The stand was never empty with visitors stopping by repeatedly and the upstairs area provided the perfect space for meetings or a chance to chill out with a drink from the strains of the show - perhaps with a pint of UberBrew or a glass of the green GrassHopper, says the company.
As always, the run-up to the show was a busy time with programming, building a house and not least of all with Green Hippo's new brochure finally ready and printed only days before the doors opened. With demonstrations and meetings as well as the usual dinners, parties and entertainment everyone was kept thoroughly busy for the four show-days.
Green Hippo's main announcement at this year's PLASA was the official release of their Hippotizer 3.1 software version. After a lot of hard work over the last year, this finally introduces new components such as the much anticipated UberPan, LiveMask and DMX2 amongst others. Additionally this new software version sports a reworked GUI, many fine-tuned components and additionally, there are a range of new input cards, the option of the Parrot EDID detective and new breakout panels as optional accessories for the GrassHopper and HippoCritter.
Downstairs was the main demonstration area with five pods showing a variety of features. However, the highlight at this year's was Green Hippo's 3D projection mapping on an intricate 5ft dolls house which continuously attracted viewers. The slightly quirky content was created by Potion Pictures and RS Visual Design. The 10-minute show ran on a constant loop and had the audience captivated as well as laughing throughout. This set-up showed off Hippotizer's 3D projection mapping capabilities which are currently available through Green Hippo's Special Project department.
Within the upstairs meeting and bar area there was a chance to have a glimpse at JigSaw, Green Hippo's work in progress. Running on six Mac screens, JigSaw is a multi-screen software only version, working on a dongle-based licence system, which Green Hippo are hoping to release in 2012.
For Lee House this was his first PLASA with the Green Hippo team and he remarked, "With all the new features and services that Green Hippo are offering now it's a fantastic time to come on board, and it was clear on the stand that users new and old thought the same. It was great to meet our customers and show them what we have been busy with and also just to catch up socially and enjoy a drink with them as well."
(Jim Evans)
