UK - Specialist AV distribution company PSCo has partnered with Prysm to bring its new Laser Phosphor Display (LPD) technology to the UK.

The current LPD range, available from June 2010, features a 25" panel, which is designed to be completely bezel-less with a 0.2mm seam. The versatility of the modular design allows for the construction of video walls in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including columns, strips, archways and rectangles. The screens can also be set out in curved formations or arranged in large arrays with resolutions significantly higher than the best available from current indoor LED solutions.

Each LPD panel draws just 30 watts of power, making it around seven times more efficient than an average LCD screen. The screens also generate almost no heat during operation, meaning less energy wastage and no cooling issues for installations in confined spac

Mexico - Meyer Sound's return to Sound:Check XPO 2010 in Mexico City will be highlighted by two versatile live sound products: the new Mina line array loudspeaker and the JM-1P arrayable loudspeaker. On April 26, 2010, Bob McCarthy, Meyer Sound senior design consultant, will be presenting in an AES Mexico education session entitled Design and Optimization in Live Sound Reinforcement.

Mina shares the same musicality and intelligibility as the Milo, Mica and M'elodie line array loudspeakers. At less than 472 mm wide and only 21.32 kg, Mina produces up to 128 dB SPL at one metre with an operating frequency range of 70 Hz to 18 kHz over a 100-degree horizontal coverage area. Mina can serve as the main system in smaller theatres, ballrooms, and houses of worship, and as fill subsystems for Mica and M'elodie.

The JM-1P arrayable loudspeaker system provides precise hori

UK - AC-ET's Rigging division has taken stock of the new Crosby S-209T theatrical shackle, a black version of the industry standard G209 screw pin bow shackle designed for discreet rigging applications in the entertainment sector.

Featuring the same dependability and durability with a new matt black finish, the shackle is available in a range of sizes from 3/8" through to 3/4" and with working load limits of 1, 2, 3.25 and 4.75 metric tonnes.

The carbon steel shackles are forged, quenched and tempered, feature alloy pins and are fatigue rated.

A.C. Rigging stocks large quantities from the Crosby range of shackles, Masterlinks, chain slings and other high quality loose rigging accessories. For a limited period the theatrical black S-209T shackles are available from A.C. Rigging at the same price as the industry standard G209 shackle.

(Jim Evans)

UK - As the first shipments of Apple's much-discussed iPad roll off of the production lines and into the eager hands of US consumers (delivery dates in Europe are still vaguely described as "end of May") software provider Stardraw.com confirms and demonstrates support of the iPad through their universal system control platform, Stardraw Control 2010.

There's been a lot of debate about the features (and possible failings) of the iPad but in the view of Stardraw.com CEO David Snipp, the device has great potential in the control market. "It isn't really an issue if people say that the iPad isn't as good as a netbook, or that it doesn't have a camera or support Flash or multi-tasking. If the worst you can say is that it's a big iPod touch - and a lot of people are saying that - then it will excel as a touchpanel interface for system control: for Stardraw Control, a bi

Germany - In response to numerous requests, Dynacord has developed the D 8A - the powered version of the popular D8 system from the D-Lite series. Equipped with a 2 x 400 watt class D power amplifier, an electronic crossover and loudspeaker equalization, the system is suitable for a wide variety of applications. The D 8A is particularly suited to the creation of active three-way high powered systems in combination with active subwoofers - whether in the live music, AV or fixed installation area.

The D 8A is equipped with a low-distortion Dynacord DND8200-8 neodymium chassis for the bass and midrange. The symmetrically radiating, constant directivity HF horn with its 90° x 90° nominal coverage pattern and CAD optimized integration into the baffle is equipped with the DH3 driver from Electro-Voice.

(Jim Evans)

UAE - Swedish image processing and show-control specialist Dataton returns to Dubai for the PALME Middle East tradeshow with a new take on its flagship product, Dataton Watchout. Version 4.2, which is making its regional debut at the show, incorporates a new development, Watchout Systems Manager.

Based on Adobe Flash technology, Watchout Systems Manager allows users to create interactive front ends for their Watchout-driven systems and presentations. It includes two ready-to-run applications for remote control and scheduling of shows, and also features an Application Programming Interface (API) and a communications library so that users can create their own applications.

Michael Engström, director of sales at Dataton, says, "Remote control and scheduling are invaluable aids in larger, more complex multimedia installations. The remote-control application within Watchout S

Brazil - Exhibiting for the first time at AES Brazil, Renkus-Heinz will show its digitally steerable column array line, Iconyx, at the 14th AES Brazil on 4-6 May 4-6.

Aimed at a wide variety of installation applications where high audio quality, precise steerability and low visual profile top the specification list, Iconyx is now installed in hundreds of premier locations worldwide. The IC Live system is designed for high power AV rental or installation applications and has a matching dual bandpass subwoofer.

Typical customers are houses of worship, auditoriums, public transportation hubs, retail malls and other public spaces, linked by a common thread - the need for exceptional intelligibility in acoustical tough spaces, combined with slender, unobtrusive appearance.

Also on show at AES Brazil will be the ST4 three-way self-powered loudspeaker, designed for large format ins

USA - EAW has released the NTS250 powered subwoofer. The NTS250 is designed to serve as a companion subwoofer for any EAW system (and those of several competitors), but, as the product name suggests, it is an obvious choice to use in conjunction with the NTL720 compact line array. As such, this comprehensively integrated system is a suitable solution for sound reinforcement or fixed installation for corporate A/V, clubs, ballrooms, theaters, performing arts centers, houses of worship and more, says the company.

The NTS250 is a high output yet compact and lightweight premium subwoofer that unites the following features: a push-pull pair of high efficiency neodymium 15-inch woofers; 2000 Watts of amplification; powerful system optimization DSP and EAW Pilot software-accessible front-end DSP; the proprietary U-Net audio and communications network; a professional rigging system; and

UK - Orange Amplifiers has announced the launch of "the revolutionary all-in-one computer amplifier speaker" - The OPC.

The company says the project has been several years in the making and as a pioneering force in guitar amplifiers, they have used their expertise in sound technology, engineering and electronics to build a new generation of computers that incorporate the best of both worlds: latest computer technology with integrated tools for the modern musician and music lovers.

The OPC is 100% designed and built in the UK. It is a fully integrated computer with internal speaker which delivers playing, recording, editing and computing capabilities to musicians and music aficionados.

As a fully fledged computer it has 4GB DDR2 RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, Intel chips, Windows 7 x64 home premium, 8 x USB2.0 ports, is Wi-Fi enabled and has a graphics card with optional AT

UK - Since its launch in November 2009 by the Marquee Installations Group, The HD Pro Sales website has expanded considerably in the range of brands and products it offers. Three significant brands now included, Beyerdynamic, Biamp and MC2, are from the Polar Audio stable.

"We have had a very long association with Marquee Installations", commented Polar Audio's Mike Carvalho, "So are delighted to have three of our leading brands included on the HD Pro Sales website. Whilst web sales are not new, the HD Pro site is a cut above in its comprehensive range, the information it supplies and the product and application support provided by its highly qualified staff."

The range of Beyerdynamic available from HD Pro is comprehensive, from the brand's many industry standards to the latest Revoluto technology low profile microphones for conference and presentation.

UK - Allen & Heath will be showcasing a selection of its products from the iLive digital series and its dedicated broadcast and recording mixers at the AES London in May 2010.

A highlight will be the iDR-16 3U MixRack and iLive-R72 rackmountable control surface, which together provide a space saving, lightweight digital live mixing system, bringing the same power, sonic performance and flexibility of the larger touring iLive systems to a significantly lower price point.

With these additions, the iLive Series now includes a total of seven Surface and five MixRack variants, which can be mixed and matched in any combination, and share the same firmware, so that show files are transferable between systems via a USB key. Other hardware configurations will be available for demo, with a range of networking options for EtherSound, MADI, ADAT and Aviom.

Also on display will be the XB

UK - Artistic Licence will use PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 (27-28 April 2010, Leeds Royal Armouries) as the launch-pad for its new Flexi-Strip. Composed of a length of totally encapsulated LEDs on a strip of flexible circuit board rated at IP67 (based on factory certification), Flexi-Strip's encapsulated housing protects its LEDs from moisture, dust and damage, making it ideal for both internal and external applications. Flexi-Strip is available in 1m or 5m lengths - or can be cut to size - and has a self-adhesive backing tape for rapid mounting.

Powered by a 12V PSU, Flexi-Strip comes in Bright or Super-Bright options, with full RGB colour-mixing, and can be dimmed using Artistic Licence Rail-Pipe. A Warm White Super Bright version is also available.

Also showcasing on the Artistic Licence stand will be the Multichrome-Tile, which represents the next step in the expanding range o

UAE - This year's PALME Middle East sees Lift Turn Move showing the LoadGuard electric chain hoists in capacities from 250kg to five tonnes as standard rigging hoists and to all current European entertainment standards, the British Hoisting Entertainment Standard BS 7906: Part 1, Category A, and German Standard BGV D8 Plus.

LTM recently purchased 100% of the shares in COW Lifting Technology - the Aichach (near Munich, Germany) based manufacturer of BGV C1 and SIL 3 chain hoists, winch and control systems, solutions from both companies are being shown on LTM's stand.

Together the two companies can offer solutions for most lifting and control applications within the entertainment industry. From a standard theatre hand winch to an automated BGV C1 hoist and control solution with variable speed, positional control and load monitoring.

Both companies offer spares for various manu

UK - This year has seen the release of KV2 Audio's first range of passive loudspeakers allowing users to utilise third party amplification for the first time.

In accepting the need to introduce a passive range of cabinets the design team knew that just another passive box would not produce the quality our dealers and end users had come to expect of KV2, says the company. After several months of R & D the answer came in a revolutionary analogue delay line that allows perfect time and phase alignment of the components within the box but without the use of active electronics. The end result is a range of three passive speakers with flat response, high output and consistent coverage.

Applications include AV and hire for corporate events, high quality speech reproduction, music playback for installation or live use and studio monitors. ESD is also commonly utilised as peripheral or

UK - ETC will be demonstrating its range of control desks and LED fixtures at the PLASA Focus show in Leeds later this month.

Featuring the patented x7 Color System, the five different Selador LED models produce a light and colour quality that conventional LED systems cannot duplicate. This system produces bright broad-spectrum whites and intense colours equally well, rendering pigments and skin tones in a far more natural way, says the company.

The latest additions to the Selador range are Vivid Fire and Vivid Ice, which produce warm reds and cool blues, alongside a new and improved Vivid-R, which now produces 50% more light - while consuming 10% less power.

In addition to the Selador Series, ETC will be showing models from the Eos, Congo and SmartFade control desk families, including the newest in the Eos line - Element, which is directed at smaller theatrical venues and s

Denmark - M1 is the latest lighting controller from Martin Professional. With the full power of a larger desk and the agility of a smaller one, the M1 is an all-in-one lighting control unit. Following the philosophy and simplicity of Martin's current controller platform, the Martin M1 is a powerful yet compact and affordable full-featured lighting console.

Designed from the ground up to deliver the highest ratio of features vs price on the market, the M1 fits the bill in today's tight, ROI-conscious economy, says the company. Quality tested and reliably stable, the M1 is the result of over a decade of console development at Martin. It is built using the best components on the market and is made to endure the toughness of rental and touring.

The Martin M1 is equipped with a fast dual-core processor that makes operation extremely snappy. The dual core processor ensures that the

UAE - Christie Middle East has occupied a central position at the PALME Middle East shows since setting up its regional office back in May 2007. PALME 2010 has been no exception with Simon Smith and his team setting out a range of dynamic and innovative new products.

Smith commented: "We are also delighted to see that Sanctuary nightclub in Dubai - featuring 28 Christie projectors specified by partner, VenueTech - was the winner of PALME's Best Entertainment Venue category. The venue is stunningly realised through Christie projection. The innovative slant the projection by VenueTech has given to the Sanctuary's visual landscape is taking Dubai to the forefront of nightlife - and far beyond."

Christie MicroTiles was the subject of a seminar given by sales consultant, Africa, Phil Lord, who used them as a base to discuss Exploiting Current Trends and Future Trends o

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light will be showing a full spectrum of lighting products from the many manufacturers it distributes in the UK at this year's PLASA Focus Show, which takes place 27-28 April at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

So comprehensive is the range of equipment on show that White Light will have two stands, one in each of the exhibition's halls.

In the Royal Armouries Hall, White Light will be on stand RA-C4. Products on show there will include the newly launched VSFX3, a radically updated version of White Light's popular, long-established optical effect that is fully compatible with existing discs and projectors, but also provides better slow-speed movement and on-board DMX and RDM control. VSFX3 will be shown with Robert Juliat's 350LFX projector; other products from the Juliat range, including the Victor 1800W MSR followspot and Lutin 1000W a

UK - PSCo has introduced a new videowall product to its rental fleet and is encouraging organisers to break free from conventional rectangle shaped solutions and create dynamic displays of any shape, size and formation to add an extra visual dimension to events.

The product in question is the Infinite Plasma 4250R which is a completely bezel-less plasma screen with the smallest seam gap of any flat panel videowall technology available on the market, at less than 4mm in multi-formations, says PSCo.

The screens can be linked together to create unlimited seamless displays in any shape or size, suitable for design led applications such as statement displays at exhibitions, creating entrances and walkways at award ceremonies and as directional signage on unfamiliar event sites, updated with real time information.

Mike Nield, PSCo's global rental director says: "The 4250R has

USA - Lexicon has released new Windows 7 software drivers for Alpha, Lambda, Omega and the I?ONIX U22, U42S, and U82S series of Desktop Recording Interfaces. Now all of the Lexicon USB Desktop Recording Interfaces operate seamlessly on any computers running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, Vista, or XP. Also, these interfaces operate on all Mac computers operating on OS X 10.4.9 or higher regardless of whether they are based on PowerPC or Intel processors.

Speaking about the newly updated drivers for the Desktop Recording Interfaces, business segment director for Lexicon Paul Faby said: "We're excited to be continuing our effort to offer the latest software updates to support these products. This is a fantastic line-up which offers unbelievable sonic capabilities at very attractive prices."

(Jim Evans)

UK - AC-ET's Audio division has been appointed as an authorised dealer for the RSS by Roland range of professional audio products. The line-up includes cost-effective digital mixing, digital snake multicore and audio recorder solutions which can be easily integrated into specific commercial applications.

As part of the agreement, AC-ET will carry stock of key product lines as well as having access to the full RSS product range.

The RSS by Roland M-400 live mixing console will be featured on AC-ET's stand at the PLASA Focus show.

The RSS by Roland digital snake multicore range includes the S-4000S, a modular system delivering up to 160 channels of high quality 24-bit/96kHz audio over Cat 5e cables. Features include remote controllable XR-1 professional quality mic preamps, redundant Ethernet ports and splits using standard Ethernet hardware.

A.C. Audio Sales Manager, Peter

USA - The new V-Tower Ground Support System from Total Structures allows you to build audio delay towers without the need for guy wires, reducing the footprint in audience areas. This system, based on standard Total Structures 12" Tower Truss and standard Light Duty box truss, gives you 30ft of trim height to fly up to 1500 pounds of line array audio gear.

Thanks to its self stabilizing design, and its use of the PA equipment to self-ballast the structure, this system requires no external ballast blocks or guy cables in most applications. The system has been fully engineered, and allows PA systems to be flown in conditions up to 40 mph 3 second wind gusts.

Users can cover the inclined mast with graphics for additional signage space by reducing the maximum wind speed to 30 mph. With the exception of the corner junction, head block, and tower supports, all components are st

UK - At this year's PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 exhibition, Lightfactor's stand will major on new products from Italian lighting manufacturer DTS, for which it is the exclusive UK distributor. These include the Titan LED wash light, the XR3000 Spot and the new XR300 Beam, which utilises FAR technology to give full 360° rotation on both pan and tilt axes.

From Novalight, the ever popular Nova Flower 2K will be on show; from LDR a wide range of fresnels, profiles and PC fixtures, plus a brand new 2K discharge source follow spot.

From UK manufacturer Cogent will be a selection of the latest LEDs - white light, RGB and colour changing along with a selection of drivers including the new mains dimmable drivers.

Lightfactor reports it is enjoying unprecedented success with DTS's range of professional lighting products - including a full range of moving lights and a robust architect

UK - Specialist UK LED manufacturer i-Pix shows its latest products at PLASA Focus in Leeds, UK, next week, all of which build on the success and popularity of the BB4 and BB7 series wash lights.

Totally new is a range of white LED engines - initially to be shown at the exhibition in i-Pix's BB1 fixture. Also new is the BB2, a self contained two-cell fixture and the BB 2x2 which is made up of a pair of BB2s.

The versatility of the BB series, plus i-Pix' innovative LED control technology and attention to quality engineering and detail will be demonstrated in full.

i-Pix launches a range of white light LED engines, absolutely hot off the production line from Germany. Initially shown in the BB1 fixture, these are available now across the full BB range in Warm White, Cold White and a super-smooth Warm-to-Cold white mix.

The Warm White has a colour temperature of 3000 degrees K

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