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France - Blackout France, working with Ethik Event (the event subsidiary of Dans le Noir Restaurants) has created complete darkness in a series of rooms used for companies' product launches, seminars and dinners.

The series of restaurants are created to be completely in the dark. The aim is to "awaken and train guests to a variety of tastes, aromas, flavours and textures of exquisite cuisine". Since its opening in July 2004, the restaurant has been a huge success in Paris and a new restaurant will open on later this month in Farringdon, London.

Dominic Peissel, general manager of Blackout France comments, "A standard rental cloth was used that is entirely light-proof. We have taken a lot of care to make sure that there are no light leaks. It is a real pleasure wor

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UK - Rycote, the long-established manufacturer of microphone windshields, shock mounts and all related microphone accessories has been given a striking new identity.

Over the last few months Rycote has been creating a more dynamic and bold image for the company and its products. Barneys Strategic Communication has been working with Vivienne Dyer, Rycote MD, to create a new look which marks a new phase in the company's plans for the future.

"We have new and exciting plans for the future, both through continued innovative product development and in the way we will be raising our profile in the year ahead," says Dyer. "Endorsed by the new strapline Sound Sense, we are actively planning new initiatives that will raise our Rycote brand image and which will directly benefit our distributors. Similarly, we will be supporting our valued customers with more new pr

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France - Featuring at this year's Siel in Paris is the Selecon Rama range of Fresnels and PCs.

As well as the Fast Focus Technology innovations, Rama will introduce a new standard of operational benefits including, cooler operational control, the Grippa colour frame - a moulded filter frame which grips the filter to maxmise filter life, integrated safety bond, and automatic disconnection of the mains power when opening the luminaire for relamping.

Selecon's French distributor - ESL on Stand M64 - will also feature recent additions to the modular Pacific range including the Pacific 5º High Efficiency Fixed Beam and the Pacific 45º -75º Zoomspot - billed as the "world's widest zoom". The wide choice in light sources available for the Pacific will be on display including the lower voltage 80V Power System, MSR discharge sources and the new CST 250 with intensity cont

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Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

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UK - Educational institutions have long been an important market sector for cabling specialists VDC Trading. In recent months the company has notched up significant sales to the University of Edinburgh, the University of Surrey and the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guilford.

"Many educational institutions now offer courses in music and video technology, which means they have an ongoing requirement for cable for their recording studios and edit suites," says VDC Trading's commercial director Nigel May. "However, there is also significant demand for cable to support AV installations in lecture theatres and seminar rooms - and that's an area where we have seen a marked increase in business."

Among the many customers VDC Trading supplies is the Media and Learning Technology Service (MALTS) of the University of Edinburgh, which has over 40 lecture theatres an

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Germany - beyerdynamic has acquired Interkom electronic Kock & Mreches, a Wedemark, Germany-based company specialising in wired conference and simultaneous interpretation systems. The acquisition is effective immediately.

For 25 years, Interkom electronic Kock & Mreches has manufactured innovative products for the conference installations market. That tradition has continued with its recent focus on customisation and tailor-made solutions of analogue and digital wired conference systems. The company will remain at its Wedemark location through March 31, 2006, at which time it will relocate to beyerdynamic's production facility in Heilbronn Germany.

"beyerdynamic and Interkom are a perfect fit, given our respective product portfolios," commented Wolfgang Luckhardt, beyerdynamic's worldwide managing director. "We will capitalise on this synergy, improving our rese

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UK - 3M Optical Systems has selected the Albion( Group as UK distributor for its family of advanced rear projection display screens. Vikuiti eXtended Resolution Video Screens (XRVS) from 3M will be marketed under Albion's System-AV(R) brand, which also embraces AV support equipment, such as mounts, trolleys and furniture.

Commented Richard Osborn, managing director, Albion Group, "We are proud to have been chosen by 3M as UK distributor for XRVS screens and are pleased to be associated with such a well-established, international brand. XRVS screens are highly complimentary to our existing System-AV range, enabling us to leverage and sustain our strengths in the AV trade and displaysectors. It also offers the potential for expansion into new markets as the product develops."

XRVS display screens sizes range from 60-inch up to 95-inch in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios

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Belgium - ISE 2006 opened to record attendance yesterday (Wednesday) as systems integrators, installers and manufacturers convened to hear from industry leaders and key influencers about the latest technologies in AV Systems Integration. The show started in spectacular style with a powerful demonstration of massive LED Video Screens, which took over the impressive frontage of the huge Brussels Expo Centre.

"The excitement generated from our exhibitors, sponsors and associations, the new show features and comprehensive conference, all combine to produce this highly successful show where quality visitors are prepared to take time out to come to Brussels to do business," said the show's managing director Mike Blackman. "This year's significant increase in attendance is a testament to ISE as a real deal-making show and explains its continuing growth year after year.&q

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UK - XL Video UK supplied equipment to video artists Yeast Culture for their inventive work on the Jamie Cullum tour. The show featured three upstage 10 by 7.5 ft screens, showing an eclectic and fluid mix of animations, pre recorded footage, colour and effects, plus live camera feeds of Cullum. The screens were deliberately trimmed low to bring a sense of intimacy and close proximity to the stage to the audience.

Yeast Culture was formed by Nick Hillel and Marc Silver six years ago. They create music visuals, art installations, films and documentaries. Two years ago, Cullum saw a Yeast performance and asked them to work with him.

XL's project manager Paul Wood says, "Nick has produced a very intense yet intimate look that truly enhances the Jamie Cullum live experience." Cullum does not have a set list and the shows are completely random, so all the mixing is done l

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USA - Console manufacturer Solid State Logic exhibited at NAMM for the first time this year.The UK-based company showcased a selection of products including the AWS 900 Analogue Workstation System, SSL's most popular console ever.

Top producers and engineers, as well as artists, have been quick to acquire the AWS 900 for their private or commercial studios, says SSL. Installations include five at Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's private studio, Flyte Time; Will Smith's studio, the Boom Boom Room; Alicia Keys's the Oven Studios; and engineer/producer Tal Herzberg's room at Henson Recording Studios.

SSL also exhibited the XLogic range of rack mount products, including the X-Rack modular rack system. The X-Rack Mic Amp and Channel EQ, introduced at NAMM, join the existing Dynamics unit to form a comprehensive processing solution for studio or live applications.

Also on display were

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USA - Detroit alt-rock fans kicked off the holiday season this year at the annual The Night 89X Stole Christmas at the Cobo Arena, hosted by Detroit-Windsor radio station CIMX-FM (known as "89X").

Now in its eighth year, the event has become a Motor City institution, routinely selling out in a matter of days or even hours. Past years' events have included performances by Franz Ferdinand, Dashboard Confessional, Good Charlotte, Jimmy Eat World and many other top names.

This year, headliners, 311, were joined by Our Lady Peace, Alien Ant Farm, Fall Out Boy, Rise Against, Coheed and Cambria, Switchfoot, Motion City Soundtrack and Social Code. The show's organisers promised an experience bordering on "sensory overload," and Detroit-based concert sound providers Thunder Audio helped deliver the goods with a powerful Meyer Sound line array.

With a total

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UK - Lancashire's new Digital Technology Centre is showcasing its groundbreaking technology using a "virtual reception" display. The centre in Burnley has installed a hi-tech visual communications system that uses a large holographic screen provided by Visual Planet, to provide changing information and directions for visitors.

The Digital Technology Centre is a flagship centre in the North West that provides training, IT and manufacturing support, managed office units and conference facilities for developing technology or innovation businesses. It also works closely with students and staff at Burnley College, providing links between business tenants and the education sector.

"This centre is the first of its type in the region and we're keen that each area reflects our aims and ethos," explains Chris Baxter, managing director. "We wanted to show what we

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World - Mitsubishi Electric has announced the arrival of two new projectors to its range. The XD460U/XD490U have been designed specifically for the corporate and entertainment markets.

The XD460U/XD490U incorporate the TI DarkChip3 with DDP3020, promising faster data transfer and much improved image gradation. Says the manufacturer, "The combination of the above, with the new BrilliantColour technology and Mitsubishi's unique colour wheel, incorporating yellow segments, ensures radiant yet natural looking images. In addition, these projectors also incorporate a Colour Enhancer function allowing the user to choose between five viewing modes to optimise their projected images."

Both models feature a contrast ratio of 2500:1 combined with high brightness - 2600 ANSI Lumens for the XD460U and 3000 for the XD490U. Both incorporate a virtual lens shift, allowing images to

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Spain/Denmark - Vieta Pro has appointed Moto Audio Sales ApS (MAS) as its representative in Denmark, joining a distribution portfolio that includes Yamaha and Sony, L'Acoustics and Renkus-Heinz.

MAS has derived its successful installation business from its corporate origins as a rental company. The company's Erik Bjerre explains that, despite handling distribution for some distinguished sound reinforcement brands, MAS was seeking a line of installation loudspeakers which would be suitable for restaurants and other such venues which didn't require high SPLs but wanted real speech intelligibility and accurate reproduction.

"We first saw Vieta's Do-Line at the PLASA show in London, where the design of the cabinets stopped us in our tracks," says Bjerre. "This range is a perfect fit for designer restaurant and bar interiors, and its availability in black and white f

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UK - Following a record visitor turnout for the 2005 show, the organisers of the A.C. Lighting North Tradeshow have confirmed that the show will be returning to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds on April 25/26. In excess of fifty entertainment technology brands are expected to be represented, with a number of products making their UK debuts.

Full details will be confirmed in the coming months, but visitors can expect the same show format as in previous years. The free guest speaker seminars will provide an opportunity to hear some of the industry's leading experts discuss the latest technologies and innovative entertainment projects.

Exhibitors will include a wide range of leading lighting, audio and associated equipment brands from A.C. Lighting's large stockholding of entertainment technology products, and representation from many of the key industry associations and publi

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UK - Forge Europa has introduced a range of ultra bright LED Lighting Strips for single or multi-colour illumination in a myriad of applications. The range uses XLamp LEDs from pioneering American LED manufacturer Cree Lighting. Potential Applications, says Forge, include wall wash, compact fluorescent replacement, RGB colour mixing, downlights and glass illumination.

Strips of 1/2W, 1W and 3W LEDs are available in a wide range of combinations of colour, shape, size and power output. Forge Europa is offering a comprehensive custom design and assembly service from prototypes through to volume production. The company also has a wide and comprehensive range of plastic secondary optics.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - AV News magazine and Pacific Media Associates (PMA) will be jointly conducting a survey of UK resellers specialising in audio-visual products during 2006. The survey will focus on large displays, interactive and related products.

"The dramatic improvements in price/performance in all AV products, and specially in large displays, is leading to expanded market opportunities," suggests Bryan Denyer, editor of AV News. "As the vital link between manufacturers, distributors and end users, resellers are in the best position to know what is going on in the industry ... who is buying, what the applications are, what sort of products are most in demand, which manufacturers and distributors are doing the best job working with them, and a host of other key issues.

"We are hearing repeatedly from our manufacturer and distributor contacts that they need a better un

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The PLASA Show has today launched its 2006 website. The new site carries extensive information on PLASA06, which will bring the industry live to Earls Court 1 in central London between 10-13 September 2006.The striking new website has been designed to help exhibitors and visitors quickly access everything they need to know about the show. It features an easy-to-use menu system, quick links to essential information such as the exhibitor list and floorplan and a straightforward online registration area where visitors can pre-book their tickets at the reduced rate of £9.00 - a saving of 50% on the on-the-door price of £18.00.Further essential information will be added in the coming months, including details of the seminar programme and Innovation Awards, exhibitor and visitor events, the latest technologies to be previewed and any further new initiatives being introduced at PLAS

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UK - The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) has undergone a major refurbishment programme. As a major part of the this project, the Solent Hall has installed twenty Hall Stage ASM D8++ 1,000kg chain hoists to provide a permanent in-house mother truss for the room's own stage lighting and loading platform for incoming shows & events.

D8++ hoists fulfil the requirements of German safety standard BGV D8+, meaning that once a load has been positioned, no further safety device, such as a load arrestor or secondary safety line is required.

Halls also installed bespoke truss and cable management systems for 96 ways of dimming for the new house LX system in the venue which is owned and managed by Bournemouth Borough Council, operating alongside its sister venues, The Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom and The Pier Theatre to provide some of the best technical facilities in the UK.

(J

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UK - Drapes specialists J&C Joel has supplied the acclaimed Yehudi Menuhin School for gifted young musicians, with 14 special acoustic drapes for two levels of its new 315 seat Menuhin Concert Hall.

The funding impetus for the £5 million project came with the death of Menuhin, the school's founder and mentor, in 1999. The new venue was finally completed and opened in January. Lead Architect Mark Foley of Burrell Foley Fischer worked closely with the School's acoustician Bob Essert of Sound Space Design and theatre consultants Anne Minors Performance Consultants.

The Menuhin Hall is a chamber music venue and a daily performance and rehearsal space for school use. The students are primarily string and piano players, however they also participate in school choirs, and student rock groups are starting up. Additionally, the Hall is available to hire for other music events and

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Spain - Madrid's famed bullring, La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas was the setting for José Luis Moreno's Miramón Mendi production company's Zarzuela Anthology. (Zarzuela has been a popular Spanish form of operetta since the 17th century).

Madrid's Kulteperalia provided full production - sound, lighting, sets, even armchairs - to turn a bullring into a place to enjoy a great theatrical spectacle. To support the singers, actors and 74-strong orchestra, Kulteperalia opted for a Meyer Sound MILO curvilinear array system.

The main left and right arrays each consisted of ten MILO cabinets, a MILO 120 high-power expanded coverage curvilinear array loudspeaker for downfill, and three M3D-Sub directional subwoofers. Three CQ-2 narrow coverage main loudspeakers on each side provided sidefill. A centre cluster was built from an MVC-5 graduated vertical coverage loudspeaker

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UK - Presented by TV personality, Jayne Middlemiss, and introduced by TPi magazine editor, Mark Cunningham, this year's Total Production InternationalAwards on Monday 30 January was hailed the biggest andbest yet by a record audience of around 950 industry professionals and guests.

Held at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith, the fifth edition of the show was production managed by Steve Allen, and featured the input of PSL Music (video), ML soundadvice and Meyer Sound (audio), HSL Group (lighting), A.C. Lighting (additional lighting equipment), Star Events Group (rigging & truss), Kroos (crewing), Blackout (draping), Ice Lighting (bar LED lighting) and Edwin Shirley Trucking (transport).

A highlight of the production was the work of video graphics director Richard Shipman, along with Richard Bagshaw and Kate Perring of Digital Insanity, who designed a video projection wall

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