In one of the biggest television events of the year, Conan O’Brien made his debut as host of “The Tonight Show� on Monday, June 1, which aired on NBC from its new studio in Stage 1 of the Universal Studios Hollywood back lot. Valencia, California-based ATK AudioTek has supplied a state-of-the-art sound reinforcement system at the studio, featuring elements from JBL’s VRX, SRX, VERTEC® and Control® Contractor Series. Jeff Peterson of Green Audio designed the system. more

While other automakers have been cutting production and slowing down expansion plans, Volkswagen India has moved to ramp up its production in that region. The recent Volkswagen (VW) factory launch at Chakan, 30km (18.6 mi) from the city of Pune, was one of India’s most prestigious corporate events of the season. The new US $766 million factory, expected to employ 2,500 workers at the plant by the end of 2010, is VW’s 61st in the world and the largest single German investment on the Indian subcontinent to date. Aman Anand and the events team of G2 Rams contracted Mumbai-based SOUND.COM to handle all technical audio services for the launch event at the new factory. more

Vice President Joe Biden visited the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier at the ship’s berth on Coronado Island, California and addressed 1,500 of its crew members to thank them for their service as they prepared for re-deployment. Meeting Services Inc. of San Diego supplied the live audio system, which featured JBL VERTEC line arrays, VRX compact constant-curvature loudspeakers and SRX stage monitors. more

Demonstrating the premium fidelity, high output power capabilities and versatility of JBL VERTEC® DP Series powered line array systems, Italian audio system provider Madema SpA deployed a large, multi-array VERTEC system for the Primo Maggio festival in Rome on May 1. The free annual public event commemorates the Italian Labor Day. Held in Rome’s Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, the temporary stage for Primo Maggio is traditionally set up in front of the historic Basilica of St. John Lateran, the first church to be built in Rome, with first construction dating to 313 A.D. more

dbx® Professional Products, a Salt Lake City-based manufacturer of professional audio signal processing products and a division of Harman International, has introduced the new DriveRack® PA+, a complete loudspeaker management system that provides state-of-the-art audio signal processing and an intuitive user interface. more

– Tablet Provides Users With An Enhanced Interactive Presentation Solution –

Hitachi Software Engineering America, Ltd. today announced the introduction of the new StarBoard WT-1 Interactive Wireless Tablet, providing educational facilities and corporate environments with the latest in presentation technology. The new tablet comes equipped with an interactive pen with two customizable buttons, and will debut at InfoComm 2009. The new WT-1 tablet provides presenters with the ability to create interactive and dynamic presentations. more

– New Software For Mac Users Delivers Total Hitachi Solution for the Education and Business Markets –

In an effort that addresses the needs of Mac users in the educational community, Hitachi Software has released StarBoard Software 9.0. The software makes the Hitachi StarBoard a viable tool to the community of users that have been searching for an optimized interactive whiteboard experience with Mac hardware. more

Demonstrating the widespread worldwide adoption of JBL VERTEC® line arrays, regional concert sound rental provider Grupo Zonico supplied the audio system for a recent concert featuring legendary rock band KISS in Venezuela. A stop on the “KISS 35 Alive World Tour,� the show was staged at the 10,000-seat Estacionamiento de la Rinconada outdoor venue in Caracas. Grupo Zonico of Edo Miranda, Venezuela supplied audio equipment as specified by US-based Clair Global, which is currently handling worldwide sound requirements for KISS including the Latin American tour leg. more

The recent opening of the brand-new Aliante Station Casino and Hotel in North Las Vegas marked the continued growth of Kelley Technologies as one of the leading A/V installers for casinos in southern Nevada. Kelley Technologies handled the design and installation of the entire audio/video system at Aliante Station, implementing JBL Control® Contractor Series loudspeakers throughout the venue. more

– The CP-X2510 Features 2,600 ANSI Lumens Brightness And A 2000:1 Contrast Ratio –

Offering superior performance and reliability, Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., Business Group has introduced the Hitachi CP-X2510 3LCD projector. The CP-X2510 features a brightness of 2,600 lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. more