Video and AV

Details

28 July 2025

UK - The Grade 1 listed St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, one of the best-known religious landmarks, has agreed an ongoing maintenance contract with Whitwam AVI. This enduring partnership, which has continued to strengthen since an initial collaboration on a full AV system refit in 2016, remains vital to the smooth running of the Cathedral’s services, broadcasts and events.

In addition to being a working parish church, St Giles’ is a major visitor attraction on the Edinburgh scene and is frequently used as a performance venue, hosting international musicians, spoken word events and candlelit orchestral concerts. Therefore, ensuring the ongoing functionality of all elements of the Cathedral’s audio, broadcast and video infrastructure is critical.

Specialist AV integrator Whitwam AVI has worked with many of the UK’s most revered ecclesiastic

Details

28 July 2025

USA - Visual solutions company Observatory created ambitious new content for this year’s multi-genre Electric Forest festival in the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan, using two Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers driving two 4k outputs each to deliver the spectacle.

Simon Harris and his team at Observatory were commissioned by Leisure Expert Group – the creative directors of Insomniac who part own the festival – to create two new pieces of scenic content for the famous Sherwood Stage, which was hugely successful and the most popular choice by incoming artists.

Deploying the Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers, which were supplied by Screenworks, the Observatory team delivered control equipment, programming, operation and content for the festival, as well as scenic content.

On stage the team rigged a 5mm LED Proscenium ‘Header’

Details

25 July 2025

UK - One of PLASA Show’s most popular features, Classic Gear Live, returns in 2025 with a new location and an expanded collection of rare and iconic entertainment technology. 

Now situated on the Gallery level of Olympia, London, this unmissable feature brings together two distinct showcases: Classic Gear Live by Rob Halliday, focusing on lighting and projection history, and CH Vintage Audio by Chris Hewitt, presenting legendary rock and roll sound systems.

This year, Classic Gear Live moves upstairs to stands K82 and K109, offering a fresh perspective on the history of live production. With a newly created dark space, visitors can experience psychedelic and theatrical projections as they were originally intended - including Aldis and Optikinetics effects projectors, and Strand’s classic effects discs.

Details

25 July 2025

The Netherlands - Leyard Europe has announced the opening of a dedicated showroom for the Benelux region at Strijp-T in Eindhoven, marking a strategic relocation from its previous Antwerp location. The new facility, situated in a converted Philips factory, serves as a comprehensive hub where customers can experience Leyard's LED display solutions in a relaxed, modern setting designed to showcase real-world applications.

The showroom design features five different Leyard LED display products positioned across five distinct environments, each with a different pixel pitch and each demonstrating specific use cases. This approach allows visitors to experience how Leyard's LED technology integrates seamlessly into various professional settings, with a philosophy that centres on practical demonstration rather than traditional product display.

Leyard MGP Com

Details

24 July 2025

Europe - Planar and Leyard Europe have announced the addition of Filip Cogghe as vice-president of sales, marketing and service for Europe.

Cogghe joins the company with more than 25 years of experience in the AV and display technology industries, most recently serving as sales director for global and strategic corporate sales at Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe. There he played a pivotal role in forming and executing global sales strategies.

“We’re happy to have Filip Cogghe lead sales and marketing efforts across Europe,” says CEO at Planar Sidney Rittenberg. “With an impressive background that is highlighted by demonstrated sales leadership and growth as well as complex solution integration and involvement in mission-critical installations, he’s the right leader to guide this team in extending unrivalled support and visualisation solut

Details

23 July 2025

UK - Disguise has unveiled X1, a portable version of its designer software. X1 lets creators run 4K visuals directly from their own laptop or hardware - no proprietary media servers required. It’s the first time Disguise’s powerful production engine has been made available in a flexible, software-only format, giving production teams total freedom to design, map and deliver wherever their vision takes them.

Developed for professionals delivering small-to-medium live events including concerts, theatre productions and corporate brand experiences, X1 works by providing users with convenient, on-the-go access to the same, trusted software used to pre-visualise, sequence and control headline shows across the globe.

The portable new solution has already been used on several live events during an exclusive pilot, including Bullet For My Valentine at Rock

Details

22 July 2025

USA - Neutrik Group celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Neutrik brand with a dynamic and heartfelt event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC, just minutes from the company’s Americas headquarters.

Held on 10 July, the milestone gathering brought together numerous attendees, including employees, customers, partners, dealers and distributors from across the region. With a theme inspired by speed, performance and innovation, the evening blended nostalgia, gratitude and forward momentum.

A centrepiece video and photo montage honoured Neutrik’s 50-year legacy, highlighting breakthrough innovations, key partnerships and the dedicated people who shaped the company into a global connectivity leader. Among the evening’s highlights were the NASCAR Hall of Fame venue and bringing all of the company’s top partners together for one e

Details

22 July 2025

Bulgaria - The annual BG Radio Music Awards ceremony took place at Sofia’s Arena 8888, with a sold-out show seeing Bulgaria’s biggest names perform in an immersive video environment, driven by Green Hippo Hippotizer Media Servers.

The stage consisted of 10 individual LED media surfaces, forming a highly modular and immersive visual environment. The centrepiece was a wide, curved LED wall, complemented by additional vertical and horizontal LED elements integrated into the set. All LED surfaces were controlled via six Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers.

“Delivered in a fully tour-ready rack system, the servers allowed us to achieve extremely fast setup times - the system was ready to operate within minutes,” says Sebastian Huwig, aka Huwi, managing director at trust event group, which delivered content design, operation, server system special

Details

21 July 2025

USA - A significant installation of tvONE CORIOmaster video processors at the Virginia Tech State University has transformed how students learn, and lessons are taught.

Four distinct areas within the institution’s Alexandria campus now feature LED screens, projections or displays driven by a range of CORIOmaster2, CORIOmaster mini, and CORIOmaster micro units. The project is part of a wider upgrade of projector screens, LED video walls and TVs.

Virginia Tech’s AB1 AV manager Diego Romero worked closely with the tvONE’s Mid-Atlantic regional sales manager Mitch Klein to find solutions for all four spaces at the Alexandria campus’s Academic Building One. This building includes 300,000 sq.ft of academic space and research and development facilities, across 11 floors.

“The overall aim was to provide users with a smooth experience when s

Details

18 July 2025

China - On 14 July, at the grand opening of the Versatile AI Virtual Film Base and the AI Virtual Film Technology launch event in Deqing, the world’s largest monolithic LED virtual production stage was officially unveiled.

In a joint venture by Absen and Versatile, this stage features a 270-degree curved LED screen with a diameter of 50m and a height of 12m. The total floor area of the stage reaches 5,000m², with the LED display covering approximately 1,700 m² – the equivalent to four standard basketball courts.

Powered by LED virtual production technology, the recreation of complex, large-scale, and costly scenes in film and television can now be achieved through a combination of virtual environments and minimal physical sets. Scene changes can be completed within minutes, and when paired with immersive 8K LED walls and realistic lighting, the

Details

17 July 2025

USA - From major touring productions and festivals to high-stakes corporate events and high-profile permanent installations, Las Vegas-based 3G Productions LLC has spent more than 20 years delivering audio, lighting, video, and rigging solutions. Now, some of that same professional-grade equipment is available for purchase through the launch of 3G’s new website: UsedGear.com.

“The production industry runs on trust - in your equipment, team, and suppliers,” says 3G Productions CEO Keith Conrad. “With UsedGear.com, we’ve created a marketplace where audio, lighting, video, and rigging professionals can access the same calibre equipment used on major productions at prices that respect the realities of budgets. Top-notch, tour-ready gear, professional service, and reasonable prices are the genesis and hallmarks of UsedGear.com.”

The new site f

Details

16 July 2025

USA - Midwich and Audinate have announced a new US distribution partnership aimed at accelerating access to scalable, networked AV solutions.

This partnership aligns with Audinate’s change in channel strategy, providing a better way to manage and distribute its portfolio to integrators in the United States, says the company. It enables greater channel effectiveness and improved management of subscription renewals, term licences, and support and maintenance agreements. As part of this strategy, Audinate is refining its channel approach to enhance focus and deliver an elevated level of service to its partners and customers.

Midwich will offer Audinate’s technologies, supported by Midwich Plus, the company’s technical services team with decades of experience that provides pre-sales consultation, system design guidance, and deployment support.

Details

16 July 2025

Europe - Christie Digital Systems Germany has confirmed that it has entered into a letter of intent to negotiate a binding agreement for the sale of its Pandoras Box product line – which includes media servers, software, accessories as well as Widget Designer and AirScan – to Daniel Schäfer, one of the founders of coolux, consultant Daniel Kaminski, and long-time user Andre Maier.

The transaction will allow the three individuals, who have an extensive understanding of the product line and the market, to continue to grow the award-winning Pandoras Box real-time rendering engine and control system solution. Both companies are enthusiastic about the potential of this acquisition and are working towards finalising a purchase agreement.

“Our passion for Pandoras Box runs deep – more than 50 years combined. As a team, we bring knowledge and experi

Details

16 July 2025

Canada - Kramer has ‘revolutionised’ teaching and learning at John Abbott College in Quebec, bringing all-new connected capabilities and possibilities to classrooms using a range of advanced AV over IP solutions.

In response to a rapidly growing student population and limited campus space, the new dynamic classroom complex, led by Canadian integration partner AVI-SPL in collaboration with Kramer, delivers scalable, flexible and user-friendly learning environments.

With a campus area of 1,600 acres, John Abbott College is an English-language public college located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, near the western tip of the Island of Montreal. Faced with the daunting challenge of creating additional teaching space without undertaking a major construction project, the college took a modular approach to increase classroom capacity.

Completed in j

Details

14 July 2025

UK - When Jake Staff began crafting custom looms and fly racks from his spare bedroom, he couldn’t have predicted the scale SA Touring would one day reach. Now operating from a dedicated workshop in Norwich, it serves clients across the UK including artists like Ella Eyre and Mae Muller, with Van Damme at the heart of its operation.

“Everything we use has to be the best - from the cables to the heat shrink,” says Staff, now managing director of SA Touring. “Van Damme is just the best on the market - it has a good aura in the industry. It doesn’t melt, it doesn’t shrink back - it’s reliable and consistent. Even the guys in the workshop can tell the difference.”

SA Touring became a limited company in 2022, after years of informal growth that started just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. As the demand for custom cabling continued to grow, S

Details

14 July 2025

UK - Digital signage and integrated solutions specialist, Scala, has opened its new 142m² showroom in Central London, UK. Located a short walk from Angel underground station, the showroom will serve as a hub for technology demonstrations, partner meetings, and educational initiatives all supporting Scala’s presence in the UK and across the wider European market. The Scala London showroom was officially opened on the evening of the 9 July with a party attended by key integration partners.

“Scala technology can be found across London; in landmarks as well as transport hubs, banks and high-end retailers, so it feels fitting and tremendous to be opening a dedicated showroom in the capital,” said Harry Horn, general manager EMEA, Scala. “This is a dedicated space where we can share our latest solutions and collaborate with our partners as we wo

Details

14 July 2025

UK - Solstice AV senior account manager, Tanita Russell, will be swapping the comfort of her office chair and computer later this month, by taking on one of the UK's most gruelling 50km ultra marathons as she helps to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society.

Tanita, who joined Solstice AV – an international distributor of professional audiovisual solutions – in 2023, and a member of the AV community since 2012, has signed up for the now annual Boudicca Way 50km Ultra Marathon on 19 July, running through historic Norfolk villages and countryside, between Diss and Norwich.

“Alzheimer's is a profound challenge that touches us all,” explained Tanita ahead of her challenge. “It takes away not just individuals, but the cherished memories they have previously held so dear. Every step I take is not just for me, but for those affected by dementia.

Details

14 July 2025

The Netherlands - PPDS has announced the latest addition to its growing EMEA technical sales support team with the appointment of Fredrik Lundqvist as technical manager for the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Based in Stockholm and reporting to Jan Van Tieghem (director technical sales support, EMEA), Fredrik offers a broad spectrum of specialist technical skills and industry knowledge – global and local – to PPDS’ flourishing Nordics region. Previous roles include sales manager for hospitality, marketing manager for B2B, technical engineer for B2B, SmartTV manager for B2C, among others.

Fredrik will work closely with Jan in supporting pre- and post-sales activities in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.

Discussing his new role, Fredrik commented: “I am proud and excited to have joined the PPDS team a

Details

09 July 2025

France - Direct Digital, the Panavision group division specialising in camera, lighting and grip equipment rental for moving-image and still photography, has announced the relocation of its Paris operations to a new, larger facility.

After 15 years of business in Paris, the company is marking a new chapter, moving into a modern business park just north of the city, with updated features and dedicated space for camera testing and more, offering an enhanced experience for customers. The new location is also conveniently situated near Panavision and Panalux Paris.

The newly refurbished facility is 20% larger than Direct Digital’s previous Paris location, providing the room needed to support the company’s ongoing growth and enhance overall efficiency. Opening on 1 July 2025, the new site, less than 100m away from sister companies Panavision and Panal

Details

08 July 2025

France/Canada - Media server and real-time compositing platform Smode is powering Sensitive Abstraction, a new full-dome graphic and sound art performance by visual artist Yannick Moréteau and electronic music composer Flore.

Described as an immersive journey through the poetic dimensions of mathematics, Sensitive Abstraction has been touring planetaria and digital arts festivals in Canada and France since its premiere in 2024. Created entirely within Smode, Sensitive Abstraction transforms abstract mathematical principles such as the Fibonacci sequence and Euclidean grids into flowing visual tableaux, synchronised in real time with Flore’s score in spatial audio. 

Yannick Moréteau, founder of the arts collective WSK, developed and runs the entire performance using a single Smode media server, from the creation of the

Details

07 July 2025

USA - Matthieu Larivée and the team at Lüz Studio designed the production for Rascal Flatts' 21-city Life is a Highway Tour, which ran for three months this year in North America.

The tour covered the multi-award-winning band's 25-year career, one that has resulted in 16 No. 1 hits and over 11m concert tickets sold. When discussing the best ways to reflect the band's far-reaching achievements, the Lüz team took a slight step back from the immersive 3D video elements that characterise many of their designs and leaned more heavily on light.

"Given the nature of this retrospective tour and the band's rich history, we focused on lighting, which is timeless," said Larivée. "Their catalogue has some ballads, which need gobos or very subtle lighting chases; power ballads, which need powerful lighting swaps; and rock ‘n’ roll songs, which ne

Details

07 July 2025

China - Innovation, energy, and global ambition took centre stage as Absen’s Global DOOH & Sports Summer Event wrapped up in style at the company’s Dongjiang Intelligent Manufacturing Centre. Attended by industry leaders from around the world, the event delivered a showcase of next-gen digital-out-of-home (DOOH) display technology and intelligent sports venue solutions, all backed by a 10-year warranty.

At the heart of the event was the unveiling of Absen’s A25 Series, a low-carbon, energy-saving LED display system that captivated attendees with its remarkable performance. Consuming less than 1kWh per square metre daily, the A25 is set to deliver savings of up to $200,000 USD (approx.) in electricity costs over five years for a standard 300sq.m installation.

With its IP66 waterproof rating, all-aluminium build, and PWM driver chip, the A25

Details

04 July 2025

Europe - Shirin David, the chart-topping German rapper, singer, entrepreneur, and former YouTuber, is celebrated by her loyal fan base for her impactful shows. Shirin’s latest 14-date Schlau Aber Blond tour across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland continued to raise the visual bar by connecting audiences with a cinematic view of the artist’s powerful five-act performance.

Developed in partnership with 24/7 Productions, Tim Routledge Lighting Design, Adlib, ARRI and Fujinon, the Shirin David tour pioneered the first use of the Alexa 35 Live - Multicam System on a concert tour.

The brief was to bring the glamour and energetic vibrancy that has become synonymous with a Shirin David show to the big screens at each venue. Early conversations with the production, design and Adlib teams identified the technical challenges that would be faced, i

Details

03 July 2025

Portugal - Lightware Visual Engineering has announced a new partnership with Sound and Light Systems (SLS), a leading Portuguese distributor of event audio solutions.  

Sound and Light Systems will act as a distributor for Lightware’s AV products, from extenders and matrix switchers to AV over IP technology. 

Sound and Light Systems boasts over 30 years of experience in the audiovisual sector, offering innovative and high-quality sound, light and technology solutions for live events with equipment that delivers impactful experiences.

“We are proud to join forces with Lightware, a company recognised for its technological excellence and innovation in the professional AV industry,” says Rui Nunes, CEO of SLS. “This partnership allows us to expand our offering with reliable, future-oriented solutions that meet the evolving needs of the