AVNation TV

Category: Display

  • Accenture takes visual communications to the next level with Crystal LED

    Accenture takes visual communications to the next level with Crystal LED

    How we helped

    The Challenge

    • Accenture required cutting-edge large display solution to replace existing LCD screens
    • Flexible display solution needed to satisfy wide range of applications, including executive meetings, demonstrations, and information for visitors

    The Solution

    • Total of three Sony Crystal LED large-scale display systems installed at Accenture Innovation Hub Tokyo (AIT) and at Akasaka Intercity AIR (AIR)

    The Outcome

    • Staff and clients enjoy spectacular large-scale visuals with immersive picture quality, high contrast, and wide viewing angle
    • “Bezel free” design ensures no gaps between display panels for totally seamless images

    Consulting and IT services leader seeks cutting-edge display solution

    As the world’s largest comprehensive consulting and IT service company, Accenture offers a wide range of services and solutions that drive innovation for leading enterprises and public organization clients worldwide.

    Accenture had explored options for updating large LCD screens at two of its sites in Japan with a state-of-the-art display solution. Their requirements soon led them to evaluate Crystal LED—Sony’s scalable LED wall display system that combines spectacular high-definition image quality with exceptional installation flexibility.


    Exceptional picture quality plus installation flexibility

    “Crystal LED has excellent contrast properties, which was striking from the moment we first saw it,” notes a representative from the Infrastructure Services for Accenture (IT Department). “With this quality, we believed that Crystal LED could accommodate an extensive range of applications—including, of course, visual content. We therefore decided to install Crystal LED at two centers, with one unit in Akasaka Intercity AIR (AIR) and two units in the Accenture Innovation Hub Tokyo (AIT).

    “As the replacement for an existing display system, we had to use the same installation space ‘as-is,’ as far as possible. We also had a limited time to work in—this was another consideration that encouraged us to adopt Crystal LED. The system is also very easy to maintain.”

    Impressive clarity in every environment

    Accenture’s use of the scalable display differs at the two locations where it’s installed: “In the boardroom at AIR, Crystal LED is primarily used for executive meetings as well as presentations and demonstrations for invited clients. Here the top priority is providing clear, highly visible materials. Crystal LED satisfies this with its bezel-free construction, with no visible seams between each display module that ensures an easy-to-read display with no breaks in visual content and text.”

    Meanwhile the first of two units at AIT is installed in the building’s open collaboration area that’s used for press conferences as well as other in-house and external events. In this environment the 13.98 x 7.84‑ft display allows content to be seen clearly from a distance, and from any angle without being compromised by the brightness of the lighting.

    Measuring 15.94 x 4.49 ft, the other display is installed in the AIT boardroom. In this environment it’s often used by motion graphics creators who value the detail-packed picture quality, contrast, and accurate color reproduction that Crystal LED delivers.

    Photorealistic images that conventional screens can’t match

    “People who have witnessed Crystal LED comment favorably that its completely bezel-free design makes the display look exactly like a photograph or three-dimensional object,” notes an Infrastructure Services for Accenture (IT Department) representative. “Once you’ve seen the high-luminance, high-contrast large screen of Crystal LED, you may not be able to go back to conventional LCD panel large-screen displays.”

  • Jamestown, NY Public Schools Create District of the Future With LG Createboards in Every Classroom

    Jamestown, NY Public Schools Create District of the Future With LG Createboards in Every Classroom

    Jamestown, New York is investing in its youth and planning for the future by modernizing the Jamestown Public School district with new LG CreateBoard smart boards that deliver enhanced learning opportunities, increased engagement and direct relevance to students’ daily lives and skill sets. District officials and technology providers have outfitted every classroom across the district’s ten K-12 schools with 86-inch LG CreateBoards, offering faculty and students expanded access to popular digital learning tools while simplifying technology management through LG’s centralized platforms.

    When recent school funding initiatives made it possible for the municipality to invest in education upgrades, Chuck Marzec, the district’s Director of Technology, turned to Larry Meister, President of IT solutions provider Mercury Networks. Meister, who has worked with the district for over a decade, collaborated with Marzec to determine which products and solutions would maximize learning benefits for the most students. Considering the timing, pricing, and available funding, they concluded that the LG CreateBoards could transform the experiences of every student and deliver forward-thinking classrooms that prepare students for a tech-filled world and job market.

    The district last updated its projection-based classroom systems in 2012, before the explosion of new touch-sensitive smart boards that are sweeping across the education landscape. Attractive pricing helped convince the district that smart boards would be the most impactful, sustainable and widely deployable solution, offering greater capabilities than existing systems while standardizing every classroom to simplify daily management and long-term maintenance.

    “LG’s easy-to-use CreateBoard interactive digital boards come at an incredible value, making them the best fit for Jamestown Public Schools. The district initially considered outfitting about half of

    its classrooms with a competitor product at double the price. With the CreateBoard, they’re essentially doubling their investment, creating streamlined experiences for staff and students in every room and school,” Meister explained. “The district’s previous projection systems were single-room solutions lacking significant communication options and new advances in interactivity or cloud-based learning tools. Now, with the LG CreateBoards, they have a unified 500+ display network that can be monitored, managed, and used to distribute content from a single location for morning announcements or emergencies. Additionally, the ability to set automatic on/off schedules ensures no energy is wasted, eliminating one task for today’s busy teachers.”

    The district is excited about what the technology can unleash in terms of classroom participation and faculty lesson plans, including simple access to popular web-based tools such as Google Classroom. The 40-point multi-touch digital displays allow a variety of interactive lesson plans and activities that can invite multiple students to use the board at once, in addition to convenient streaming and mobile device connections for educators and students alike. For instance, teachers can quickly log in to their accounts for Google and other services by scanning an on-screen QR code with their smartphone, and then leave the room knowing that the display automatically logs out of all accounts when the wireless connection is severed.

    “It’s hard to overstate the value of standardized solutions for our students, faculty and district as a whole,” Marzec said. “Running a school or district involves a lot of moving parts, and when we have teachers who may use multiple classrooms or even multiple buildings throughout a day or a week, giving them the same tools everywhere ensures there’s no time lost sorting out technical issues or troubleshooting compatibility with their prepared lessons. The same is true for today’s students who have never known a world without touchscreens. With a streamlined experience year after year, they can become fairly advanced users of the LG CreateBoard technology throughout their education, helping develop explicit technical skills alongside the school’s curriculum.”

    With LG CreateBoards, teachers can easily augment lessons with presentations or videos, screen share lessons or content from their own devices and enable students to screen share projects from their devices. With the new centralized control capabilities, Jamestown Public Schools can also easily deliver video morning announcements to every room without any action required from teachers. Lessons can be saved and stored online for later viewing and study, including live

    annotations over text or video that enable teachers to provide context, information or discussion to delve further than standard textbook descriptions or pre-prepared content.

    According to Jason Hubbard, Senior Account Manager for Education at LG Business Solutions, implementing CreateBoards can also fundamentally change how teachers approach the classroom by freeing them to leave their desk when using digital resources. “The two-way connection between laptops and the LG CreateBoard means that they can control and manipulate their computer or content from the CreateBoard, unlike a projection system or other non-smart solution where they have to be at the desk to exert control,” said Hubbard. “This offers educators greater freedom of movement and caters to a variety of teaching styles, which can aid engagement and attentiveness, directly affecting student and school outcomes.”

    When consulting Mercury Networks, the district considered different manufacturers and options, landing on the LG CreateBoard solution based on capabilities, manufacturer support and cost. The upgrade project began with 10 initial installations at the high school, then an expansion to five schools, and then the final decision to outfit every classroom all at once ahead of the 2024-2025 school year. Each room’s audio solution is also being upgraded to provide better sound quality and ensure long-term consistency for all users.

    “We are excited to see our teachers and students leverage these technologies for greater collaboration and enhanced discussions in a way that encourages participation and connects with students’ daily experiences and digital lifestyles,” Marzec added. “Additionally, buying into LG’s ecosystem has offered us new opportunities to consider deploying connected digital signage displays in hallways, cafeterias, entrances and other public spaces to provide school messaging or community content such as student achievement reels or replays of events including sports, performances, guest speeches and extracurricular activities.”

    Marzec also noted how LG’s attention to detail and willingness to provide assistance went above and beyond his expectations. In the past, technology providers had been much more hands-off, while LG acted more like a partner in terms of working to answer questions, resolve issues and ensure the district was fully satisfied with the outcome. The last installations concluded in early July 2024, with every classroom at every school ready to launch for the fall semester.

  • PPDS brings a land of visual opportunity for businesses in North America as first PPDS Master Showroom experience center opens in New York Metropolitan

    PPDS brings a land of visual opportunity for businesses in North America as first PPDS Master Showroom experience center opens in New York Metropolitan

    PPDS, a subsidiary of TPV Technology Limited, markets and sells Philips-branded professional displays, including TVs, signage, and LED solutions, combining Philips brand promise with TPV’s manufacturing expertise.

    PPDS has opened its first North American Master Showroom, PPDS Studio NYC Metro, in Fairfield, NJ, showcasing Philips Professional Displays and AV solutions for various market verticals, including education, corporate, and hospitality, with innovative features and sustainability.

    PPDS opened this showroom to provide a centralized, immersive environment where partners and clients can directly experience the possibilities and benefits of Philips displays. This initiative supports PPDS’s goal to inspire, educate, and strengthen partnerships in the North American market by enabling businesses to visualize tailored AV solutions for various applications while reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable technology.

    PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is delighted to announce the latest expansion of its North American business, with the grand opening of its stunning new PPDS Master Showroom experience center on the outskirts of New York City.

    Located in Fairfield, NJ – a short drive from Midtown Manhattan – the new state-of-the-art multidisciplinary venue is the second PPDS Master Showroom to be opened globally, and the ninth in the network of PPDS Studios, following successful launches in Europe (in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and UK), as well as in India.

    Brought together to inspire and educate, the PPDS Studio NYC Metro takes visiting partners and customers on a journey of creative discovery. Each area of the impressive space has been designed to showcase the power, possibilities, and groundbreaking sustainability benefits available through the company’s multi-award-winning portfolio of indoor and outdoor digital signage, dvLED, ePaper, business TVs, interactive, and videowall hardware and software.

    Open2 all market verticals

    Covering over 2,368 ft² (205m2) in a fully accessible, wheelchair-friendly, ground floor studio, the PPDS Master Showroom – ribbon cut during a grand opening event on October 24 – is divided into three captivating and carefully curated spaces, each showcasing a selection of flexible solutions tailorable to support the range of market verticals. These include retail, corporate, education, hospitality, food and beverage, government, security/surveillance, broadcast studios, transportation, houses of worship, public venues, and entertainment.

    Each space is separated using floor-to-ceiling glass panels, creating an open and unrestricted environment, mirroring PPDS’ global approach to its business and technologies.

    Ron Cottaar, Director of Global Marketing Director and Head of Marketing US at PPDS, commented: “PPDS is a provider of total solutions, offering a portfolio to support almost any business, no matter how big, small or creative its needs might be. This stunning new Master Showroom provides a perfect opportunity for us to work even more closely with our partners, and for businesses to experience for themselves what can be achieved.”

    Open to future-focused vision

    With over 30 active screens on show under a single roof, the power of Philips Professional Displays is immediately experienced upon entering the Studio. Visitors are greeted by an engaging array of content displayed on a 138” Philips LED All In One and a striking transparent OLED, while a 25” Philips Tableaux Advanced Color ePaper (ACeP) display – just one example of PPDS’s multi-award winning sustainable digital signage solutions – brings a customised welcome for visitors.

    Creating a scene of wall-to-wall visual activity in every direction, Solution Room 1 features two dedicated zones, including one for Hospitality – displaying the unique benefits of the Netflix ready, Google Cast™ Philips MediaSuite TV Series – and one for Education, showcasing the newly launched suite of interactive Philips Collaboration Displays. Upon opening, visitors to the PPDS Studio NYC Metro will also be among the first to experience PPDS’ new Philips Genius and Philips ScreenShare software for smarter and more collaborative teaching, learning, and collaboration.

    Sustainability

    With PPDS’ relentless approach to delivering highly sustainable, low energy solutions – helping to provide environmental and cost saving benefits to businesses – the Studio also proudly presents PPDS’ groundbreaking 65” Philips Signage 3000 Series EcoDesign Series. Unveiled this year, the display delivers unbeatable 4K UHD video while consuming up to 70% less energy versus comparable market offerings without compromising on performance.

    LEDing from the front

    A feast of visual content awaits in Solutions Room 2, demonstrating the latest evolutions of PPDS’ ever-growing portfolio of LCD videowall and dvLED innovations, showcased in a variety of form factors and applications.

    These include the recently unveiled – and PPDS’ first ever – Philips Unite All in One range, alongside the elementary Philips Unite LED 5000 and 6000 Series, providing stunning and fast installation times – as little as 60 minutes – for meeting rooms, classrooms, retail, houses of worship, and many more.

    Demonstrating PPDS’ credentials and capabilities in mission critical environments, the room also features a dedicated ‘Command Center’, using a stunning TAA compliant 2×2 Philips Videowall X-Line (55BDL2105X/17). On the opposite wall is a fully operational ‘Food and Beverage’ area, demonstrating a variety of relevant communications, including digital menus and promotions. This area features two 37” Philips Stretch S-Line displays, as well as four 50” Philips Signage 4000 Series D-Line digital signage displays, which have been arranged as a 1×4 menu board with an unrivalled Android SoC video loop through.

    A Philips Public 7000 dvLED ribbon also curves around the ceiling, further demonstrating the versatility of PPDS’ solutions, for installations of any shape or size.

    Training room

    In addition, the PPDS Master Showroom NYC Metro is a destination for PPDS’ teams, partners, and customers to host events, provide product training, collaborate, and innovate on projects, with a fully equipped meeting and training room.

    With five rows of desks and capacity to seat more than 25 people at a time, the training room features everything required for a successful meeting or presentation. This includes a stunning 16:9 Philips dvLED wall, a 10” interactive room booking display, plus a ‘sustainability wall’, featuring a range of 13”, 25” and 32” Philips Tableaux displays.

    Land of opportunity

    Speaking at the PPDS Studio NYC Metro’s grand opening – attended by members of the PPDS North America team, key partners, customers, and media – Nick Begleries, VP Commercial, North America, commented: “We are thrilled to have officially opened our first PPDS Master Showroom in North America, and what better location than on the doorstep of the most economically powerful city on the planet!

    “New York is home to 41 Fortune 500 companies, more than any other city, and according to a recent report there are now more small businesses open in the city than pre-pandemic. This incredible venue brings many exciting new opportunities for businesses in the area, as well as those travelling in by train, plane, or automobile. There is no better time or place to open our first PPDS Master Showroom in North America, and we already have plans for more PPDS Studios in the future.”

    Jack Boyczuk, Global Business Manager at PPDS, added: “PPDS is open to supporting all business and the PPDS Studio New York Metro has been carefully designed to showcase, test, and prove the highly advanced and sustainable display solutions our partners and customers need. Whether a local office or multinational retailer, at PPDS we have a solution to suit. We look forward to welcoming you to our Master Showroom to see and experience it for yourself.”

  • PPDS to debut latest Philips Hotel TVs with Netflix and Google Cast – plus world’s most energy-efficient digital signage at The Hospitality Show 2024

    PPDS to debut latest Philips Hotel TVs with Netflix and Google Cast – plus world’s most energy-efficient digital signage at The Hospitality Show 2024

    PPDS, a subsidiary of TPV Technology Limited, markets and sells Philips Professional Displays, including professional TVs, signage, and direct view LED solutions, combining Philips brand promise with TPV’s manufacturing expertise.

    PPDS will showcase its latest hotel TVs and hospitality digital signage at The Hospitality Show in San Antonio, TX. Highlights include the Philips MediaSuite TV with Netflix and Google Cast functionality and the energy-efficient Tableaux Advance Color ePaper displays. PPDS aims to demonstrate how their solutions enhance guest experience, improve hotel sustainability, and offer operational efficiencies.

    PPDS wants to position itself as a leader in hospitality AV by offering innovative, energy-saving solutions that meet modern hotelier needs. By highlighting benefits like guest control, no recurring fees, and remote management capabilities, PPDS is showcasing its unique, future-proof technology to potential buyers and partners in the competitive hospitality sector.

    The Hospitality team at PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays, is excited to announce it will be showcasing the latest innovations from its groundbreaking suite of Hotel TVs and hospitality-focused digital signage solutions at The Hospitality Show (Oct 28-30), delivering ultimate guest room entertainment, as well as proven energy efficiencies and substantial financial benefits for hoteliers.

    Joining 400 exhibitors and approximately 5,000 visitors inside the 514,000 sq ft Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX, the Hospitality Show – a joint venture between AHLA and Hotel Management – brings together industry leaders, senior executives of hotel brands, owners, operators, management companies, developers, investors, and technology experts from around the world.

    Exhibiting for the first time on Philips Booth #916, US and global PPDS teams will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss a range of unique and multi-award-winning solutions designed to enhance revenues, improve guest satisfaction, and deliver instant sustainability benefits to hoteliers.

    Taking control

    Now a market leader in EMEA, China, and Australia – and growing exponentially in North America – the Philips Hotel TV range will take center stage on the booth. This includes the revolutionary Netflix ready Philips MediaSuite TV with Google Cast™(available in 19”-75” models), as well as the latest addition to the range – the Philips Hospitality TV 4000 Series, both designed exclusively for guest room experiences.

    Delivering all inclusive, in-room, home-from-home TV entertainment, Philips MediaSuite is one of the world’s most unique and popular hotel TV solutions and remains the first – and currently, only – hotel TV to include both Google Cast™ and Netflix ready functionality built in, putting guests in total control of their viewing experiences.

    Adding significant benefits to hoteliers – including security and financial – the Philips MediaSuite and the Philips Hospitality 4000 Series require no additional equipment, wiring, or recurring subscription fees (no external boxes). Running on an Android SoC, they can be regularly updated to include the latest features, helping to extend product longevity and reduce unnecessary hardware upgrades and electronic waste.

    Voice control, access to thousands of apps via Google Play, extensive remote management, personalization, interactivity, and user insights make Philips MediaSuite a truly unique industry offering and one not to be missed.

    Sustainability made simple

    Outside of the guestroom, PPDS will be showcasing a range of advanced and highly sustainable interactive displays and digital signage solutions, each tailored to a variety of settings and hospitality applications, including for wayfinding, in-house marketing and promotions, digital menus, self-check-in and more.

    Making its first ever appearance at a national hospitality event, this will include the full range of PPDS’ multi-award-winning Philips Tableaux Advance Color ePaper (ACeP) displays (13”, 25”, and 32”), providing the ideal replacement for paper-based communications, reducing waste and delivering instant time and energy savings.

    Capable of running unplugged, Philips Tableaux is the world’s first full size, full-color ACeP display series, capable of displaying vivid images 24/7 without using a kW of power for days, weeks, or even years*. Highly portable, weighing in at just 3.5kg, installation uses are infinite, including the hotel lobby, corridors, café, bar, restaurant, and more. Augmented with an Android System on Chip and WiFi/LAN, local and global display fleets in one or multiple hotels can be managed entirely remotely.

    These and much more at The Hospitality Show 2024 in San Antonio.

    Scott Adams, Director of Hospitality at PPDS for North America, commented: “Now in its second year, The Hospitality Show provides a fantastic opportunity for PPDS to demonstrate the unrivaled strengths and capabilities available from our growing and ever-evolving suite of hospitality solutions. At PPDS, we cover all bases, whether it is providing outstanding entertainment choices in the guestroom, or delivering a range of crystal clear, energy efficient and remotely managed visual communications around the hotel. We cannot wait to be in Austin, helping visitors discover and experience the power of Philips Professional Displays on the Philips Booth #916.”

  • LG Debuts New Line of OLED 4k UHD Smart Hotel Tvs at the Hospitality Show

    LG Debuts New Line of OLED 4k UHD Smart Hotel Tvs at the Hospitality Show

    LG Electronics USA Business Solutions offers cutting-edge technology solutions for various markets, including lodging, hospitality, healthcare, education, and government. The division, based in Lincolnshire, Illinois, provides tailored solutions for business environments, including robotics and electric vehicle charging stations.

    LG Business Solutions USA has launched the AM960H Series of premium OLED 4K UHD Smart Hotel televisions for the hospitality industry, available in 77-, 65-, and 55-inch models. These TVs feature IoT-based control and voice functions, and will be showcased at The Hospitality Show.

    LG is enhancing guest experiences by providing hotels with high-quality OLED TVs at accessible price points, featuring cutting-edge display technology, AI-enabled controls, and remote management capabilities to meet modern hospitality demands.

    Continuing to advance the guest experience at leading hotels, LG Business Solutions USA has announced the introduction of a new line of premium OLED 4K UHD Smart Hotel televisions. LG will demonstrate this new line at The Hospitality Show in San Antonio, TX October 28-30 in booth #1713.

    “Our new range of OLED 4K UHD hotel televisions offer the ultimate in luxury and convenience for hotel guests,” said LG Business Solutions USA’s Jacob Benner, Senior Director of Hospitality. “Boasting industry-leading hospitality functionality, the improved Pro:Centric Direct hotel content management solution and exceptional picture quality, the AM960H Series brings premium, consumer-favorite OLED technology to the hospitality industry at an accessible price point without compromising quality and features. We’re bringing this new line to The Hospitality Show, where attendees can experience firsthand how our innovative OLED Hotel TVs help hoteliers not only meet but exceed today’s guest experience expectations.”

    Available now for delivery to hotel customers, the new AM960H Series of premium OLED 4K UHD Smart Hotel TVs is available in 77-, 65- and 55-inch models. These TVs bring advanced display technology to the guestroom experience, offering stunning pictures with absolute blacks and incredible contrast from any angle. Self-lighting pixels, which can be switched on and off individually, make images incredibly lifelike. Without the need for a backlight, LG OLED displays are both thin and lightweight.

    The LG Pro:Centric Direct Hotel Content Management Solution offers simple editing tools, making it easy to perform service and IP network-based remote management with a single click, and providing users with a customizable, familiar interface with no compatibility issues. It also provides IoT-based in-room control as well as voice control function through LG Natural Language Processing (NLP). These IoT and voice-related functions mark the starting point of the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled hotel rooms.

    Rounding out the options for hoteliers with needs for even larger OLED displays, LG’s popular 97- and 83-inch OLED 4K UHD commercial signage displays (models OLED97G4CUA and OLED83G4CUA) can be paired with the LG Pro:Centric Smart Set Top Box (model STB-6500), for the same eye-popping viewing experience.

  • Christie to deliver masterclass on virtual production process at HUB Montréal

    Christie to deliver masterclass on virtual production process at HUB Montréal

    Christie Digital Systems USA, a subsidiary of Ushio Inc., is a global visual and audio technologies company that revolutionized the movie industry with digital cinema projection. They offer solutions for various events, including advanced RGB laser projection, SDVoE technology, content management, and LED displays.

    Christie® is presenting a masterclass on “Virtual projection: Unlocking creative freedom and maximizing the transmedia potential” at HUB Montréal 2024. The session, led by Joseph Conover and Chris Barnett, will explore virtual production using LED volume studios and projection-based methods. It will introduce an innovative solution for broadcast and cinematic storytelling.

    Christie aims to educate and engage professionals in the entertainment, cultural, and experiential sectors by showcasing how projection technology can enhance creative freedom in virtual production and transmedia storytelling. The masterclass offers valuable insights for both experienced and new virtual production professionals.

    Christie® is pleased to share that it will present a masterclass at HUB Montréal, a three-day event for digital creative industries in the entertainment, cultural, and experiential sectors, from October 21-23, 2024.

    The masterclass, titled “Virtual projection: Unlocking creative freedom and maximizing the transmedia potential” will explore the virtual production process, and speakers Joseph Conover and Chris Barnett will introduce an innovative new solution that will help to shape the future of broadcast and cinematic storytelling.

    In this brand-agnostic class, Conover and Barnett will examine LED volume studios and projection-based approaches to virtual production. “Whether you’re a veteran of virtual production or just beginning to explore its potential, this masterclass will offer insights into the tools and techniques driving the next wave of innovation,” says Conover. “We’ll share how projection technology can unlock greater creative freedom and support transmedia storytelling.”

    Attendees of HUB Montréal are invited to attend the class, which takes place on October 22 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.

    Christie is pleased to be the official technology partner for the 8th edition of HUB Montréal. The annual event aims to significantly contribute to the business development of digital creativity companies. The 2023 edition of HUB Montréal welcomed over 750 attendees from around the world, with a dedicated team facilitating over 1500 networking opportunities and hosting over 70 activities, including workshops, presentations, and off-site experiences.

  • Alfalite installs an immersive LED cube at Telefónica’s new Espacio Movistar in Madrid

    Alfalite installs an immersive LED cube at Telefónica’s new Espacio Movistar in Madrid

    Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED displays, has been selected by Telefónica Tech, the technology arm of the global telecom giant Telefónica, to complete one of the standout installations at the new Espacio Movistar, the company’s latest flagship venue. Located in the iconic Telefónica Building on Madrid’s Gran Vía, the project is part of Telefónica’s 100th-anniversary celebrations. Alfalite has designed and installed a five-sided immersive LED cube, covering three walls, the floor, and the ceiling, using its Alfalite Modularpix Pro 1.5 ORIM® panels.

    This LED cube creates an immersive sensory experience for visitors, leveraging state-of-the-art visual technology. The cube’s multiple high-resolution screens, combined with the durability of Alfalite’s panels, deliver breathtaking image quality, drawing viewers into dynamic and immersive content. The installation is part of Telefónica Tech’s strategy to infuse innovation into Espacio Movistar, a space where technology meets entertainment.

    Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, with operations in Europe and Latin America. Headquartered in Madrid, it provides mobile, fixed-line, and broadband services to millions of customers, pioneering digital transformation through its subsidiaries and services. Telefónica Tech, the company’s innovation hub, focuses on the integration of systems and technologies to make businesses more efficient, sustainable and resilient.

    Espacio Movistar spans 2,800 square meters across two floors in the heart of Madrid. More than just a showroom, it is a fully interactive tech and entertainment hub where the company showcases its vision of the future of communication and digital services. The space includes movie theaters, TV production sets, content recording studios, gaming areas, and environments for creating audiovisual content. It is designed to be a modern landmark that merges technology, entertainment, and Telefónica’s century-long legacy.

    A visual masterpiece in Madrid’s tech landmark

    One of the central attractions of Espacio Movistar is Alfalite’s immersive LED cube, which provides visitors with a unique visual journey. The five-sided installation allows for a 360-degree immersion into rich digital environments, accompanied by surround sound and striking visual effects. Positioned at the intersection of leisure, culture, and entertainment, the cube is expected to become a highlight of Madrid’s vibrant tech scene.

    Luis Garrido, executive director of Alfalite, emphasized the significance of the project: “We are honored to have been chosen by Telefónica Tech to be part of such a prestigious installation. Our technology enables a premium immersive experience, celebrating Telefónica’s 100-year history while looking forward to its future innovations.”

    Espacio Movistar is open to the public at the Telefónica Building on Gran Vía, offering free admission and a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and entertainment in the heart of Madrid.

  • Toyota Center and Technology Design Partner ANC Complete Multi-Year Digital Display Upgrade with the Reveal of a Massive New Center Hung Scoreboard

    Toyota Center and Technology Design Partner ANC Complete Multi-Year Digital Display Upgrade with the Reveal of a Massive New Center Hung Scoreboard

    Toyota Center has completed a two-year digital signage upgrade, featuring a new center-hung scoreboard and nearly 13,000 square feet of LED displays. Partnering with ANC and WJHW, they improved fan experiences with advanced visual and audio technologies, including smoke effects and dynamic 360-degree content on the scoreboard. The upgrades also include enhanced content management and game-day support from ANC.

    The upgrades aim to elevate the venue experience for Rockets fans and live event attendees, positioning Toyota Center as a forward-thinking sports venue while building momentum for the franchise.

    Toyota Center will unveil the completion of a two-year venue-wide digital signage upgrade at their annual preseason Fan Fest this weekend, featuring one of the largest and most advanced Center Hung scoreboards in the NBA as a part of nearly 13,000 square feet of digital signage improvements.  Developed in partnership with AV technology design and integration leader ANC and industry-leading consulting firm WJHW, the new LED displays focus on offering premier experiences for their fans, building on their momentum last season and strengthening Toyota Center’s standing as one of the most forward-thinking venues in professional sports.

    “These technology transformations emphasize our commitment to creating a more exciting and immersive environment for all of our new and returning Rockets fans and live events attendees,” said Rockets President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr. “We appreciate partners like ANC who understand how passionate we are about improving the venue experience and have helped us make it a reality. The sheer size and intricate resolution of our Center Hung, its innovative underbelly displays and new smoke effects via Rocket boosters, plus last year’s in-bowl upgrades all add up to a completely new experience for so many of our fans, providing larger-than-life views from every seat in the house.”

    The highlight of the project is ANC’s installation of a new 6,200-square-foot center-hung scoreboard. This cutting-edge display boasts 84% more LED surface area than its predecessor and offers a 4mm resolution for 50% more visual impact. The 1,500 square feet of fine-pitch 2.5mm underbelly screens provide crystal-clear viewing angles for courtside and lower-bowl seats. The seamless, curved design – dubbed by ANC and the Team as the Galactic Rings – allows content to wrap continuously around the entire scoreboard, including the underbelly, enabling dynamic, 360-degree configurations across 10 million pixels, ensuring continuous, immersive visuals.

    “As innovation surges throughout our industry, we are thrilled to partner with Toyota Center to elevate their gameday,” said Jerry Cifarelli Jr., CEO of ANC. ” After a multi-year renovation like this one, we know how exciting it is for our partners to show off the major upgrades to their fans. Toyota Center’s investment in cutting-edge display technologies, including the scoreboard’s impressive size and seamless design, will build on the momentum of the thriving franchise and elevate the venue experience to new heights this season.”

    To elevate live event experiences further, the center-hung scoreboard now features brand-new audio speakers, digital LED lighting elements, and smoke effects via Rocket boosters, delivering more truly out-of-this-world moments for Rockets fans. ANC also managed the content management integration and rack build-out of the Ross control software, which operates the entire display system from Phases 1 & 2.

    Last season, ANC completed the arena’s first phase of digital signage renovation with 5,000 square feet of additional signage upgrades, including 10mm LED Fascia Ribbon wrapping three levels, two (2) forty-four-foot-wide Endline Displays, two (2) twenty-eight-foot-wide Baseline Displays, twelve (12) 4mm Bulkhead Displays around the bowl tunnels, some as large as 12-feet wide, plus LED Courtside Tables, and a 10mm exterior Marquee Display.

    Continuing the multi-year partnership, ANC’s operations and technicians will service the venue’s digital media displays, providing comprehensive game-day support and maintenance for the entire venue display network.  Like many ANC partners, ANC will also provide the team with advertising support across new marketing sponsors for high-impact TV-visible media inventory.

  • SANUS Announces New Advanced Full Motion Mount Models

    SANUS Announces New Advanced Full Motion Mount Models

    SANUS, a Legrand brand, designs and builds high-quality AV mounts, furniture, stands, and accessories to enhance AV systems and decor, available globally.

    SANUS has launched its Advanced Full-Motion 4D® + SHIFT™ TV mounts, which offer vertical height adjustment for TVs ranging from 19 inches to 90 inches. The mounts feature easy post-installation height adjustment with SHIFT technology, FluidMotion™ for smooth movement, FollowThru™ for cable management, and other functionalities that enhance the ease of installation and positioning.

    These new mounts address the challenge of precise TV positioning and offer flexibility for integrators or homeowners, making TV mounting above mantles or around obstacles easier while ensuring a clean and professional installation.

    SANUS, an industry leader in mounts and accessories for TVs and smart devices, today announced its latest Advanced Full-Motion 4D® + SHIFT™ mounts. Available in small, medium, and large sizes to fit 19-inch to 90-inch TVs, these mounts introduce SANUS’ cutting-edge 4D + SHIFT technology, providing post-installation vertical height adjustment of up to four inches for 19-inch to 43-inch TVs (VSF817-B2), six inches for 32-inch to 65-inch TVs (VMF822-B2), or eight inches for 42-inch to 90-inch TVs (VLF828-B2).

    “Any integrator or discerning homeowner knows just an inch of adjustment can mean perfection, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming to achieve,” said Philip Wessberg, SANUS Senior Product Manager. “Our new SANUS mounts featuring SHIFT technology solve this challenge. If a TV doesn’t happen to end up in the desired position or is accidentally mismeasured during installation, the SHIFT feature allows for easy TV height adjustment, either up or down, ensuring that the TV is perfectly positioned where the homeowner wants it. With its simple and intuitive design, the Advanced Full-Motion Mount ensures a clear and hassle-free installation in just three easy steps.”

    This flexibility is particularly useful for mounting TVs above mantles, on TV consoles, or around pre-existing wall outlets. The SHIFT capability also allows for future adjustments, accommodating additions like soundbars or seasonal decorations. The SHIFT height adjusting feature is easily performed with the simple twist of the SHIFT handle (Model VLF828) that is hidden behind the TV and lowered when needed for adjustments. The SHIFT handle can also assist with moving large TVs. As large TVs may be too big to grip on both sides, installers or homeowners can simply deploy the SHIFT handle and use it to assist with moving the TV into the desired position effortlessly.

    Beneath the mount’s stylish exterior is an ultra-strong, solid steel frame that provides maximum support and security. With a lower profile depth than traditional full-motion mounts, the Advanced Full-Motion Mounts position TVs closer to the wall, creating a more streamlined look. The mounts also feature FollowThru™, SANUS’ signature through-arm cable management feature, which allows cables to be routed through the arms of the TV mount for a clean, organized look for any home entertainment system. The mounts also feature FluidMotion™, allowing the mounted TV to be extended, tilted, and swiveled with ease, regardless of its weight or thickness. With Virtual Axis™, glare and reflections caused by lights or windows are easily reduced by simply tilting the display up or down with the touch of a finger. If the TV requires any additional leveling once installed, ProSet™ allows for micro-adjustments. The mounts also include Steady Set™ functionality to ensure the TV will stay exactly where the viewer wants it — no drifting, shifting, or unwanted movement. The Advanced Full-Motion 4D + SHIFT TV Wall Mounts not only enhance the visual appeal of the installation but also provide the functionality needed for a seamless and professional result.

  • Carousel Digital Signage Graces the Hallways of Catholic PreK-8 School in Minnesota

    Carousel Digital Signage Graces the Hallways of Catholic PreK-8 School in Minnesota

    Carousel Digital Signage has helped Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, a PreK-8 school serving students in the Edina, Minnesota area transition from a PowerPoint program to a Carousel Cloud network, providing a professional digital signage experience to students, faculty and visitors as they move through the building. The Carousel Cloud network is now live on 10 screens in hallways, offices and common areas, with an additional five or more end points expected through the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

    Our Lady of Grace Catholic School opened in 1949 with eight rooms, and has flourished over the years through the support of the vibrant Parish community. Today, the school enrolls more than 890 students, with the Our Lady of Grace Parish expanding the school’s facilities and education programs in alignment with its growth.

    With its growing student body and supportive Catholic community of parents and faculty came the need to improve communication to all relevant audiences, from sharing classroom and workshop activities that highlight student achievements to helping parents navigate the building during special events. While the school’s digital signage program is generally modest, the fact that it’s a one-person show made ease of use a top priority.

    Enter Carousel Cloud, which provides a robust set of channel designs and templates through its Carousel Content Library that helps customers quickly launch, update and scale their Carousel Cloud networks. The templates have also made it easy to create content that aligns with the school’s branding, including colors (notably a special shade of purple) and fonts along with a special logo that celebrates the school’s 75th anniversary.

    “Carousel offers K12 templates in their Education Collection that makes it easy for me to quickly create professional-looking content that is easy to read and absorb,” said Jackie Gartland, Specialist Teacher, Technology for Our Lady of Grace Catholic School. “That includes the ability to create content from home. I only have so much time available during the school day and my priority is to focus on teaching, and since I handle all network operations the ability to create content and manage the network from home means that our digital signage remains up to date instead of languishing on the backburner.”

    Gartland says that on most days the network includes four slides that self-update, and can update bulletins “in about ten minutes,” She points to Carousel’s seamless integration with third-party data and RSS feeds as another win for efficiency, as weather, news and other sources feed into the network with automatic updates to screens. That includes a Saints of the Day RSS feed that provides a daily dose of faith and inspiration for students and faculty alike.

    Gartland adds that adding new end points to the Carousel Cloud network is made simpler through its integration with Apple TV devices, which serve as media players for the network. “Our next screen will go live win the 7th grade common area,” she said. “All we really need to do is insert the Carousel app onto the Apple TV, and log into our account. We immediately have a new digital signage end point in place. It’s really that simple.”