000 people who gathered in the Tahnoun bin Mohamed Stadium, showing HD content and bespoke graphics throughout the event.

Images were projected onto a huge 60m x 90m canvas, using the Christie Twist module in the projectors, with the show run through a Dataton Watchout system.

With a throw distance of around 55 metres, MediaPro used 1.45-1.8:1 zoom lens on the projectors, which were mounted on scaffolding platforms positioned in the upper grandstand. This

UK - Conceived and sponsored by Saville Audio Visual in partnership with De Vere Venues Whites, the first ever Conference North attracted an enthusiastic audience to Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

Chairman Richard John introduced a team of leading events industry professionals to debate the benefits and the development of blended, or hybrid, events in some detail. The viability and effectiveness of the eStream streaming solution was clearly demonstrated on the day, with 25% of the audience watching and interacting online as remote participants.

Topics and questions from the room and from the online audience were discussed, broadcast and captured, using the Saville iDEA iPad platform to sample opinions and display results on screen. Nearly half the audience comprised professional event organisers and 60% saw the benefits to accessing a wider audience coupled with the ability to respo

Music in Schools - Violinist Nicola Benedetti has attacked the spending squeeze on music tuition in schools. She said young people needed a cultural identity to replace their obsession with celebrities and in becoming a celebrity. Benedetti began violin lessons at the age of five and went on to attend the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey. The 25-year-old told the Radio Times, "I'm fiercely furious about the provision of music in schools."

Benedetti secured a £2m, six-album record contract after winning BBC Young Musician of the Year at 16 and has risen to international fame. She has also been involved in supporting the Big Noise orchestra in Raploch, Stirling - inspired by the Venezuelan El Sistema scheme to help poorer children. The violinist said: "So many people up and down the country are trying to create a better foundation for musical education.

UK - Green Hippo is excited to introduce Mercedes Stevao-Boase as a new member of the marketing team. Mercedes joined Green Hippo as their 'Marketing Executive' and she will be responsible for increasing the brands online presence via numerous social media platforms and other tools.

Asked why she wanted to work for Green Hippo Mercedes explained: "When I first saw the advert for this job I realised it combined a number of different interests that I love. Going through the interview process the atmosphere of the office was brilliant. Everyone genuinely loved the product, what they did and their team and you could see it from the way they spoke. It's something I felt I had to be a part of and being able to do what I love in such a nice environment, with the best in the industry just sealed the deal for me."

Mercedes has a BA (Hons) in Arts and Event Management and prev

Australia - "The Prime Minister's Olympic Dinner has become the signature lead-up event in preparation for the Games - to recognise and support those who have been selected to represent Australia in London by raising vital additional funds to support our Olympic team" says Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia.

The Prime Minister's 8th Olympic Dinner, produced by Multiple Award Winning producers -Peter Jones Special Events, held at the Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, raised over $2m dollars for our Australian Olympic Team, competing at next month's Games.

VIP's included former Prime Ministers, Over 60 past and present Olympians, along with corporate guests.

Entertainment for the evening included a star studded line up featuring Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne Philharmonic Choir, Delta Goodrem, Todd McKenny, David Hobson, Silvie Paladino, Mar

UK - As booking opened at 9am this morning, strong exhibitor numbers, record breaking pre-registration figures and a new focus on content provision were creating a buzz about PLASA 2012. With four brand new theatres and 80 free-to-attend sessions split into nine new themes, these exciting developments underpin PLASA's commitment to providing an unparalleled experience for visitors and remaining a leader in the provision of education, professional development and knowledge sharing across our industry.

PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths comments, "PLASA runs events to provide quality business opportunities, education and thought leadership. The PLASA Show in London is the only entertainment technology event to reinvest its revenue back into the industry it serves - anything that is not invested back into the show is used to help develop technical standards, certification and qualifi

South Africa - For almost two decades, Johan Stemmet has presented the much-loved South African music game show, Noot vir Noot. When he contacted technical company Blond Productions, it was to tell them of a new thought - the creation of a fresh game show called Musiek Trivia which would be aired on Kyknet, DSTV.

The quiz show would have two contestants competing against each other not unlike the popular Weakest Link, but strictly focussing on music trivia. It was important to have a polished production with a 'wow' factor.

Blond Productions' Pieter Rieck and Christian Ballot worked on ESP Vision to present three potential designs. In fact, Blond were requested to come up with the technical and set design. They worked on their faithful grandMA.

The television studio at ZSE from which Musiek Trivia is broadcast, is a small, compact area. Blond Productions

UK - XL Events, commissioned by the TRO Group, supplied a specially constructed circular LED screen for Nissan's stand in the main exhibition area of the 2012 Festival of Speed, held at the Goodwood Estate, Chichester.

The stand was showcasing Nissan's rugged Juke crossover vehicle under the 'Built to Thrill' banner. Over the Festival of Speed weekend, fans were treated to a virtual skydiving experience.

XL Events' display, measuring six metres in diameter, was made up of lightweight Pixled F-11 LED, mounted on to a circular Litebeam truss. The circular display was flown just off centre of the main stand and displayed facts and figures about the Nissan Juke throughout the Festival of Speed weekend.

Rich Pow project manager for XL events worked with Matt Price from the TRO Group both before and during the event:

"It was a pleasure to work with Matt," said Pow. &qu

UK - HHB Communications has supplied a host of equipment for new production rooms at the recently opened NGY myplace facility in Nottingham.

This project involved the conversion of the basement of the city centre Grade II listed building into a set of professional specified production rooms comprised of an impressive suite of music, radio and video studios for young people in the community. The design and contraction of the facility was carried out by The Studio People while HHB supplied equipment and commissioning services.

NGY myplace Nottingham opened this April as part of a collaborative project run by Nottingham City Council. The basement facility includes a music production studio, two radio studios, TV production, performance space and a digital-media classroom. The equipment chosen for the facility includes an Audient ASP8024 mixing console, Sonifex S2 radio mixers, So

UK - XL Video supplied production company Ear To The Ground and the band Elbow with LED screens, PPU / cameras, a Catalyst media server system and crew for a sold out performance at the Jodrell Bank Observatory & Centre for Astrophysics near Manchester.

The majestic 76m wide Lovell Radio Telescope was also used during Elbow's performance as a projection screen, with Pod Bluman Associates also taking a feed from XL's PPU system and projecting onto the Telescope using 6 overlaid 20K projectors.

Additionally, XL - whose Paul Wood is project managing - is supplying a touring video package spec'd by video director Jon Shrimpton for Elbow's festival itinerary.

Onstage at the Jodrell Bank event, Pixled F-11 LED screen was arranged in five upstage columns of three different sizes - designed by Shrimpton - who mixed the IMAG cameras using a Grass Valley Kayak switcher.

Of the 11 ca

Spain - XL Video supplied LED screens, cameras/PPU, mapping and projection for the recent International Music Summit in Ibiza. Working together with The Shop Ibiza & IMS, XL Video provided two Barco O-Lite 510 curved LED screens which greeted delegates in the reception of Ibiza Gran Hotel, Marina Botafoch, as they arrived for the conference.

For the Gran Finale show, XL Video was tasked with providing a spectacular projection on to the Cathedral above Dalt Vila.

Unlike the usual preparation for a projection mapping project, the mapping had to be done based on photographs and on-site measurements, and then line-up and programming were done on location in Ibiza by XL Events' technical director, David Mulcahy.

Special permissions were required to turn off the architectural lighting on the buildings and a set of custom masks were applied to ensure the projections didn't spread t

UK - BAE Systems created an immersive and engaging set to bring their key messages to life at Farnborough International Air Show using the world's largest flat panel display, the 152" Panasonic Plasma.

Farnborough International Air Show took place on the 9-15 July, welcoming both trade and consumer visitors. Digital production company Mediastation worked alongside BAE Systems' event partner Rapiergroup and trade AV rental specialist PSCo Rental to design the content and manage the logistics for this iconic screen.

Mediastation ensured that the 152" plasma was used to its full capabilities, designing 3D and interactive 4k resolution content using the Hummingbird platform to transform the screen from a static display to a gesture recognition hub.

Doug Fidler, creative director of Mediastation explained, "Nothing like this has ever been seen before in the defence

UK - Harting can now supply a range of connectivity solutions based on high-density cabling for HD video signal transfer applications in outside broadcast vans and production trucks as well as modular flight-case "flyaway" suites and de-rig systems.

Included in the range are new compact 75-ohm coaxial contacts for mounting in Harting's latest DIN41626 compatible high-density 12-way multi-module, which increases existing packing density by an additional 50% within the rugged IP 65 Han-Modular(R) series connectors.

Different coaxial contacts are suitable for use with specific industry standard RG-59 and lightweight RG-179 video cables, allowing SMPTE 292M HD-SDI 1.5 GHz and up to SMPTE 424M HD 1080p/60 3.0 GHz signal transfer.

Associated crimp termination tooling is also available. Harting ensures controlled connector mating through the use of additional alignment gu

UK - XL Events recently travelled to Goodwood and supplied a range of video and audio equipment to Red Bull for their 'Gridsters' structure at the Festival of Speed. XL Events was commissioned to provide equipment for the project by Jaie Genadt, production manager at Red Bull's long-term events production partners, Innovision.

Over the four-day weekend at the Goodwood Estate, the Red Bull stand played host to their Gridsters contest, which saw 16 young finalists compete against each other for the title of the UK's best racing gamer.

The site also played host to appearances by F1 drivers, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, and Daniel Ricciardo, as well as a visit from moto trials rider Dougie Lampkin, who crashed the upstairs VIP area on his bike!

"Having worked with Innovision on a number of projects, we love the challenges which both they and Red Bull set us," states

UK - Green Hippo has appointed Suzy Casserley as a new member of the technical support and product testing team. Suzy began interning at Green Hippo as part of the technical support team when she was studying a BA Hons Degree in Lighting Programming at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance.

"Suzy finished her studies at the end of July 2012 and 'really enjoyed her time as an intern' so was excited for the opportunity to work at Green Hippo once she had finished her course. Suzy's previous experience made her ideal for the position and is already experienced within the technical support area. She enjoys rock climbing and often works as a lighting programmer for shows, therefore truly embracing the whole live entertainment industry," says the company.

Another new recruit is Ryan Bye, who joins the development team. Ryan studied at Warwick University and recen

UK - coolux Pandoras Box 5.1 software release is now available and will be highlighted by its UK distributor TMB at the PLASA Show (9-12 September, Earls Court).

Building on the success of Pandoras Box Version 5.0 launched at PLASA last fall, over 50 distinct improvements and upgrades have been added, including Media Encryption, 3D Warping, and a new Matrix Patcher.

"The new user-friendly Version 5.1 software package makes Pandoras Box a yet more powerful creative tool, uniting state-of-the-art rendering technology with intuitive live media and show control," says the company.

Features and improvements include:

New Matrix Patcher: Relocate individual pixels for creative setups when working with conventional LED processors, e.g. Barco, Daktronics, Galaxia/Winvision etc. A time-saver for repositioning pixels, even with unconventional LED fixture shapes.

Timeline

UK - If, like the rest of the world, you were completely blown away by the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the technical teams responsible for turning Danny Boyle's vision into reality!

The first session to be revealed in The Olympics Uncovered programme at PLASA 2012, Backstage at the London 2012 Ceremonies is your chance to hear technical director, Piers Shepperd, and team present an overview of the mega staging, flying, audio, AV and special effects behind the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies.

The bumper line-up includes:

Piers Shepperd - technical director

Jeremy Lloyd - technical manager - technical design and staging

James Lee - technical manager - aerial & closing ceremonies

Nick Jones - technical manager - lighting AV and power

Scott Buchanan - technical manager - services and special projects

UK - The PAI Group has delivered an integrated display and digital media scheme - incorporating advanced high brightness window displays from Paradigm AV - for DFS' first high street store, which has opened on Tottenham Court Road in central London.

The retail space marks the debut of the sofa brand's new design concept that has been developed to complement the company's latest advertising campaign.

DFS appointed design consultants 20.20 to devise the in-store experience, with the overall aim to appeal to the urban demographic. The furniture retailer had aspirations for technology that could be easily incorporated within the shop fit to display their digital media content, devised by advertising agency Krow Communications.

Following previous project successes with 20.20, the PAI Group was asked to realise the technical visions of the design team, successfully harnessing tech

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