Robe - Leaderboard - 27 Aug25 - Jan26
ISE 2026 - Banner - Oct 2025

Events

Details
UK - British LED luminaire specialist Tryka has launched several new products at the PLASA Show - one of which is receiving a particularly favourable response, say the company. The company has chosen the PLASA Show as the launch-pad for two new and ground-breaking DMX drivers. The IDS-4 and IDS-12 Intelligent Drive Systems offer four and twelve outputs (RJ45) respectively and are able to control up to 144 LEDs each. Both models encompass seven modes (static colour, crossfade, criss-cross fade, cyclic wash, solid chase, fade chase and DMX) - each with several pre-set functions. The units, based on the unique 'colour cool' technology which is patented in Europe, USA, Australia and Japan, use Pulsed Amplitude Modulation to drive the luminaires. Other features of the IDS drivers include thermal feedback control, easy plug and play set-up, and full DMX address mapping.

Meanwhile, on

Details
UK - PRG Europe has reported a strong response to Vari-Lite's new VL500 luminaire, with orders for the new fixture flooding in. Following what the company has called an "overwhelming demand for a return of the VL5 wash luminaire", Vari-Lite is debuting the VL500 at the PLASA Show. Based upon the 1994 Emmy Award-winning VL5 Wash luminaire, the VL500 offers users significant performance enhancements over its predecessor, say the company.

The VL500 is available with either a 120V/1200W lamp or a 230V/1000W lamp. The most economical and lightest version of the luminaire, the VL500 is designed for those who require the 3200-degree colour temperature along with the most space-efficient unit. No external ballast or dimmer is required.

The VL500D is also available with a 120V/1200W lamp or a 230V/1000W lamp, plus an internal yoke-mounted IGBT dimmer. While retaining the 3200

ISE 2026 - Banner - Oct 2025

Details
UK - E:cue has launched its 'Butler' Ethernet to DMX gateway, which features 1024 DMX channels and an integrated replay unit.

The Butler allows up to two DMX lines to be controlled an e:cue programmer or media engine. Soft-Patch allows two different DMX lines to be inserted or the same line can be repeated several times. The DMX signal is available via RJ45 connectors or, optionally, XLR adaptors.

The Butler can also be used as a standard replay unit, and an internal SD card provides memory for several shows generated by the e:cue programmer including the use of liveFX functionality. Show size is limited solely by the SD card capacity, and if a show requires more than two DMX universes several Butler devices can be linked via e*net and synchronised during replay, while the integrated IR receiver provides a simple method of recalling shows from any IR remote controller.

(Mike

Details
UK - The PLASA Show has seen the launch by ETC of the latest generation of its IES Matrix sine wave dimming system, in which dimmers of different ratings and dimming techniques can be mixed in the same installation.

The company's its IES Matrix Mk II, with just 44mm additional headroom, is one of the most flexible systems available, with a wide choice of channel ratings and module options, plus higher density and improved efficiency.

The extra 44mm has enabled ETC to increase the density of the rack up to 180 dimmer channels and provide the highest sine wave dimming density around. With space for up to six dimming channels per module, Matrix Mk II is customisable with up to 180 x 3kW or 90 x 5kW dimmers per rack. Sine wave modules are available as 4 x 3kW, 4 x 5kW and 1 x 10kW, with an even greater choice of channel ratings for SCR Basic and high filtering modules. With relay

Details
UK - PLASA 2005 was the setting for a trio of major sales orders by the Holland-based sister lighting rental companies Flashlight and Metam, announced late on Tuesday afternoon.The two companies confirmed the joint purchase of substantial quantities of the latest products from VARI*LITE, Xilver and Syncrolite.

100 units of the newly-announced VARI*LITE VL500 wash luminaire, the updated version of the classic VL5, will be delivered to Flashlight's Utrecht headquarters. Commercial director Jacco van Pel told LSI: "We already had the complete VARI*LITE product range in our rental stock, but there was a hole where the VL5 used to be. Lighting designers loved it and we've talked to VARI*LITE a lot about for the past two years, so needless to say we're absolutely delighted that the VL500 is here and that we can offer it to our rental clients."

100 of Xilver's brand-new Xol

Details
UK - UK based performance video specialists Picture Works used PLASA to show off its latest LED screen, video projector, camera and production technologies. Founder and MD Robbie Wealleans said the show had been "very successful" for the company, adding "It has been an amazing year for us so far".

On show was the brightest video projector on the market, the 25,000 ANSI lumen Christie Roadie, currently on tour in the USA with Coldplay. It featured during the band's headline slot at Glastonbury where, the following day and on the second stage, Picture Works deployed what Wealleans describes as the "largest LED screen ever seen in the UK" for DJ Fatboy Slim's set. The production included a 3D effect achieved by issuing the audience with 3D glasses. Part of the screen also featured on the company's PLASA stand, demonstrating Picture Works' purchase of 1

Details
UK - Color Kinetics has announced the appointment of Connie Weaver to its board of advisors. A highly-regarded branding and marketing expert, Ms. Weaver is executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BearingPoint, one of the world's largest management and technology consulting firms.

Ms. Weaver's extensive experience includes leadership positions at some of the world's most well-known technology, telecom and information companies. Prior to joining BearingPoint, she served as executive vice president of public relations, marketing and brand at AT&T, where she was a member of the executive leadership team.

"Connie brings tremendous value to our board of advisors with impressive expertise in the critical areas of marketing, branding, investor relations and communications for established, blue chip companies," said Bill Sims, President and CEO, Color Kinetics

Details
UK - AV rental and 'advanced product sales specialists' PSCo launched its new FogScreen AV product at PLASA 2005. The system, which enables mid-air image projection, is distributed exclusively in the UK by PSCo.

FogScreen creates a dry fog, using ordinary water, to produce a seamless projection area that's viewable on both sides. It can also be used in interactive mode, enabling viewers to use their bare hands as a mouse to write or draw in the air and use the fog as a touch screen.

It has so far been used to create walk-through advertisements, AV features for presentations and walk-through entrances for shops and exhibitions.

The product joins the M-PDP seamless plasma display, launched in the summer.

(Mike Lethby)

Details
UK - Specialist event branding company Sunbaba has been exhibiting its range of bespoke banners, screens and other branding materials at the PLASA Show.

The company, which began working in the events industry in 1997, followed on from its successful launch at PLASA 2004 of its DigiSound fabric and reported a busy summer season during which it supplied material to the Fifth Test Match at the Oval, as well as all of the Gcap Radio Party In the Park events.

The latter shows featured DigiSound fabric as PA scrims and PVC banners and stage décor. DigiSound fabric is design to take digital printing while its wide mesh minimises sound degradation when used in front of a PA system.

(Mike Lethby)

Details
UK - Digital mixing for live sound applications took further significant steps forward at PLASA 2005 with a number of new products and technologies unveiled, news of leading players working together and confirmation of further developments coming to fruition over the winter months.

Allen & Heath has entered the digital mixer domain with the launch of the iLive digital mixing console system. Developed for live sound applications, iLive's 'ground up' design features a flexible architecture with large-scale audio distribution and control. iLive is designed "to bring an analogue feel to digital mixing and draws on the company's extensive experience in live sound and digital technology".

The heart of the system is the iDR-64, a 19" rack-mounting modular mix engine providing 64 channels into 32 mixes, which can be assigned as auxes, groups, matrix and main outputs. Th

Details
UK - The PLASA Show closed on Wednesday this week after four successful days of business. The general feedback from exhibitors was very positive, with a number of exhibitors expressing their satisfaction at orders taken at the show.

PLASA Show director Nicky Rowland of Clarion Events told LSI Online that the organizing team had been very pleased with the levels of re-booking for next year's show - both from current and returning exhibitors - and also said that a number of entirely new exhibitors have booked up for PLASA 2006. "We've had extremely positive feedback," said Rowland. "It seems that a high level of business was conducted, with a number of companies even saying they had been overwhelmed by the orders being written at the show." One of these was Vari-Lite's European distributor, PRG Europe, where Philip Norfolk told PLASA Media the company had been

Details
UK - At PLASA 2005 Hawthorn was awarded the UK Rental Company of the Year Award by Martin Audio, an acknowledgment of its continued growth, and the ongoing expansion of its Martin Audio stock.

"Our continued expansion and growth within the sound market, both hire and sales, has been tremendous" said Iain Reinhold, head of sound at Hawthorn, "allowing us to continue with our commitment to and investment in new kit and placing us in the right position to provide the best and latest equipment to our clients and customers."

Zero 88 in its 2005 Dealer Awards at PLASA also awarded the Independent Dealer of the Year Award to Hawthorn. The award is in recognition of the growth and development of its Zero 88 dealership and in recognition of its commitment and support for the brand over the last year.

"We are delighted to receive the two awards, which are furt

Details
UK - Visual-Patch, developed by Artistic Licence, has won the PLASA 2005 Award for Innovation. Combining video recognition technology and newly developed software, Visual-Patch can map and patch even the most complex lighting arrays.

A digital camera is positioned before the array and detects the size, position and shape of each pixel to be used, in both symmetrical and random patterns. This information is then analyzed by Visual-Patch, which generates an automatic lighting plot on screen.

Visual-Patch uses Remote Device Management (RDM) to set the start address of each fixture during the patching process. RDM is a new control protocol that allows lighting fixtures to talk back to the controller.

When Visual-Patch completes you are left with a lighting rig that is fully patched and a lighting controller that knows the position and address of every fixture. All that without e

Details
UK - Following the success in 2004, Stage Electrics is once again utilizing the great space at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff for its 2005 Tradeshow on Wednesday 5 October.

In 2004 the day attracted over 100 visitors from as far afield as Lincolnshire and London, Stage Electrics are looking to build on last years popularity. Once again the RWCMD Bute Theatre will be transformed into a 'mini PLASA' with the help of a team of hardworking students. Their work is assessed and contributes towards one of four production placement grades for the 2 year of their studies.

Stage Electrics' major suppliers will be demonstrating their latest products and services and offering hands on experience and advice. Exhibiting at the show will be: Martin, Rosco / DHA, Zero88, Strand, ETC, Pulsar, Selecon, RCF, Audio Technica, Lee, Mackie, Prolyte, Teclumen and Apollo.<

Details
UK - Software providers Stardraw.com unveiled Stardraw Control RC2 (Release Candidate 2) for the first time at the recent PLASA 2005. Billed as a software-based, unified framework that can control any remotely-controllable product from any manufacturer over any protocol, Stardraw Control RC2 is the final pre-release version of the application which is scheduled for final availability later this quarter.

Stardraw Control generates standalone, customized control programs. Like other Stardraw applications it is fast, powerful, flexible and easy to use; with a drag-drop interface and intuitive design environment, installers are able to configure systems and control them without having to write a single line of code. Utilization of Microsoft.net technology means that control programs are portable and can run on any Windows-enabled device, from PC to PDA.

Stardraw Control's open arc

Details
UK - Spotlight PR has been awarded the public relations contract to promote The Event Show, now in its 16th year, which is staged over two days at Olympia in London on 25 and 26 January 2006. The industry's most comprehensive exhibition encompasses all aspects of organizing outdoor and indoor events, from small functions to international music festivals.

Karen Dodd, marketing manager for The Event Show said: "We appointed Spotlight as they have demonstrated considerable expertise in promoting large scale events and have a successful track record in generating awareness nationally both in print press and through broadcast media."

Spotlight PR's clients include Stowe Music Festival and Southport Flower Show, with both events attracting national publicity generated by the agency. Marina Efstathiou, director of Spotlight PR added: "The Event Show is an extremely pre

Details
Computer DJ was again at PLASA with an array of new products. Of particular interest for bars and clubs as well as light and sound installers was the new Q-Play digital music system, say the company.This touch screen unit will play the required style of music for up to 365 days a year. The system incorporates bio-metric (fingerprint) security, ensuring that only those authorized to do so can change the music (or its volume). The system can be managed by venue staff or programmed remotely via an optional secure internet link.

The other product to attract a stream of visitors was the newly developed Screenfly. This software programme can be used to generate immediate adverts and other live messages on the plasma screen. Within seconds the user can display special offers; introduce new products; show menu details; etc. Screenfly can also be used interactively or to entertain customers and

Details
Belgium - ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) 2006 has nearly doubled in size from the previous show with still over four months to go until the event itself in February 2006. At the Brussels Expo, more than 2000 sqm of extra space has been allocated to meet the increasing demand from new and existing companies. Key exhibitors who signed up over the summer were Eiki and Dataton.

These were astonishing figures for Mike Blackman, ISE 2006 managing director, he says: "We are delighted to see that the level of new business continues to grow each month. Even over the traditionally quiet summer months, we managed to sell over 200sqm of exhibition space. The interest levels and awareness of ISE 2006 is increasing all the time and, now that the website has gone live, we will be channelling our energies towards the visitor and press with a series of exciting roadshows, editorial and adv

Details
UK - There are still a few places left for Hawthorns latest @ Home event featuring pyrotechnics and radio mics being held on Friday 7 October 2005.

There will be pyro demonstration by Le Maitre; plus Sennheiser, Sony and Trantec will be demo'ing their latest radio mics and will be on hand to offer advice throughout the afternoon. To book a place contact Hawthorn direct on: 01664 821101.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

Details
Germany - CAVIS - the Congress for Audio-Visual Installation Systems, which runs alongside the annual ProLight+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, has changed its name, the organizers have announced. From 2006 it will be called Prolight+Sound Media Systems Congress. "System integration and media technology are both areas which have been successfully involved in the congress for the last three years and they are firmly established in the fair - so it was time to give this fast-growing trade-fair segment its own proper place in the congress title", says Cordelia von Gymnich, vice-president of Messe Frankfurt GmbH. "We think this is a brand-policy decision whose time has come."

A central theme running through the expert talks in 2006 will be that of "Multiple-purpose halls and arenas." Featuring some 40 sessions, the Prolight+Sound Media Systems Congress is

Details
UK - The PLASA Show has again proved itself one of the most influential events in the industry calendar. Around 13,000 (subject to ABC audit) key industry people visited London in early September to participate in what is now the major international gathering-point for the entertainment, event and installation industries. The emphasis was very much on business, with exhibitors not only generating significant leads, but also reporting an unprecedented number of orders being placed.

As in previous years, the Show had a strong international profile with a third of exhibitors based outside the UK, and an increasing international visitor attendance, which is now nudging the 30% mark.

One of the key reasons for the Show's continued momentum is its focus on new developments and its ongoing investment in interactive feature areas, awards that recognize the best design work in the indu

Details
UK - The Solent was the location for AIR 2005, the newly-launched Audio Industry Regatta, held this year on 24-25 September. Formerly known as the DAMMSTY weekend, this annual event has been organized since 1989 by Ken Walker and Brenda White. The DAMMSTY sailing trophy, introduced in 1993, is awarded in memory of Dave Martin of Martin Audio.

This weekend raises money and awareness for the Elizabeth Foundation for Deaf Children. Based in the Portsmouth area, the Elizabeth Foundation offers support nationwide to deaf children, from birth to five years old, and their parents.

This year's splash and dash event was held over two days, with 13 sponsored boats from the pro audio world competing over five races. Saturday evening's fundraiser event at Gunwharf Quays included dinner, auction, raffle and the obligatory pop quiz, all washed down with more than the odd tot of rum.<

Details
UK - Showsec looked after 2,000 soul fans at the Jazz FM Northern Soul Night held in Blackburn's King George's Hall last month, as part of the company's long term relationship with the venue. This was the first of six such events to run this winter and all genres of soul music were included on the playlist across the venue's three rooms.

Blackburn Borough Council, which owns and manages King George's Hall, brought in Showsec five years ago, to manage the safety and security for all events held in the venue. For the Northern Soul night, Showsec brought in eight SIA licensed stewards and five additional stewards to cover the entrance, ticket stalls and monitor throughout the inside of the venue.

Area Manager Alan Wallace oversaw the operations, with Showsec's specialist staff working alongside the venue's in-house team. He commented: "Working in local venues is a vit

Details
Czech Republic - The Prague Quadrennial 2007 ( PQ 07) takes place in the Czech capital city from 14-24 June, 2007. The organizers report that they have confirmed a record-breaking number of 52 countries who will exhibit there. First-time participants will include artists from Georgia, Ireland, Singapore and Malaysia. In addition, Portugal and the Philippines will return.

Fifty countries will feature in the Section of National Exhibitions, 26 countries in the Section of Architecture and Technology and 38 in the Student Section - Scenofest.

Further information about the Heart of the PQ exhibition now touring the globe, as well as the PQ installation displayed in the framework of the Salon of Czech Scenography exhibition in Prague can be found on the official website below.

(Jim Evans)

  1. Scottish Lighting Show shines bright
  2. SIEL set for Paris in February
  3. Another Night in Heaven with PixelLines
  4. Super Saturday in New York
  5. Stage Electrics' Welsh trade show success
  6. Prolight + Sound Shanghai
Page 151 of 324

Latest Issue. . .