Clair Brothers Rides Success at Moto DP
Clair Brothers new distribution partner in Spain, VTècnics, recently upgraded its touring P.A. to the new C12 system immediately following a decision to partner with the loudspeaker specialist.
VTècnics, which offer products and services in sound, lighting, projection and full-scale musical production, utilised Clair Brothers C12 as its main P.A., putting it to the test at the Moto Grand Prix World Championship.
Juan Carlos Álvarez, VTècnics stage systems engineer, explained: “We’re honored to have been selected for the 2017 celebration of the winner of the Moto GP championship, rider Marc Marquez from our home country of Spain.
“Events like this come with unique challenges, and it’s always best when our equipment works at the height of its potential. Which is what the C12 does – like a champion.”
For the event celebration, VTècnics hung four C12 speakers on each side of the stage, three of which with a 90º horizontal coverage pattern and the fourth bottom speaker at 120º. The audience area was not so large but was crowded with thousands of Marc Marquez fans and their noisy motorbikes, so for additional coverage in an effort to further overcome the background din, two Clair Brothers iS218s were positioned under the C12s on both sides.
The Moto GP promoter and its attendees were more than pleased. While attendees celebrated their new champion, and hung on every word he said, the promoter was provided with necessary peace of mind in knowing that VTècnics, with its reputation for always bringing their A game, would do just that. And they did, with Clair Brothers doing the same.
NanoLumens Wins Big
NanoLumens, creator of LED visualisation solutions, has announced its installation at the Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia as the winner of the 2018 Digital Signage Award in the category of Music, Sports & Entertainment.
The company also announced that its Toronto Pearson International Airport installation received High Commendation in the Transportation category in Amsterdam at an ISE 2018 ceremony done in collaboration with the Invidis Digital Signage Summit.
“We are honoured to be recognised by this very discerning panel of industry experts,” NanoLumens Vice President of Global Marketing Joe’ Lloyd commented. “We are equally proud of the four other NanoLumens installations that were named finalists this year in the categories of Overall Excellence, Content & Creativity, Education & Healthcare and Transportation. Each and every day our dedicated team of LED visionaries strives to exceed the highest aspirations of our customers. These awards are a testament to our ability to live up to our customers’ creative imaginations.”
Absen Scores National Football Stadium
With a capacity of over 18,000, the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast is one of the UK’s largest venues, playing host to national and international football matches, with Absen Europe called upon to supply its XD10 LED display solution – and share all the detail in HD.
Systems integrator Ashleigh Signs was engaged by the Irish Football Association following an open tender process to implement a digital display solution at the newly renovated stadium. Absen delivered a solution which would have the capability to offer replays of key action, live match feeds, stadium updates, commercial advertising opportunities and an overall better experience for visitors to the stadium.
The Irish Football Association decided on Absen’s XD10 LED display screen having evaluated the key features and benefits offered by the product. As Thomas Fulton, Senior ICT Manager at the Irish Football Association, explained: “The XD10 from Absen offers a high definition image and high brightness, together with an intuitive content management and replay feature on the back end – which for us, was exactly the all-round high-end solution we were looking for.”
Boasting a 10mm pixel pitch, 6000nits of brightness and 120 degrees of horizontal viewing angle, the XD10 offers real-time monitoring from PC, tablets and smartphones, giving the user complete control locally or remotely. With a panel thickness of 106mm and weighing 21kg, the Absen XD10 is thin and light, saving on installation space where it is at a premium, and making delivery and installation convenient and easy. Front and rear servicing make the IP65/54 waterproof module easily accessible for maintenance.
While the XD10’s product specification meant it could clearly deliver against the original brief in terms of end user benefits, a number of its key features also helped the Ashleigh Signs team to overcome challenges on site during the installation process. Space restrictions around the perimeter of the football pitch meant that regular access equipment could not be used, and scaffolding was the only solution. Weighting 20% less than traditional panels, and with a depth that is also typically 1/3 thinner, the XD10 cabinets ensured a fast and successful installation.
“The cabinet depth and weight were key considerations in finding the right display solution for the stadium. With good saturation in the marketplace and a strong price point given the quality on offer, the XD10 clearly stood out as the product of choice from every angle,” elaborated Tom Sadler, Digital Signage Division at Ashleigh Signs, who oversaw the project on site. “What’s more, working with Absen throughout the project was a pleasure. From sales right through to service, every team was skilled, knowledgeable and prompt in getting the necessary information to us and offering support with the product."
The 43sqm Absen XD10 screen was deployed in an 8.96m wide by 4.8m high configuration. Reinstatement of the cladding around the screen allowed it to tie in seamlessly with the stadium’s overall aesthetics. The content is delivered to the screen by Goalsport Mini – an intuitive and user friendly system by Czech firm Daite.
“We are 100% satisfied with the XD10 and it really has exceeded our expectations. Being able to control the screen device, locally or remotely, is a great feature and allows us to add and control content at short notice if and when required. Not only that, but it fits beautifully into our stadium environment – we’ve had fantastic feedback from visitors and it is now used not only for the football, but for other events we have taking place throughout the year. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to anyone looking for a similar solution,” noted Thomas.
Ross Burling, Absen Europe’s business development manager for UK, Ireland and Nordics, concluded: “We excel in working alongside trusted systems integration partners such as Ashleigh Signs to deliver a bespoke solution for every client’s needs. With our proven performance and reliability in the sports market and compatibility with sports content management systems, all at an unrivalled price point, our products are a great fit for major projects such as this. The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park is an impressive, unique venue and we are proud that the XD10 now sits at the heart of the stadium, adding value and enhancing the experience for the hundreds of thousands of fans who live and breathe the game.”
Bexel Orders PHABRIX Analyser/Generators
PHABRIX has announced that NEP broadcast services company, Bexel, has ordered 31 PHABRIX Sx portable HD/SD analyser/generators; including six Sx TAG analyser/generators and 25 SxE units with eye jitter analysis, for use during the busy winter sports season.
This test and measurement equipment will be used for quality control and troubleshooting by engineers in the field and studio this winter. PHABRIX's Sales and Operations Director, Martin Mulligan commented: "Ensuring video quality is absolutely essential for high-profile live sports productions. Our Sx range offers engineers a high level of mobility, as well as the advanced diagnostic toolset needed to address urgent video and audio quality issues."
The ultra-compact Sx test and measurement range offers advanced capabilities including: hybrid IP/SDI performance (Sx TAG), physical layer testing (SxE), proven rugged design and ease of use.
In addition to handling 3G/HD/SD-SDI, optical SDI, HDMI, and analogue formats, the Sx series supports ST 2022-6 and, in an upcoming software release, ST 2110 encapsulation/decapsulation.
Designed for fault-finding and compliance testing, the Sx range can also be used in remote locations with monitoring over a network. The diagnostic toolset includes a multi-format waveform, vectorscope, and video and 16-channel audio monitoring.
An intuitive, colour-coded interface speeds testing workflows, and operation with mains or battery power provides versatility on the move.
www.phabrix.com / www.bexel.com
Pyeongchang 2018 Utilises K-array
Gangneung Ice Arena, built as a venue for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics' figure skating and short track speed skating competitions, has a seating capacity of 12,000; housing two 60m x 30m ice rinks for competition and training.
The Olympic organisers needed an audio system that was precise and powerful for both the audience and athletes. Step forward South Korean-based distributors, Soundus, drafted in to provide a speaker with coverage.
Soundus designed a system of K-array Python-KP52 line arrays, chosen for its maximum clarity and definition, and ability to provide continuous, even coverage. The Python-KP52 has no crossover points in the voice range and no reflex ports. Only the closely-spaced, full-range 3-inch identical sound sources are responsible for the Python's line array characteristics.
56 K-array Python line arrays were installed horizontally throughout the bleachers for spectators with accurate audio, without obstructing the view of the competitions. A spokesperson for the Olympic organisers commented: "The sound is better than ever and we are really pleased with the result."
www.k-array.com / www.soundus.co.kr
IBASE Partners Quividi
Manufacturer of application specific, industrial embedded computing platforms, IBASE Technology and Quividi, provider of audience analytics in digital signage, has announced its partnership.
Quividi provide privacy protecting computer-vision technology, which allows screen networks, retailers, and brands measure and classify their audience, and understand the performance of their content.
For every screen and message - the system determines in real time - the number of viewers, broken down by demographics, facial attributes and mood, and the viewers attention time.
Retailers and brands can also design customer-engaging experiences by contextually triggering content against Quividi's real-time analytics, and benefit from Quividi’s new AI algorithm that dynamically optimises creatives for the most impactful audience engagement.
A number of IBASE players have been officially tested by Quividi, including the 3x 4K UHD SI-613- QT, ensuring full capability of running Quividi's VidiReports 6.x software in a single screen/ single camera mode, as well as in a dual screen / dual camera mode.
www.ibase.com.tw / www.quividi.com
RTS Turns 2018 Winter Games Provider
NBC Olympics, a division of the NBC Sports Group, has selected RTS Intercoms Systems to provide broadcast intercom systems for its production of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, which take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on February 9-25 2018.
As per an announcement, made by John Pastore, Director of Broadcast Communications, NBC Sports and Olympics, and Denis Castanet, Director Global Product Management, RTS.
“There are very few TV shows or live sports event productions with more overall communications complexity than an Olympic Winter Games,” said Pastore. “RTS continues to provide NBC Olympics with the comprehensive needs of our project. We are very happy to be working with their products and support, to make our coverage of the PyeongChang Games a total success.
“We are honoured that RTS continues to be NBC’s trusted brand for broadcasting the world’s largest sporting events,” said Castanet. “Our long-standing partnership with the NBC team continues to evolve with our latest innovations in intercom technology. The RTS equipment list for NBC’s Olympics coverage in PyeongChang includes OMNEO, RVON, IP Trunking, ADAM intercom matrices, and intercom panels – all working together to provide seamless communications, exceptional efficiency and flexibility for their production personnel, in studio and on site.”
Russia 2018: Volgograd Nearing the Finish Line
The new stadium in Volgograd is in the last few weeks of preparations. Low current electric installation works are still ongoing. The installation involves installing lights and sockets in 2,000 rooms across the complex.
In the upcoming weeks, the under-soil heating will be installed, to keep the field in good condition throughout late winter and into spring for the 2018 World Cup games
Significant work is yet to be done around the stadium. Pathways leading fans to the pentagonal ramp - surrounding all stands - need to be created and a significant amount of landscaping is left for March, when grass and shrubs can grow better.
The general contractor, Stroytransgaz, confirmed that the stadium received a positive evaluation from federal body, Glavkozekspertiza, keeping track of major projects in terms of compliance with regulations and documentation.
The new Volgograd stadium will hold 45,000 people once opened later this year. During the 2018 World Cup it will host four group games, later becoming the home of FK Rotor Volgograd.
L-Acoustics K2 Sounds Alamodome
The Alamodome, the City of San Antonio’s huge 65,000-seat multipurpose facility, is tasked with doing it all: it’s used to host football, basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball and other events. But over the years, the sound requirements for contemporary collegiate and professional sports have only increased as the venue’s original sound system, installed when it opened in 1993, was close to running on empty.
As part of a recent $60 million renovation project to modernise the venerable venue and make it more competitive with other top North American stadiums, the City of San Antonio called upon Dallas-based technology design firm Idibri to design a new sound system that would bring the Alamodome’s aural experience into the 21st century. Idibri’s primary objective was to deliver the high impact, high SPL and enhanced intelligibility now required in modern sports, including the raucous NCAA Final Four games, which will be played there in the spring of 2018 for the first time in 20 years.
Only one PA system was deemed capable of truly meeting all of the facility’s diverse and intense needs: the L-Acoustics K2. Installed by LD Systems’ integration division, the new system is now composed of 76 K2 boxes and a dozen KS28 subwoofers powered by LA8 and LA12AX amplified controllers, with fill support from X8 coaxials on the club level.
“The Alamodome is a huge venue with some very real acoustical challenges, but you still want to give every seat the same great experience,” said Ray Givens, Sales Engineer and Project Manager for LD Systems, on the Alamodome sound system renovation. “The K2 lets us get excellent coverage and meet the SPL requirements of every game, including the Final Four—which will get really loud—without sacrificing speech intelligibility.
L-Acoustics sound systems has gained significant traction in sports venues in recent years, with new systems recently installed by LD Systems in the AT&T Center and Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio and Toyota Center in Houston.
“L-Acoustics is developing the same kind of reputation in sports venues as it has in live music,” says Givens. “It puts the sound right in front of the fans in the stands, no matter where they’re sitting. Upper bowl or lower bowl, you don’t feel like the sound is coming from some distant place. It puts you right up close.”
Ryan Knox, senior consultant at Idibri, points out that the Alamodome’s new sound system designs began with modelling in L-Acoustics’ Soundvision, the first 3D sound system design program capable of operating in real time. Beyond the main K2/KS28 arrays, the design was able to determine precise locations for the X12, X8 and 5XT speakers used to cover the under-balcony and suites areas, as well as hang points for any additional speakers needed for the Final Four and touring concert setups.
“The Final Four is unique in that it will bring in additional seating for the games,” continued Knox. “But the K2 will cover that with the exception of a few small gaps that will be easily addressed with a few additional speakers. The K2 covers everything else all the time, including even the suites areas, which had been an issue in the past. And we had excellent support from L-Acoustics’ team in terms of product delivery, design support and system commissioning. The K2 meets every expectation, and then some.”
www.alamodome.com / www.idibri.com / www.ldsystems.com
Outline Launches Arena Series
Following on from the Stadia Series of loudspeakers (designed for permanent outdoor installation), Outline has announced the launch of a complimentary range at Integrated Systems Europe 2018 - the Arena Series.
Stadia Series products have already featured in major stadium installations at Ekaterinburg in Russia and the Italian Zaccheria Stadium; their combination of weather resistance and controlled power providing a perfect solution for the demands of large-scale sports venue audio. The Arena Series extends that family while also providing a down-scaled solution for smaller projects.
Featuring the same ‘OutSide’ Coating Technology, the 3-layer elastoplastic weatherproof protection as their larger siblings, Arena Series enclosures integrate into stadium installations with Stadia Series units, providing audio throughout areas not covered by the main system. They also provide extremely effective multi-purpose solutions in any application where high quality audio needs to be distributed around outdoor areas, such as theme parks, leisure facilities, tourist attractions and public spaces.
The Arena Series comprises 2 models, the 215 CX and the 212 CX. Both reproduce high-intelligibility full-range audio, the former from a 15inch LF transducer and a 15inch mid-low driver incorporating a co-axial 3inch diaphragm HF compression driver, mounted on Outline’s proprietary moulded waveguide. The 212 CX uses the same acoustic design but is fitted with 12inch LF driver and 12inch / 3inch co-axial transducer, providing a smaller and lighter option.
Both designs are configured as ‘two-and-a-half’ way systems both electrically and acoustically and both models deliver audio performance that approaches a 3-way design with extended low frequency. Better still, thanks to Outline’s exclusive internal crossover designs, both models can be driven by a single channel of amplification which adds cost-efficiency.
Outline also launched their new STSUB-215 at ISE. This is the the companion subwoofer for Stadia Series, featuring the same ‘OutSide’ weatherproofing system and extending the applicational usefulness of the Stadia Series still further. Finally, visitors to the Outline stand were able to visit ‘Newton Corner’, an area dedicated exclusively to demos of the new Newton processor.