Canada - CAST Software has announced that Ubisense, with offices worldwide, is the latest partner to BlackBox, providing rapid response real time location detection to the product. Ubisense specialises in precise realtime location systems, tracking people and assets.

Ubisense provides BlackBox the live precise location of moving objects and people needed to automatically direct lighting and sound equipment with zero latency. The technology of Ubisense begins with antenna sensors, which 'hear' the active tag and compute its exact location through a combination of time difference of arrival (TDOA or triangulation) and angle of arrival (AOA). This object can be anything from a live performer to a scenery piece.

Through Ubisense, BlackBox processes a constant stream of exact 3D locations needed to control movement of sound and lighting equipment automatically. This Ubisense system

UK - Royal Philips Electronics' LED based lighting solutions have contributed to the overall reduction in energy consumption on Radiohead's latest tour. Value added reseller, Architainment, supplied a variety of LED systems advocating Radiohead's keen commitment to environmental responsibility.

Andi Watson, creative director for the In Rainbowstour, explains: "Doing away with conventional lighting on set was a massive leap of faith for us. Of course our concerts are all about delivering the music but the fans expect a visual spectacle as well. At the same time, we can't just pollute the atmosphere merely for effect."

Watson continues: "Having put the LED equipment through its paces we were convinced it was the right way to go. To be honest, not having a single discharge or incandescent lamp in the design has set a new benchmark for us."

Always open

UK - Amidst the challenges of a worldwide recession, theatre consultancy Charcoalblue is bucking prevailing economic trends and expanding. The company has complemented its already diverse repertoire of employees with the welcome addition of four new consultants - James Thomas, Sonya Flynn, Chris Daniel and Ben Hanson.

Each brings their own unique specialist skills to the design table. James Thomas specialises in auditorium design and theatre planning, with emphasis on feasibility studies, concept and detail design. He brings 13 years experience as a qualified Architect and has worked at Fosters, Make and Thomas Heatherwick. Whilst at Foster and Partners he was part of the winning team for the Lincoln Centre New York.

Sonya Flynn's focus is on the planning aspects of theatre design. She brings nine years experience in architecture having worked with Hawkins Brown; Foster and Pa

Germany - The RTS VoIP virtual keypanel (VKP) is a Windows-based application that allows any user to have a fully functioning RTS Digital Matrix Intercom user station on their PC. The Virtual Keypanel application connects via the PC's Ethernet connection to any path that can support standard IP protocols, including LAN, WAN, and VPN.

"This really is a new way to look at using the intercom system," explains Christian Latzelsberger, senior product manager for RTS Intercoms Worldwide.

"The VKP looks and behaves just like our best-selling RTS keypanels, but it is just an application on your computer. This frees up physical real estate on your desk, and allows any PC user on the network to connect the intercom system via Ethernet."

The RTS virtual keypanel application is compatible with any RTS Digital Matrix Intercom equipped with the RVON interface.

(Jim E

USA - Austin, Texas-based chipmaker Cirrus Logic Inc is celebrating its 25th anniversary this September. Originally founded in 1984 to provide integrated circuits (ICs) for the growing PC components market, Cirrus Logic has since evolved as a leading supplier of signal processing components for audio and energy applications.

Among its many achievements, Cirrus Logic is recognised as the pioneer of the fabless model for the semiconductor industry, going against industry conventions at the time when most chip companies required their own manufacturing resources. Today, hundreds of semiconductor companies globally have adopted the fabless model. In product innovation, the company is recognised as a leading-edge designer of the audio converter, which converts analogue signals into digital signals and vice versa. Cirrus Logic audio chips can be found inside the latest cutting-edge el

UK - Paul Childerhouse has joined PSCo as special projects director, heading up the distributor's sales and service teams to increase its skills and understanding from the client side, offering additional support for their clients on projects.

Childerhouse joins PSCo from the role of CEO at trade only service company BITS. In his seven years with the company he headed up its sales force, introducing AV products to the company's business and managing large projects for the Royal Mail and BAA with JC Decaux. His previous industry experience also includes working with Fujitsu at the introduction of plasma technology, later implementing the UK's first plasma onsite warranty scheme in the UK.

Says Childerhouse: "The move to PSCo is a chance to work with like-minded people in a company that wants to add value, through technical expertise and new innovative technologies. I will

UK - Firefly Solar has been awarded 'Supplier of the Year' at the 2009 Event Awards, held at the Park Lane Hilton, London last month.

Each supplier in the category had to provide three examples of how their service had enhanced the quality of an event through innovation, level of service, impact on the feel of the event and the challenges they overcame. Firefly chose The Age of Stupid film premiere, Innocent Smoothie Village Fete and BBC's Springwatchas their case studies.

These events showcased the versatility of Firefly as a supplier and their ability to bring an educational element to events, enabling the public to learn about the possibilities of renewable power. The case studies also highlighted how Firefly helped to seriously reduce their clients carbon footprint; the Age of Stupid film premiere emitting just one per cent of the usual carbon emission

USA - Following the untimely death of Monte Wise, the following tribute has been issued by Bosch Communications Systems Division VP Americas, Thomas Hansen:

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Monte Wise, systems applications specialist, pro sound, for Bosch's Communications Systems Division.

"Monte was an expert, a true professional. Monte's 'golden ears' were second to none in the pro audio industry, and he helped perfect thousands of sound systems across the Americas, making friends everywhere he went.

"A model for others, Monte's care for our customers was never-ending. No matter what the time of day, he went to extreme lengths to ensure their happiness. For many, Monte was a mentor who improved and helped shape their businesses.

"Always on the go, always smiling and always gracious and patient, Monte's hands-on know-how was an

UK / USA - PLASA (headquartered in the UK) and ESTA (headquartered in North America), two of the leading bodies worldwide for those working in the live events, entertainment and communications industries, have signed a Letter of Intent to merge.

The announcement comes on the back of long-term strategic reviews conducted by both Associations who believe that uniting as one body will lead to a stronger voice for members, the enhancement of existing initiatives and an expansion of the range of benefits and services.

The proposed merger has the full backing of both the ESTA Board of Directors and the PLASA Executive Committee who voted on the proposal this Summer and who will formally recommend the move to their respective memberships, subject to due diligence being completed successfully, during the Spring/Summer of 2010. If both memberships vote to go ahead, the first stage of t

On The World Stage - Robbie Williams' comeback concert for the BBC Electric Proms will be broadcast in cinemas around the world. The concert on 20 October will be beamed live to almost 200 screens across Europe. It will also be shown later in Australia and South Africa. Williams said: "It's very exciting to think that a one-off performance I play in London can be seen simultaneously by people all across the world."

The proms concert will be the singer's first major show in three years. It will also be broadcast on Radio 1. The high definition screening is being billed as the largest live music cinematic event of its kind in Europe, and has been put together by BBC Worldwide. The commercial arm of the corporation recently beamed The Last Night of the Proms into cinemas around the world.

Glastonbury sells out - Tickets for next year's Glastonbury F

UK - Nine years ago, it was the situation of lighting designer Tom Donnellan, at home caring for his dying wife and caring for his young daughters, which provided the impetus to set up Light Relief. Now, as if to prove that lightning does indeed strike twice, Light Relief is once again helping Tom, as he not only battles with his own cancer, but also copes with effectively being on the 'dole' as the company he worked with closed down.

On hearing that Tom was in need of immediate assistance to cope with day-to-day living, the trustees of Light Relief had no hesitation in stepping forward with a 'no strings attached' grant. Rick Fisher, co-founder of Light Relief, said: "This is exactly the type of situation for which Light Relief was formed. Tom is receiving chemotherapy, which leaves him extremely tired and unable to work and although he received help from social services,

UK / USA - PLASA (headquartered in the UK) and ESTA (headquartered in North America), two of the leading bodies worldwide for those working in the live events, entertainment and communications industries, have signed a Letter of Intent to merge.

The announcement comes on the back of long-term strategic reviews conducted by both Associations who believe that uniting as one body will lead to a stronger voice for members, the enhancement of existing initiatives and an expansion of the range of benefits and services.

The proposed merger has the full backing of both the ESTA Board of Directors and the PLASA Executive Committee who voted on the proposal this Summer and who will formally recommend the move to their respective memberships, subject to due diligence being completed successfully, during the Spring/Summer of 2010. If both memberships vote to go ahead, the first stage of t

UK - Parents' attitudes to apprenticeships need to change in order to put young people on a planned, clear career path and help the audio-visual industry enhance its skills base over the coming decade, claims Paul Dougherty, managing director of Tyne & Wear-based Blaydon Communications Ltd.

Paul Dougherty has good experience of apprenticeships: 20 years ago he, along with managing director of Blaydon's sister company UK Time Solutions, Chris Routledge, started out as an apprentice, following in the 70-year tradition of the firm in supporting apprenticeships.

Dougherty says: "Apprenticeship provides a solid, technical career base and as Chris and I have demonstrated, can lead to senior management and the boardroom. One of the bars to young people taking up apprenticeship can be the attitude or parents who see a university education as the best career option for their child

UK - Fifteen venues across the UK will open their doors to 13- and 14-year-olds from 15 October until 2 December 2009, for The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills' first interactive Offstage Choices careers events.

These events offer young people aged 13 and above a taste of the job roles available behind the scenes and offstage in technical theatre and live music events.

Pupils from local schools will meet and experience the work of a number of professionals including lighting and sound technicians, marketing and stage managers and designers, in venues from the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth, up to the SAGE in Gateshead. Behind the scenes staff will share the tricks of their trade and experiences, working out of the 'spotlight'.

Offstage is produced by The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills (NSA), a network of industry speciali

USA - Bosch's Communications Systems Division has partnered with the NSCA Education Foundation to establish the Monte Wise Scholarship, an ongoing scholarship named in fond remembrance of Monte Wise - "one of the pro audio industry's great personalities and mentors" - who passed away on 30 September 2009. Monte was systems applications specialist, pro sound, for Bosch's Communications Systems Division.

"Monte touched many lives over the course of an exceptional career," says Daniel Nix, VP of sales, Americas, for Bosch's Communications Systems Division. "He was a mentor to many, and helped take hundreds of individuals and companies to the next level with education and technology. We were humbled by the amount of inquiries we received in the wake of his passing, from friends and colleagues asking 'Is there anything we can do?'

"The creation of the

UK - The new Soundcraft Studer factory in Potters Bar, near London is virtually complete. Based on a $7 million investment the company made four years ago, the new factory extends the manufacturing floor space by more than 100 percent plus additional storage space. "It will be a fantastic facility for our sales teams and distributors to bring their customers to impress them with our technology and quality, said Andy Trott, president, Soundcraft Studer.

In addition to the OnAir 500, OnAir 2500 and Vista 5 SR, all of which have previously been manufactured in Potters Bar, the new factory will now produce all Studer Vista, Router and OnAir products. The company has already appointed 15 new production staff to cope with the additional production workload, with more to join before year end.

Additionally, a new customer centre will feature two large dedicated acceptance test ro

World Cup Concert - A major concert has been announced to kick off the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The three-hour show will feature collaborations between international stars and top African artists and appearances by football legends. The event, from the team behind Live 8, takes place on 10 June at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.

The show is being staged by Kevin Wall, who told BBC News he has been "overwhelmed" by major artists wanting to get involved. "That's unusual, normally it's the other way round," he added. He admitted he will have to turn down some big name acts: "We are going to have a lot of the major African artists and really it's going to be about Africa so the slots for international artists are a rarity."

Wall believes the show could reach an even bigger TV audience than Live 8 and Li

UK - Bulgin Components has announced a new range of connectors designed for use in hazardous environments - the EXPlora series.

Independently tested for compliance to ATEX standards for use in Zone 2 and Zone 22 environments, the EXP series is manufactured from a tough high grade UL94V-0 rated Polycarbonate material. Similar in construction to Bulgin's 900 Series Buccaneer, the connectors are environmentally sealed to IP68 to provide protection for the most severe of dust and water borne environments. Ambient temperature range is from -20°C to +55°C.

Compact in design, the connectors are available in 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 pole variants and in four body styles - cable, in-line cable, panel and flange fixing. Each contact insert is available with either pin or socket contacts and either can be used with any of the body styles to give the maximum choice of combinations.

Germany / USA - GLP has set up a new office in North America to bring them closer to the highly-influential market across the Atlantic. Heading the operation will be experienced lighting professional, Mark Ravenhill.

The Los Angeles location has been strategically selected, placing GLP in the densely populated industrial district of Torrance, a traditional West Coast heartland for show production and event staging.

Elation Professional will remain GLP's distributor for the Impression range. But this development will enable the company to offer Elation much closer support, emphasises Ravenhill, who in addition to heading up the operation will retain his position as GLP's director of global key players.

Ravenhill says he is relishing the challenge. "It is a great opportunity to further exploit the enormous success of the expanding Impression range and at the same time reu

North America - Outline, which inaugurated its USA branch (Outline North America LLC) just a few months ago, has announced that representation of the brand is now complete throughout North America, including Canada.

A recent workshop was held - jointly organized by Outline's Brescia, Italy HQ and the branch office in Farmingdale (NY), where the network of US representatives officially took shape. The States are all now covered except Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Outline's Giorgio Biffi chaired the workshop. After providing training for the 60 original products in the company's catalogue, he introduced a pre-release version of OpenArray, the avant-garde control and 3D simulation software, written by the Italian R&D team. This conveyed to the American attendees the philosophy and key principles on which Outline has been based since its foundation in 1973.

Biff

UK - The University of Glamorgan's Faculty of Advanced Technology has recently secured significant sponsorship packages from leading European manufacturer Philips Electronics N.V. and German lighting and illumination specialists BEGA.

BSc (Hons) Lighting Design & Technology Award Leader Stuart Green commented: "Philips Lighting has been very generous in agreeing to donate a substantial amount of architectural lighting equipment to support our courses. International Project Consultant Simon White from BEGA also gave a guest lecture to students and donated a number of luminaires for student use."

The BSc (Hons) Lighting Design and Technology and BSc (Hons) Live Event Technology awards are already supported by equipment from some of the leading industry players, which are essential to give students exposure to the latest industry standard hardware and software. However,

UK - VDC Trading Ltd has launched a range of cables that represents a "leap forward" for marine A/V, data and communications connectivity. The Van Damme Marine Range delivers technical specifications usually associated with live sound, music studios and beyond, now adapted for the rigors of a marine environment and the challenges associated with ship installations.

Niall Holden, managing director, VDC Trading, said: "In the world of super yachts, on-board systems have entered the domain of HD television and audiophile sound systems, so pro-audio and broadcast levels of installation have now become the entry level. This means there has never been a greater need and demand for a range of A/V cables that are capable of handling the legal and technical requirements of these systems without compromising the infrastructure and quality of the ship itself."

"U

UK - Leading entertainment lighting supplier White Light is pleased to announce its appointment as a distributor for Philips Entertainment Lamps - expanding its ability to offer end-to-end solutions for entertainment lighting, supplying anything from a single light bulb or sheet of gel to a complete lighting system, including installation. At the same time, the company has announced the appointment of David Manister as business development manager, increasing White Light's expertise in this field.

White Light's appointment as a distributor gives it access to the full range of Philips' lamp technologies, including the FastFit system which enables easy lamp replacement and adjustment while also reducing overall lamp length, and P3 technology, which offers greater heat tolerance so increasing lamp life.

For entertainment lighting, these technologies are incorporated in a wide ran

Sweden - Wireless Solution is celebrating the shipping of its 30,000th unit of W-DMX which was introduced just five years ago.

"We're extremely pleased - with this continuously rising volume, we've actually been able to reduce prices and pass the savings on to both OEM clients and lower the cost of the boxed units," says Wireless Solution CEO Niclas Arvidsson, "We now have over 20 OEM clients and a solid distribution network worldwide, proving that W-DMX has indeed become an unofficial industry standard."

The company plans to hold its popular Visionary Awards and Swedish meatball and vodka party during LDI in Orlando to celebrate the success. "The awards this year will have a special surprise," adds Arvidsson, "We want to bring focus to some very special people. It will be a celebration not to miss."

(Jim Evans)

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