AVNation TV

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  • Powersoft delivers audio fit for a king at Kings Place, London

    Powersoft delivers audio fit for a king at Kings Place, London

    UK-based system integrator Marquee AV took advantage of the discreetness and flexibility of Powersoft’s compact Mezzo amplifier platform for a new AV installation at Kings Place, a multifunctional conference and events venue in King’s Cross, London.

    Located in the vibrant King’s Cross area, close to landmarks such as the British Library, Bloomsbury Theatre and St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Kings Place is a mixed-use development that includes an arts and creative hub, office space, events and conference rooms, and bars and dining areas, including a waterfront restaurant. The recently renovated Battlebridge Room is at the heart at the Kings Cross complex, its modularity, natural light and scenic views (overlooking Regent’s Canal) helping to make it one of the venue’s most popular spaces.

    Kings Place is an existing client of Marquee AV, and when it came time to upgrade the Battlebridge Room’s AV equipment the venue again approached Marquee – a long-time user of Powersoft amplifiers – to design and install the new system. Stacey Tough, director of Marquee AV and project director for the Kings Place installation, explains that his design philosophy was to be as inobtrusive as possible, matching the sophisticated, minimalist style of both the Battlebridge Room and wider Kings Place venue.

    To that end, Tough specified a Bose Professional MA12EX column speaker system, installed discreetly at either side of the screens at the room’s focal point, and Powersoft’s small-but-mighty Mezzo amplifiers, which offer all the power and reliability of the manufacturer’s larger install products but in a compact, easy-to-hide ½ rack-unit form factor.

    For the Battlebridge Room, Marquee opted for one Mezzo 602 AD and one Mezzo 322 AD two-channel amplifier, which deliver 600W and 320W of output respectively to the Bose Professional system. Additionally, the ultra-flexible AD models add audio networking capabilities via Dante/AES67, as well as an internal Gigabit Ethernet switch with a second port, allowing multiple products to share the same network.

    With room to accommodate up to 400 people for a variety of events, including networking receptions, corporate dinners and wedding celebrations, it was important that the Battlebridge Room system be flexible enough to handle a broad range of applications. With its analogue and digital inputs, power sharing capabilities, and state-of-the-art inbuilt DSP, the Mezzo platform was the ideal solution.

    Designed for corporate, hospitality and educational applications, Mezzo leverages Powersoft’s Smart Rail Management (SRM) technology to reduce power consumption, providing integrators with unparalleled energy efficiency, power density and thermal dissipation values. By minimising the amount of power needed to run the amplifier, end users can benefit from low running costs and reduced CO2 emissions.

    Complementing the Powersoft amplifiers and Bose loudspeaker system are a Q-SYS TSC-70-G3 touch screen, a Q-SYS Core 110f v2 processor, and a Blackmagic Videohub, including a Smart Videohub 12 × 12 SDI matrix, for video content.

    Commenting on the Battlebridge Room’s new AV system, Tough comments: “Both aspects of the AV in this space have seen significant improvements. The speaker system has greatly enhanced sound distribution throughout the conference room and the SDI implementation has stabilised and simplified the video path element of the requirement.”

    On the choice of the Powersoft amplifiers, he adds: “We regularly use Powersoft in our projects, as their products are high quality and reliable. With its compact footprint, wide range of inputs and, in particular, its compatibility with Dante, Mezzo AD was the perfect choice to deliver high-quality audio and remote control and monitoring of the new AV system.”

  • Dante and Yamaha Provide Immersive Live Performance Experience at Kani City Cultural Creation Center

    Dante and Yamaha Provide Immersive Live Performance Experience at Kani City Cultural Creation Center

    Kani is a city located in the south-central Gifu Prefecture of Japan. With a population of approximately 100,000 residents, Kani is known for the multitude of golf courses in the eastern part of the city, which collectively cover almost 10% of the city’s land. At the heart of the city lies the Kani City Cultural Creation Center. Built to serve as the city’s civic focal point, the Kani City Cultural Creation Center doesn’t think of itself as an arts center but as a “human home” filled with people’s memories and promotes socially inclusive theater management that fosters connections. The venue was built to present civic activities, including large-scale performances that involve local talent, community-building workshops, and nurturing performing artists and community arts workers.

    The main theater of the Kani City Cultural Creation Center is designed primarily for live theatrical performances with an acoustic reflection pattern that has a short reverberation time of about 1.6 seconds. In early 2024, the venue hosted an event in which contemporary dance was performed to an orchestral accompaniment. The performance involved dancers on stage while the orchestra was seated in an orchestra pit at the front of the stage that was raised from the pit floor to stage level at different times in the performance. The event challenged the venue staff to find a way to enhance the experience for the audience as the theater’s acoustic reflectors and additional curtain decorations used in the performance would significantly absorb the sound and not provide a rich, reverberant and immersive atmosphere. The acoustic and audio engineers saw this as an opportunity to elevate the audio experience for the audience, so they reached out to Yamaha to use its renowned Active Field Control (AFC) Immersive Audio System that would transfer audio over a Dante network.

    “The AFC system is based on the assumption that all signals, from the AFC engine and digital mixer to the processor, are exchanged via Dante,” said Hayato Ikeda, a sound engineer with the Kani City Cultural Creation Center. “This theater has permanent audio equipment that is fully compatible with Dante, from the Yamaha digital mixer to the power amplifiers, so we were able to make the decision to give AFC a try.”

    The detailed, dimensional regenerative electronic reverberation control capabilities of Yamaha’s AFC Enhance were used in the theater to create acoustic spaces in which acoustic images were positioned and controlled by AFC Image. For AFC Enhance, two rows of four microphones were hung from the ceiling to collect the natural sound in the theater, and Ikeda used that sound to process and create a consistent resonance throughout the room regardless of the orchestra pit position. For AFC Image, 37 microphones were set up in the orchestra pit, and seven boundary microphones were mounted on stage for the dancers. The microphones in the pit were mainly targeted at string instruments and reinforced the parts of the performance where the sound of string instruments has difficulty reaching the audience when the orchestra pit is lowered. The microphone inputs were passed to a Yamaha QL5 digital mixer for EQ before being sent to the AFC engine for spatial processing before being amplified through 37 NEXO speakers installed throughout the theater.

    The effect of the spatial audio experience delivered during the performance was transformative and sounded very natural — so natural that when Ikeda turned off AFC Enhance during practices, it felt “strange.” There were also no complaints from the musicians and the maestro, who were very strict about sound quality, which was an endorsement of its own.

    “We made full use of Dante during the show, transmitting data from all 52 microphones through the Dante-enabled Yamaha digital mixers and the AFC engine and out to the amplifiers,” said Ikeda. “This performance would have been virtually impossible without Dante.”

  • Riedel Communications Powers ATK Versacom’s Live Production at International Esports Championship

    Riedel Communications Powers ATK Versacom’s Live Production at International Esports Championship

    Riedel Communications today announced that ATK Versacom, a Clair Global brand, has used a comprehensive suite of Riedel solutions to ensure seamless production and broadcast of an annual worldwide esports championship. By seamlessly integrating Riedel’s Bolero 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz systems with the Artist-1024 matrix, ATK Versacom was able to overcome the traditional limitations of wireless communication in dense environments, facilitating synchronous communication with local and international production teams, broadcasters, and the event’s technical crew.

    “Working on a high-profile international esports championship was a fun and exciting challenge. The complexity and scale of the event required a robust and flexible communication system, and as always, Riedel’s solutions delivered exactly what we needed,” said Juan Gallardo, Director of Technical Operations at ATK Versacom. “By creating a high-density wireless environment that supported seamless communication across all production elements, we were successful in coordinating the efforts of our local and international teams, broadcasters, and the game’s producer. We are proud to have successfully executed such a prestigious global event and look forward to continuing our partnership with Riedel on other important occasions.”

    First held in 2011, the annual international championship has evolved into a highly prestigious event on the esports calendar. The acclaimed multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game event drew fans from around the world to Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, where competing teams this season fought for the title of world champion and a share of a massive multimillion-dollar prize pool.

    This year’s tournament marked a significant achievement in live event production thanks to the innovative use of Riedel’s state-of-the-art technology. As the production support specialist, ATK Versacom deployed an extensive Riedel setup, including 90 Bolero wireless beltpacks (26 operating on 2.4 GHz and the rest on 1.9 GHz DECT), an Artist-1024 digital matrix intercom frame with 256 ports, approximately 30 SmartPanels and legacy 1000 Series panels, up to 25 antennas for 1.9 GHz, and 20 antennas for 2.4 GHz. This equipment was installed and operational for both the semifinals at the Seattle Convention Center and the finals at the Climate Pledge Arena, enabling a quick breakdown and reassembly between venues. For additional flexibility, Riedel’s network- and IP-based system enabled ATK Versacom to run a cable or use the house fiber, adding a switch and then installing the panels, antennas, and beltpacks as needed.

    ATK Versacom was able to integrate the Bolero 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz systems into the Artist-1024 matrix seamlessly, enabling communication across different frequency bands without direct interaction. This setup allowed ATK Versacom to create a high-density wireless communication network capable of supporting up to 90 beltpacks simultaneously, overcoming the typical DECT limitation of 50 beltpacks. Moreover, the integration facilitated communication in at least four different languages — including Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish — and included Dante. The adaptable system seamlessly integrated with third-party interfaces to establish connections with broadcasters across different countries, thus ensuring seamless global transmission.

    “The complexity of this international championship highlights the power and flexibility of Riedel’s solutions to meet the unique communication demands of live global esports events,” said Patti Gunnell, Vice President, Key Accounts – Western U.S. at Riedel Communications. “While our 2.4 GHz Bolero system was originally designed for countries outside the U.S., its ability to assist in creating high-density wireless systems proves invaluable when pushing the limits of the DECT band. Once again, the combination of Riedel’s Artist and Bolero proves vital in allowing this prestigious esports tournament to connect participants from around the world effortlessly. We are thrilled to support ATK Versacom in taking on this ambitious challenge and delivering a truly global experience for this passionate community.”

  • The Grove Hotel tunes in to 225 customised Philips MediaSuite to deliver five star guest room entertainment Netflix ready™ and with Google Cast™

    The Grove Hotel tunes in to 225 customised Philips MediaSuite to deliver five star guest room entertainment Netflix ready™ and with Google Cast™

    The Grove Hotel, one of the UK’s most prestigious five star retreats, has teamed up with PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays, to revolutionise the in-room entertainment experience with the installation of 225 Google Cast and Netflix ready Philips MediaSuite TVs within its luxury guestrooms.

    A short distance from Central London and synonymous with the rich and famous – with Tom Cruise, the Beckhams, Hugh Grant, and Kylie Minogue among some of the well-known guests in recent years – The Grove Hotel’s existing TV setup had become outdated, failing to address modern viewing preferences and falling short of guest expectations.

    Part of an extensive upgrade and refurbishment project, The Grove Hotel – owned by the Ralph Trustees Ltd hospitality group – sought a TV solution to provide best-in-class picture quality together with seamless casting capabilities, embedded streaming and gaming apps, plus the ability to deliver personalised content on a room-by-room basis, enabling guests to take control of their own viewing experiences.

    Following extensive global research, The Grove Hotel teamed up with PPDS, identifying the company’s unique Google Cast and Netflix ready Philips MediaSuite TV range as the only dedicated hospitality solution in the global market capable of meeting its high requirements and exacting standards.

    Home comforts

    Designed to offer a seamless transition between home and the hotel room, 189 Philips MediaSuite TVs – adopted by many of the world’s leading global hotel chains – were successfully installed in the guest rooms in The Grove Hotel’s contemporary West Wing.

    Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests, the project was quickly extended to include an additional 36 Philips MediaSuite TVs (43”-54”) in the 13 rooms and 12 suites in The Grove’s stunning Grade II listed Mansion House.

    Philip Hallam, Group IT Technical Manager, Ralph Trustees Ltd, commented: “I have been continually reviewing the guest experience over the last 20 years or so. In particular, what I have been looking for is a product that can provide seamless streaming services and experiences to our guests. Five years ago, when I began this journey, I wasn’t able to find anything that matched our requirements or our ambitions. That was, until I found Philips MediaSuite.”

    Like a fine wine

    As the world’s first hospitality TV to feature Google Cast and Netflix ready functionality, launched back in 2019, the Philips MediaSuite TVs enable guests staying at The Grove Hotel to easily access and cast all their favourite content from their preferred accounts (including DAZN, Disney+, Prime, YouTube™, and more) directly onto the TV using their own personal connected device, whatever the operating system. With no additional wires or hardware, the risk of tampering or costly dongle thefts is eliminated, while all customer data – such as login credentials– is automatically cleared upon checkout.

    Running on Android, and further extending the role and benefits of the in-room TV, guests at The Grove Hotel also have seamless access to a multitude of apps via the Google Play store, with games, news, travel, weather, and information on local attractions among those available through the TV.

    In addition, as part of PPDS’ long-term commitment to its Android technology and supporting businesses with their sustainability ambitions, Philips MediaSuite TVs can also receive regular software updates, adding the latest apps, services, and features. This allows the TVs to improve with age, reducing unnecessary hardware upgrades (and electronic waste), while maintaining a consistent user experience in every room.

    Tailored experiences

    Bringing extensive branding, marketing and unique tailored opportunities to guests, all Philips MediaSuite TVs installed at The Grove Hotel are networked over a Tiger TMS hotel property management system (PMS) and use PPDS CMND content management platform.

    The user interface on all Philips MediaSuite TVs has also been customised to feature The Grove Hotel’s iconic colours and branding, together with their design and layout.

    Taking things further, each Philips MediaSuite TV can now be configured to meet the needs and requirements of each guest. This includes but is far from limited to, supporting a wide range of different or preferred languages, adding on-screen messages (such as a personalised welcome or congratulations on special occasions), and even adding specific services, such as games and channels suitable for guests with children, or health-related apps, such as Peloton and iFit.

    Externally, all Philips MediaSuite TVs at The Grove Hotel have had their bezels custom-finished in a stunning pewter colour, completing the look and adding a final layer of exclusivity.

    Kendra Ingram, Professional TV Business Manager at PPDS added: “The feature we’re finding both hoteliers and their guests enjoy around the world on Philips MediaSuite is Google Cast. It’s a fully certified Google product, allowing guests to come in with their phones and cast the content they really want to watch. It’s fast and incredibly simple. And the benefits of Philips MediaSuite extend much further, with an amazing choice of entertainment options to cover almost every preference a guest might have. We’re incredibly proud to have played such an important role in the experience at The Grove – one of the UK’s most luxurious hotels.”

    Philip added: “In the world we live in today, the majority of the content our guests are looking for is actually from their own streaming services. Philips MediaSuite was the standout choice for our guest rooms.”

    Project at a glance 

    • Client: The Grove Hotel
    • Location: Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, UK
    • Project: Remastering the West Wing for home-from-home comfort at The Grove
    • Partners: Peter Tyson
    • Products: 43” and 55” Philips MediaSuite TVs
  • Double Play: Professional Baseball 2024 is in Full Swing with Samsung Displays

    Double Play: Professional Baseball 2024 is in Full Swing with Samsung Displays

    “If you build it, they will come.” This spring, professional baseball stadiums nationwide opened their gates for opening day, welcoming fans for another exciting season of baseball. The stadium atmosphere was palpable, filled with iconic ballpark fare, the excitement of the crowds and new immersive technologies to elevate the game-day experience.

    Recently, Samsung had the honor of working with legendary teams like the New York Mets and Houston Astros to upgrade their home stadiums with larger-than-life outdoor LED scoreboards and other cutting-edge displays throughout the venues.

    Bright lights, big Citi Field

    On March 21, Samsung joined the New York Mets for its annual What’s New Event at Citi Field to unveil a new 3D anamorphic, two-sided LED display now installed in the stadium’s concourse. The one-of-a-kind 3D display provides fans with an engaging, immersive experience no matter what side they are standing in front of. Each side of the display can showcase different content ranging from scoreboard updates to player stats and advertisements from the Mets’ partners.

    “We are showcasing the next phase in our amazing partnership with Samsung and continuing our mission to transform the fan experience via digital display technology,” said Oscar Fernandez, ​​Senior Vice President of Technology for the New York Mets. “We started this joint effort three years ago to enhance the fan experience at Citi Field. Fast forward to today and we now have a refreshed rotunda with new LED ribbons throughout the seating bowl, large format display TVs, 1,300 displays throughout the stadium and the biggest scoreboard in the MLB to connect with fans and bring them closer to the action on the field.”

    Samsung and Citi Field have been working together since 2021 to elevate the stadium experience for Mets fans and visitors. In 2023, the Mets unveiled its new scoreboard totaling 17,400 square feet, making it the largest scoreboard in a professional baseball stadium. The scoreboard is double-sided, being tall enough to be seen along the highway so the fan experience begins before they even enter Citi Field. The stadium also features a smaller scoreboard located along the second baseline. Other displays inside the stadium include signage within the team stores at Citi Field, digital menu boards at the concession stands and digital dioramas and billboards around the concourse for advertising.

    “We value our relationship with the Mets. Together, we are constantly pushing new technology advancements with one goal in mind — to wow every fan who enters Citi Field,” said Don Szczepaniak, Vice President, Service Delivery, Samsung Electronics America. “The displays and connected stadium experience at Citi Field will continue to bring in fans near and afar, and distinguish the Mets as one of the most innovative, future-minded teams in professional baseball.”

    Houston, we have a scoreboard

    Last year, the Houston Astros also did a digital makeover of its home at Minute Maid Stadium, including a primary scoreboard, left-field scoreboard and ribbon boards. The stadium’s 6,875-square-foot new scoreboard, nicknamed “El Grande,” located in centerfield delivers a clear view to fans from every angle and is one part of a larger video board spanning eight stories, featuring 5.3 million stunning LEDs designed to digitally enhance the fan experience like never before.

    The Astros’ retractable roof at the stadium and natural grass field are unique features of Minute Maid Stadium that make the venue a crown jewel of downtown Houston. Samsung worked with the Astros to ensure the El Grande scoreboard would be a major aesthetic and technological upgrade while fitting seamlessly with the stadium’s iconic design. Other upgrade features include replacing the smaller scoreboard on the left side of the field for enhanced visibility. Over 45,000 square feet of ribbon displays now wrap around the stadium and act as a medium for game information, team branding and advertising space for additional revenue generation. Combined, the total number of displays in the stadium adds up to 54,000 square feet and 9.8 million LEDs to create a dazzling spectacle for Astros fans.

    “No matter where an Astro fan is seated at Minute Maid Park, they have a perfect view of the game. Even in the Texas sun, the LED display provides them a clear picture of the action inning after inning,” said David Phelps, Head of the Display Division, Samsung Electronics America. “With these technology upgrades, we wanted to ensure the gameday experience felt modern but preserved the timeless charm of the stadium.”

    “The technology upgrades to the stadiums are unique for each team, but all achieve one goal—to elevate the venue experience like never before,” added David Phelps. “The Mets and Astros all hit a home run in setting new standards for fan engagement, communications and revenue generation. We hope to help more esteemed teams integrate immersive technologies that draw fans into the stadiums on game day and keep them coming back for more.”

  • Christie laser projectors enhance exhibitions at Lisbon’s National Museum of Ethnology

    Christie laser projectors enhance exhibitions at Lisbon’s National Museum of Ethnology

    Christie® is proud to announce the integration of its 1DLP® laser projectors into Portugal’s National Museum of Ethnology as part of the museum’s digital transformation initiative. This project, executed by Christie partner Total AV, represents a significant upgrade to the museum’s audiovisual capabilities, enhancing the quality and impact of its permanent exhibitions.

    The museum has equipped its spaces with seven Christie Inspire Series DWU760-iS and three Christie Captiva DWU500S projectors. These models were selected to meet the museum’s current and future needs for high-quality audiovisual presentations.

    “As part of our digital transformation, we endeavored to equip the museum with reliable equipment. Our new laser projectors allow us to face the future with peace of mind,” says Dr. Paulo Ferreira da Costa, director of the Ethnological Museum of Lisbon. “Our existing equipment was outdated and could no longer meet today’s audiovisual needs.”

    The National Museum of Ethnology opened in 1965 and its collections are representative of 380 cultures from 80 countries and include photos, sound, and film archives from the extensive fieldwork surveys done by the museum.

    “The Christie models perfectly aligned with the museum’s needs after consulting the market,” Paulo Ferreira da Costa adds. “The projectors’ quality has met our highest expectations. They are quiet and display vibrant colors, which is a significant asset for our collection, much of which was filmed when color technology was still developing.” The majority of the new projectors are used in the museum’s permanent exhibitions and its large auditorium.

    Luis Carmo, from Total AV, says: “The various audiovisual projections immerse visitors in high-impact images which are only possible thanks to the power of the projection, giving great dynamism to the museum, captivating the public and creating an atmosphere full of colors and impressive content.”

    Total AV’s post-sale support has been exceptional, according to the museum’s director. “Fortunately, it couldn’t have gone better. Luis Carmo didn’t just make the sale; he provided comprehensive after-sales support and training, which has been fundamental and invaluable for us.”

  • Powersoft Unica delivers superior sound quality at Nordisk Film cinema

    Powersoft Unica delivers superior sound quality at Nordisk Film cinema

    Powersoft’s Unica amplifier platform is the backbone to recently refurbished screening rooms in Nordisk Film Cinemas’ Danish cinema Kinopalæet.

    Nordisk Film Cinemas, a prominent cinema chain in the Scandinavian cinema industry recently refurbished two screening rooms in its Kinopalæet cinema, north of Copenhagen.

    Kinopalæet turned to Powersoft Unica amplifiers in order to achieve a unparalleled and stable audio experience to its cinemagoers. Spearheading the rooms’ refurbishment was Jan Rasmussen, head of screen technology at Nordisk Film Cinemas: “The main factors in choosing audio equipment for cinema are quality, features and stability,” he says. “We prefer using networked sound in our cinemas because of the flexibility and cost efficiency and Powersoft fits perfect in all these categories,” Rasmussen adds.

    The refurbishment was done in two rooms, Screen 8 with 81 reclining seats and Screen 11, a 4DX auditorium with 112 seats. Powersoft’s Unica 8K8 amplifiers take the centre stage, driving a full 7.1 setup with bi-amped front channels

    Powered by Unica 8K8, speakers from MAG Cinema in Ukraine deliver the audio. The transition to Powersoft Unica amplifier platforms translate into significant savings on power consumption, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainability.

    One of the reasons, Rasmussen chose Unica amplifier to install in the cinema rooms was a “full featured multichannel networked amplifier with stability and high-quality.” Even though it was the first time Rasmussen used Powersoft amplifiers, he was happy with the valuable support provided from Powersoft in preparation for the installation.

    Recognising the pivotal role sound plays in the cinematic experience, Rasmussen emphasizes that it contributes to 50% of the overall allure to the cinemagoers. “It’s essential that we can deliver the best possible sound quality, running with the best stability of operation.”

    “We are proud to have provided Nordisk Film with our latest cloud-based Unica amplifier. This collaboration with a leading Cinema brand like Nordisk Film is a fantastic recognition of our newest amplifier platform and the many advantages and functionalities it brings to improve audio quality and reduce operative costs in the cinema market ” says Francesco Cionini , global key account manager at Powersoft. Thanks to our license-free Universo cloud platform, we are able to offer 24h/7 remote monitoring capabilities and help cinema customers to keep their audio system under control and minimise downtime situations”.

    The end result of integrating Powersoft Unica amps has left Nordisk Film Cinemas thoroughly impressed: “We are highly satisfied with the performance of Powersoft Unica amps and will in fact use them very soon in another of our premium cinema auditoriums”, concludes Rasmussen.

  • LG Hotel Tvs With Built-in Google Cast Upgrade in-room Entertainment, Benefit Hoteliers

    LG Hotel Tvs With Built-in Google Cast Upgrade in-room Entertainment, Benefit Hoteliers

    Hospitality TV leader LG Electronics announced that it has developed integrated Google Cast casting capabilities for LG smart hotel TVs.

    Hyatt is working with LG in the hopes of becoming the first hospitality brand to enable the deployment of these new integrated LG smart hotel TVs later this year. Hyatt through SONIFI, a casting partner that provides casting to more than 500,000 industry rooms, is assisting in the LG-Google next-generation casting solution for new and existing Hyatt hotels around the world.

    Bringing Google Cast to the industry’s best-selling smart hotel TVs using LG’s Pro:Centric platform represents an important next step in the evolution of the guest experience journey, according to Michael Kosla, senior vice president, LG Business Solutions USA, which will demonstrate the new TVs publicly for the first time at the HITEC 2024 hospitality technology trade show. “LG is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in hotel room entertainment through partnerships with technology leaders like Google to combine our new smart hotel TVs with the latest in casting technology to benefit hoteliers and guests alike,” he said.

    “Aligned with our purpose of care and goal to make the guest experience even more seamless, Hyatt is proud to work towards building on our role as the leader in hotel room casting,” said Rohan Jani, associate vice president of guest products at Hyatt. “We introduced the first industry casting solution in 2017, and now with Google and LG, we are exploring taking in-room casting to the next level to boost operational efficiency and improve the guest experience.”

    Embedding Google Cast into LG smart hotel TVs may reduce complexity for hotels and systems integrators to deliver the casting feature for both Android and iOS users, Kosla explained, adding, “With this integrated approach there is no additional equipment to buy, configure and maintain, no risk of device theft, and it frees up an HDMI port.”

    Tiger Lan, Google’s senior director of engineering for multi-device experiences, said, “Google Cast capabilities built into LG hotel TVs will give hotel operators the best integrated solution that reduces costs and allows guests to pick up where they left off in their personal streaming services.”

    Visitors to LG’s HITEC booth (#3036) at the Charlotte Convention Center will be able to experience the new TVs and their integrated casting capabilities, seeing how hotel guests will be able to use their mobile devices or laptops to cast more than 3,000 cast-enabled apps such as Hulu and Spotify to their in-room LG smart TV for a personalized entertainment experience.

    Using a simple QR code on the TV, guests will be able to quickly establish a cast connection and begin wirelessly streaming videos, music and more from their devices. In addition to mobile device controls, the TV remote can also be used for typical play, track and volume controls, ensuring a simple and familiar user experience. Then, when guests checkout, devices will automatically be reset.

    The 2024 LG Pro:Centric smart hotel TVs shipping now will receive the new Google Cast feature through a software update later this year. As the leading television provider to the U.S. lodging and hospitality industry, LG offers a range of smart hotel TVs from 43-inches to 75-inches with up to 4K resolution to suit virtually every space from standard guestrooms to penthouse suites. The powerful LG Pro:Centric Smart software enables use of modern solutions including content streaming, interface customization and even networked digital signage capabilities.

    Google Cast is compatible with Android 6 and newer, iOS 14 and newer, and comes pre-installed on all Android devices.

  • MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero Aboard New UHD5 OB Van Power View Master Events’ Cutting-Edge Broadcasts at SNFCC

    MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero Aboard New UHD5 OB Van Power View Master Events’ Cutting-Edge Broadcasts at SNFCC

    Riedel Communications today announced that View Master Events, a premier production company based in Athens, Greece, has used Riedel’s state-of-the-art technology solutions to heighten the quality of cultural, educational, and sports events at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). Leveraging its extensive experience in film and event production, View Master Events has entered a joint venture with Live Productions to create the state-of-the-art UHD5 OB van. In collaboration with Telmaco, a leading European systems integrator located in Athens, the UHD5 was equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including Riedel’s MicroN UHD, Artist-1024, SmartPanel, and Bolero solutions. Offering easy integration into SNFCC’s technical infrastructure through its MediorNet Compact stage boxes, these solutions enable seamless connectivity for a variety of productions at one of Athens’ most iconic venues.

    Since its opening in 2016, the multifunctional SNFCC complex — which houses the Greek National Opera; the National Library of Greece; the expansive Stavros Niarchos Park; and an opera hall with an alternative stage, outdoor stages, and conference rooms — has been using Riedel’s MediorNet Compact stage boxes. The distributed MediorNet system serves as a distributed AV signal-routing backbone for seamless distribution of video, audio, data, and communications signals throughout the venue’s diverse spaces. Through these stage boxes spread across the premises, View Master Events can easily integrate their UHD5 mobile production infrastructure, ensuring top-notch production quality for every one of SNFCC’s events. Besides reducing cabling, enhancing system stability, and providing extensive versatility in signal routing, MediorNet’s modular structure allows easy scaling as SNFCC’s production needs evolve.

    “Our new UHD HDR OB truck provides unprecedented production flexibility, with new, powerful capabilities to produce broadcasts from small shows to massive multisport events. A future expansion of our MediorNet system with Riedel’s new MediorNet HorizoN will further future-proof our production infrastructure, paving the way to IP workflows,” said John Zarganis, Production and Technical Director at View Master Events and Live Productions. “My relationship with Riedel spans over two decades, and throughout that time, I have consistently relied on their solutions for various high-profile events and productions. Our company’s experience with Riedel has been nothing short of exceptional, and their solutions continue to set the standard for stability, efficiency, and flexibility in the industry.”

    During its tours primarily around Greece, the rest of Europe, and Turkey, the van’s MicroN UHD devices allow View Master Events to handle a wide range of video formats, including 4K/UHD signals. This ability to handle different signal types and formats seamlessly streamlines workflows and reduces the need for additional peripheral devices. Moreover, Riedel’s SmartPanels offer an intuitive user interface for controlling various aspects of the production. Overall, this tight integration of Riedel’s solutions enables efficient signal routing, processing, and monitoring for live events spanning the opera house, outdoor stages, conference halls, and park areas.

    “Having delivered the complete audiovisual infrastructure at SNFCC, we were deeply familiar with the specific requirements of this cornerstone of Athens’ cultural landscape — and knew that Riedel’s intercom and video technologies were perfectly suited for the task”, said Drossos Kyriazis, Sales and Marketing Director, Telmaco. “Therefore, we did not hesitate to recommend the space-saving and versatile Artist, MediorNet, and Bolero solutions for the UHD5, and we’re more than happy with the result.”

    Ismet Bozkurt, Senior Regional Sales Manager, Eastern Europe at Riedel, added: “We are proud to continue supporting View Master Events in delivering exceptional experiences for a wide range of cultural, educational, and sports events at the SNFCC. This collaboration not only enhances the production capabilities at one of Athens’ most iconic venues but also underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of the live production industry.”

  • West Ottawa Public Schools Selects BenQ Boards for Classroom Transformation

    West Ottawa Public Schools Selects BenQ Boards for Classroom Transformation

    BenQ, an internationally renowned provider of visual display and collaboration solutions, today announced that West Ottawa Public Schools in Holland, Michigan, has selected and installed BenQ Boards in its K-12 classrooms across 12 schools with proceeds from the 2023 voter-approved bond proposal. The BenQ Boards were chosen following a pilot program and an early adopter phase that confirmed that the Google EDLA-certified smart boards aligned with the district’s vision for facilitating flexible learning environments that allow teachers to teach their way, supporting the district’s increased focus on project-based learning and working toward classroom transformation as outlined in the SAMR Model of technology integration.

    “The BenQ Boards have been a game-changer in our learning spaces,” said Elaine Stiefel, director of instructional technology in West Ottawa Public Schools. “Our teachers can be more of the ‘guide on the side’ now instead of ‘sage on the stage.’ They’re becoming facilitators and really pushing toward those real-world skills, like problem-solving, critical thinking, creative thinking, and innovation. The BenQ Boards have the potential to truly transform our classrooms.”

    Designed to provide educators the ease and freedom to teach their way, the advanced enterprise-grade BenQ Board RP04 Series not only features Google EDLA certification but also compatibility with school enterprise resource planning (ERP) ecosystems, personalized multiuser login, management solutions, and innovative classroom collaboration and engagement tools to support lessons. The BenQ RP04 Series prioritizes safety and comfort with its TÜV-certified antimicrobial screen and Eyesafe® Certified 2.0 technology, reducing germs and eye strain. Engineered for flexibility, it offers Identity Management syncing and free Device Management Solution (DMS) software for seamless user management. NFC card and QR code authentication streamline access for educators across classrooms and devices. Usability is central to the RP04 Series, featuring EZWrite 6 for interactive whiteboarding and InstaShare 2 for collaborative screen-sharing. Cloud whiteboarding fosters inclusivity by allowing remote participation. Intuitive controls, like the Floating Tool and sidebar navigation, ensure easy access to features, while front-facing ports, including USB-C and powerful speakers with an eight-microphone array, enhance the teaching and learning experience with clear communication and immersive presentations.

    West Ottawa Public School District spans 69 square miles, with over 44,000 constituents and 12 schools. Following the pilot program and initial rollout, teachers experienced a significant reduction in time spent on administrative tasks and transition during and between lessons, increasing instructional time and improving teaching effectiveness and student engagement. Furthermore, the adoption of the smart boards facilitated the establishment of a robust project-based learning environment, enabling classes to connect and present with audiences outside the school through virtual meetings. Notable projects, such as student-led fundraisers and campaigns for community causes, have demonstrated the tangible impact of BenQ Boards on fostering student initiative and community engagement.

    “West Ottawa Public Schools represents many districts in the nation — needing to prepare students for how they currently learn and what they need to learn to go on to college and real-world careers in the 21st century,” said Carly Burton-Sallay, senior marketing manager at BenQ Education. “But that doesn’t happen overnight. With the BenQ Board’s unique and robust set of features, educators can get started right away, teaching their way and working toward complete classroom transformation with easy-to-use classroom tools for modern learning experiences defined in the SAMR Model.”