AV News July 2023

The direct channel to the industry

Midwich acquires SF Marketing Inc

Midwich Group has announced that it has acquired SF Marketing Inc (SFM), a value-added distributor of AV technologies to the Canadian market. Based in Montreal, SFM was founded by Sol Fleising in 1978 and has grown to become one of the leading specialist AV distributors in Canada. With a strong heritage in th solution-driven professional audio market, the business operates with high-end market leading brands such as Shure, QSC, and Pioneer DJ. In

Immersive AV in the future of retail!

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Visual technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and projection mapping can all be used to create immersive and engaging experiences for the retailer

Randal, along with the existing leadership team, will remain with the business to lead the Company’s ongoing development and Sol will continue to consult on behalf of the Company for a period following completion.

At the core of SFM’s distribution offering has always been a focus on providing high levels of customer service and support, particularly through its Technical Application Group. This internal team supports customers with a broad suite of pre- and post-

AV innovations in museums and galleries

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Post-pandemic, museums and galleries are investing, with UK government support, to offer visitors a novel and immersive experiences.

LG unveils new ecommerce store

LG Electronics (LG) has unveiled a new and enhanced website for its UK shoppers, offering a highly customer-focused experience helping people to explore, shop and compare products and promotions with ease. The new LG.com website is now live and is packed with vibrant design and interactive elements. It boasts a range of new features including the company’s symbol coming to life, engaging customers with a new level of expressiveness. This refresh coincides with LG’s recently announced new brand direction and visual identity, which shares further insight into the Life’s Good mantra, delivered through a more dynamic and youthful look and feel across all physical and dig-

With its new capabilities, the brand symbol can greet customers with a friendly smile or move along with background music on digital platforms in a variety of entertaining ways.

Additional features include improving search, with visitors simultaneously receiving recommended search keywords, related products and related content when using the search toolbar. These add enhanced navigation and increase the suggested information to seamlessly identify the product being searched for. An updated Chatbot service also provides a single, seamless digital experience and offers Quick Widget touch points for further improving navigation for shoppers. Purchase features have been

new payment methods (Google Pay, Apple Pay and Trustly).

“The launch of our new online store is an important part of improving our customer journey. More than ever people are utilising multiple touch points when they research brands and shop items”, said Bumseop Lee, President of LG Electronics UK. “The website’s design will help us to better communicate our brand’s warmth and innovation while providing customers with new and more engaging ways to effortlessly compare and explore our extensive range of products.”

Brand of the Year” award by consumer champions Which? for the fourth consecutive year. This award is testament to LG’s unwavering commitment to create high quality and innovative consumer focused products that provide new experiences and help our customers’ lead better lives.

Commenting on the Award, Which? Chief Executive, Anabel Hoult, said, “The Which? Awards judging standards are incredibly high, so to be named as a winner is a huge achievement - something only given to the best of the best. LG has once again scooped the Home Entertainment Brand of the Year Award. LG has really upped the ante in the quality of their

“The Canadian AV market is important globally, and so it was important that we found a high-quality business to partner with. SF Marketing is such a business, with high customer service levels and market-leading technical support.”

recent years the Company has expanded its technology offering, and now provides brands such as Blackmagic Design, BirdDog, Visionary Solutions, Christie and Sony for the professional video and broadcast markets.

Sol has remained active in the business since its inception and in 2014 handed over the reins of the day-to-day operations to Randal Tucker as President.

sale services including, amongst other things acoustic modelling, CAD design and drawing support, network review and pre-qualification as well as training courses.

Stephen Fenby, the Midwich Group Managing Director, commented: “We are delighted to welcome the SFM team to the Midwich Group. The Canadian

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ital customer touch points. The brand symbol, composed of the letters ‘L’ and ‘G,’ can perform eight unique motions, including nodding, spinning and winking.

updated, with an additional page created exclusively for payment for greater customer convenience, as well as a direct checkout function and three

LG scoops Which? “Home Entertainment Brand of the Year”

2023

LG has been awarded the prestigious “Home Entertainment

soundbars and has produced this year’s highest-scoring TV.”

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Midwich acquires SF Marketing Inc

market-leading technical support. The time we have spent with Randal and the rest of the team gives us great confidence that we can work together to build an even stronger business serving the Canadian market. Sol should be rightly proud of

myself for so many years in the hands of the current management team, supported by the Midwich Group. In Midwich, I'm confident that SFM has found the right partner to continue providing the extremely high level of service our suppliers and customers have come to expect, and to continue building on the outstanding reputation for service that we've established in the Canadian market. SFM's legacy could not be in better hands.”

DHD promotes Marc Herrmann to Managing Director

the business he built and passed over to the team to manage and develop. “

Sol Fleising, the SF Marketing Inc, Founder and Chairman, commented:

“After 45 years in the business, it's very gratifying for me to see the business to which I devoted

Randal Tucker, the SF Marketing Inc, President & CEO, commented: “We at SFM were spoiled for choice when it came to potential partners, but it was clear very early on in our conversations that Midwich was different from the others. In addition to an undeniably strong cultural fit between our organisations, the Midwich Group has a proven history of acquiring well-functioning organisations like ours and facilitating their growth, while respecting each company's unique regional character. We're thrilled to be joining them and look forward to leveraging the group's knowledge and resources to continually create great experiences for our employees and business partners.”

DHD audio (www.dhd-audio. com) has announced a new addition to the company board with the promotion of Marc Herrmann to managing director, working alongside Joerg M. Deubner and Anne Philipp. He succeeds Sven Hoffmann who co-founded DHD in 1996 together with Joerg M. Deubner. Sven Hoffmann will remain available to the company as a consultant and software developer. Graduating as a Bachelor of Engineering (Media and Acoustical Engineering) and Master of Business Administration, Marc Herrmann commenced his audio industry career in 2012 as a live sound and event technician, progressing to web and interface design. He joined DHD in 2016, working initially in technical support before joining the product management team where he set DHD’s technical advance-

Strong growth for PSNI Global Alliance

PSNI Global Alliance, the global network of premier technology integrators and service providers, continues its global growth momentum with the announcement of new Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) to reinforce its worldwide influence for higher AV standards. An 18-month period of remarkable growth has seen PSNI now established as the largest professional AV alliance in the world by territory and revenue, with the latest additions amplifying their presence across the world, from India and Southeast Asia to Europe and the US.

John Fuchs, director of membership for the Alliance states: “Since 1986, The Alliance has been focused on aligning the very best of the AV industry, for the benefit of customers and their customers’ customers. Today, we enjoy a truly global footprint, and we are delighted to welcome our latest, proven certified solution providers.” He adds: “We receive hundreds of applications to the Alliance, but only after a thorough test of criteria do we select businesses that bring obvious strengths and standards. With these latest additions, we have strengthened our Global offering for other Certified Solution Providers that can benefit from their expertise, knowledge and experience.”

The seven new CSPs to join the Alliance since April are:

•AVITron: Formed in 1996, AVITron is one of the key players in the audiovisual space in the Philippines.

•Sigma AVIT: A specialist professional audiovisual service provider from India providing

design, consultation, and system integration.

•OEC: Located in Boise, Idaho, OEC has been creating amazing interior workspaces for over 30 years.

•Cotive: Cotive is a system integrator for AV solutions in Germany, close to Frankfurt am Main, with over 30 years of experience.

•mevis.tv: Starting in 2001 and headquartered in Stuttgart, mevis.tv delivers innovative media technology that meets the highest demands.

•PRO Video: PRO Video GmbH in Berlin has been a pioneer in the world of media technology, conference technology, and broadcast for more than 30 years.

•VERREX: Founded in 1947, Verrex is an integration specialist with PSNI licensed offices in Boston and New Jersey.

According to PSNI Executive Director, Chris Miller, “The addition of these new CSPs brings an added layer of expertise to their respected territory. Each brings its own specialist knowledge, whether that be in managed services, workplace design or advanced digital signage and we look forward to absorbing this knowledge into the Alliance.”

The latest announcements crown a fantastic financial quarter for the Alliance. Along with continuous growth of its Certified Solution Providers and Preferred Vendor Partners (PVPs), the Alliance recently enjoyed a successful PSNI Marketing Summit. Led by PSNI marketing and communications director Hailey Klein, the summit saw over 60+ attendees from manufacturing and integration com-

panies of The Alliance, learning about latest marketing trends and practices, and how the Alliance can utilize its diverse skills for improved communication and customer engagement. “We are always looking to learn ways to improve service for our customers and marketing is a vital component that can be a huge help,” said Klein. “By bringing our Alliance marketing teams together, we can explore best practices, learn new methods and drill down into data that supports actions. Most importantly, we can learn from each other. The feedback from our summit attendees has been excellent and we look forward to seeing our sessions in action!”

PSNI represents licensed service and integration offices in 61 countries spanning across 6 continents. Affiliation with The Alliance is a commitment to embrace standardization, best-practices, global support, and client satisfaction as one unified voice in the audiovisual industry.

ment vision, managed development and collaborated with the company’s specialist teams. His new role includes responsibility for product and software development with a focus on maintaining DHD’s leadership in the creation of advanced digital audio systems for use in audio production studios and broadcast stations.

DHD audio (www.dhd-audio. com) has announced a new addition to the company board with the promotion of Marc Herrmann to managing director.

“Marc has contributed strongly to DHD’s success in recent years, notably with the development of our state-of-the-art SX2, RX2, DX2 and TX2 audio mixers as well as the XC3 and XD3 audio processors and our industry-leading suite of integrated WebApps,” says Joerg M. Deubner. “He combines in-depth experience of the broadcast audio industry at both a business level and technical level, plus a proven understanding of IP-related software design. He is also an excellent team leader.”

“DHD is a very motivating company to work with as the entire team is committed to excellence,” Marc Herrmann adds. “Together, we have created the most robust and user-friendly products in the market. As the broadcast media business increasingly embraces IP connectivity, my goal is to sustain DHD's focus on innovation while elevating our products through new technologies.”

Exertis and Poly launch ‘Exertis Voice’ platform

Leading distributor Exertis has announced the launch of ‘Exertis Voice’ its new UC (Unified Communications) platform which unveiled to an audience of resellers and business customers. Hosted by both Exertis Voice and Poly, the exciting launch event featured speakers presenting on how, together, the two companies can prepare delegates for the telecoms industry’s shift to digital following the PSTN and ISDN switch off in 2025. Presenters included Rik Hubbard (Cloud Services Director, Exertis Cloud), Steve Jobburns (UC&C Manager, Exertis Voice), Nick Birtwistle (CEO, Boom), and Geoff Towns (Head of Enterprise Services, Exertis). During these talks, resellers enjoyed demos of Exertis Voice and Poly devices, learned how to find opportunities for them in the market, and heard an exclusive announcement regarding joint Exertis Voice and Poly deals.

Currently, 42% of SMEs are still using analogue PSTN and ISDN lines to support their digital solutions. But in 2025, these will be switched off in favour of digital and cloud-based solutions. In today’s ‘working from anywhere’ modern environment, Exertis Voice solutions and Poly hardware offer multiple benefits – and can make the transition from analogue to digital seamless for customers, while helping them differentiate themselves as a trusted partner during this time of change. Exertis Voice offers a converged, feature-rich product that’s easy to use, scalable between one and thousands of users, and backed up by Exertis-managed services (including a dedicated 24/7 support team). It brings together the best of Unified Com-

ms, Software as a Service (SaaS) and deep analytics to power businesses of any size, and features mobile PBX, MS Teams integration, advanced analytics, call recordings with sentiment analysis and transcriptions, call centre features, video conferencing and more.

Steve Jobburns, UC&C Manager at Exertis Voice, said: “2.5 million businesses are still using traditional phone lines, and there’s a huge opportunity for resellers to align themselves with a solution that can help them not only navigate this new approach, but to benefit from it. Exertis Voice and Poly provide telecoms solutions that enable resellers to help customers succeed in a hybrid work environment, completely stress-free. Exertis Voice offers competitive packages that are unlike anything else on the market, with a fully converged solution. The flexible and programmable features that Exertis Voice can provide enables the ideal solution for customers of any size to make their telephony cloud based. There’s never been a more important time to act.”

Stephen Fenby, the Midwich Group Managing Director, commented: “We are delighted to welcome the SFM team to the Midwich Group.

PSNI marketing and communications director Hailey Klein

Steve Jobburns, UC&C Manager at Exertis Voice

Avocor vendor partnership with Exclusive Networks across APAC

Avocor has extended its partnership with Exclusive Networks (EN), an APAC-based digital infrastructure specialist. The two companies will work together on delivering cutting-edge interactive collaboration solutions including Teams, Zoom and Google Meet rooms, as well as packaged solutions for all types of video conference applications. Dana Corey, SVP & GM of Global Sales at Avocor, said: “We are excited to be expanding Avocor’s global reach into the APAC region through our partnership with Exclusive Networks - a well-established VAD with a strong track record of success in the territory. The EN team have a deep understanding of the local market, as well as a proven ability to sell well-packaged UC solutions to an expanding portfolio of new and existing customers, across many different verticals. I’m very much looking forward to working with them.”

“We are extremely gratified to have been chosen by Avocor as their exclusive value-added distributor for the APAC region,” said Todd Robertson, APAC Vendor Manager at Exclusive Networks. “Avocor products are the ultimate visual collaboration display endpoint, and their product range perfectly complements many of the existing brands we represent. Our partnership is full of possibilities and I’m really looking forward to working with Avocor to deliver meeting equity and brilliance for our mutual customers.”

EN will be focusing on including Avocor displays as part of their Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and Ring Central ‘Poly conference’ solution bundles. The company also has Huddly and Unify in its portfolio, so with the existing alignment between the companies offering many opportunities, future packaged solutions are already in the pipeline.

Utelogy expands global Utelligence Program with Sony partnership

Dana Corey, SVP & GM of Global Sales at Avocor: “We are excited to be expanding Avocor’s global reach into the APAC region through our partnership with Exclusive Networks - a well-established VAD with a strong track record of success in the territory.”

Ricoh Latin America and Kramer forge collaboration alliance

Ricoh Latin America and Kramer announced that they have signed an exclusive strategic alliance for the Latin American region. The alliance aims to provide effective and intuitive end-

interactive displays with the Windows 11 operating system, which is ideal for corporate applications as required by companies.

From innovative wireless pre-

partnership with Kramer is another significant step in our drive to accelerate customers' digital adoption, providing enriched learning and collaborative work experiences with greater flexibil-

Utelogy Corporation has announced the expansion of its Utelligence Program for A/V and UC device standardisation. In a strategic partnership with Sony, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies and a trusted manufacturer of cutting-edge displays and professional solutions, Utelogy now offers enhanced support for Sony’s Professional BRAVIA displays and VPL series of laser projectors, with upcoming support for SRG and BRC line of PTZ and Remote cameras. This collaboration brings a host of advantages to end-user customers, integrators, and Managed Service Providers.

Through this partnership, Utelogy users can expect seamless integration of Sony’s Professional BRAVIA Displays and VPL series projectors with the Utelogy Platform, resulting in proactive alerts and monitoring capabilities for an unparalleled user experience. Users will gain complete insight and management of the Sony Professional BRAVIA system, including the ability to launch popular Smart TV apps such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and more, retrieve and adjust display settings, reboot devices, and power them on and off effortlessly. Supported Sony display technologies can be swiftly and easily integrated, making Sony an ideal partner for Utelogy's Utelligence Program. These integrations fulfil all the necessary requirements for control, monitoring, and security, earn-

ing the prestigious designation of Utelligent+: “We are thrilled to collaborate with one of the industry's leading manufacturers of professional displays, projectors, and cameras,” expressed Kevin Morrison, CEO, Utelogy.

“The Utelligence standard, featuring secure and robust APIs for seamless integration has emerged as a powerful force in our industry. It allows us to build partnerships cantered around security and prioritize the voice of the end-user.”

The Utelogy Platform is continuously pushing boundaries and enriching its features through collaborations and partnerships with prominent manufacturers like Sony. Together, they are forging a “single pane of glass” management and monitoring solution that delivers an exceptional user experience while reducing total cost of ownership.

“Creating valuable connections is at the heart of everything Sony does, whether it’s through our customers, our partners, or the

technology we develop,” said Rich Ventura, Vice President, Professional Display Solutions, Sony Electronics. “Our new integrations with Utelogy, through their respected Utelligence Program, reinforce this notion. We’re proud to provide our joint customers with beneficial ways to seamlessly manage and monitor connected classrooms and workplaces using their favoured tools and platforms – which now provide even more powerful integration and peace of mind.” Through this partnership, Utelogy reaffirms its commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional value to its customers. The integration of Sony’s professional BRAVIA displays and VPL projector line with the Utelogy Platform represents a significant leap forward in providing a comprehensive solution for enterprise device standardization.

Nureva joins GPA’s Global Partner Program

to-end solutions across various sectors (corporate, education, healthcare, etc.) to deliver audio visual experiences that enhance creativity, collaboration, and interaction in a hybrid world. This strategic alliance leverages the complementary expertise and strengths of both companies, enabling organisations in any industry to offer cutting-edge audiovisual experiences to their users, facilitating seamless communication, connection, idea collaboration, and the exchange of perspectives.

Ricoh Latin America offers interactive displays that integrate the Android operating system and a range of pre-installed applications. These displays allow for the viewing of MS Office documents, annotation directly on the documents with the ability to save them on the board or in the cloud, web browsing, and screen sharing, among other functions. Ricoh also provides

sentation and collaboration, revolutionary room control built in the cloud, to web-based AV network management, Kramer is setting a new standard for

ity to meet their needs. Our goal is to deliver a strong and robust value proposition, equipping organizations with the necessary tools to work, collaborate, and create smarter through the use of innovative technologies,” comments Jesús Santiago, Vice President of Sales at Ricoh Latin America.

AV/IT convergence upon an open ecosystem. The company is committed to providing the best products, solutions, and services, and remaining the allround choice for the enterprise, education, and government markets. “We are proud to announce this alliance. Ricoh's

“Today, Kramer focuses on delivering products, solutions, and services with a customer-centric approach, constantly listening to the market to help end-users stay more connected than ever. The goal of this alliance is to leverage the extensive expertise of both companies to provide all types of high-quality audiovisual experiences. With a reputation established over 40 years, we provide reliable and high-performance solutions for various industries worldwide,” explained Amit Ancikovsky, Kramer President Americas.

GPA, the world’s largest AV integrator, has announced that Nureva has joined the GPA Global Partner Program. GPA customers will have the opportunity to choose Nureva’s high-performing, full-featured audio systems for larger spaces that are dramatically easier to install, set up, deploy and manage compared to traditional pro AV systems. This will simplify and scale the delivery and support of these spaces for enterprise customers around the world, reducing the stress and the cost for these large-scale installations. Combining Nureva’s presence across 35 countries and six continents with GPA’s unmatched global footprint, customers around the world can rest easy in the knowledge that their unified communications and collaboration strategy is supported by a team with a truly global perspective. Mike Stead, GPA’s director of global partnerships commented: “GPA teams have been fans of Nureva’s audio solutions for years, being easy to wall-mount, set up and operate across large, multifunctional spaces. This partnership brings global alignment, enterprise program management and support

for all 51 GPA countries and every customer. Nureva have already displayed the passion and focus critical to global partnership, and we look forward to deepening the relationship.”

“We are very excited to be working with GPA on introducing our solutions to their global customer base,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “The unique combination of performance and simplicity makes Nureva systems an ideal fit for cost-effective global deployments.” Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO: “We are very excited to be working with GPA on introducing our solutions to their global customer base.”

Ricoh Latin America offers interactive displays that integrate the Android operating system and a range of pre-installed applications.

Optimal Audio appoints AVCOM Columbia as a distributor

Award-winning UK manufacturer Optimal Audio has announced the Appointment of AVCOM as its exclusive distributor in Columbia. Optimal Audio, part of the Focusrite Group, manufactures of a one-stop solution of controllers, amplifiers and loudspeakers for small to medium sized commercial installations, with a focus on supporting multi-zoned venues. Its streamlined product-offering works seamlessly to deliver simple-to-install, high quality sound systems that can be easily operated by anyone, not just engineers.

Based in Bogotá, AVCOM is a leading distributor of products and solutions for the audiovisual sector and represents a number of leading global brands in the region. Its vastly experienced team of engineers supports

Tukans appointed UK distributor for Blaze Audio

AVCOM’s ability to advise, install, supervise and provide technical support to its wide and strongly established customer base. The partnership was negotiated earlier this year at the ISE Show in Barcelona where AVCOM CEO Camilo Aranguren recognised the huge potential of Optimal Audio’s simplified and intuitive approach to commercial audio:

“We took a strong interest in the development of Optimal Audio and could see from the outset that the eco system it has created can offer our customers a high-quality solution that removes many of the traditional pitfalls of commercial audio.

It’s a fresh approach that keeps things simple for both installers and end-users, adding another strong dimension to our portfolio.”

Halo will play major role in crowds safety

Halo Solutions, the award-winning British tech company behind the world’s most intelligent crowd safety, incident and threat management platform, Halo (V5), is to deploy its live streaming drone technology Halo Stream to help combat protestor activity at major sporting events over the coming months.

It comes as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and the Sports Minister Lucy Frazer are to hold talks with senior sporting leaders, event organisers and the Police in an attempt to head off disruptive protests by groups such as Just Stop Oil and Animal Rising and to stop them from ‘ruining events’ at other sporting events over the summer.

The Halo Drone and Stream technology has been deployed to a recent series of major sporting and cultural events to monitor protestor activity, persons of interest, ticket touts and crowd safety. Using live streaming technology to the Halo (v5) incident and threat management system is a major enhancement to its capability and provides a vital link for building intelligence, surveillance, combatting environmental and animal rights protestor activity at major sporting events and assisting in counter terrorism surveillance and reconnaissance.

Some of the biggest sporting events in the UK have been targeted recently in a spate of attacks by a number of well organised and resourced protest groups. Major events including the Ashes 2nd Test Match at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the Grand National, the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final, the Scottish Grand National and Epsom Races have all been targeted, causing mass disruption and putting the safety of crowds and those participating at risk.

The Halo Drone and Stream system will also give vital frontline “eye-in-the-sky” support to counter terrorism, security and

Danish amplifier manufacturer, Blaze Audio, has partnered with York-based, Tukans, to distribute its range of commercial audio products in the UK. Blaze is a relatively young brand, only launching in 2021, but as a subsidiary of Pascal A/S, the leading OEM manufacturer of amplifier electronics for the pro audio industry, their technologies are already well proven in applications ranging from largescale sound touring line arrays to studio monitors. The Blaze product range currently consists of two series; PowerZone which includes two and four channel ultra-compact power amps capable of driving low impedance and 100V circuits and PowerZone Connect, a series of fully matrixed DSP amplifiers.

Michael Dagnall, Sales Manag-

The Blaze product range currently consists of two series; PowerZone which includes two and four channel ultra-compact power amps capable of driving low impedance and 100V circuits and PowerZone Connect, a series of fully matrixed DSP amplifiers.

er at Tukans explains: “Blaze is already a technology leader in professional audio. The Pow-

TD SYNNEX and Jabra

“TD SYNNEX and Jabra have a lot to offer each other and in combination we can offer even more to partners”, said James Reed, managing director, Endpoint Solutions, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX. “Jabra is an exciting brand, one of the fastest-growing vendors in the market and already well-established in the UK. By drawing and building on that reputation and making use of the un-paralleled market coverage and enhanced services of TD SYNNEX, partners have a great opportunity to grow their audio and conferencing sales. We’ll be investing to support partners in maximising the potential of Jabra, especially in the SMB space.”

safety strategies at major sporting events, according to Halo Solutions founder Lloyd Major, a crowd safety expert and former National Counter Terrorism Unit Specialist Tactical Support Officer.

With the marked increase of threats from protestor and activist attacks at major sporting events, the safety and security of crowds and event stakeholders has never been more important.

We have also seen increased terror threat levels domestically and overseas with a number of terrorist organisations and training camps active in Afghanistan. It is well known that Afghanistan has now become a safe space and haven for terrorist groups to train, operate and mount attacks against the West alongside other global geopolitical unrest. The integration of live video streaming from sources like drones, CCTV, body-worn video and mobile phones to our existing Halo (v5) incident and threat management platform really does play a significant role in countering protestor activity, identifying persons of interest and playing a proactive role in crowd safety and counter terrorism strategies. Combined with previous and existing event intelligence, we can provide proactive surveillance and reconnaissance direct to the control room.”

Mark Glasspool, senior director, UK, TD SYNNEX Maverick added: “Jabra’s meeting room and conferencing solutions deliver high performance and quality and that’s something

erZone Connect amplifiers are packed with features but have been designed to be really easy

to configure via their built-in web interface accessible through any smart device with Wi-Fi. Our customers appreciate their lives being made easier and this makes Blaze the cornerstone of our audio offering.” “As a growing entrepreneurial company, we need to work with distribution partners who share a similar philosophy” explains René Bahn, Sales Manager Northern Europe at Blaze Audio. “Tukans has a great track record of bringing innovative brands to market in the UK and we look forward to working with them and their integration partners to deliver some great projects.” The full range of Blaze Audio products are now available from the Tukans’ distribution centre in East Kilbride.

tion platforms, Jabra is a really valuable addition to our range that will deliver tremendous opportunities for our AV partners.”

As well as an extensive range of business and professional headphones, Jabra offers speakerphones and meeting room solutions, all of which have an important role to play in the modern hybrid workplace

all businesses and all audiovisual professionals appreciate.

It really adds to the strength of

our portfolio and with strategic partnerships it now has in place with all the leading collabora-

Nigel Dunn, vice president and managing director EMEA north at Jabra, said: “With its strong pedigree and extended reach in the SMB partner community, TD SYNNEX will continue to build Jabra’s presence in the UK channel. Our partners can now take full advantage of the experience and expertise that TD SYNNEX has to offer, and we’ll be working together to ensure all partners have the support they need.” Jabra’s products across its range of headphones, speakerphones and video collaboration solutions will be available to all partners from TD SYNNEX, whether their relationship is primarily with TD SYNNEX ndpoint ns or the TD SYNNEX Maverick business, ensuring consistency across the entire range.

LG’s new customer focused ecommerce store

LG Electronics (LG) has unveiled a new and enhanced website for its UK shoppers, offering a highly customer-focused experience helping people to explore, shop and compare products and promotions with ease. The

pressiveness.

This refresh coincides with LG’s recently announced new brand direction and visual identity, which shares further insight into the Life’s Good mantra, delivered through a more dy-

brand symbol can greet customers with a friendly smile or move along with background music on digital platforms in a variety of entertaining ways. Additional features include improving search, with visitors simultane-

An updated Chatbot service also provides a single, seamless digital experience and offers Quick Widget touch points for further improving navigation for shoppers.

Purchase features have been updated, with an additional page created exclusively for payment for greater customer convenience, as well as a direct checkout function and three new payment methods (Google Pay, Apple Pay and Trustly).

“The launch of our new online store is an important part of improving our customer journey. More than ever people are utilising multiple touch points when they research brands and shop items”, said Bumseop Lee, President of LG Electronics UK.

new LG.com website is now live and is packed with vibrant design and interactive elements. It boasts a range of new features including the company’s symbol coming to life, engaging customers with a new level of ex-

namic and youthful look and feel across all physical and digital customer touch points. The brand symbol, composed of the letters ‘L’ and ‘G,’ can perform eight unique motions, including nodding, spinning and winking. With its new capabilities, the

ously receiving recommended search keywords, related products and related content when using the search toolbar. These add enhanced navigation and increase the suggested information to seamlessly identify the product being searched for.

“The website’s design will help us to better communicate our brand’s warmth and innovation while providing customers with new and more engaging ways to effortlessly compare and explore our extensive range of products.”

LG Electronics (LG) has unveiled a new and enhanced website for its UK shoppers, with ease

Used by thousands worldwide, this affordable solution elevates engagement and empowers presenters. Utilising the latest anti-glare technology, the G-Touch® Sapphire ensures that content is always visible from any seat in the room. With crystal clear audio via the front facing speakers, it is ideal to incorporate video presentations. Along with 4K LED display technology, massively reducing the amount of electricity used to operate.

Included with every Sapphire screen is our SPARK II software. Designed to provide the presenter with an infinite canvas area, with the ability to run over the top of other applications allowing you to annotate and highlight and manipulate objects. You will also get access to the built in G-Touch® voting system that allows the presenter to create polls within seconds and the audience to scan a QR code and answer instantly.

Barco’s new LANG Iberia distribution partnership

Barco has signed a new partnership with LANG IBERIA. The announcement follows a successful agreement between Barco and LANG AG as its preferred distribution partner for projection and image processing in the DACH region. The new contract with LANG IBERIA covers the distribution rights for Barco projection and image processing solutions in Spain. LANG IBERIA is a German-Spanish distributor for visual presentation technology and its peripherals. The company provides professional video market with technical sup-

port as well as rental and sale of high-quality products. The Barco portfolio is not unknown to the distributor which set the standards for this new agreement. “In our rental park, we have been working successfully with Barco products for many years,” comments Tom Voncina, CEO LANG IBERIA. “We are convinced of the excellent quality and reliability of the devices. And so are our clients. That is why it is a logical conclusion to move closer to this partner and seal the cooperation with a distribution contract.”

Gregg Ringer Appointed as Director of Marketing at Northamber

Both companies, manufacturer and distributor, aim at working as complementary partners in strengthening and supporting each other in the mission towards delivering the best products and services. “LANG IBERIA has the right mindset,” adds Richard Marples, Sales Director IX at Barco. “They stand for quality and are open to innovation. As a distributor they’re always looking to bring the newest technologies to the market. And together, we can do that!”

RGB Communications and PureLink GmbH announce partnership

RGB Communications and PureLink GmbH have announced their strategic partnership aimed at delivering cutting-edge AV connectivity solutions to customers. This partnership brings together the extensive expertise and innovative product portfolios of RGB Communications and PureLink GmbH. RGB Communications has been at the forefront of the AV industry for over 30 years, offering a comprehensive range of AV products and solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers.

PureLink GmbH is renowned for its high-quality AV connectivity solutions, including PureInstall USB 3.2 USB-C Cables with E-Marker (PI6000) and a 2x1 4K 18Gbps Multiformat Presentation Switcher with KVM Set (PT-PSW-21KVM) designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability.

By joining forces, RGB Communications and PureLink GmbH aim to provide customers with a wider range of AV connectivity solutions and deliver enhanced value through their combined capabilities. This partnership will enable both companies to leverage their respective strengths and deliver comprehensive AV solutions that meet the increasing demand for seamless connectivity and exceptional audiovisual experiences. “We are thrilled to partner with PureLink GmbH,” said Caroline Britt, Managing Director of RGB Communications. “Their expertise in AV connectivity solutions perfectly complements our existing product offerings and we are particularly impressed with their innovative and installer friendly range of cables and are clearly at the forefront of the fast-emerging need to master USB-C connectivity in the modern meeting space. Together, we can deliver state-of-the-art AV solutions that empower our customers to create immersive and engaging audiovisual experiences”.

“While the commercial mar-

ket is rapidly moving towards smart workplace solutions and multi-purpose office space, the requirement to our channel becomes more and more demanding to deliver an integrated solution and bespoke project designs. RGB Communications are a technical distributor with deep know-how to address these new requirements and provide added value to the resellers. USB-C has fast become key technology with many challenges which PureLink is addressing with its advanced solutions. For RGB Communications this was an important aspect to team up with us and position our products in the UK market.” said Ron Guggenheim, Chief Growth Officer of PureLink GmbH. Both RGB Communications and PureLink GmbH are committed

Caroline Britt, Managing Director of RGB Communications:

“We are thrilled to partner with PureLink GmbH,” said Caroline Britt, Managing Director of RGB Communications. “Their expertise in AV connectivity solutions perfectly complements our existing product offerings and we are particularly impressed with their innovative and installer friendly range.”

to maintaining and expanding their product lines, providing excellent customer service, and driving innovation in the AV industry. This partnership marks a significant milestone in their respective journeys and underscores their commitment to delivering unmatched value and expertise to customers worldwide.

Northamber PLC has announced the appointment of Gregg Ringer as the company's new Director of Marketing & Communications. With his extensive experience, Ringer is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening Northamber's position in the industry. As the Director of Marketing & Communications, Gregg Ringer will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Northamber's marketing and communication strategies. His primary focus will be on driving brand awareness, enhancing customer engagement and expanding the company's reach in the competitive distribution market.

Ringer brings with him a wealth of expertise gained from his successful career in sales, marketing and communications across distribution and vendors spanning over two decades. He has a proven track record of spearheading impactful marketing campaigns, developing robust branding strategies, and fostering strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Ringer's strategic thinking and innovative approach to marketing will greatly contribute to Northamber's growth and success.

Northamber PLC has been a key player in the distribution market for over 40 years. The company has built a reputation for its comprehensive range of IT Infrastructure Solutions, Audio Visual and office products, combined with exceptional customer service and industry expertise. With a diverse portfolio of leading technology brands, Northamber has consistently delivered value to resellers, system integrators, and retailers across the United Kingdom.

In an ever-evolving industry, Northamber remains relevant by continuously adapting to market trends and providing tailored solutions to meet the changing needs of its customers. By partnering with renowned manufacturers and leveraging their extensive network, the company ensures a robust supply chain and offers innovative products that are in high demand. Gregg Ringer commented “Northamber is the longest established technology distributor in the UK and as such has a proven wealth of experience, knowledge, and value to offer to the channel. However, it is determined to deliver more, by creating the industry’s most seamless customer experience, with unrivalled technology expertise. Over the next 12 months the business will begin to introduce new and improved systems and procedures, all designed to improve its customer journey, from the online customer journey, through to its warehousing and logistics, and even the introduction of technology demonstration centres.” Gregg Ringer becomes one of the latest additions to Northamber’s vastly experienced teams across Audio Visual, Cyber Security, Document Management and Unified Communications.

New technology releases - plus InfoComm 2023 highlights!

InfoComm 2023 brought together the pro AV industry for a vibrant week of showcasing incredible technology innovations, a wide-ranging education program, and numerous networking events on June 10-16 in Orlando, Florida. Total registrants for InfoComm 2023 reached 36,639. The show welcomed 29,325 verified attendees from 115 countries. International attendance made up 20%. In addition, 37% were first-time attendees. More than 2,000 unique individuals participated in continuing education.

On the trade show floor, 700 exhibitors showcased pro AV products and solutions across 358,700 net square feet in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center. In addition, AV professionals with their goals set on earning the leading pro AV credential took their Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) exams at InfoComm. A total of 156 professionals earned their CTS at the show (112 earned their CTS, 27 attained CTS-D (Design), and 17 attained CTS-I (Installation). “It’s been an incredible week at InfoComm 2023 – seeing the power of such creative minds come together to show off pro AV solutions that enhance our world,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, CEO of AVIXA. “To witness an industry evolving in real-time is so inspirational. I know attendees will head home with countless new ideas and business connections – supercharged for months to come.”

“There were so many highlights from the show. If you ask 10 different attendees, you’ll surely get 10 different fantastic answers – innovative products and solutions, experiential components, education, integrated experience tours, and so much more,” said Rochelle Richardson, CEM, Senior Vice President of Expositions and Events, AVIXA. “There are numerous people that work together to make a big show like InfoComm a success – exhibitors, sponsors, attendees, speakers, media, the Orange County Convention Center, Freeman, and the AVIXA staff. From the hundreds of innovations on show at InfoComm 2023 and elsewhere this month, here is the AV News selection.

PPDS unveils finest Philips dvLED range to date?

PPDS announced the latest advance in its direct view LED portfolio, with the highly anticipated launch of the new, lower energy, Philips In-Room LED 6300 Series. Using common cathode 4-in-one mini LEDs (also known as IMDs), these new dvLED displays support 12bit colours and HDR10+ resolution, delivering crystal clear content with near perfect colour and brightness accuracy.

Unveiled at InfoComm 2023 in Orlando, the stunning EMC Class B rated Philips In-Room LED 6300 Series (27BDL6395) is designed to support 24/7 environments where size and impact matter – including retail, corporate, control rooms, and even luxury homes. Hailed as PPDS’ finest dvLED to date, the new display brings its smallest pixel pitch together with the latest innovations in display technology, hardware design and dedicated software for seamless, more creative installations, and uncompromised visual experiences.

Previewed at ISE 2023 in Barcelona, the Philips 6300 Series is an extension to the Philips 6000 Series (P1.2, P1.5 and P1.9), bringing a brand new 0.95 pixel pitch option to the family of 27” landscape panels, all with a native 16:9 resolution. The 6300 also sees the debut of 4-in-1 mini LED technology, sometimes called ‘cool LED’,

mity of up to 97 per cent, the Philips 6300 is the first dvLED series from PPDS to support 12-bit colours and HDR10+ resolution, with better white balance and a more precise greyscale, even in low light environments. Extending performance beyond 4K, HDR10+ delivers a higher contrast between light and dark areas resulting in greater detail and clarity, with subtle nuances, even in very bright or dark scenes, clearly visible.

Jeroen Brants, Global Product Manager for Philips dvLED displays at PPDS, said: “One of the most common frustrations with digital displays, particularly LED, is the visual quality of the content that is being displayed shows. This could be the small detail on a spreadsheet, or some fantastical video, which may not be easily visible on the big screen. The colours and brightness may not quite be accurate, reducing the desired impact or, for presentations, the text may be barely readable or blurred, causing eye strain. “At PPDS, we like to think beyond conventional limitations, and with the new Philips 6300, we’ve worked hard to ensure customers can achieve their installation ambitions. That means providing solutions that have the versatility and flexibility to suit their design and the environment, and, crucially, that what they’re displaying mirrors or even surpasses their own expectations.”

The Philips In-Room LED 6300 is said to be an ideal solution for companies looking to enhance or achieve their sustainability goals and ambitions. Becoming one of the most energy efficient dvLED solutions in the current market, with a range of industry-leading, power saving features, and designed using reducing energy consumption by an incredible 25 per cent compared to other, conventional dvLED models. It is the first dvLED solution from PPDS designed using common cathode LEDs, providing customers with an instant reduction in power consumption – around 25 per cent compared to other, conventional dvLED models – and heat emissions. All great for both the environment and the business.

BrightSign showcases new hardware, partnerships and applications

Visitors to BrightSign’s InfoComm booth were among the first to experience the full line of the company’s new Series 5 media players, as well as a new commercial display with integrated digital signage capabilities developed by MOKA Technology, a subsidiary of TCL Technology Group. In addition to showcasing its latest hardware, BrightSign will feature a range of partner solutions powered by its media players, plus an innovative new locker room application that brings interactive digital signage capabilities to athletic facilities like never before. “This year’s InfoComm marks an important milestone in that we’ll be showing our full line of Series 5 players for the very first time,” said Jeff Hastings, CEO of BrightSign. “Visitors to our booth are in for a treat – not only will they be the first to see our newly unveiled XT5 player, but they’ll also get an exclusive first look at a new BrightSign-enabled large-format commercial display developed by TCL subsidiary, MOKA Technology.”

6000 Series (P1.2, P1.5 and P1.9), bringing a brand new 0.95 pixel pitch option to the family of 27” landscape panels, all with a native 16:9 resolution.

bringing additional image quality over both short and long distances, together with reduced energy consumption, resulting in lower cost of ownership.

Together with refresh rates of 3840Hz and low latency, with Philips 6300, users are always guaranteed a seamless, judder free, optimum viewing experience across installations sized 110”, 137” 165”, 220”, 275” and 330”.

Designed to stand out – from the smallest details on a spreadsheet or presentation, through to the multiple shades in a person’s eyes on a live surveillance feed – the Philips 6300 Series displays content and colour as they were intended. Boasting among the highest levels of colour accuracy, deep black contrast and a brightness (up to 650 nits before calibration and 550 nits after calibration) unifor-

Helping to ensure optimum performance, the Philips 6300 also includes the company’s exclusive Active Health Monitoring, providing AV/IT managers with 24/7 visibility of displays, with any faults, including dead pixels, able to be detected, potentially even before they occur. In addition, the Philips 6300 also benefits from dynamic and black screen power saving features, automatically and intelligently powering down when not in use. This helps to further reduce the total cost of ownership, while extending the life of each LED panel (typically 100,000 hours) for a greater return on investment.

Finally, as with all other Philips in-Room LED lines, the 6300 features PPDS’ sleek diecast aluminium casing to support optimal heat dissipation and reduce fire risks when compared to plastic. Martijn van der Woude, VP Global Marketing and Business Development at PPDS, concluded: “At PPDS, we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and responding to their needs. Our motto internally is to lead rather than to follow, and with these new Philips 6300 dvLED displays, we’ve brought together the best solutions to deliver a product that meets needs today and for the future, including high performance, finest vision, and an energy-conscious, sustainable focus. We are delighted to launch this advanced dvLED solution into the market at InfoComm 2023.”

BrightSign is transforming the world of digital signage through an ecosystem of excellence and cutting-edge technology that empowers businesses to connect and communicate in dynamic and impactful ways. BrightSign’s new Series 5 offers a comprehensive array of hardware solutions to enable brands to create captivating experiences that educate, entertain, inform and inspire. BrightSign unveiled its new XT5 media player at InfoComm, officially completing its new Series 5 family of players. XT5 joins the previously announced AU5, LS5, HD5, XD5 and the flagship XC5 player to round out BrightSign’s portfolio of award-winning media players.

Visitors to BrightSign’s booth also got an exclusive first look at the MOKA BS60, the flagship of an upcoming line of commercial displays featuring the BrightSign Built-in platform. BrightSign developed the new display with MOKA Technology, which is a subsidiary of TCL Technology Group. MOKA joins the growing list of hardware manufacturers embracing the BrightSign Built-In platform.

The locker room might be an unexpected place to find BrightSign technology, but creating a personalized experience extends well beyond the arena and its fans and is becoming increasingly important in recruiting and retaining athletes. One of the stand-out experiences in BrightSign’s InfoComm booth will be an innovative new high-end

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Previewed at ISE 2023 in Barcelona, the Philips 6300 Series is an extension to the Philips

locker that creates dynamic, engaging and personalized experiences in athletic locker rooms for both current athletes and potential recruits. The locker features a 29-inch Bluefin Ultrawide display with BrightSign Built-In that displays content triggered by a trio of input devices, including wireless sensors that cue specific video content when either the player’s helmet or jersey is lifted, as well as wrist bands with embedded sensors programmed to trigger athlete-specific content whenever the athlete nears the locker. Similar innovative locker room solutions are currently in production and have been deployed by several higher education athletic programs as well as the National Football League (NFL) here in the US.

BrightSign’s strong network of software and hardware partnerships from across the A/V industry will be on display throughout the booth, highlighting the breadth of applications made possible by BrightSign’s new Series 5 media players. The booth showcased a wide range of digital signage use cases powered by several of our CMS partners. Together we showcased everything from interactive 3D WebGL to interactive 2D graphics and real-time data dashboard experiences - all “Powered by Purple” and evolving the digital media player experience.

Visitors to BrightSign’s InfoComm booth were among the first to experience the full line of the company’s new Series 5 media players, as well as a new commercial display with integrated digital signage capabilities developed by MOKA Technology.

Brompton Technology shows next generation LED processing

Brompton Technology demonstrated groundbreaking technology at InfoComm, including its next-generation Tessera G1 receiver card and its new TrueLight technology. “We’re thrilled to be returning to InfoComm, one of the biggest destinations in the U.S. to showcase innovations for LED processing,” shared Cesar Caceres, Product Lead at Brompton Technology. “This year we are proud to show our new next-generation solutions – the G1 receiver card and TrueLight. We created the G1 as a platform to future proof panels for the increasingly complex software and algorithms required to optimise visual performance on LED. Its incredible processing power and capabilities led the way for our new TrueLight technology, which offers control of LED panels that have additional emitters, and this is just the beginning.” Brompton’s Tessera G1 receiver card delivers 20X more computing power than the current industry leading Tessera R2+. It is de-

Adder expands multi-viewer range

signed to drive next-generation LED panels that can meet the extreme requirements of virtual production and other fast-growing segments demanding maximum performance, such as simulators and eGames. With the G1 already being integrated into new panels by industry-leading LED manufacturers, these next generation panels will deliver finer pixel pitches, ultra-high frame rates, and a broader spectral output of light, thanks to the addition of extra LED emitters per pixel.

TrueLight, driven by the Tessera G1 receiver card, enables control of panels with extra emitters – for example, RGBW. This technology brings major benefits in situations where LED panels are contributing to the lighting of a scene, such as in a virtual production volume, where recreating reality is a top priority and the narrow spectral output of conventional RGB panels can cause colour shifts and unnatural skin tones. TrueLight builds upon Brompton’s Dynamic Calibration technology, the only system on the market capable of providing complete spectrally-aware calibration for extra emitters. It ensures that colorimetric precision and full colour and luminance correction are applied on a per-pixel basis, allowing for intelligent RGB to RGBW conversion that gives a broader spectral output for better lighting quality, while also maintaining precise colour accuracy. Furthermore, TrueLight leverages other features within the Tessera software platform including: PureTone for consistent linearity of both RGB and ‘W’ LED output, ThermaCal for temperature correction of all LED colours, ShutterSync to eliminate on-camera artifacts for direct-view applications, and Extended Bit Depth to significantly enhance the dynamic range of the video output.

Brompton Technology demonstrated groundbreaking technology at InfoComm, including its next-generation Tessera G1 receiver card and its new TrueLight technology.

users can unleash the enhanced potential of the CCS-MV 4228. By connecting the multi-viewer to eight receivers attached to a matrix, organizations can access any sources on that network and switch between them no matter where they are located; onsite, remote, or virtualized.

Rafael Serrano, head of product management at Adder said, “We understand the immense pressures faced by control room operators. The ADDERView CCS-MV 4228 has been designed from a user-centric perspective. By combining multi-viewer technology with high performance IP KVM, our customers can now benefit from a dynamic command and control solution that is adaptable to the needs of both the user and the organization; allowing them to simplify their workload and achieve peak performance.”

Key features

•Natural automatic switching between computers by moving the mouse across windows and screens

•Hybrid HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity

•Dual monitor 4K UHD video connectivity

•Predefined and personalised window layout canvas

•High speed transparent USB 2.0

•Digital and analogue audio

•Audio hold and mixer

•Copy and paste text between target computers

The ADDERView CCS-MV 4228 is available through Adder’s global network of authorized partners.

Adder Technology announced the latest addition to the award-winning ADDERView CCS-Multi-Viewer range, the ADDERView CCS-MV 4228 (CCS-MV 4228). Redefining control room operations the new multi-viewer combines user-centric design, flexible connectivity options and user configurable color-coded options, empowering operators to optimize efficiency and enhance their decision-making process in 4K quality. Building on the popularity of the four port multi-viewer, operators can now access up to eight different video, audio, and USB signals from a single workstation, in a user customizable window layout, across one or two monitors. By consolidating video signals from multiple sources, the CCS-MV 4228 simplifies the control room desk and allows operators to strike a productive balance between situational awareness and application focus.

Mike Bilbow, assistant athletic director - digital and production at the University of Georgia Athletic Association, said, “I am truly amazed

by the capability of the ADDERView CCS Multi-Viewer. Overseeing our digital operation requires the ability to seamlessly monitor all three control rooms and the multi-viewer allows me to do this all from my desk. With access to router feeds, the video wall, confidence cameras, and web GUIs, I can efficiently make changes and troubleshoot multiple rooms simultaneously. The ADDERView CCS Multi-viewer has truly transformed the way I work - providing unmatched convenience, flexibility, and accessibility.”

By moving the mouse cursor between windows or across screens, the system will switch between sources in real-time and without latency – resulting in a safer working environment, reduced workplace fatigue and significantly improved productivity. This functionality, combined with configurable, color-coded, window borders, allows users to easily visualize and access their critical data in a more intuitive way. When used with an ADDERLink INFINITY IP KVM matrix,

Evolve IP unveils ‘Contact Centre As A Service’

Evolve IP has added a powerful new contact centre solution to its integrated collaboration services mix – as demand intensifies for a more centralised omnichannel customer experience. Integrated with its UCaaS collaborations solution, the company has unveiled an enhanced Omnichannel Contact Centre as a Service offering, powered by Enghouse Interactive, a leading global player in the omnichannel market. Anywhere Contact Centre is designed to support valuable use cases for customer service, sales, help desks, or virtually any environment requiring the intelligent handling of communications and digital interactions.

The solution greatly minimises or eliminates IT resource support and infrastructure investment. Available as a flexible ‘SaaS’ model with a choice of contract term, users can take advantage of the latest omnichannel customer engagement functionality, benefitting from instant scalability, business agility and analytics that combine to create the best possible customer experience. Evolve IP works with many of the world’s biggest tech companies and innovative industry leaders to create robust and reliable solutions for its growing reseller base. As a global collaboration provider, it specialises in securely integrating unified communications, collaboration tools, voice, and omnichannel contact centre solutions into the cloud.

The new CCaaS development is a natural and progressive step forward which helps accelerate digital transformation – and enable reseller partners to ‘raise their game’ by meeting expanding customer requirements. That’s the view of Evolve IP’s UK Technical Account Director, Scott Rixon, who says organisations need to catch up to their customers’ needs by developing strategies not just fit for today but long into the future. He highlighted how the latest service enables seats to be added in seconds with ‘flex on demand’ capabilities

allowing easy logging in of new agents as needed. Rixon continued: “This plugs a gap in our UK portfolio and enables our partners especially in the mid-market sector to target major growth opportunities for those looking for an omnichannel experience – much more than just great audio-only interaction. Our latest offering makes it easy to execute, manage, monitor and oversee a complete omnichannel strategy – covering standard email and chat options as well as the main social media channels.”

He emphasised: “Backed by the latest industry research, we expect overall CCaaS will hit mainstream adoption for customer service and support organisations this year, based on 50% of contact centres already migrating to a cloud-based model in 2022. “Multiple platforms, video calls, mobile devices and even traditional desk phones all have a role to play in keeping businesses and their people connected wherever they may be. Driving customer engagement is crucial too.” He added: “Choice is good. However, businesses need to be able to engage via every available channel – from one centralised, all-in-one-place communications platform - to maximise efficiency and performance. It’s an omnichannel approach which requires seamless integration, as technology continues to transform the buying process and how and where people work. Responding to this omnichannel challenge is the next step on our journey. We believe it should be all about making things as easy as possible. Regardless of industry sector, location or seat size, the user experience and customer experience are now mainstream concepts at the centre of a fast changing and flexible buying process.” Separation between those channels of communication makes for a resource-heavy, fragmented eco-system with huge potential to frustrate customers and agents alike, Rixon stressed. In addition,

Ross Video launches next generation meeting control

Bring your meetings into focus with Quorum, the new meeting control system from Ross Video. Quorum represents a significant leap forward in meeting control technology, built from the ground up it revolutionizes the user experience. While originally conceived for legislative customers, Quorum is an ideal solution for any production seeking an easy-to-use system for generating meeting content or simple coverage, even with minimally experienced operators who may have little to no prior broadcast experience.

With Quorum’s intuitive interface, navigating the intricate controls of the broadcasting system has never been easier. Users gain the power to choose the most visually appealing angle, granting them unparalleled control over their broadcasting experience. Combined with broadcast quality graphics and switching Quorum allows anyone to level up their meetings production. Gone are the days of grappling with technical complexities; now, users can effortlessly harness the full potential of advanced broadcast tools. With built-in security, user management and an innovative user interface, Quorum stands in a class of its own. It empowers users to effortlessly prepare and customize meetings at the touch of a button. Organizations can now align Quorum with their corporate IT policies, granting access only to authorized personnel who can fully harness the system's potential. Jack Horry, Product Manager for Quorum, expressed his excitement about the new offering, saying, “We took the exceptional operational experience of our previous product, Lightning, and completely reimagined it from the ground up. We incorporated the best technologies we have at Ross, resulting in a system with unrivalled potential.”

Shawn Snider, VP of Production Workflow, added, “Quorum not only boasts remarkable capabilities, but it also features a user-friendly interface that can be accessed through a web browser. By rewriting the product, we have ensured its seamless integration with modern systems and workflows that our customers have long been requesting.”

Key Features of Quorum

•Thumbnail-based Camera Selection: By merely selecting a thumbnail image of a meeting participant, Quorum revolutionizes the broadcasting experience by allowing users to prepare and utilize up to three camera shots concurrently. This empowers them to select the best angle without requiring in-depth knowledge of the intricate broadcast systems working behind the scenes.

•Intelligent Graphics Integration: Our system seamlessly integrates relevant graphics and overlays, enabling meeting participants to enhance their visual presentations with captivating visuals and compelling information.

•Simplified Controls: With our user-friendly interface, dealing with complex broadcasting tools is a thing of the past. Users can effortlessly navigate through the system, choosing the optimal angle that suits their preferences and delivers the most impactful visual representation.

•Intuitive Web Interface: Quorum boasts an intuitive web interface, empowering operators to master the platform in under 30 minutes. This enables subject matter experts to take control of meetings from anywhere, offering unparalleled flexibility.

•Seamless Integration: Quorum seamlessly integrates with the most extensive device library in the industry, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of broadcasting equipment. This enables users to leverage their existing resources while simplifying the control of the system.

•Quorum marks a significant milestone in the evolution of meeting control systems, revolutionizing how organizations produce compelling content and manage their meetings.

Barco unveils new G50 projectors

Barco announced the launch of its new G50 laser smart line projector. With its unparalleled size, weight, and energy efficiency, the G50 is poised to revolutionize the industry, delivering exceptional performance for a wide range of applications. Earlier this year, Barco shared a proud announcement as the sales numbers of their single-chip G-series laser projectors hit the symbolic mark of 10.000 units. The InfoComm launch of the three new G50 projectors is a new milestone for the projector manufacturer and its G-series offering which now comprises ten projectors between 6 and 22K lumens. One of the key highlights of the G50 is its exceptional compactness and lightweight design. Weighing between 11-13kg, the G50 is currently the smallest projector available in the entire industry. Despite its diminutive size, the G50 outperforms similar projectors on the market, offering the highest light efficiency for visualizing high-quality content in all its glory. In addition to its size and weight advantages, the G50 projectors address the growing importance of sustainability. With an industry-leading energy efficiency of up to 18 Lm/W, the G50 offers the most cost-effective lumen per watt ratio available. Furthermore, its long-lasting laser light source, makes the G50 not only a smart choice but also an environmentally friendly solution for all your projection needs.

Its affordable price point, coupled with its powerful and green performance, ensures that G50 users can achieve outstanding visual experiences without breaking the bank. “The Barco G-series bring

uncompromised laser projection with premium value at a very competitive pricing,” adds Domien De Witte, Vice President Product IX at Barco. “With the introduction of our new G50 models, we want to reaffirm our commitment to pushing the boundaries of our projection portfolio into new markets, bringing best-seller solutions for every budget.” This projector promises to redefine visual experiences in various applications - such as boardrooms, museums, corporate events, and even entry-level simulation - offering unmatched size, weight, energy efficiency, and compatibility with rental peripherals, all while delivering superior image quality.

this kind of fragmentation is a barrier to the smooth harvesting and interpretation of communication data which is key to understanding customer behaviour and supporting the design of more efficient workflows. He concluded: “Consumers expect to be able to interact with organisations easily and in their preferred channel of communication. We are supporting our partners to competitively, economically and accessibly deliver services to organisations of all sizes, providing them with the agility they need to develop and integrate communications channels and features, which ultimately drive business growth.”

Evolve IP has added a powerful new contact centre solution to its integrated collaboration services mix – as demand intensifies for a more centralised omnichannel customer experience.

Sennheiser announces TeamConnect bar solutions

Sennheiser has entered the unified communications A/V bar market with the most flexible all-in-one devices for small and mid-sized meeting rooms and collaboration spaces. Part of the Sennheiser TeamConnect Family, the TeamConnect (TC) Bar Solutions were unveiled publicly during an a virtual launch event and showcased in-person at InfoComm. With options for small (TeamConnect Bar S) or mid-sized (TeamConnect Bar M) meeting and collaboration spaces, the TC Bar Solutions are true problem solvers with benefits like easy setup, brand agnostic integration, easy management & control, high video quality, security and sustainability. The TC Bar S features 4 microphones and 2 speakers, while TC Bar M has 6 microphones and 4 speakers. Both easily integrate with any meeting platform and can be further enhanced with other compatible products, including those from Sennheiser.

Part of the Sennheiser TeamConnect Family, the TeamConnect (TC) Bar Solutions are scalable, all-in-one conferencing devices featuring a built-in-camera “At Sennheiser, we've specialized in superior audio quality for years, but found a strong video partner in the independent test laboratory ‘Image Engineering’ to ensure that the video quality stood up to the audio quality that is synonymous with our brand,” said Ronja Harste, Product Manager, UC Solutions, Sennheiser. “That led to the development of our first all-in-one device, the TeamConnect Bar Solutions, which are the most feature-rich all-in-one conferencing devices in their class.”

TC Bar Solutions provide unparalleled freedom and flexibility, allowing customers to choose the right video conferencing device for their meeting room size. Easily integrate the TC Bar into a room design with multiple mounting options like wall mount, VESA mount, tabletop or freestanding. The option of using Dante for adding extension mics and/or a 2nd external USB camera make the device even more scalable.

The TeamConnect Bar Solutions feature some of the latest advances in meeting technology to further enhance modern hybrid meetings and lectures – taking video to the next level. The powerful full-range stereo speakers with their improved directivity pattern and optimized passive radiators ensure natural speech and outstanding intelligibility. Integrated beamforming technology enables seamless transition between presenters and offers freedom of movement and configuration within the space. The built-in DSP, as well as the option to adjust your audio settings via Sennheiser Control Cockpit, gives users the opportunity to further optimize room acoustics. The TC Bars also come with an automatic conference & music mode switch to provide the best audio to match the content.

The TeamConnect Bar Solutions feature some of the latest advances in meeting technology to further enhance modern hybrid meetings and lectures – taking video to the next level. The 4K Ultra HD camera is further enhanced by AI features like ‘Autoframing’ and ‘Person Tiling’, enabling all remote participants to clearly see everyone in the room. With advanced AI, even the smallest gestures and facial expressions are conveyed to ensure increased meeting inclusion and engagement. Thanks to Sennheiser’s open and agnostic ecosystem philosophy, the TC Bars are also compatible with many major Media Control Systems from our Alliance Partners, with certifications currently in process. For basic adjustments, several features, like zoom, person tiling and more, can be found on the included remote control. When it comes to security, the TC Bar Solutions follow industry best

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Sennheiser announces TeamConnect bar solutions

security practices, and their configuration is password protected. The communication to the Sennheiser Control Cockpit, as well as 3rd party media control systems, is encrypted using industry standard Transport Layer Security 1.2 and safe from misuse. The TC Bars also support IEEE 802.1x network authentication and, of course, for additional privacy, a lens cap is included. The TC Bar Solutions re-

Sony announces a complete lineup of BRAVIA professional displays

Sony Electronics is adding 15 BRAVIA 4K HDR professional displays to its expansive portfolio with the launch of the BZ50L, BZ40L, BZ35L and BZ30L series, which are optimised for commercial environments where reliability, picture quality, and broad compatibility are required. With options covering high-end, mid-range and standard needs, and sizes from 43” to 98”, the new lineup offers an extensive array of displays to address every demand, while incorporating Pro BRAVIA users’ favourite features such as unparalleled image quality, a wider viewing angle, thoughtful professional features, and a smart System on a Chip (SoC) platform. A unique differentiator of the new lineup includes the bright BZ40L series, which features a state-ofthe-art panel treatment, unlike competitive displays on the market.

The BZ40L’s Deep Black Non-Glare Coating offers both high haze and low reflection, while maintaining deep blacks and high contrast.

“As we evolve our BRAVIA professional display offerings, we’re mindfully looking to address our customers’ latest requirements and needs, while prioritising sustainability, and we’ve done just that by expanding our lineup and incorporating new technologies that address customers’ needs for a high haze, anti-reflection, non-glare

Sennheiser has entered the unified communications A/V bar market with the most flexible all-in-one devices for small and midsized meeting rooms and collaboration spaces.

ceived a distinction with the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2023. Companies and design studios from all over the world faced the professional judgement of the Red Dot Jury, international experts who examined a remarkable number of products during the competition. In an evaluation process lasting several days, the submissions were thoroughly reviewed and assessed according to their design quality and degree of innovation. Following the assessment, the jury unanimously said: “The high-quality fabric covering elegantly conceals the powerful speakers and microphone array. The central camera module with surrounding LED ring serves as a user interface and is the striking design element of the otherwise unobtrusive device that integrates well into any environment.”

With the addition of the TC Bar Solutions to the TeamConnect Family, Sennheiser now offers another option to customers to compliment the family’s trusted ceiling microphone solutions to support large and midsized rooms as well as an intelligent speaker for smaller meetings. Each product is designed to function as a standalone solution. Additional coverage or features can be achieved by scaling with other compatible Sennheiser or third-party products and by leveraging the power of the Sennheiser Control Cockpit for ease of configuration and monitoring.

Sony Electronics is adding 15 BRAVIA 4K HDR professional displays to its expansive portfolio with the launch of the BZ50L, BZ40L, BZ35L and BZ30L series, which are optimised for commercial environments where reliability, picture quality, and broad compatibility are required.

portfolio that supports installations in bright, high ambient light environments,” said Christopher Mullins, Head of BRAVIA Professional, Sony Europe. “Pro AV users continue to trust Sony’s professional displays due to their picture quality, flexibility, range of sizes and ease of use and we know they’ll value the new options’ exceptional combination of features that meet the challenges of today’s changing

commercial landscape.”

All 15 models incorporate sustainable elements – from the use of SORPLAS recycled plastic and less ink usage on the cartons to an optional stand for less waste and ECO Dashboard for better understanding power consumption based on settings configuration. Additional common features include 24/7 operation, one step setting of pre-sets for easy configuration and customization, mirroring capabilities, Pro Mode technology for simplifying operations, a uniform bezel design, flexible installation for portrait and tilt mounting, as well as support for multi-display installation to enable tiling and a side logo for blend-in design purposes.

The BZ50L, BZ40L and BZ35L series include an increased internal storage of 32GB for more flexibility and ease of use.

All models feature a new centre alignment rail kit for easy mounting. The portfolio also incorporates a common chassis design for easily choosing suitable brightness models without requiring installation re-design. The new BRAVIA professional display line-up will also support Sony’s Alliance Partner Network, allowing for even further integration and compatibility with established and emerging solutions providers across corporate, education, transportation, and retail applications.

In Europe, all L-series models BZ30L, BZ35L, BZ40L and BZ50L are planned to be available from August 2023. The new pro BRAVIA displays feature a 3-year PrimeSupport package and an optional 2-year extension can be purchased. To further support the launch of the new models, Sony’s BRAVIA Supervisor tool is now available for customers, to streamline the installations of its BRAVIA 4K professional displays. BRAVIA supervisor revolutionises the deployment and configuration of BRAVIA professional displays across the workplace, saving businesses crucial time and money. The BRAVIA Supervisor applications comes free with all /TM versions of the new BRAVIA line-up. To find out more, please visit TEOS.SOLUTIONS.

Christie offers complete solutions and smart technology

Christie’s InfoComm exhibit featured its range of complete AV solutions, from projection and LED and LCD displays to a preview of Christie Hedra, a powerful new video wall processor. “We’re thrilled to return to InfoComm to meet old friends and new acquaintances in person and discuss how Christie’s powerful and customisable solutions can meet their needs,” says Arlonna Seymour, executive director, Corporate Marketing, Christie. “From the largest projection mapping projects to museums, auditoriums, and meeting rooms of every size, we have the solutions and industry-leading expertise to deliver the visual impact that your project requires.”

Christie’s range of RGB pure laser projectors will light up the booth with vivid colours. Designed for unforgettable large-scale experiences, the award-winning Christie Griffyn 4K50-RGB pure laser projector will illuminate a floor-mounted screen with stunning visuals, while a static Griffyn 4K50-RGB will be on display. Visitors got an up-close look at the lightest and brightest 50,000 lumen projector currently available with best-in-class operational efficiency and reduced power consumption. Also on show, in a double-stacked display, will be the rugged, reliable, and award-winning M 4K25 RGB pure laser projector that reimagines Christie’s extremely popular M Series projectors. The M 4K RGB Series of pure laser projectors is growing, and attendees will have the opportunity to see an InfoComm-exclusive preview of an upcoming model.

Making its InfoComm debut is the new Christie 4K22-HS 1DLP laser projector. Designed for venues that require high resolution, higher brightness, and colour accuracy that approaches 3DLP performance, for more budget-conscious applications, the 4K22-HS will shine brightly on the Christie booth as the first 22,500 lumen 4K UHD 1DLP projector on the market. For a stunning image that fills an entire wall, from floor to ceiling, Christie will also demonstrate its new

GS Series 0.37-0.4:1 UST lens, which will be shown in conjunction with a DWU1400-GS 1DLP laser projector. Additionally, attendees saw the new Christie Intelligent Camera (CIC) in action, including the background compensation feature, which automatically adjusts the image colour to better fit the colour of the projection screen. This powerful accessory pairs perfectly with select Christie 1DLP® projectors to calibrate projector colour, trigger autofocus, and, when used with Mystique Lite software, automate warping and blending of Christie excels at source-to-display solutions, and Christie’s content management and processing solutions will work behind the scenes ant, real-time processor, was showcased in a tech preview. For video walls up to 32 megapixels, Hedra provides secure, remote access laboration and sharing of critical information. Hedra combines the functionality of a video wall processor with a KVM switcher for an plications including control rooms, mission-critical war rooms, and Attendees had the opportunity to see a preview of Pandoras Box Software License Version 8.8, which introduces Workspaces, a new

Christie’s InfoComm exhibit featured its range of complete AV solutions, from projection and LED and LCD displays to a preview of Christie Hedra, a powerful new video wall processor

feature that helps users visualise their stage setup in 2D, providing an accessible and simple overview. Users can easily monitor the positioning of layers and find all pixel parameters, which are clearly ar-

ranged for a smoother and more organised workflow experience. For projects that require a display that goes beyond a traditional rectangle, attendees saw how Christie’s award-winning MicroTiles LED can be used to create an inspired, eye-catching visual feature. A curved, multi-pixel pitch LED display, from 0.75mm to 1.5mm, will showcase the product’s versatility and near-limitless design freedom as well as its stunning brightness, contrast, and resolution.

The Christie Professional Services team is the industry’s most trusted service provider, working in collaboration with partners to offer expertise, service, and support to keep AV systems running flawlessly. Professional Services offers 24/7/365 technical support, onsite services, extended parts coverage, remote monitoring and management with Cinergy, and more. Christie’s Max Kopsho will be leading three education sessions at InfoComm 2023.

Beyond the show floor, Christie participated in the ATL [Attractions Technology Lab] event alongside other founding partners of the Attractions Technology Collaborative. Designed for those who missed the November 2022 ATL, this event will be held at Oceaneering, from June 13-16. It will include a complete technical mockup of a trackless vehicle, 3D dark ride experience featuring Griffyn 4K50 and 4K35 projectors, and an interactive display with HS Series projectors, Pandoras Box Compact Player, and Airscan touch-free control.

continued from page 17

Alfalite debuts LED displays at InfoComm

they claimed to have. The first thing that impressed us was that they make everything there from start to finish; it's high-quality European manufacturing.”

Boom collaboration unveils powerful new video bar

Fast-growing video conferencing manufacturer, Boom Collaboration, showcased its latest product developments at InfoComm 2023 including a new high performance video bar which will be officially unveiled for the first time. The Boom Halo features Ultra HD 4K picture clarity, AI Auto-framing and voice-tracking, a wide angle 120° field of view, 10x digital zoom, 8MP CMOS sensor, six beam forming mics, two 10W speakers, automatic privacy shutter and expandable audio. Plug and play functionality is combined with a three-year standard warranty

It complements the company’s existing AURA intelligent video bar which benefits from 4K Ultra HD performance, 10x digital zoom and

It includes four camera quick select buttons and massive capacity to seamlessly link 255 devices.

•Boom UNO

This complete conferencing system combines a 120° wide angle full HD camera with a 360° omnidirectional microphone and built-in speaker. The compact stylish device has plug-and-play functionality via one USB cable and is available in black and white color variants

•Boom GEMINI

A wireless and expandable audio solution for smarter and more flexible meeting experiences. The portable Boom GEMINI is a dual unit system, where each device features four omnidirectional microphones each with an impressive reach of up to eight metres.

•Boom MAGNA

Takes video conferencing to the next level with Ultra HD 4K at 60fps and 12x optical zoom. Enjoy superior image quality with Sony CMOS sensor and excellent low light optimization.

The second thing that surprised Alfred was the proprietary ORIM (Optical Resin Injection Module) technology in Alfalite's displays, a new system for terminating LED panels using an optical resin injection that improves precision between modules and provides extended viewing angles of 175º horizontally and vertically. “It's impressive and allows flexible viewing angles with perfect precision and no colour degradation,” Alfred notes. In that sense, LED panels with ORIM technology have superior antistatic electricity protection (ESD > 10kV), improved thermal dissipation parameters, and excellent resistance to impacts, liquids, chemicals, and fire (with UL94 compliance). Also, they are easier to clean, suffer less deterioration and have the shortest repair time on the market. “The third thing was the quality,” Alfred continues. “Their attention to detail far surpassed anything that we have seen before. We watched them splash water on it, beat away at it, and even apply chemicals to it. No damage! If you’ve done a LED panel installation, you know they can get pretty banged up in the process. So preventing that damage is an amazing advantage. They’re easy to service too.”

DisplayNote Omni overcomes common meeting room pain-points

DisplayNote announced the launch of Omni, a new meeting room software application. Omni solves the issues that can lead to the underuse of meeting room equipment and see people default to their laptops, by enabling users to wirelessly host conference calls from their own laptop, while leveraging the room's high-quality displays, cameras, microphones, and speakers. By integrating Omni, these devices become the go-to choice, resulting in effortless meetings and increased participant engagement.

Ed Morgan COO of DisplayNote comments: “Omni is cable-free so simple and easy to use and ensures that meeting room technology is used to its full potential. We previewed it earlier this year at ISE and had a great response, so are very much looking forward to sharing Omni with the InfoComm audience.” Omni operates like a virtual USB cable: it searches the local network for enabled devices to connect to, whether display, camera or microphone. Once connected, the user can utilise the room’s AV hardware from their own laptop. And what’s on the laptop

screen is on the large meeting room display – everyone can see it - so no more huddles around a single laptop. This experience, being cable-free, cuts out the pre-meeting fuss over which of the (often many) cables to plug in and eliminates the fretful start regularly experienced at the start of virtual calls and meetings. Moreover, Omni makes efficient use of the popular virtual meeting software programs, allowing users to continue to use the software platform they are familiar with, and meetings remain productive and make effective use of participants’ time.

Benefits of Omni

•Harnesses the power of high-quality room devices from a laptop

•Convenient, cable-free connection from laptop to room devices

•Wireless BYOM (Bring Your Own Meeting) technology

•Secure, encrypted video streaming without cloud dependence.

Fast-growing video conferencing manufacturer, Boom Collaboration, showcased its latest product developments at InfoComm 2023 including a new high performance video bar which will be officially unveiled for the first time

built-in AI functions that include highly responsive facial detection and sound source localization providing intelligent auto-framing and voice-tracking.

Other Boom products in on show at InfoComm

•Boom GOJO

A powerful multi camera controller that transforms live events and conference calls – with a four dimensional joystick to control pan, tilt and zoom functions as well as speed.

Texas-based Boom Collaboration is spearheaded by founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett. Created in 2020 the ambitious company has launched a global expansion drive this year including across Europe and beyond. “InfoComm 2023 represents the perfect platform to debut our new video bar and showcase all the latest products from our evolving portfolio,” says Hulett. She highlighted: “Boom Collaboration is a relatively new kid on the block and we are all about pushing the boundaries of innovation and ease of use.” Hörnkvist added: “We are young and fresh with new ideas, backed by years of personal experience that already makes us experts in this field. We are not afraid to stand out, be bold, brave and loud and do things a little differently. A disrupter to take on the field.”

PlexusAV unveils standards-based AV-over-IP ecosystem

PlexusAV, the professional AV division of Sencore providing a suite of human-focused AV-over-IP solutions, announced the AVN Series, including an IPMX Transceiver (P-AVN4), Plexus Visual Array Appliance (P-AVN-VSA) and Plexus Gateway (P-AVN-GTW). Based on the framework of SMPTE ST 2110, PlexusAV’s AVN Series eliminates the stress of selecting an AV-over-IP technology by leveraging a standards-based solution.

PlexusAV’s P-AVN4 is an IPMX transceiver that can be easily configured to operate as an encoder or decoder. Featuring 1 Gigabit transport, the P-AVN4 harnesses IPMX to provide open standards-based with JPEG-XS, JPEG-XS FIP, H.264 and HEVC codec options. The P-AVN4 boasts three 1 Gigabit network ports, HDMI inputs and outputs with HDCP support, USB-C video inputs, analogue audio I/O and IR/RS232 support. With a simplified API, the P-AVN4 provides seamless integration with third-party systems to create a flexible solution for various professional AV applications.

The P-AVN-VSA is a central management and control solution that simplifies device monitoring. Featuring flexible two-level device grouping and filterable tagging functionality, the P-AVN-VSA provides a simplified user interface for easy switching of sources and destinations. Like the P-AVN4, the P-AVN-VSA boasts a simplified API to enable seamless integration with third-party systems. Finally, the P-AVN-GTW is a gateway device that can connect to remote locations with support for SRT and RIST. The P-AVN-GTW includes H.264/265 protocol conversion for streamlined delivery to content delivery networks, lecture capture systems and cloud-based services.

“We are excited to unveil the AVN Series, a lineup of interoperable, compatible, adaptable and stress-free AV-over-IP hardware and software solutions, at InfoComm 2023,” said Steven Cogels, global director of business development for PlexusAV. “We launched PlexusAV earlier this year with a mission of creating an ecosystem that improves AV-over-IP system performance, reliability, and builds

compatible solutions.” Cogels added: “PlexusAV has gathered deep knowledge from decades of success in the broadcast industry through Sencore, our parent company, to create an interoperable solution that leverages an industry standard, IMPX. By integrating IMPX, integrators can integrate any manufacturer’s technology with PlexusAV.”

The AVN Series provides unparalleled interoperability based on the proposed AIMS Alliance IPMX proposed standard, built on SMPTE ST 2110. Designed to enable the transport of compressed and uncompressed video, audio, and data over IP networks, PlexusAV’s integration of IPMX specifications and standards addresses the professional AV industry’s need for a single set of common, ubiquitous standards-based protocols that ensure interoperability for AV-over-IP. With PlexusAV, integrators can design and spec AV-over-IP systems that are backward- and forward-compatible, reliable, capable and future-proof because of the extensive interoperability.

PlexusAV, the professional AV division of Sencore, provides a suite of human-focused AV-over-IP solutions, recently announced the AVN Series.

Vestel unveils ultra-bright 24/7 PR+ display range

Vestel Visual Solutions updated its popular PR series of commercial 4K UHD displays with class-leading brightness in the price category, 24/7 operation ability and an Android 9-powered system-onchip (SoC) core. The new PR+ range covers 43”, 50”, 55” and 65” screen sizes, all boasting 700cd/m2 brightness for greater impact and viewer engagement and the ability to run 24/7 video content without screen burn. Pixel Shifting further reduces the potential risk of image sticking when static content is displayed over long periods of time.

The IPS panels offer the widest possible viewing angle at 178 degrees vertical and horizontal, a dynamic contrast ratio of 70000:1 and 700nits brightness on full gain. “The new PR+ series is ideal

for retail, corporate, control rooms and transportation, or anywhere requiring high-impact signage and 24/7 durability,” says Tim Matthews, Senior Product Manager – B2B. “The familiar, customisable Vestel user interface dramatically simplifies set-up, and the open platform support allows integrators and CMS content providers the most flexible architecture for their customer requirements. With our economies of scale as Europe’s largest display manufacturer, we believe the new PR+ series offers unrivalled value in high bright com-

Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, made its debut at InfoComm with its LED panels for the rental, fixed installation and virtual production markets at the booth of its partner FOR-A.

Vestel unveils ultra-bright 24/7 PR+ display range

mercial UHD signage.”

PR+ series uses quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 SoC CPU running the integrator’s open-source OS of choice, Android 9. Designed for both cloud-based managed content and offline content via USB, HDMI, OPS module or network-connected devices, the RS232 / LAN control has a comprehensive command list alongside HDMI CEC control functionality. Signal Failover ensures the display shows the customer’s banner/logo or other customisable content while it searches for other signal input sources. Practical installation features include 30-degree tilting installation, portrait or landscape modes, embedded IR and IR extender option, OPS-slot, and the ability to daisy-chain content across multiple displays. Connectivity includes 4 x HDMI, 4 x USB ports with security lock cover, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, and support for Miracast wireless display. Cosmetic updates over the outgoing PR-series include an ultra-narrow bezel design and slimmer case while popular features like the OPS-slot, detachable power lead, detachable badge, IR extender and carry handles are carried over to the new units. The new Vestel PR+ models will be available in the UK from July via Vestel Visual Solutions distributors and resellers.

Vestel Visual Solutions updated its popular PR series of commercial 4K UHD displays with class-leading brightness in the price category, 24/7 operation ability and an Android 9-powered systemon-chip (SoC) core.

AI-powered updates to Jabra PanaCast 50

Jabra announced new AI-powered features for its PanaCast 50 and PanaCast 50 Room System at InfoComm 2023. Hybrid meetings are top of mind for businesses, with Jabra research* revealing that 80% of all meetings globally are either fully virtual or hybrid. So, it is important that employees get the most out of their meetings, regardless of where they are joining from. rom. To address this need, in collaboration with Microsoft, Jabra is introducing new updates to its PanaCast 50 video bar, including Microsoft IntelliFrame with multiple video streams, as well as face and voice recognition functionality. These new features aid Microsoft’s next-generation AI tools,

remote users and populate the meeting room roster. Voice recognition functionality – upon individual enrolment - enables in room participants to maintain their identify in the meeting transcript, enabling more precise intelligent recaps for users with a Teams Premium license.

Hybrid meetings are also taken to the next level as the system comes equipped with the Jabra Intelligent Meeting Space. The new features allow customers to set a meeting room or space virtual boundary with PanaCast 50, so that people within the defined space are fully included, whereas people outside of the boundary are not inad-

DTEN announced the launch of the DTEN D7X Dual 75-inch collaboration all-in-one solution and the patented. Available for order today, the DTEN D7X Dual, is a Windows-based solution, that enables even more dynamic collaborations across the hybrid workplace, with two spacious interactive displays, state-of-the-art audiovisuals, built-in AI enhancements, and collaborative touchscreens for whiteboarding.

With two 75-inch ultra-HD 4K screens, DTEN D7X Dual provides an extra-large canvas for collaboration. One of the device’s unique features is camera placement: the super-wide 120° 4K camera is centrally located between the two displays, ensuring in-room meeting participants are captured at eye-level. In addition, the DTEN D7X Dual includes the DTEN Vue Pro*, an additional patented 4x4K camera system which is engineered to enhance Zoom’s meeting equity and hybrid workspace features.

Robust visuals are matched with high-performance audio. With a 15-microphone array, DTEN D7X Dual clearly captures every voice throughout the meeting room. Built-in front-facing speakers provide exceptional sound output. AI-features enhance audio with proprietary algorithms for noise suppression and echo cancellation for clarity. Like all DTEN hardware, it features plug-and-play simplicity in set-up; when paired with the DTEN Mate tablet, users can enjoy convenient Zoom Rooms meeting control from anywhere in the room and room scheduling. DTEN D7X Dual will offer even more features with upcoming firmware updates. The new DTEN Vue Pro is a revolutionary camera system specifically designed for the D7X Windows Edition. The DTEN Vue Pro is equipped with four 4K cameras, again designed to flawlessly capture both near and far-seated participants in the room while providing eye-level individually framed participant views to remote team members. Instead of capturing all participants at the same resolution and viewing angle, the DTEN Vue Pro employs multiple lenses to capture both wide and narrow fields of view, ensuring optimal image quality and viewing angles for a range of room sizes. With its intelligent AI capabilities, the DTEN Vue Pro dynamically optimizes video output to provide immersive and engaging meeting experiences.

The DTEN Vue Pro preserves image fidelity and clarity from any distance. Whether seated 7, 14, or even 30 feet away, every participant will enjoy a consistent high-quality video image. Its multi-lens camera design provides enhanced versatility in covering spaces wide,

including intelligent meeting recap in Teams Premium to revolutionise meeting experiences.

As organisations strive to increase productivity in light of hybrid working, Jabra’s collaboration with Microsoft unlocks a new era of inclusive and dynamic communication. The PanaCast 50 will be one of the first intelligent front-of-the-room Teams Rooms on Windows video bar to enable Microsoft IntelliFrame with multiple video streams. Additionally, with Teams’ voice recognition capabilities, the PanaCast 50 allows in-room participants to maintain their identity in the meeting transcript, aiding AI based productivity tools. With intelligent recap in Teams Premium, you’ll get automatically generated meeting notes, recommended tasks, and personalised highlights to help you get the information most important to you, even if you miss the meeting. Meanwhile, Microsoft IntelliFrame gives each in-room participant a dedicated camera view, providing a more inclusive remote experience and providing an optimised front row experience in room-to-room meetings.

Both features play a key role in helping employees to have more productive meetings, get up to speed on focus topics, organise key discussion points, and summarise actions so that the entire group understands the next steps. The new multiple video stream functionality enables remote users in the Teams meeting to have a better view of who is in the meeting room with three video streams: the first stream is the current speaker, the second stream is for the previous speaker, and the third stream is the full panoramic room view of the meeting room or space, so no individual is excluded. The upcoming face recognition functionality allows in room participants – upon authorisation with individual enrolment - to display their names to

vertently included. The new feature allows PanaCast50 to exclude people who are visible through glass walls and are not part of the meeting. Aurangzeb Khan, Senior Vice President of Intelligent Vision Systems at Jabra, says, “At Jabra, we are always looking for ways to harness the power of cutting-edge AI technologies to revolutionise hybrid and remote meetings. This is why we are thrilled to introduce these new PanaCast 50 capabilities for collaboration with Microsoft Teams. These features are set to give professionals immediate productivity benefits, helping them better navigate the hybrid working era seamlessly, online and offline.”

Albert Kooiman, Senior Director, Microsoft Teams Devices Partner Engineering and Certification at Microsoft says, “Microsoft Teams leverages the power of AI to create unique user experiences before, during and after Teams meetings, to enhance employee inclusion and drive natural collaboration. Jabra and Microsoft closely worked together on the PanaCast 50 to make this device an essential component of unlocking these AI powered features for individuals, teams, and businesses.”

Jabra is looking to bring the same level of innovation into the device management side of our collaboration solution space. With IT managers and partners, the task of managing their installed devices is a vital success factor and Jabra PanaCast customers are no different. Jabra's intelligent meeting room solutions require a management platform that takes full advantage of all the capabilities on offer, while also ensuring we reduce time and effort spent managing them. This reimagined management platform is planned for wider availability by the end of this year. Updates to PanaCast 50 will be available during summer and autumn, 2023.

DTEN announced the launch of the DTEN D7X Dual 75-inch collaboration all-in-one solution and the patented. Available for order today, the DTEN D7X Dual, is a Windows-based solution, that enables even more dynamic collaborations across the hybrid workplace.

Continued on page 20

Jabra announced new AI-powered features for its PanaCast 50 and PanaCast 50 Room System at InfoComm 2023

continued from page 19

DTEN unveils DTEN D7X Dual and DTEN Vue Pro

near, and far, with combined coverage of up to 160 degrees. “The DTEN Vue Pro is a game-changer in video conferencing technology,” says Wei Liu, CEO of DTEN. “By combining four 4K cameras with AI capabilities, we created a camera system that revolutionizes the meeting experience.”

The DTEN Vue Pro eliminates common visual distortions, such as the ‘fisheye’ effect, delivering crisp resolution and a natural viewing experience. The DTEN Vue Pro also overcomes common issues associated with PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras. With the DTEN Vue Pro, users can bid farewell to drifting video, jerky camera movements, and narrow fields of focus. The camera system’s AI capabilities ensure smooth and seamless video conferencing without the need for manual control. The system automatically adjusts and optimizes video settings in real-time, allowing users to focus solely on their meetings without any distractions. “The DTEN Vue Pro solves common issues with video conferencing, specifically cameras that do not have a wider field of view to capture those sitting on the sidelines and the fact that video images become blurry the further away participants are seated from the camera” Liu adds, “With the DTEN Vue Pro both of these issues are resolved.” As with all DT EN systems, setting up the DTEN Vue Pro is quick and effortless. The camera system seamlessly slides into a secure socket mount on either side of the D7X 55/75 Windows Edition, ensuring a secure and stable setup without additional cabling.

Crestron Electronics announced the TST-1080 wireless touch screen

Crestron Electronics announced the TST-1080 wireless touch screen for customisable control over media presentation and teleconferencing systems, lighting and shades, HVAC and home theatre, and a host of other technologies. The TST-1080 brings elegance and uncompromised performance to both commercial and residential applications. Featuring a high-contrast 10.1-inch capacitive LED touch screen, the TST-1080

can be programmed via a Crestron Control system to provide custom functionality. Any unused buttons can be individually hidden.

With a thin, tablet-style design ideal for both portable and stationary use, the TST-1080 has a rechargeable battery that supports nine hours of continuous use between charges. Support for Wi-Fi 5/6 communications and WPA/WPA2 Enterprise encryption assures depend-

terprise or an entire client base.

XiO Cloud management enables installers and IT managers to deploy and manage thousands of devices simultaneously. Unlike other virtual machine-based cloud solutions, it provides unlimited scalability to suit the ever-growing needs of an enterprise.

The TST-1080 may also be used to control a Crestron Home OS whole home solution. Select the Crestron Home app from the touch screen to control lighting, shades, climate, media, security, and cameras, including the ability to design and recall scenes that create a desired ambiance throughout a home.

Crestron Electronics announced the TST-1080 wireless touch screen for customisable control over media presentation and teleconferencing systems, lighting and shades, HVAC and home theatre, and a host of other technologies.

allows completely customizable control over media presentation and its wireless design provides freedom over how and when users leverage control. Advanced features include voice commands for controlling touch screen functions, full-motion streaming video from cameras and other sources, Rava SIP intercom, and an internet browser. The TST-1080 provides a universal status bar that is populated with virtual buttons for quick access to common touch functions. Each button is preconfigured with Power, Home, Lights, Up, Down, and Microphone and

able and secure connectivity throughout a commercial facility or home. The TST-1080 is designed to support the new Crestron Construct™ UI editing tool for accelerated UI design and deployment across all interfaces in an enterprise environment. An intuitive, HTML5-based user interface editing tool for Crestron Control devices, Crestron Construct enables UI designers to develop rich, front-end user interfaces at scale. The TST-1080 is compatible with the XiO Cloud service for remotely provisioning, monitoring, and managing Crestron devices across an en-

DTEN announced the launch of the DTEN D7X Dual 75-inch collaboration all-in-one solution and the patented. Available for order today, the DTEN D7X Dual, is a Windows-based solution, that enables even more dynamic collaborations across the hybrid workplace.

Leyard Europe launches DirectLight Pro Series LED walls

Previewed at ISE 2023. and debuted at InfoComm 2023, the new DirectLight Pro Series is a ground-up designed LED video wall that delivers beautiful imagery for indoor, fixed installations, whilst raising the bar on versatility and lifetime value. These cutting-edge LED video walls feature a modular design for the creation of custom sizes, shapes, corners, curves, and resolutions. They feature

27-inch and 36-inch cabinets allow for precision and simpler, more easily supported video walls. “DirectLight Pro takes the best characteristics of our most popular LED displays and creates the next level fine pitch LED platform using innovative, new technology,” says Cris Tanghe, VP Product Europe at Leyard Europe. “And the fact that it is manufactured at our European

enabling the series to reach an even wider set of applications. It is also available with Planar ERO-LED (Extended Ruggedness and Optics) protective coating for safety in high traffic areas and supports 32-point touch for interactive applications. With support for a range of video controllers, the DirectLight Pro Series can be further tailored to different application needs, both on and off-camera. The new LED video wall platform is well suited for conference and boardrooms, lobby displays, control rooms, on-camera broadcast studios, education environments and beyond.

front service for easy maintenance and high-bandwidth video transport to deliver high brightness and outstanding image performance and come in a range of popular pixel pitches down to sub-1mm. For wider processing and feature flexibility, the displays are compatible with the Planar WallDirector Video Controller, as well as Brompton Technology and Colorlight LED video processors. This winning combination reduces deployment complexity and maximises overall efficiency.

The Leyard DirectLight Pro Series is offered in popular Leyard Europe Complete display configurations including 109-inch, 137-inch, 164-inch, 198-inch and 219-inch to reduce the time, complexity and cost of designing and installing LED walls. The product is also designed to be deployed efficiently in custom video wall dimensions and resolutions through the use of two cabinet sizes and a 5G video architecture. In addition to enabling faster deployment, the

factory gives all the advantages of local production, including helping to mitigate delivery times and the environmental impact of transportation.”

DirectLight Pro Series comes also with a market leading Lifetime Evercare warranty. The unique Leyard Europe Evercare Lifetime Limited Warranty is comprehensive, covering the product as long as the end customer continues to own and use it in a fixed location. It covers the entire product from controller to sub-pixel, including every component in between. With 1,000-nit brightness in constant operation and models in 0.9-, 1.2-, 1.5- and 1.8-millimetre pixel pitches, viewers benefit from vibrant colours and greater image detail, even in higher ambient light environments.

The DirectLight Pro Series also supports rich media playback, including HDR.

The new DirectLight Pro Series’ design provides the flexibility to accommodate installations requiring front tilts, 90-degree corners and faceted curves,

The DirectLight Pro Series was developed to support innovative features today and into the future. A 5x higher bandwidth architecture streamlines large video walls, reduces cable counts, and simplifies custom-sized video walls. The additional bandwidth also delivers support for advanced features today and new features in the future. The dynamic LED platform requires less cables and other components, offering streamlined installation and maintenance. In addition to enabling faster deployment, the DirectLight Pro Series’ 27-inch and 36-inch cabinets combine precise dimensional fit with reduced support complexity.

DirectLight Pro Series displays are designed for mission-critical environments in extended or continuous operations. They come with an optional and monitored N+1 power redundancy per cabinet. For maximum power saving and safety, switched and metered PDUs are also offered as optional accessories. The controlled switch-off of the displays allows power cost and CO2 savings, and the highest security for IT and AV infrastructures. The DirectLight Pro Series is available now.

Peerless universal mounting system shipping

globally

Peerless-AV announced that its world first SEAMLESS Kitted Series Universal dvLED Mounting System (DS-LEDUNV) is now shipping globally. Peerless-AV is ahead of the game with this new Universal dvLED Mounting System, compatible with the majority of flat-to-wall latching dvLED displays. This kitted solution is feature-packed to offer superior flexibility, scalability, and adjustability when installing flat-to-wall dvLED video walls, unlike any other mount on the market. Nick Belcore, Executive Vice President at Peerless-AV, commented: “dvLED integration has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years, but there is still no standardization of latching mechanisms on OEM cabinets. Until now, this has made specifying, stocking, shipping and installing flat-to-wall dvLED video walls expensive, time consuming, and challenging. With our new Universal dvLED Mounting System, we are the first to the market with a truly universal solution that resolves these issues, making life easier for all parties involved in a project, and saving valuable time and costs versus dedicated mounts.”

The DS-LEDUNV addresses the complexities of achieving a perfectly flat, seamless finish on uneven wall surfaces with its display adaptors and X, Y and Z axis adjustment; unique features on Peerless-AV mount infrastructure. A key USP is the unassuming, yet fundamental component - the quick-connect clamps. With assistance from the installer-friendly wall template, the lightweight aluminium mounting frame quickly and accurately attaches to the wall, and the quick-connect clamps attach along the frame to facilitate fast, easy latching of dvLED cabinets. This results in a dramatically simplified installation. The kitted design of the DS-LEDUNV also makes it far more reconfigurable, should project requirements change. For example, if modifications are requested by the customer to the size of a dvLED video wall before the mounting system is installed, easy adaptations can be made without incurring substantial extra costs. To assist installation, drawings of the chosen Universal dvLED Mounting System are included in the box with along with instructions to assist the team deploying the solution. The SEAMLESS Kitted Series Universal dvLED Mounting System is currently available for Absen, Barco, iNFiLED, LG, Philips, Sharp/NEC, Sony, and Unilumin models as well as similarly sized and configured cabinets from other manufacturers. The open architecture of the system provides ease of cable management keeping the install tidy. The DS-LEDUNV is available in black and silver and an optional Trim Kit Accessory (DS-LEDTK), compatible with most displays, provides a finished aesthetic to the sides and corners of the wall. The SEAMLESS Kitted Series Universal dvLED Mounting System is now available for immediate delivery throughout EMEA.

Peerless-AV announced that its world first SEAMLESS Kitted Series Universal dvLED Mounting System (DS-LEDUNV) is now shipping globally

Kramer’s shows immersive AV experiences

Kramer brought a sizeable presence to InfoComm 2023 with a highly interactive and engaging stand. Kramer unveiled its latest range of technologies and solutions to the North American market at the show, while engaging closely with customers, partners, and visitors to discuss company growth, industry development, and more. Kramer returned to InfoComm after two years of exceptional momentum and a strong first half of 2023. The company’s new strategy, launched in 2022, is creating a strong market impact despite many global challenges. Kramer’s momentum is now accelerating in response to strong demand for its products, resulting in double-digit growth across all territories.

InfoComm arrived at an exciting time for Kramer. The audio-visual

leader maintains its strong vision and expects continuous double-digit growth through greater R&D investment and a customer-centric go-to-market (GTM) strategy. It is fuelled by key audio-visual trends that are set to propel the company and wider industry, namely an accelerated convergence between AV and IT, the transition from product to experience in the buying journey, and a value shift from hardware to software.

Kramer is not only reacting to market trends and customer needs but also leading them. This includes the introduction of a new and enhanced version of the VIA platform, Kramer’s wireless collabora-

tion and conferencing platform, and a new Quicklaunch for Education solution. In addition, a new series of interoperable audio-visual signal management products and the new KDS-100, an open-standard 4K60 AVoIP streaming solution, was introduced at the booth. Kramer CONNECT also showcased an extended portfolio of premium USB-C products, and an inaugural range of Services like space design, installation, and technical certification will be unveiled. InfoComm attendees who visit Kramer’s space will be able to enjoy live demonstrations of these innovations from on-site Kramer experts. To showcase the potential of its audio-visual products, Kramer’s InfoComm booth will also feature interactive, life-size examples of a fully equipped hybrid classroom, meeting space, and sports bar. The exhibition is the perfect opportunity for customers and partners, new and old, to experience the future of engagement technology with Kramer’s audio-visual specialists by their side. Kramer also highlighted new partnerships with three audio-visual leaders at InfoComm 2023: Sennheiser, Samsung, and Yealink. Kramer’s alliance with Sennheiser has led to the creation of a premium hybrid teleconferencing solution, based on Sennheiser’s Team Connect Ceiling 2 microphone and Kramer’s AFM-DSP20-AEC audio matrix switcher. Meanwhile, Samsung and Kramer have teamed up to enable Kramer’s Quicklaunch collaboration software to seamlessly work with Samsung’s Flip and QMB display series, for immersive smart learning and collaboration experiences in any type of classroom or office meeting space. Thirdly, Kramer and Yealink have partnered to improve efficiency in meeting spaces by integrating Kramer BRAINware, Kramer VIA Go, Kramer VIA Connect2 and Yealink MVC II room systems. This collaboration gives presenters full control of Microsoft Teams meetings, the sharing of content, and room elements such as lighting and shades, all via a single, easy-to-use touch panel. Alongside these partnerships and new products, the company remains focused on ensuring its customers’ business continuity, investing in a robust supply chain that ensures Kramer products are consistently available across hubs worldwide. Kramer has also established regional offices and leaders across EMEA, APAC and the Americas, to enable it to get closer than ever to customers and their local requirements. Gilad Yron, CEO of Kramer, said: “After the hugely successful launch of Kramer’s business transformation at InfoComm 2022, this year is the perfect opportunity to introduce North America to the innovative products, services, and partnerships underpinning our strategy. “We’re more focused than ever on crafting solutions that bring unique value to systems integrators, AV-IT managers, and end-users, through our all-round, open-ecosystem, customer-focused approach. Our position as the end-to-end technology partner for audio-visual experiences means we’re ideally placed to support customers through their own technological evolutions—and I can’t wait to visit Orlando and personally meet the audiences that Kramer is working so hard to serve.”

Alfalite debuts LED displays at InfoComm

Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, made its debut at InfoComm with its LED panels for the rental, fixed installation and virtual production markets at the booth of its partner FOR-A. Alfalite showcased its Litepix LED panels for rental companies, Modularpix LED panels for fixed installation, as well as the Modularpix Pro VP XR solution for virtual production and extended reality environments.

FOR-A's booth at InfoComm showcased a complete live virtual production ecosystem that included a 4 x 2.5 meter Alfalite display with an HDR-compatible FA-9600 multipurpose signal processor, EZtrack camera tracking system, ClassX 3D graphics generator and XR technology, among other solutions. Satoshi Kanemura, President & COO, FOR-A America, refers to the close relationship with Alfalite and how it’s enabling them to provide their distribution channel with a complete solution: “We’re excited to have joined forces with Alfalite

to add virtual studio capabilities to our expanding portfolio. We know our market is looking for a reliable way to get into virtual production and augmented reality. Having Alfalite on our side help us support our customers in realizing their ambitions.”

The Spanish manufacturer has just closed through FOR-A its first operations in North America with the sale of 336 Modularpix Pro P3 panels to a church and another 140 Modularpix Pro P2 cabinets to another religious temple. Both operations have been carried out through the integrator Strata AV. Alfred Burgess of Strata AVL has this to say about Alfalite's displays: “I have been to many LED factories in different countries, and I went to Alfalite’s factory in Spain with some scepticism. We had to see if their displays really had the quality

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Avocor timely corporate communications and emergency alerts

Avocor has announced a strategic partnership with Rise Vision, AUO Display Plus (ADP) subsidiary, and a digital signage software market leader. Set to be launched in Q3 of this year, the first release forged by the strategic alliance of Avocor and AUO Display Plus (ADP), will combine the powerhouse collaboration capabilities of Avocor displays with the engaging and dynamic functionality of Rise Vision digital signage software, enabling customers to easily deliver corporate communications and quickly deploy emergency alerts directly to employees.

Rise Vision is a leading cloud-based digital signage platform that enables users to easily create and manage content from anywhere, across multiple displays and locations, using any device with an Internet connection. Intuitive and incredibly simple to use, Rise Vision features hundreds of customizable templates, dramatically reducing the time it takes to deliver impactful digital signage. Additional functionality includes emergency broadcast capabilities with real-time updates and a scheduling system, making the platform a robust addition for corporate communications, educational establishments, healthcare, or government settings. Rise Vision CEO, Brian Loosbrock, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Avocor. The combi-

nation of Rise Vision with Avocor displays will provide users with a powerful tool for enhancing education campuses or enterprise-wide communication and engagement. Users can now remotely broadcast announcements, update schedules, and send emergency alerts across multiple displays in different locations, helping organizations improve communication, safety, and collaboration.”

“We continually look at ways to best serve our customers by providing solutions that foster collaboration, productivity and real-time communication, and as such, we’re excited to be working in partnership with Rise Vision to bring this excellent platform to our displays,” said Scott Hix, CEO of Avocor. “This partnership enables us to offer our customers a complete solution that meets all of their collaboration and communication needs in one place, without burdening management and IT with complicated and disparate systems to manage as they work to keep their employees effective and informed.”

Avocor has announced a strategic partnership with Rise Vision, AUO Display Plus (ADP) subsidiary, and a digital signage software market leader.

InfoComm arrived at an exciting time for Kramer. The audio-visual leader maintains its strong vision and expects continuous double-digit growth through greater R&D investment and a customer-centric go-to-market (GTM) strategy.

Sport Immersive AV experience at Epsom Downs Racecourse

Epsom Downs Racecourse is unequivocally an iconic British landmark that has stood the test of time. This world-renowned location holds an incredible historical significance, dating back to the late 1700s when the very first Derby took place. Today, Epsom Downs continues to draw racing crowds and offer a stunning backdrop for various events, from weddings to corporate functions. However, as part

audio installer Audiotek, known for having their finger firmly on the pulse of the industry’s most advanced technology. Chris Kmiec, UK Director at Audiotek comments: “This ambitious project encompassed a comprehensive scope of work, from system design to installation and testing. The team responsible for the project was focused on delivering the ultimate immersive audio-visual experience, and to

Transportation

Biggest-ever audio installation in major rail station

tion network - ideal for an environment such as Epsom Downs where reliability, functionality and quality are paramount. On top of this, six Martin Audio CDD speakers were supplied to add sound to areas which were previously troublesome on events such as the Epsom Derby. Chris Kmiec explains: "We chose the Q-SYS system due to its flexibility in programming, along with the range of different control touch screens available. We are also taking advantage of the redundant networking capabilities, and different formats of networked audio available. This has allowed us to build a system which is scalable for the future as well. Audiologic were on hand to support and supply the equipment we required, with excellent service in keeping us updated regarding delivery.”

Active Audio is celebrating the largest deployment to date of its intelligent, steerable StepArray SA180S column loudspeakers – 64 of which are providing ultimate intelligibility as part of a unique new sound system deployment at Leuven railway station in Flemish Brabant, Belgium. Originally constructed in the 1830s, the current station design dates back to 1875, when it was rebuilt in the eclectic style. Since 2000, it has undergone a series of renovations, including the addition of a monumental roof comprising 16 sloping white domes, designed by Philippe Samyn and Partners, to resemble sails fluttering in the wind, with 13 railway lines underneath serving national and international destinations.

in a horizontal position, as well as the homogeneity of the directivity.”

Epsom Downs continues to draw racing crowds and offer a stunning backdrop for various events, from weddings to corporate functions. However, as part of wider refurbishment works, this iconic venue needed an AV overhaul to bring it into line with modern-day standards.

of wider refurbishment works, this iconic venue needed an audio-visual overhaul to bring it into line with modern-day standards. The site had a combination of audio and video systems which had been modified over the last 20 years, and needed rationalising into a single, dual control, easy-to-use system. The challenge was to find a single audio-visual system that was both reliable, and easy to use. The new system needed to provide top-quality service and remain ahead of the curve in terms of technological AV innovation.

Epsom Racecourse contacted

Entertainment

make this project a reality, reliable state-of-the-art equipment was required.”The audio distribution system was replaced by a new Q-SYS system, supplied by Audiologic, incorporating two Q-SYS Nano processors running a redundant system, with 13 TSC-70G3 touch screens, and 2 TSC55G3 touch screens providing integrated control, along with QIO input/output processing.

The Audiotek team ensured that the installation of the QSC Q-SYS system ran seamlessly and that all the components were integrated perfectly. This allowed the creation of a reliable, easy-to-use audio distribu-

The new Q-SYS-driven system at Epsom Downs Racecourse offers a powerful yet easy-to-use AV solution for both conferencing events and race day operations - allowing a dual-purpose solution with efficient control, from one central point. The control elements of Q-SYS control the 3rd party video devices (LG Displays, Wyrestorm 100 series and Panasonic projectors) in order to bring the whole AV system onto one networked control system. Paul Simpson, Business Manager at Audiologic adds: “Whether supply only as in this case, or you require design, commissioning and training, Audiologic are on hand to support your Q-SYS installation requirements”. Chris Kmiec concludes: “The new AV system delivers an unparalleled experience for Epsom Downs visitors. This is a superb example of how a modern AV system can support and enhance a wide range of activities taking place in one venue space. We offer innovative AV solutions to all of our clients.”

World-first for Danang Fireworks Festival

There is nothing quite like firework displays with flames, the smell of smoke and big explosions. After a three-year hiatus, the 2023 Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2023) in Vietnam is underway. Working with main sponsor Sun Group, international consultancy, Global 2000 International turned to Cinewav to provide high-quality synchronised audio via mobile phones for the first time at an international fireworks festival. This was first debuted at the official opening ceremony on 2nd June where locals and tourists across Da Nang, Vietnam’s fifth most populated city, could listen to a clear, crisp soundtrack using their smartphone in perfect sync with the fireworks themselves.

Mrs. Pham Tu Cau, Vice President and CEO at Sun Group Central Vietnam, Executive Office of Central Region was instrumental in bringing Cinewav onboard to play a part in DIFF 2023. “It truly inspired me. I was struck at the sound quality which perfectly matched the visuals. This is also the first time in Vietnam that a renowned festival like DIFF applies this technology. I think this will be a new and exciting experience that visitors will surely enjoy. DIFF 2023 is a great way to showcase international talent to a local audience, to attract tourists to the area and promote the local economy and businesses. I believe that Cinewav is a game changer for large-scale events.” For each scheduled firework event, visitors could download

the Cinewav app to their smartphone from Apple, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery, get the audio ticket free of charge and press ‘Play’ - and remember to bring earphones/headphones.

“DIFF 2023 is back and it’s bigger than ever. We’re breaking all records in Fireworks design and innovation. With Cinewav, the whole city can enjoy the full experience of the fireworks which are carefully choreographed to musical scores. DIFF 2023 is combining the very best in knowledge and a rich history in beauty, danger, and invention without boundaries,’ said Nadia Shakira Wong, managing director of Global 2000 International.

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The complex acoustic environment created by this mix of architectural styles, as well as restrictions on how the loudspeakers could be installed, presented the main challenges for Active Audio and system integrator TVV Sound, according to Arbane Groupe’s Eric

“Most of Leuven station’s platforms are covered by a large, high arched canopy, while some are covered by a low, flat roof,” confirms Edo Dijkstra, CEO of TVV Sound, which was contracted by Infrabel, the Belgian public railway operator, to overhaul the previous 20 years old PA system. “The renovation included the replacement of the existing loudspeakers under these canopies, both high and low. Architecturally, nothing was allowed to change the lay-out of the existing loudspeakers.” In Leuven, the StepArray columns, in addition to being mounted in a horizontal orientation, were coupled together in pairs (32 × 2 SA180S), helping TVV Sound to work around the space constraints while still being able to adjust the speakers’ directivity – an essential aspect of the final installation, which needed to be capable of delivering clear public announcements, along

trolled directivity. They are also the only company whose products can guarantee the horizontal beam steering we needed for the Leuven project.” Eschewing traditional analogue networking, the Leuven installation makes use of the audio-over-IP protocol Dante – a set-up made possible by the choice of Powersoft Quattrocanali 1204 DSP+D amplifiers, 32 of which power the 64 StepArray. DSP+D versions of the Quattrocanali, Powersoft’s flexible solution for small and medium-sized installations, allow full control of the amplifier, as well as system and load monitoring, via a PC running either Dante Controller or Powersoft’s ArmoníaPlus software.

Beyond the performance of its StepArray speakers, the Leuven project demonstrated the ability of Arbane Groupe to respond to the specific demands of a largescale installation, according to Grandmougin. “Indeed, the horizontal use of the columns required mechanical adjustments to the loudspeakers in order to allow easy installation of the

Grandmougin, who defined the system’s specifications after modelling the acoustics of the station. Grandmougin explains that the design of the SA180S – which provides a 15m SPL of 97dB in a slimline 1,840mm × 124mm package – allowed his team to experiment with installing the loudspeakers horizontally, enabling them to work around the restrictions inherent in the space. “This new way of using Active Audio column loudspeakers was first tested and validated internally, before being integrated into an electroacoustic model of the station to predict the system’s overall performance,” he comments. “The results obtained were in line with the operator’s requirements, and validation listening sessions were carried out in Belgium at our distributor, TVV Sound. This project enabled us to validate the performance of the SA108S

with ambient background music, to the more than 8 million passengers annually who pass through the station.

“It was only with a beam steering system that we were able to achieve perfect sound reproduction,” explains Dijkstra, referring to the DGRC (Digital & Geometric Radiation Control) steering technology built in to the StepArray series, which was key to combatting the acoustic reflections produced by the station’s concrete and glass structure. DGRC uses a patented arrangement of speakers that reduces the number of amplifiers necessary to drive the loudspeaker system while still ensuring excellent directivity.

“Active Audio's StepArray loudspeakers are renowned for their optimal intelligibility and acoustic comfort,” he adds, “and unique because of their con-

system,” he adds, “taking into account the specifics of railway stations, which are not very simple places in terms of integration.” Tom De Bie from Infrabel says the company is “very satisfied” with the new sound system, which has been painted to match the station’s existing colour scheme. “The clarity of the audio provided to travellers has improved considerably,” he comments. Dijkstra is similarly proud of what Active Audio and TVV Sound have achieved in such an acoustically challenging environment. “A station like Leuven, a unique building with complex acoustics, requires a more complex sound system to achieve the required quality,” he concludes. “As is clear from the result, StepArray, with its versatility and unique DGRC technology, is that sound system.”

Sixty-four Active Audio column loudspeakers are directing crystal-clear audio to the passengers of one of Belgium’s busiest railway stations

Understanding your client's perspective: the art of winning with value

Author Patrick Alexander introduces his innovative guide that presents the art of winning, not as a game of luck, but as a skill that can be learned, improved, and utilized. ‘The Secret of Value Based Convincing Winning’ offers s step-by-step approach to winning using inherent value. The book explores how to leverage this value in every individual, team, or organization. As we have seen in previous AV News articles where we talked about the ‘What, How and Why’ as the most important elements of the ‘Belief System’.

One of the most critical dimensions this book highlights is the ability to empathize and understand your client's perspective. Winning is not about talking or sending proposals alone; it's about immersing oneself in the client's world, understanding their worries, challenges, aspirations, and needs. This dimension is at the heart of value-based winning. Knowing your client, even when they are not entirely sure about their own needs, is the key to crafting a winning proposal. This skill is particularly challenging for experts, those who have amassed significant knowledge in their respective fields. It's all too easy to get ahead, to offer solutions to problems the client isn't fully aware of yet. The challenge lies in striking a balance between demonstrating your expertise and remaining attuned to the client's current level of understanding and needs.

The methodology this book provides for developing this skill is encapsulated in four perspectives: outside thinking, outside-in thinking, inside thinking, and inside-out thinking:

1)Outside Thinking: This step requires you to fully inhabit the world of the client, to view their challenges and needs with an unbiased and empathetic lens. It involves listening more than speaking, observing more than demonstrating, and understanding more than advising.

2)Outside-In Thinking: With your insights from the outside thinking, now it's time to motivate yourself or your team to act on these insights. How can you or your organization grow with this opportunity?

3)Inside Thinking: This step involves understanding your own skills, knowledge, and capabilities in-depth. What unique value do you bring to the table? How can these skills and abilities be used most effectively in this specific situation?

4)Inside-Out Thinking: Finally, it's about demonstrating to the client how your unique skills and capabilities make you the best fit for addressing their needs. This involves conveying your understanding of their needs, showing how you're uniquely qualified to meet these needs, and motivating the client to choose you.

May the best (wo)man win!

During our lives and careers we WIN and LOOSE many times:

•Will I get the main part in the school musical?

•Will I be selected for university?

•Will I get the job out of 100 applicants?

•Will my organization win the 10-year contract of a hundred million? Winning is often associated with luck, but what if I told you that you can learn to win! Not by cheating or having the lowest price or demands? But winning by making use of your Value: Value Based Winning.

guide you step-by-step closer to winning.

Once you start to see how the value based winning process works, you will get better and more effective every time you are in the winning and convincing process.

To use this methodology effectively, start with outside-thinking. Know what is in it for you or your organisation to get yourself motivated. Winning is hard, no motivation is no win. This is done in Outside-In thinking. Then, reflect on your skills and pick the ones that are valuable in this opportunity. Finally, craft a compelling narrative that makes it clear why you are the best choice (Inside-Out). The power of this methodology lies in its emphasis on empathy, understanding, and alignment. It's not about overpowering the competition with flashy presentations or aggressive marketing. Instead, it's about demonstrating that you understand the client's needs better than anyone else and that you have the exact skills and capabilities to meet these needs.

So, the next time you find yourself aiming to win, whether it's a proposal, a project, or a contest, remember to apply these perspectives. See the world from your client's viewpoint, align their needs with your capabilities, and communicate your value effectively. This is the secret to winning with value, the secret to transforming from a participant to a champion.

People and experts are often not fully aware of their value and how it relates to the ‘world’ - to their environment. The book, ‘The secret of Value Based convincing Winning’ is a compact book of 74 pages, with a step-to-step approach. It explains simplified and codified winning, making use of the value that is inside of every person, team or organization. It gives guidance on how to first learn to think like the client and learn what value the client truly seeks. The book explains the use of the different dimensions of showing value: The WHAT, the HOW, the WHY and the BELIEF-SYSTEM. What differentiates this approach is the addition and insight of the different BELIEF-SYSTEMS. BELIEF-SYSTEMS are a very relevant part of the winning process, however often kept invisible during the winning process. The comparison to the roots of the tree highlights how the belief system plays an important role in winning a project. Everyone initially focusses on the fruits of the tree (the project tender), however, the roots of the tree are often the most relevant part to address (why a tender was issued, not just the specifications).

The book contains several industry and personal examples to grasp the idea of value based winning, whereby the book focusses on the discover-phase: Match and see the different (potential) values. The value-based-winning-matrix can be used as a fill-in exercise to

About the author

Patrick Alexander, the author of the book ‘The secret of Value Based convincing Winning’ is an expert in winning and shaping the winning process. During his career he won and lost multiple times. As an inventor, he participated in a national contest with 2000 others and tackled several stages before winning this contest. During the last 10 years as a proposal architect, he worked with dozens of teams in making complex and winning proposals and tenders, contributing millions of Euros per year to his company’s revenue. Patrick’s mission is: Let people, teams and organizations with the highest value win. Let those win, who most deserve it!

More information on http://www.valuebasedwinning.com. The book can be ordered via the website and https://www.amazon. co.uk

Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash

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Entertainment

World-first for Danang Fireworks Festival

This year, the festival theme is ‘Light Up a Borderless World’ with fireworks displays from the very best in the pyrotechnics world including a local Vietnamese team and seven internation-

music is what we always want to achieve in producing our displays. Together the fireworks and the music soundtrack create a powerful pyromusical production, a once in a lifetime

tival that Cinewav has been involved with and we are proud to be a significant part of it.” Now in its 11th edition, Danang International Fireworks Festival runs from 2 June to 8 July 2023.

Charity

AV technology brings additional income streams to zoo charity

Paignton Zoo is an education and conservation charity with over 2,000 different animals set in naturalistic indoor and outdoor exhibits, based in Devon. Their mission is to conserve species and their habitats, helping to save endangered animals in both the UK and across the globe, whilst inspiring everyone to help in the fight to protect wildlife. Revenue is key to their conservation efforts, and so

conferencing facility that could also host meetings or training in a variety of room configurations. That would allow multiple hosting platforms such as Teams, Zoom, Google Meet etc and BYOD functionality, with suitable data security protocols retained. All this in a room with some interesting design challenges.”

Working with main sponsor Sun Group, international consultancy, Global 2000 International turned to Cinewav to provide high-quality synchronised audio via mobile phones for the first time at an international

al teams - Art Eventia (France), Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics (Australia), Joho Pyro Professional (Finland), Martarello Fireworks Company (Italy), Pyrotex Fireworx Company (United Kingdom), Surex Firma Rodzin-

event experience creating vivid memories they will remember for the rest of their lives.

“Cinewav ensures that a broader audience at our fireworks displays are able to tune into the music soundtrack and hear

Extending the Festival beyond displays, Da Nang city has multiple cultural programs including Danang Electronic Carnival, an online beauty photo contest, M-Pack Carnival and a street food programme.

Paignton Zoo is constantly looking to diversify, create additional income streams and secure sponsorships. With this in mind, an opportunity was recognised

Jarrett Dartnall, Owner of AV-Tec added: “We strive to find the perfect solution for our clients, taking into account the needs analysis, end user’s ability, budget and of course the reliability. The customer’s key objectives were for a flexible and simple

Due to the scale of this project, AV-Tec chose to outsource the programming and commissioning to Audiologic, adding: “It was a pleasure to work with Audiologic, such a friendly team that is focused on a more personal service, nothing was too much trouble and I am looking forward to the next project together.” added Jarrett Dartnall. Ben Spurgeon, Senior Technical Manager at Audiologic com-

na (Poland) and TW Hand Fireworks Co (Canada). Each team lights up the sky with fireworks and to set the mood, a bespoke melody and soundtrack are created to evoke strong emotions and rapture. Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics from Australia bring 100 years of experience across four generations. Andrew Howard, Director described his involvement at DIFF 2023: “We have designed and programmed every single pyrotechnic effect to launch and burst in perfect time with the music soundtrack. The audiences being able to immerse themselves in the emotive music soundtrack and then be mesmerised by the magic of our fireworks effects dancing in perfect synchronisation with the

the powerful music scores and enjoy pyromusical production,” added Howard. Using Cinewav offers significant benefits to event organisers. Andrew Howard, Director at Howard & Sons explained: “Traditionally event sites have a large-scale audio distribution system installed in main audience areas but not in all spectator vantage points. Our fireworks displays can be designed to be viewed by spectators spread over several kilometres of an event site or city not just the front row of seats. This technology gives the power of music to the people to ensure they can hear the music soundtrack.” Christian Lee, co-founder of Cinewav said: “This is the first fireworks Fes-

Paignton Zoo is an education and conservation charity with over 2,000 different animals set in naturalistic indoor and outdoor exhibits, based in Devon. Revenue is key to their conservation efforts, and so Paignton Zoo is constantly looking to diversify, create additional income streams and secure sponsorships.

to transform a multipurpose space that was being underutilised, into a high-profile conference centre, which could also be used internally to promote their educational activities and rented out to external parties for meetings and events.

Paignton Zoo contacted audio visual integration experts AV-Tec Ltd to assist with the project. There were a number of key requirements for the project, including the ability to control multiple room configurations while supporting Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) across multiple platforms, wireless microphones and remote support for the higher profile events. David Folland, Head of Delivery Support, Wild Planet Trust added: “We had worked with AV-Tec before and approached Jarrett Dartnall to help us upgrade the space to a modern audio-visual facility. We certainly gave a challenging brief. We wanted a large screen

to use space. With my previous experience of Q-SYS and Sennheiser, I knew they would integrate seamlessly and provide the reliable solution they were looking for.” Jarrett Dartnall contacted AV distributor, Audiologic, for support and assistance at the design phase for equipment selection that would best meet the needs of the client having worked with Q-SYS and Audiologic before. The selected equipment for this project included a Q-SYS Core Nano audio, video and control (AV&C) processor, Q-SYS TSC-70-G3 Touch Screen Controller, 2 Q-SYS NV32-H software-configurable video endpoints, 2 Q-SYS NC PTZ conference cameras, QSC ADS802T column surface-mount loudspeakers and QSC AD-P4T pendant loudspeakers, as well as Sennheiser SL MRC SpeechLine Multi-Channel Receivers, transmitters and microphones, and Ecler stereo amplifiers.

ments: “Paignton Zoo gave us a brilliant opportunity to re-purpose this previously unused space and turn it into something fit for modern purpose. Operating as a high end/flexible meeting space, the Zoo now has a room that is highly desirable and arguably one of the best in the region. The high standard of documentation and knowledge from AV-Tec made delivering the project alongside Jarrett a breeze, with a combination of on and off-site commissioning. We’re incredibly happy to see the room being highly utilised and are looking forward to working further with AV-Tec.” David Folland adds “The end result is exactly what we asked for. Av Tec and Audiologic have created a contemporary, versatile, simple to use audio-visual amenity, and its sleek design and installation has delivered the ‘wow’ factor too. Our first meeting in the room was with our Board of Trustees, with presentations from external speakers and was a great opportunity to demonstrate the opportunities the investment will create. Since then, as well as internal meetings and training, it has been hired to external clients bringing additional revenue streams. We even used it at Christmas, turning the screen into a ‘window’ looking out onto a winter wonderland as Mother Christmas told stories. “

Jarrett Dartnall concludes: “Our key objective is to always deliver a reliable system and have a happy confident client at the end of the installation. Working with Audiologic was a breeze, at the time stock was hard to get hold of and we needed a very quick turnaround. Audiologic has supported us from start to finish and helped us deliver something amazing. We're all delighted to see how much the system is being used and have every confidence moving forward.”

fireworks festival.

Immersive AV in the future of retail!

Visual technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and projection mapping can all be used to create immersive and engaging experiences for the retailer. While 'cave' environments provide a fully immersive experience, they are expensive, not so easy to implement and, often, not the only option. Immersion and engagement can be achieved through head-mounted displays (HMDs) for VR, mobile devices for AR and interactive sisplays in physical spaces, among others.

Immersive AV can benefit a retailer in several ways. It can enhance customer engagement and interaction, create memorable experiences, increase brand awareness and differentiate the retailer from competitors. Immersive technologies deployed in virtual showrooms allow customers to visualise products in realistic settings, leading to improved decision-making and increased sales. But immersive AV has made inroads into lower price category retail sectors.

While often associated with fashion, immersive AV can also be beneficial for showcasing heavy or bulky products like furniture. It allows customers to virtually visualise and interact with the products in different settings and configurations, overcoming the limitations of in-situ demonstrations. This can help customers better understand the products' scale, design, and functionality, leading to increased confidence in their purchase decisions.

Virtual changing rooms

At the entry-level, virtual changing rooms can reduce returns and exchanges, improve customer satisfaction and provide valuable customer preferences and behaviour data in retail. While he return on investment (ROI) of immersive features like virtual changing rooms is likely to vary depending on factors such as implementation, target audience, and product type, there is plenty of evidence to suggest positive outcomes. However, retailers should assess their specific goals and conduct feasibility studies to determine the potential ROI for their particular use case.

Retailers can measure the impact of immersive AV experiences through various metrics, including footfall, dwell time, conversion rates, sales uplift and customer feedback surveys. Additionally, advanced technologies like computer vision can provide data on customer interactions within immersive environments, enabling retailers to analyse heatmaps, gaze tracking and other engagement indicators. A combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis can help assess the effectiveness and optimise.

Fashion in the virtual world

Fashion is one of the earliest examples of the deployment of AV technology in retail environments in the form of virtual changing / dressing rooms. The need here was perhaps most pressing, with retailers affected by an unacceptability high level of returned garments from customers unable to visualise the look of an item, for example, in a particular social environment.

Virtual fitting rooms have been found to offer retailers solutions in this respect. Julia Dietmar, Chief Product Officer at Vue, reports that:

· More than half of all women and men no longer feel safe trying on clothes in fitting rooms, at 65% and 54%, respectively.

· As of 2017, 62% of shoppers preferred shopping in-store because they are able to see, touch, feel and try out items. With virtual changing rooms, retailers can help shoppers determine size, fit and style and equip them to make informed purchase decisions.

· Before making a purchase, 88% of shoppers research online, and 49% of consumers say smartphones have changed how they shop.

Creating personalised, inclusive and engaging changing room experiences will help retailers convert these ‘casual browsers’ to customers.

· 39% percent of retailers ranked the “ability to turn customer data into intelligent and actionable insights” as one of their greatest challenges, according to a SAP survey. Retailers have seen over 23% uplift in their average order value with AI-powered styling. With virtual changing rooms, fashion retailers can harness a raft of customer data that can enable them to better understand their shoppers. They can judge which collection is received with enthusiasm and drill down on how customers are merchandising products i.e., what garments they put together in an outfit and the more pragmatic information like the popular sizes and body types.

Customer engagement

The pandemic prompted a spike in ecommerce and today’s retailers must find ways that they can gamify, personalise and offer truly memorable shopping experiences. The ability to create engaging changing room experiences for each shopper confers a tremendous advantage on retailers. Consequently, it is predicted that the global virtual changing room market will grow from $3 million in 2019 to $6.5 million by 2025.

How should these newly converted retailers start their technology journeys? First, there are a number of ways in which retailers can approach changing rooms, whether it's augmented reality (AR) or artificial intelligence (AI). AR allows shoppers to virtually see what the garment or accessory might look like. An AI-driven changing room interface that allows shoppers to create their looks by mixing and matching outfits on models that look similar to them. AR might be great for accessories but might not be as conducive for apparel and to showcase styling and fit. AI-driven options, on the other hand, are perfect for apparel, but might not be as compelling for beauty. Each retailer must decide which technology they want to go with to power their virtual try-ons based on their product and audience. Virtual changing rooms are only as good as the retailer's imagery. Retailers must have high-quality product images that are shot on mannequins for the output to high quality, especially for AI-driven interfaces. Retailers wishing to develop changing rooms with AR must invest in developing 3D assets of their inventory. They should also consider that AR is highly dependent on the customer's lighting and technology. If the lighting or the device the customer is using isn't advanced enough, the result can be underwhelming and might put them off the purchase.

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Retailers can measure the impact and effectiveness of immersive AV experiences on customer engagement and sales through various metrics. These can include foot traffic, dwell time, customer feedback and surveys, sales data, conversion rates, and repeat customer visits.

By investing in virtual changing rooms, retailers may be able to improve conversions, increase basket size and get priceless data insights on their customers that will enable them to offer even better shopping experiences. What's more, virtual fitting rooms provide retailers the opportunity to further bridge the gap between offline and online shopping experiences while offering their customers a shopping experience that is as safe as it is satisfying.

The revolution in fashion retail

Driving investment in virtual changing rooms is the potential for cost reductions for retailers. Stats on returns, for example, show that 25% of purchased clothing is returned of with 70% is returned as being the wrong size! Slogging around the shops to find the right garments, shoes and accessories for an event is often little more than a hassle, but in the future customers will be able to visit their chosen ‘retail hub’ – usually a retailer with outstanding shopping facilities. Just Imagine you are about to go out to a special event and cannot find the right outfit. Today it’s a real challenge but tomorrow you go to your favourite retailers to try on a number of outfits via their virtual changing room. They will already have your size programmed and you order. 2 hours later, and in that 2 hours the product is in at your home in the correct size and colour, with accessories and other associated items.

Basics of the technology

Virtual fitting rooms normally create a mannequin so shoppers can see how different sizes may fit their shape. Customers simply enter some basic measurements, and a virtual mannequin adjusts to fit their body shape. The customer then can then dress the mannequin with different sizes, allowing them to see how different garments will fit before making their purchase.

There are different technical solutions which is making it far more challenging for retailers to pick one. Body scanning technology is available in two distinct flavours: the first uses scanners that use sensing technologies such as webcams, phone cameras, or Microsoft Kinect. Others use more sophisticated technologies installed in retail locations requiring the shopper to travel to the scanner. More sophisticated scanners that use laser or millimetre wave detector technology, or even multiple arrays of Kinect sensors, are too bulky and expensive to be used in most stores and are located instead in shopping malls or in large department stores. Customers are required to visit the location to be scanned and this information may then be used on online sites.

3D fitting rooms use computer-generated 3D images to create an experience similar to that seen in virtual world computer games. These solutions generate a virtual mannequin (avatar) using customer body measurements and shape information. An avatar of the shopper is

created, this requires the shopper to measure himself or herself and provide this data. Sometimes the avatar may be personalised: racially, or by skin tone, or by application of pre-determined hairstyles, or even by uploading an image of a customer’s own face. The avatar may then be used to show how the shopper would look wearing the clothing, accessories and any other items on sale. Versions that are more sophisticated allow side-by-side comparison of different versions of a garment and enable different items to be tried on at the same time.

3D customer model solutions allow the shopper to create a 3D version of him / herself using either information taken from scanning devices, by measuring themselves, or by providing other biometric information. The 3D model can also be tweaked to change body shapes. Clothes are then displayed on the 3D avatar, which the customer can personalise by uploading an image of their own face.

Real 3D simulations combin the features of 3D solutions and photo-accurate fitting rooms. Using a combination of photo and simple body measurements, the solution generates a 3D mannequin, which accurately visualizes customer in chosen apparel items. Normally, the system suggests an appropriate size for entered measurements, but customer can also choose other sizes to estimate their fit.

Augmented Reality

AR virtual changing room work by superimposing the 3D model or picture of a garment or accessory within the live video feed of the customer. The superimposed 3D model or the garment or accessory will then track to movements of the customer, so it appears as if the customer is wearing the virtual item in the video. AR solutions usually require a desktop webcam, a smartphone camera or 3D camera such as Kinect to function. Photo-accurate virtual changing rooms converge two distinct techniques - real models and dress-up mannequins. Instead of photographing garments on people similar to customer’s shape and size, images are made using shapeshifting, robotic mannequins. The computer-controlled mannequins quickly morph through a series of body shapes and sizes while garments in each different size are photographed, and the image stored in a database together with the measurements that generate the image. In the final version of virtual changing room technology, the mannequin is edited out from the photography in software and replaced with a virtual avatar. This can be changed to reflect the brand involved. Once a customer inputs their measurements into the systems, the image in which the mannequin has the same body shape as the shopper is retrieved from the database and displayed. Perhaps less sophisticated, and therefore more compute intensive solutions use photographs of clothes and accessories pictured on real-life mannequins. The mannequins are then edited out digitally from the images and replaced with a virtual mannequin designed to reflect the brand in question. A shopper can then drag and drop clothes onto the virtual mannequin. Alternatively, two variants of solutions using real-life models exist, with the first being common in many online stores. The product information lists the attributes of the model that is pictured wearing the garments and details the size of the garment in question. Some retailers provide garment images on multiple models in a variety of sizes. Shoppers may watch a video of each model and interactively manipulate the model on the screen. While we are at an early stage in the development of virtual changing rooms, the technology is advancing fact. Not all of the options detailed above are likely to prosper in the longer term, begging the question of which rooms are worth the investment. Which technology is best is still open to debate, but the consensus is that a failure to adopt this technology will only be acceptable for discounters and value retailers, the big question for fashion retailers is which one to

choose ? Such are the differences in markets, brand positioning and margins

The role of audio

In creating genuinely immersive AV experience in a retail setting means often necessitates getting the ‘V’ of ‘AV’ right, as well as the ‘A’. Creating an immersive audio experience, depends on technologies such as surround sound, spatial audio and binaural audio. These technologies help create a sense of depth, directionality and a three-dimensional sound environment, enhancing the overall immersive experience.

Audio technologies such as surround sound systems, directional audio, and spatial audio can contribute to creating an immersive experience by enhancing the sense of realism and spatial presence.

Impact and ambience

While immersive AV can contribute to making a retail store a destination by offering unique experiences, it's always important to consider standard retail characteristics such as product assortment, customer service, and overall store ambience. Challenges in implementing immersive AV include high initial costs, technological complexities, maintenance requirements, and ensuring seamless integration with the existing retail environment. It's crucial to align immersive experiences with brand image, target audience, and overall business strategy.

But, there is no doubt that immersive AV can benefit retailers by creating engaging and memorable experiences for customers, leading to increased foot traffic, longer dwell times, and improved customer satisfaction. Immersive AV allows retailers to showcase products in unique and interactive ways, making it easier for customers to visualize and understand them. Immersive AV can also differentiate a retailer from competitors and create a distinctive brand identity.

The evidence regarding the ROI of immersive features like virtual changing rooms may vary depending on the specific implementation and context. Case studies and data from retailers who have

adopted virtual changing rooms can provide insights into their effectiveness. Factors such as increased customer engagement, reduced return rates, and enhanced customer satisfaction may contribute to the ROI.

While immersive AV can enhance the appeal of a retail store, other factors such as product offerings, customer service, and overall store ambiance also play a crucial role in making a store a 'destination'. Immersive AV alone may attract customers initially, but the overall retail experience and value proposition will determine whether customers return and become loyal patrons.

AV innovations for live events

In recent years, AV technology has revolutionized the way live events are produced, presented, and experienced, elevating the overall engagement and impact for both performers and audiences. AV News explores some of the applications and advancements in current audio-visual technology that have reshaped the landscape of live events.

Redefining visual experiences

Visual technologies have become essential elements in live events, captivating audiences and enhancing the overall experience. High-resolution LED screens, projection mapping, and Virtual / Augmented realties (VR/ AR) have brought stunning visuals to live performances. LED screens create massive video walls, displaying vibrant imagery and real-time supplementary content to create and enhance immersive environments. Projection mapping technology transforms static objects and structures into dynamic canvases, enabling artists to project intricate visuals that blend seamlessly with the physical surroundings. VR offers an entirely new dimension, transporting audiences into virtual worlds and providing unique perspectives.

Audio-visual technology has also opened up exciting possibilities for audience interaction during live events. Social media integration and real-time engagement platforms enable audiences to actively participate and share their experiences. Hashtag campaigns, live polls, and interactive displays encourage real-time feedback and involvement. Furthermore, wearable technologies, such as smart wristbands, enable synchronised lighting effects or haptic feedback, creating a synchronized experience that enhances audience

engagement and connection to the event.

“The whole live event industry is based on AV technology, both audio and video parts are heavily used. Due to the distance, the signal extension is the number one, for example HDMI extension. HDMI signals should be switched while maintaining the HDCP regulations many cases. The AVoverIP is coming to the show too, the easier cable deployment and the high flexibility means more acceptance of this relative new technology,” explains Zoltán Vigh, Live Event Market and Product Specialist, at Lightware Visual Engineering.

A and V equally important

While the visual impact of a live show is fundament to its success, so to is the associated audio experience. Sound quality is paramount in live events, and advancements in audio technology have revolutionized the way audiences perceive and appreciate sound. Modern sound systems, including line arrays and immersive audio solutions, ensure even coverage and optimal sound distribution throughout the venue. Adaptive sound technology adjusts the audio output based on the venue's acoustics and audience location, ensuring consistent and high-quality sound. Additionally, advancements in wireless technology have eliminated the need for extensive cabling, allowing for more flexibility in sound system setups.

Rent xR theatrical performances

Zoltán Vigh, Live Event Market and Product Specialist – Lightware Visual Engineering believes that there is still huge potential in the live events market: “All new experience centres, like science shows and the theme parks. Prefer to use AV. But anywhere you have walls you can put a huge LED instead or project video and you have immediately a new contact surface with your visitors, clients, guests.”

have been developed to allow individual audience members to take a real-rime role in the show. But, engaging individuals doesn’t allow event producers to ignore the fundamental tenets of the event: Zoltán Vigh, Live Event Market and Product Specialist, at Lightware Visual Engineering believes there is potential for personalisation in live events arena: “If personal devices are enabled and attached to the event with different technologies like AR/VR then the audience will receive a much more engaging experience than just a “regular” show. But don’t forget the show is happening on the stage (in most cases) in musical

and theatrical productions, so it’s the No.1 to have a professional, real time and high-quality video and audio there.”

Lighting design and the use of drones now to play a crucial role in setting the mood and atmosphere of live events. With the advent of intelligent lighting systems and LED technology, lighting designers have unprecedented control over colour, intensity, and movement. Automated fixtures, moving lights, and interactive lighting systems enable dynamic and visually stunning displays. Lighting design can be synchronized with music, visuals, and even audience interaction, creating an

immersive and transformative experience.

Reaching a wider audience

While thee 200,000 plus tickets for Glastonbury suggests that the live events sector is in rude health, social media has both redefined the popular notion of a ‘mass audience’ and provided a platform to disseminate content “to its supporters. “We now have the ability to reach global audiences through live streaming. High-definition cameras, streaming platforms and content delivery networks enable real-time broadcasting of events to audiences worldwide”. By extending the reach and impact of live events beyond physical attendance, remote viewers can both participate and engage. Additionally, virtual and augmented reality technologies enable immersive experiences for remote participants, creating a sense of presence and connectivity.

Real-time visual effects and augmented reality (AR) have become integral to live events, blurring the line between the physical and virtual worlds. From live video editing and real-time compositing to AR overlays and holographic projections, AV technology enhances performances with stunning visual elements. AR allows performers to interact with virtual objects or characters, transforming the stage into a dynamic and interactive space. These technologies create awe-inspiring moments that captivate audiences and enhance the storytelling capabilities of live events.

Zoltán Vigh, Live Event Market and Product Specialist – Lightware Visual Engineering comments: “The streaming solutions is a good interface between the traditional live events where you watch and hear the show and your home experience. If the audience can select between more camera views (close-up) on their

phones, if the organiser attaches the phone habits into the show (meaning many people today can’t put down the phones for a minute only), if enabling them to share their presence with their friends through the social media channels subscribed to, they will be more satisfied with the whole event.”

The audience of one AV technology has enabled the collection and analysis of data during live events, providing valuable insights into audience preferences, behaviour and engagement. From heatmaps that track audience movement to sentiment analysis of social media posts, event organizers can gain a deeper understanding of their audience and tailor experiences accordingly. Personalization is therefore possible, with content dynamically adjusted based on individual preferences or audience demographics, enhancing audience satisfaction and connection to the event.

Zoltán Vigh, Live Event Market and Product Specialist, at Lightware Visual Engineering believes: “The bandwidth to interact with personal devices is still a question in many cases. Realtime experience requires smooth data transmission both ways and if it is not available or breaks sometimes then the audience will not have a good experience and not use it at all. On the other hand, most of the artists do not like the personal cameras due to copyright and marketing reasons and its disruption of the attention to the stage. If one event requires your phones to interact and other event prohibit to use at all, then the audience will be confused.

The habits change slowly.”

“There are many new event ideas coming to the market, like our customers at IL luminarium

experience centres in the USA and Lightroom in the UK. We expect many more similar applications and we are ready to provide the best of the market seamless switching virtual matrix and extender for this, the UBEX AVoverIP devices.”

“They add more displays, more content, more additional content, more augmented experience, more impulse – so you will be addicted to go for live events again and again. It is important to do this with the level of competition with the personal AV devices which deliver more immersive experience too.” Says Zoltán Vigh, Live Event Market and Product Specialist, at Lightware Visual Engineering.

Where do we go from here?

Safe to say that the use of current and mering audio-visual technology in live events has revolutionized the way performances are created, presented and experienced. From immersive visual experiences to enhanced sound systems, interactive audience engagement, live streaming, dynamic lighting design, real-time visual effects, and data-driven analytics, AV technology has transformed live events into multisensory and immersive experiences. As technology continues to evolve, the boundaries of what is possible in live events will expand further, ensuring that audiences are continually enthralled and engaged by the power of audio-visual innovation.

Zoltán Vigh, Live Event Market and Product Specialist – Lightware Visual Engineering believes that there is still huge potential in the live events market: “All new experience centres, like science shows and the theme parks prefer to use AV. But anywhere you have walls you can put a huge LED instead or project video and you have immediately a new contact surface with your visitors, clients, guests. Imagine a sport venue where the walls are animated (huge interactive displays) depending on the preferred sport clubs playing that day. Or a theatre where not only the scene uses AV technology but the hallway and all other areas where the audience go or waiting. Imagine not only 55” LCDs on the walls used today, but a whole wall of the buffet for example and you get a trailer of the show just before it starts.”

And in the longer term? Zoltán

Vigh of Lightware is confident:

“We believe AVoverIP is one of the trends will be used widely soon. Many technicians do not know IT technology yet but in time they will learn and love it (and some Ethernet switch manufacturers are also focusing to this market now), like what happened with Dante audio, which replaces the traditional multicore audio snakes. We strongly believe that uncompressed, 12bit immersive AVoverIP will be used for live events video transmission and seamless switching, not only for LEDs on the stage but for all other displays around the event.”

Live events:getting the basics right!

The furore surrounding the broadcast sound quality of the headlining Guns N' Roses set, on the Saturday night of Glastonbury, underlines the importance of getting the basics right in the live events business. You can have all the xR. Drones and special guests you like, but if the sound quality of the main act of a musical event is dodgy, the result is a lot of very unhappy customers

Many days after the event, controversy over where the blame for the problems should be apportioned. Guns N’ Roses’ live agency points the finger at the BBC for poor broadcast sound quality during the band’s 24song Glastonbury set. Some fans watching BBC coverage at home, however felt that the footage was rife with technical

issues, specifically affecting the singing of Axl Rose. Reports on social media referenced the singer’s vocals dipping in and out throughout the set, while those physically present at the event did not report any such issue.

“The sound Quality for #GunsNRoses at #glastonbury2023 on #BBC is absolutely horrendous, can hardly make out the Vocals or Guitar riff! Sort it out lads!!!” wrote one Twitter subscriber. Festival goers and TV viewers contrasted Guns N’ Roses’ experience with that of Elton John on the Sunday hight of Glastonbury. The Independent newspaper, on the other hand was in no doubt that the reception afford to Guns N’ Roses’ was justifiably attributable to the band itself: “Guns N’ Roses mis-

The furore surrounding the broadcast sound quality of the headlining Guns N' Roses set, on the Saturday night of Glastonbury, underlines the importance of getting the basics right in the live events business.

AV enables cultural change

There is no doubt that changes in society determine what is acceptable for public consumption in live events, no more overtly racist or sexist events and even those which concern the potential mistreatment of animals, like fox hunting or hare coursing are generally frowned upon. This was the dilemma facing the traditional circus format.

So much so, that the Roncalli circus, founded in Germany in 1976, wanted to transform the traditional circus experience while also taking a stance against the mistreatment of wildlife in their industry. Founder Bernhard Paul came up with the idea to replace the problem-

formance and affordability.”

Katja Burkard, a TV Presenter from Germany found the hologram the most entertaining part of the show. She stated: “I found it very contemporary – I especially loved the fact the hologram could replicate real animals in a very good way”.

Janine Kunze, an Actress from Germany stated “The hologram at the beginning was really special. You will always remember the Roncalli circus once you’ve been.”.

Optoma’s ZU850 projectors bring the Roncalli circus to life, thrilling audiences all over Germany with entertaining holographic footage. Boasting

Germany with entertaining holographic footage.

Thousands of visitors now enjoy a modern, entertaining twist on

the circus experience. With 360° projection of horses galloping around the arena and elephants doing head stands, the Roncalli

as well be wearing T-shirts reading “Leylines Suck” or “Beards NEED Moustaches. Axl [he of the allegedly dodgy vocals] it quickly transpires, is Guns N’ Roses’ fatal flaw. The band may be capable of weighing down their paciest speed-rock workout (“Double Talkin’ Jive”) to a ponderous chug. A parade of rock cliché outfits – shiny biker king, Vegas magician – only serve to emphasise the sense that he’s become a lounge singer tribute to himself. So now you know!

atic practice of keeping animals in captivity by replacing the animals with 3D holograms.

In cooperation with Roncalli’s agency, TAG/TRAUM, blueBOX was appointed to make this dream a reality for the entire 32 x 5 m arena. Choosing 11 Optoma ZU850 laser projectors to bring the animated horses, elephants and goldfish to life, Birger Wunderlich at blueBOX said: “We have been using Optoma projectors for six years and have consistently had a very positive experience with reliability, per-

superior colour performance and 360° projection capability, Optoma’s ZU850 models with innovative MultiColor laser technology have assisted in creating a phenomenal experience for Roncalli circus visitors. The installation was completed using 11 BX-CTA03 long throw lenses allowing the ZU850 models to be positioned further away for ultimate flexibility. Optoma’s ZU850 projectors bring the Roncalli circus to life, thrilling audiences all over

circus experience is not one to miss, with its future no assured it a virtual format

ABBA performs in retirement

The four members of Abba made their first public appearance in 14 years as they attended the premiere of their Abba Voyage virtual concert in London. The concert has been in the works since 2016 and features ground-breaking new technology that recreates the sight of Abba in their 1970s prime, playing hits like SOS, Voulez-Vous and Lay All Your Love On me. To create the spectacle, the band performed in motion capture suits for five weeks, with 160 cameras scanning their body movements and facial expressions. Those became reference points for hundreds of animators and visual effects artists to create avatars of the band in their heyday.

Affectionately known as ‘Abba-tars’, the characters are not 3D holograms. “I don't think any hologram shows have been successful,” producer Baillie Walsh said last year. “After five minutes, I don't think they're that interesting.” Instead, the characters appear on a 65-million-pixel screen, with lights and other effects blurring the boundaries between the digital elements and the ‘real world’ in the arena. Press reaction to the preview shows of Voyage was almost universally positive: “Amazingly, they've pulled it off. The images might be 2D, but impressive lighting effects and back projections provide a crucial depth of field - creating the illusion that the band are really in the room with you.”

As the concert begins with the quartet ‘emerging’ from under the stage on risers, before launching into the spooky electric psychodrama of The Visitors

- the title track of their penultimate album, from 1981. A photo-realistic Agnetha and Frida resemble peacocks in red and blue winged catsuits, twirling around the stage while Benny and Bjorn vamp on the piano and guitar. Although the band members were in their 70s when the motion capture footage was filmed, the Royal Ballet's resident choreographer Wayne McGregor helped them recreate the movement of their younger selves. Agnetha and Frida's home-spun dance routines, which could charitably be described as ‘extravagant

to the band's last UK concert, in London's Wembley Arena, 42 years ago,” said on guest at the performance.

The music is enhanced by a precision-drilled, 10-piece live band, who race through an eclectic set of Abba songs that mixes classics like Mamma Mia and Thank You For The Music with unexpected deep cuts such as Eagle and the tender When All Is Said And Done. The two new songs they released last year, Don't

walking’, are both instantly recognisable and achingly nostalgic.

While the virtual Abba are restricted to the centre of the stage, a spectacular floor-to-ceiling light show adds a propulsive dynamism to proceedings. The band perform Chiquitita against an eclipsing sun and are surrounded by pulsing laser beams during Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).

“As long as you keep your eyes away from the big screens, where the avatars assume an unfortunate ‘uncanny valley’ effect, you feel like you've been transported back

The four members of Abba made their first public appearance in 14 years as they attended the premiere of their Abba Voyage show in London.

Shut Me Down and I Still Have Faith In You, slot into the setlist seamlessly; while the footage of the band winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 elicits an audible noise from the audience during Waterloo.

fit

a Glastonbury headline slot on so many levels that they might

Roncalli circus, founded in Germany in 1976, wanted to transform the traditional circus experience while also taking a stance against the mistreatment of wildlife in their industry.

AV innovations in museums and galleries

Post-pandemic, museums and galleries are investing, with UK government support, to offer visitors a novel and immersive experiences. Emerging AV technologies, including interactivity; holography; and Augmented Reality are being embraced by museums and galleries, intent on providing visitors with more informed, enjoyable and meaningful experiences. In 2020, the government announced £1.15 billion support pot for cultural organisations in England delivered through a mix of grants and loans. This was be made up of £270 million of repayable finance and £880 million in grants. £120 million of the of the total is dedicated to capital expenditure

Following on the from retail and sports venues, the last two years have seen museum and galleries re-open to the public. Many conservators and institutional managers in the sector are taking the opportunity to make significant changes to their venues to enhance the visitor experience. Many argue that offering something ‘new’ is essential institutional as venue managers have found that traditional visitors to museums and galleries (including older visitors, tourists and schools) have been among the slowest to return. “According to the Art Fund Report, 85% of museum directors are worried about their ability to attract audiences back. The Report anticipates less money available from philanthropy and sponsorship, and fewer bought in exhibitions and blockbusters”. Instead, it is believed that there will be more shows based on existing collections and, furthermore, there are continuing concerns about costs associated public health and challenges of managing social distancing. In a Report by Oxford Economics (commissioned

by UK Creative Industries) estimated that museums and galleries could lose £743 million (9%) in revenue and 5% of jobs (4,000) in the aftermath of the pandemic. In comparison, investment in AV technologies that offer an enhanced visitor experience, increasing the ‘destination feel’ of a particular venue and offering a new perspective on an existing collection – even one that has been seen before.

A new approach to a collection can even attract new audiences categories, for example the young..

New realities?

The technology with perhaps the greatest potential to enhance a museum or gallery show is Augmented Reality. Augmented Reality differs from Virtual Reality because, whereas VR is a completely immersive experience designed to take the user away from their present reality to somewhere completely different, AR enhances reality. AR can add new layers of meaning to what the user can already see

and hear, thereby helping deliver one of the main goals of any museum’s output – as a form of continuing education. The extra

layer that AR represents can provide an additional dimension with complementary or supplementary information, ideas, ex-

periences and other interactive elements.

As an example, museums can use AR to help visitors see how a dinosaur skeleton might have looked like as a living animal’ through the lens of a smartphone. Or viewing a painting in person, but also being able to access a 3D visualisation of the artist to the visitor talking about the work As a further example, the Akron Art Museum offers a much-lauded example of how AR can be used to local residents with access to the public art collection. The museum’s used AR for the launch of ‘Interplay: Art Play for All’ which saw the museum’s art gallery install a range of freely available art posters throughout the city, enabling members of the public to interact with each piece of art via a QR code. Once scanned into a tablet or smartphone, each poster opened up different ways of interacting with the art on display. For example, the poster by Akron artist, Adana Tillman, allows users to play with elements of the original design, to transform the final artwork and allow the public to use their own creativity and blend it with the artistic displays created by Tillman. “Interplay: Art Play for All has proved to be an engaging way to offer up a public platform to experience AR technology in the arts. It proved a welcome respite for culture-starved residents looking for ways to keep themselves entertained during the repeated lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Moreover, the fusion of technology and art show-

cased how creativity can be incorporated into AR to create a two-way sharing of information and ingenuity.”

Elsewhere, the Norton Museum of Art has launched a new AR app to help open up its art collection to visitors. Known as Norton Art+, the app will be available to anyone wishing to explore the artwork of the museum using the AR format but will be delivered through tablets loaned to visitors as part of the entrance fee. Although not necessarily conceived as a way to create new virtual entry points into the collection of the Norton Museum of Art, for non-visitors, the app aims to enhance the visitor experience, focusing initially on a select number of artworks, including ‘Soundsuit’ by Nick Cave and ‘MOONRISE. East. April’ by Ugo Rondinone. It is hoped that Norton Art+ will help encourage greater engagement with contemporary art pieces and modern art in general – particularly amongst younger visitors. By transforming the gallery experience with AR technology, it has helped developed an interaction with the piece that is not always possible in traditional gallery settings.

Interactivity

Interactivity offers a level of engagement with museum and gallery exhibits unparalleled by traditional printed labels on walls. Sharp/NEC reports that high performance PCAP touch sensors have been used to provide the highest level of touch

Displaying a vast array of art, historical artifacts and specimens from the natural world, Ulster Museum in Belfast tells the unique human story of Northern Ireland

accuracy, ensuring visitors to Ulster Museum enjoy the best possible interactive experience when using the NEC touch table.

To reassure anxious museum and gallery staff, the damage-resistant surface of the display is easy to clean and extremely robust against heavy usage.

Displaying a vast array of art, historical artifacts and specimens from the natural world, Ulster Museum in Belfast tells the human story of Northern Ireland. In the story to life, AV makes a significant contribution to the visitor experience as they take a journey through history. Sharp/NEC display technology is used throughout the venue as both passive and interactive large format displays. Projection technology provides opportunities for closer engagement with the narrative. A recent addition is an intriguing interactive tabletop. Surrounded by display cabinets exhibiting historical objects and a timeline chronicling

key events, in the centre of the room, the table invites visitors to discover more.

The museum’s AV systems are integrated by Fluid AV; managing director Stephen Mayne confidently chooses NEC branded displays for their robust reliability. “In a public space with high visitor footfall, robustness is vital. Our interactive tabletop installation for instance must stand up to the rigours of usage which might be beyond its intended remit such has children sitting on it - we’ve even seen it used as a nappy changing table!” The challenging environment proved too much for a previous similar tabletop installation using IR overlay technology. Installed face up, and side by side, the proximity of the displays caused interference with neighbouring displays resulting in a poor user experience. The surface of the IR touch displays was also not suitable to withstand the often-unusual usage.

Fluid AV recommended the use of NEC PCAP touch displays to provide the appropriate level of reliable precision touch interaction and robust long-life performance.

The table integration configures

six 55” NEC displays in a 3 x 2 arrangement, each presenting content in ultra-high definition with a smartphone-like interactive touch experience. Visitors can deep-dive into a myriad of information including videos to illustrate areas of interest. Accompanying the visual experience, each display has a corresponding audio feed from a Mystsytems PAN64 ceiling mounted directional speaker ensuring only the individual viewing the display can hear the commentary. Each display is connected to its own PC located remotely using Extron HDMI and USB transmitters and receivers. Using advanced 3MTM PCAP technology, the user enjoys ex-

ceptional touch performance without moiré or sparkles which can hamper other touch technologies. The scratch-resistant glass surface is entirely flush with no raised bezel for an easy to clean edge-to-edge solution without any compromise to image quality nor glare reflecting from room lighting. Delayed due to Covid pandemic, the equipment was actually ready to be installed pre-pandemic. Now, as visitor attractions pull out all the stops to increase footfall, interactive exhibits are key to enticing visitors with engaging experiences. With the new NEC PCAP touch table, Ulster Museum can provide an exceptional visitor experience, encouraging repeat visits for many years to come.

Installations

AR has also found novel applications in the art world. Internationally renowned artist Sarah

Montani, known for both her paintings and sculptures, joined forces with Swiss steel artist Andrea Stahl to create a groundbreaking art piece. They transformed a real metal sculpture of a woman’s torso into a weightless virtual twin sculpture using Augmented Reality (AR). The pioneering artwork represents the first of its kind in Europe, combining a physical steel sculpture with the immersive world of AR. The curator describes AR as the new reality that shapes our identities of tomorrow, echoing the words of philosopher David Chalmers. The sculpture can be experienced at The Line Contemporary Art Space in London, offering a fascinating encounter with new technologies through art. The sculpture will later travel to Central Park in New York and will be exhibited in MMOMA, the Metaverse Museum of Modern Art using 6 x NEC MultiSync V554Q PCAP touch displays.

Last month saw the long-awaited re-opening of London’s National Portrait Gallery, following the most extensive redevelopment in the building’s history, which began in March 2020

Display quality

Last month saw the long-awaited re-opening of London’s National Portrait Gallery, following the most extensive redevelopment in the building’s history, which began in March 2020. The redevelopment project, named ‘Inspiring People’, was designed to break down barriers and make the attraction as welcoming as possible to all visitors. As Projection Partner to the National Portrait Gallery, Epson’s EB-PU2120W - the world’s smallest and lightest 20,000-lumen projector - is being used

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The most sustainable touchscreens for your school

Schools have the utmost important task of teaching their pupils all about sustainability. They're our future leaders and policymakers after all! However, sustainability is not just for future generations. Rising energy costs are a hot-button issue in education.

In 2023, schools in the United Kingdom faced an incredible 600% increase in energy costs – imagine that on your year-end bill! We'd rather you didn't and that's why we design our touchscreens to be sustainable from beginning to end. All to ensure your energy is conserved, your CO2 reduced, your grass is green and your eco-conscience at peace. Read on to discover why our interactive displays are the most sustainable available for schools.

CTOUCH Riva R2: sustainable from factory to classroom

Our flagship model for primary and secondary education, not only is the CTOUCH Riva R2 the right fit for your classroom, it’s also the right fit to achieve your sustainability goals.

Great care went into the sustainability aspect in the product design:

•Thanks to Zero Air Gap technology, the glass panel measures 3mm “thick” instead of 4mm.

•The bezels are much more efficiently constructed and need much less material (while increasing serviceability even!).

•Due to less material used, R2 weighs on average 33% less than its predecessors. That’s a few clothing sizes…

CTOUCH Riva 1's packaging on top, 2's packaging below. What a difference!

And packaging

•The accessory box is made with less ink. Sure, the full colour printed packaging looked awesome, but definitely not the most sustainable. A sacrifice we were willing to make for the planet.

•The accessory box has less plastic than ever before! All accessories are loose, except for the remote (it's okay, some of us just need extra protection from the world).

•Decreasing packaging size and improving load efficiency enables us to transport a lot more Rivas per container. Yay almost 30% less CO2 emitted during transport!

CTOUCH Riva D2: also sustainable (thinking of titles is hard OK?)

CTOUCH Riva D2: also sustainable (thinking of titles is hard OK?)

The CTOUCH Riva D2 is the more cost-effective model and as a result, has slightly differing features than the R2. When it comes to sustainability, fear not: this classroom companion shares many of R2’s sustainability measures:

They're different underneath the hood, but the same material is used and thus reduced packaging compared to previous CTOUCH models

•D2 is also set to eco-mode by default!

•You can also mute back light, set timers, set source detection

•D2's Sustainability Passport has the rundown of materials used and its CO2 impact

Discover the CTOUCH Riva 2, the perfect solution for primary and secondary education

CTOUCH Neo: green-to-use

CTOUCH Neo feels most at home in a lecture hall. In higher education, Neo’s easiest-to-use interface is a godsend to less technology savvy professors who up until last week still worked with chalkboards. It's also a godsend for sustainability officers, as it shares many of Riva's energy conserving features:

•Smart on/off

•Eco-mode by default

•Mute backlight

•Set timers

•Set source detection

Right: Riva 2. So much les plastic!

Last but not least, in usage!

The screen mode is set to eco-mode by default, saving watts and watts of energy and money! On average, Riva R2 uses 43% less energy than the average competitor. This makes R2 compliant with European Eco-design guidelines, a fun fact for classes on European Union product requirements.

•Smart on/off. R2 turns on when it detects a teacher or pupil in the classroom and automatically shuts down if it's left all alone after a long school day.

•You can mute the back light. Reduces a serious amount of CO2 emission: up to 83%! That’s really close to a 100.

•You can set timers to automatically turn the displays on/off at certain times of day (we recommend before/after class, not during).

•You can enable Riva to turn off automatically if it does not detect a source within X minutes.

Is that all folks? No, Riva R2 has this and more in writing. Gathered in R2's Sustainability Passport is all information regarding materials used and CO2 impact during its entire life cycle.

Plus, Neo also has reduced packaging, a simple cardboard accessory box and 3mm glass panel size. Check out Neo's Sustainability passport for the full details of its CO2 impact during its life cycle and the materials used.

Neo is also designed to withstand the test of time: every quarter year the latest Android security patches are integrated in the firmware update, to ensure Neo stays safe and secure to use for a whopping 10 years. If Android is no longer supported, the OS is upgradeable via a module or main board upgrade.

Feels green and good, doesn’t it?

Discover the CTOUCH Neo, the easiest-to-use solution for SME Want more sustainability? “But my school needs more! We need to be greener than the Grinch! We must give the right example!” Don’t worry about a thing. That's what CTOUCH Heartbeat is for. CTOUCH Heartbeat As-A-Service programme is a solution that lets you maximise the value of your touchscreens for far longer than you think! Sign up your interactive touchscreens for CTOUCH Heartbeat and receive up to 10 years warranty and a lifetime of functionality, security, and firmware updates. Plus, for every touchscreen in the programme, we plant a tree!

Discover CTOUCH Heartbeat

Left: Riva 1,

continued from page 29

to help reinvigorate the visitor experience. AV consultants Sysco Productions has worked together with Epson and the National Portrait Gallery as a key collaborator during the design of the spaces to help maximise the experience through audio visual technology.

A 15m x 8m wall behind its new visitor information desk is now a central welcoming attraction at the National Portrait Gallery, where the collection art is brought to life with powered by Six Epson EB-PU2120W laser projectors complete with ELPLU04 short-throw lenses. The projection displays a carousel of digitised portraits from the Gallery’s Collection and can also be used to show special displays. The digitised portraits have been given subtle animation effects to make the most of the display technology. An additional EB-PU1007W is installed on the first floor providing a separate, interchangeable digital art installation, and a 16k-lumen EB-PU2216B with ELPLM10 mid-throw lens is installed in the Ondaatje Wing Theatre. Katherine Biggs, Head of Digital at National Portrait Gallery, commented: “We wanted to use projection technology to give a snapshot of portraits from our collection and a taste of what’s in store for their visit. This is a really amazing way for us to provide a unique and impactful introduction to visitors and show that we are a forward-facing institution The hope is that in the future we can use this system to work with contemporary artists and partners to create media and new installations. In the beginning when we were exploring how we could use this wall, the main obstacles were the sheer amount of space that we wanted to use, along with the natural light projecting from the window above. We were fortunate with timing in that we were able to work with Epson and their new devices. Their previous generation of 20k-lumen projector were roughly double the size, so rigging those was going to be a lot harder, whereas the ones installed are smaller and white so blend in with the surroundings. It’s going to be amazing to see how visitors are interacting with changes that we’ve been so involved in for the last few years. For the projection, staff and contractors have been impressed by the displays as we’ve prepared for launch, so we know the public are really going to love it.”

Will Spence, Site Services Manager from Sysco Productions, took the lead on AV installations at the National Portrait Gallery. He added: “The brief was straightforward in that they wanted to fill the wall space with a feature piece that they could use every day or could be used for events and changing media. Early on we did a few tests with different projector brands, and we looked at LED at one point, but the power consumption on that was too high and with projection we could cover a wider space while consuming much less power. We’re using

edge-blending on the projectors to achieve the image size. We can darken the edges. We haven’t had to use any physical masking; it’s done purely through the projector. We did a lot of the alignment in the projector because of the geometry correction in the Epson devices, which meant the gallery team didn’t need to be trained in and the video servers could be realigned using the remote control. We’ve used the Epson Projector Professional Tool (EPPT), which gives us control over all projectors in the building and this helps us with geometry correction and managing all the blends as well. The biggest challenge we faced was installing the projectors on the first floor, which because of the overhang was quite scary, but the Epson devices are very small, so this was perfectly manageable.”

Innovative projection

Elsewhere, advanced projection and audio technologies are being deployed in the museum and gallery space. By using projection mapping to display dynamic visuals on objects or architectural elements with, museums can transform static exhibits into interactive and visually engaging experiences. In place of individual personal headsets, museums can provide immersive audio experiences through directional speakers or audio beams, creating a more natural and engaging audio environment. To reach a wider audience, museums and galleries are integrating exhibits with online displays. For example, they may create virtual tours that allow remote visitors to explore exhibits virtually, access additional information, and view high-resolution images or 3D models of artifacts. Online platforms and websites also provide opportunities for interactive exhibits, virtual galleries, and live-streamed events.

Health and security

The lessons learned during the pandemic regarding crowd control and ticketing have proven valuable in the longer term for museums and galleries. Implementing timed-entry ticketing, online reservation systems, and capacity management solutions can help ensure a smoother visitor experience, maintain social distancing, and optimize crowd control even beyond the pandemic. Data analytics from AV technologies help museums and galleries gain insights into visitor preferences and behaviours. This information can be used to optimize exhibit layouts, improve visitor flow, tailor content offerings, and identify areas of high interest or low engagement. It enables museums to enhance the visitor experience and make informed decisions about future exhibit designs.

AI-powered technologies are being used to enhance the curation and interpretation of exhibits in museums and galleries. Natural language processing and ma-

chine learning algorithms can assist in automating the analysis of textual and contextual information, facilitating intelligent recommendations, and providing personalized experiences for visitors based on their interests and preferences. Emerging AV technologies such as holography and interactive virtual assistants are being explored in the context of museums.

Future trends

Looking ahead it is clear that AV technologies have a great deal to offer the museum and gallery sectors, both in term of immersive enjoyment of exhibits by already committed visitors and in attracting new or underrepresented sectors of society. For example. AV can create inclusive and accessible experiences for visitors with disabilities. Captioning and sign language interpretation can be integrated into video displays, while tactile exhibits and audio descriptions can cater to visually impaired visitors. Additionally, assistive technologies like audio guides with adjustable settings and touch-sensitive interfaces can enhance accessibility for visitors with different needs.

Museums and galleries incorporate gamification elements and interactive storytelling using AV technologies to engage younger audiences. This can involve interactive touchscreens, interactive projections, motion-sensing games, and digital quizzes that encourage participation, exploration, and learning through play. Implementing interactive video walls or multi-touch displays in museum and gallery settings offers benefits such as increased visitor engagement, the ability to showcase a larger range of content, and the opportunity for collaborative experiences. However, challenges include maintenance, content creation, and ensuring intuitive user interfaces to avoid overwhelming or confusing visitors.

Van Gogh alive!

MediaCityUK played host to the Van Gogh Alive exhibition, ‘the world’s most visited immersive, multi-sensory experience’ that shows the life and work of the seminal Dutch artist. Following a smash hit run in Kensington Gardens as London’s must-see cultural event of the summer, visitors will be treated to a truly

including iconic works like Starry Night, Sunflowers and lesser-known paintings that were inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints.

State-of-the-art SENSORY4

immersive gallery technology displayed Van Gogh’s work in a kaleidoscope of colour. Set to an evocative classical score that is

the world over. Bruce Peterson, owner of Grande Experiences, said: “After mesmerising a global audience of over 8 million people and selling-out cities all over the world, including Rome, Sydney and of course our most recent location at Kensington Gardens in London, we’re incredibly excited to be bringing

The acclaimed cultural and business destination MediaCityUK played host to Van Gogh Alive, ‘the world’s most visited immersive, multi-sensory experience’ that exhibits the life and work of the seminal Dutch artist.

world-class cultural experience in the heart of Greater Manchester’s iconic cultural hub at MediaCity piazza.

delivered via a high-fidelity 3D sound system, this combination of sound, visuals and aromas of Provence will give visitors the

Van Gogh Alive to MediaCityUK. This is an unforgettable cultural experience for all the family.”

Having welcomed over 8 million visitors in 70 cities around the world Van Gogh Alive, is the immersive Van Gogh experience created by Grande Experiences. Van Gogh Alive, which The Sunday Times has called “glorious, stunning, but also very moving”, allowed visitors to experience the artist like never before. The blockbuster multi-sensory experience completely immersed visitors in the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, travelling through periods of his life that defined him as an artist. Experience over 3,000 images from the artist that are spectacularly presented with stunning detail,

sensation of walking right into his paintings as if they are living and breathing. Van Gogh Alive also featured an interpretive area where visitors could learn more about Van Gogh’s life and works as well as interactive art stations where they could create their own art with the help of expert video tutorials. Visitors could also create their own souvenirs within a life-sized walk-in representation of Van Gogh’s ‘Bedroom in Arles’ painting and the iconic ‘Sunflower selfie room’ –a 360° mirrored room complete with hundreds of sunflowers that has delighted Instagram feeds

Continued from page 25

Immersive AV in the future of retail!

Implementing immersive AV

Implementing immersive AV in retail environments may present certain challenges and limitations. These can include technical requirements, space constraints, budget considerations, content creation and management, training staff to operate the technology, and ensuring scalability and maintenance of the systems. Immersive AV can be integrated with other emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) in retail settings. For example, AI can personalise and tailor immersive experiences based on customer preferences, while IoT can enable interactive and responsive environments by connecting AV systems with sensors and smart devices.

Retailers can measure the impact and effectiveness of immersive AV experiences on customer engagement and sales through various metrics. These can include foot traffic, dwell time, customer feedback and surveys, sales data, conversion rates, and repeat customer visits. Analytics and tracking tools can also provide insights into customer interactions and behaviour within immersive environments. The cost implications of implementing immersive AV in a retail store can vary depending on factors such as the scale of the installation, technology chosen, content creation and management, hardware and software costs, and ongoing maintenance and updates. Retailers need to carefully evaluate the potential return on investment against

Considerations for retailers

Retailers considering investing in virtual changing room should consider:

•The primary cost component is the AV equipment itself. The costs can vary significantly depending on the desired quality, resolution, size, and brand of the equipment.

•Content Creation: Developing engaging and interactive content for immersive AV experiences requires investment. The complexity and scope of the content will impact the cost.

•Setting up the AV infrastructure in a retail store involves costs related to installation, cabling, mounting equipment, and integrating the AV system with existing infrastructure or store design.

• Immersive AV systems require ongoing maintenance, regular updates, and occasional repairs. Budgeting for routine inspections, software updates, equipment replacements, and technical support is essential to ensure optimal system performance and longevity.

It is important to remember that although there might be a significant cost upfront for installing AV solutions, a thriving store bursting with eye-catching AV solutions will help increase your footfall and sales. Clever AV solutions also make it easier and cheaper to monitor and

the upfront and operational costs associated with immersive AV. Immersive AV has shown promising results in various industries and product categories. For example, in the fashion industry, virtual reality fashion shows and virtual try-on experiences have gained popularity. In the automotive industry, VR showrooms and interactive configurators have improved the customer experience. However, the applicability and success of immersive AV may vary depending on the specific context and target audience.

To ensure that immersive AV experiences align with a retailer's brand image and messaging, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the brand identity and customer preferences. The immersive AV content, visuals, and interactions should be designed in a way that reflects and enhances the brand's values, aesthetics, and storytelling.

Immersive AV can play a significant role in bridging the gap between online and offline retail experiences. It can provide customers with interactive and engaging experiences similar to what they may encounter when shopping online. Integrating immersive AV with e-commerce platforms and online channels can create a seamless and consistent brand experience across different touchpoints, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving conversions.

update your advertising and marketing content with the latest promotional information you have. Saving more time and money than you would with static displays.

How can retailers ensure that immersive AV experiences align with their brand image and messaging? For AV to be rolled out successfully, it needs to be consistent with your brand. This includes using your brand colours, fonts, and logos as well as any key messaging. The content your customers see on digital boards and interactivity screens should be like the content provided on your website, app, social media, and emails.

This is because it helps to enhance brand recognition which has a direct impact on trust and loyalty, and indeed sales.“What role can immersive AV play in bridging the gap between online and offline retail experiences. We’re at the cusp of a very exciting time in retail. Retailers who are open to AV can provide customers with a more immersive and interactive experience, allowing customers to engage in new ways and enjoy a personalised experience. Customers can view products in greater detail, helping them to make more informed decisions, and can even see how a product might look at home or on themselves in a click. It also allows customers to interact with products and brands in a fun way and creates a more convenient and memorable shopping experience.”

Photo by Viktor Bystrov on Unsplash

Photo by Blake Wisz on Unsplash

Peoplewatch

d&b audiotechnik has appointed Christian Orcin to the position of Territory Manager for EMEA. His new responsibilities include overseeing all sales, support and marketing operations in the region and developing new business opportunities. Orcin joined d&b in 2019 as General Manager for Spain and Portugal and has since reinforced the company’s leadership in the Spanish mobile/rental and fixed installation markets, while also taking on the management of d&b’s Italian and French subsidiaries.

Orcin will now focus on strengthening the foundations of the EMEA subsidiary and distribution markets whilst driving growth across the broader EMEA territory. “d&b is a great company with great products, but it’s the amazing group of people working behind the curtains that really makes this company stand apart from the field,” said Orcin. “The combination of our technologies, attention to quality and passion for doing things right is the key to our continued success and I’m looking forward to working with the larger EMEA team to fully support our customers and partners.”

Orcin will draw on his diverse background in professional audio, video and electroacoustic engineering, and his skills and leadership style are well-suited to his new role. “Christian has done an excellent job leading our teams and developing business in our Southern Europe region ,” said Phill Coe, VP of Global Sales for d&b audiotechnik. “He has consistently demonstrated the ability for successfully directing our business, even during the most challenging of times. With Christian leading our EMEA division, the possibilities for growth are limitless.”

Prior to joining d&b, Orcin was Vice President of Sales and Product Marketing EMEA for Leyard Optoelectronic, and also held roles in visual media at EARPRO and Panasonic. Orcin has an MBA, a degree in industrial electronic engineering and speaks Spanish, Catalan, English, French, and Italian.

ports Peerless-AV’s European growth strategy and ability to address regional market needs with improved customer service levels.

Prior to joining Peerless-AV, Patrick spent five years at e-systems Ihr Systemhaus GmbH & Co. KG in the signage division, starting out as an engineer supporting key OEMs with installation and technical services. He then moved into project management implementing customer specific projects and was promoted to solutions sales manager coordinating active leads, product testing, inventory management and maintaining partnerships with manufacturers and distributors.

“Patrick is a valuable asset to the EMEA sales team and will be instrumental in furthering our market commitment and brand awareness in this vast economic hub,” said Keith Dutch, Managing Director – EMEA, Peerless-AV. “Our expanded team will provide even more reach into those territories where we see growth opportunities for our core ‘bread and butter’ mounting products as well as our emergent dvLED, Outdoor and Kiosk lines.”

Patrick will be responsible for actively pursuing new business in Northern and Western Germany with key and new accounts, identifying customer and market needs, building technical knowledge, delivering training and developing quality relationships. His professional experience with decision makers combined with his eye for detail, results-oriented approach, and deep understanding of installer needs, makes him a specialist in his field and a go-to expert for Peerless-AV products.

HOLOPLOT has announced the appointment of Carlos Mosquera as Senior Project Engineer in the Customer Success department. Based in California, Carlos’ role will initially focus on US region projects for HOLOPLOT’s ground-breaking X1 Matrix Array’s deployment across all sectors, bringing his knowledge of immersive environments and spatial audio applications to the fore. Carlos is enjoying the new challenges his role at HOLOPLOT brings. “When the X1 system was demoed to me, it was mind-blowing,” he says:

“I was sure that I could use the experience I have from both my professional and personal activities to help develop it even further.”

He emphasises that HOLOPLOT is an exciting company to be part of, with a vibrant culture, cutting-edge technology, and a distinct mindset.

“As a Senior Project Engineer, my role is nothing short of thrilling.

X1 has a lot to offer for live entertainment and immersive projects alike and I look forward to bringing this innovative technology to new and exciting applications,” he continues. “Right now, the first and foremost project for me is helping to make sure that the MSG Sphere music and entertainment arena in Las Vegas sounds exceptional. We have thousands of X1 cabinets installed in Sphere, so the atmosphere is bound to be electrifying.”

Born in Venezuela, Carlos has been passionate about music from a young age that saw him pursue a musical education, graduating

Trade-only display specialist, PSCo (part of the Midwich Group), is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Harrison as image processing specialist, and Rob Stallard as consultant partner manager. Both Harrison and Stallard bring a wealth of industry experience to bolster the company’s LED and technical video division.

with a B.A. in Sound Technology from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in the U.K. After graduating, Carlos immersed himself in music and sound technologies, working with esteemed organisations such as the L.A. Philharmonic, The Colburn School of Music, The Herb Albert School of Music at UCLA, and L-Acoustics. In his previous position at L-Acoustics, Carlos worked as an L-ISA Applications Engineer and then as an Audio Developer for L-Acoustics’ immersive audio technology.

His audio engineering expertise has contributed to major shows such as Lorde, Lady Gaga, Childish Gambino, Alt-J, LBO, LA Philharmonic, Deadmau5, Aerosmith, Bon Iver and others. Alongside his professional pursuits, Carlos is also passionate about utilising technology to

HOLOPLOT has announced the appointment of Carlos Mosquera as Senior Project Engineer in the Customer Success department.

serve communities. He developed 'Guiding Sounds,' an award-winning positional app for the visually impaired that provides real-time location information without internet connectivity. He also volunteers for Coachart.org, teaching children with serious illnesses about coding and music. “My goal is to witness people experiencing sound in the way it was meant to be,” Carlos explains. “I am driven to find new ways to enhance people's experiences. It's about enabling people to savour music authentically. HOLOPLOT provides a fresh pathway to achieve that. To truly comprehend the transformative power of HOLOPLOT, one must experience it first-hand.”

With his responsibilities also extending to training, content preparation, and exploring integrations with other cutting-edge companies in VR/AR sectors, Carlos notes that he sees his role as “constantly pushing the boundaries of what our system can achieve. It's an exhilarating journey that promises innovation and endless possibilities!” he concludes.

system’ approach to support channel partners with fully validated source-to-screen display solutions. As an industry figurehead, Harrison brings a wealth of experience from both integration and manufacturing roles, spanning the broadcast, live event, and professional video industries. As well as working with traditional display wall en-

AV technology pioneer Peerless-AV has announced the appointment of Patrick Vater as Sales Manager – Germany. Patrick joins a growing team in Germany and will assist with increasing business in the region with a focus on managing and building relationships with resellers in Northern and Western territories. The appointment sup-

Mark Harrison - Image Processing Specialist - will be primarily responsible for providing pre-sales technical, commercial and solutions design support to customers and colleagues for large screen display projects. A key focus will be on growing the image processing category within the business and to strengthen PSCo’s ‘validated

vironments, Harrison will also be working with the team to venture into new technology applications such as virtual and extended reality content production solutions. “I’ve worked alongside PSCo and MidContinues on page 34

d&b audiotechnik has appointed Christian Orcin to the position of Territory Manager for EMEA.

Peerless-AV has announced the appointment of Patrick Vater as Sales Manager (Germany).

Trade-only display specialist, PSCo is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Harrison as image processing specialist, and Rob Stallard as consultant partner manager

Peoplewatch

Continues from page 34

Trade-only display specialist, PSCo (part of the Midwich Group),

wich for a number of years; they are a well organised group of experts who work hard for their customers. I’m very much looking forward to extending existing industry relationships and making many new ones in my new challenge to grow to the PSCo image processing business, both in terms of revenue and the technology solutions we offer” adds Harrison.

Rob Stallard - Consultant Partner Manager - takes on a key strategic role within the PSCo sales team, working closely with architects, audio visual consultants, users, and other specifiers, to identify, develop and support complex project opportunities for the business. Stallard has extensive background in integration and account/client management since entering the industry almost thirty-years ago with a focus on delivering large scale AV experiences. He previously held senior project management and technical support roles at Electrosonic and Whitelight, delivering flagship corporate and leisure projects. Rob will be a primary contact for the AV consultant community, covering the entire Midwich portfolio of technical products including LED, image processing, collaboration, connectivity, and signal distribution. He adds: “Having delivered countless successful projects across a multitude of different regions and sectors, I was very excited by the PSCo opportunity to be involved right at the start of the client’s journey and to really help drive positive outcomes for our clients”. Commenting on the appointments, Graham Pow, general sales manager at PSCo added: “We are delighted to welcome Mark Harrison and Rob Stallard to the team. They are two seasoned AV professionals whose strong technical knowledge will add a lot of value to our partners and vendors. Their appointment comes at a time when we are seeing more complex AV systems going into our clients’ businesses.”

Both Harrison and Stallard join PSCo at a key point in PSCo's growth as last year the Midwich Group broke through the £1-billion turnover mark for the first time through the supply of professional AV, Broadcast, Security & Lighting products, and professional services to trade only customers.

Videndum Media Solutions has announced the appointment of Simon Beesley to the position of Sales and Business Development Director EMEA for the Pro Audio Group. In his new role, Simon will be responsible for sales and business development in the region for the company’s professional audio portfolio of brands, which includes

“We are very pleased to welcome Simon Beesley to Videndum Media Solutions. He brings his extensive knowledge, skills, and experience in the broadcast and professional audio marketplaces to our team,” says Bjørn Rennemo-Henriksen, Audio Sales Senior Director. “Videndum Media Solutions has a long and rich history and its brands have a well-known reputation for producing products and solutions which meet the very highest standards in their respective marketplaces,” adds Simon Beesley. “I am very excited to get to be part of this team and look forward to furthering the brand recognition and building new relationships in the region for Audix and Rycote.”

AtlasIED has strengthened its team with the addition of Ivan Schwartz who will serve as the Director of Consultant Relations. Reporting to AtlasIED’s Executive Vice President, Matt Czyzewski, Schwartz will work firsthand with the AV consultant and designer community, assisting as a product specialist for all AtlasIED products. By monitoring team projects, and embracing feedback from consultants, he will ensure AtlasIED products are fulfilling and exceeding requirements within the ever-changing audio landscape. Schwartz has more than 20 years of experience in professional and

next-generation collaboration solutions to market. As an analyst, Dan brought together software and hardware vendors to forge partnerships that improve employee experience, increase engagement, and drive adoption.

“Collaboration solutions are evolving and will converge in the years to come, so cross-functional experience will be pivotal to innovation and success within the industry. New partnerships will be key for ClickShare to continue to be the center of the workplace experience,” said Stijn Henderickx, EVP Meeting & Learning Experience. “Dan’s strong background and extensive understanding of the enterprise collaboration market will help drive the execution and success of our strategic plan.”

“With a transforming industry and the growing importance of collaboration technologies, it’s an exciting time to take on the role of Global Strategic Alliance Lead at Barco,” said Dan Root. “I’m honoured to be part of ClickShare’s journey and look forward to leading our partnership and alliance program, to create workspaces where people love meeting.”

Barco welcomes industry expert Dan Root as Global Strategic Alliance Lead for ClickShare.

Audix and Rycote. Simon Beesley joins Videndum with a broad spectrum of experience in the professional audio and broadcast marketplaces. After studying electronics and engineering, with a particular interest in RF technology, he started his career in this industry at Raycom, the manufacturer of radio talkback systems for broadcast, as well as performing engineering work on wireless mic systems. He has served in a variety of roles such as business development, sales, product management, and rental and installation division management for companies including Sony Professional, Riedel Communications and Sennheiser.

AtlasIED has strengthened its team with the addition of Ivan Schwartz who will serve as the Director of Consultant Relations.

commercial audio where he has represented some of the industry’s top manufacturers to develop and maintain relationships with AV, IT, and engineering consulting firms. Schwartz prides himself on understanding consultants' evolving needs, while also recognizing the constant change that’s inherent to technology and user expectations. “Aside from his immense knowledge regarding our industry, Ivan is a great guy, personally. His past experience, and passion for building and maintaining relationships in the consulting community has him positioned well for this role at AtlasIED,” said Czyzewski. Schwartz, who previously worked with AtlasIED’s VP of Loudspeaker Strategy, Graham Hendry, is enthusiastic about AtlasIED’s direction, especially with the recent investment in Fyne Audio. “The investment in Fyne Audio sets AtlasIED up to be a loudspeaker manufacturer that will fit many facets of the specifier community,” said Schwartz. “I look forward to supporting the company’s mission, supporting industry consultants, and helping deliver new audio solutions to the market.”

Barco has announced that industry veteran Daniel Root has joined the company to lead the Meeting Experience division’s global alliance team. Dan Root will be responsible for driving strategic alignment as ClickShare accelerates its momentum. With his experience and deep understanding of the market, Dan is well equipped to lead ClickShare’s partnership and alliance program into the future. Dan joins Barco with over 10 years of experience in enterprise communications and collaboration technologies. Most recently, Dan was senior analyst at Wainhouse Research, where he worked alongside product teams from across the industry to drive innovation and bring

June Ko Joins InfoCommAsia

AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, and Pico Group, the co-owners of InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd. (IAPL), have announced that June Ko will become the new Executive Director of IAPL, taking over from Richard Tan. Ko is currently the Executive

AVIXA has announced that June Ko will become the new Executive Director of IAPL, taking over from Richard Tan.

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Peoplewatch

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June Ko Joins InfoCommAsia

Director and Vice President of Asia Pacific Operations for IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry and producer of events and trade shows worldwide. In her role as Executive Director of IAPL, Ko will lead the continued growth of InfoComm Asia, InfoComm China, Beijing, and InfoComm India trade shows.

“We’re thrilled to welcome June to lead InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd.,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer of AVIXA. “She brings a wealth of experience working in Asia and delivering events and trade shows across the region. We’re looking forward to the impact that June’s blend of association and trade show experiences will have on the expansion of our shows in Asia.” Ko will be based in Hong Kong and comments: “I want to thank Richard Tan for the considerable success of leading IAPL for the last 17 years,” said Labuskes. “Richard has not only grown successful shows year over year in his tenure with IAPL but innovated in how to deliver shows in times of great challenge during the last few years. He created shows in new and important regions in Asia and brought the AV industry together under the InfoComm umbrella, expanding AVIXA’s mission to be a catalyst for growth and hub for the AV industry. Richard leaves the business in a position of strength and with great opportunities.”

"We are delighted to have June join InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd. Her experience in association-led events and trade shows in this region will complement our efforts to chart new growth strategies for our growing portfolio of events,” said James Chia, Chairman of MP Group. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Richard Tan for his invaluable contributions to the success of IAPL. His leadership and tenacity enabled the business to continue to thrive in the face of overwhelming challenges, especially during the pandemic years. He has indeed built a strong foundation for future growth of the company. I wish him all the best for all his future endeavors.”

Former Deutsche Telekom Board Member and current Non-Executive Director at Telstra Australia, Niek Jan van Damme, has joined the Board of Directors of ConnectiviTree Corp., having previously supported ConnectiviTree as a member of their Advisory Council. Niek Jan will add additional telecom industry, enterprise market insight and guidance as ConnectiviTree follows its growth plans. He will also provide guidance and support to the executive team and will be instrumental in building the ConnectiviTree Global Alliance.

“I am honored to have been asked to join this intelligent initiative.

Niek Jan has more than 20 years direct telecommunications experience, with the first part of his career focusing on brand and category management in a range of businesses including fast moving consumer goods and retail. He joined Ben Nederland in 1999, later T-Mobile Netherlands, a challenger mobile brand, where he was Chairman of the Managing Board as of 2004. In 2009 he became a member of the Global Deutsche Telekom Board of Management, where in the role of CEO Germany he was responsible for fixed line and mobile communications in Germany with revenues of €20 billion and 75,000 employees. At Deutsche Telekom he led the merger of mobile and fixed line business, laying the foundation for making Deutsche Telekom the leading operator in converged services. He also led a major network modernization program with the establishment of a new IP core and 4G network for Deutsche Telekom. Niek Jan holds several other Board positions including, Non-executive Director on the Board of Directors at Telstra Corporation, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at NGN Fiber Network (partially owned by Eurofiber); Chairman of Board at Infrafibre Germany GmbH; Board Advisor, at LotusFlare, Glow Financial Services Ltd and 5Skye.

Lightware Visual Engineering has announced the promotion of Jason Tirado as chief executive officer of Lightware US and the promotion of Clint Hoffman to the role of president of Lightware Americas. Under their leadership, Lightware will consolidate its position in the United States and the entire Americas region with a greater focus on growth after a hugely successful 2022 and an incredible start in 2023.

Newly promoted Chief Executive Officer Jason Tirado brings unrivalled experience to support Lightware’s continuous growth across the United States. In 2017, Tirado joined Lightware Visual Engineering. He built the existing team and oversaw the organisation’s development, building the foundation of Lightware’s regional success. In his new role, Tirado will have complete responsibility for the daily operations and business of the United States. Tirado will direct the day-to-day operations for the Lightware US sales office to continue the phenomenal growth and sales success. Tirado brings a wealth of success in sales, operations, management and business development. With nearly 25 years of experience, Tirado has worked with many industry-leading organisations, including RGB Spectrum, Crestron Electronics and AMX.

“My original role was to establish and start to build the Lightware brand in the Americas,” said Tirado. “Now that my team and I have very successfully finished the first part of our strategic plan, I am extremely excited and eager to focus my efforts solely on further developing the sales success in the biggest market in the world for Lightware: The United States.”

Additionally, Lightware has promoted Clint Hoffman to president of Lightware Americas. In August 2022, Lightware appointed Hoffman as vice president of business development for the Americas. In his new position, Hoffman will be responsible for sales, operations and organisation development in the Americas region. He will work closely with Tirado in the United States while simultaneously building and executing a plan for further growth of the Lightware brand in Canada and Latin America. Hoffman has over 35 years of success in sales, marketing, operations, and product development in the professional AV industry. In his new role, Hoffman will be responsible for ensuring the continued growth of Lightware in the entire Americas region. As president of Lightware Americas, Hoffman will work directly with Lightware’s headquarters and management team.

“It’s a very exciting and pivotal time for Lightware in the Americas,” said Hoffman. “I look forward to the challenge of further building upon the impressive success that the Lightware has already created in the region. I will further develop and strengthen our sales and organisational operations. We will continue our exponential growth in the region while delivering an uncompromising level of service and support to an ever-increasing number of customers and partners.”

Andy Evans Promoted to Lead TD SYNNEX Maverick in Europe

TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), today announced the promotion of Andy Evans to the position of Vice President, Maverick, Europe.

In his new role, Evans will lead the overall growth strategy for Maverick in Europe, with a focus on deepening the distributor’s extensive specialist capabilities, reinforcing vendor relationships and empowering the Maverick team to deliver best-in-class smart signage and collaboration offerings to partners across Europe.

With more than 30 years’ experience within the AV/IT industry, Evans previously served in commercial director roles at integration businesses including market leaders Electrosonic and Kinly, and also held senior positions at Viju and Cisco.

Evans said: “Since joining the company earlier this year, I have learnt firsthand about the immense power, knowledge and experience of

Every day I notice the increasing demand in fast and secure global connectivity for large Enterprises. The intelligent service layer makes this solution stand out of the rest for me,” said Niek Jan van Damme. ConnectiviTree CEO, Paul Cox, stated, “the expertise, quick action and large scope Niek Jan brings to ConnectiviTree is pivotal for us. He understands the market gap we are filling, and his knowledge base and global network will help fuel our general growth and expansion of our Global Alliance partner network.”

Lightware Visual Engineering has announced the promotion of Jason Tirado as chief executive officer of Lightware US and the promotion of Clint Hoffman to the role of president of Lightware Americas

our team and the continued potential for growth in our business. In my new role, I am looking forward to enabling the whole Maverick team to realize the many opportunities in front of us in the smart signage and collaboration space.”

Hugo Da Graça, senior vice president, Specialized Solutions, Europe, at TD SYNNEX, said: “Andy has made a huge impact on our business in the past few months thanks to his knowledge of collaboration technology, the channel and our industry verticals. He is a natural fit to lead the Maverick team to its next level of high performance and business success.”

Former Deutsche Telekom Board Member and current Non-Executive Director at Telstra Australia, Niek Jan van Damme, has joined the Board of Directors of ConnectiviTree Corp.

Events and Diary

Engaging Experiences’ at Digital Signage Summit

This year’s Digital Signage Summit Europe (DSS Europe) returns to the Hilton Munich Airport, Germany on 5-6 July 2023, and in line with the release of the invidis Yearbook 2023, will provide attendees with the opportunity to explore ‘Engaging Experiences - Concepts, Creation & Content.’ Celebrating its 50th edition, DSS Europe will present a fresh approach, with insights and direction on how businesses are turning to digital signage and DooH, to create unique and engaging communication journeys. In addition, attendees will be the first to receive a copy of the invidis Yearbook 2023, widely regarded as the go-to industry reference point for exclusive insights and market trends. The latest issue features key topics; ‘Engaging Experiences’ and ‘Green Signage’ which will be explored further during the twoday summit, sponsored by Google Chrome Enterprise.

“Digital signage and DooH have come a long way and are an integral part of today's communication concepts. While the mobile phone is the most interactive screen, used multiple times a day, large displays in public spaces are the screens which viewers remember most. Roadside DooH has evolved considerably, from a digital billboard to a digital canvas with vibrant, relevant, shareable and, at its best, even breath-taking storytelling,” comments Balthasar Mayer, editor-in-chief of invidis consulting. DSS Europe will analyse and discuss how digital workflows are transforming the digital signage industry and how content can be delivered in a fraction of a second instead of hours, as it is today. Engaging Experiences encompass smart, innovative and effective ways to bring first- and third-party data to life, managed programmatically and delivered across multiple digital channels.

Examining ‘Engaging Experiences’, DSS Europe will feature a range of topical conversations with key industry experts, including:

•Why digital solutions lack success without spot-on content

11:30, 5 July

•Daan Berends, Creative Director - First Impression audiovisual

•Looking beyond the ultimate experience store: remodelling the customer journey 16:00, 5 July

•Loek Wermenbol, Retail Strat-

egy Director - First Impression audiovisual

•Getting the message across to your employees 15:00, 6 July

Mark McDermott, Co-Founder and CEO - ScreenCloud

•New Ways of Interactions

15:00, 6 July

•Johannes Troeger, Senior Vice President (Strategy and Busi-

Plasa Show 2023 launches free registration

pensable collation of knowledge and data is an essential read for every industry participant. Florian Rotberg, Chair of DSS Europe and Managing Director of invidis consulting comments: “We’ll be delving into the in’s and out’s of leading industry trends and topics featured in the latest yearbook. We hope to uncover and

The world of live entertainment technology will once again convene at Olympia London from 3-5 September for PLASA Show 2023. The key international show will connect 200+ exhibitors with 5,000+ visitors, who can now register free until 31 August. PLASA Show 2023 will feature cutting-edge technologies from respected brands spanning pro audio, stage lighting, audio-visual, staging and rigging. These include Chauvet Professional, Epson, ETC, GLP, L-Acoustics, Nexo, PSCo, RCF, Sennheiser, Steeldeck Industries, TAIT, Triple E, Theatrixx Technologies, Vari-Lite & Strand, UK Rigging and Vectorworks, to name just a few. Furthermore, headline sponsor Robe will wow audiences with regular demonstrations of their latest lighting products.

and technical experts discuss the most talked-about industry issues. Not only that, PLASA Show offers plenty of practical training sessions and immersive demonstrations. These golden opportunities allow visitors to get up close – and hands on with

winners will be announced on the Monday evening of the show in an intimate ceremony.

ness Development) - Ameria

•Vincent Encontre, COO - Intuiface

•Content Creation at Scale

15:30, 6 July

•Andy Bohli, CEO and OwnerImaculix

In addition, speakers and panellists will explore content and concepts for luxury brands, food retail, fashion and lifestyle, as well as automotives and hospitality.

Sustainable digital signage solutions and operations have become a necessity in much of EMEA and soon globally. DSS Europe will analyse and discuss how technology providers can offer more energy-efficient solutions, provide global on-site services, develop business models for remanufactured hardware and promote the circular economy before recycling.

The programme includes sessions with influential industry leaders to explore ‘Green Signage’ and ideas and actions for creating a more sustainable industry including:

•Reuse and Recycle - Product

Lifecycles 10:00, 6 July

Sebastian Trabold, Solution Manager - CHG Meridian

Theresa Kirchweger, Sustainability Manager - umdasch

Christof Böhm, Senior Vice President (Engineering, Quality Assurance & Service) - Sharp/ NEC Display Solutions Europe

Reduce - Efficient Operations and Cost Savings 10:30, 6 July

Oliver Schwede, Manager Solution Sales - Digital Media Solutions - CANCOM GmbH

Alan Kaufman, President - DynaScan Technology, Inc.

Marco Wassermann, PartnerInvidis Impact

•Reduce - Alternatives to LCD and LED 11:00, 6July

Tobias Lang, CEO - LANG AG

The "Industry Bible" of the Digital Signage and DooH Industry

The new invidis Yearbook 2023 will provide a wealth of industry information about digital signage and DooH. Comprising over 200 pages and available in both German and English, the indis-

depict these crucial topics to provide a fresh perspective and take an active role in shaping the industry in a creative, effective, and sustainable future.”

In addition to the plethora of brands and new products, the three-day event will host 70+ keynote talks and interactive panel sessions. Across four dedicated theatre spaces, visitors will hear thought leaders

The world of live entertainment technology will once again convene at Olympia London from 3-5 September for PLASA Show 2023.

– highly acclaimed products, accompanied by trustworthy advice from knowledgeable brand representatives. The PLASA Awards for Innovation also make a return this year, with the Innovation Gallery featuring all the cutting-edge nominees right on the show floor. And the lucky

PLASA MD Peter Heath, says, “The 2022 edition of PLASA Show really put the event back on the international map, and we’re excited to welcome back the world of live entertainment technology – in all its forms, from audio and AV to lighting and effects to staging and rigging. Whether you are a business director, creative specialist, or technical end-user, you’ll have the entire industry at your disposal, all under one roof at Olympia London. See you in September!” Find out more about PLASA Show: www.plasashow.com. Register free at: https://register.visitcloud.com/ survey/02xe6zwqjxb4w?actioncode=WB5

IBC2023 set to drive best practice and collaboration

IBC2023 is now open for registration as the show looks to drive future innovation and empower people, energising the media and entertainment industry through collaboration, learning, networking and business development. IBC2023 will bring together the entire global M&E content and technology community at the RAI Amsterdam from September 15th to 18th, propelling transformation across the sector and sparking conversation about industry trends, advances, best practices, and diversity and inclusion.

Michael Crimp, Chief Executive of IBC, says: "The momentum is building towards another vibrant IBC2023. IBC is the place where the media and entertainment sector convene to design and define the agenda for our industry. IBC enables content everywhere by bringing together buyers and sellers to deliver insights, make connections and unlock opportunities.”

Companies exhibiting at IBC have already booked over 40,000 square metres of exhibition space – up from the final figure of 37,000 sqm for last year’s show. All 13 halls are open in 2023, with Halls 3 and 4 re-opened and Halls 5 and 12 extended to their maximum capacity. Over 70 new exhibitors have booked space at the show so far, including global giant LG Electronics for the first time and a large number of other East and Southeast Asian firms –with bookings from China alone more than doubling, exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 figures. The result is a Chinese pavilion that will be twice the size as last year and a new South Korean pavilion. Steve Connolly, Director at IBC, notes: “We are seeing the

global scope of IBC growing as exhibitors from Asia Pacific are coming to the show in full force this year. It really speaks to the true international nature of our event. The upshot is we are expecting a major boost in visitors from the APAC region.”

The show will offer a complete content programme across its four days, featuring keynote and other highprofile speakers, panels, masterclasses, demonstrations and further presentations focused on three content pillars: shifting business models, transformative technology,

sessions at the two show floor theatres located within the hall.

The Showcase Theatre in Hall 12 and the Innovation Stage in Hall 3 will feature premier technology providers and thought leaders addressing the latest industry developments, including leading-edge technology that is spurring industry changes.

The Innovation Stage will also host demonstrations from the Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, in which many of the leading and most inventive players in M&E and technology will demonstrate how they

issues driving the M&E agenda – all while enabling valuable connections and more direct industry conversations. This year’s IBC Conference will offer the usual standard Delegate Pass, which includes entrance to all the event’s presentations, and a new Premium Pass that provides access to additional content plus exclusive networking in the Premium Lounge. The free Visitor Pass will provide access to all show floor sessions, along with the returning Changemakers programme, taking place September 17th and 18th, which looks at industry developments from a human point of view. The Changemakers sessions spotlight trailblazing organisations, initiatives and individuals changing perceptions and expectations within M&E while generating conversations that address topics such as equality and sustainability, as well as ways of boosting creativity and drawing new industry talent from a broader range of communities.

and people and purpose. The expanded Hall 5 will host the dedicated Content Everywhere area where industry innovators will showcase emerging technologies for multiplatform delivery, over-the-top (OTT) streaming, and content monetisation – including a full schedule of presentations and panel

are collaborating to fast-track projects that take on real-world challenges the industry faces today. Hall 3 will also be home to the Accelerator Zone. IBC 2023 will also feature its two-day paidfor IBC Conference, which runs September 15th and 16th and features thought leaders from across the sector addressing the

This year’s Digital Signage Summit Europe (DSS Europe) returns to the Hilton Munich Airport, Germany on 5-6 July 2023, and in line with the release of the invidis Yearbook 2023, will provide attendees with the opportunity to explore ‘Engaging Experiences - Concepts, Creation & Content.’

IBC2023 will bring together the entire global M&E content and technology community at the RAI Amsterdam from September 15th to 18th, propelling transformation across the sector and sparking conversation about industry trends, advances, best practices, and diversity and inclusion.