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UK - ExCeL London has strengthened its service by partnering with UK provider of audio-visual equipment and services, Blitz.

The agreement will see Blitz supplying ExCeL London with the latest in technology, sound, lighting, video plus sets and staging. An on-site technical team will be on hand to ensure clients are offered a total AV solution to meet their exact needs; whether they are staging a seminar, conference, product launch, gala dinner, party or exhibition.

The service will be available to organisers using any of the venue's multipurpose event spaces. Paul Hutton, managing director of Blitz comments: "We are very pleased to be able to work with ExCeL London. The venue is an important site for events in London and we look forward to delivering our services and solutions to the many blue-chip corporate, public sector and association clients that ExCeL London now at

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USA - Miami International Airport has been subject to a major refurbishment programme over the past eighteen months. After extensive testing of several LCD panels, Toshiba was selected by the airport administration to supply the airport with its state-of-the-art LCD displays.

To date, Toshiba has delivered over 120 of its P32LSA 32" LCD panel, and the airport expects to order more than 1,500, including the new P42LSA 42" pane, says Toshiba. The large-screen displays will provide critical flight, gate and baggage information, all integrated into the renovated and new terminals.

Betros Wakim, president and CEO of AirIT states, "We evaluated many LCD options and after extensive and rigourous testing, the airport chose Toshiba. And while it was important that Toshiba meet the airport's specifications, they also needed to meet AirIT's expectations as a partner in ord

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Germany - Hassfurt-based PA company Soundhouse Veranstaltungstechnik has provided sound services for an extended tour of Musikantenstadl, a show featuring the popular music of middle Europe. The equipment list included Soundhouse's new Soundcraft MH3 console, linked to a 32-channel K3, to provide 80 inputs for the production audio.

Soundhouse purchased the MH3 primarily for use in local festivals and for small live music acts performing in clubs. Joachim Birner, the technical manager of Soundhouse, says, "We are currently using other Soundcraft K3 and SM20 consoles, but the MH3 offers everything we need for the medium-size applications which are not restricted by technical riders, and also, it sounds great. It is a strong package for an affordable price."

The MH3 is designed for both front-of-house and monitor use and offers one-touch operation to place either Groups

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UK - Marios George contracted David Graham's The Sound Division Group to supply audio systems for his Nozomi Japanese restaurant in London's Beauchamp Place. George wanted a system that would work at low level during the days - delivering an eclectic ambience - but which could be notched up after hours for the increasing number of corporate and celebrity parties that the venue will host.

"We needed a properly-equipped DJ booth and a system that would accommodate all requirements," said George. "David understood the brief perfectly. His company did a very good job fitting this out."

The sound has to be distributed evenly - from the ground floor, up through the mezzanine to the top sushi bar and private banqueting areas. For this, Sound Division has used Bose Freespace 3 recessed ceiling speakers in the front lounge and a JBL S210 sub built into the DJ booth,

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Poland - The Polish premiere of the X-Line Very Compact line-array system from Electro-Voice took place in the Stodola - one of the most historic, and still among the most popular, clubs in Warsaw. In this relatively small venue, much loved by the large student population of the Polish capital, the X-Line Very Compact was able to demonstrate its adaptability, its outstanding sound quality and its modest requirements in terms of space.

In mid-May, the Audio Plus team, EVI Audio's Polish partner, demonstrated the system at an open-air cinema in the historic centre of Warsaw (the square dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising). This time, the system was flown, and the results were just as convincing. "The X-Line Very Compact filled the representatives of the rental companies with enthusiasm," Sebastian Pawlak, Audio Plus's MD, told us. "The sound was tremendous with no loss

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UK - DJs will be able to purchase the Digital DJ Licence from PPL, legally permitting the transfer of music onto a laptop or other hard disc based computers and proprietary DJ MP3 players. The PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) Digital DJ Licence will allow DJs to transfer up to 20,000 tracks onto a computer or MP3 device to play out in clubs, pubs and other venues. In addition, the Licence entitles DJs to keep a back-up of all digital copies on a separate database or hard drive.

Mastermix, a company which has sold music to DJs for over 15 years, will provide the 12-month licence acting as an agent to PPL. DJs will be able to purchase the Mastermix Digital DJ Membership for £250 plus VAT which in addition to the PPL Digital DJ Licence will include a 12 month access to the first community based website solely dedicated to Digital DJs.

Digitaldj.co.uk members will benefit

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Hungary - The National Theatre of Gyor, a city located half way between Budapest and Vienna, and its new music festival provided the setting for Meyer Sound to demonstrate the M1D ultra-compact curvilinear array loudspeaker system to the burgeoning market in that country.

Chromatica, Meyer Sound's Hungarian dealer, organised the highly successful event with the assistance of the loudspeaker maker's European team. "This is the first time that any dealer or distributor has set up a complete loudspeaker system in a theatre in Hungary purely for demonstration purposes," explains Chromatica's Imre Makkay. "It has created a real buzz in the market here. Around 35 guests from various Hungarian theatre and rental companies were present."

Luke Jenks, Meyer Sound's European technical support director, introduced the company and provided background information. Then M

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UK - Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout was appointed by The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to design and install a revolutionary arena system, which has enhanced its main bowl's potential as a multifunctional and versatile indoor venue.

The system features as part of £1 million joint venture between the Millennium Commission, caterers, Letheby and Christopher, the Welsh Tourist Board and the Millennium Stadium, to expand on the original design of the stadium. It allows the main bowl to be divided into four possible staging configurations, accommodating events for audiences between 12,000 and 46,000. As the first arena system of its kind in Europe, Blackout's team headed by MD Steve Tuck and project manager Ken Nock collaborated with The Millennium Stadium's Chief Executive, Paul Sergeant, from the outset.

The innovative system comprises three key parts: an 18m by 1

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UK - CGA recently modernised the audio system at All Saints church in Ascot. Winning by tender, the project gave CGA Integration the opportunity not only to improve the audio and increase flexibility, but to use modern sound engineering to solve several traditional problems associated with amplification of church services.

The system had to accommodate a wide variety of trained and untrained vocalists in a challenging acoustic environment, say CGA. Non-intrusive fixtures, cabling and racks were also a priority to preserve the ornate décor and ambience. Operated by non-technical personnel, simplicity was important and preferably automated as far as possible. CGA's Chris Gunton explains: "CGA Integration are specialists in this kind of sympathetic installation and take great care to ensure that the original building is not scared by the installation. These buildings have bee

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Australia - The new Craigieburn Bypass now provides a freeway link between the Melbourne Metropolitan Ring Road and the Hume Freeway in Australia's second city. Amongst the unique features of this road-building project is the world's first traffic controlled lighting effect, conceived by landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlan and engineers Webb Australia in conjunction with local artist Robert Owen. The system was then designed and installed by Lightmoves Pty Ltd.

A 300m matrix of colour changing LEDs, forming part of an acoustic barrier to reduce road noise, was installed parallel to the road. The design brief required the lighting effects to be controlled and regulated by transducers in the road. Lightmoves turned to Artistic Licence to provide the necessary control software via Colour-Tramp.

Colour-Tramp is best known for its ability to control colour changing arrays w

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UK - While celebrating its 21st birthday, the Global Infusion Group has been working flat out this summer on a multitude of events including Live 8, the G8 Summit at Gleneagles and The International Festival of the Sea, as well as touring with Coldplay in both Europe and the US.

The corporate catering division, Chevalier Event Design, worked with innocent to provide a picnic and BBQ for 1,500 at this year's Fruitstock Festival in London's Regents Park, while Stratfield Saye House in Reading was the location for 2000 Microsoft employees to enjoy their After Hours summer party. The division also catered for 1000 artists and VIP's at the Download Festival in Castle Donington.

In addition to providing the production catering at the G8 Summit, sister company Eat to the Beat provided crew and media catering at Live 8 in Hyde Park. Other festivals catered for included Glastonb

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UK - When Elmhurst School for Dance made their move to new purpose-built premises in Birmingham, they once again turned to Harlequin for their dance floors. The new facilities were fitted out as standard with wood floors and needed Harlequin Cascade to achieve the right performance surface. Working to a tight schedule during the summer break, Elmhurst moved the 140 miles north from its home in Camberley, Surrey to the University area of Birmingham. Not content with a move to the Midlands, the construction of a brand new school on a green-field site and the rigours of an unforgiving construction programme, principal John McNamara gave himself the task of persuading parents and staff of the necessity of this move. The wisdom of the decision is clear when you consider that Elmhurst is now close to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, to which it acts as a 'feeder' school.

One aspect of the

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Spain - Nacho Acha-Orbea from Entertainment Equipment Supplies based in San Sebastian has recently delivered an outdoor roof system and two stages to Kulteperalia based in Madrid. The system is being used in the city's bull ring in Madrid to allow the venue to become a multipurpose facility.

The roof system is 19 by 16m, with PA wings both sides measuring 9 by 7m. The roof is flown at 14m trim on 15m high towers. The main roof grid is designed to support 12 tonnes and each PA wing 7 tonnes. The Arena Deck stage is variable in height from 1.55 to 2m and the stage is rated at 8kN/m2. The stage area is also equipped with side and back walls made from the same silver outside and black inside PVC polyester fabric as the roof cover.

Kultuperalia intends to stage a variety of events from flamenco to opera. In addition to this equipment, Total Solutions Group has been contracted to pr

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USA - Lighthouse Technologies, a leading developer, manufacturer and global supplier of state-of-the-art large scale LED video screens, is donating the use of 112 large screen displays for this weekend's 'Art for Life East Hampton' event organized by the RUSH Philanthropic Arts Foundation. Taking place in East Hampton, NY, at the estate of Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, the July 30 gala fund-raising event will benefit more than 70 youth arts organizations in New York City and Palm Beach County, Florida.

Lighthouse LED screens are part of a unique display configuration designed by LED artist Teddy Lo. The display - totaling over 108sq.ft - will be used in the staging for various performances taking place at the event. Lo will debut a new LED visual display presentation produced specifically for the event and will exhibit his latest LED concept piece, Traffika.

The Light

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UK - Bandit Lites is supplying UK techno punk band The Prodigy with lighting production for their current summer run of festivals and shows, in the build-up to the launch of their new album. Under the working title of 'Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned', the album is the first studio work by The Prodigy since 1997's seminal 'Fat of The Land'.

Lighting designer Ian 'Mac' MacEwan has worked with The Prodigy for nine years, "Nine LOUD years," as he puts it. This year, Bandit Lites was chosen as lighting supplier for the first time - a move which Mac says has been excellent in terms of "getting the service and attention we need". It also reacquaints Mac with Lester Cobrin, as this is the first time the pair has worked together since Cobrin joined the Bandit UK team in 2004 as business development manager.

Cobrin comments: "I've been working with Mac on va

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USA - For many in the operatic world, using vocal microphones for live performances is at worst viewed as a no-no, and at best, a necessary evil. Citing the numerous challenges of performing in an unflattering acoustic environment, Jim Elliott, technical director for the Amarillo Opera in Amarillo, Texas, has miked opera singers, but always quite regretfully. Finally, Elliott felt that it was due time for "a better solution" than their well-worn, 15-year-old wireless microphone systems.

"The most important thing to know about opera is that it and microphones don't mix," explains Elliott, laughing. "It's an insult to most opera singers if you put a microphone on them - it's something that's just not done very often. Our problem is that we currently perform in a venue that seats 2,400 people and doesn't have a balcony. It's a long, flat room, and there are

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The Netherlands - Lumileds Lighting has announced an agreement for Royal Philips Electronics to purchase Agilent Technologies' interests in the company. The acquisition is structured to allow Lumileds to continue operating as an independent business group, within the Philips Lighting organization, supporting its customers as it has since the company's inception. Customers will continue to work directly with Lumileds and its authorized distributors including Future Electronics for all their product needs. Lumileds manufacturing operations in San Jose and Penang, business offices, sales, marketing, engineering and R&D organizations remain in place and continue to serve the needs of customers around the world.

"Throw away last week's charts that show expectations for LED performance," said Mike Holt, CEO of Lumileds. "Increased access to and closer working relationsh

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USA - XL Touring Video provided equipment for Duran Duran on several legs of their tour. The Azusa, CA touring video company provided a Chromatek 15mm LED on the first leg, which Production and Lighting Designer, Alex Reardon arranged in 5 columns behind the band. The summer leg was equipped with 60 Custom XL MiPix Modules. Touring on behalf of XL was LED Technicians Frank Van de Cayzeele and Oliver Derynck.

Says John Wiseman, president of XL Touring Video: "Alex did something unique that we don't see in touring that often. Each leg of the tour he did a different video configuration and design. Most recent was MiPix and an all low-resolution show. Duran Duran has always been a cutting-edge band and is continuing to be so visually with Alex's innovation. Each leg of the tour had a new and interesting look which was refreshing."

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Long Eaton-based Questmark Ltd has been awarded a three-year framework agreement by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) for the supply of video-conferencing systems and services. The agreement covers any part of the NHS including Care and Hospital Trusts, GP surgeries and the Medical Research Council together with other Public Sector organizations in Central and Local Government, suppliers providing services on behalf of the NHS, and other public bodies.

The NHS says that video-conferencing is playing an increasingly important role in its management and administration, enabling faster decision-making and more personal contact between staff. At the same time, it is reducing travel costs and ensuring better utilisation of staff time. The use of video-conferencing in the NHS is extensive and represents some of the best utilised networks in the UK for this technology.

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UK - The latest addition to Academy Music Group's live venue estate is Carling Academy Newcastle, the North East's newest live music venue. In October, the company behind other Academy venues in Brixton, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Islington and West London's Shepherd's Bush Empire, will open the 2,000 capacity venue - previously the Gala Bingo Hall on Westgate Road - in Newcastle city centre.

Originally built as a Picture House (The New Westgate) in 1927, the new Carling Academy Newcastle site will also house a secondary stand-alone 400 capacity 'Academy 2' venue in addition to its main room for gigs and clubs, which follows the same concept as it's sister venues in Liverpool and Birmingham.

Both venues are production complete with system integrators, Marquee Audio, building on the high specification model that they had delivered to Carling Academy venues in Live

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UK - Will Young has recently completed a one month tour of castles and stately homes throughout the UK, equipped with a full range of Sennheiser evolution mics and IEMs. Monitor engineer, Graham Blake, commented 'With a long list of spectacular outdoor venues that included Leeds Castle, Warwick Castle, Chatsworth and Kenwood House, we were delighted to use a mic set-up that matched the quality of both Will's voice and the aura of the surroundings'. He adds, 'I've been a great fan of the Evolution G2 range and I felt that the wireless ew935 was particularly suited to Will's voice - accentuating the warmth and smoothness in his performance. They have great presence and you can drive them really hard before even a hint of feedback. As far as monitoring is concerned, Will prefers in-ears to stage monitors and I have always recommended the ew300 G2's for both their impressive sound and

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UK - Each summer around 100 vessels from more than 20 countries, crewed by 4,000 young people, take part in The Tall Ships' Races in Europe. Organized by Sail Training International, the event includes four days of activities in each port, which in Newcastle Gateshead culminated in a sound and light spectacle with fireworks along 2.5km of the quayside, attended by several hundred thousand people. And JSS, UK rental company and pioneers of HK Audio COHEDRA (Coherent Dynamic Response Array) system, were on hand to make sure the sound equalled the spectacle.

One of the main considerations of promoters Bravura regarding audio was to have as few loudspeaker hangs as possible, limiting the amount of towers needed along the river. Three large COHEDRA rigs were used. A hang of 24 CDR 208 S/T mid/high cabinets plus 12 CDR 210 F flyable subwoofers was suspended from the Tyne Bridge. 20 CD

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UK - The new Mamilanji members nightclub in Chelsea is a convolution of its owners names - Milan and Manji . . . but it is the third partner, the ebullient Geeta Dutt who gives the place its identity as the front-of-house host. She is also a skilled lighting operator as she proves when choreographing the palette of Abstract Gladiator and VRX scanners, and AVR LED effects - part of an overall technology infrastructure designed and installed by London-based Sound Division Group.

The original enquiry to David Graham's company for the project dates back to the 2003 Bar Show when the operators embarked on their mission to convert the former Stocks, which was something of an institution on the King's Road. "You have to get on with a person and David Graham and his team at Sound Division have been absolutely brilliant," she said. "He got what this was about straight away

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UK - Stage One Creative Services, one of Europe's top scenic suppliers, has unveiled a new identity, including a new logo and a new website. "We are at the forefront of a creative, design-led and innovative industry and the new identity and website far better reflect the position of Stage One in the industry," said Simon Wood, the company's sales and marketing director.

Stage One, which provided services and expertise for the 2004 Olympic Games opening ceremony, and whose clients include Sainsbury's, O2, British Airways and Marks & Spencer, says it will continue to provide the originality, skill and expertise that the company has become renowned for, to make sure that any live event - no matter the size - runs smoothly. As well as scenery manufacture, the company provides complementary services including its motion control system Q Motion and Hangar Staging. Wood says:

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