ISSUE NO. 15

45 Years of From Greenwich to Burbank

BATTLEFIELDS AND BEER Solutions Visitor attractions - Pages 11, 12, 16 This issue of ELECTROSONIC WORLD marks the 45th anniversary of the THEN. Site of the first “office”. founding of Electrosonic. Electrosonic was founded During those 45 years in the UK in 1964. Its first Electrosonic has provided “office” consisted of two a unique service to rooms, originally intended to customers worldwide by be potato stores, above a providing audio visual market stall in Greenwich NETWORKED IMAGES solutions in the Market. Corporate AV systems - Pages 4, 5, 6, 7 corporate, cultural, Today The company stayed in entertainment and the Borough of Greenwich for Today Electrosonic exploits the latest projection technology, as over 25 years, occupying leisure markets. here at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center. See page 16. four different buildings, but with the majority (1972 – 10 years ago 20 years ago 1990) at Woolwich Road. In 1990 the UK operation moved to purpose built headquarters at Hawley Mill, THE NEWSEUM near Dartford. Museums - Pages 13, 14, 15

In 1997 the original Newseum in Rosslyn VA set new standards in big This amazing video pyramid was screen display in museums, and one showpiece was this 130ft (40m) built by Electrosonic in 1988. Electrosonic’s recently “Newswall”. Electrosonic was the AV systems integrator. re-designed website gives details of office locations and When Electrosonic was news of major projects. www.electrosonic.com founded there were no video 30 years ago BIG IMAGES, BIG SOUNDS recorders, no microprocessors, Electrosonic Inc was no personal computers and founded in Minneapolis MN Projection, big screens and audio - Pages 8, 9, 10 no fax machines in normal offices. in 1972. In 1991 an office Video projection was possible was opened in Burbank CA, but extremely expensive, rapid and now Electrosonic has business communication was by five locations in the USA. Telex at 50 bits per second. During the 1990s it became AV meant film and slides, clear that a majority of the media that remained important group’s business originated The “London Experience” multi-media show installed in 1977 to the end of the twentieth in the USA, so the group WONDER WALL was one of many tourist attractions engineered by Electrosonic. headquarters moved to the Design - Pages 3, 5, 9, 11 century. Electrosonic was one of the 40 years ago USA, first to Minneapolis, first “AV Systems” companies to and then, since early 2008, meet the communication and display to Burbank. needs of corporate, cultural and entertainment clients and to apply emerging electronic technologies to them. Today Electrosonic continues to make use of new technologies in the service of effective AV solutions – at the design stage, in system ENTERTAINMENT “Carouselvision”, a spectacular 40 projector show at Photokina integration and in support services. NOW. Electrosonic group LED displays, theater, casinos - Pages 3, 10 in Germany in 1968, promoted Kodak’s new SAV projector. headquarters in Burbank. Electrosonic engineered the show system. 1 COMPANY NEWS

Editorial This edition of ELECTROSONIC WORLD coincides with Electrosonic’s 45th anniversary, making it one of the longest established businesses in its field. Electrosonic has not been afraid of change, and over the years has continuously adapted to new realities and new opportunities. Some people still think of the company as the manufacturer of the celebrated “Rockboard” lighting control, the ES3601 slide dissolve unit or the PICBLOC videowall processor. The company was all of these, but right from the start was a specialist in systems integration. Today the company offers “Solutions” and “Products”. The products part of the business, based on image On the processing and distribution for display, now operates as a moon 40 separate unit to fit better with the trade’s requirements and expectations. Entrance to the Hollywood version of the Simpsons Ride™ winner of a Thea Award, and voted “Best New Years Ago ELECTROSONIC WORLD has generally been all about Attraction” by Theme Park Insider. Madame Tussauds in successful applications. So from this issue it is devoted London was quick to mark only to Electrosonic’s “Solutions” business. Broadly this the first moon landing with is supporting complex AV systems throughout their life Thea Awards go to an exhibit featuring cycle, and embraces systems integration, lifetime service, Armstrong and Aldrin within and, in appropriate cases, system design. its “Heroes Live” exhibit. The founders of Electrosonic often joked about being Electrosonic clients And Electrosonic was in the “fairground business”. But it is precisely the “show there (at Madame must go on” approach that has been the key to past The Themed Tussauds, not on the success and will be the stimulus for continuing business. Entertainment Association moon) with innovative “represents the creators of Electrosonic World - An occasional projection technology. compelling places and The visors of the space publication of Electrosonic experiences”. Every year it helmets carried by the Electrosonic Offices recognizes the creation of astronauts had back www.electrosonic.com outstanding visitor projected images appearing LOS ANGELES EDINBURGH experiences by its Thea on them – matching the 3320 North San Fernando Blvd. 107-111 Whitehouse Loan Awards. The awards are given reflections seen in the Burbank, CA 91504 Edinburgh EH9 1AT Tel: +1.818.333.3600 Tel: +44.131.447.6211 to the attraction concerned, real helmets. Fax: +1.818.566.4923 Fax: +44.131.452.8372 E-mail: E-mail: but clearly those who Electrosonic devised [email protected] [email protected] contributed to the creation the projection system based MINNEAPOLIS HELSINKI of the attraction do bask in on mirrors and projectors 10320 Bren Road East Kornetintie 3 Minnetonka, MN 55343 FI-00380 Helsinki the reflected glory of the with long focal length Tel: +1.952.931.7500 Tel: +358.9.251.55500 award, and in this respect The Newseum in Washington DC was honored with a Thea Award in the Fax: +1.952.938.9311 Fax: +358.9.565.1774 USA, and recognized by the Museums & Heritage Awards in the UK. lenses hidden under the E-mail: E-mail: Electrosonic is no exception! “moon surface”. [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.electrosonic.fi The 15th Annual Awards techniques, automated show Attraction category NEW YORK 80 Broad Street STOCKHOLM were presented in March control systems, visitor (described on Page 10). 6th Floor # 616 Åsögatan 155 participation exhibits and The Simpsons Ride was New York, NY 10004 S-116 32 Stockholm 2009. They all represent peer Tel: +1.212.837.7923 Sweden recognition of jobs well media management. also voted “Best New INFOCOMM Fax: +1.212.837.7825 Tel: +46.8.522.057.00 E-mail: Fax: +46.8.223.181 done, and their importance Thea Awards for Attraction” by Theme Park Award [email protected] E-mail: can be judged by the fact Outstanding Achievement Insider. In response to this [email protected] NEW JERSEY that only 17 awards were were presented to The vote Mark Woodbury, Electrosonic’s long 5 Terry Lane, Unit 12 DUBAI Burlington, NJ 08016 Electrosonic LLC given out of more than Newseum (described in detail President, Universal Creative, association with the AV Tel: +1.609.239.6930 PO Box 62425 Industry was recognized at Fax: +1.609.239.0089 Dubai 120 nominations. on Page 15) in the Museum Universal Parks & Resorts E-mail: United Arab Emirates Four of the Thea Award category, The Simpsons said of the honor, "The INFOCOMM 2009 by an award [email protected] Tel: +971.4.3324027 Fax: +971.4.3328871 recipients were clients of Ride™ at Universal Studios in Simpsons Ride represents to its co-founder. ORLANDO Email: 4501 Vineland Road, Suite 105 At the INFOCOMM [email protected] Electrosonic, and in each Orlando and Hollywood in the what Universal does best - Orlando, FL 32811 President’s VIP Reception Tel: +1.407.839.1154 SHANGHAI case Electrosonic made a Attraction category, Jungala which is to take pop culture's Fax: +1.407.839.2055 Suite 1003, Block A significant contribution to Busch Gardens (Tampa) in blockbuster entertainment Robert Simpson received the E-mail: Shanghai Universal Mansion Distinguished Achievement [email protected] 172 Yu yuan Road the attraction concerned. The the New Theme Park Land concepts and bring them to Shanghai 200040 Award, the highest honor LONDON Tel: +86.21.6249.2522 contribution was different for category and the Tree of life in wildly entertaining Hawley Mill, Hawley Road Fax: +86.21.6249.3358 bestowed on an industry Dartford, Kent DA2 7SY each project, embracing Prosperity at the Wynn theme park experiences". E-mail: Tel: +44.1322.222211 member by the association. [email protected] novel projection and optical Casino, Macau, in the Casino Fax: +44.1322.282215 E-mail: E-mail: Electrosonic was [email protected] [email protected] www.electrosonic.com/china founded in 1964 by Denis LONDON CITY Naisbitt, Michael Ray and Room 47, Albert Buildings HONG KONG Unit B, 12/F Shun Pont UK Awards 49 Queen Victoria Street Robert Simpson. London, EC4N 4SA Commercial Building Electrosonic in the UK supports the annual AV Awards 5-11 Thomson Road Tel: +44.207 653 1905 event, both by attending and by entering appropriate E-mail: Wanchai [email protected] Tel: +852.2525.1828 categories. The awards are valued because they are Fax: +852.2877.5811 E-mail (sales): independently judged and entries are of a high standard. [email protected] Over the years Electrosonic has been successful in Trademarks winning many awards. In 2008 it won both the “Systems Electrosonic, ES and the Electrosonic logo are registered Company of the Year” award, and the award for “Business AV trademarks of Electrosonic. Installation of the Year” (Advance Collaboration Environment The trademarks of other companies, and other trademarks used by Electrosonic, are recognized, and where known are identified by ™. for BP at Sunbury).

Electrosonic World is © Electrosonic 2009 Electrosonic also supports the Museums & Heritage

Editor: Robert Simpson Exhibition and Awards for Excellence event in London. It has Research and Production: Noel Packer introduced an “international award” to recognize exceptional Robert Simpson (left) receives the Distinguished Achievement Design and pre-press: CIB projects outside the UK. The 2009 award went to Electrosonic Printed in England by Southernprint Award from INFOCOMM as proxy for the Newseum. President Jay Rogina.

2 DESIGN Wonder Wall at Seminole Hard Rock The Seminole Hard Rock A powerful audio system, Hotel and Casino in Tampa FL with loudspeakers mounted recently expanded with a new on the screen header, is also entrance, and new VIP and installed. It is based on a The Show Lounge stage on the Baltic Queen. slot areas. One of the Peavey Media Matrix Nion concepts of HKS Architects, DSP controller. and interior designers Klai As systems designer, Baltic Queen Juba Architects was for a Electrosonic carried out The M/S Baltic Queen is the newest member of the “Wonder Wall” feature in the extensive proof of concept Tallink fleet, and started operating between Stockholm and entrance. At the suggestion work, including preparing 3D Tallinn in April 2009. of consulting engineers models and building mock- This cruise-ferry contains 1,000 cabins which can McClaren Engineering, ups. This work assured the accommodate up to 2,800 passengers. On board there are a Electrosonic Design creative team that their ideas number of restaurants, a show lounge theatre, five bars, Consulting (Burbank CA) was were practical. and behind the header light Overall show control is by a three shops, a children’s world, a spa/sauna and a modern appointed by HKS to do the Under a separate the water curtain from top High End Systems Whole conference center which can hold up to 450 guests. detailed technical design of contract Electrosonic Systems and bottom. Hog Super Widget and Electrosonic was entrusted the feature. Integration completed the Within the cylinder eight Programming Wing. This with the design, installation, The Wonder Wall is a actual installation, with Christie DS+650 projectors are arrangement outputs DMX programming, and cylindrical construction 11 ft engineering being supervised mounted on a steel structure which can directly control commissioning of (3.35m) tall and 13 ft 6in from the Orlando FL office. to give complete coverage of the lighting and the entertainment lighting and (4.1m) diameter of which the screen area. The Axon servers. AV systems in the theatre, 215° or 25 ft (7.6m) arc The Baltic Queen. projectors are sourced from nightclub, spa, conference length is visible. The cylinder High End Systems Axon center and public spaces. In addition Electrosonic provided is transparent, but the inside servers, which also provide digital signage in public spaces, shops and restaurants and surface is covered by a the necessary geometrical a shipwide lighting control system in the public spaces. TransVue rear projection film. correction to the images and The most demanding installation was the Starlight The exterior of the image blending to give an Palace show lounge where lighting, audio and AV equipment cylinder is a water feature overall seamless image. was integrated into one system. Here the audio system was with individually controlled The Axon servers store based on EAW loudspeakers, Powersoft amplifiers, Peavey X- nozzles behind a header at files and video effects that Frame88 processing and Yamaha mixers. The entertainment the top of the screen. The can also be combined with lighting system included Martin moving heads, Pulsar water falls into a pool at the external sources, in particular dimmers and a Jands control desk. CCTV cameras allow base of the screen. LED color- the Casino’s own audience and show images to appear on a large screen changing fixtures in the pool multichannel TV system. above the stage. Design for National Harbor planning and design charette. the system supports 18 The scope of work included universes of DMX for lighting the preparation of bid control. A Medialon control documents, and system is used for show recommending specific control. Loudspeakers are technology solutions that had mainly from Renkus Heinz, Part of the conference area. minimum space requirements. and include PN102 Line Other members of the Arrays for live entertainment. AMX touch panels control and automate most of creative team included Sasaki The theater is equipped the electronics on board – for example at the Urban Design & Architecture, to meet the demands of small conference center, which has demanding audiovisual Sardi Design, NYX Design, theatrical productions, presentation requirements. Projects of Interest and E K presentations, conferences, Digital signage systems were implemented for the Fox Associates. music events, and even conference center, shops, restaurants and reception. These The installed system is movies under the stars during are based on LG large screen LCD displays and Onelan based on a fiber optic the warm months. Video network boxes and media distribution. backbone, engineered with equipment includes a Christie Lighting control is another system using network Weidmuller components, that HD30K projector and a Green technology; Helvar Digidim lighting control covers most of carries audio, lighting control Hippo Hippotizer server. the public areas including the bars and restaurants. and system control Lighting control is based Electrosonic has been involved with ship-board information. Cobranet is used on GrandMA consoles and installations for many years. The Helsinki office has Located on 300 acres of design a distributed audio for audio distribution, and ETC dimmers. installed systems on more than 40 ships (mainly luxury the scenic Potomac River in system for the New Harbor cruise liners and super ferries) over the past 20 years. Prince George's County, MD, piers, the Harborwalk and the National Harbor is the new American Way shopping gateway to the National complex, and to design a Capital Region. It combines lighting, audio and video a marina with shopping, system for the live entertainment and entertainment theater. residential areas. Electrosonic Design Electrosonic Design Consulting worked on the Consulting was engaged by project from its outset, the Peterson Companies to participating in the project Informal entertainment takes place in this bar.

3 CORPORATE Sun Microsystems EBC Sun Microsystems recently opened a new Executive Briefing Centre at its Linlithgow European Headquarters just outside Edinburgh. Electrosonic was the AV systems integrator for A view of Leigh Technology Academy. the new EBC, providing an exceptionally flexible system Leigh Academy for a reception area, a Technology Showcase and The Leigh Technology Academy in Dartford is one of the four conference rooms. highest achieving state comprehensive schools in England; it The EBC is for senior specializes in Business and Enterprise, Sport and Technology. executives in user and In 2008 it moved into a striking new building (architect: potential user organizations The Technology Showcase. The circular display with blue lighting is the “Launch Pad”. Building Design Partnership) which is equipped to the highest where they can learn about NI3100 controllers and NXD standards in respect of information technology infrastructure. the latest IT techniques, and 700VI touch panels. Working to specifications prepared by PACS Technology how Sun’s unique The touch panels are Consultants Electrosonic installed the AV systems, which technologies can improve installed in generously covered the needs of 57 teaching spaces, a building wide IPTV their business. It consists of proportioned lecterns. These system, information displays, and AV systems for the lecture a reception area, a also house local source theatre, boardroom, two drama rooms and a dance studio. Technology Showcase, four equipment such as Panasonic The teaching spaces are all based on a lectern or science conference rooms and various DMR-EZ48 recorders and Sun bench with a standard set of equipment. Each lectern is fitted breakout and support spaces. “SunRay” computers. The with a resident computer. This is used as a presentation Linking the whole lot interface equipment required computer, as the means of local DVD playback, and for together is a Network for sending and receiving showing material downloaded from the network. The lectern Operations Center (NOC). The Sun Microsystems European Headquarters images to and from the NOC also includes a facility to connect a “visiting” laptop The principle adopted is Client Sun Microsystems is also housed here. computer, a simple control panel for source selection, audio that any image source, Architect BDG McColl Within the NOC three volume and power control and an audio power amplifier. whether generated within the Project Manager Heery International racks of equipment have been The lectern connects to the AV Consultant Ceitronics EBC or arriving from an fitted out by Electrosonic, room equipment through M&E consultant Blackwood Partnership external source, must be and these provide the central suitable floor plates. These Main contractor Thomas Johnstone viewable on any display. Thus image switching function and provide four Ethernet AV integrator Electrosonic an image generated at one of common source equipment. connections, and connection to The principal members of the project team. the demonstration points in the ceiling mounted projector the Technology Showcase has image, or an image sent (Sony VPL EX3) and to the to be available in any of the from the NOC. Any locally loudspeakers (Tannoy i5AW). conference rooms. Similarly a generated image can be All these systems are screen in the Technology sent to the NOC for monitored and managed Showcase might be required display elsewhere. centrally using the Extron Some of the teaching spaces are to show an external In the center there is a Global Configurator application. in the form of open “learning plazas”. Photo Leigh Academy. application image. feature called the “Launch Besides giving system status The Technology Showcase Pad” displaying the latest information, this arrangement is based on 10 “pods” that equipment. It is surmounted gives security, in that an alarm demonstrate different by four 32 inch displays. In signal is given if the locked applications and equipment. addition there are three 50 lecterns are tampered with. It These have Sun computer inch displays on the also helps minimize energy use One of the smaller conference rooms. screens that can display perimeter of the showcase. by ensuring equipment is either a locally generated All these displays can show Each room is equipped The central item of properly shut down when Aspiring board members in the with a Polycom equipment is an Extron 32×32 not required. conference room. Photo Leigh Soundstructure audio RGB matrix switcher. All The Lecture Theater, a large Academy. conferencing system with incoming and outgoing image flexible space that can be used for assemblies, lectures and HDX suspended ceiling signals are carried over performances, and the Conference Room are fitted out to the microphones. JBL Control 26T CAT-5e cables using Extron same standards that would be found in a corporate loudspeakers are installed in baluns. Control of the environment. The Conference Room is equipped with a Sony the ceiling for conference switcher, central source VPL FX52 projector, Tandberg videoconferencing system, sound, and a pair of equipment and EBC lighting Symetrix audio processing, Extron video switching and an AMX Community I/05W is by an AMX N14100 system for overall control. loudspeakers are installed on controller which also acts as An IPTV system is available throughout the Academy. This either side of the screen for a server to switching requests is based on Cabletime’s Evolution technology which allows The Java Coffee Bar is a popular port of call. programme sound. All rooms from the four AMX systems in multiple video streams to be specific programme content, are equipped with AMX the meeting rooms. carried on the Academy’s but are often orchestrated to network. Nine Information work together to support a Displays are permanently customer event. installed. These are NEC 46 The four conference inch Multeos LCD displays rooms are all equipped to a sited in the stairwells and high specification. A reception. They are on the combination of DNP IPTV network and are Supernova screens and equipped with Cabletime Panasonic PT-5700 decoders. They are used to projectors produces images display schedule information, bright enough for any but can be programmed to lighting condition. support special events. The multi-purpose lecture theater. Photo Leigh Academy. Four Panasonic 32 inch LCD monitors animate the reception area.

4 CORPORATE Above the Arctic Circle Not far from Kittilä airport, 100km north of the Arctic Circle, the Levi Summit Conference and Exhibition Centre is one of the northernmost places you can find a professionally equipped conference facility. Electrosonic was responsible for the AV and lighting control systems integration in the auditorium and meeting rooms. The exterior of the Levi Summit Conference Centre. The Levi Summit permanent simultaneous Conference and Exhibition interpreting facilities for two Centre (owned by Levin interpreters, is based on Luontokeskus Oy and whose Biamp processing and architect was UKI Arkkitehdit amplification, and EAW Lockheed Martin Oy) is situated on Koutale, loudspeakers; whereas the high on the Levi hills, and meeting room audio systems forms the crown of one of are based on Genelec upgrades to 4K equipment. Room control is AMX throughout, and the main AV matrix switcher is The Global Vision Working with Tom Lavely, The Sony projector needs Extron. Display and Solution Center (GVSC) of Vice President of L2 four simultaneous high projection equipment is from Lockheed Martin Simulation, Industries, who is the resolution input signals, and Sony and Eiki. Training and Support (LMSTS) contracted Visual Systems these are derived from a A special feature of the is located in Orlando FL. As Manager for LMSTS, VN-QUANTUM™ image building is the effect lighting part of a multi platform Electrosonic engineered a processor that can scale the built in to the auditorium. It simulation and training significant upgrade to the images and position them enables the walls and the solution that incorporates system that went online in as required. ceiling to be illuminated with data generated from many January 2009. The most interesting part different colors. “With the

of the installation is its use The main auditorium in use. of “virtual image switching”, one of the first installations the biggest ski resorts in of its type to do so. In Lapland. Looking up from “standard” installations the village it feels as if the images would exist in their centre is built right on the high resolution digital or ledge of the steep hill. analog form, and a Looking out from the conventional router (possibly windows in the centre itself, fiber optic based) would be it seems as if the slope used. This is an expensive begins right beneath your and inflexible solution. feet. The scenery, 300 metres At GVSC all images arrive above sea level, stretches Group viewing in the CORe. over the Pallas national park. over standard IP networks. The view across the Pallas National Park. diverse data bases, the GVSC They do this by using VN- The aim was to make the centre as versatile as needs a central display MATRIX™ codecs. These designed, built and installed built-in effect lighting we possible, and for this reason system that brings all the devices retain a high image a comprehensive AV system can conjure the colorful great emphasis was placed audiovisual data from many quality at moderate bit rates, for the 435 seat auditorium display of Aurora Borealis if on the AV systems. “We are simulators into the have minimum latency, and and for seven meeting needed. With colors we can very pleased with the Collaboration and are robust against packet loss spaces. In addition create very different moods. result, since the system was Observation Room (CORe) and on standard IP networks. Electrosonic supplied show The lighting and sound built in an intelligent way, displays it in real time to The Sony SXRD 4K projector Besides doing away with lighting and lighting control equipment have enough and according to our demonstrate the capability of is an essential component of the need for a big router, for the auditorium, a digital power for all kinds of the system. wishes”, states Mr Teo Lockheed Martin’s powerful this approach gives LMSTS signage system for the foyer, performances. Powerful Jeskanen the Centre’s integration solutions. The idea behind the some other significant and house lighting control and impressive sound Development Manager. The original CORe started system is that there is only advantages. Images can be throughout the facility. reproduction is especially Working from an outline operation in 2004 and one display surface, and that acquired from anywhere The auditorium audio important for us, since many specification prepared by included a large, three screen any required image can within the Lockheed system, which includes concerts are held in the Decorat Oy, Electrosonic display fed by an appear anywhere on that enterprise – often simulators building”, Mr Teo Jeskanen infrastructure of analog surface, displayed at any are located at remote sites. says. “The sound system in computer and video sources size. The new installation Images can be displayed not the building is split so that scaled and positioned by an uses a single Sony SXRD SRX only in the CORe, but the restaurant, foyer and Electrosonic Vector S-105 “4K”projector. Its 8.8 anywhere else where they exhibition spaces all get windowing processor. The million pixels (nearly double may be needed that has a their individual music.” overall display yielded a the resolution of the original network connection. Electrosonic supplied maximum resolution of 4200 display system) are sufficient Electrosonic completed Martin show lighting and a × 1050, but had limitations to support the display of the engineering of the Jands Vista control desk for in respect of the number of many high resolution images CORe system by providing the auditorium. House sources that could be simultaneously, and in the intuitive user interfaces lighting throughout is under displayed, the use of three CORe the images appear on a based on standard All photos courtesy the control of Helvar Digidim projectors, and the analog giant 24ft × 12ft (7.3m × Crestron touchscreens. Levi Summit. equipment, also supplied signal delivery. 3.6m) screen. Another view of the auditorium. by Electrosonic.

5 CORPORATE THALES CATALYST Thales has recently opened “Catalyst”, a new presentation and simulation facility on its Crawley site. Electrosonic engineered the AV system, notable because The main demonstration room at Cisco’s CBCC near Milan. it is so bound in with the Thales IT infrastructure. All Cisco in Milan audio, video, inter- communication and AV Cisco has recently opened a new Cisco Business control is carried on IP. Collaboration Center (CBCC) in Vermicate, near Milan in Italy. Catalyst is a purpose- It is a sales resource to help sell Cisco’s technology and built facility designed to services to end customers. The main technology promoted is showcase Thales UK to civil Cisco’s Digital Media System, where rich media of all kinds is and military customers alike. distributed over standard networks, so not surprisingly the As a presentation facility, it CBCC has many displays, and many image sources (primarily The Theatre at Catalyst. The screen system is 9m wide and can show more than 25 images simultaneously. All is truly impressive: an photos of Catalyst from Thales. Cisco’s own Digital Media Players and Digital Media Servers). excellent resource for installation. The CBCC has a lively reception area, two meeting rooms demonstrating the - No need for any central and a large demonstration area. The demonstrations are capabilities of Thales to high- AV routing equipment, with designed to replicate many different user scenarios. In the ranking customers and VIPs. its limitations on switching special case of residential applications there is a separate It can be used to help capacity, cable lengths etc. “connected home” demonstration area. There is also a customers visualize ‘system- - Greater flexibility in Telepresence room, based on Cisco’s own technology; but this of-systems' concepts, making adding or re-positioning is a “standard product” from Cisco, and it was installed as a it easy to see how systems nodes (display or image separate turnkey item by Cisco’s own telepresence team. interact with others. It is an capture) at any time Cisco’s architect for the CBCC was Progetto CMR, and the experimentation facility, too, without the need for fit-out contractor was GSP Italia. The overall design, and the where complex systems can additional cabling. control programming, of the audio-video system were by Cloud be tested against different - Easier ability to export Systems Inc of San Francisco. Electrosonic was awarded the scenarios, and a wide range and import AV content to and contract to build and install the system. of demonstrations, tests and from anywhere in the world. Within the demonstration areas there are many laptop Fixed projection screen (16:9) structured experiments can be - Easier recording of computers and keyboard/mouse sets that allow the Sales Retractable projection screen (4:3) conducted. It is even possible presentation and simulation Consultants and users to emulate different user situations – in 40 inch LCD display to take real products and scenarios using network principle it is possible for any such “user point” to select any demonstrate them in a Room layout and image screens at Catalyst. Diagram from Thales. attached storage. source device to display on any of the many screens. synthetic environment that Electrosonic was The demonstration room outside world. accurately replicates the contracted directly to Thales itself has no less than 44 Separate but customer's infrastructure or to realize the principal AV Digital Media Servers as primary interconnectable networks systems. Finally, it can be elements within Catalyst, and sources. Displays throughout allow different levels of used by armed forces to Electrosonic codecs and the CBCC are LCD displays from security to be applied to each conduct realistic pre- image processing are used in NEC, in a variety of sizes (21, room or group of rooms deployment planning and the system. The IT 32, 40, 46, 57 and 65 inch) and simultaneously, and allow training exercises: the infrastructure was the the demonstration room alone The “connected home”. The lectern. access to the wider world ultimate tool for answering has 19 separate displays. The the question ‘what if...?'. to 24 people around a ‘U' separate “Connected Home” Catalyst is a suite of shaped table or an audience area is designed round a 65 rooms, in total 450 sq m, of 100. Its large “Control inch LCD display. Room”, partitioned from the The Reception area features Theatre by a full width glass a “media wall” of four 40 inch partition, can be used as an LCD displays accompanied by a The Reception media wall. observer space. The screen 20 inch Elo touch screen. This arrangement consists of one runs continuous programs either from Dataton Watchout, or large permanent screen from Cisco DMPs (Digital Media Players). Nearby a “Story Wall” flanked by two ceiling uses one 46 inch and four 32 inch monitors. The Thales building in Crawley retractable side screens. The The meeting rooms are fitted with twin 65 inch monitors that houses Catalyst. side screens are served by and comprehensive audio facilities. The audio facilities each of which can work projectors that are each of throughout the center mirror the video facilities in functionality. independently or in co- 1920×1080 resolution, and View from the control room. Audio processing and amplification equipment is from Biamp, operation. An entrance lobby the centre screen is served by responsibility of Thales. and distribution of audio is primarily over the network. through WAN connections. and a central breakout area a single Sony “4K” projector The audio elements The functionality of the system is largely achieved by a It is a fundamental serve the six principal spaces; of 4096×2160 resolution. include speech reinforcement, comprehensive KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switching requirement that images and five of the rooms are Each space is conferencing, communication system. This uses the installed CAT-5e cable plant, but is audio generated within a “experimentation” spaces comprehensively equipped in and content playback. The primarily analog based on Avocent KVM transmitters, receivers space are available within where individual products or respect of IT and AV allowing video (or “image”) elements and KVM switching matrices. any other space, and can be concepts can be set up. both independent and include projection, cameras, exported or imported to or The largest space is the collective operation within image processing and video from external sites. An early “Theatre”, which can hold up the spaces and with the conferencing. The overall user decision was that all audio control system, and its Client and principal specifier Thales (UK BTC) and video (AV) content would programming, was also the Architect/interior designer Hazle McCormack Young LLP be carried over the network. M&E consultant Bianco Sale responsibility of For Catalyst this provides Lighting designer Hoare Lea Electrosonic, but the user some significant advantages: Principal fit-out contractor Crown House interface was developed with Electrical contractor ADI - A simpler infrastructure, the close involvement of the IT infrastructure Thales based entirely on the IT Thales user. AV system design and integration Electrosonic One of the meeting rooms at the CBCC. structured cabling

6 CONTROL ROOMS US Northern Command Lockheed Martin was the main contractor for the communications fit-out at a U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) facility at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. Electrosonic was appointed Chesapeake Energy sub-contractor for the over- Chesapeake Energy, of Oklahoma City OK, is the largest view display systems. independent producer of natural gas in the USA. The USNORTHCOM was majority of its output is derived from the Barnett Shale of established to provide north-central Texas, the Haynesville Shale of East Texas and command and control of of civil authorities. The United States. government agencies, and northwestern Louisiana, the Fayetteville Shale of central Department of Defense commander of USNORTHCOM Electrosonic supplied five include computer Arkansas and the Marcellus Shale of the northern homeland defense efforts and also commands the North multi-image displays. These workstations, off-air images, Appalachian Basin. But it has active operations and to coordinate defense support American Aerospace Defense included a videowall of 3×5 videoconferencing and exploration activities in many other areas. Command (NORAD), a 50 inch Planar rear projection networked images. In order A central control room monitors pipeline and bi-national command “cubes”, and 2×3 arrays of to make best use of the distribution activities, and monitors events that may affect responsible for aerospace 40 inch and 57 inch Planar displays, and to ensure the demand. Electrosonic installed a new overview display warning and aerospace LCD monitors. images “fit” the displays, VN- system that allows both real time video images and SCADA control for Canada, Alaska Images are derived both Quantum™ videowall image status display images to be displayed. A VN-QUANTUM and the continental internally and from many processing is used. processor is used to allow complete flexibility in the positioning and sizing of images, and VN-GLIMPSE adaptors are used to allow the SCADA images to arrive over conventional Ethernet. Enfield Public Safety Electrosonic delivered the complete display system, including a 4×2 array and a 2×2 array of Planar Margay The Enfield Public Safety images. The cubes are front 50 inch videowall displays and two Planar 72 inch LCD Centre (EPSC) is equipped accessible for maintenance, displays. Winsted supplied the consoles for the with a display wall so the footprint of the entire control room. engineered by Electrosonic display is kept to a minimum. under sub-contract to The display configuration Siemens Building is controlled by VN- Oklahoma EOC Technologies. COMMANDER™ software, Electrosonic has provided AV systems for the renovation The idea at The London but this is invisible to the of the State of Oklahoma’s Emergency Operations Center in Borough of Enfield is an operators since it is Oklahoma City. interesting one. The cost of invoked through the CNL The facility, on the State Capital campus, was a former running a 24/7 control room software suite that controls 1950’s era bomb shelter. Mass Architects, the architects of is high, so it makes sense for the cameras. record, brought Electrosonic and general contractor different services to pool Electrosonic has a lot of Anderson & House of Oklahoma City on board the project, resources. Initially Enfield The display can show up to 72 simultaneous CCTV images and six experience of this kind of which is designed to improve resource coordination and RGB images. Council, First Capital Connect, display system, and can not information sharing among state and local agencies. The the Metropolitan Police, considerable expansion. engineered by Electrosonic only install them quickly and Center must be ready to muster resources for wildfires, Transport for London and Currently the system can consists of 12 Mitsubishi 50 efficiently, but also help tornadoes, ice storms, public health and homeland British Transport Police are view 1000 cameras on the inch XGA “cubes” fed from a ensure their effective security emergencies. “partners” in the operation of First Capital Connect rail VN-QUANTUM™ image integration with the rest of EPSC. However, it is network, in addition to all processor. This is configured the installation by providing envisaged that in the future the security cameras in for the display of up to 72 competent and creative other partners may join, and the Borough. simultaneous video images programming services. there is provision for The display system and six RGB computer Helsinki Energy

Helsinki Energy (Helsingin The technology had The “Bullpen” at the Oklahoma EOC. Two of the four videowalls can Energia) is one of the become obsolete and new be seen. biggest energy companies in technology had to be To that end Electrosonic furnished the Center with four Finland. It sells electricity to seamlessly integrated, taking 2 × 2 videowalls of Planar Margay “cubes”. Two are over 300,000 clients and into consideration the installed on the north side and two on the south side of covers over 90% of the distinguished surrounding the football-shaped facility with its bullpen-style main area capital’s district heating. It architecture. Naturally the featuring 22 workstations. The videowalls are used to recently upgraded its central architect designing the work display data from computer sources such as weather control room in the Sähkötalo spaces (Architectural Agency patterns, forecasts and webcasts of breaking news, as well “Electricity building”, Arktila Oy) paid great image quality, quietness in system as simple as possible. as to monitor local and national news broadcasts relating designed by Alvar Aalto back attention to the ergonomic operation and suitability for The lighting in the to emergency situations. An audio playback system, in 1973. aspects of the new layout. 24/7 operation. To make the control room was also consisting of JBL speakers and QSC amplifiers, provides Working to designs overall system easy to use, an renewed. Electrosonic audio support for the videowalls. prepared by consultants AMX control system was delivered a Helvar Digidim Electrosonic also provided seven LCD monitors of Yhtyneet Insinöörit Oy programmed with a custom lighting control system for different sizes, used to show broadcast feeds, for auxiliary (United Engineers Ltd) graphic display to make the installation by the electrical rooms, including the governor’s secure conference room. Electrosonic delivered a control of the displays, their contractor. This was All of the equipment is controlled, by authorized personnel, system based on Sharp 65 associated Extron matrix integrated to work from the from two computers via a web interface which interacts inch LCD displays, chosen for switcher, and the audio AMX control system. with an AMX system. Overall view of control room. their combination of high

7 PROJECTION Virtual Environments The Centre for Virtual Environments at Salford University (Greater Manchester, UK) has completed the installation of an ambitious virtual environment research display called the Octave. Electrosonic delivered the projection and image source system. The system is flexible in use, so that different CAVE One of the display configurations. In actual use the overhead lights would not be on, and the screen representing the fourth configurations can be tried side of the cube would be moved into position to completely A panoramic rear projection screen is the main feature of The Weather Channel set. out. (CAVE = Cave Automatic surround the observer. Virtual Environment or workstations. The Computer Assisted Virtual workstations and server The Weather Channel Environment depending on are networked together by who you talk to.) However, a CAT5 network and a 10Gb The Weather Channel, the problem was to design a path then passes through the Octave name is derived fiber network. Electrosonic Atlanta-based cable network, custom rear projection a hole in the floor of the from the fact that at its also provided a Sun storage recently moved into a new solution that had the housing to another large most extensive, the oCtAVE array for the server. The building tailored for High smallest possible footprint, mirror directly below can present an eight sided workstations run Linux Definition broadcasting. since set space was at a the projectors. projected environment Redhat and were configured Jack Morton Worldwide’s premium. Working with Large The three images are that completely surrounds by Sun contracted through Production Design Group Screen Display Solutions, blended using the the participants. Electrosonic. (PDG) of Manhattan designed Electrosonic installed a ChristieTWIST™ image The system consists of Electrosonic used two The Weather Channel’s new double-bounce rear blending feature of the eight mobile rear projection significant sub-contractors HD set, and Electrosonic projection system. projectors. The source units plus one fixed ceiling on the project, Sun joined the team to engineer Three Christie HD8K images feeding the display mounted projector, and an Lining up the projection system Microsystems and Paradigm. the rear projection display projectors are mounted come from a Vista Systems image source system based for a five screen CAVE. The latter supplied the system that is central almost above screen level in Spyder processor to deliver on Sun workstations on a have DNP wide angle screens. screen and mirror assemblies; to the set. a solidly constructed an impressive big-screen 10Gb/s network. Images are Another Mirage projector is these had to be craned into The display is based on a projector housing. In the HD image to Weather presented in “active stereo” used for the floor projection. the building via a corridor 450 inch × 100 inch (11.4m double-bounce system, the Channel viewers. and head tracking cameras All these projectors can show that had the roof × 2.5m) Stuart rear projectors fire forward hitting are used to ensure the 3D (stereoscopic) images and temporarily removed. projection screen. The the first mirror. This light correct viewpoint. are run at 120Hz. When The mobile units allow showing 3D, the associated different combinations of workstations are equipped layouts, the most common with emitters to operate the Undersea in Stavanger being the full octagon or two active 3D glasses used to separate four-sided "CAVES", view 3D. The remaining In order to obtain the one with floor projection rigs use Christie DS300+ highest possible image onto a mobile raised floor. projectors with rear quality the images are The rear projection rigs projection onto diffusion uncompressed. A three- were designed to achieve the screens. channel Delta Server from 7th maximum possible individual The source equipment Sense provides the three XGA image size within the room is a complement of Sun image streams, and the space which was 2600mm × workstations; there are nine necessary correction and 1950mm. All images are dual processor slave units image blending to achieve a generated and displayed controlled from a master seamless image. at the native resolution of server. These have NVIDIA The server also plays the projectors which is FX5600 graphics cards which back multi-channel audio; 1400 × 1050. provide the VGA and 3D Photos from Centrescreen Productions. this is fed to a BSS Four units are twin mirror synchronization signals. Soundweb and Dynaudio systems fitted with Christie Framelock cards have also The Norwegian Petroleum out maintenance on the oil For projection active loudspeakers (which Mirage S3K projectors. These been fitted in all Museum (Norsk Olje Museum) platforms in the North Sea. Electrosonic supplied three were already installed at the opened in 1999 and its Electrosonic worked Panasonic PTD5700E museum). The show can be unusual architecture has with designers Bright White projectors. These project on selected to run in English or made it an exciting landmark and production company to a curved screen. Much of Norwegian and can be in the Port of Stavanger. Centrescreen Productions the show is of the murky programmed to run the Recently one of the major to design a panoramic underwater environment that languages in any required exhibits has been projection system for the divers have to work in, so a sequence. A video refurbished to provide a display. Peter Key was the good contrast performance is countdown clock tells a diving bell simulation sound consultant on essential. waiting audience the “time illustrating how divers carry the project. to the next show”.

Layout of the Octave for a surround image.

8 AUDIO

video router. A 75 ft (23m) wide rear- 380 channel audio projection screen located at the back of the stage displays ambient and scenic images as in Hollywood well as song lyrics. It is flanked by two drop-down screens at mid-stage which display live-camera images of service participants. Electrosonic installed six Christie DS+ 8K projectors, four for the rear-projection screen and two for the drop- down screens. A Barco Folsom The 3,000 seat Northland Church features variable acoustics and a 75ft wide rear projection screen. HD video controller handles Auditorium 6 at the Mann Chinese. The loudspeaker array that surrounds the audience can be clearly seen. the big-screen sources, Auditorium 6 of the Mann Chinese Theaters in the heart of Variable acoustics at including Ikegami HD Hollywood is now equipped with a 380 channel Iosono® audio cameras, DVD players and the system installed by Electrosonic. text generating computers. The Iosono® system has been developed in Germany by a Northland is linked by Northland Church team led by Professor Karlheinz Brandenburg. Its aim is to optical fiber to offsite give true, natural “three dimensional” sound. A target market Electrosonic was the AV To this end, Electrosonic pair of Galileo processing locations where services may is the cinema, since the system has the potential to give every designer and integrator for carried out the first units. In addition the also be held, or where seat in the house the same 3D sound experience. The new the new purpose-built installation anywhere of sanctuary is equipped with musicians and singers may be installation is designed to help Hollywood sound designers sanctuary seating 3,000 Meyer Sound’s Constellation 18 Meyer Milo clusters, six performing remotely. Six RME assess the system, with a view to its ultimate adoption in people at Northland, A system. Constellation is M3D subwoofers, two CQ-1 ADI-648 digital “snakes” and premium theaters. Church Distributed, in based on the company’s VRAS and two CQ-2 speakers for two RME MADI bridges The system has to be heard to be believed. It “places” Longwood, Florida. A non- (Variable Room Acoustical sound reinforcement provide the connection to sound in an uncanny way. It does this by surrounding the denominational church, System) technology that and reproduction. these offsite venues. audience with a continuous loudspeaker array – in the case of Northland streams its allows venues to alter their Meyer Sound microphones Concept consulting design Auditorium 6 there are no less than 380 discrete audio services online and reverberation characteristics are augmented by 26 was by Platt Design Group of channels. The system is based on the insight of Christiaan coordinates with services instantly, and thus meet the Sennheiser wireless Sierra Madre, CA. WOW!Works Huygens, the famous Dutch contemporary of Isaac Newton. He held at other locations. needs of different aspects of microphones used on stage. of Clermont, FL, supervised postulated that, in respect of an advancing wavefront, at any Northland’s primary Northland’s services – A Peavey Media Matrix Neon the vendors and general instant every point on the wavefront is the source of a requirement was to make the intelligible speech requiring system controls audio contractor for Northland. new sanctuary’s audio the short reverberation time on distribution throughout the wavelet which propagates outwards as a spherical wave. His best it could be. While the one hand, and choral Northland facility. observations were made in respect of light as a wave, and parishioners and visitors music requiring a warmer Broadcast control includes they helped explain the phenomena of reflection, refraction usually notice the impressive acoustic with longer a Euphonix Max Air 106- and diffraction. video systems first, reverberation on the other. channel audio console, an The Iosono system represents an application of the Northland was aware that if At Northland the 80-input Digidesign Pro Tools Huygens principle applied to sound waves. A desired wavefront services sound bad, that has Constellation system consists HD3 Accel system, Meyer is created by having a large number of closely spaced sources, more impact than most of 32 UPM-1P, 12 UPJ-1P and Sound HD-1 monitors and an each radiating a small part of the “sound image” – the people realize. 26 MM-4 loudspeakers and a N-Vision 416×384 audio and Video display control. individual wave motions interfere with each other to produce a single wavefront. 900 loudspeakers in Freestyle Music Park

Electrosonic designed, countless hours to program! Close up of the loudspeaker array (left). View of the Peltz Theater engineered and installed the The main sound source, a taken during installation of the Iosono system (right). park-wide audio system for multi-channel background For the system to work a large number of individual the new Freestyle Music Park music server supplied by PCM sources are needed, depending on the size of the space. At (formerly known as the Hard Technologies, provides the Mann Chinese 380 separate sound channels are used; with Rock Park) which recently extensive track lists for each 64 channels behind the screen, and the remainder distributed opened in Myrtle Beach, environment. Its ability to evenly either side and across the back of the auditorium. South Carolina. Spanning 55 random shuffle keeps Each channel has a 3-way loudspeaker unit and associated acres, Freestyle Music Park soundtracks fresh for visitors amplifier. The screen channels are rated at 200W each, and all celebrates the spirit of rock and park employees alike. the rest at 100W. The system is augmented by “conventional” ’n roll through more than 50 The audio system is also sub-bass loudspeakers. world-class rides, shows and The live performance stage (here shown with original branding). used for announcements and Electrosonic has also been a key player in the renovation attractions. It also emergency paging by zone of the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Among the To ensure an immersive Loudspeakers are encompasses other genres of or park-wide. It mutes improvements made was the installation of an Iosono system music experience, predominantly models from music including country, audio in certain areas if live in the Peltz Theater, the first theater installation of its kind Electrosonic installed more Peavey (Versarray®, PR 15T, reggae, beach music, pop, shows or performances are in the USA. than 900 loudspeakers park- and Impulse 6T) and JBL. R&B, alternative, Christian, taking place. The 300-seat theater was rebuilt to better meet the wide; throughout the guest Amplifiers are predominantly and disco. Museum’s multipurpose needs. Yazdani Studio of Cannon entry area, on three live from Crest Audio. Design was responsible for the interior design concept. performance stages, along Audio distribution is Electrosonic was responsible for the design, engineering, walkways, in shops, based on the use of Peavey’s fabrication, installation and programming of the audio-video restaurants, bars, ride queue Media Matrix System, systems, with “the crown jewel” of the theater’s technology lines, gardens, restrooms, and equipped with a custom being the audio system from Iosono GmbH. Its 308 completely surrounding the programmed graphic independent audio channels and five subwoofer channels are lake for the daytime lagoon interface. The system is easy entirely hidden within the architectural elements of the and fireworks shows. to use, although it took Pole mounted loudspeaker. Colorful attraction theater to give an all-encompassing natural sound.

9 ENTERTAINMENT Wynn Tree of Prosperity Electrosonic provided audio, video replay, master show control, an intercom system and a closed-circuit video surveillance system for 600 Displays the complex Tree of Prosperity Show in the atrium at Penn of a new wing at the Wynn National Hotel and Casino in Macau. MGM Grand LED The show begins when The Hollywood Casino at music starts playing. In the Penn National Race Course The MGM Grand in Macau features a giant LED display ceiling a 20m diameter iris, (HCPN) in Grantville, PA, is a over the entrance, supported by “ribbons” of LED running The new “Dragon” show. with the Chinese horoscope 365,000 sq ft (34,000 sq m) along the building. Optotech Macau supplied and installed Electrosonic’s audio sculpted on it, opens to integrated thoroughbred this massive piece of signage. system, based on Crown reveal an LED display of racing and gaming operation. Electrosonic was the sub-contractor for the video source amplifiers and JBL speakers, abstract video. The video is Working to the requirements and automatic playback system. This consists of five was extensive. Eight main replayed from six MS9200 of HCPN’s entertainment MS9500GL High Definition players, genlocked together to speaker positions and High Definition players services manager, John Wise, run in precise frame synchronization, and a VN-QUANTUM subwoofers are installed on genlocked together. Then the and specifications prepared image processor to scale the image sources to the displays. the mezzanine level to play LED ceiling itself parts and a by consultants Group SPI, Overall show control is based on Medialon, and there is the music for the attraction. 10m diameter chandelier, lit Electrosonic engineered a provision for connecting additional sources for special Four effects speakers, which by thousands of LEDs, large video routing and RF events. Electrosonic’s Hong Kong service office carried out play back sounds like descends. Now the action distribution system that the installation of the source system and provides ongoing “shimmers” are linked shifts to ground level where feeds 600 displays sited support. through a slip-ring The Tree of Prosperity with giant a copper dome, with the chandelier. throughout the complex. connection. Three additional Western horoscope sculpted effects speakers and four during the show. A on it, opens and a 20m tall Club Nokia tweeters are suspended from comprehensive closed-circuit golden tree rises from a vault Club Nokia is the exciting a cruciform structure which video system also ensures below the floor. The magical venue in Los Angeles operated also supports the chandelier. that the attraction is working tree rotates to the music by AEG. Located within it is Working to specifications as it should. Twelve cameras until the show ends and all an innovative interactive prepared by consultant Joel located throughout the the mechanical elements experience based on foot- Gread Associates, atrium are routed to a 42- return to their home An 83-channel digital RF controlled floor interfaces, Electrosonic supplied an inch LCD display and three positions. Recently an system enables customers to touch screens, and a large Alcorn McBride master show 20-inch LCD displays in the alternative show has been watch live races at HCPN, or LED screen installation. Users control system with a second-floor control room introduced, where the tree follow action at other tracks can scroll through the history Crestron touch panel as user where technicians maintain has been replaced by a via an L-band satellite and the future of Club Nokia interface. This cues the AV oversight of the show. traditional Chinese Dragon. system and Roberts events. Fans interact with pictures, video, and text playback system and triggers Mechanical engineering for Communications’ simulcast submitted by fellow concert fans and professional the sub-systems supplied by the Tree of Prosperity Show decoders. For example, the photographers, using their cameras in high-end other vendors for the lighting was by McClaren Engineering, races are displayed on 250 Nokia devices. and mechanical elements of with fabrication and 19-inch Samsung LCD TVs in Electrosonic engineered the complete audio-video the show. installation by Show Canada the Box Seating and Terrace system associated with the experience (except the LED A Clearcom intercom of Montreal. The Dining areas. The displays display itself, supplied directly by Lighthouse). Electrosonic system keeps the technical automation systems are by The iris ceiling opening to reveal feature the latest QAM was a member of a team which included Graham Wickman the video screen.. staff in close communication Stage Technologies. digital tuners to match the as AV Consultant, project manager Faithful + Gould, interior system’s use of Z-Band RF. designer Eight Inc, content producer RG/A and fit out Each simulcast decoder contractor Murray Sandford Construction Company PCL. Old movie theater transformed represents a race track, like Aqueduct or Belmont Park, The Palatsi Music Theatre Suzhou Sky Screen and each race track becomes in Tampere, Finland, was a TV channel. The RF system designed by Bertel Strömmer also distributes Comcast and and built in 1929. Palatsi DirecTV feeds of sports is a fine example of 1920’s programming and classicism, and the theater Pay-Per-View events to has now been renovated the Sports Bar. and brought back to its A separate video routing original glory. system is based on a Electrosonic’s The space is intended for based on active line array Magenta Mondo 64×160 responsibility was to design versatile use; a consequence loudspeakers from EAW matrix switcher with AMX and build a suitable sound, of this was the specification placed on either side of the control. It distributes pre- Electrosonic World No 14 featured an amazing “Sky light and show system; of an all-digital system, stage. Audio mixing and produced video to the Screen” installed in Beijing. Now the company that was install it on site, program it ensuring that cabling processing equipment is from casino floor’s Media Blitz behind that project has excelled itself with another Sky and give the client guidance occupied minimum space, Biamp and Yamaha. area. It also feeds customer Screen, this time in Suzhou. in its use. and that the system could The video system uses information, such as special Suzhou Time Square, located to the east of Lake Golden exploit future developments. three Sanyo projectors; one player rewards and big Cockerel in Suzhou Industrial Park, China, boasts a 3856 sq The installed system uses directed at the backdrop jackpot announcements, to m video ceiling installed by Optotech (Suzhou office). 11.5 km of twisted pair cable silver screen, two directed the gaming floor and to Electrosonic supported the project from its Hong Kong and 800m of optical fiber. to screens either side of the Pioneer plasma displays in office by engineering the image scaling system required for Show lighting is based on stage. In the ceiling there eleven locations in the a 350m length of the Sky Screen, based on two VECTOR a GrandMA console, Martin are two remote controlled elevator lobbies. Twenty- image processors. moving lights and ETC Sony Dome cameras, with four 52-inch, and twelve The display uses Nichia 3 in 1 surface mount LEDs, with theater luminaires. House which events can be filmed 32-inch, monitors display a pixel density of 952 pixels per sq m. Peak luminance is in lighting control is by Helvar and projected on the races day and night in the excess of 2000 Cd/m2. Digidim. The sound system is stage screens. Simulcast Theater.

10 VISITOR CENTERS Heineken Experience A new Heineken Visitors enjoy the “Brew Experience opened at the U” simulation ride, where historic Heineken Brewery in they undergo the complete Amsterdam at the beginning brewing process, from being of December 2008. Designed mashed up as barley, boiled and produced by BRC up with water, fermented,

Imagination Arts, it makes stored and bottled. In order The “Terrorism in our times” exhibit uses ten 20 inch and nine 37 inch extensive use of specially to accommodate peak visitor synchronized LCD monitors accompanied by a multichannel sound track. produced high definition flow there are three near- video programmes. identical installations. Each Electrosonic’s UK office one consists of a space was appointed by BRC as dominated by a 3m wide The CELL its principal sub-contractor screen. This presents a high Visitors to Denver’s new The “Raised in the World” show has eight synchronized screens in a for audio-visual systems definition film accompanied space dominated by a ceiling composed entirely of Heineken beer Center for Empowered integration. by full 5:1 surround sound, bottles. Photo BRC. Living and Learning (The In an area themed as a and a raft of special effects CELL) are plunged into a shown on eight screens that However, installation was traditional Amsterdam Bar including lighting and water multimedia experience surround the audience. It carried out by local company visitors view a show called spray. The audience stands on designed to explore one of shows the impact of the Mansveld. Some items from “Born in Amsterdam” where a platform which provides the the most important issues Heineken brand in countries the “old” Experience, which Robust interactive displays in the they learn about the origins requisite “shake, rattle and of our time: the threat of “Action Center” give visitors a all round the world, using had also been supplied by and development of Heineken roll” that is particularly global terrorism. strong message to take home. footage from many sources. Mansveld, were carried over since its founding in 1863. effective when you (as the Founded by Larry A. Four high definition players, into the new show. The This process took place The presentation is informal, now brewed beer) proceed Mizel, The CELL is a non- each feeding two screens interactive displays were over a three year period. apparently given by a genial through the bottling plant. profit, non-partisan play back the show. developed by the companies Electrosonic’s Systems barman standing behind “Raised by the World” is institution, located within Visitors get a chance to Alterface and Bitmove. All Division was then the bar. a fast paced presentation the Denver Civic Center taste the product in the video media and sound tracks responsible for Cultural Complex. “World Bars”; one of these were produced by BRC engineering and installing The exhibit brings the includes a pouring Imagination Arts. the AV systems. pervasive threat of global demonstration. Video cameras Several different terrorism to life through allow visitors a close-up techniques are used at The compelling graphics, view on the LCD monitors CELL. To emphasize the fact sophisticated computer near the bar. that terrorism can affect interactive displays and Electrosonic was everyone, visitors are given effective audio and visual responsible for the a magnetic card carrying techniques. Davis engineering, supply and the biography of someone Partnership was the commissioning of the main who has been directly The “Born in Amsterdam” show uses two 3m wide High Definition rear A scene from the “Brew U” architect for The CELL projection screens. Photo BRC. audio and video systems. simulator ride. affected. The card is used exhibition space, and to activate the interactive exhibition design was by exhibits, and visitors learn Houghton Kneale Design. more about their adopted AV content was produced victim at each exhibit. New England Patriots under the direction of “A Delicate Balance” Richard Trank. The Hall at Patriot Place, The images are “back to shows how governments are a $22million investment by back” so they are seen both faced with the difficulty the Kraft family, is located from the outside of the that protecting citizens right next to the spectacular building and within the Hall from terrorism and still Gillette Stadium in of Fame itself. allowing civil liberties can Foxborough MA, home to the The pylon displays were be conflicting objectives. famous New England Patriots supplied under a separate The debate is presented NFL team. The Hall is a contract by Magink. They use through three identical combined Museum and Hall of a novel reflective cholesteric “touch table” exhibits Fame. It opened in late 2008, LCD technology. This means (using Zytronic PCT™ touch and its interior architecture The Hall at Patriot Place. The video pylons can be seen through that the display is technology) and is based the windows. and exhibits were designed illuminated either by on experience in the USA, AV systems integrator. so honored. Four elegant One of the three “Delicate by Cambridge Seven daylight, or by conventional Balance” interactive exhibits. the UK, France and Israel. The “Grand Hall” is touchscreen units allow Associates. It makes lighting. The display is The overall extent of dominated by giant ceiling visitors to select player Electrosonic was extensive use of audio, video “tiled”, with each tile 17 × the installation at the CELL and floor projection screens. statistics, biographical details involved with the project in and interactive media. 17cm (6.7 × 6.7 inches). can be gauged by the fact These show images of and video clips. two ways. In the project Cortina Productions produced Pixel pitch is 9mm. The that in the control room, Patriots, past and present. The area is dominated by design and development all the video content, and overall effect is pleasing, which is visible to passers- Projection is by 3-chip DLP™ four giant “video pylons”, stages, Electrosonic’s Electrosonic was the principal since the image brightness by, there are nearly 100 projectors of 16,000 and each 30ft (9.1m) high and Design Division worked up relates directly to the small LCD confidence 8,500 lumen light output to 5ft (1.5m) wide that show many AV concepts for ambient light. The effect is monitors that show the deal with the large screen the selected action images. evaluation, and prepared that of a dynamic poster. content of all the displays size and relatively high the final AV specifications. in the exhibition. ambient light. The 150 seat Raytheon Theater presents The Hall’s signature film called “Patriots Way”. Three projectors are used to create the image. The Hall of Fame is devoted to the all-time greats One floor and three overhead of the Patriots team and The “New England Football” exhibit features the jerseys of the local giant screens dominate the high school teams. An interactive database is accessed by three The “Hitting Home” exhibit is a powerful show presented on 30 screens. Grand Hall space. currently there are 13 players large touchscreens.

11 VISITOR CENTERS BBC Scotland BBC Scotland’s new about” exhibit, all material is headquarters at Pacific Quay presented in both visual and in Glasgow is a benchmark in aural form. terms of state-of-the-art The building features a technology and production spectacular open area at its methods, across TV, radio and core that rises over five high online. All BBC Scotland's floors and is known as “The national broadcast output Street”. “Gateways” lead off The projection screen is suspended over the mosaics at Lullingstone comes from here. the street into production Roman Villa. One of the facility’s and office areas. There are objectives was to bring BBC many conference rooms, Scotland closer to its dressing rooms, green rooms Roman neighbors The “monitors over” exhibit shows high contrast images in high audience, so the entrance ambient light. Glass rear projection screens with 3M Vikuiti™ black and other spaces, including a Just five miles from Electrosonic’s main UK office is foyer is designed to be the film are used. large staff restaurant at the Lullingstone Roman Villa, one of England’s most important “accessible front for BBC shown within the exhibits. It top of the building. Roman archaeological sites. Now under the guardianship of Scotland” with free entrance is carried on a Content Media Electrosonic’s work English Heritage, it has recently had a major refurbishment and lots to see and do. Server, and there is also included the installation of including a new roof, improved visitor facilities and an Graven Images of Glasgow access to the BBC’s “General 20 46inch widescreen enhanced exhibition. was appointed exhibit Media Viewer” or GMV. This is displays in the “gateways”, a The extensive remains of the villa include the foundation designer for the visitor a network based system that complete PA and AV walls, the heating system and a pair of magnificent mosaics. experience, and Derek Kemp carries all the BBC’s output, presentation system in the These can be viewed at close quarters at ground level, or, to was appointed AV Consultant. so any display fitted with a Staff Restaurant, 10 main get an overall view, from a viewing gallery. At regular intervals As designs were finalized, “GMV interface” can access meeting room AV the lights dim, and an introductory film is shown on a screen Electrosonic was appointed any channel currently presentation systems and 20 that floats above the mosaics. the AV Systems Integrator. broadcasting. Additional display systems in green The film explains the villa’s development over 350 years Siemens was project manager interactive software and One of the “Learn about” rooms and dressing rooms. starting in AD 75, and shows how people lived in the villa exhibits. All displays have the for the BBC. custom applications were High Definition aspect ratio. and its importance to the local economy. It also explains why BBC Scotland is provided by Crash Media, the villa shows some of the earliest evidence of Christianity responsible for the content Chunk and Stand. updated. Thus, for example, in Britain. The foyer is a flexible the “Monitors over” exhibit The film makes use of re-enactments of aspects of daily space and is used for special has a custom application to life, of 3D re-constructions of the villa that were made by events and broadcasts. While determine how content is English Heritage, and of artist’s impressions of how the villa the exhibits all work displayed, but the content might have looked in its heyday. The film was made by Centre independently, it is a itself is “hot off the air”. Screen Productions Ltd of Manchester, and Electrosonic was requirement that principal The main computer sub-contracted to Centre Screen to engineer the AV playback exhibits can have content interactive terminals are in system. It is based on a Projectiondesign F1 SXGA+ projector changed instantly, for two groups of five, and sourced from a DVS(UK) Blade digital video player. example, the whole area can support the “Learn about” The installation is an excellent example of how be themed to match a facility, designed to comparatively simple AV installations can, with high quality “football week”. familiarize visitors with all production, make a major contribution to the success of an The idea is that many of kinds of BBC “product”. As far “The Circuit” – a series of historic attraction. working historic exhibits. the exhibits are automatically as possible in the “learn The spectacular “Street”. The World of Coca Cola Electrosonic played a lobby and six 40-inch LCD Culture exhibit that includes thrilling experience. major role in the new World monitors in the “Loft” pre- a 46-inch LCD monitor In the Advertising Theater of Coca-Cola, the $100 show area, filled with Coca- displaying avant-garde visitors watch and hear a million attraction in Atlanta, Cola memorabilia. These tell footage shot by Andy Warhol potpourri of Coke ads and GA by providing all of its the story of the famous of people drinking Coke. An jingles from around the world; multimedia systems, beverage's origins, preparing interactive area allows In the “Taste It” area, including complete show and visitors for the Open people to design their own there are eight 46-inch LCD’s, lighting control. The project Experience Theater where Coca-Cola ad. Two additional configured as a horizontal was five years in the making they are treated to a high- interactive stations enable videowall. This gives a review and is now attracting more resolution, fully animated Exterior of The World of Coca Cola. them to relate their own oral of the 400 Brands in the than a million visitors a year. show, “The Happiness garage door allowing visitors From there, visitors walk histories about the drink. Coca-Cola family. Sixteen LCD Exhibition design and project Factory,” which follows the to exit. As people file into through an actual bottling “The Secret Formula monitors form a circle around management was by Jack journey of a coin through a the central rotunda's hub, plant for a close-up look at Theater” is an exciting “4D” each of the five big Rouse Associates. Coke machine. At the end of they see The Portrait Wall the process. Four screens tell quest to find the secret dispensing stations where Visitors first encounter the show the screen, a display which conveys Coca- the story of water filtration, formula of Coca Cola®. 3D visitors can taste the Coke- Electrosonic's work with a mechanism by Oceaneering, Cola's charitable and Coke's secret recipe, images, moving seats and branded beverages available 46-inch LCD monitor in the is hoisted up like a giant humanitarian efforts, around carbonation and bottling. special effects give visitors a on every continent. the world. The images are displayed on The interactive active LCD glass. This glass “Milestones of Refreshment” appears clear until people exhibit spotlights the history approach it; then it turns and branding of Coke. Two opaque and the rear- large-format touch-screens projection display explains allow visitors to try their the process the visitors hands at drawing the are witnessing. beverage's logo. Visitors exit to a Pop

“The Loft”, the pre-show for “The Happiness Factory”. The “Taste it” area.

12 MUSEUMS Science of survival The Science of… is a partnership between the world renowned Science Museum in London and the intellectual property management experts, Fleming Media. Its mission is to “ask the big questions about the world we live in”, and it does this by organizing high profile touring exhibitions that visit key locations round the world, and which are supported by relevant corporate sponsors. Its latest exhibition The Science of Survival, designed by The Orientation Center. Enigma Creative Solutions, was considered so important that two identical exhibitions were built. Construction was carried out simultaneously in the UK and USA. Electrosonic Ltd (UK) Museum of designed the AV system and built the AV system for the UK based exhibition, which first appeared at the Science Museum; “Your future food” exhibit. demonstrates some of the possible solutions. The interactive Tolerance nature of the displays encourages visitors to think how they The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles is a long standing themselves can contribute to the solutions. client of Electrosonic. Right from its opening in 1993 it has The finale of the exhibition is “Future City”; here the made extensive use of audio, video and interactive techniques solutions that the individual visitor has adopted are and Electrosonic provided the initial AV installations which aggregated with other visitors’ ideas, and the resulting “Future were based on slide projection, laser discs and CRT monitors. City” is displayed, showing the kind of neighborhood that can Over the years new exhibits have been added and old be expected in 2050. exhibits refreshed. In 1998 video servers started replacing The configuration of the AV system is based on the fact laser disc players in new exhibits, and now all video is played that the exhibition “tours”. Any central source equipment for from servers. Similarly, LCD and plasma monitors have replaced an area is mounted in “road racks” to facilitate rapid the old CRT monitors, and CRT projectors have been replaced installation and easy transport. by DLP models. The exhibits are all networked (because the tag data must An electronic “lazy Susan” presents visitors with an international The most recent update was carried out in 2008. In this menu. Fill up your plate and see the global impact of your choice. be transmitted between them) and this facility can optionally upgrade all projectors throughout the Museum of Tolerance be used for the central control of exhibit power up and power and the Holocaust exhibit were replaced with new Panasonic while Electrosonic Inc (USA) built and installed the AV System down routines. DLP™ projectors, the Orientation Center show that had been for the USA based exhibition, with its first appearance at the based on slide projection was Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ. Interactive software converted to use 12 plasma was by ico Design Consultancy, Spiral Productions and displays, and the “Video Host”, Luckybite, and video production by Griffilms South. formerly based on CRT The theme of the exhibition is a look at what the world monitors, was converted to may be like in 2050. In no way minimizing the problems use LCD monitors. ahead, the exhibition demonstrates the ways by which Science In addition a completely can help solve them. The idea is to show that everyone can new exhibit is the Polling contribute to a sustainable future. Station which uses touch On arrival, visitors are given a card, this is an RF tag that screens to allow visitors to both initiates the interactive displays, and allows responses to answer topical questions – the be tracked. cumulative results are The exhibition is devoted to five fundamental aspects of displayed graphically on an daily life. Drinking, Eating, Enjoying, Moving and Building. The “Future City” builds up in front of visitors as they add their associated plasma monitor. Each subject area poses some of the problems, and contribution. The Video Host. Believe It or Not® in London The new attraction at No1 provision for 24 audio effects Piccadilly Circus (The London tracks and for programmed Pavilion) is an investment by lighting control. London Bridge Entertainment One of the HD systems is Partners LLP, a franchisee of used in the “Mr Ripley’s Ripley Entertainment Inc. Office” exhibit. This is a formed to develop the reconstruction of his studio “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”® where he drew his “Believe it Museum in London. or Not” newspaper strips. Visitors enter the London Robert Ripley appears “live” attraction at street level, and The World’s Tallest Man (2.7m) Robert Wadlow, with his video and retails some of his take an elevator to the fifth photo album. adventures. The illusion Dressed to kill floor. They then work their “Art” includes works that out contractor was Paragon (courtesy of a 65 inch way down through the 24,000 would puzzle the Tate Creative, and lighting design plasma screen and Pepper’s Displayed over three floors of the historic White Tower of sq ft (2,230 sq m) museum. Modern, “Shrunken heads” was by Abernathy Lighting Ghost illusion) is excellent, the Tower of London, a stunning exhibition celebrated the “Ripley’s Believe It or are not for the squeamish, Design. Electrosonic was especially where “real” props 500th anniversary of Henry VIII becoming King of England. Not!”® claims to be the “Dungeons” includes chastity responsible for the main are integrated into the Some of the world's rarest arms and armor were selected from “Global authority on the belts and “iron maidens”, AV installation. film’s action. the treasures of Britain’s Royal Armouries and international weird, strange and bizarre”, and there is a special section Audio and video enhance collections. The exhibition conveys the power, majesty, wealth so the exhibits defy for the “English” who are individual exhibits, and and psychology of the man, the icon and the king - who classification, although the clearly no less weird than animate the galleries. The AV always ensured he was "Dressed to Kill." galleries do have themes. The anyone else. system is based on 16 The exhibition was designed by Studio MB, with “Clearing House” has The London “Ripley’s channels of Standard construction by Paragon, AV production by ISO and Peter Key mysterious crates containing Believe It or Not!”® museum Definition video and two and lighting design by Nich Smith. specimens from round the was designed and produced channels of High Definition Electrosonic designed and installed the supporting AV world, “Weird People” is just by Jack Rouse Associates of video, with accompanying system, which required four projected images, one plasma Cincinnati, Ohio. The lead fit- audio. In addition there is display and multi-channel ambient audio. what it says it is on the tin, Robert Ripley in his studio

13 MUSEUMS London Transport and Harry Beck’s iconic underground map, to station architecture, vehicle design and pioneering transport advertising, the gallery shows how London Transport developed a visionary style which defines the identity of Faraday’s Laboratory at the Royal Institution features a ghostly the city. image of the man himself, and touch screen displays. The gallery presents a selection of posters, original artwork and artifacts, but Royal Institution these are augmented by The Royal Institution of multiple projected images Great Britain (RI) is that seem to fill the space. “dedicated to connecting Seven projectors are used, people with the world of Amazing floor projections in the “Design for Travel” gallery. Photo by Dave Patten, Science Museum. six projecting on the floor, science”. Best known for its and one onto a wall. The The London Transport Christmas Lectures, it is show explores several design Museum, in Covent Garden, also an important centre for themes, and is run from The Royal Institution. re-opened at the end of 2007 research. Humphry Davy Dataton “Watchout”. after a £22million and Michael Faraday did museum. In fact the Sound is used extensively refurbishment and extension. their main work here, and museum is not all new. to animate and interpret The “new” museum makes today the Davy-Faraday Formerly the RI hosted a exhibits. Much of it is intelligent use of audio-visual Research Laboratory has a “Faraday Museum” that sourced from accompanying and interactive techniques, team working on included Faraday’s original video, but “audio only” tracks with over 150 exhibits nanotechnology. laboratory. The new are sourced from solid state featuring AV elements. The RI has been at its museum recognizes all the players. Many different Electrosonic was the principal present location since scientists who have worked loudspeaker types are used, AV systems integrator. An overhead view of some of the larger exhibits. 1799. It has recently at the RI while still including Panphonic “Sound The London Transport completed a £20million retaining the laboratory effort between the Museum Shower” directional Museum opened at its present refurbishment project with and artifacts associated and Electrosonic, the AV electrostatic loudspeakers location in 1980 in what was Sir Terry Farrell as architect. with Faraday. Systems Integrator. and Amina “Exciter” built as the Covent Garden This included restoration The content for the AV The AV content comes transducers fitted directly Flower Market in 1871. In work in the famous lecture and most of the interactive from many different sources. to glass panels. 2005 it closed for a two year theatre, and a re-ordering exhibits was produced by New content for major Loudspeakers are installed programme of refurbishment of the spaces within the Centre Screen of in unexpected places. Two and extension, during which exhibits was produced by ISO building. A new museum, horses pulling a horse drawn the exhibition was completely Design of Glasgow; but a sited on three levels, has omnibus have a chat re-ordered. Principal exhibit significant proportion of the The World City Wall shows how been built with exhibition content was produced in other city transport systems (complete with animatronic designer was Ralph compare with London. design and construction mouths) and detailed scale Appelbaum Associates house, either as new under the direction of Event the quick recall of settings models, for example of the (London office), with Conran material, or drawing on Communications Ltd. for special events. “cut and cover” building of Design Group as designer of archives, or using elements Electrosonic has The Design for Travel the first underground lines, the entrance feature “World from the previous exhibition. completed two separate Gallery is based on London can be viewed through The famous lecture theatre. City Wall”. Much use is made of audio contracts at the RI. One to animate otherwise static Transport’s emphasis on good optical viewers which include The whole exhibition was to upgrade the AV Manchester, who also or mute exhibits with design. From the roundel logo built in loudspeakers. relies heavily on the use of system within the lecture produced the video content specially commissioned sound audio-visual techniques to theatre, and the other was for the PDAs used for tracks from Julian Scott and enhance and interpret the to provide the principal AV visitor guidance. The PDA overall sound design by artefacts. Since its opening elements within the new system itself was supplied Martin Pilton. in 1980 the London Transport by Hypertag under a The AV hardware Museum has had an separate contract with installation follows current experienced in-house AV the RI. practice in taking a “hybrid” team, so the AV system All AV elements within approach, intended to design became a collaborative the Museum are on a minimize the amount of network and are under the cabling required. Most source control of an AMX control hardware is rack mounted and The “Our Laboratories” show is system which looks after installed in four small control given on two large screens in an area of high ambient light. system power control and rooms – however, a Christie M Series projectors system monitoring. significant proportion is sited are used. within the exhibits. The reliability and very small size of current video playout devices and single board computers, and the fact that it is now easy to control and update such items over networks, makes this arrangement practical. At the London Transport Museum a Medialon system is installed “Connections” features a 4m diameter 3D model of London, 24 interactive “Visitor for overall control. This is surmounted by a large projection screen showing live video images. “Science in the Making” uses multiple monitors and back projection. Information Points” (above) and also able to monitor system Actual commuter routes, matching the overhead images, are It tells how Royal Institution scientists discovered 10 elements and many “Media Panels” (below) are projected on to the model. Photo: Andy Paradise. Copyright: earned 14 Nobel Prizes. sited throughout the museum. performance and allows for London Transport Museum.

14 MUSEUMS This is the NEWSEUM The numbers are impressive. 250,000 square that, besides providing a feet, 450 million dollars of investment, 130 “pre-show” experience, masks interactive stations, 100 new video off the un-needed seating. productions, 100 miles of fiber optic When the show starts the communications, 15 video theaters, 14 perimeter screens fly away, galleries, two broadcast TV studios and much and the “normal” 25ft (7.6m) more. Welcome to the Newseum. projection screen gives way to a 57ft × 25ft (17.4m × "The new incarnation of the Newseum is dazzling, 7.6m) monster. On it is innovative and absorbing, a first-class addition to shown a specially made 3D the capital's cultural institutions." — Howard film featuring pioneering Kurtz, The Washington Post journalists Isaiah Thomas, The “new” Newseum covering the Battle of replaces an earlier version, Lexington, Nellie Bly sited across the Potomac in investigating a women’s Rosslyn VA, that ran from asylum under cover, and 1997 – 2002. It is an Edward R. Murrow extraordinary combination of broadcasting from London museum, conference center, during World War II. media center, visitor Exterior of The Newseum. The News History Gallery. The Newseum is both a attraction, party venue, diner, News?” This invites visitors to background. Choices include museum and an event space. and hub of media politics. consider the role that news the White House, the It can house many The Newseum is run by plays in their lives. Decades Newseum, and the Supreme simultaneous events in its Freedom Forum, a non of major news events based Court. Participants can either conference facilities, studios, partisan foundation dedicated on war and peace, love and read from scripts, or ad lib. theaters and public areas, to the freedom of the press. hate, tragedy and triumph are When done they see an placing huge demands on the Its position overlooking the both uplifting and depressing instant playback of their Public Address system which Capitol makes it clear that – will we ever learn? efforts and receive a photo uses 800 loudspeakers, it is keeping an eye Before leaving the of themselves on set. In the covering 80 independently on government. concourse level visitors see “old” Newseum they were programmable zones. Electrosonic is proud to the Berlin Wall. Eight sections The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater viewed from the stage. offered a VHS cassette, but have had the same role in of the original wall and an wall of facsimile newspapers the “new” Newseum puts both old and new Newseums, original watchtower are of the time, and a memorable the recordings on a server that of engineering the augmented by three 42 inch video sequence of the last which can be accessed on exhibit AV. This time the work displays that trace the role of photographs taken by William the internet. consisted of a 4D theater news media through the rise Biggart, a photo-journalist The 535 seat Walter and system, a custom engineered and fall of the Wall. On who died when the second Leonore Annenberg Theater is The Interactive Newsroom. “Be a TV Reporter” system, leaving the Wall, visitors equipped as both an The Great Hall of News features a tower collapsed. the installation of news ride to the top of the news helicopter, a model satellite The most moving show in auditorium and a TV location. tickers and the building PA building in one of three and a high resolution LED screen. the entire Newseum is But for most visitors this system, the audio-video glass hydraulic elevators. “Running towards danger”, space houses “I-Witness: A systems within exhibits, and At the top, visitors have an 11 minute documentary 4D Time Travel Adventure”. the show systems in 14 of a magnificent view of the shown in a small theater off Here only 200 seats are used, the 15 theaters sited Capitol from the Pennsylvania the 9/11 Gallery. Based on and, as visitors enter, they throughout the Newseum. Avenue Terrace, and in a long first person accounts from are surrounded by imagery One of the “Be a TV reporter” stages. Visitors descend to the gallery can see facsimile full journalists who covered the concourse level; here they are size versions of “Today’s Front attacks, the effect on visitors Projectors (4D show) Christie CP2000 directed to one of three 45 “Media Towers” within the Projectors (large screens) Christie DW6K Pages”. An “Early News” Internet, TV and Radio Gallery, is such that a box of tissues Projectors (small screens) Christie DW3K seat Orientation Theaters; gallery features artifacts from feature 32inch CRT TV sets. is tactfully placed at the exit Projectors (history gallery frieze) Christie DS+25 three to ensure that nobody pre-printing days, and the retracting drawers. Electronic of the theater. Projection screens for theaters Stewart has to wait more than a “Great Books” gallery indexes on touchscreens The most popular feature LED video screen Barco 6mm 40ft×22ft (12.2m × 6,3m) couple of minutes to see the illustrates the origins of the help with navigation round of the “Interactive News News tickers Sunrise Systems eight minute film “What’s freedom of the press. the collection. Room” is “Be a TV reporter”. 32 inch CRT displays Sony KV32F V310 42 inch and 47 inch LCD displays Samsung These small galleries are Overhead, 20 projectors It consists of eight separate 19 inch LCD displays JVC followed by the large “News run historic news film footage “chromakey” stages, each is Production cameras Grass Valley LDK6000 History” gallery based on the on screens either side of the equipped with a retro- Cameras for Be a TV Reporter JVC Newseum’s collection of more gallery. Below the screens, reflective backdrop, a color 2K uncompressed servers for DVS than 30,000 historic display cases explore themes camera with LED “ring” round 4D show Large screen servers, Grass Valley K2 newspapers. These can be such as media objectivity and the lens, a prompting system, production servers seen in heavily protected self 24 hour news cycles. Grass Valley Turbo The Berlin Wall exhibit. playback monitors, operator’s Production recorders This gallery has five touch screen controller Exhibit HD playback Doremi Nugget Owner Freedom Forum / The Newseum “sidebar” theaters; each with and audio system. Production switchers Grass Valley Architect Polshek Partnership Euphonix seating for 25 people. These Participants give their Production audio Exhibit Designer Ralph Appelbaum Associates Exhibit, show and PA audio Peavey Media Matrix Nion Main content production The Newseum run documentaries on a contact details to the routing and correction Production of “I-Witness” and Cortina Productions continuous basis. Titles attendant and choose a Exhibit control Electrosonic ESCAN “What’s News?” include “Sources”, “Bias” and Array loudspeakers Dakota Project Management Tishman Speyer “Getting it right”. PA loudspeakers Community CIS400; EAW WET2W8; General Contractor Turner Construction Co Tannoy i8. Bag End subs A major gallery is the Exhibit Fabricator Kubik Show loudspeakers Renkus Heinz; Tannoy; Bag End Acoustic consultant SH Acoustics “9/11 Gallery”, dominated by Amplifiers QSC and Crown Audio-video integration Communications Engineering Inc the remains of the top Motion seats Oceaneering (production/broadcast) section of the transmission Communications RTS Audio-video integration (exhibits Electrosonic and 4D show) and PA mast that was atop one of Partial equipment list. Production items supplied by CEI. Exhibit, 4D the twin towers. It features a There are 130 racks behind show and PA items supplied by Electrosonic. The LED screen was Partial list of credits for The Newseum the scenes. supplied under a separate contract.

15 BATTLEFIELDS Gettysburg The new Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military

Park features the outstanding Photo National Trust for Scotland Gettysburg Cyclorama, an inspiring widescreen film “A The new visitor centre at Culloden. New Birth of Freedom”, and a stimulating museum that makes excellent use of video Battle of and interactive techniques. Electrosonic was the AV Systems Integrator for Culloden The National Trust for the project. A scene from “A New Birth of Freedom”, a film with narration by Morgan Freeman that explains the The site of a battle that significance of Gettysburg. The film is shown on a 47ft × 13ft (14.3m × 4m) wrap-round screen. Scotland recently completed its largest ever construction changed the course of and the 360° cyclorama now project, a new £9 million American history, and of looks as if it was painted visitor center at the Lincoln’s famous address, yesterday. The painting Culloden Battlefield, near Gettysburg is one of the most depicts Pickett’s Charge, the Inverness. The center important historic sites in peak of the fighting at the includes an exhibition that the USA. A previous visitor Battle of Gettysburg. aims to offer a new level of facility was both unable to A Sound and Light show understanding of what support the number of brings the Cyclorama to life. Photo National Trust for Scotland happened on 16 April 1746. visitors, and was on a key The sound design is complex; Four of the “character stations”. battle site, so needed to the requirement was for a be replaced. system that could make One of the Battle Theaters. When visitors arrive at sound appear to come from locate the sound at the modest 50 inch plasma the Center, they see an anywhere in the painting, appropriate height within displays showing standard orientation show presented and could achieve effects the painting. definition video. on three 50 inch plasma such as cannon shots Visitors then move to the However, most of the displays, prior to reaching flying overhead. Museum of the Civil War. The theaters use large (9ft and the ticket counter which The solution is a 34 museum is rich in artifacts 14ft – 2.7m and 4.3m) itself sports informative channel sound system with and contemporary screens with High Definition Photo Ewen Weatherspoon digital signage. 52 main loudspeakers and photographs, but makes projected images. Visitors proceed to one of eight sub-woofers. Most of extensive use of video and There are three “Battle” Battle immersion shown on four screens. two 150 seat theaters. Both the loudspeakers are arranged interactive exhibits to theaters corresponding to the sequences themselves being show the same 22 minute in pairs, with one interpret events and explain three days of the battle (1 – “shadows”. Visitors select film so that there can be a loudspeaker at the top of the the detailed progress of the 3 July 1863) and an “After the character by means of a show start every 15 minutes. painting and one at the battle. Eleven touch screen the War” theater that touch screen, and hear the It tells the story of the Battle bottom. DSP is then used to interactive displays are used critically examines events in character speaking over of Gettysburg, its causes and to explore subjects such as the years following the civil directional loudspeakers its consequences. Besides “Secession or Union?”, “A day war. Two other large mounted overhead. dramatic reconstructions, the In the “Battle in the life of a foot soldier”, electronic images are Visitors looking down on the film includes extensive and “Signal flags”. animated graphics. One is an projected battle table. Immersion” area visitors graphics and contemporary Two small theaters “Animated Civil War Battle see a reconstruction of the NTS appointed a team photography. This led to the “Voices of the Campaign” and Map”, and the other is “From battle. The intense that included Gareth use of a panoramic (3.6:1) “Voices of the aftermath” are Gettysburg to Appomattox” experience lasts around 12 Hoskins as architect, screen format using three sited either end of the main taking visitors along a minutes, and is presented Morrison Construction as projectors with edge battle description. Their timeline to the end of on four screens surrounding main contractor, Ralph blending, each sourced from Typical interactive exhibit with a emphasis is on the spoken the war. the audience. Each screen is 32inch touchscreen below a Appelbaum Associates as a High Definition player, and 46inch slave screen. word, and visual support is by The AV design for the served by two projectors, exhibition designer, CMC accompanied by a 5:1 sound Center was by PPI. with image edge blending, End Client. A partnership between Gettysburg National Military Associates as content system that does great the National Parks Service and the Park Visitor Center, Electrosonic provided design to achieve a widescreen researcher and producer, justice to the sound of Gettysburg Foundation. support, and supplied and image of high resolution. Exhibit designer. Gallagher & Associates Atacama and Nobles Gate cannon fire. installed all the AV The show is accompanied Producer of “A New Birth of Freedom”, the Donna Lawrence Productions as AV producers and After seeing the film Cyclorama show, and the Museum theater equipment used in the by a powerful multi-channel Paragon Creative as visitors take an escalator up shows. theaters, the museum and in sound track. Producer of the interactive displays and Second Story specialist exhibit fabricator. into the rotunda that houses the public areas. A finale area includes digital signage. Electrosonic joined the the Gettysburg Cyclorama Lighting designer for the Cyclorama show. Ted Mather Electrosonic also installed the impressive Battle Table. team as the AV Painting, 377ft long and 26ft Lighting designer for the Museum. Fisher Marantz and programmed the audio It is a graphic Bob Haroutunian, PPI systems integrator. high (115m × 8m) painted by AV Consultant and show control system for representation of the Exhibit fabricator Art Guild Inc The imaginative and Paul Philippoteaux in 1884. the Cyclorama show. battlefield, and the course AV Systems Integrator Electrosonic subtle means by which Conservation started in 2003, of the whole battle is visitors become acquainted shown with explanatory with people who lived at commentary. Visitors look the time of and through the down on a 4m × 2m table battle are the 14 “Character on which dynamic graphic Stations”, spread images are projected by throughout the exhibition. three SXGA+ projectors. Each one consists of a 46 Not only does the exhibit inch LCD monitor installed make clear what has gone behind a diffusing panel to before, it also prepares give a “ghostly” effect, visitors for their tour of compounded by the video the battlefield itself. Visitors standing on the circular viewing platform enjoying the amazing Gettysburg Cyclorama sound and light show.

16