Linea Research Amplifiers Impressive at Elon University Schar Centre
Elon University has recently opened the all-new Schar Centre which serves as the new home for Elon Phoenix basketball and volleyball and a centre for major campus events. Audio & Light, designed and installed the AV systems for this beautiful and extensive new facility, including a state-of-the-art sound system in the 160,000 square-foot, 5,100-seat arena that relies on Linea Research power amplifiers.
Audio & Light Installation Division Vice President Brian Cox, who designed the Schar Centre AV systems explained: “This is the first time we have spec’d or used Linea Research amplifiers, and so far, they have been very impressive, we’ve been impressed with Linea Research amps’ DSP capability and ability to do all of our speaker processing in the amplifier per channel—and the power output is incredible.”
To ensure that quality, Brian designed a Dante system featuring high-end Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers driven by Linea Research 88C10 and 44C20 power amplifiers and networked with Symetrix Edge DSPs.
Brian added: “The main sound system over the court, covering the seating area, consists of 24 Fulcrum Acoustic AH96-FP ‘full passive’ loudspeakers, configured as eight arrays of three loudspeakers each, each of those arrays also includes a Fulcrum Acoustic CS121 subwoofer, for a total of eight CS121s. On the north side, the seats go up much higher so we installed five Fulcrum DX1295-FP fill speakers. On the east and west ends of the arena, on the concourse, are seating that’s shaded from the main system, so each end is filled with six Fulcrum Acoustic GX1295s. That requires a total of 40 amplifier channels for the mains and fills and 8 channels for the subwoofers.”
Five 8-channel Linea Research 88C10 power amplifiers drive the 40 channels of mains and fills, while a pair of 4-channel Linea Research 44C20 amps drive the 8 subwoofers. A sixth Linea Research 88C10 is kept in the rack, unpowered, as an emergency spare.
Brian said: “Using the full passive loudspeakers was made possible by the Linea Research amplifiers, Fulcrum Acoustic speakers work extremely well with Linea amplifiers. The Linea Research amps’ built-in DSP gave us the ability to process the limiting by frequency, rather than just limiting by level. They can close down on high-frequency damage before it happens, without having to worry about the low frequencies.”
Linea Research 88C10 and 44C20 power amps fully integrate 96 kHz DSP with algorithms designed in-house at Linea. Users can create custom FIR filter sets on each channel with up to 384 taps at 48kHz resolution, or 768 taps at 96kHz. Linea Research amps boast Level 1 compatibility when used with Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers.
Rik Kirby, President of Allied Professional Technologies, Linea Research’s US distributor explained: “This was one of our first projects using Fulcrum Acoustic Level 1 presets, this compatibility has been proving very popular, and the end result sounds great. And Fulcrum Acoustic have been able to implement Linea’s Virtual Crossover (VX) Limiter, allowing them to limit LF and HF separately despite using a passive crossover in a mid-high device.”
Brian said: “We wanted this to be a Dante digital system so we could make it as flexible as possible, the Linea amplifiers come with an option for Dante I/O, and they work very well with the Symetrix Edge DSPs. We have one Edge for arena processing, one for auxiliary area processing in other parts of the Schar Centre, and a third Edge for routing and switching. The Linea amplifiers have three network ports: one for control and the primary and secondary Dante ports. The Symetrix DSPs, Linea Research amplifiers, and Fulcrum Acoustic speakers have so far worked together flawlessly.”
When deciding on Linea Research amplifiers, Brian considered multiple factors, he added: “We looked at other brands but anything else that had Dante didn’t have enough DSP horsepower, and the Linea Research amplifiers’ power-to-size ratio and output capabilities are among the best on the market. To go with another brand, we probably would have ended up with more external DSP power and larger amplifiers with more heat load. And programming the Linea Research DSP was easy; we had the amplifiers updated, loaded, and ready to go and passing audio in one morning.”
Audio input for the arena system is through a Yamaha TF1 16-channel mixer with a NY64-D Dante I/O card. The mixer rolls out in a mobile cart, which includes a headset and computer inputs, providing a complete solution that can be located at the scorer’s table for sporting events. Floor pockets enable the mixer to send Dante audio to the network.
Brian concluded: “The arena opened with a women’s volleyball game on 28 August, and the sound system did a really good job. The Linea Research amplifiers’ sonic performance so far seems to be above everything else. Everybody here is very happy.”
Robe Illuminates the CAC Games
The Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Central Americana & Caribbean Games, Colombia included nearly 200 Robe moving lights.
LD John J Orduña Sarmiento was part of a highly talented team involved in the show’s technical production, for which lighting equipment - including all the Robe fixtures - was supplied by leading Colombian rental company, Línea Estratégica based in Medellin.
For John Orduña the challenges in lighting the show were making it big, bold and dazzling to meet everyone’s expectations. He had to ensure that there was minimal lighting spillage onto the pitch that might interfere with the projections, whilst crafting dynamic lighting environments for all the various individual artists plus the show cast on the pitch.
John explained: “There was only one option for a project like this, to use Robe, I think Robe has concentrated on manufacturing some of the finest fixtures on the market today"
John specified 40 Robe MegaPointes, 80 Robe Spiiders and 56 x BMFL WashBeams to assist in this ambitious task, and these became the core element of his show.
All 40 Robe MegaPointes and 38 of the Robe Spiiders were deployed on the stage. Plus 42 Robe Spiiders were positioned all around the soccer pitch and used for low-level washes and to pick out the cast/dancers, joined by 24 x BMFL WashBeams as this was an ideal position for providing precisely shuttered lighting on the performers whilst keepthe ing light off the pitch.
The other 36 Robe BMFL WashBeams were rigged around the stadium roof where they had great impact piercing the night sky and throwing high definition gobos and texturing down onto the pitch.
He explained: “I was absolutely really blown away by the MegaPointe – super impressed by its power, the zoom and the lovely bright colours. The versatility of the fixture is incredible it really is equally good in quality and functionality as a spot, beam or wash fixture."
For this show, it was essential to have a very bright fixture with a framing system. With many lighting positions 80 - 100 ft away from the stage and the cast action in the centre of the field-of-play, they needed both serious lumens on one hand and accuracy on the other.
John added: “Locating the BMFL WashBeams around the soccer field like this and having that controllability, we could easily achieve the all-important light levels needed for it to look great on TV."
Service Solutions Brings the Gold to Brooks PR Invitational
Service Solutions Audio Visual, Washington, provided an Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) Adaptive sound reinforcement system to back up Brooks PR Invitational, a running event which draws over 1,500 participants and fans.
Cristian Krumbah, account executive for Service Solutions AV explained: “This is a full day event that has us rolling in loudspeakers and full video at 7 a.m. and heading home around 10 pm, this year we utilised our new Anna system for complete 180-degree coverage in the stadium, which minimised set-up time considerably.”
Cristian and his team hung the Anna arrays from a truss arch that was 20-feet tall, 10-feet wide and located near the 50-yard line. They left-right arrays – each made up of two columns of six Anna – hung side-by-side to provide the clarity and quality the event requires. FOH was located up in the crow’s nest, also at the 50-yard line.
Cristian added: “The stadium only has seating on one side, so the goal was to blanket the fans while also covering the far ends where the athletes started and/or ended their races, the system was for awards, announcements and video bumps between each race.”
Service Solutions AV opened their doors in 2000 as a hotel AV supplier and has grown into one of the larger AV production houses in the northwest, with aspirations to expand further in the future.
Cristian concluded: “The addition of the Adaptive Anna system provides us with the flexibility to create larger productions for clients like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, allowing us to build on our rock-solid foundation, It’s exciting to see what Anna can do, I’m positive the system will add substantially to our business.”
Tennessee Tech Adds Daktronics LED Displays and Sound System at Tucker Stadium
Tucker Stadium, Tennessee Tech University, has new LED displays engineered and installed by Daktronics. The company will implement a new sound system to add to the game-day experience at the stadium. Installations will be revealed when the football team kick off their home schedule Thursday, 8 September.
Mark Wilson, Tennessee Tech Director of Athletics explained: “The game-day experience for Golden Eagle fans will be enhanced significantly with the video and audio system from Daktronics, I appreciate the work of everyone involved in this project and share the excitement of our student-athletes, coaches, recruits and fans.”
The new end zone display will measure 30 feet high by 80 feet wide and an upper ribbon-style display mounted above the end zone display will measure 5 feet high by 83 feet wide. Both displays will feature 16-millimetre line spacing to bring excellent image clarity and contrast to fans throughout the seating bowl of the stadium.
Kyle Adams, Daktronics region manager said: “We are excited for Tennessee Tech to unveil the new system this fall at Tucker Stadium, It will be a very dynamic addition to the stadium and the fans all over Tennessee will be able to enjoy it for years to come.”
The main display is capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or to be divided into multiple windows. It can show any combination of live video, instant replays, statistics and game information, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
A custom outdoor audio system will be integrated with the video and scoring system at Tucker Stadium. It will provide full-range sound reproduction and deliver clear and intelligible speech for a powerful audio experience. Fixed-digit scoreboards are included in the installation to ensure fans receive all the pertinent game-day statistics they expect throughout the game. Locker room clocks are also being installed to keep players and coaches informed while away from the field.
Quince Imaging and Christie Rally Fans at Capital One Arena with Dual-Sport Projection System
Monumental Sports and Entertainment chose Quince Imaging to install a dual-sport projection system with the help of Christie technology.
MSE Senior Vice President of Marketing, Hunter Lochmann explained: “With an arena renovation coming up, our goal was to enhance the fan experience and we have always had the projection system at the top of our list." With both the Wizards and Capitals having tremendous seasons, Monumental decided to temporarily install the system for the playoffs, and permanently install it during the off-season.
The system had to be dual-sport , capable to projection map on ice for the Capitals and on the hardwood court for the Wizards and adjust to the different size of each surface. It also had to be turnkey and include the projection technology, content and 3D visuals.
Eric Gazzillo, Producer, Quince Imaging said: “Monumental Sports wanted to have not only a permanent installation, but they also wanted to have something immediately for the playoffs. And that’s something we’re uniquely capable of doing: quickly installing a rental system of 12 Christie Boxer 4K30 for the playoff run for the Capitals and the Wizards, while working with them longer term on the permanent installation coming up this fall.”
In addition to the Christie projectors, Quince also used Christie Pandoras Box with Widget Designer, Christie Mystique Install Pro Venue Edition and Christie Terra.
Eric added: "When you go from hockey to basketball – say we’re just doing a basketball set up, we want to make sure the court is 4K resolution. When we go to hockey, and you think about just cropping down to basketball, you lose a lot of that resolution. So to avoid that, we’re running all of the Boxer 4Ks at their native 4K resolution and we’re using Terra to make sure that the signal is uncompressed 4K all the way through. So when we shrink down to the much smaller surface of the court, we’re still getting the full 4K resolution on the court thanks to Terra.”
Quince Imaging also used Widget Designer to connect to the scoreboards and ribbons with the projection mapping content on the ice or court for a content “takeover” of the entire arena with a single button push. Also with a single click, Christie Mystique Install automatically warps, blends and aligns the content across all 12 projectors in a matter of minutes to ensure that the system is always perfectly calibrated and game-ready, eliminating the need for labour and several hours of dark time to manually adjust the system.
Hunter concluded: “Feedback from both teams on the projection was tremendous, especially with the Stanley Cup win by the Capitals, we were very happy with all of our 3D capabilities during the playoffs, including the Christie solutions.”
Daktronics Provides New LED Display System For Crown Coliseum
Daktronics, South Dakota, has announced a full LED display project with Crown Coliseum, a multi-use facility in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The company designed and installed new centrehung video displays and ribbon displays for the facility in 2018.
Spectra Venue Management’s Jim Grafstrom, general manager of the Crown Complex said: “We are beyond excited to provide our patrons with a boosted event-day experience through state-of-the-art technology, these enhancements will quickly become the focal point of the venue and will benefit all users from our tenant sports teams to conferences, concerts and exposition-style functions.”
On the new four-sided centrehung, each of the four LED video displays measures 9 feet high by 16.5 feet wide and features tight 6-millimetre line spacing to deliver crisp, clear images to fans in every seat. Each display is capable of variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image or to be divided into multiple sections to share any combination of live video, instant replay, game information and statistics, graphics and animation, and sponsorship messages.
Circling the top of the centrehung is a ring display measuring 2 feet high by 85 feet in circumference. Likewise, circling the bottom of the centrehung is a display measuring 2 feet high by 56 feet in circumference. These displays feature 10-millimetre line spacing to provide graphics and animations supplemental to the main displays.
“Daktronics is thrilled to be a part of this great project as the new centrehung and ribbon displays will transform the atmosphere of the Crown Coliseum,” said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. “Our partnership with this great facility extends back to when the building first opened. We’re excited to be able to build upon our relationship while helping them to enhance the fan experience on game day.”
Along the seating fascia in the coliseum, four new ribbon displays were installed. Each display measures 2.5 feet high and features 15-millimetre line spacing. They vary to include 115, 138, 167 and 198 feet in length. These displays provide the opportunity to show supplemental statistics and graphics while also highlighting sponsors throughout events.
Daktronics also included 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. For more information on Show Control.
In addition to the equipment installation, Crown Coliseum will also receive a content package that will be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services.
Daktronics Partners With Business Bank Arena For LED Centrehung Display
Daktronics , South Dakota, has partnered with Citizens Business Bank Arena to design, manufacture and install a new centrehung LED display system inside their venue in Ontario, California, this fall.
Michael K. Krouse, President & CEO explained: “We sent a survey to our ticket buyers, and we review and take seriously all comments from our guests, with our existing centrehung being 10 years old, we made arrangements to bring a new scoreboard to Citizens Business Bank Arena in 2018, not only our sporting competitions will be seen with better clarity, but our graduation ceremonies will benefit from this brand-new large LED screen board.”
Four main video displays will create the square-shaped centrehung system. Each main display will measure 11.5 feet high by 21 feet wide to bring larger-than-life imagery to fans in every seat. Connecting the corners of the main displays will be four wedge-shaped displays, each measuring 11.5 feet high by 3 feet wide. Four displays form a ring round the configuration, each measuring 2 feet high by 21 feet wide.
All of these displays feature a tight 6-millimetre line spacing to bring increased resolution and image quality to viewers at every event.
Robin Hall, Daktronics regional manager said: “We have worked with Citizens Business Bank Arena since it opened in 2008, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to continue to partner with them for their upgraded centrehung video display system, the fans will benefit from larger displays with LED corners to improve their overall experience. Citizens Business Bank Arena home teams and their partners will have a greater inventory and opportunity for their promotions as well.”
The main displays are capable of variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image or to be divided into multiple zones to show any combination of live video, instant replay, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
Daktronics LED video and messaging display technology offers a long lifetime with consistent, industry-leading performance and low power consumption, providing value and excitement for years to come.
AV Integrated Systems Expo Debut Announced For Mumbai 2019
AV Integrated Systems Expo will debut in Mumbai from 30 May – 1 June, 2019 at the Nesco trade fair grounds. India is one of the largest audiovisual integration markets in the world.
AV Integrated Systems are being deployed across sectors experiencing robust growth, chiefly education and hospitality.
Investment into AV networking is massive in the corporate sector, which is redefining the Indian economy as an IT powerhouse. ITE one of the world’s leading trade exhibition organisers in association with ABEC is responding to the AV industry demand to create a meaningful platform closely connected with AV product distribution in India.
Manish Gandhi, COO, ITE/ABEC explained: “We are determined to establish AV Integrated Systems Expo which Indian AV industry expressed urgent need for a cost-effective, market driven AV platform, which will deliver business. Our performance is proven with the tremendous contribution of the PALM expo to the pro audio industry. Our commitment and investment to connect AV manufacturers and distributors with Systems Integrators (SI) and AV consultants will establish AV-ISE in 2019 in its first edition.”
AV Integrated Systems Expo will comprise the CAVS – Certified AV Specialist education, AV tech tour, AV Project Buyer Connect Programme. Latest technologies in audio video integration and communications technologies, networking on IP, laser projection, interactive displays and intelligent audio are among the range of AV equipment that will be showcased by leading brands at the show in 2019.
AV Integrated Systems expo is an independent expo in Hall 3 at the Nesco grounds. Highlight Features at the show include LED Cinema Screen and Surround Sound Experience and 3D Projection Mapping.
Arena Expands Lee Valley for Hockey Women's World Cup
Turnkey event company, Arena Group designed and installed temporary infrastructure for the 14th edition of the Women's Hockey World Cup, hosted at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
The venue capacity was transformed with the addition of two temporary grandstands, which included bespoke structures that tripled the seating capacity to match the increased ticketing demands of the event.
Commenting on Arena’s contribution, England Hockey CEO Sally Munday commented: “The team has done a great job for us, with a challenging build at one end. We would have no hesitation in using Arena again or in recommending them to others.”
Arena Project Director Terry Smith said: “Delivering this world-class temporary stadium is the culmination of a four-year collaboration leading up to this World Cup. This long-term approach really allowed us to find the best solution and make the most of the clients’ budget.”
Terry continued: “We designed and installed a custom fit configuration that created a temporary stadium giving every member of the audience a fantastic view of the action. It was important that we increased the capacity of the venue using temporary grandstands and infrastructure with a cost-effective solution. This is an ideal model for venues that host regular events with smaller audiences that need to drastically increase their capacity for specific events. This is a challenge Arena takes in its stride and relishes.”
Despite the challenging hot weather conditions, remarkably, the temporary stadia took only a month to build with Arena’s Graham Bowman as site manager overseeing a crew of between 20 and 30 highly skilled Arena staff. The impressive stadium was a result of a four-year working contract between England Hockey and Arena.
Both parties, along with CSM Live and Lee Valley grew and learnt about the needs of the event and venue as they worked together on tournaments such as the European Hockey Championship and the Investec Hockey Cup.
Arena Group was proud to supply the BT Sport TV studio, video screen support structures, accessible viewing platforms, camera platforms and broadcast cable bridges to ensure the venue was pristine for the media attention the event would bring.
Sally Munday concluded: “Arena have been world class in supporting us in delivering a stadium befitting a memorable World Cup for the fans and players. Terry and the team brought us the experience and expertise that gave us confidence at all times and supported in the delivery of a highly successful Women’s Hockey World Cup event that will be remembered for years to come!”
Daktronics Dazzles Sames Auto Arena
A large centrehung display is in place at Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas, manufactured and designed by Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota.
Five separate displays comprise the recently installed centrehung to show clips of game day action while entertaining and informing fans.
Juan Mendiola, Interim General Manager of the SMG–managed Sames Auto Arena said: “This high-tech installation will play stunning visuals during events while engaging and informing our customers.
“This is a new technological addition to the arena that compliments the digital marquee on the corner of Jacaman Rd. and Loop 20.”
Four main LED video displays measure 12.5 feet tall by 17 feet wide to create the square-shaped centrehung configuration. Each display features 6-millimetre line spacing for sharp imagery and excellent contrast to bring highlights and game information to every seat in the arena.
An LED ring display encircles the bottom of the configuration and features 15-millimetre line spacing. It measures 2 feet high by 53 feet in circumference to show additional statistics, sponsors information and graphics, complementary to the main screens’ content.
Dan Fjeldheim, Daktronics sales representative explained: “Daktronics is honoured to continue our relationship with the Sames Auto Arena and the City of Laredo, Texas.
“We appreciate the repeat business and the confidence they have in Daktronics to provide the highest quality LED display system available in the industry.”
The main LED video displays are capable of variable content zoning, allowing them to show one large image or be divided into multiple zones to show any combination of live video, instant replays, game information, animations and sponsorship messages.
The new centrehung configuration replaces a Daktronics installation from 2005. The project adds to a Daktronics marquee display installed in 2015 used to promote upcoming events at the facility.
Sames Auto Arena will receive a bank of hours for the creation of digital content to be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services at the request of the venue.
Daktronics LED video and messaging display technology offers a long life with consistent, industry-leading performance and low power consumption, providing value and excitement for years to come.