Installation Europe

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I N S TA L L AT I O N E U R O P E

Issue 105

IE

March 2009

£5 ¤8

INTERCOMS AND PAGING SYSTEMS More integration with other technologies, p16

FRANCE, BELGIUM, LUXEMBOURG A resilient area of the install marketplace, p20

RETAIL MARKET Tempting shoppers back with AV, p26

Audio, video and lighting in the built environment

www.installationeurope.com

Towering achievement Autostadt brings consumers closer to brands A DV E RT I S E M E N T

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Odeon chooses NEC for D-Cinema

By David Davies NEC digital projectors will be deployed by Odeon for a raft of forthcoming 3D movies. In the wake of two-year trials at the cinema chain’s Hatfield, UK site, NEC Display Solutions’ NC1600C digital integrated cinema projectors (pictured) will be rolled out to 75 cinemas. This is ahead of a number of new releases – including Monsters Vs Aliens and Disney’s Bolt – that are set to confirm the resurgence of 3D movie-making.

The deal follows shortly after the announcement that NEC NC1600 and NC2500 digital projectors are to be used by Cineworld for 3D screenings at sites across the UK. Simon Jackson, vice president Northern Europe for NEC Display Solutions, said: “NEC is leading the way in European digital cinema roll-outs. Odeon is the largest cinema chain in

Europe and our recent success covers countries such as Spain, Portugal and Germany as well as the UK. If we add to this the recently signed Cineworld contract we can see a real desire to move to digital projection, stimulated by the Hollywood studios producing fantastic 3D films that are keeping the cinemas full even in the current economic climate.”

Providing an Odeon perspective, the cinema chain’s executive vice president of digital development, Drew Kaza, commented: “We wanted the best for our 3D digital projection, and so over the past two years we have vigor-

ously put NEC’s technology through its paces. It def initely hit the mark with superb image quality and unsurpassed reliabili t y. N E C h a s e qu i p p e d Odeon with a groundbreaking digital cinema p r o j e c t i o n s y s t e m a n d we anticipate a resultant jump in perseat revenues.”

With 200 cinemas and more than 1,800 screens across the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal, Odeon Group is the largest cinema chain in the world outside North America. www.nec-display-solutions.com www.terrafirma.com/odeon.html

New European sales structure for Martin

LIGHTING Mar tin Professional is to integrate its European subsidiaries to create a regional sales

organisation, Martin EMEA. The new operation will be based at Martin’s headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark.

According to Christian Engsted (pictured), CEO of Martin Professional A/S, this move had been part of Martin’s long-term plan for some time. “It is our ambition to better service our customers by more effectively recognising and meeting their needs, and this new setup allows us to do that,” he said. “It is the optimal structure to develop and strengthen customer relationships across the region. The regionalisation also allows us to optimise cross-border supply and support, arrange international financing, and maintain competitive pricing in the region.”

The new organisation is headed by Villads Thomsen, vice president EMEA – previously managing director of Martin Professional’s Scandinavian subsidiary. “We will optimise our

European subsidiary setup during 2009 through a step-by-step implementation,” he said.

He added that some back-office functions would be regionalised. “The idea is at the same time to create a stronger and more uniform approach to the market and, in this time of increased globalisation, the regionalisation will simultaneously support our key customers within the region in the most effective way. As our customers grow and cross borders, we must at the same time be able to serve and support them irrespective of borders.”

The company’s distributors within Europe, the Middle East and Africa will be served by the new European regional organisation at a later stage, he added.

www.martin.com

Lizard King extends with OHM VENUE AUDIO The latest nightclub in the Lizard King chain to be equipped with an OHM sound system was recently opened in Krakow, Poland.

Close to the famous Market Square the Krakow Lizard King is the third venue in the chain, and it is the largest and most modern so far. Sound quality at the venue was paramount. For the live stage OHM Poland chose a 2 x 6 element Lunaray and 4 x TRS118H subs. TRS115 are used as stage monitors and

amplification is via OHM CFU with CRED controllers. BR-5 and KS-3 provide surround sound throughout the venue with BR-18B and AS-B subs.

Commenting on the installation, OHM Poland’s Krzysztof Bednarek said: “The brief was to provide a sound solution for background music as well as live sound for a wide variety of Polish and international guest bands. The range of products available from OHM makes it easy to cover every part of the venue from the live stage to the rest rooms.”

In this issue...

News & data 3 News The latest news stories from the installation market across Europe 12 Show Review: ISE 2009 was another recording-breaking show 14 Data The future looks good for the 3D market, especially 3D cinema 41 Show Preview: Prolight + Sound The Frankfurt show’s relevance to the install market continues to increase 43 Showcase: Show Control As shows become more complex, ease of use is increasingly important 46 Product Choice Our pick of the latest new products, including some that were on show at ISE

Views 54 Q&A macom international’s Norbert Hönig on customers’ changing expectations and 30 years in the industry

Markets 16 Intercoms and Paging Systems Communications systems are increasingly in demand for facilities and events of all varieties and sizes 20 France, Belgium, Luxembourg Although growth is slowing, many areas of the industry are continuing to perform well in the region 26 Retail AV businesses may have just what the retail sector needs to beat the economic downturn 30 Local Government The public sector could provide much-needed opportunities as the recession bites

Solutions 34 Autostadt, Wolfstadt VW’s multipurpose centre uses technology to enhance brand identities 36 Korston Hotel, Moscow A new conference centre has AV at its heart 39 St Pancras International, London The Eurostar terminal uses 3D technology to enable travellers to explore Europe from the station

www.ohm.co.uk

Cover image: Car tower, Autostadt, Wolfsburg

Single Point Source. Endless Applications The speaker application, design and size may vary but the world-renowned technology remains the same. Generating a spherical wave front unaffected by energy loss at the crossover frequency in either vertical or horizontal planes, Tannoyʼs Dual Concentric™ driver offers high sensitivity and reliability, delivering exceptional dynamics with superior intelligibility. Whatever the audio installation demands, Tannoy has the answer. All of the technology benefits youʼd expect from the inventors of Point Source.

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4 News & Comment www.installationeurope.com

Editor’s comment

Software-driven choices Asking computers to recommend music and movies to us may not be as far-fetched as it initially sounds

Then it went on to say that, in the future, we will have so much content to choose from that we will be interacting with avatars and using social networking to guide our viewing and listening selections. (An avatar, as I understand it, is a representation of a person in an online setting – anything from a simple headshot on Facebook or a newsgroup to a fully fledged three-dimensional alter ego on alternative

I

‘The media centre will take on the appearance of a real person’

’m generally rather sceptical about articles in the mainstream media that discuss how future technology is going to affect our lives – not least because they frequently manage to get it so wrong. Quite often, the line is taken that a new device will position itself at the centre of our lives, and everything we do will be based around one or other of its functions. In reality, if the product has an effect on our lives at all, it’s in quite a minor, tangential way.

So you’ll understand why I was initially somewhat sniffy about a recent article in commuter newspaper Metro about the home cinema of the future. First it irritated me by saying that “In just five years’ time” – it’s always five years, isn’t it? – “our home cinema experience will overtake anything a multiplex can offer.” Yeah, right.

For your diary PROLIGHT + SOUND 1-4 April 2009 Frankfurt, Germany www.pls.messefrankfurt.com SCREEN MEDIA EXPO EUROPE 2009 7-8 April 2009 London, UK www.screenevents.co.uk

When I first read this, it struck me as somewhat wishful thinking. Since then, however, I’ve changed my mind – and what’s done it is my experience of the online music service Spotify.

This amazing, Sweden-based site offers a completely legal way of streaming music on your computer, choosing from a massive selection of tracks. If you don’t mind listening to the occasional advertisement, it’s free – otherwise you can pay a subscription.

Faced with such a wide choice, I find I really do need assistance in choosing what to listen to. Fortunately, Spotify allows the crea t i o n o f s h a r e d p l ay l i s t s b y f r i e n d s o r common interest groups – in other words, using social networking to share your tastes and preferences with others.

So suddenly the idea of talking to an avatar – or at least asking some kind of online entity for recommendations – didn’t seem such an odd way to behave when faced with an other wise over whelming amount of choice. Five years’ time is a long way off, of course, but I think this particular bit of futurology could prove to be right on the money.

While I’m on the subject of wonderful online tools, this is probably the place to mention that, along with just about every-

online world Second Life.) “The media centre will take on the appearance of a real person, and we will interact with it through voice and motion in a very natural and human way,” Mads Thimmer of Innovation Labs was quoted as saying. So, said the article, we will ask the avatar whether the new Sean Penn movie is any good, or to suggest a film in a particular category, such as action-adventure or romantic comedy.

126TH AES CONVENTION 7-10 May 2009 Munich, Germany www.aes.org IFSEC 11-14 May 2009 Birmingham, UK www.ifsec.co.uk AV IN THE CITY 13-14 May 2009 London, UK www.avinthecity.com

PALME MIDDLE EAST 26-28 April 2009 Dubai, UAE www.palme-middleeast.com

LLB 09 13-15 May 2009 Stockholm, Sweden www.kistamassan.com

PLASA FOCUS 28-29 April 2009 Leeds, UK www.plasa.org

ABTT THEATRE SHOW 11-12 June 2009 London, UK www.abtt.org.uk

Paddy Baker paddy.baker@ubm.com

Docklands HQ fit-out for Verrex

DIGITAL SIGNAGE EXPO 5-7 May 2009 Essen, Germany www.digitalsignageexpo.eu

NAB SHOW 18-23 April 2009 Las Vegas, US www.nabshow.com

one else in the UK at the moment, I have started to use Twitter. If you’ve been on the moon for the past couple of months, you may have escaped the deluge of media coverage about this – but in a nutshell it’s a ‘microblogging’ site where all messages have a maximum of 140 characters. I’m not completely sold on its benefits, but the early signs are encouraging. My ‘tweet handle’ (as I believe it’s called) is iepaddyb – if you’d care to follow me, I’ll do the same for you.

HEAD OFFICE INSTALLATION Audiovisual integrator Verrex is on target to complete the AV build-out of financial services company State Street’s new London headquarters in Canar y Whar f. The multi-f loor, multi-room project, led by Verrex, is slated for completion by May 2009.

The project consists of over 50 presentation and collaborative communication spaces, including a large divisible auditorium featur-

ing videoconferencing, recording and buildingwide broadcast capabilities; multiple videoconference and training rooms; a trading floor; common areas (one of which is pictured) and office amenities; an IT monitoring room; divisible, multipurpose conference rooms; and a building-wide TV distribution system. The project has required collaboration from all areas of Verrex expertise: design engineering, project management, fabrication, control systems programming and installation.

State Street is using Verrex for all its European office AV requirements, including integration, on-site staffing and service. “We are excited to work on such a large-scale project for one of our most valued clients,” said Verrex president and CEO Thomas Berry Jr. “Verrex created the audiovisual archetype for State Street’s Boston headquarters, on which the firm’s North American and European offices are now patterned.”

www.verrex.co.uk

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Nexo and CAMCO make BMW Sauber pit stop Riedel EVENT AUDIO A sound design featuring Nexo PS8 loudspeakers and CAMCO QPower amps has been touring the world with the BMW Sauber F1 team’s Pit Lane Park.

The event has visited Kuala Lumpur, Rome, Warsaw, Shanghai and Las Vegas, giving more than 400,000 motorspor ts fans the opportunity to experience topclass motor racing at close range as F1 cars are demonstrated.

The high-tech exhibition, which travels with its own twostorey structure, theme garages, drive simulator and BMW racecars, is equipped with 80 of Nexo’s compact full-range PS8 cabinets.

With a total weight of 500 tonnes, the Pit Lane Park is set up on a total area of approximately 6,000sqm. Fifty technicians and

f ive engineers take f ive days to erect the park in a new location, running 15km of cables.

Providing sound design and technical realisation, Munichbased fournell showtechnik, under the leadership of Thomas Fletcher, has been collaborating with equipment supplier CAMCO. With such high noise levels coming from the cars on the racetrack, it was necessary to create a distributed sound system, using small but powerful loudspeakers close to the listeners to ensure high speech intelligibility.

T h e fo u r n e l l t e a m s e l e c t e d Ne xo P S 8 s p e a ke r s b e c a u s e o f their light weight and their asymmetrical horn design. The PS8s are mounted on poles, providing sound reinforcement for the commentary and the moderator’s speech around the racetrack and

builds on success INTERCOMS

grandstands, which cover an area of 140m by 40m.

The system was managed by a PS8TD-V2 controller and powered by CAMCO Q-Power 10 four-channel amplif iers with a total capacity of 100kW, staying

cool, even under adverse circumstances, thanks to Class D technology.

www.camcoaudio.com www.nexo-sa.com

Visual comms benefiting from global downturn VIDEOCONFERENCING Visual communication company Talk & Vision says it is seeing an increase in demand for videoconferencing solutions due to the economic downturn. It is reporting rising interest in lease options, and says customers are mainly citing the need to reduce cost as the main reason for acquiring the technology.

Martijn Blokland, sales director at Talk & Vision, said: “Just a few years ago, videoconferencing was seen as a luxury and a major investment.

Companies are slowly becoming aware of how videoconferencing can help them reduce costs. Even companies where only one person travels abroad once a month can benefit from a videoconferencing system. The lease option enables companies to spread

the cost over a certain period and still use the most advanced technology.”

The company recently launched Managed Video Services (MAVIS), a package that enables customers to outsource the purchase, management and maintenance of all their videoconferencing activities to Talk & Vision. The company has since signed full outsourcing contracts with a major energy supplier and the Dutch

headquarters of a large manufacturer of AV and IT products.

As well as the desire to reduce travel costs, efficient communication and the reduction of CO2 emissions within the framework of corporate social responsibility are also important factors cited by T&V customers, it says.

www.talkandvision.com

Following the most successful year in the company’s history, Germanybased Riedel Communications has opened a dedicated UK office. The office, located at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, 15 miles outside central London, will cover rental and sales activities as well as direct customer support in the UK. It is being managed by Paul Rivens, business development director at the company.

“Now that we’re starting our own office in the UK, we have the opportunity to establish a more direct contact with our existing customers here,” said Rivens. “And being at the UK’s leading film production facility, Pinewood Studios, is not only exciting but provides Riedel with numerous business opportunities.”

The office has also been strengthened by the addition of Struan Robertson, who joined Riedel Communications as system support engineer on 1 January.

Riedel has also added several new members to its international teams in the US and Australia.

www.riedel.net

Online and by email The whole world of Installation Europe Installation Europe’s IE online brings the world of IE to your desktop with updated news covering the whole of the built environment sound, video and lighting market. Our integrated online service brings you the full magazine for download, plus unique online offerings including daily news updates, Buyer’s Guide, jobs and the weekly free email newsletter. Get the most from Installation Europe – join our online community and see what’s new.

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Hotlamps in Europe launch

European support centre for Meyer

AV DISTRIBUTION

In order to expand its technical services for customers in the region, Meyer Sound is establishing a European technical support centre within the Meyer Sound Germany facility in Montabaur, approximately 70km north-east of Frankfurt.

Meyer Sound’s European support team has expanded since Luke Jenks was appointed director of European technical support in 2001, and now includes a number of experts from the European pro-audio community.

Freddy Meyer, who joined the team in December 2008, is currently setting up the new location. It will soon be fully equipped

Specialist AV distributor Hotlamps, part of the Tech-Data Group, has started the process of expanding its business across 16 European countries by launching in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on 1 February.

Mark Tildesley, general manager of Hotlamps, explained: “It has taken a while to construct the model, however we now have a robust business that will role out across Europe in the next few months. We aim to offer the best possible service levels to customers by delivering the personal contact of local sales teams combined with the power of centralised stock.”

Resellers will purchase their lamps from sales teams in their local country using existing accounts and credit limits. Stock will be shipped directly to either the dealer or the end user within 24 hours anywhere in Europe.

Tildesley believes this combination gives Hotlamps the edge over the competition. “Other suppliers use UK sales people to sell product into Europe; we have used this system, however we wanted to progress. Our local sales teams have direct contact customers and can ensure local credit lines and relationships. We also wanted to guarantee the best availability of stock. The system we have adopted already supports sales of products such as Cisco across Europe. This triedand-tested process ensures next-day delivery from Europe’s largest stock holding.”

The roll-out will see local offices being opened in at least one country a month.

www.hotlamps.com

AUDIO

to provide timely, comprehensive technical support and design ser vices to Meyer Sound customers and partners throughout Europe, as well as function as an in-house training centre.

“We are very excited to add traditional office-based technical services to our European facility with Berkeley-like resources.

It is yet another example of Meyer Sound’s commitment to providing excellent support services and another reason why Meyer Sound is good for our users and for business,” said Jenks. “The Montabaur facility will provide the European Technical Services team with a wonderful opportunity that will truly benefit Meyer Sound users.”

(L-R) The tech support team: Thomas Mundorf, Freddy Meyer and Luke Jenks

www.meyersound.com

Reflex darts into record books INTEGRATOR NEWS

Back row (L-R): Andy Brymer, Lee Hannant; Front row (L-R): Richard Saunders and Paul Taylor

Two staff from UK integrator Reflex have succeeded in setting a new Guinness World Record by completing a 30-hour darts match.

Reflex chairman Andy Brymer and installation manager Paul Taylor set the record on 10 January at The Waggon and Horses pub in Twyford, Berkshire, with the record-breaking dart being thrown at 6.00pm. During the marathon match the pair, who were playing in a team against two others (pictured), played 342 games and threw an estimated 20,500 darts – as well as walking 19.3 miles from the oche to the board and back. In total, they played for 30 hours, split into seven four-hour stretches with a 20-minute break between each.

As well as the challenge of breaking the world record, the duo were raising funds for Cancer Research UK and The MS Society, and have succeeded in raising over £7,000 to date.

The record is in the process of being officially verified but the match took place under the stringent conditions demanded by Guinness World Records. This included having two witnesses record every score and ensuring a medic was on hand at all times.

Anyone who would like to contribute to these good causes can visit the website below, which will be live until mid-April.

www.justgiving.com/ worldrecorddartathon

IN TUNE

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Minicom launches new international division New Partners DIGITAL SIGNAGE Minicom Advanced Systems, a leading vendor of remote access management solutions, has formed a new dedicated international unit – the Digital Signage Division. The division will be headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with a sales office in North America and an R&D centre in Israel. The division will exclusively serve the digital signage market with solutions designed to enhance the delivery and distribution of multimedia content and improve return on investment.

“We have expanded our digital signage business into an independent division with global responsibility,” said Eli Sasson, CEO and president of Minicom. “We recently enjoyed significant growth and success in both our market segments. It is the ideal time for a strategic move to increase our investment in both the IT and digital signage markets, despite the tough economic conditions. The move will enable us to get closer to our partners and customers via better, more dedicated teams that are eager to exceed their expectations.”

“I am very excited to be leading this new

business venture,” said Ronni Guggenheim, newly appointed CEO of Minicom’s Digital Signage Division. “We have a highly talented and inspired group of people with many years of industry experience and proven capabilities to lead us forward with innovations in technology as well as partnerships. Our goal is to increase Minicom’s leadership role and push the digital signage market forward together with our partners and customers.”

www.minicom.com

Pinewood rolls out the Red Square carpet CONCERT AUDIO Red Square Audio last month held a launch event at Pinewood Studios to demonstrate the products that it is distributing in the UK: the Eclipse console from Innovason and the VQ Series loudspeaker system from Tannoy.

To p u t t h e e q u i p m e n t t h r o u g h i t s paces, visitors were treated to a high-energy 45-minute set from Toyah, a 1980s punk rock icon and actress, who performed original hits, cover versions and new material in the Grand Ballroom.

The set was engineered by Red Square Audio founder Paul Nicholson on an Eclipse (pictured) from which he ran the Tannoy VQ front-of-house PA system, plus the stage monitors and in-ear systems.

“It was great to be able to showcase the Eclipse and VQ 60 Live products in such a

prestigious location, and it was an excellent event for all concerned. We’ve had some extremely positive feedback from the engineers who attended,” he said.

Innovason’s Xavier Pion commented: “I’m pleased to say that the reactions were extremely encouraging, and to a man the e n g i n e e r s we r e a l l r e a l l y i mp r e s s e d b y MARS, our onboard multitrack recording option. It was also the first live showcase for the console, and again, I’m delighted to say it performed impeccably and sounded fantastic.”

Red Square Audio has also announced that Fran Hunter, who has 15 years of studio and live sound experience, has joined the company as technical sales manager. In addition to this, he will work closely with Nicholson on demo and training activities in suppor t of both the Innovason and Tannoy lines.

Chief Manufacturing has announced a new partnership with Comm-Tec. The agreement will see Comm-Tec adding Chief’s range of mounting solutions to its selection of products for the AV and systems integration professional in Germany and Austria.

“The timing of this agreement couldn’t be better,” said Melinda von Horvath, EMEA sales director at Chief. “We introduced over 20 solutions at Integrated Systems Europe, and these are the kind of products CommTec is so well-placed to distribute for us.”

www.chiefmfg.com www.comm-tec.de Exterity, a specialist in network IPTV, has announced that its recently launched IPTV Ready Program, which enables companies to prove interoperability with IPTV, has successfully carried out testing with numerous AV companies. One is Remote Media with its signagelive SaaS (Software as a Service) webbased digital signage platform.

Jason Cremins, Remote Media CEO, said: “The IPTV Ready Program acts as a ‘rubber stamp,’ proving to our customers that we have a verified solution that will give them a best-of-breed digital signage system.”

www.exterity.co.uk www.remotemedia.co.uk

www.redsquareaudio.co.uk

www.innovason.com

www.tannoy-speakers.com

Turbosound has appointed a new distributor to handle its interests in Nigeria and surrounding countries. Based in the capital, Abuja, Kayima-Chris Company provides sales and distribution, rental, sound design, installation and consultancy services.

www.kayimachris.com www.turbosound.com

Acoustic perfection as a holistic sensory experience – the union of aesthetics, technology, and economics. The new Line Array System K&F Sequenza 10 opens doors to unexplored sound spaces and a new dimension of sound enjoyment.

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Appointments Draper has named Per Ericson as its export manager. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s international sales force and will liaise with dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries.

Prior to joining Draper, Ericson was national sales manager for Vutec Corporation.

www.draperinc.com Dynalite has appointed Phil Main to the role of residential segment manager.

After eight years with the company, he assumes responsibility for supporting Dynalite’s dealers and distributors worldwide, with a primary focus on system integration in the home automation market.

www.dynalite.eu Ben Hyman has joined VME, the UK distributor for Kling & Freitag, as sales and marketing manager.

“It has been a great start to the year for me with loads of new business developing,” he said. “There is a lot of diversity here – sound, lighting, screens, broadcast and AV, allowing us to keep busy all the time. Even with the current financial climate, I am finding that a large number of installations and sales orders are being confirmed.”

www.vme-uk.com

The Solution makes an Impact

By Paddy Baker UK sound and lighting equipment distributor The Solutions Group last month launched what it describes as the country’s first clubsized demonstration auditorium. Originally supplying TV and satellite installers, the Northampton-based company diversified into professional audio and lighting about 18 months ago with the creation of its Impact Products subsidiary. It has designed the £100,000 facility, named The Solution, as a showcase for its distributed brands, such as Litestructures, Avolites and Shure, as well as its OEM brands, including Brooke speakers.

“The intention is that installers will come in to look at and evaluate new products – and we want to encourage them to try mixing and matching a bit,” explained Impact Group managing director Grant Lester. “It’s very diff i c u l t i f yo u ’ r e a n i n s t a l l e r t o t r y o n e company’s mixing desk with another’s ampli-

fiers and speakers. As a distributor, we’ve got access to everything.”

Installers can also arrange to take potential customers to the 100sqm auditorium, he added. “They can come here and show their potential end user what they can do and what they can afford, and let them choose. Hopefully

they’ll end up with a happier customer that can see exactly what it’s going to look like before the contract’s even been issued.”

Solutions Group offers next-day delivery within the UK, and operates 19 regional centres, from Edinburgh in Scotland to Poole in south-west England. Not content with its relatively recent expansion into audio and lighting, the company is diversifying further into the security market.

Taking its cue from the timing of the event, just before St Valentine’s Day, the launch had a theme of gangsters and molls, complete with sharp suits, machine guns, a Rat Pack-style singer and an appearance by ‘The Godfather’ – Keith Williams of Impact (pictured with hat and flower), whose brainchild The Solution was.

www.impact-products.co.uk www.solutionsgroup-plc.com

WOW-Vision steps up sales drive PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGY Singapore-based wireless presentation software company WOW-Vision has established a sales and marketing office to cover Asia, Europe and the US. The company, which manufactures wireless presentation systems proVEOS and eduVEOS, is headquartered in Singapore, and will use the office to actively promote its products across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US. Client and dealer feedback has been positive but until now sales activity has been low key.

Dinesh Tripathi (pictured), CEO of WOWVision, said: “We have developed a wireless, cable-free, easy-to-use and easy-to-install presentation system. There is nothing else like it on the market, which means we are revolutionising presentation technology for the education, government and commercial sectors. With VEOS you can say goodbye to switchers, scalers, touchpanels and miles of complex cables, as they are consolidated into one box.

“By ramping up our sales and marketing efforts we can capitalise on the growing professional AV market.”

Distributors are now being appointed in Australia, Indonesia, Japan and Korea, as the first wave of marketing efforts gets underway.

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12 Show Review: ISE 2009 www.installationeurope.com

Exceeding expectations The attendance was up 12% on 2008

Greg Jeffreys of Paradigm at the company’s press conference

Tom Back of Alcons (left) with the company’s LR7 micro pro-ribbon line-array

Although weather conditions conspired to delay visitors from southern England and northern Italy, ISE once again posted record-breaking figures.

What’s more, says Paddy Baker, the mood was overwhelmingly upbeat

H

owever you measure it, Integrated Systems Europe 2009 was the biggest ISE yet.

The attendance figure of 24,912 was a 12% increase on the 2008 record. Exhibitor numbers were up 16% on last year – with 564 companies taking stands (up from 484). Also, indicating the trend towards rebooking with larger stands, net f loor space rose by a slightly higher figure – 18.5%.

Mike Blackman, managing director of organiser Integrated Systems Events, said: “We are delighted that so many people came to Amsterdam to experience this year’s ISE. It is always satisfying when an event continues to grow, but to have continued on our upward trajectory against a relatively unpromising economic backdrop is especially pleasing.”

This increased attendance was in spite of the fact that heavy snowfalls in England and northern Italy forced many visitors – including the staff of Installation Europe and The ISE Daily – to make last-minute changes to their travel plans. Blackman commented: “By using a mixture of trains, planes and automobiles, almost all our preregistered visitors made it to Amsterdam – eventually! The fact that they made such an effort speaks volumes about the lure of ISE and the individual persistence of the people who make it a success.”

Optimism Those who came to the event expecting it to mirror the grim economic situation portrayed in the newspapers and on television found themselves very pleasantly surprised by the levels of optimism on the show floor.

“I haven’t heard the word ‘crisis’ one single time here,” said Filip van Eetvelde, marketing manager of APart. Launching two new amplifiers at ISE, he explained the reasons for his optimism: “We have a strong feeling, talking with our distributor network, that the efforts of the past two years have paid off. There is lots

of talk of a downturn, but there’s also a big opportunity – people realise that there are other brands offering good value for a good price.”

Jon Lane, Smart-e’s managing director, also picked up on the upbeat atmosphere at the show. “It was really interesting to experience the positivity of everyone visiting the show; this is in sharp contrast to the ‘doom and gloom’ we see and hear every day on the UK news,” he said.

Dave Keller, senior sales and marketing VP at Furman, provided a US perspective: “The nice thing about ISE, compared with CES and CEDIA [Denver], is that people are optimistic, as opposed to complaining about the economy,” he said.

Positive reaction Paradigm founder Greg Jeffreys was another visitor who discovered that his initial misgivings were unfounded. “We were concerned about the credit crunch and the wider economy — but we got no signals to that effect at all,” he said, adding that his company had returned from the show having taken firm orders there.

John Midgley, managing director of distributor POLAR audio, also found an “encouraging” atmosphere at the show, and made an interesting comparison with 2008: “Last year was very good for us. At the tail end of 2007, there were indications that things would be bad in the economy; but at last year’s ISE, we felt things were OK. People said they had projects to keep them busy for six to nine months – and that came true. This year there’s a good level of optimism, but the window that people are talking about is more like three months.”

The fact that visitors had projects in the pipeline meant that there were high levels of enquiries on the show floor. Smart-e’s Lane commented: “Everyone who visited our stand had projects under way for which they were genuinely looking for solutions from us. We even sold some of the equipment off the stand.”

David Bearman, sales and marketing manager of Peavey Europe,

was similarly impressed. “The show has exceeded our expectations, which themselves were at a high level,” he said.

The quality of ISE attendees was praised by Peter Maag, vice president of HaiVision Systems: “It’s a great show, because your booth is not clogged with people who are secondary to your focus.”

“I believe that ISE is focused in the right market for the world economy and electronic systems integration business as they are today,” said David Rodgers, marketing manager at Elite Screens. “I think Amsterdam is a great crossroads for all of Europe, the East and the Americas.”

His point was borne out by the show’s attendance figures, which indicated that visitor numbers from Central and Eastern European countries – in particular Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia – increased significantly. However, even larger rises came from Western Europe, with attendance from France, Germany and Italy rising by 20%, 30% and 50% respectively.

“The international nature of ISE is a theme that comes across time and again when we talk to attendees,” commented ISE’s Blackman.

“No comparable event in Europe attracts visitors from such a diverse range of geographic and demographic backgrounds.”

How big is too big?

This was the first year that ISE had spread to the higher-numbered halls (10 to 12) – but despite this, navigation around the RAI was easier. The organisers had heeded requests to make sure that exhibitors’ stand numbers included their hall number, which was a significant help. Also, increased levels of signage – both digital and traditional – made finding one’s way from hall to hall, and within individual halls, simpler than in previous years.

The increased size of the show was welcomed by most. Roland Dreesden, managing director of UK integrator Reflex, said: “Our

guests were absolutely blown away by the size of the event and the comprehensive range of manufacturers on display.”

Wim Arts, marketing manager for Vogel’s Professional, commented: “ISE is getting to the level of InfoComm in the US – it’s not much smaller than that.”

‘People at ISE are optimistic, as opposed to complaining about the economy’ However – and without wishing to tempt fate by assuming that the show will continue indefinitely on the same growth curve – there were whispers from one or two quarters that a much larger show might become difficult to get around.

Tom Back, managing director of Alcons Audio, in his only negative comment about the show, said: “Most of our visitors mentioned that they would like to see a more ‘focused’ show layout, with a concentrated pro-audio section, making their visit more efficient.”

The counter-argument is that, while the show does have some themed areas – such as digital signage and residential systems – ISE is about integrating different technologies. On balance I believe it is better not to divide exhibitors up into categories. If all the audio manufacturers were together, for example, it would prevent visitors from accidentally encountering new technologies that they weren’t looking for and didn’t know existed.

Speaking of the themed areas, many exhibitors and attendees gave the thumbs-up to ISE’s Digital Signage Zone, which gave smaller companies a compact, accessible

forum in which to display their solutions. Mark Leo, business development consultant at Net Display Systems, said: “The concept of the Zone worked incredibly well, bringing us a substantial increase in the quality of enquiries and the number of partner visits. All in all, ISE 2009 was the best show I have participated in for many years.”

Adrian Cotterill, editor of the digital advertising web portal DailyDOOH, was even more effusive: “ISE has set the bar high for others to follow and managed to pull off a Digital Signage Zone that actually works. ‘Outstanding’ does not even begin to describe how good the event was,” he said.

Cotterill was one of the speakers at the DOOH Business Conference, another ISE ‘first’ this year, which began the day before the exhibition.

Designed to provide a ‘360º view’ of the digital out-of-home advertising market, this well-attended conference saw thought-provoking contributions not just about DOOH technology, but also perspectives from content creators, network operators, location owners, advertising agencies and major brand advertisers.

It says a lot about the level of satisfaction from exhibitors – and the continuing optimism within the industry – that over 70% of the f loor space for ISE 2010 had already been reserved before the end of this year’s show.

Plans are already under way to make next year’s show – which will be held from 2-4 February, once again at the RAI – even better. “We a r e n ot c o mp l a c e n t , ” s a i d Blackman. “We are already working with our Advisory Board to develop a range of new attractions that will make next year’s ISE a better place to do business than ever.”

www.iseurope.org

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14 Industry Data

www.installationeurope.com

Measuring the impact of 3D The market for 3D is expected to expand significantly in the next decade as sectors from education to construction embrace the technology.

3D cinema will boost the trend, finds Steve Montgomery

A

s 3D technology develops, an ever-expanding user base will drive applications and technology development beyond its current role in high-value military and simulation/visualisation markets. A new report by Futuresource Consulting, The Strategic Impact of 3D, outlines opportunities and challenges for 3D technology in wider market spheres.

With a roadmap stretching out over the next 10 to 15 years, the report examines current usage of 3D technology in consumer applications, assesses the technologies and standards that are being developed, and quantifies the market potential

for the hardware, software and service industries, both now and as this enthralling technology penetrates the living room.

Mike Fisher, head of the professional & IT division at Futuresource, says: “Massive amounts of 3D development work and funding have been undertaken in military fields; the nature of which precludes its general awareness in wider fields. However, large players involved in some of that research are now able to deliver product for more general applications.

Considerable sums are being sunk into development without, at this stage, a firm appreciation of market size. Some of this investment is aimed at establishing market pres-

Market penetration of 3D glasses technologies

ence and f iguring out the most appropriate markets.”

Emerging markets The report covers new and emerging markets across the globe, taking an in-depth view of their size and structure. It identifies evolving application areas, particularly in medical imaging and education, engineering design, specifically CADCAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) for large motor and construction projects and oil and mineral prospecting, as well as in control rooms for process control.

Other significant fields identified

Real D’s passive system dominates the 3D cinema market – its $1 throwaway glasses being used by about 80% of cinemas. Glasses for active systems cost $30. It is too soon to say which will be the victor in the home market. (Source: Futuresource Consulting)

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and covered are entertainment and information, rental and staging, digital signage and advertising.

A major consumer field that is beginning to emerge is 3D cinema – initially in movie theatres but tending more to home applications.

Fisher explains: “Digital signage applications will evolve, however they lag some way behind as the market establishes itself and stabilises.

Currently the emphasis is on audience identification and interaction for which 3D will eventually play a major part.”

The report looks at the global spread of 3D applications, finding that the emerging markets of India, China and Russia lead more developed areas. Fisher adds: “In countries where the population is spread over wide areas and that have already experienced growth in electronic presentation of content – as in film distribution in India – take-up of 3D will be quicker as it can utilise electronic distribution and delivery more efficiently and effectively.”

Rival technologies There are two emerging technologies relying on different ways of delivering separate images to each eye. The Real D passive system is dominant in about 80% of cinemas at the moment with its use of cheap throwaway glasses costing $1 each.

Active systems require glasses at $30 per time, and the consequent costs of collection, cleaning and redistribution. Although this m a ke s i t m o r e s u i t e d t o h o m e applications, it is too early to draw conclusions about which will dominate in the home. Other features affecting roll-out include the suitability of delivery.

“Crucially, much of the backbone technology has arrived and is already in many people’s homes, without them even realising it,” says Sarah Carroll, director of strategy consulting & continuous services at Futuresource. “Within the next five to 10 years 3D will be prevalent across the home entert a i n m e n t i n d u s t r y, w i t h 3 D technologies increasingly installed in households.”

However, there is a reliance on the type of display used and it may already be too late to capitalise on the first wave of digital displays.

Whereas DLP projection is eminently suited to 3D due to its fast switching, LCD is not. It will not be until the dominance of OLED as the next flat-panel technology of consequence that we will see 3D really enter the home. This is expected to be in around 2012-13.

The report also investigates standardisation within the 3D industry.

At present there is no single standard or body. Instead, major interest groups are developing competing standards in which market penetration will win out. Already we are experiencing product-specific delivery of technology and content as establishments are forced to commit to a mechanism that may not be compatible with future systems.

Clearly 3D is a new and emerging technology. The report goes a long way in providing technical and commercial analysis and an overview of market drivers that will aid and assist companies involved in, or considering, this technology. IE

www.futuresourceconsulting.com

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16 Markets: Intercoms and Paging Systems www.installationeurope.com Clear-Com Eclipse Omega Matrix offers up to 240 RJ-45 ports over 15 module slots in a 6 RU chassis

RTS Digital Intercoms supplied a Cronus Digital Matrix to Glyndebourne Opera House as the centrepiece of a new integrated communications and paging system

An expanding market Effective communications are becoming critical to the successful running of ever more facilities and events. Simon Duff looks at how the industry is responding to calls for systems to suit a wide variety of situations, and asks what the future holds

I

ntercoms and paging systems are increasingly seen as essential when organising events or successfully running public services and facilities. But whatever the application, the bottom line for equipment is always to communicate and manage with a n u n c o mp r o m i s i n g l e ve l o f dependability.

At the heart of most professional high-end communications systems is an intercom that allows people to talk to and hear each other. Typically the hardware consists of a key panel control port (basically an audio input and output to a central system) with a listen and talk switch, LED character

displays, microphones, headsets or loudspeakers and paging devices.

Ports are then generally linked to a central programmable matrix.

Riedel Communications, the leading German intercom manufacturer, makes the popular Artist Matrix System Series that can manage up to 1,024 port users. With recent installations at venues such as NFL stadiums in the US and the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, business is going well.

Rising business in 2009 Last month Riedel opened a dedicated UK office, located at Pinewood Studios, 15 miles outside of central

London, to cover rental and sales activities as well as direct customer support in the UK. Thomas Riedel, managing director of the company, says: “Riedel’s business is definitely up again compared with last year. In 2008 we had an increase of approxim a t e l y 3 0 % i n r e ve n u e s . A n d , despite the economic situation, I expect significant growth in 2009.

This is firstly because of our expansion in new geographical regions such as the Middle East and Latin America, and secondly because of us covering more and more markets outside our classic broadcast domain, such as theatre, campus and stadium installations.”

Unusual locations for intercoms are proving fertile ground for other leading manufacturers. Clear-Com products are in use at a diverse range of situations: from medical hyperbaric chambers, police and rescue departments and nuclear plants, to yacht racing. The company’s highly popular Eclipse Digital Matrix Systems series can support as few as 16 ports on a single matrix frame or as many as 3,120 user connections on a networked system platform.

The company is reporting increased usage in theatres, including on Broadway in New York.

Managing director Matt Danilowicz comments: “Clear-Com’s

business has grown by 17% year on year. This is a tremendous accomplishment considering that we saw many projects cancelled or postponed in the fourth quarter as a result of economic retrenchment.

Our research tells us that the live production sector is growing by 8-10% annually, so, as you can see, we are outpacing the growth of our market significantly.”

Graeme Harrison, VP of international sales at Biamp Systems, the makers of the Biamp Networked Paging System, reports that in the past 12 months the corporate and hospitality industries have had the greatest demand for the product,

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with airports a close third. Each paging station features an LCD display and scroll-wheel interface, which enables users to quickly switch between pre-assigned paging groups and zones. The sleek, sophisticated look was designed to be aesthetically pleasing to the general public.

Rise to the challenge These are challenging times as the recession in Europe tightens its grip.

Chris Edwards, head of marketing at CIE-Group, an exclusive UK supply partner for a number of key brands in the commercial audio, AV and CCTV distribution and installation markets, urges caution about the marketplace.

“Due to the economic climate, we have, of course, forecast a downturn in sales in the next 12 months,” he says. “This is as a direct result of the reduced investment in the retail, corporate and leisure markets. Though despite a definite downturn in the CCTV sector in recent months we have been pleasantly surprised by the buoyancy of the audio and AV market, as a significant number of key projects continue to come through.”

Continuing on an optimistic note, Edwards adds: “Certainly due to the strength of our new DataBay HDMI/DVI-over-Cat/x cable product range – which provides real cost-saving installation opportunities – we have seen an upturn in business in the AV market. Also, the education market continues to hold strong as

‘Clear-Com’s aerospace and military business has never been stronger’ Matt Danilowicz, Clear-Com public money is much less affected than private-sector spending. In addition, the UK government’s decision to accelerate £800 million of school capital investment to 2009-10 offers some opportunities for continued business in this sector.”

Case study: Clear-Com bridges communications gap for Spain’s Canal Sur Radio RELIABLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE to the smooth running of any network of radio stations. Clear-Com Communication Systems is helping one of Spain’s most prominent public broadcasters to connect its local stations in Andalucía. Canal Sur Radio (CSR) has installed a Clear-Com Eclipse Median Digital Matrix intercom system, along with nine 4-way VoICE interface frames, at its Seville headquarters. These are all key components of a massive IP network that provides intercom connectivity to more than 45 local and regional stations.

CSR worked with systems integrator Aicox Soluciones to install the system. The 64-port matrix serves 15 local stations, as well as eight regional centres comprising four stations each, along with an important regional centre in Málaga, which has a Clear-Com Eclipse PiCo matrix used by eight stations. Nine of the regional centres also boast a 4-way Clear-Com VoICE IP interface, allowing a direct intercom link between all locations and utilising the VoICE systems as remote panels.

Previously the broadcaster maintained communications between the different sta-

tions via a 4-wire-based distributed analogue intercom system, which had become obsolete and was rapidly approaching its capacity.

“CSR sees the future of the broadcast facility as being IPbased and is moving all of its systems into this realm,” says Jose María Alvarez of Aicox Soluciones. “Clear-Com has a similar vision for its intercoms, so its solutions seemed tailormade for CSR. The Clear-Com solution has already improved CSR’s intercom capabilities tremendously.”

The Clear-Com system enables direct links between all the station’s locations

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VoIP as a driving force A driving force in the current market place is the use of VoIP. Ten to 15 years ago use of and demand for intercoms had peaked. With the introduction of enhanced telephone systems during the 1980s and 1990s the market appeared to have hit rock bottom. Then, in the early 2000s,

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18 Markets: Intercoms and Paging Systems www.installationeurope.com

sound solution companies such as TOA Corporation began to develop their IP intercom systems, opening up new markets that conventional telephony systems could not handle and offering more features and costsaving solutions. Currently TOA is experiencing strong demand from airports, the transportation sector, corporations with overseas offices and the security industry.

One of TOA’s key products is the N-8000 Series IP Network Intercom.

The system offers flexible communications for up to 1,280 stations on existing corporate local and wide area data networks. Built on TOA’s proven NX-100 network audio technology, the new IP intercom products occupy minimal network bandwidth (130kbps maximum) for station-to-station calls and can be controlled and monitored through software or a web browser.

Riedel Artist Matrix Systems have been used at various high-profile sporting events, including the Asian Games in Doha

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Programmable system functions include 160 paging zones, time-based call forwarding and scan monitoring.

“The N-8000 installed at Gatwick Airport in the UK, in particular the baggage handling area, was a perfect choice,” comments Paul Patterson, managing director of Sound Distribution Services, citing the networking capabilities of TOA’s IP intercom. “We can change positions, locations and configuration of the entire system with ease, achieving what is truly a flexible solution to today’s ever-changing environment.”

At last month’s ISE Show in Amsterdam TOA launched the VM3000 Series PA/VA system. This offers a range of emergency functions, including built-in voice alarm and continuous speaker line monitoring without interruption of BGM distribution or paging announcements. All audio is digitally processed and controlled, resulting in PA broadcasting, paging and BGM deliver y of consistently high sound quality and intelligibility.

Brett Downing, sales and marketing director, TOA Corporation (UK), comments: “The VM-3000 is compact and can be set up directly from its front panel without the need for connection to a PC. Dedicated software is also available for those installers who want to configure, maintain and update the system remotely.”

Barix, a Zurich-based manufacturer of IP-based audio, intercom, control and monitoring, chose to showcase the Barix Paging Station PS16 at ISE. The compact multifunctional master station for use in IP intercom, paging and VoIP applications of fers a variety of key features, including group call, public address broadcast, per location audible call identif ier, remote relay operation and unattended mode operation. This latter feature allows operators to easily and quickly record an unattended message for automatic answering of calls when the central station is unmanned.

Johannes G Rietschel, CEO and founder of Barix, comments on current technology trends. “Proprietary standards come and go... while ‘open’ standards-based Ethernet and TCP/IP has survived and evolved. We see a very strong trend in the intercom/paging and even telephony market based on the use of these open standards. IP-based systems are interoperable, open and not tied to a certain vendor or chip manufacturer.

Customers understand this trend, and there is a strong demand for such systems.”

10.02.2009 11:37:33 Uhr

Optimism from the installed sector has spread to the events industry, with opportunities opening up for companies such as Orbital Sound, based in London. In 2006 the company set up an event communications division, dedicated to installations across a variety of events. Tim Sherratt, technical director at Orbital, explains: “We have a large fleet of RTS Matrix Key Panels, Tetra walkie-talkies, Duplex radio communications, microwave links, VoIP network technology as well as full staffing and logistics back-up.”

On the fixed installation side of Orbital’s business, collaborative design installations and consultancy work in conjunction with RTS Telex have been completed on intercom systems at the Glyndebourne Opera

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Case study: HMP Perth to benefit from working environment upgrades thanks to Bosch’s wireless officer alarm system WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING COMMUNICATIONS FLOWING in a large prison, paging technology to keep staff safe and informed is proving to be crucial. HMP Perth is one of the largest prisons in Scotland, housing around 700 inmates. The facility has recently been subject to a modernisation project that will see a completely renewed prison by the end of this decade, with much better conditions for prisoners, greater access to improved facilities and better working conditions for staff.

Part of the renovation and modernisation process includes the installation of a new wireless officer/personal-alarm system.

Following a site demonstration, the Scottish Prison Service decided to use a Bosch Personal Security Pager (PS-Pager) System.

Traditionally, systems used throughout the UK prison service have included fixed wall-mounted alarm buttons and private mobile radios. A wireless solution with alarm mobiles carried by every prison officer was therefore an obvious option. Not only would this provide added personal security for

House as well as for Ireland’s National Concert Hall in Dublin. Tender work is under way for the Clwyd Theatre, Mold, North Wales, a large building spread across three venues. Sherratt is working on a system that will allow for an integrated intercom and paging system for up to 60 different zones in the building that can be programmed as required for each new performance.

A model of the prison, which houses 700 inmates

all officers, but by eliminating the wiring needed with the old wallmounted system, it could offer major cost savings during renovation and rebuilding.

The PS-Pager is a flexible wireless personal alarm solution. All prison officers have their own PSPager mobile through which they can transmit an alarm to the central control room. The status of all PSPagers is monitored and requests for assistance are automatically

that allows engineers and operators different screens. You may think that sounds like overkill, but so far I’ve not been able to get one onto a shelf because they’re sold before we can get them!”

Over in Belgium, Audac provides a complete range of audio equipment, including amplif iers, speakers,

Global demand Turning back to the manufacturing sector and looking to the Swiss market, Ateïs International is a leading maker of voice alarm and installed sound equipment.

For the past 25 years the company has been serving markets in Italy, Russia and other Eastern European countries, while also enjoying significant success in markets such as South Africa. More recently it has planned to set up subsidiaries in key markets as and when opportunities arise.

The UK subsidiary opened in March last year, headed by Neil Voce. With 20 years of experience in the PA/VA industry, including time as MD of Millbank, Voce is conf ident about business at the moment, and about Ateïs UK. One of Ateïs’s most in demand audio matrixing systems is the UAPG2, designed for small and medium-sized paging and multi-zone audio routing applications.

Discussing the product and the features attracting the most favourable market response, Voce comments: “I guess we’re seeing the wholesale adoption of front-end software, which is permeating down from the exotic to the everyday application. Also, third-party control to provide integrated audio/video solutions seems to be a draw.

“The Ateïs UAPG2, a fully programmable DSP audio matrix, is a case in point.

Where you would have had a mixer amp and a paging microphone a few years ago, our new-generation controller stores messages and has a scheduler, full DSP control on EQ and processing, and stacks into a matrix with simple software control

‘Despite the economic situation, I expect significant growth in 2009’ Thomas Riedel, Riedel microphones and much more. For the intercom market the company is seeing significant use of its amplifiers and loudspeaker integration with intercoms. Of particular interest is Audac’s CSE55, the company’s newest singlecone loudspeaker with an integrated red signal LED (24V), which emits a visual evacuation signal. The ceiling speaker is specially designed to deliver

routed. Even if central control is unmanned, the network automatically forwards the alarm call to a response team.

The system also features an embedded RF-based location detection system, ensuring that the position of every officer can be tracked throughout the prison premises. Locations are sent automatically with every alarm call, enabling response teams to be directed quickly to the scene of an incident.

high-quality speech reproduction, but can also be used for background music.

It is standard fitted with a 100V line transformer and with connections for different powers. Recently 700 units have been installed at the central fire station in Antwerp.

Looking to the future The intercom market place is clearly healthy, robust and maturing quickly. As to the future, manufacturers including Riedel predict that intercoms will move from pure voice communication to a new kind of backbone system, able to provide broadcast-quality audio and transport additional data such as Ethernet or relay contacts. A new step will probably be the integration of video.

Riedel says: “My personal vision is that intercom migrates more into a real-time production backbone. Intercom then will only be one aspect of the system. At this year’s NAB show we will introduce MediorNet, a fibre optic media transport network, which will already show the first steps in that direction. Be curious!”

Clear-Com’s Danilowicz is convinced that the technology produced must be intuitive and easy to use. He concludes: “It’s all going to get a lot easier. Why? Because it has to. We’re investing more than ever to create an easier user experience, an area in which we’ve been weak in the past. Our new systems are going to be much more intuitive, providing all the advanced logic mapping to satisfy a veteran intercom specialist, with an ease of use that a kid can pick up in 10 minutes.

That’s the standard for all our new offerings, including Production Maestro and Logic Maestro, which provide a thoroughly intuitive approach to conference routing and workflow set-up. We’ll be demonstrating these new products at trade shows like NAB and InfoComm this year, and I think they will be setting a standard for the simpler, more elegant world of intercom to come.” IE

www.ateis.com www.audac.be www.barix.com www.biamp.com www.boschsecurity.com www.cie-group.com www.clearcom.com www.orbitalsound.co.uk www.riedel.net www.rtsintercoms.com www.telex.com www.toa-corp.co.uk

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Riding the storm How is the economic downturn affecting the professional installation business in France, Belgium and Luxembourg, each home to a generous array of AV manufacturers, distributors and integrators? David Davies finds out

T

he three countries under the spotlight in this month’s geographical focus – France, Belgium and Luxembourg – have long been pivotal players in Europe’s professional installation business.

More prominent on the world stage than at any time in the past 20 years – thanks in no small part to the publicity-attracting president, Nicolas Sarkozy – France

(population 61.6 million) appears to be riding out the economic storm with more aplomb than many of its European neighbours.

While the country’s recent financial statistics are nothing to get excited about – growth of just 0.14% was reported for the third quarter of 2008 – there is general relief that the economy isn’t actually shrinking.

France arguably has a more problematic relationship with the European Union following the

A recent refurb at the Toulouse Casino-Theatre included the installation of six Nexo GEO D10s and three GEO subs on the floor. A selection of PS 15s and PS 8s provide equal coverage within the hall

public’s rejection of the proposed EU Constitution in a 2005 referendum, although the union remains at the heart of European social and political life. The country continues to enjoy creditable export levels, while there is little sign of the depressing large-scale job losses now afflicting many other Western European nations.

The outlook for Belgium (population 10.5 million) is more confused. The country’s economy continues to grow – albeit at

unspectacular rates of 1-2% per year – but in political terms, the future has rarely been less certain.

The sense of a divide between the primarily Dutch-speaking north and the mainly French-speaking south continues to grow, and was one of the factors contributing to an extended political impasse that followed the 2007 elections. A new administration finally took shape in March 2008, although that was not the end of the difficulties, with Prime Minister Yves

Leterme stepping down just nine months later. His replacement was Belgian political mainstay Herman Van Rompuy.

Despite the present sense of stability, there are genuine fears that Belgium could ultimately splinter.

In the shorter term, Van Rompuy and his colleagues are confronted with the unwelcome challenge of minimising the impact on the country of the global financial crisis and the recent bail-out of BelgianDutch bank Fortis.

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Case study: energy focus for Crestron International’s new Brussels HQ CRESTRON INTERNATIONAL’S NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING in Brussels incorporates Crestron control systems as part of an installation that has been optimised for energy efficiency and ease of operation.

A core part of the technical specification at the new facility – which will provide training, sales, technical support and product distribution for Europe, Russia and the Middle East – is Crestron’s PRO2 control system.

The PRO2 enables centralised management of all of the building’s lighting, climate control, security and AV equipment; localised operation is also possible via TPS-6X and TPMC-8L touchpanels.

The main training room is also managed by a Crestron system and employs RoomView software management for automatic room booking and scheduling.

Our triumvirate of nations is completed by Luxembourg. Possessing a population of only 467,000, the country is a compact dynamo at the heart of Europe and the EU – indeed, it is home to the European Parliament’s administrative offices, known as the G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r i a t . P o l i t i c a l l y, Luxembourg is ver y stable – Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker has been in the job since 1995 – and the economy continues to advance steadily. The fact that many of its people speak French, German and Luxembourgish (a dialect of German) underlines why the country is frequently perceived as a symbol of the wider European ‘project’ of greater integration.

The building features over 20 miles of installed cable

The new HQ cost €4 million to build, including the property and infrastructure. More than half a mile wide, it features over 20 miles of installed cable and is home to 178 staff. In addition to office and training spaces, it also incorporates a fully automated, bonded warehouse.

Kris Vermuyten, operational, sales & marketing director of Belgium-based manufacturer Audioprof – best known for the APart brand – highlights the increasing number of requests for localised system control, multi-room audio and more compact loudspeaker designs. “Even though the fixed install audio market is a slow-changing [one], change is certainly going on,” he says.

Benjamin Saint Girons, sales mana g e r a t s h ow a n d m e d i a c o n t r o l technology company Medialon, suggests that “the most rapidly increasing market i s fo r s m a l l t o m e d i u m - s i z e d

Rewarding applications As befits three countries whose business communities are often inextricably linked, it makes sense to take a collective approach to their installation markets – starting with the applications that are driving growth.

Control rooms, transport infrastructure, petrol st ations, digit al cinemas, simulation facilities, conference centres, health and fitness centres, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, clubs, arenas and stadia are among the highperforming applications cited by our featured interviewees, who run the gamut from lighting or audio suppliers to all-round integration and service providers.

Encouragingly, there is a general feeling that despite the worsening economic conditions (more of which anon), standards are continuing to rise across fixed install. For example, Luc Vandenbroucke, senior executive vice president of professional display and visualisation solutions provider Barco, depicts a market characterised by the increasing dominance of networking technologies, greater convergence of video and lighting, and a continuing trend in favour of digitisation.

Focusing in particular on Belgium and Luxembourg, Cédric Montrézor, head of installation support at Francebased audio manufacturer L-Acoustics, points to growing demand for complete turnkey systems and “digital innovations such as system control and monitoring. We are responding to these market requests by designing and manufacturing complete systems rather than just being a loudspeaker manufacturer.”

‘It is all about keeping your focus on your core business’ Gerben van den Berg, projectiondesign

“This new building and outstanding staff are a testament to our dedication and success,” comments Robin van Meeuwen, managing director of Crestron UK. “We look forward to continuing to provide the best support to our dealers, and lead the way to future prosperity.”

integration in large installations currently standardising to new formats like MXF (Material Exchange Format) or AFF (Advanced Forensic Format).”

France-based loudspeaker manufacturer Nexo, meanwhile, is enjoying considerable success with its fourthgeneration GEO array system, and in particular the GEO S12 series, which has been installed in a number of stadia, theatres and multipurpose venues.

“For many of these installations we have been receiving very encouraging feedback as the f inal users quickly identified that by installing such a system they can now offer a wider scope of events in their venues then they had originally envisioned,” says Nexo’s marketing director, Joe White.

No one disputes the centrality of this region to European install, and indeed for many of our featured companies it is one that continues to have a fundamental influence on their overall business. For Barco, France, Belgium and Luxembourg constitute one of the most significant regions in Europe. Audioprof also derives an “important” part of its turnover from Belgium/Luxembourg but, says Vermuyten, “even more important is the feedback from this home market. It is this kind of feedback that helps us to develop new APart products that perfectly meet the demands of the customers and the people in the f ield.

After all, they need to install the product!” The company says that it is also doing well in the French market, where it is represented by exclusive distributor Sennheiser France.

Public or private projects, both in these countries and in Europe in general. That is the reason why we have designed an embedded lowc o s t s h ow c o n t r o l l e r u n i t c a l l e d SHOWMASTER.” Merging Technologies is hoping to capitalise on the burgeoning replacement market with its forthcoming Ovation Media Server and Sequencer.

“The overwhelming response from our current distributors has been that the replacement market for ageing audio/video media player equipment could have really good growth potential,” explains Dominique Brulhart, Merging’s head of software engineering. “ This is where we step in with n et wo r k a b l e , H D - c a p a b l e , m u l t i format audio solutions, typically for

It stands to reason that the health of any installation market is determined by the levels of both public and private investment. The past year has seen the credit river reduced to a stream, and with less assurance than at any time in the recent past about a return on new investment, it is unsurprising that an increasing number of privately funded projects are subject to delay.

Despite an impressive roll-call of recent installations – including an ongoing railway signalling centre project in Belgium, which entails a long-term collaboration with Siemens – Barco is among those companies bracing itself for a more challenging period.

“Instead of a growth we are expecting a decrease in 2009,” admits

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L-Acoustics kit is featured in Luxembourg’s La Grande-Duchesse Josephine Charlotte Concert Hall, which consists of a 1,500-seat concert auditorium, a 300-seat chamber-music hall, and a black-box theatre seating 120

Vandenbroucke. “This applies particularly to the events market, where decisions are being delayed, and to the digital signage market, which is experiencing a decrease in advertising budgets. Having said that, control room and publicly funded projects seem to be less hampered.”

French console manufacturer Innovason currently has more leads and projects in the installation market than at any time since 2004. The recently launched Eclipse console is helping to drive this expansion, with sales & marketing director Xavier Pion characterising the overall situation for the company as “very encouraging”.

Nonetheless, there is a recognition that both public and private institutions will need to hold their nerve and keep pushing forward with new projects if the installation market is to remain vibrant.

“In order to maintain growth within this sector, or indeed any business sector, the financial institutions will have to take the (calculated) risk of continuing to finance these projects,” counsels Pion.

Vermuyten predicts that the public sector will step up to help plug the investment gap. “Some companies will hesitate to invest in new AV equipment, but local governments will do everything possible to turn this situation around and will invest [more than

Projectiondesign kit at Futuroscope in Poitiers, Europe’s highestattended planetarium (Picture: Global Immersion/projectiondesign)

ever] in public buildings, schools and infrastructure,” he says.

In terms of the private sector, Vermuyten hopes that the increased focus on price could bring more business for Audioprof ’s APart brand. “People will compare [products] more often and brand name will be less important than value for money,” he says.

Future projects While plenty of interviewees identify possible new opportunities arising from the current economic predicament, a lot of readers will no doubt be asking the question ‘Quite how bad might this get, then?’ It’s a tough one to answer, not least because substantial system purchases – for example, a sophisticated new lighting rig or audio console – are likely to have been mapped out months or even years in advance of installation.

Consequently, activity levels in France, Belgium and Luxembourg show no signs of dipping for many suppliers and installers.

“The systems we deliver today were specified between one and three years ago, and the final purchase decision was made at least 12 months ago,” says Innovason’s Pion. “[Hence] we do not feel any impact of the economic situation… yet. However, the economy is not doing well and it will very probably affect the business to some degree,

although it is very difficult to make any accurate forecasts.”

Merging’s Brulhart also suggests that it is too early to assess the potential impact of the economic downturn.

“In both the broadcast and large-scale installation markets, most business decisions are taken with a longer-term perspective, and budgets don’t change radically from one day to the next,” he says. “To date, we haven’t noticed any dramatic decrease in our overall business due to the worldwide economic downturn – quite the opposite, in fact.

However, like any other professional manufacturer in our industry, we are closely monitoring the market evolution and potential changes in market trends and needs to be prepared for possible future scenarios.”

L-Acoustics’ Montrézor, too, has concerns. Focusing specif ically on Belgium and Luxembourg, he says that the company has “not yet perceived a downturn in the f ixed installation market. However, there’s a worrying possibility that dif f icult access to financing for both private and public projects might delay projects or reduce budgets in the second half of 2009 and early 2010.”

Stéphane Guidetti, videowall project manager at French control room and display systems manufacturer/installer Lanetco, places current developments in a wider

Case study: French town hall opts for Innovason console THE TOWN HALL IN THE TOWN OF ASNIÈRES-SUR-SEINE, situated near Paris, has taken delivery of an Innovason Sy80 digital mixing console.

Thierry Plenier, who heads up the municipality’s AV department, undertook a rigorous research exercise to identify a suitable replacement for the town hall’s long-serving analogue console.

Flexibility and EtherSound network capability were among the items at the top of Plenier’s shopping list.

In time, the search brought Plenier to Innovason. He says: “Sales & marketing director Xavier Pion and technical guru Matthieu Le Failler brought along an Sy48 and an Sy80, and after just a few hours of demos and testing, I and my technical team were completely sold! We opted for an Sy80 equipped with 48 preamps and 24 outputs, and we plan to invest in an

The town hall hosts a range of events, including an annual concert that features local children’s choir the POPPYS

LX646ES sound card for multitrack digital recording, and some AES input cards later in the year.”

Specific features praised by Plenier include sound quality, ease of configuration and the quality of the onboard effects. “From a commercial point of view, the fact that Innovason consoles are so easy to

operate makes them a real godsend when we’ve got visiting engineers because they are usually up and running in no time,” he notes.

In addition to serving a variety of events at the town hall, the desk will also be deployed for other commitments in the municipality as and when required.

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international context. “It is true that the global economic situation has frozen some projects in all countries,” he says, “although I think that companies are [confronting] this situation.”

Indeed, Guidetti sounds rather enthusiastic about the future, not least with regards to Lanetco’s plan to place a greater emphasis on security applications. “We definitely want to develop our business in the security market through our new IP processor, IPVision,” he confirms.

Other companies make similarly confident predictions, underlying the obvious but frequently overlooked truth that a surprising number of businesses continue to prosper in the most adverse of circumstances.

“For the industr y this is an interesting period,” says Gerben van

Immersion, a France-based systems integrator, has supplied projectiondesign F30 sx+ projectors as part of a virtual reality project aimed at streamlining the design of new submarines for the French navy. The 3D solution has been installed at the Cherbourg base of naval defence contractor Direction des Construction Navales (DCNS) (©DCNS 2008; projectiondesign and Immersion France)

den Berg, sales manager Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg for Norwegian projector manufacturer projectiondesign. “If you don’t have the right added value for your customers, the chances [that] you will not survive in this slow market are huge. If, however, you are able to offer next to best product in the market, [as well as] good pre-sales and after-sales, you will find many new customers. It is all about keepi n g yo u r fo c u s o n yo u r c o r e business and giving the customers the right attention.”

Nexo’s White says that there could be a downturn in the number of installations being completed in the later quarters of this year. However, he notes: “For 2010 we are seeing a [considerable] amount of medium and large projects where Nexo will have a very high chance of being

‘The most rapidly increasing market is for small to medium-sized projects’

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There is no doubt that the installation business is set to pass through a more problematic period, and France, Belgium and Luxembourg will not be immune t o t h i s p r o c e s s . H o w e v e r, t h e combination of investmentfriendly public sectors and a raft of experienced suppliers, distributors and installers suggests that the impact could be considerably less pronounced than in some other European markets. IE

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VM-3000 Integrated Voice Evacuation System

TOA Electronics Europe GmbH Suederstr. 282 20537 Hamburg Germany T +49 (0) 40-25 17 19 0 F +49 (0) 40-25 17 19 98 E contact@toa-eu.com www.toa.eu TOA Corporation (UK) Ltd HQ3, Unit 2 Hook Rise South, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7LD United Kingdom T +44 (0) 870 774 0987 F +44 (0) 870 777 0839 E info@toa.co.uk www.toa.co.uk TOA France Central Parc 255 Bd. Robert Ballanger 2 allee du Daim 93421 Villepinte Cedex France T +33 (0) 1 41 51 1550 F +33 (0) 1 41 51 1559 www.toa.fr TOA Electronics Europe GmbH Sp.z o.o.

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Perfect for the quick get-a-way In a tense and adrenaline charged emergency, it’s a comfort to know that you can totally rely on the VM-3000 Integrated Voice Evacuation System from TOA. Designed for all small to medium sized installations, such as shopping centres, schools and health clubs, the VM-3000 will coolly and efficiently perform to the limit.

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26 Markets: Retail www.installationeurope.com An MA Lighting grandMA console controls the lighting in the atrium used for special events at the new Westfield London Shopping Centre (see page 29) (Picture: Justin Sutcliffe)

Twelve NEC LCD 4620 units create a portrait video wall in this food hall

Shop, but don’t drop Despite it being a tough time for retailers, AV businesses in the sector remain upbeat, believing that they offer exactly what is needed to encourage reluctant shoppers back into stores. Ian McMurray reports

A

ccording to leading commercial property and real-estate services adviser CB Richard Ellis, retail investment activity in Europe slowed to €18.1 billion in the f irst half of 2008 (the last period for which figures are available). While this number is comparable with the same period in 2005, it is well below the previous two years’ six-monthly average of €28.5 billion. And this before the so-called ‘credit crunch’ really started to make itself felt… But is this downward trend in overall investment likely to affect the market for audiovisual solutions for retail in 2009? The industry is, in fact, surprisingly bullish.

“I expect the market to be good in 2009 as there will be more competition between retailers as they seek new ways to promote and differentiate themselves on the high street,” says Lloyd Cole, European marketing manager at 3M’s Optical Systems division. “They are all looking for solutions that will help them out of the downturn and the digital signage opportunity presents a great advantage for forward thinkers.”

Many commentators on the economic situation say that it’s those companies that spend more than their competitors on marketing that will succeed. It is also those that adapt best not only to the macro-economic situation, but the micro-economic situation too, that will perform more strongly.

“It’s well documented that digit a l s i g n a g e i s a g r e a t w ay o f

promoting products, as well as advertising in-store,” says Peter Critchley, managing director of Beaver Group, a company that spec i a l i s e s i n t h e d e ve l o p m e n t , production and deployment of digital signage solutions. “But it’s also valuable as a way to react quickly to situations. Instead of just running normal messages to promote products, screens can be used to give direct and relevant information to buyers. With situations changing so quickly, this kind of up-to-date information can help a retailer achieve real competitive advantage.”

Simon Taylor, general manager of the UK and Northern Europe office at LED display manufacturer Lighthouse Technologies, agrees.

“If any market sector is going to see some sort of stability, it’s likely to be retail,” he says, “because there is an increased requirement to draw people in to outlets – something for which LED-based solutions have proven to be particularly effective.”

Implicit in these remarks is the knowledge – based on extensive industry experience – that audiovisual applications such as digital signage have been proven to deliver quantifiable benefits to retailers that positively impact their bottom l i n e . H owe ve r, s o m e c h a n g e i s a p p a r e n t . I f a ny r et a i l e r s e ve r installed digital signage solutions purely for their wow factor or their perceived prestige, they’re unlikely to continue to do so.

Critchley again: “As the cost of technology goes down, I think that more simple applications will become prevalent. More retailers

will use AV in their store, but not as a ‘boundary pushing’ installation. AV will become a standard, rather than being a luxur y or a high-spec gimmick.”

“Although we have seen a few projects pushed out, we are also seeing new projects come in all the time,” notes Pierre Gillet, vice president of European sales at digital media company Roku. “The market is ver y cost- and return on investment-sensitive at this time – which means it’s a good market for suppliers of technology that is lowcost, easy to install and maintain, and reliable.”

Seeking returns That’s a point of view that finds b r o a d f a v o u r i n t h e i n d u s t r y.

“Many more retailers will be looking for more substantial returns on investment in 2009, and this will set a trend for the future,” says Ian McKenzie, chief executive officer at digital signage specialist Dynamax Technologies. He also notes that attendance f igures at January’s National Retail Federation convent i o n i n N e w Yo r k w e r e ‘significantly’ down on previous years. He believes this indicates a higher degree of caution on the part of retail companies. “As a result, retailers are looking for a more unique approach to interactive technologies, such as two-way communications, to keep consumers engaged.

“In 2009, we’ll see increasing use of geotargeting, in-store kiosks, and shelf-edge and mobile communications used on an integrated basis to communicate with consumers. In

‘AV will become a standard, rather than being a luxury or a high-spec gimmick’ Peter Critchley, Beaver Group addition, we will continue to see more facial recognition technology applications being used to more effectively tailor certain marketing messages to specific types of consumers in retail.”

Cole agrees. “I think retailers will become braver and a lot more innovative in terms of experiment-

ing with new technologies such as Bluetooth, SMS, interactivity and beyond,” he says. “In line with t h e i r i n c r e d i b l e fo c u s o n c u s tomer insight, they will be more open to trialing such new technologies to maintain and expand customer loyalty.”

In other words: while it seems that the roll-out of mainstream digital signage projects is likely to continue, with the lower costs noted by Critchley bringing new customers into the market, McKenzie and Cole believe that perhaps the real opportunity lies in innovations that extend their reach and persuasiveness.

One of those may well be the Virtual Salesperson, on this occasion created by Dutch agency Boost Products using Vikuiti Rear Projection Screen technology from 3M. A video of a shop assistant promoting a specif ic brand was produced by Boost and the screen was laser cut to the human shape by the distributor. The screen was then placed on the shop floor next to a sales display and the projector was installed on the ceiling. The projector connects up to the Boost narrowcasting system, which controls play out of the video from a remote location. Once the video is playing, the Virtual Salesperson ‘comes alive’.

That the Virtual Salesperson was designed for a supermarket is almost certainly significant, in that commentators believe that stores selling food and other necessities are likely to be least impacted by the economic downturn. And, as any industry professional will confirm, there is no

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A 3x3 video wall and 20 NEC LCD 4020 units feature in this landscape video wall in a mobile phone store

Case study: Barix Exstreamer provides audio for new Swiss shopping and leisure centre

The Virtual Salesperson was designed for supermarkets, which are widely expected to weather the downturn better than other retailers

IN ADDITION TO SHOPS AND A FOOD COURT, the €300 million Westside leisure and shopping complex in the new city district of Berne-Brünnen is also home to a multiplex cinema, hotel and conference rooms as well as Switzerland’s largest theme pool, spa and fitness park. Builder Neue Brünnen commissioned Digital Media Distribution (DMD2) to provide a customised audio solution for the shops, walkways and food court. Ten individual music channels are distributed using IP streaming solutions from Barix.

The solution is based on dividing the building into several zones. The zones are established depending on the spaces within the complex or their functions – for example, use as a food court or an event area. A Barix Exstreamer, connected to the existing local network, is installed in each zone: it receives

single retail market. Rather, it is a complex amalgam of smaller markets, each with its own unique characteristics. Success in 2009 and beyond is likely to be determined by how well the AV industry underst ands that segment ation and identifies the likely winners and losers – and precisely what it is that those winners will want.

Meeting in the middle Size, as in so many things, is probab l y i mp o r t a n t . “ O u r b e s t opportunities at the moment are small to medium-level installations in mid-size retailers – let’s say five to 20 screens in chains with 20–500 outlets,” says Gillet. “It is easier to measure and justify the return on a smaller-scale roll-out – and the decision-making chain is shorter in mid-size businesses.”

And that’s a key requirement for many AV companies during challenging times. Which projects will generate a near-term return not only for their customers, but also for themselves? “There is always a huge amount of difference between the sectors, and we are very specific in the ones we actively target,” says Barrie Guy, large format LCD & solutions sales manager at NEC Display Solutions. “The smaller chains tend to be very good to work with because the decision-making tree is so much smaller – that makes life much easier. You can tell from a properly planned exploratory meeting whether they have funding, whether they’re being realistic in their aims and whether they have the commitment to go through all that is needed to launch a project and see it through to completion.”

“We have to be more targeted in both our marketing and our sales,” says Taylor, “and more focused on immediate business.”

A pressing need for many retailers may be to ensure that their security systems are in order.

“Regrettably, when recession strikes, there is usually an increase in retail theft,” says Dean Kemp, sales manager, security division at Mitsubishi, “so we would expect to see an

increase in demand for security products such as DVRs and CCTV systems if the current economic difficulties continue. Beyond this, security will continue to be a foremost consideration in the minds of those in charge of major public spaces such as shopping malls. The threats of crime and terrorism are still present, and I feel sure that all major retail and public space projects will continue to make every effort to ensure their security systems, public display systems and so on are kept effective and up to date.”

an audio stream via the internet, converts it into music and feeds the signal into the audio system on site.

Similar to a radio, the user can select which of the 10 channels are received on each Barix Exstreamer. In this way, the entire Westside complex can sound the same – or ambient music can be heard in the mall while party music plays at a fashion show in the event area. Eight of the 10 radio channels are also available in the speciality shops and boutiques: these do not require their own Exstreamer, but instead receive audio streams from the existing cable network.

Westside is not the first retail organisation to choose an indoor media system from DMD2 and Barix. Other users include the REWE Group Austria with over 1,900 branches of Merkur, Bipa perfumeries and Billa supermarkets; Coop, the large Swiss

Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the new shopping centre cost €300 million

distributor with 920 branches; and Marionnaud, the Austrian perfumery chain with 100 branches.

A new Paradigm

Recurring theme Unsurprisingly, the questions of cost and return on investment are recurring ones. “In the current economic climate, retailers are focusing attention on saving money while also maximising the number of people in store,” notes Critchley. “While digital signage is able to do this over time, the initial investment can be enough to put off a retailer. Software-as-a-Service providers like Beaver Group may well see an increase in interest, as clients take a cautious approach to digital signage.

“Beyond that, tr ying to sell advertising space or a business model based on a 10-year return on investment is probably not going to be a compelling case. In the end, it’s about identifying which retailers really can benefit from an AV solution and how. In this climate, some retailers will not benefit. As suppliers, success will come from being realistic in our approach and understanding the limits of the market.”

“Clearly, we planned the release of our 2009 Compact range well before the start of the credit crunch – but we couldn’t have timed the launch better,” smiles Gillet. “We are offering a high-quality looping player at a remarkable new price point – and it’s very inexpensive to add networking and interactive support. I don’t see any other vendor offering such a complete and cost-effective range of ‘credit crunch-ready’ digital signage platforms.”

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28 Markets: Retail www.installationeurope.com A 15ft high x 20ft wide Mitsubishi LED screen was installed in the food court at Manchester’s Trafford Centre in 2008

Now more than ever,” he continues, “customers are looking for value and a fast return on investment. As we go forward, we’ll be building on the ‘just pay for what you need’ design philosophy of our new products.”

McKenzie, too, notes the importance of providing an exact fit with a customer’s requirements.

“A key element of our point of view digital signage software application is its capability to be flexible,” he says, “and in particular, its capability to be scalable and deliver exact targeting.”

ogy is important, with a particular emphasis on energy-saving features, longevity and low cost of ownership,” he says. “For example, with our new Seventy Series cubes, we’ve redesigned the colour wheel and fan pack components to greatly extend their working life to something over 100,000 hours mean time between

Back to basics Identifying appropriate markets, providing attractive entry price points, delivering exactly what the customer needs – and no more – are the keys to success for manufacturers and integrators alike. But these aren’t new insights: the economic situation hasn’t changed the basics of good marketing, sales and customer service. Rather, it has served to refocus attention.

“Offering full-service solutions that provide minimal risks, based on reliable products that have minimal downtime and are backed by good ser vice – those things haven’t changed,” says Taylor.

“The same with ease of installation, ease of operation and low lifetime cost of ownership. They’re just even more important now than they were before.”

Fraser McDonald, UK sales manager for visual information systems at Mitsubishi, agrees. “We believe delivering the latest technol-

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‘We are very positive about the business outlook in retail and signage in particular’ Barrie Guy, NEC Display Solutions

failures. We believe this kind of attention to detail is important, especially when retailers are looking closely at every euro spent.”

“While a digital signage network can have an almost immediate impact on sales lift in stores, with outstanding content, excellent branding, and compelling messaging, it’s really the strength of the retail brand and the in-store experie n c e t h a t ke e p t h e c o n s u m e r coming back again and again,” says McKenzie. “If the consumer experience of visiting the retail outlet is a pleasurable one, then it’s quite likely they will return.”

“Today’s consumers prefer to be communicated with rather than marketed to,” he goes on, “so those retailers who engage and communicate, no matter what area of retail they are in, are more likely to be the survivors of tomorrow.”

It’s hard to talk to the industry without developing the impression that, despite the widespread gloom that is enveloping the retail world, the majority of those companies who serve it with a range of audiov i s u a l s o l u t i o n s a r e qu i et l y convinced that bad times for retailers may mean good times for them.

“We are very positive about the business outlook in retail and signage in particular as we have a number of very exciting solutions coming through,” says Guy. And, it seems, he should be.

Jon Levenson is managing director of Peel Advertising. His company is an extensive user of audiovisual technology in retail environments – including installations such as

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‘The digital signage opportunity presents a great advantage for forward thinkers’ Lloyd Cole, 3M the UK’s Trafford Centre shopping mall.

“At a time of economic downt u r n , AV s y s t e m s a n d n e w AV technologies – such as 3D, and the interactivity that fires the Wii generation – are more important than ever,” he says. “The effect on the market should be increased investment in new and better systems, and more innovative ways of communicating your message to an increasingly discerning audience.

“I think, from a shopping mall perspective, the visitor experience has become more theatrical and experiential. We provide more than just a shopping venue – we provide

Case study: grandMA has Westfield lighting under control WHILE DIGITAL SIGNAGE is the high-profile application of AV technology in the retail market, it’s far from the only application. Increasingly, shopping centres and malls are becoming destinations in their own right – and they’re taking advantage of the same AV solutions as any visitor attraction.

Take lighting, for example. It was inevitable that the newly opened – at a cost of some £1.6 billion – Westfield London Shopping Centre would represent the state of the art in its application of AV technology, and so it is. At its centre is a large atrium area used for special events – and the atrium’s lighting is controlled by a grandMA lighting unit from MA Lighting.

an entire day out. This switch in shoppers’ retail habits will spread across the various sectors, including chain stores and supermarkets.

Offering great customer service and value will help ameliorate the effects of the recession. All sectors can weather the downturn, but only those imaginative enough to invest in themselves will see the other side intact.”

DMX data for all lighting fixtures is distributed throughout the event space via Cat6 and fibre optic cables into 73 facility panels in the floor, roof and The Balcony, and 10 MA Lighting NSPs, all fed back into the grandMA replay unit. The cables are switchable dependent on the distance of the fixture from the grandMA replay unit.

For shows and special events taking place in The Atrium, there are, among others, 10 Vari*Lite VL3000 spots, 10 Vari*Lite VL3000 wash, 92 JTE PixelPARs and around 40 generic light sources available, plus the 300 ColorKinetics ColorBlast LED fixtures illuminating the roof structure. The Atrium’s ‘house’ lighting rig consists of 300

Spending on safety and security systems is unlikely to suffer – and may, in fact, increase – although, in the near term, new retail projects may be few and far between. Digital signage, for sure, has a proven track record of driving footfall, increasing customer loyalty and generating additional sales – and while the init i a l i nve s t m e n t m i g h t m a ke financial directors shudder, there

Westfield was opened by London Mayor Boris Johnson in October last year (Picture: Justin Sutcliffe)

Enlighten/ETC Source Four PARs & Profiles, 100 circuits of architectural lights and 60 switchable

may be little alternative for retailers looking to improve their competitive positioning: if retailing was competitive before the economic downturn, it is now doubly so.

The primary change, it seems, from the point of view of the AV industry, is that the focus on return on investment is likely to become more intense – but the audiovisual industr y is well positioned to

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respond to that, based on the growing maturity of the digital signage market. The combination of quantitative as well as qualitative evidence and the advent of new, lower-cost systems is likely to make that discussion more straightforward. And the industry is far from short of new technologies, new products and new solutions that will tempt those directors to part with their cash. IE

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when it matters.

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Videoconferencing systems, such as LifeSize’s Conference 200, is proving popular with local government clients

Beating the downturn With the public sector expected to fare better than its private counterpart in the current economic environment, Ian McMurray looks at how AV firms can gain a foothold in this market, and what they should expect from it

F

or any self-respecting business, a strategic review is something that needs to be undertaken on a regular basis.

However, at a time of deepening financial depression, a strategic review becomes an absolute necessity. Are we in the right market?

Are we in a growing and profitable market? Are there markets that represent a better opportunity? What about, for example, the government sector? Is it likely to fare better than the commercial market? Will public spending prove more robust than private spending?

For many, ‘government market’ conjures up a dark vision of an endless tendering process, political infighting

– and the contract inevitably going to the lowest bidder. But is that the reality? In fact, for some of the industry’s most successful companies, government business is already a significant percentage of turnover: on average, it’s in the 15-20% range.

“Government-funded projects account for a significant proportion of our product and installation turnover,” says Alec Titler, who was recently appointed regional sales manager, south of England at integrator Saville Audio Visual. “Government spend with Saville has stayed fairly constant in the past two to three years: however, as the effects of the recession deepen, we would expect the proportion to increase as government departments are less likely to post-

pone projects than commercial organisations. Of course, this assumes that the government plan to fund investment in public projects as a way of helping the UK out of the recession filters through to AV- and VC- [videoconferencing] related projects.”

“Government departments are an important client base for AVM,” says Sandy MacPherson, chairman of integrator Audio Visual Machines.

“Our public sector customer base has grown quite considerably in recent years, both organically and as a result of our recent acquisition of Matrix Display Systems. We expect our public sector client base to grow more rapidly than private sector clients this year, although the cost benefits of videoconferencing are

creating demand in both the public and private sectors.”

Steve Woollett, head of public sector at VC manufacturer TANDBERG, is certainly enthused by what he sees. “Government is a significant part of our business,” he says, “and we have every reason to believe not only that it will continue to be so, but that it can grow in the future.”

Know your market The signs look good: for the time being at least, government business looks solid. But is it something anyone can have a part of – or are the barriers insurmountable?

“The key challenge is understanding the procurement process and understanding the operation so

you can provide a complete solution,” says Andreas Wienold, EMEA sales director at video communications company LifeSize. “There is no single point of entry, and governments don’t look to buy boxes of equipment: they want to buy a solution for a problem.”

“Government business inevitably involves some sor t of a tender process,” notes Andy Brymer, chairman of integrator Reflex. “This is often a two-stage process, with an initial framework agreement followed by a specific tender for an individual project among the framework suppliers. While this process involves a lot of work initially, once you have been appointed to a framework agreement, competition is then

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Case study: Electrosonic helps cut UK crime with multi-image display technology FEEDBACK FROM THE INDUSTRY seems to indicate that some government AV applications are just too critical to be impacted by the economic downturn. One of these is command and control systems, such as the one recently completed by Electrosonic, under sub-contract to Siemens Building Technology. As with many such ventures in the UK, the Enfield Public Safety Centre (EPSC) – which originally opened in 2003, but received a £400,000 refurbishment in 2008 – is funded jointly by the public and private sectors. What is unusual about the EPSC is that it is a multi-agency installation,

restricted. Every two to four years, the framework is re-tendered – or changed to a different agreement.

“The private sector, on the other hand, is much less formal, with individual organisations free to operate whatever purchasing procedure they wish. Most still carry out some sort of tender process, but private companies

‘The tender process is far more rigorous in the government sector’ Alec Titler, Saville Audio Visual often use a consultant – more so than the public sector – and the number and type of companies invited to respond can vary enormously. In summary: the public sector is generally more formal, and more paper-intensive, but once you’re in, you’re in – for three or four years, anyway. The private sector is much more varied – and you’re really only as good as your last job.”

“The public sector perhaps places greater emphasis on accreditations and formal inclusion on approved contractor lists,” agrees MacPherson.

“In effect, we need to show that we have the technical skills, organisation, processes and financial strength to provide our services. Clearly there is a cost to achieving and maintaining all the relevant accreditations.”

“In our experience, the most important areas when selling to government are a proven track record,

funded by and delivering a solution for the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and the British Transport Police.

It provides 24-hour monitoring of the public areas of Enfield as well as its rail infrastructure.

The display wall consists of 12 Mitsubishi 50in XGA cubes, fed by an Electrosonic VNQuantum multi-image display processor. This enables the operator to view 72 simultaneous images from over 1,000 security cameras in the surrounding area, as well as six RGB computer images.

The display itself is controlled by Electrosonic’s VNCOMMANDER software, a

command system often used with the VN-QUANTUM that allows the design and implementation of a variety of display layouts.

The EPSC can be manned by up to nine personnel. The possibility exists to install more workstations as the number of partnering organisations within the borough keen to take advantage of the extensive security facility is expected to increase. The project was delivered within a month from the installation’s start date.

The centre has direct visual and audio links to the Metropolitan Police’s new centralised Metcall response

The set-up in the EPSC allows the operator to view 72 images simultaneously

centres, as well as to the local police Integrated Borough Operations Centre.

Since opening, EPSC has helped the police with

investigations, witnessing crimes and providing evidence for trials and prosecutions, and has led to approximately 2,000 arrests.

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Case study: AV system links surgeons and students THE LANCASHIRE CARDIAC CENTRE is a £52 million purpose-built hospital, providing comprehensive cardiology and cardiothoracic surgical services for the adult population of Lancashire and south Cumbria in the UK. AV systems integrator Saville Audio Visual designed and installed integrated lecture theatre systems linked to a bespoke camera and microphone system in the operating theatre. This enables the surgeon to relay video and speech direct to three teaching rooms and receive questions from students via an earpiece.

Images from high-resolution cameras in the lighting units are monitored on an NEC plasma screen.

Images and sound are distributed to three teaching rooms by an Endeleo hub system, using the hospital’s existing Cat5 wiring infrastructure. In the main lecture theatre, Saville installed two Sanyo PLC-X86 projectors for side-by-side image comparisons on a 6m wide custom-built screen. Control is provided via a Saville Intellect controller rack mounted in a veneered Saville Classic lectern and operated from an AMX Modero touch panel.

The Lancashire Cardiac Centre recently installed integrated lecture theatre systems to enable surgeons to relay video and speech to teaching rooms

financial stability and attention to detail and customers processes,” says Titler. “Generally speaking, the tender process is far more rigorous in the government sector than the private sector and, for that reason, attention to detail and being prepared to follow the documented process is of paramount importance.”

Anecdotally, it appears that it is not so very different in countries across Europe, with almost all government organisations tending to follow a more rigorous, more rigid tendering policy than is normal in the private sector – a point confirmed

by Marc Aarts, director of channel marketing at Barco. “The procurement process is always based on an open tender, with a requirement to produce numerous documents and to follow the prescribed process,” he says. It all sounds somewhat daunting: but it isn’t necessarily unlike the commercial world.

“There is a common misconception that providing ser vices to government is very different from the corporate sector,” says Woollett. “I believe that if you understand your customers’ requirements, have a

‘Government is definitely a growth market in the future’ Steve Woollett, TANDBERG

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strong value proposition and can reference previous success stories, then you will be successful whether you are working with government customers or with corporate customers.”

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That success, though, will – as always – depend on having the right solution. And, of course, that solution may be the one that is financially most attractive. Take Hire Intelligence, for example. “Local governments need to be very careful about how they spend taxpayers’ money,” says the company’s general manager, Chris Hutber. “Hiring reduces the total cost of ownership and allows councils to benefit from the latest equipment without spending huge amounts. We can make the latest equipment available to government organisations at a much lower cost than if they were buying, as well as enabling them to free up capital for other projects. We can also provide expertise and support that lowers the ongoing cost of an installation.”

The ‘right solution’ may also involve staging and managing events – a specialisation that is at the heart of The Live Group’s business, some 85% of which comes from the public sector. “With today’s conferences, roadshows and workshops demanding engaging and interactive content, the need for AV solutions has steadily risen over the years,” says Toby Lewis, managing director of The Live Group.

“Solutions that bring together the views and opinions of people are hot applications in this field. Our audience engagement tool, LiveInteractive, is being used frequently for consulta-

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‘The sector is more formal and paperintensive, but once you’re in, you’re in’ Andy Brymer, Reflex tion, internal communications, conferences and feedback. Videoconferencing is also very popular due to the savings it achieves in travel costs and the reduction in carbon emissions – regional offices are able to communicate with each other without having to travel to one central location.”

Videoconferencing and audioconferencing are recurring themes in any discussion of ‘hot’ public sector applications. “Hot applications at present appear to be videoconferencing and collaboration projects. We have also noticed an increase in the level of enquires for audio systems in council chambers,” says Titler – and for precisely the reasons that Lewis notes: by reducing the need to travel, they save money and demonstrate a sensitivity to environmental concerns.

“Clients, as ever, are seeking solutions that offer cost savings, productivity gains and a reduced carbon footprint,” says MacPherson.

“As economies slow, tax revenue impacts budgets. Just like in the private sector,” says Wienold, “and the net effect is that all current and planned projects are re-evaluated for return on investment. That’s where HD videoconferencing wins.”

This implies that a market sector that has always been perceived to be price-driven is likely to be even more so in the coming year or two.

“Of course, it depends on individual customers,” says Br ymer.

“Without doubt, a significant proportion of public sector purchasing is based purely on price. However, we also find increasing numbers of customers are basing their decisions on value, and for these customers project management, technical advice, ongoing support, training and so on are all very important.”

Titler agrees. “As in all sectors, it is impossible to generalise,” he says.

“Some government customers are driven by price, others balance price with quality of service and, for some, the knowledge that the system is always available is the most important factor. When the application is critical, the price of the system or service is measured in terms of the cost to the organisation if it doesn’t work!”

A key question remains, however: the government business may have been a good one to be in, in the past – but does the industry expect it to continue to be a viable market? Or, at least, more viable than the commercial market?

“Governments are a growth market for HD videoconferencing,” says Wienold. “The benefits are so compelling for providing superior communications – and governments know they will be in business next year with even greater challenges. LifeSize is expecting to see fast adoption in all sectors of government.”

“The government is definitely a growth market in the future,” agrees Woollett, “as our technology offers benefits that address many of the issues that are important to government. Collaborative meeting rooms saw significant growth in 2008 and I expect that to continue this year.”

“I think there will be slow but consistent growth in this sector,” says Brymer. “The government clearly understands and benefits from the advantages that good AV systems bring in terms of enhanced communication, and also appreciates the efficiencies and environmental benefits of videoconferencing. I believe we will see continued investment in these areas. However, I also believe the government will be under increasing pressure to cut spending, so I doubt we will see any sort of ‘explosion’ similar to what we’ve seen in education over the past few years.”

He concludes: “While we have seen increased competition and slightly lower margins in the public sector, the levels of business don’t seem to have been affected by the current climate. The private sector, however, seems to have shut up shop – at least in the near term.”

“The economic climate is having less of an effect on governmentfunded and local government-funded AV programmes than on the private/ commercial sector because they are not at the commercial sharp end and

their revenue streams are not yet affected,” says Hutber.

MacPherson agrees, adding: “Private sector clients are more likely to delay projects to conserve cash flows, but spend more on maintaining and improving usage of current equipment.”

“Our clients are still making bookings for the first half of this financial year,” says Lewis. “Governments still need to communicate with policymakers, stakeholders and the public on issues, and one of their preferred choices is face-to-face events.”

Be aware But if this sounds too good to be true, Titler has some words of warning.

“Government business is not a soft touch,” he says. “The contracts are often difficult to win and require a lot of account management to retain.

The accounts require a large investment in terms of reporting, so companies should not underestimate the likely cost of doing business with central and local government.”

It’s clear, then, that the government and quasi-government market

seems to have a great deal going for it. Yes, it is price-sensitive – but, arguably, not significantly more so than the private sector. Yes, formal tendering is a lengthy process – but practice makes perfect and, in time, it becomes less challenging. And yes, it is a politically charged environment – but then, which major organisation isn’t? But, on the other hand, most in the industry believe that, while no market is recessionproof, government-funded projects are likely to continue to be at least somewhat plentiful.

AV projects that have quantifiable payback, and thus represent a good use of taxpayers’ money, will continue to be around. So too will those that not only save taxpayers’ money, but also that resonate with the green/ environmental agenda: government must, after all, be seen to be taking the lead. For sure, any strategic business review – whether as an integrator or as a manufacturer – should be seriously considering taking more advantage of the opportunity that seems to exist with both local and national government. IE

The Live Group’s LiveInteractive system was one of the tools used to broadcast Natural England’s annual conference to seven venues across the UK. The aim was to make the event more environmentally friendly by reducing travel distances

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34 Solutions: Autostadt, Wolfsburg, Germany www.installationeurope.com In the Nutzfahrzeuge pavilion, Tannoy and Barco kit combine to create a multimedia attraction

Tannoy speakers feature in the multipurpose Freiraum

A venue that thinks big The motor industry is suffering, but the Volkswagen Group is continuing to redesign its Autostadt visitor attraction and factory. Dan Goldstein finds out how AV equipment is being used to strengthen a range of brand identities

T

o say that the world’s car industry is in a state of flux would be something of an understatement. With the possible exception of banking, no sector of the global economy has come to symbolise the downturn more vividly than motor manufacturing. Scarcely a day goes by without one company or another announcing that it is changing its shift patterns, laying off agency staff, or planning redundancies in order to cope with the rapid drop in demand for new vehicles.

In tomorrow’s world, the carmakers that survive and thrive will be those that can respond quickly to consumer demand, that are close to their customers, and that offer those customers a range of clearly defined brands that are capable of inspiring excitement and enthusiasm, as well as loyalty. In this context, the Volkswagen Group’s investment in its Autostadt visitor attraction, now approaching its 10th birthday, starts to make more sense than ever.

No other global carmaker covers as many market niches, with as many different brands, as VW. In contrast to the likes of GM and Ford, VW has broadened its reach by steadily acquiring brands and developing each one into a major player in its market.

From Skoda to Bentley, from SEAT to Bugatti and Lamborghini, every badge in the VW family has an established identity and a concrete mission in life.

Autostadt helps to reaffirm these individual brand identities, while at the same time underlining the resilience and industrial muscle of the VW Group as a whole. The former

goal is achieved by a series of ‘brand pavilions’, each one created with its core values in mind; the latter by the provision of a number of ‘Group’ areas, by the presence of the huge AutoTürme (car towers) from which new-car buyers can take delivery of their dream, and by Autostadt’s very location within the VW plant at Wolfsburg – the largest automotive factory in the world.

Reflecting the nature of the carmaker’s products, the attractions at Autostadt are far from static. Just ask Michael Creydt, the AV consultant whose work can be seen throughout the complex and whose involvement with it dates back to 1999, when “the whole site was still a sea of mud”.

Since then, Creydt has been called in whenever Autostadt managers have sought new multimedia solutions for their pavilions.

“Autostadt runs eight hours a day, 365 days a year – with longer hours of opening required by the restaurants and during special events,” says Creydt.

“Because of this, low failure rate and high levels of reliability are key criteria when selecting AV equipment. Any ‘downtime’ of a show is reported daily to management. Autostadt also wanted to ensure that their own maintenance crews required knowledge of a small number of devices, so it was decided to standardise on products from a select group of manufacturers.”

Among these manufacturers – all of which have pledged high levels of support to Autostadt before, during and after installation – are Tannoy (loudspeaker systems), Crown (amplification), BSS (signal processing), Barco (LED walls and projectors), NEC (flat screens), Alcorn McBride

(show control) and Crestron (media control). “We make extensive use of Crestron’s online monitoring capability, together with Crown’s PIP-Lite amp control, so that status reports, failure notifications, and runtime data are available directly from all connected products to remote locations, including mine,” he says. “The system also makes it possible for us to switch the mode of a show from day to night and back again, thereby saving energy and extending useful product life.”

Early signs Some of Creydt’s most recent work at Autostadt is visible even before entering the complex. A huge, 16m wide by 9m high exterior LED wall, made up of Barco OLite 612 panels, has been fitted to the side wall of the complex’s entrance hall, from which its stunning colours are clearly visible from the Wolfsburg football stadium, half a kilometre across the street. Behind the wall are three Tannoy VQ100 loudspeakers conf igured as a leftcentre-right (L-C-R) system for when the videowall’s content requires audio support. Newly introduced as an effective alternative to line array where very high output and pattern control are concerned, Tannoy’s VQ Series was a fortunate solution for Creydt.

“Our original plan was to use line arrays here, but the available space was just a little too narrow,” explains Creydt. “By building the VQ100s into the videowall support structure we get a 100° beamwidth from each for excellent coverage in front of the screen, and the system has been prewired so that, if we have live events in the outdoor concourse, we can add delays and subwoofers to the system

‘Autostadt runs eight hours a day, 365 days a year’ Michael Creydt for even greater coverage and more bass extension.”

The imperative to give Autostadt’s various zones an inherent flexibility of usage is also evident in the new Nutzfahrzeuge (light commercial vehicle) pavilion, which again sees Tannoy loudspeakers working in tandem with Barco LED panels to create the centre of multimedia attention. Gone are the days, it seems, when visitor attractions such as this relied solely on automated shows to keep their public occupied.

These days, it’s all about being able to

transform an already special room into something completely unexpected.

The Nutzfahrzeuge LED wall is made up of a combination of Barco NX4 and MiTrix panels, offering the kind of dynamic contrast between high-res video imaging and low-res lighting effects first pioneered – appropriately enough – by car manufacturers at motor shows. In contrast to the exterior OLite wall, audio is almost ever-present here, and Creydt has again opted for Tannoy VQ100s in L-C-R configuration – with the speakers being mounted above the videowall on this occasion.

“We thought about putting the speakers behind the NX4 panels but really wanted to keep that part of the wall translucent,” says Creydt. “So we opted to install them above the NX4s on custom steelwork that sits behind the MiTrix panels, and added a pair of Tannoy V8 loudspeakers underneath the NX4s to give us the vertical dispersion we needed.”

Six further V8s are ceilingmounted as surround effects speakers and as a second delay line, with a quartet of Tannoy V12s being deployed as a first delay line. The trucks may be light, but the room is big, and the AV content unpredictable. “The standard audio tracks for the movies shown on the videowall are in 5.0-channel format,” Creydt reveals. “We have the infrastructure to add subs if we need to, but the VQ100s go down so low that we may never need them. At the same time, the Autostadt management want to be able to use this room for one-off presentations, so we have a BSS Soundweb London setup to give us different room audio configurations.”

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In addition to this, the Nutzfahrzeuge space has its own dedicated boardroom with a 14-seat table, drop-down projection screen and Crestron wireless touchpanel for multimedia control. It is here that we get our first taste of Creydt’s use of Tannoy’s acclaimed ‘eyeball’ loudspeaker, the CMS401e – a 4in ceiling speaker that can be angled towards the listener within its fixed mounting ring.

A second – more unusual – application of the Tannoy eyeball appears in the VW Group World, an area of Autostadt’s entrance forum that has recently been given a makeover to better reflect modern concerns such as sustainability, industrial design and (shock, horror) financial responsibility. Visitors interested in this last subject approach a series of five LCD flat panels mounted in portrait mode within a custom ABS enclosure. Touching a screen results in a short interview with a particular member of VW’s immediate financial community being broadcast on that screen, with audio being played back through a dedicated Tannoy ‘eyeball’.

As elsewhere at Autostadt, Creydt used EASE plotting to predict sound coverage and dispersion – a particularly critical factor here, where the screens are within centimetres of one another and unwanted ‘spill’ between channels had to be kept to a minimum. To embed the CMS401e speakers within the screen enclosures, their ceiling rings were removed and they were installed behind custom-fabricated front grilles.

“It was a really ‘quick and dirty’ solution, but it works!”

Other areas of Autostadt that have recently required Creydt’s attention Barco OLite 612 panels are used both outside and inside the centre

are the new Freiraum (literally ‘free room’) events area, which is intended to house temporary art installations as well as educational and business discussions, and the Stadt Café, a Viennese-inspired eatery that is part of the customer new-car collection area.

Here the sound system has been transformed by the use of Tannoy Arenas – speakers initially designed as hometheatre centre-channel enclosures that are attracting quite a following among commercial installers.

Creydt remains tight-lipped about which Autostadt zones will benefit from new designs next, but it’s clear that, for all the ever-changing demands of brand managers, content creators, architects and interior designers, working for a project such as this can be hugely enjoyable. With the help of supportive manufacturers, distributors and contractors, it’s good for business, too. IE

In VW Group World, LCD flatpanels with built-in Tannoy ‘eyeball’ speakers (inset) broadcast interviews with members of VW’s financial community

www.autostadt.de www.barco.com www.bssaudio.co.uk www.crestron-int.be www.crownaudio.com www.michael.creydt.de.vu www.tannoy.com

FORUM6000

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Installed AUDIO Tannoy Arena and CMS401e speakers Tannoy V8, V12 and VQ100 speakers VIDEO Barco NX4 and MiTrix panels Barco OLite 612 panels CONTROL BSS Soundweb London system Crestron wireless touchpanel Crown’s PIP-Lite amp control

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RCF SpA Italy: tel. +39 0522 274 411 e-mail: info@rcf.it

RCF UK tel. 0844 745 1234 e-mail: info@rcfaudio.co.uk

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www.rcfaudio.com

RCF USA Inc. tel. +1 (603) 926-4604 e-mail: info@rcf-usa.com

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36 Solutions: Korston Hotel, Moscow www.installationeurope.com The VIP room provides an air of prestige and exclusivity

Colour-changing LED panels from curveLED decorate the hallway that separates the two halves of the conference centre

As you step out of the conference facility’s elevators, portrait-mode flat panels provide you with information about events

Meeting demand AV was an early consideration when designing the Korston Hotel’s conference facilities, creating a flexible, high-spec facility. Dan Goldstein finds out more

F

or all that Russia’s economy has boomed in the past few years, there remain many gaps in the country’s infrastructure that AV integrators can help to fill. A case in point is the conference industry in the capital, Moscow, which despite the construction of a number of new hotels, still lacks the capacity to keep up with national and international demand.

One city-centre facility that has moved to address this issue is the Korston Hotel & Casino, which recently transformed its 20th floor with the construction of a six-room conference centre, bar and restaurant, complete with obligatory (for Moscow) VIP room. The hotel, which has been trading under the Korston name for f ive years, has always attracted a certain number of business users but, as Karin Leitner, deputy general manager, explains: “Our casino is on the ground floor and you had to walk through it in order to access our conference facilities. This is not acceptable to some customers, such as those in the pharmaceutical industry whose businesses are all about promoting a healthy lifestyle. So we decided to create this top-floor facility with its own elevator directly from the hotel lobby.”

After its successful AV integration work at the Korston’s sister hotel in Kazan, Austria’s Kraftwerk Living Technologies was approached to design and implement the multimedia systems in Moscow. The design was overseen by CTO Christian Hofer with project management on the ground by Werner Spiegel.

In contrast to so many AV projects, this one saw the integrator acting as principal architect and interior designer for the job, as well as system designer, programmer and installer. This proved beneficial to all

‘We designed the rooms considering AV from the start’ Christian Hofer, Kraftwerk parties – not least to the Kraftwerk team, who were able to ensure that the AV infrastructure they needed for each space was in position before ‘last fix’ decoration. “We were able to design the rooms considering AV from the start,” enthuses Hofer, “giving us an opportunity to have things like retractable screens, projector lifts and spaces for ceiling speakers built into the initial drawings.”

Evidence of the strong link between interior and system design can be seen the moment you come out of one of the facility’s dedicated elevators. A series of portrait-mode flat panels greets you with information about current and/or forthcoming events, while the hallway that sepa-

rates the two halves of the conference centre is decorated with colour-changing LED panels from German manufacturer curveLED. The same lighting fixtures are also built into the meeting-room ceilings and around the windows of the rooms.

Should a client need further lighting, rigging points and outlets for both power and DMX data have been provided in each room so that customers can bring their own moving-head or PAR can fixtures. Provision has also been made for the addition of videoconferencing equipment. In fact, this has already proved so popular that a permanent videoconferencing system is in the pipeline.

Flexible format “There are six individual conference rooms, divided into two sets of three by an entrance hall,” says Hofer. “Each set has a different name – Pushkin and Tolstoy – and is divided by removable screens so that, for example, two Tolstoy rooms can be combined into one larger room, or all three opened up to make an even larger event space.”

Kraftwerk has used Crestron’s QuickMedia as the multimedia network backbone for the conference centre, with audio, video, DMX and other data running along Cat5 cable.

An LCD panel – with a frame customfabricated by Kraftwerk to meet the hotel’s aesthetic requirements – outside each room details current and forthcoming meetings. The data is fed to the screens by an AV Stumpfl SC TouchControl digital signage solution.

“We’ve worked with different meeting-room management packages,” explains Hofer, “but the problem is that the front end tends to be a proprietary piece of software that has to be learned by in-house administrators.

With the Stumpfl system, each screen in effect becomes a Microsoft Outlook

client, and when a booking is made, the hotel staff simply enter the information into Outlook – which they would do anyway – and the data is automatically transferred to the correct screen (or screens) as soon as the meeting is assigned to a room or combination of rooms. That’s the beauty of the Stumpfl system – it acts as a bridge between Outlook and the digital signage network.”

While flexibility is probably the key to the success of the conference facility, the adjoining ‘eXtra lounge’ boasts fine food and wine, one of the best views of the Moscow skyline available anywhere, and a similarly high level of AV system provision. It features further custom-framed f lat-panel displays, audio DSP from Biamp, loudspeakers from Meyer Sound and JBL, and a range of LED and movinghead lighting fixtures that allow the space to be used for everything from formal dining to DJ sessions.

“We used the tiny Meyer Sound MM-4 loudspeakers in the bar area because they deliver such a powerful sound from a modest-sized enclosure that looks cool,” says Hofer. “We would have used more of them, but the customer wanted to use rectangu-

Installed AUDIO Biamp Nexia DSP system JBL Control 128 in-wall speakers Meyer Sound MM-4 loudspeakers TOA amplification system

lar speakers that were recessed into the ceiling in other areas, so there we chose JBL Control 128s. They are a proper two-way design that gives us a lot of headroom and high audio quality.”

All the speakers are driven by TOA amplification, and the Biamp Nexia DSP system ensures that each of the lounge’s three distinct areas – bar, restaurant and VIP room – can be addressed individually in terms of content, or combined together.

Explaining the rationale behind including a VIP room in a venue which, for all its chic ambience, is quite modest in size, Leitner says: “A lot of Russians like to do their celebrating in private. We are able to charge customers not just for the hire of the VIP room, but also a minimum amount for food and drinks.

“We’ve already had customers who’ve taken over the whole floor, with a conference on one side of the hall, and video being relayed to the other side and also to the lounge.

From a financial point of view it would seem to make no sense for this floor to have a relatively small restaurant, but for us it’s a question of prestige, image and exclusivity, and it’s already worked extremely well.” IE

VIDEO AV Stumpfl SC TouchControl digital signage solution Crestron QuickMedia multimedia network LIGHTING curveLED colour-changing LED panels

www.avstumpfl.com www.biamp.com www.crestron-int.be www.curveled.net www.jblpro.com www.korston.ru www.kraftwerk.at www.meyersound.com www.toa.eu

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Where on earth shall we go?

The display uses 84in and 32in screens to provide a view to travellers throughout the lounge as well as those directly using the system

An installation at London’s Eurostar terminal is enabling travellers to explore Europe before even stepping on a train. James Christopher reports

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While the 400m-long Eurostar trains are a recent arrival at St Pancras, trains have been running from this London terminus since 1868, and the station’s impressive Victorian Gothic architecture makes it a notable London landmark. Creating the Eurostar terminal involved a significant amount of restoration as well as the construction of a new building, St Pancras International – which automatically acquired the Grade I listing of the original railway station.

Working within this environment brought its challenges, says Roche: “The greatest challenge was achieving the total integration of these complex systems and their infrastructure into the new terminal. A lot of care had to go into integrating screens, cabling and other technical infrastructure into the fabric of the building, to ensure that the entire installation is in keeping with the Grade I listed build-

The new terminal building automatically acquired the Grade I historic status of the adjacent railway station

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ing – an exceptionally sensitive environment for integrating technology.”

Fortunately, Sysco has experience in complex AV integrations in sensitive buildings, and this was a factor in the company being chosen for this project, says Roche. It had also worked on a number of high-profile projects with Land Design and Studio Simple.

Eurostar has declared itself highly satisfied by the results. “The new display enables travellers to explore Europe in a visually stunning way,” says Montague. IE

IC

screens (from PSCo )and 32in NEC 3210 LCD displays, driven by Sysco custom PCs with high-end graphics cards and using Gefen RS-232 Extender technology from the fibre optic networks.”

He continues: “Other key elements include an Analog Way scaler, the Quattro D, that provides display splits, scaling and geometry corrections for the 32in and the 84in screens, each running a different resolution.

“We’ve been using Analog Way’s products for three years now. They are useful and well-engineered products that have helped solve specific integration issues. A Cue Delta system controls the Google PCs with a rack room touchpanel that allows the technician or client to view assess and maintain the system at the PC level.

The PC also links into Sysco’s email system, and on boot-up each morning it runs a self-diagnostic routine and, if a fault is found, emails a distribution list including Sysco’s system engineers, the client’s IT team and NS Systems.”

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hen London’s Eurostar operations moved from Waterloo to a new terminal in St Pancras in November 2007, it marked a new chapter in the history of this cross-Channel train service.

To make St Pancras International terminal a destination in its own right, special attention has been paid to the station’s ambience – especially in the departure lounges, where interactive tools have been artfully integrated to entertain travellers. One of the most eye-catching AV installations in the new terminal is the ‘Explore Europe’ Google Wall in the main departure lounge. Simon Montague, Eurostar’s director of communications, explains: “This system enables our travellers to discover new places before they depart, that they can then reach and explore by using high-speed rail.”

Based on Google Earth technology, this permanent digital installation allows travellers to call up a 3D ‘fly-through’ of Eurostar routes and destinations. The concept for the Google Wall was developed by content creator Land Design Studios with software developer Studio Simple, and in partnership with Google. It uses 24in Winmate LCD touchscreens with surface acoustic wave touch elements, driven by Studio Simple’s custom user interface software, to call up satellite imagery from a wide range of sources, including NASA. This project was installed by Sysco, a design-led systems integrator, which also worked on the installation of interactive customer information systems in the Eurostar business lounge.

The installation, completed in May 2008, was Sysco’s first for London & Continental Railways, the owner of St Pancras International.

Hugo Roche, president of Sysco, explains: “The software communicates with Google, allowing users to search for a particular Eurostar destination, which in turn triggers the Google map to animate and zoom in to that destination. There are also pre-formatted fly-throughs of towns on the Eurostar route. As a result, travellers can get a bird’s eye view of anywhere in Europe, follow highspeed rail routes, fly in 3D through the centres of cities such as London or Paris, and even search for their own home.”

“The visualisations are played out on a display formed of four 84in Neodigm PK8420 bezel-less plasma

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www.analogway.com www.cuesystem.com www.gefen.com www.nec-display-solutions.com www.neodigm.hu www.psco.co.uk www.syscoav.co.uk www.landdesignstudio.co.uk www.winmate.com.tw

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Show Preview: Prolight + Sound 41

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In 2008 vistors came to the show from 42 countries

Halls 8 and 9 are dedicated to lighting

The draw of Frankfurt

April and Frankfurt can mean only one thing – Prolight + Sound. Here we look ahead to a show that has increasing relevance to the integrator community

P

rolight + Sound 2009, which takes place from 1 to 4 April at the Messe Frankfurt, continues t o e x e r t a p u l l o v e r t h e AV installation market. This show, which was launched 15 years ago, has grown to be the world’s leading trade fair for the fields of event and comm u n i c a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y, a u d i o v i s u a l production and entertainment. For four days every year it’s a focal point for exhibitors, trade visitors, dealers and professional users from all over the world.

The show is a very international one, and increasingly so. Last year exhibitors came from 42 countries: the majority were from Europe, but China, Taiwan and the US were in the top 10 list of countries represented. On the attendee side, it’s interesting to note that the growth in the show has come almost entirely from nondomestic visitors. In 2006, 8,900 visitors out of a total of 26,200 came from outside Germany; in 2008, these figures had grown to 14,000 and 31,300 respectively.

In contrast to ISE, the show f loor is organised by technology types: product groups represented include audio systems, lighting systems, communication technology, theatre and stage equipment, media technology, image communication and systems integration.

HOURS OF OPENING Weds 1 to Sat 4 April 09:00 – 18:00

TICKET PRICES Day ticket Day ticket Season ticket Season ticket

(on arrival) (in advance) (on arrival) (in advance)

LOCATION Messe Frankfurt, Germany

€ € € €

40 27 63 43

The overall breakdown is as follows: Hall 4.1: Sound – mobile PA systems, microphones, effects Hall 8.0: Sound – live sound, permanent installations, studio technology Hall 8.0: Light – show and stage lighting, contract furnishing, lasers and effects Hall 9.0: Light – theatre, studio and stage lighting Hall 9.0: Stage – stage technology, truss systems Hall 8.0/4.1: Media – display and video technology, conference and communication technology Of particular interest to Installation Europe readers is Prolight + Sound Media Systems in Hall 8. This is a ‘show within a show’ which will be taking place for the fourth time – with an emphasis on the media technology, systems integration and communication technology sectors.

It will feature products and services for the built environment as well as the live events market.

In addition to the increasing significance of the integration of media and the compatibility of technical systems, hardware and software, the content of display surfaces, screens and LED panels is also assuming greater importance. Media service providers who produce and tailor this type of content are also represented at Prolight + Sound Media Systems.

German speakers should make a point of visiting the Media Systems Congress. The biggest information event at the fair, this consists of around 50 sessions detailing new products, developments and the legal background to media technology and systems integration.

There will also be a Manufacturer’s Forum, where exhibitors can present their products and solutions. The Media Systems Congress takes place on the Conference Level of Hall 8.1, and admission is free to all trade visitors – although the programme is aimed at planners, system integrators and architects in particular.

In the outdoor areas, visitors can see practical demonstrations of equipment at the Pro Stage and the Concert Sound Area. The Pro Stage is a fully featured festival stage, showing all the important aspects of open-air stages: stage construction, rigging, lighting systems and a mobile PA system, as well as safety considerations during both construction and operation. The Pro Stage is also the venue for seminars, workshops, product presentations and concerts. The Concert Sound Area gives exhibitors of large-scale PA systems the chance to demonstrate their products to visitors under realistic conditions.

Admission tickets to Prolight + Sound entitle holders to visit the international Musikmesse – the international trade fair for musical instruments, music software and computer hardware, sheet music and accessories.

The price of admission also includes the return journey to the fair using second-class local public transport services operated by the RMV transport authority.

Tickets can be bought online at the show website. There are considerable savings to be had from advance booking.

In the next issue of Installation Europe, we’ll be previewing some of the products being launched and demonstrated at Prolight + Sound. IE

www.prolight-sound.com

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Product Showcase: Show Control 43

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Behind the scenes For many show control system manufacturers, the challenge is to achieve greater ease of use despite increasing show complexity, writes Ian McMurray Stability and reliability from Alcorn McBride

Axion designed to help manage complex shows

“THE SHOW MUST GO ON.” And, in many places, on and on and on. In fact, ALCORN MCBRIDE takes pride in the fact that some of its show controllers, installed as long as 15 years ago, have run uninterrupted throughout that time without a reboot or power cycle. This, it says, is due to a unique combination of hardware and software. The company’s ‘top-of-the-range’ show controller is the V16Pro, which features Alcorn McBride’s ScriptOS real-time operating system, allowing total control over which tasks run and when – contributing significantly to stability. The V16Pro’s hardware is designed to be equally resilient, with features such as elaborate auto-sensing circuits, opto-isolated discrete inputs to provide protection against field-wiring problems and selfrestoring polymer fuses on each discrete output.

Featuring 16 RS-232 or RS-422 serial ports, brought out on DB-9 connectors – with each port capable of being

AS THE TECHNOLOGY TO PUT ON A SHOW becomes more powerful, so show designers are tending to create ever more complex shows. The challenge then becomes how to control this complexity.

ANALOG WAY believes it has the answer in its Axion remote controller, which is designed for high-end large events with multi-rooms and/or very large screens using soft-edge blended technology.

Axion allows the management, independently or simultaneously, of several switchers of Analog Way’s iX range (DiVentiX II, Di-VentiX, EventiX, NatiX, CentriX), the Octo Vue series as well as other systems.

Once connected to the switchers, Axion can control up to six independent screen configurations in different locations. The control of matrices allows the number of sources to be multiplied, whatever the switcher’s number of inputs.

Axion allows all the effects and functionalities of several iX switchers to be controlled, including control of soft-edge blended presentations on up to six different screens, horizontally or vertically; size, shape and position of the picture in pic-

The top-of-the-range V16Pro

software configured – the V16Pro also includes one MIDI port and two Ethernet ports (one for local show control and one for wide area network or internet connection). This allows the V16Pro to communicate with almost any network device. Supported protocols include UDP, HTTP (server), FTP, SNMP, SMTP (client), and NTP. The V16Pro can be controlled, monitored and updated across a local area network or the internet.

The V16Pro can synchronise to a video frame clock. According to Alcorn McBride, this means that – unlike competing controllers – it can guarantee frame synchronisation of audio, video and control signals throughout a facility.

www.alcorn.fr

Axion is designed for use during large events

ture; transition effects; control of sequences; and configuration of each input/output of the controlled switchers.

Analog Way says that numerous userfriendly presets enable preparation of the screen configuration, so they are easily accessible during a presentation. As Axion is equipped with a USB port, the complete configuration of an event can be saved for future use. New features have recently been added, such as a graphic interface available from the 7in WVGA colour touch panel and a monitor output allowing the preview of each screen’s presets.

www.analogway.com

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44 Product Showcase: Show Control www.installationeurope.com

High-end lighting control system from ShowCAD

Stage Research system has broad appeal

DMX features. Comprehensive controls for intelligent and conventional lighting control are also included.

According to ShowCAD, Artist’s wealth of features could appear to make programming and operation a daunting prospect – yet, says the company, it actually makes life a lot easier than struggling with controllers that don’t have such innovations.

Artist systems are installed in hundreds of nightclubs around the world – one controls the US award-winning Best Nightclub Installation 2007 for Jet at The Mirage, Las Vegas. Other systems operate the principal club areas at the Bellagio, Wynn’s and The Hard Rock Hotel, among numerous other Las Vegas installations. In architectural installations, an Artist system has recently been installed to control 12,000 channels of Artist: ‘The most powerful lighting control software on the planet’ Pulsar LED lighting fixlarge LED arrays – Autopilot (automatic tures on the exterior of buildings at the show generator), new improved global Bahrain Financial Harbour, and also to fixture addressing, multi-layering of light the interior, exterior and escalator effects, pixel-array fixture types, a scrollsystem at the Edinburgh International ing marquee text-generator, setup Conference Centre. www.showcad.com wizards, macro generators and video to

A SPECIALIST AREA OF SHOW CONTROL is theatrical sound. Here, the challenge is to create a solution that is appropriate for a broad range of potential users – from, perhaps, a college or university drama society SFX is installed in theatres, theme parks, exhibits and more to a production playing in London’s West triggered by external devices as well as End. STAGE RESEARCH believes it has triggering other devices: with its Telnet the answer in the shape of the ability, SFX can control or be controlled company’s SFX sound playback and by other equipment. show control software application. A Its use, of course, is not confined to Windows-based application, it is said the theatre: SFX is also installed in to be intuitive and easy to use – and theme parks, exhibits and so on. The Stage Research points out that, as a software has been around for over a software-based solution, it enables decade – it is now at Release 6 – and more flexibility than many hardwarecontains a wealth of features that based solutions. provide users with a rich set of tools SFX is based on one or more cue that cannot be found in other solutions. lists that contain manual or For instance, SFX allows multichannel automatically triggered cues. Those sound files to be routed in a true matrix cues can be sound files, MIDI fashion (any input to any output) and commands, serial commands, Telnet does not limit the user to the number commands, video commands or relay of outputs: if a sound card interface control commands. According to Stage contains 32 outputs, effects can be Research, SFX also supports a robust assigned to one, some, all or none of scripting language that gives operators those outputs. www.stageresearch.com much flexibility and is capable of being

THE INCREASING CAPABILITY OF LED TECHNOLOGY is attracting attention from architects, clubs, museums and a host of other areas. It creates an opportunity – but also a challenge in terms of control. The Artist system from SHOWCAD CONTROL SYSTEMS is designed to respond to that challenge, and is described by the company as the most powerful lighting control software on the planet.

The PC-based system now controls 64,000+ DMX channels and supports numerous input/output protocols. New features include pixel plotting – an innovative method of programming

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SC TouchControl complements Wings Platinum THE STRENGTHS OF WINGS PLATINUM lie in the fact that it is a multi-display system, and in its media integration,according to AV STUMPFL. Anything that can be presented or controlled in some way can be arranged, edited, controlled and presented on multiple displays using the software – and, says the company, very easily.

Wings Platinum won the InfoComm Award for Best Software Product of the Year 2006 and the Installation Europe Award for Best Control Product in 2007.

The Wings Platinum solution is complemented

by AV Stumpfl’s SC TouchControl system, which provides users with the flexibility to, for example, fade in/out live videos, select individual chapters or display prompts, or preview images during a show. It is also possible to import videos or control the routing between the various input and output ports in live mode.

The SC TouchControl provides open interfaces for linking up with numerous other standards and technologies. Because it is added to the existing system and does not require any modifications to the devices to be controlled – so that their standard functions remain unchanged – the company says that the SC TouchControl contributes to high system reliability.

The program can be run on any Windowscompatible device: suitable display units range from cell phones and classic PDAs to large tablets or even workstation PCs. Cabling of the controlled devices is done via standard network components, giving great flexibility, says the company. AV Stumpfl also points out that, due to its modular and highly flexible structure, the SC TouchControl system can easily be extended or modified both in terms of software and hardware at relatively low cost.

The program can operate on any Windows-compatible device

www.avstumpfl.com

coolux opens up Pandoras Box range

The Pandoras Box range is suitable for live broadcasts and events, theatre, staging and touring applications

A RANGE OF SOLUTIONS are available from COOLUX under the brand name of Pandoras Box that go well beyond simple show control functionality. The Pandoras Box Media Vision system is designed to control and synchronise digital audio and video devices such as media servers, DDRs, VTRs, projectors, LED walls, plasma screens, video walls, matrix switchers, image processors, generic and moving lights, special effects and so on. It is, says the company, tailored to the specific needs of live broadcasts and events, theatre, staging and touring applications.

The Pandoras Box Media Server provides a link between projection and digital image com-

positing. Featuring a powerful rendering engine, it offers real-time 3D compositing and allows projection on any shape and any surface.

Videos and images can be freely arranged, and colour, form and position can be changed.

Audio data and animated 3D objects such as logos and products can be synchronised.

For smaller projects, coolux offers the Pandoras Box Media Player PC software solution. This makes 2/4 video layers and 4/8 graphic layers available to be programmed and arranged quickly and easily, says the company. It can be used as a stand-alone tool or connected either to a Pandoras Box Media Manager or any lighting console. Pandoras Box Media Players and Media Servers can be combined for scalable applications, with soft-edge functionality available for larger screen sizes.

Also available is the Pandoras Box Media Manager which, according to coolux, redefines real-time media editing and playback control.

This stand-alone software allows synchronisation and remote network control of all Pandoras Box media playback products. Its built-in sequences and cue-based timeline interface enable the control of Media Servers and Media Players as well as interfacing with a range of external controllers.

www.coolux.de

Medialon SHOWMASTER provides solution for smaller shows THERE WAS A TIME WHEN SHOW CONTROL SYSTEMS were complex, required specialist knowledge to program and operate – and were expensive.

However, the principles of show control are no less attractive to shops, showrooms and restaurants than they are to casinos and theme parks – so the need has arisen for solutions that are smaller, easier to use and less expensive. Responding to this, MEDIALON offers SHOWMASTER, an embedded IP show control unit which, the company says, brings the power of its Medialon Manager show control system to smaller events.

According to the company, a key feature of SHOWMASTER is that it brings to an end the cycle

SHOWMASTER can control up to 12 devices

of “program, compile, download, try your show – and start over” because it features real-time show control playback, allowing real-time testing while editing.

This is likely to be very attractive to systems integrators who have spent too many hours programming in hostile environments.

Programming is carried out by attaching a laptop to the SHOWMASTER unit, while playback can be triggered from input relays, TCP/IP commands, internal schedule, or any of the inputs available.

SHOWMASTER can be slaved to a larger Medialon Manager

system, or remotely controlled

by Medialon Panel (free touchpanel software running on a tablet PC) and Medialon Scheduler. Shows can be programmed or updated remotely and downloaded to SHOWMASTER over the network.

SHOWMASTER can control up to 12 devices using any of its physical ports: Ethernet, four serial ports, one DMX out, one MIDI in/out, 16 digital inputs and 16 relayed outputs (relays and digital inputs count as one device in all).

www.medialon.com

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New this month

We present our selection of the latest products for the installation market, many of which were premiered at ISE last month

Christie launches PA/VA management from TOA 3-chip DLP M Series Christie says it is raising the bar on st andard features and performance in the high-end pro AV projector class with its new M Series. This line, according to the company, sets a new benchmark for reliability, versatility and low cost of ownership.

There are six models in the M Series, ranging from 5,000 to 9,500 ANSI lumens and including two SX+ (1400 x 1050) and HD (1920 x 1080) resolutions.

These 3-chip DLP projectors are b u i l t o n a d u a l - l a mp m e rc u r y platform and of fer highly feature-rich functionality.

At 9,500 lumens, the projector draws a maximum power of 1,320W, making it the brightest and most efficient on the market in its class, claims Christie. Dual lamps, energy-saving feature settings, and a filter-free, dust-sealed engine design make the M Series more affordable to operate and maintain. Reliability is ensured by the ability to operate in singlelamp mode for mission-critical operation; a lamp can be replaced while the projector is powered on and in use.

This series also provides an expanded suite of high-quality lenses – all with true Intelligent Lens System capabilities. The ILS automatically recognises and calibrates a lens when it is installed.

“In addition to the new Intelligent Lens System, we’ve added embedded warp capabilities, optical colour space expansion, an easy-to-use web interface, high-end electronics, dynamic iris, multi-window processing, automatic shut-off, and more,” said George Tsintzouras, senior product manager, business products at Christie (pictured at ISE).

“The feedback from our dealers has been tremendously positive – it’s exciting to hear that we’ve hit the mark in terms of what they want.”

www.christiedigital.com

New from TOA is an audio management system for large commercial PA/VA installations. The specification of the SX-2000 Audio Management System enables a host of configurations, from eight inputs by eight outputs, right up to a maximum of 64 inputs and 128 outputs, with as many as 776 control-ins and -outs, 16 audio busses and two emergency busses.

To provide absolutely failsafe operation, the SX-2000 can remain fully functional on DC power and offers both network and power-supply

redundancy. It also offers an additional analogue backup facility. Malfunctions or failures in the system are detected within 100 seconds, generating both a display alert and an audible signal. At the same time, a failure log is created, transmitted via TCP/IP and can be stored on a connected PC. The system also constantly checks and measures speaker impedance values to guard against potential overloads or wiring errors.

“We all know that networkenabled PA/VA solutions are the future, and no product exemplifies this better than the SX-2000 Series,” said Brett Downing, sales and marketing director, TOA Europe.

www.toa-corp.co.uk

Two new amps from APart

At ISE, APart exhibited a new professional stereo integrated amplifier, the CONCEPT1. This product is said to bridge the gap between consumer hi-fi and proaudio, and is intended to provide installers with a unit suitable for commercial, boardroom and smallbusiness applications.

“Installers told us that they were missing out on business because some customers are afraid of pro-audio [in the sense that] they think it will be too expensive,”

explained Filip van Eetvelde, marketing manager for APart (foreground, left of picture).

The new amplifier is available in two versions (2x80W @4ohm and 2x60W – 100V) and is operable in three modes: stereo zone, two volume-linked mono zones, or two individual-volume mono zones.

Other features include user and installer settings, RS-232 control, gain-adjustable line inputs and a mic input for paging.

Also new on APart’s stand was the Champ ONE, an amplif ier designed without cooling fans that is said to deliver “high-end musical sound”.

Intended to overcome the problems of noise and heat that can occur with traditional fan-based power amplif iers, Champ ONE incorporates a fanless design that features custom-designed side-

mount heat sinks and a selfsupporting low-resonance frame.

The end result, says APart, is a convection-cooled product that requires “less maintenance, no annual fan or dust filter exchange p r o c e d u r e , n o m o r e a mp l i f i e r cleanout and no more unwanted noise from cooling fans”.

Champ ONE also incorporates APC power management circuitry, which was developed specifically for this product. According to APart, APC enables the user to preset the power potential of the amplifier, while maintaining high power reserves and thus producing high, clean power. The manufacturer also draws attention to the “exceptionally warm sound”, facilitated by the use of tube emulation circuitry.

www.apart-audio.com

TV One offers two-in-one scaler Epson projector has Based on Corio2 technology, TV One’s recently introduced 1T-C2750 incorporates two high-quality graphic scalers capable of working a t f u l l DV I . T h e d u a l s c a l i n g engines can process DVI-D and DVI-A signals – including RGBHV, RGBS, RGsB and YPbPr formats – using the two DVI-I inputs and one DVI-I output. Each input can be scaled and/or converted to any of the accommodated formats.

DV I - D r e s o l u t i o n s u p t o 1920x1200 (60Hz) are supported, together with analogue DVI-A resolutions up to 2048x2048 at virtually any refresh rate and HDTV resolutions up to 1080p (60Hz). HDMI signals are also accommodated using HDMI to DVI adaptors and the unit is fully HDCP compliant.

Corio2 provides dual picture-inpicture functionality with the usual sizing and positioning flexibility found in TV One products.

Va r i a b l e z o o m ( t o 1 0 0 0 % ) offers enlargement of any part of the graphic image to fill the entire screen, while variable shrink (down to 10%) allows multiple images to be displayed on screen with full positional control. There are also two still image stores, each drawing on one of 10 user-loadable images stored in f lash memory (such as custom logos and test cards) which can be used i n p l a c e o f e i t h e r o r b ot h DV I inputs if desired.

T h e 1 T- C 2 - 7 5 0 c a n a l s o b e used as a seamless switcher, allowing toggling between the two DVI inputs with instantaneous cuts. In this mode it is possible to add a custom logo or image from the still image store within the unit.

T V One celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The family-run business can trace its involvement in the world of desktop video from the original PC-TV

adaptor that was developed in the mid-1980s. “TV One has gone from strength to strength in the past 25 years,” said Steven Mattingly, managing director of TV One’s EMEA division in the UK. “With a dedicated workforce and a clear vision of our course for the future, I am confident that we can continue our growth and success for another 25 years.”

www.tvone.eu

even shorter throw Epson has launched the EB-410W, a short-throw projector for the education and corporate markets.

Due to a new 3LCD panel, the throwing distance is 5% shorter than on previous models: a 62cm throw achieves a quoted image width of 60in (150cm), eliminating glare and shadow effects.

The EB-410W also offers an enhanced Colour Light Output of 2,000 lumens, or 1,700 lumens when run in eco brightness mode, making it suitable for use with an interactive whiteboard. A new colour mode is provided especially for this purpose. The EB-410W is extremely quiet when in use, and a built-in 10W speaker is f itted for DVD or music listening.

The dedicated education vers i o n , E B - 4 1 0 We , i s p a s s w o r d protected and comes with a pack containing warning posters and stickers, while the omission of a built-in control panel display renders the device useless if stolen.

Raphaël Payre, product manager for education projectors at Epson Europe, commented: “The EB-410W is not only ideal for schools; it is also perfect for use in business education centres and when presenting on a big screen in meeting rooms thanks to the shor t throwing dist ance, high brightness and quiet output.”

www.epson-europe.com

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Eyevis in LED rear-projection cube first At ISE, eyevis presented the world’s first rear-projection cube with an LED light source. Designed for the EC Cube Series, the new RGB LED projection engine uses single-panel DLP technology without a colour wheel or a lamp.

The company’s engineers attach great importance to the introduction of the LED light technology into the EC Cube series, as they believe that this light concept offers significant advantages. First, the LED cube provides an extensively

longer lifetime of the light source, around 55,000 hours – which equates to over six years. Enhanced optical performance is also claimed – high contrast and a high colour gamut are said to provide the highest colour fidelity during operation.

The LED rear-projection cube presented at ISE had a 67in screen and full HD resolution (1920x1080). A 60in version is already in development.

DYNACORD amps ‘repeal Ohm’s Law’

www.eyevis.de

Yamaha adds to Installation Series At ISE, Yamaha Commercial Audio exhibited two recent products that complement its successful Installation Series of loudspeakers: the IMX644 rackmount digital mixer and the IPA8200 eightchannel power amplifier.

According to Yamaha, the products, which are designed for applications such as conference rooms, banquet halls, bars and restaurants, continue the Installation Series philosophy of excellent sound quality; unobtrusive, easy-to-install products; and an advantageous price point.

The IMX644 mixer (pictured, top) features six Euroblock mono inputs (each with individual +48V control), four RCA stereo inputs and an additional optical digital input. Outputs comprise two pairs of stereo

SDQ Series

Mask Series

Euroblock connectors, plus two channels of mono output. RCA and optical digital output are also available for recording.

The IMX644’s appearance is uncluttered and it is said to be very intuitive for inexperienced operators to use.

The latest in the Yamaha amplifier line-up is the IPA8200, a highly efficient Class D amplifier that delivers eight channels of 200W each (4 ohm) in a lightweight but robust 2U body. This enables smaller-scale

Sub Series

installations to enjoy superior reliability and sound quality, with the efficiency of Class D amplification, which is about three times more efficient than conventional Class AB or Class H amplification.

The IPA8200 features Euroblock inputs and barrier strip outputs, with an internal High Pass Filter which may be activated and selected between 20Hz and 55Hz. Pairs of channels may be driven in bridged or parallel modes and, to match different gain structures, the amplifier may be set at a gain level of +26dB or +32dB, or may be used in constant sensitivity mode of +4dBu.

www.yamahacommercial audio.com

CM Ceiling Series

Among the products premiered at the annual EVI Hausmesse in Straubing at the end of January was the DSA Multi Channel series of power amplifiers from DYNACORD. These feature the company’s patent-pending Variable Load Drive (VLD) feature, which provides a high degree of flexibility. Each channel can be individally configured to deliver a maximum power of 500W or 1,000W into any load from 2 ohm to 10 ohm, or drive 70V or 100V (RMS) loudspeaker lines directly without having to use an output transformer.

Sound Columns

Sphere Series

Removing the need for an external limiter in low-budget installations was “the killer feature in any bid”, said DYNACORD marketing director Martin Traut, adding: “Ohm’s Law is no longer a problem.”

There are three models in the series: the DSA 8805 (eight channels of 500W), DSA 8405 (4 x 500W) and DSA 8410 (4 x 1,000W). They can be configured over IRIS-NET via an optional RCM-810 module.

www.dynacord.com

Projectors & Horns

Rock Series

Affordable quality audio solutions from Belgium - You’ll find our electronics and speakers in applications from supermarkets to factories, from bars and restaurants to boardrooms.

Find out how APart can drive your business: visit us on stand 80A39 1. – 4. 4. 2009 Trade fair and congress for media technology and systems integration www.prolight-sound.com

INFO@APART-AUDIO.COM / WWW.APART-AUDIO.COM

prolight + sound, from 1-4 April 2009

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Brähler system offers Extron’s first matrix switcher with DSP wireless upgrade option Brähler ICS has introduced its new DIGIMIC digital conferencing system, using both wired and wireless functionality and said to offer broad flexibility. The wired DMic delegate microphone unit is the primary component of the DIGIMIC system and can be upgraded by means of a docking unit and rechargeable battery to provide wireless operation. This allows users to invest in a wired system, knowing they can later upgrade to wireless at a cost said to be one-third of comparable systems.

DIGIMIC is designed to be used out of the box without requiring any time-consuming setting-up or configuration processes. The essential functions and controls of the unit are laid out clearly on an

uncluttered surface. By the arrangement of the microphone and the Mic button on the central vertical axis, the importance of these two components and their dependence on each other is visually underlined. In contrast, the controls not often used by the delegate – such as volume and the headphone socket – are placed at the sides and the back of the housing.

The system is said to offer true plug-and-play connectivity, ensuring that each microphone unit becomes instantly operational when connected. TCP/IP communication is used to provide microphone control and name handling as we l l a s ot h e r conference requirements.

DIGIMIC operates at 24-bit/48kHz to provide a 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and incorporates standard digital/analogue (ADAT/AES/EBU) connections.

Dual RS-232 interfaces are also included and there’s the option of PC control via software, if required.

www.braehler.com

Extron’s latest MPX Plus 866 A ProDSP switcher is a multi-format matrix device offering integrated audio digital signal processing. It is said to be the industry’s first switcher to combine VGA, video and audio signal routing with ProDSP – a powerful audio processing platform based on a 32/64-bit f loating point DSP engine. The switcher offers an extensive select i o n o f t o o l s fo r a u d i o g a i n , dynamics, compression, filtering, delay, microphone ducking, loudness and feedback suppression.

According to Extron, the MPX Plus 866 provides a one-box solution for complete audio and video integration that simplif ies system requirements, expedites installation

and saves money.

ProDSP is conf igured and managed through Extron’s proprietary DSP Configurator software which provides an intuitive graphical user environment for full control and management of audio DSP functions.

The design offers quick and easy viewing in a single window of all input and outputs, audio processing blocks, audio/video routing ties and microphone mixing points, without the need to access multiple windows or menus. It also features an 8x6 VGA switcher, 6x6 video switcher for composite video and Svideo, 14x6 stereo audio switcher, and a 4x6 microphone/line audio matrix mixer.

www.extron.com

Opus in HDMI-over-coax breakthrough Opus Technologies has announced a range of solutions for distributing HD video and multichannel audio over long distances using coaxial and Cat5 cable. Most signif icant is HDCX103 – a system designed to distribute HDMI signals using standard coax over long distances and capable of using existing cables in properties fitted with standard-def multi-room systems to minimise disruption.

The HDCX103 incorporates a small HDMI-over-coax transmitter to convert an HDMI output from the

source onto a serial data stream which is sent over coax cable then reinstated to HDMI format at the matching receiver. An HDCX103 is required for each zone. Using the system, 75 ohm satellite grade coaxial cable (CT100, RG6) can be used to distribute 1080p signals further than 80m. Support is also provided for 480i, 480p, 576i and 1080i video formats and the system is HDCP compliant.

Opus is also set to launch a range of HD video distribution solutions, including the HDMX104 4x4 HDMI

video matrix and HDEX103 HDMI extender. Developed as a high-quality multi-room video distribution system for users with the latest HD screens and video sources, the HDMX104 distributes four HDMI sources to up to four HD displays. The HDEX103 HDMI extender distributes HD sources to selected rooms in the home over a single run of up to 60m on Cat5e cable or up to 200m with Cat6.

www.opus.eu

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1 – 4. 4. 2009 Trade fair for media technology and systems integration

Media technology and systems integration are two of the strongest growing industry segments. Come to the Media Systems show from 1 – 4 April 2009 and find out about the latest developments in the industry – from audio, video and security systems through to multimedia networks. Media Systems developed out of Prolight + Sound, the leading international trade fair for event and communication technology, AV production and entertainment, and is held in parallel as a specialist event. Media Systems also hosts the Media Systems Congress, which offers valuable inspirations for your day-to-day work with a programme of interesting presentations and podium discussions.

Tel. +44 (0) 17 84 41 59 50 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com www.prolight-sound.com Supported by VPLT – The Professional Lighting & Sound Association of Germany, and EVVC – European Association of Event Centers

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The new 2008 edition of Installation Europe Buyer's Guide is out now, containing up-tto-ddate information on the products and the companies operating in the design of sound, vision and light in the built environment.

Brought to you by Installation Europe, the leading magazine for European systems integration, this new edition provides: Fully revised and updated classification headings providing comprehensive coverage of the whole industry – amended by the editor of Installation Europe.

More in-depth data per entry – now featuring year established, number of employees, contacts, company type - this portable A5 format with formatted page and entry layouts, enables quick and easy identification of products & services.

THE BUYER'S GUIDE TO PRODUCTS, EQUIPMENT & SERVICES

NEW 2008 Edition Order yours NOW!

This enhanced section provides you with an A-Z of products, equipment and general services supplied by companies operating in this arena, with telephone numbers for quick and easy reference.

COMPANY DATA SECTION Alphabetical guide to the companies serving sound, vision and light in the built environment, with full contact details.

JUST - £75 ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY To ensure you have the most up-to-date information available on the products and the companies operating in this industry, email Lianne Davey on lkdavey@cmpi.biz

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Liberty’s outdoor direct burial cables

Liberty Wire & Cable has developed a new family of direct burial cables, providing solutions for a broad range of outdoor applications. Direct Burial products include varieties of coax, speaker, category and LibertyLinx control cable and are said to be durable

enough to be buried below ground without the need for conduits.

Tested for runs up to 1,000ft and UV-rated for resistance to sunlight, Direct Burial cables include Cat5e – a 24 AWG variety with a solid copper centre conductor and a 1,000 megabit data rate – and Liberty’s Coax range designed for cable, broadband and satellite use. The latter includes several 14 and 18 AWG CATV/MATV cables with solid copper or copper-clad steel centre conductors. The non-plenum, unshielded cables are gel-filled and incorporate foamed polyethylene dielectrics and polyethylene jackets.

The Direct Burial range of speaker

cables includes several 12 to 16 AWG non-plenum varieties designed for outdoor applications and also ULrated for indoor use. Their durable PVC jackets and SR-PVC insulation provide long-term protection from underground moisture. Finally, the Direct Burial control cable range includes 18 and 22 AWG varieties with solid copper centre conductors.

According to Liberty, these are easy to work with and ideal for running to guest houses, pool areas and for Crestron and AMX-style applications.

www.libertycable.com

Meyer unveils high-power subwoofer Shipping has begun of Meyer Sound’s new 500-HP compact, highpower subwoofer. The active design is said to bring the power-to-size ratio and low-distortion signature of Meyer Sound subwoofers into an enclosure suitable for rigging with the M’elodie line array to create an “aesthetically pleasing” system.

Offering enhanced lowfrequency clarity, the 500-HP can also be used in ground-stacked configurations or pole-mounted to complement a variety of other Meyer Sound speakers, including the UPJ-1P VariO and UPA-1P/2P.

It features two 12in cone drivers housed in a tuned and vented rectangular enclosure the same width as M’elodie. Frequency range is quoted as 36Hz to 150Hz with a peak output SPL of 134dB, making it suitable for enhancing low-frequency headroom in applications such as small to medium-sized theatres and clubs, and houses of worship.

Each cone driver is driven by one channel of the integral two-channel class AB/H amplifier with complementary MOSFET output stages. The

500-HP’s modular amplifier and processing electronics incorporate Meyer Sound’s Intelligent AC power supply, which adapts to any power voltage.

The optional MRF-500 rigging frame uses the captive GuideALink rigging system, said to provide versatile rigging options for arraying/storage and allowing M’elodie loudspeakers (suspended beneath a 500-HP) to be tilted up or down in relation to the subwoofer. The 500-HP can also make use of the optional MG-M’elodie rigging grid to accommodate a variety of flown configurations.

www.meyersound.com

Plasma technologies improve efficiency After continued development of its new thin-profile NeoPDP plasma display technology, Panasonic has announced “further advancements” in picture quality and environmental per formance with two new NeoPDPeco plasma panels. The first is a super-high-efficiency 42in model that achieves ‘triple luminance’ efficiency while reducing power consumption to one-third of the 2007 models of the same brightness.

The second is an ultra-thin 50in plasma display just 8.8mm in profile (pictured) and which delivers a moving-picture resolution of 1080 lines.

The 42in full-HD display incorporates a new low-voltage drive, said to cut power losses by two-thirds, and triple luminance technology facilitating a higher integration of

components, and a reduction in their number.

The 50in thin-profile model benefits from improvements made to the panel structure and circuit layout. A combination of newly developed drive technology and materials that shorten afterglow has achieved what is said to be the world’s highest moving resolution of 1080 lines – by contrast, a full-HD PDP has a moving picture resolution of more than 900 lines.

The super-thin panel also provides a broader range of wall and ceiling mounting options, and with Panasonic’s WirelessHD-based transmission system, flexibility is further enhanced.

www.panasonic.net

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DIRECTORY Prices Single Boxes ÂŁ265, series discounts available Recruitment prices available on request.

53

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Published: Monthly Contact: Lianne Davey Tel: +44 (0) 20 7921 8401 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7921 8339 Email: lianne.davey@ubm.com

APPOINTMENTS

MICROPHONES

PR CONSULTANCY

Gasoline Media

Expert PR for the entertainment technology industry www.gasolinemedia.com

VIDEO OVER CAT.5

1L and 200 91 no. 9

VIDEO OVER CAT.5

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Superior professional multi-format AV distribution & switching equipment, via a single CAT5 cable, for custom install & commercial applications

+44 (0) 1306 628264 www.smart-e.co.uk

HDTV compatible

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Norbert Hönig, macom international

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Great expectations

ABTT ........................................................ 37 Alcons ...................................................... 37 AMC.......................................... Front cover

plan joined the macom group in spring 2008. A few months later, mediaplan changed its name to macom international GmbH and is now providing its services for all international AV projects involving the macom group.

AV customers’ everincreasing demands call for a comprehensive business model that encompasses technology and services, says the MD of macom’s new international arm Founded in 1990, macom has an impressive track record in AV engineering, consultation and communication services. In recent years, the German company has begun to expand outside its home market, and in 2008 announced a link-up with mediaplan to create a globally focused subsidiary, macom international. At the helm is managing director Norbert Hönig, who has more than 30 years of experience in the AV technology and installation businesses.

How did you come to be working in the professional AV industry? What were the highlights of your career prior to joining macom?

In 1976, I started as co-partner of my own company in the area of strategic planning and sales of video technology, focusing particularly on equipment for conference rooms. Since that day, I have been a dedicated specialist for AV technology and communications.

In 1986, I founded my own company, mediaplan, with a view to not only providing the client with the necessary equipment, but also tailormade consultation and planning of conference and media technology. After recording strong growth over the years, it was time to get some partners on board. In 1996 mediaplan Hoenig & Partner GmbH was founded.

After successful collaborations with the engineers of the AV consulting and planning company macom GmbH in Stuttgart, media-

Why did mediaplan decide to join the macom group?

When mediaplan and macom group joined their core competences and long-time industry experiences, it resulted in them quickly becoming the biggest engineering company for media technology and communications in Germany.

After only six months of working together and serving the market as a team, it became apparent that this united approach was of significant importance to our business partners and clientele. To simplify the corporate communications aspect, I decided to change the name of my company from mediaplan to macom international GmbH. This final step was proof that both of our companies completely trusted in each other’s reputation in the market and that we were absolutely comfortable with providing our shared competences under one name – macom.

How would you define the unique sales point of the macom group?

With macom, the client gets premium AV consulting and planning services provided by a growing team of over 40 of the best engineers and consultants the German AV market has to offer. Additionally, the diversity of our AV specialists is very impressive: audiovisual and systems engineers, IT and telecommunications specialists, CAD and graphic designers, communications designers, marketing and business consultants – all under one roof. Consequently, we are able to offer our clientele manufacturerindependent and neutral consulting services covering all aspects of successful AV projects.

Another unique feature is the intelligent combination of AV communications and marketing communications. macom provides the necessary AV technology and the right content.

Digital signage is a good example. We basically take digital signage consulting to the next level – not only do our engineers select the right hardware and technologies to meet the needs of the client, we also provide the right content for getting the client’s message out there successfully.

Another interesting development is the unstoppable fusion of AV and IT technologies.

More and more AV technologies use the transmission technology of IT. Consequently, to maintain a strong position in today’s market, you must have the expertise for this convergence. We are prepared for this challenge.

Analog Way..............................................14

Macom recently opened a new office in Dubai.

Does this pave the way for further international expansion and development?

Absolutely, but I want to mention the fact that we are still in the process of establishing a subsidiary in Dubai and we expect to offer German AV engineering to our local customers within the next month. Due to an overwhelming number of inquiries from the UAE market, we chose

Biamp Systems.......................................... 5

‘Our priority is always to be ahead of time regarding AV technology and trends’ Dubai for our first subsidiary. Besides, we see Dubai as the entrance to a very interesting new market – Asia. India and China are booming economies and are both interested in establishing a strong infrastructure, with a particular focus on communications and education. The growing demand for AV technologies and services is omnipresent, and we are looking forward to serving these markets.

APart Audio ............................................ 47 Audac ...................................................... 37 Audipack.................................................. 51 Beyerdynamic ........................................ 18

Bosch........................................................ 10 Brähler ICS .............................................. 16 Chief Manufacturing ................ 19, 21, 23 Christie Digital .................................. 28, 29 ClearOne Communications.................... 39 Doremi Technologies.............................. 48 Edirol Europe ............................................ 4 ETC Europe .............................................. 27 Faital ........................................................ 42 Flatlift ...................................................... 43 Fostex Corporation ................................ 24 Hetec ........................................................ 41 In Out ...................................................... 44 Installation Europe online ...................... 6 Kling & Freitag...................................... 8, 9 L-Acoustics .............................................. 32 Lab.gruppen............................................ 17 MediaMatrix ................ Inside front cover Meyer Sound ............ Outside back cover Mipro Electronics .................................... 20

What are macom’s priorities for 2009?

First, we want to get our office in Dubai ready for the market. This means positioning a team in Dubai, establishing a strong local network and expanding our client base. Basically, we want to ‘get the party started’ as soon as possible. Second, if you don’t go forwards you go backwards, meaning that our priority is always to be ahead of time regarding AV technology and trends. New business segments are underway – just wait and see.

Mitsubishi Electric Europe ...................... 7 Neutrik .................................................... 38 OHM Industries ...................................... 49 Opticis ...................................................... 42 Powersoft ................................................ 31 Prolight + Sound .................................... 49 RCF............................................................ 35 RGB Spectrum ........................................ 50

How have installation customers’ expectations of AV technology changed in recent years?

Today’s customers are much more demanding. They educate themselves and are aware of the latest trends and possibilities that the AV industry has to offer. Expectations are, without a doubt, very high and clients take it for granted that AV consultants are able to provide them with a complete service package to realise their visions. Offering future-proofed technologies to our clients is only one of our major priorities.

Finally, what of the future for Norbert Hönig?

Do you have any unrealised career ambitions?

Five years from now I see a local team of unique and dedicated AV specialists, a strong presence, a well-established network, and many successful AV projects in the Middle East. That should be fine for the moment, but as you know, there is always more to come… IE

Samsung .................................................. 15 Sommer Cable ........................................ 45 Stardraw.................................................. 30 Structured Cable Products .................... 22 Taiden ............................ Inside back cover Tannoy ...................................................... 3

www.macom-international.com www.macom.de

TOA Corporation (UK) .......................... 25 Vogel’s Products...................................... 11

Subscriptions to Installation Europe are free to qualified readers. Register online at www.subscription.co.uk/cc/ie/mag1 Installation Europe is published by UBM Information Ltd, Entertainment Technology Group, Ludgate House, 245 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 9UY, UK Editorial tel +44 (0)20 7921 8317 Advertising tel +44 (0)20 7921 8378 Fax +44 (0)20 7921 8302 Editor Paddy Baker +44 (0)20 7921 8317 paddy.baker@ubm.com Managing editor Joanne Ruddock +44 (0)20 7921 8376 joanne.ruddock@ubm.com Business editor Simon Croft +44 (0)20 8656 4590 simon@just-play.com Sales manager Cara Turner +44 (0)20 7921 8378 cara.turner@ubm.com Senior sales executive Russell Rowe +44 (0)20 7921 8363 russell.rowe@ubm.com Sales executive Nick Beck +44 (0)20 7921 8672 nick.beck@ubm.com Classified sales Lianne Davey +44 (0)20 7921 8401 lianne.davey@ubm.com US sales representative Michael Mitchell +1 631 673 3199 mjmitchell@broadcast-media.tv Group sales manager Steve Connolly +44 (0)20 7921 8316 steve.connolly@ubm.com Production controller Kevin Addison +44 (0)20 7560 4033 kevin.addison@ubm.com Digital content manager Tim Frost +44 (0)20 7921 8337 tim.frost@ubm.com Publisher Joe Hosken +44 (0)20 7921 8336 joe.hosken@ubm.com Editorial production Tanya Warren, Creatix Design +44 (0)1462 438951 Contributors David Davies, Simon Duff, Dan Goldstein, Nigel Lord, Ian McMurray, Steve Montgomery Special thanks this issue Amandine Teyssier, Mark Flanagan, The ISE Daily team, Toyah Willcox Circulation and subscription enquiries UBM Information Ltd, Tower House, Lathkill Street, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 9EF, UK Tel +44 (0)1858 438893 Fax +44 (0)1858 434958 © UBM Information Ltd, 2009.

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