Clearglow Sport Launches with Ambitions to Transform the Stadium Display Tech Market
Clearglow Sport – a provider of stadium display technology – has launched in the UK with the aim of completely transforming the stadium LED technology market.
The company is led by two experienced industry professionals; Andy Clague and Kristian Ball who, between them, bring over a decade of knowledge from the stadium display sector.
Speaking about the ambitions of the company Kristian Ball said: “For far too long, sports clubs and stadia who want quality LED display technology have had limited choice. Typically, options have ranged from being incredibly expensive or poorly manufactured. We want to change that, bringing solutions to market that offer incredible performance, whilst offering real value to clubs."
Clearglow Sport’s Andy Clague, said: “Digital display technology is a vital part of the modern stadium experience. As a platform for driving revenue and fan engagement, it is incredibly powerful, which is why it is so important clubs make the right decisions when selecting a supplier.”
Clearglow Sport launches in the UK with the backing of a strategic partnership with Unilumin, one of the world’s leading LED technology manufacturers. The move means UK clubs and venues will have access to world-leading technology used by some of Europe’s top clubs including Bayern Munich, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen and a host of FIFA World Cup venues.
Clearglow Sport will launch a new perimeter LED system, available in multiple heights, and with an industry beating 6mm pixel pitch option, to make it one of the highest resolution systems available in the market.
Ayrton Diablos Shine for “NFL Honors” Broadcast
The Annual NFL Honors was held the day before Super Bowl LIV with Lighting Designer Jon Kusner selected a complement of Ayrton Diablo LED profile luminaires from PRG to supplement the house lights. ACT Lighting, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Ayrton fixtures in North America.
The awards presentation by the National Football League honored players from the 2019 season. It was hosted by Steve Harvey and pre-recorded for same day broadcast on FOX. The venue for the show was the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.
The Diablos were the first Ayrton fixtures used by Kusner, a member of 22 Degrees, a lighting design co-op in Los Angeles. He mounted 14 on the balcony rail to backlight the audience and act as a stage wash when crowds filled the set and follow spot traffic was compromised.
“The balcony rail typically holds conventional fixtures,” he said. “The lights we chose had to have a smaller footprint; they couldn’t be over-scale and become an eyesore in the rest of the space.”
Diablo proved to be a perfect fit. “They were the only smaller-scaled instrument with framing shutters to control layering for consistent coverage and to control spill,” Jon said. “The Diablos also have an even field and consistent color temperature.”
The lighting designer was “pleasantly surprised by the intensity of the Diablos based on their scale. Often, smaller lights lose performance but that’s not the case with Diablo. They fit a niche as small, bright, shuttered lights – the perfect tool when you need that combination of features.”
Manchester United Announce Plans to Install Rail Seating at Old Trafford
In an effort to enhance fan safety in a part of the stadium where supporters usually stand, Manchester United have made a proposal to install rail seating for up to 1,500 supporters at Old Trafford.
The club conducted a feasibility study following changes to the Sports Ground Stadium Authority Green Guide.
Minutes from the United fans’ forum on 31 January read: “A formal proposal was made to the local Safety Advisory Group in December 2019 to request a trial in a small section of the stadium (up to 1,500 seats in the north-east quadrant).
“Our belief is that the introduction of rail seating will enhance spectator safety in areas of the stadium where – as with other clubs – we have seen examples of persistent standing.
“The SAG committee is reviewing the request. This is not an automatic approval process. We will discuss the proposal in detail with the relevant authorities and will work through their compliance and review processes.”
Focusrite RedNet an MVP at Super Bowl LIV
The Super Bowl is the biggest American television event of the year. With an estimated 100 million viewers and per-minute advertising costs upwards of $10 million, it's a high-stakes, big-budget event that attracts viewers of all types, with its mix of sports, entertainment and pageantry. All audio aspects of the Super Bowls are the responsibility of ATK Audiotek, who chose Dante-network enabled RedNet gear from Focusrite Pro to manage the complexities of both the game and the entertainment extravaganza of a live stadium concert during halftime.
For 2020’s Super Bowl LIV in the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, two large-scale sound systems were in use – a flown house system and ATK’s field cart system. In addition, ATK provided and operated the substantial backbone of routing equipment and input/output interfaces to patch all the systems together, and allow audio to flow from inputs to mix positions, to amplifiers and speakers, and also to external partners such as broadcast and recording trucks. “That's where having Dante and RedNet comes in to play." said ATK’s Kirk Powell, who led audio production for the event.
Once the structure of the system is plotted out, the preconfiguration was implemented by system designer and FOH mixer for the entertainment aspects of the 2020 Super Bowl, Alex Guessard, in a 50-foot-by-50-foot space in the ATK shop in California. “First, we reset the devices and put the new configuration in them." While requiring a methodical approach for such a complex system, updating firmware, naming channels and making subscriptions on RedNet devices is a straightforward task, thanks to Dante Controller and RedNet Control.
Possibly the most important human aspect to the audio system is the role of Patchmaster, handled for Super Bowl LIV by Luis Montes from a nook in the underbelly of the Hard Rock Stadium. As the central hub of ATK’s network, every home run from each nodes' network switches comes to Montes’s patching world via an overhead bundle of cables as wide as a water main. Montes uses a RedNet AM2 two-channel D-A converter with line-level connections and a headphone output to audibly monitor signals on the network for source verification and quality control.
PixMob lights up the crowd at Super Bowl LIV's halftime show.
PixMob, a Montreal-based wireless lighting company specialized in immersive experiences, lit up the crowd at Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show featuring performances by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. Fans donned the new LED wristband made of recycled plastic to create lighting effects synchronized with the artists’ performance across the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This was PixMob’s second presence at the Halftime Show.
For this occasion, PixMob released its first-ever wristband from recycled material, the latest addition to its fleet of LED wearables. Using the same technology that made the X2 wristband the most popular wearable of PixMob’s lineup, the X2R comprises of a band entirely made of recycled plastic, a first in the industry of audience lighting.
“Using recycled materials to create our products is an important step forward in our plan to make our business operate without single-use plastics,” explains Jean-Olivier Dalphond, President of PixMob.
Nevco bring new Video Display, Scoring and Audio Solution to Reese Stadium
Yale University in New Haven, CT collaborated with Nevco to bring a brand new Video Display, Scoring and Audio Solution to Reese Stadium, which houses four of the Bulldog’s teams including the 2018 NCAA DI Men’s Lacrosse National Champions.
Reese Stadium is one of the finest multi-purpose athletic venues in collegiate athletics, and has been further enhanced by a new Nevco full color, 10mm LED Video Display and Stadium Pro™ 1000 Sound System. The video display stretches over 44’W and stands more than 19’H, offering over 774,000 vibrant pixels to grab the attention of fans and get them on their feet.
At the top of the structure, covertly hidden behind a mesh sound scrim prominently displaying REESE STADIUM sits the Stadium Pro™ 1000 Sound System. The sound system brings the noise, delivering fans a concert-like audio experience audible from every seat in the stadium. From pre-game music, player introductions, and complementary HYPE graphics to support the announcer’s commentary, the new video display, scoring and audio solution will provide an experience not soon to be forgotten by fans.
“We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with Yale to provide such an exceptional upgrade to Reese Stadium,” said Eric Light, Nevco Vice President of Sports Video. “The new video display, Stadium Pro™ Sound System, and scoring upgrades will completely revamp the stadium, bringing a renewed energy to fans attending Bulldogs games.”
Yale University worked with Nevco’s HYPE Creative Services to develop and create numerous custom branded graphics and fan prompts to showcase on the new video display, including logo animations, fan prompts, and more. The Bulldogs will control their video display with the MotionRocket Sports Video Control System Software, allowing for any combination of thrilling live in-game action, instant replays, fan prompts, sponsorship messages, and animated graphics to engage fans and enhance the game-day atmosphere at Reese Stadium.
Daktronics Partners with University of South Carolina for Softball Video Display Installation
When Gamecocks fans return to Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, they’ll be welcomed by a new LED video display from Daktronics. The installation, including a fixed-digit scoreboard, will be completed before the 2020 season on campus in Columbia at the University of South Carolina.
“I’m excited to see the new video board go up,” Gamecocks head coach Beverly Smith said. “I’d like to thank coach (Ray) Tanner and the administration. I think it’s an example of their commitment to a first-class experience for the student-athletes and our fans.”
The new video board features industry-leading through-hole LED technology at 13HD pixel spacing to provide exceptional image clarity and contrast. It will measure 20.5 feet high by 36 feet wide and is capable of live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
Variable content zoning allows the display to show one large image or to be divided into multiple zones to show a variety of content at once. This outdoor display brings industry-leading environmental protection to ensure optimal operation during all forms of weather in South Carolina.
“This new video board will bring a new element of entertainment to Gamecocks softball games at Beckham Field and we’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the University of South Carolina on this project,” said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. “Selecting the 13HD technology for this installation will bring the best game-day experience possible into their venue and we’re looking forward to seeing it engaging and entertaining fans this softball season.”
The installation includes a Daktronics fixed-digit scoreboard providing at-bat, ball, strike, out, inning scores, runs, hits and error information – all the information softball fans expect to see to keep them informed during the game.
OneAV Appoints Ronni Guggenheim as Group CEO and Launches Business-in-a-Box
OneAV, a trade-only Audio Video (AV) technology distributor specializing in connectivity and signal management products for commercial and residential channels, returns to ISE 2020 with a new CEO and a new franchise model for distributors. The innovative “business-in-a-box" model features a plug-and-play, complete business platform enabling smaller AV distributors to become full-fledged OneAV Country Affiliates.
Ronni Guggenheim joins OneAV as CEO, effective immediately. With more than 20 years of executive-level expertise Guggenheim brings extensive AV and channel business leadership experience to OneAV. Guggenheim’s previous role was as General Manager at Atlona, where he spent nearly five years building their global presence and global channel expansion.
Ronni’s first initiative as CEO is the launch of a new business model aimed at morphing smaller AV distributors into OneAV operations. The strategy is designed to disrupt the long-established distribution landscape, which is today dominated by a handful of main players. To be introduced at ISE, OneAV’s new Distribution Franchise Platform offers a complete business-in-a-box, and brings a fresh approach to building an AV distribution business that frees partners to focus on sales, and serving their dealer network and projects.
“Smaller AV distributors compete against a fragmented distribution landscape dominated by a few gorillas with established brands and extensive resources,” said Ronni. “This presents a substantial growth challenge to smaller distributors that lack access to a broad portfolio, a viable online presence, and the financial resources to build end-to-end AV distribution experiences. OneAV brings an innovative vision that eliminates the need to hold inventory, build online stores, or operate an ERP or logistics service. We instead offer a one-stop service and ready-to-go business framework that helps companies build their AV distribution businesses.”
OneAV’s Affiliate Platform will provide distribution partners with access to its broad inventory of AV products and vendors, which includes more than 40 leading brands. The platform will provide distributors with a sophisticated front-end online store, end-to-end logistics, 360-degree marketing, and pre-sales/post-sales support. Advanced and personalized services including product management, dealer trainings and certifications, and business coaching.
Christian Ahrens, OneAV Founder, commented: “Ronni Guggenheim is an exceptional hire for OneAV’s senior leadership team. He was the outstanding candidate best-qualified to execute the next phase of our long-term vision for the company, which includes a focus on international growth, and expanding OneAV’s presence and brand visibility throughout the EMEA and APAC regions.”
Guggenheim spent 10 years at Minicom Digital Signage earlier in his career. As Founder and CEO, he managed and executed a merger with enQii that formed ComQi, which remains a leading global digital signage supplier. As part of growth consulting projects, Guggenheim has also held successful interim CEO and Managing Director roles at Barix, IHSE and Navori, respectively, establishing new business directions, technologies, sales channels, and/or vertical markets for each company.
OneAV Co-Founder Chris Pinder: “We’re excited to have Ronni onboard and to be working with new and ambitious country partners. Our ‘OneAV business-in-a-box’ concept will expedite and accelerate their business development, helping them compete against the industry gorillas that enjoy the majority of the AV distribution market share today.”
‘Spider’ weaves his magic with Ayrton in Warsaw Stadium
Production, lighting and multimedia designer, Pawel ‘Spider’ Pajak, and PERCEPTO [LAB] – the team responsible for creative visual production - were approached by East Eventz, to design and deliver creative solutions for a one-off concert, they chose Ayrton MagicPanel-FX and Khamsin-S fixtures to provide contemporary, densely-coloured and dramatic effects for this very special evening. The two-artist concert featured singer Dawid Podsiadlo and rapper Taco Hemingway, and was the first sold-out gig for Polish artists in the history of Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy Stadium, attracting an attendance of 60,000 people.
The MagicPanel-FX units were hung in four groups of 16 pieces each on separate truss structures run by Kinesys motors and used for various truss looks, both as lighting effects and in combination with the video content as low-res screens.
The Khamsin-S fixtures were rigged on four straight trusses – holding 8 units each - above the stage and also powered by Kinesys motors, from where they were used to produce numerous beam and stage lighting looks based on different truss positions above stage.
A further 12 Khamsin-S fixtures were positioned on the upstage floor to create key looks from behind the band and with the effects being highly visible throughout the show. “They also produced some beautiful silhouettes,” said Pawel.
Pawel said his favourite moments with the MagicPanel-FX were when the ‘banks’ fly in and out and can transform rapidly from lighting fixtures to moving low-resolution screens. “The whole set up of 64 MagicPanel-FXs on four separate truss elements gave me a lot of creativity and were fun to use."
Texas A&M University-Commerce To Welcome New Daktronics Audiovisual System
Texas A&M University-Commerce has partnered with Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, to design, manufacture and install a new video board and sound system at Memorial Stadium/Hawkins Field. The project is set to be completed this spring and will be fully operational for the 2020 football season.
Funding for the project came from a combination of athletics corporate partner revenues, private donations, other athletics surplus revenues, and athletics concession and other revenues from Sodexo, official dining and catering partner for Texas A&M University-Commerce.
“This is a critical next step in a series of necessary capital upgrades for our athletics program,” said Tim McMurray, Texas A&M University-Commerce director of athletics. This upgrade will allow us to dramatically improve our game-day experience for our fans during games and will be a big part of improving our football game presentation to highlight and further connect our student-athletes with our fan base. Our new structure will also be used year-round relative to recruiting, showcasing our Lion Sports Properties partners and enhanced community engagement.”
The new LED display will measure 25.2 feet high by 75.6 feet wide to bring 1,905 square feet of visual real estate to events held at the stadium. The LED portion of the scoreboard will feature a 15HD pixel layout, the premier technology for outdoor sports.
The new display will be located in the north end of Memorial Stadium, adjacent to the sparkling new Lion Football Champions Center, set to open in February. The new board will be capable of variable content zoning which allows it to show one large image or multiple different zones of content at the same time. It can feature live video, instant replays, statistics and game information, graphics and animations, sponsor messages, or any combination thereof.
Daktronics will also be including its powerful Show Control System with this installation. This industry-leading system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a user-friendly production solution.