Leading thinkers and doers from around the globe recently gathered in Long Beach, California, for the annual TED Conference. The topical event, which was held February 25-March 1, 2013, was structured around a theme: “The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered.”

The fast-paced format of 50+ TED Talks and musical performances presented a dizzying array of talent exploring science, business, the arts and global issues facing our world, and introduced attendees to people who are collectively shaping the future. The production was recorded live, simulcast throughout the Long Beach Performing Arts Center and a satellite location in Palm Springs, and also mixed down for broadcast via webcast to a worldwide audience.

McCune Audio/Video/Lighting, one of the oldest and largest rental/sound service companies in the country, has been handling TED’s production since the first Conference was held in 1984. McCune is responsible for cameras, live sound/broadcast mixes, amplification, graphics and video projection, and simulcast.

For the 2013 event, McCune’s Nick Malgieri, with cooperation (and console support) from Hi-Tech Audio’s Louis Adamo and freelance FOH engineer Erik Sandberg, undertook the massive task of retooling the audio footprint to handle the ever-growing demands of the multifaceted conference. The decision to go with an all-DiGiCo/Optocore network offered speed, flexibility and a streamlined infrastructure for the elaborate production. Preproduction alone for the event took nearly a week.

The overall audio system was comprised of two SD10s for FOH, an SD10 for monitors, an SD5 that handled live music mixes for broadcast, an SD8-24 for submixing/distribution, four D racks, and an SD-Rack for all I/O, complemented by an extensive, 12-zone Meyer PA and McCauley wedges.

“The TED Conference is the most technically challenging project that I’ve ever had the privilege to be a part of,” says McCune Project Manager Pete Bender, who has been involved since TED3 back in 1992. “It has become the conference by which all others are measured, and every year they raise the expectations on content and quality. There is such a wide variety of content, and so many different audiences and recording needs that need to be managed, that it requires an extremely flexible audio system. The DiGiCo and Optocore system was an enormous improvement over previous years. The flexibility of the networked DiGiCo consoles, as well as the Stage Tec console in the TV truck, gave us the ability to route submixes and outputs to virtually any location on the stage or in the truck. This streamlined the system and allowed the engineers to respond to every last-minute request that we could possibly throw at them. And we threw them a lot. Additionally, the fiber network contributed to savings in time and manpower on both the install and strike days.”

At FOH, a pair of side-by-side DiGiCo SD10s helmed by Erik Sandberg handled the live audio mix—approximately 200 inputs, including 26 channels of wireless, 24 channels of stereo playback devices (primarily video sources), 48 inputs allotted for guest artists and bands as well as a number of submixes for the other consoles.

One SD10 was set up specifically for the corporate production inputs, while the other managed all the live music inputs. A third monitor SD10 console was housed in a rolling road case and wheeled on and offstage to accommodate six ear mixes and a dozen wedge monitor mixes, as well as backstage monitors and production monitors. At FOH, a D Rack handled all FOH inputs and outboard gear inserts, and an additional two D racks at the A2 position onstage handled production inputs such as wireless mics and outputs to the PA system or monitors. An SD-Rack in video world served all of the I/Os, and a fourth D rack was mounted in the thrust staging to manage on-the-fly presenter and artist inputs, mainly for the musical performers.

“As we started doing rehearsals, I was able to cover all my bases with this setup and jump between the two consoles,” says Sandberg, who has handled TED’s FOH for the past eight years. “I had the console split with mics on the left bank and playback devices on the right – with a show this fast-paced and complex, it’s important to keep the structure of the consoles as simple as possible. On the production console, I pretty much ran it from one snapshot and relied instead on presets for each presenter’s EQ. On the music console, every act had its own snapshot. Often bands will show up [at the conference] with their own engineer, and it made life easier to have a separate console so that they could check PFLs, and check channels before they went on. I had it set up like a typical nightclub system, simple and similar to what they’re all accustomed to: kick, snare, hat, rack, floor, right down the line, effects and delay. We had two foldback lines from FOH but a vast majority of onstage monitoring was done backstage by Nick [Malgieri].”

The show consisted of 26 channels of wireless; the first 12 were DPA 4088 headset mics. “TED is known for using the headset mics,” Sandberg explains, “and it’s become part of the look of the TED Talks. The DPAs worked well for that. We also had a series of handheld mics that floated around the audience for Q&As. Onstage, there were five rolling podiums with audio that presenters could plug into with their laptops, plus there was an incoming feed from Palm Springs via Polycom. A lot of playback originated at FOH and I was able to send that as a console send into the network. This made it really easy for everyone to customize their inputs based on what they needed. In the past when we’ve had analog splits, it’s been a challenge because I’d end up with more inputs at FOH and I’d have to do separate snake runs to all the other consoles so they could get what I was getting. It’s one of the reasons we decided to go with the DiGiCo/Optocore network—and it’s made a big difference. It sounds good and it’s easy to use and flexibility is key. Setup time was a fraction of what it used to be.

“The SD10 is a very easy console to navigate. The surface is extremely intuitive, so I was able to organize the desk the way that made sense to me from where I physically sat; I was able to put anything I wanted anywhere, which was invaluable. I was able to put all headset mics on the left side of the console near the Dugan auto mixers, which I inserted on all the channels for panel discussion or multiple mics. They helped to get a clean, lower noise floor. I used a WAVES server on the production console. The plugin was a WNS Noise Suppressor that I inserted into each of my headset mics. It’s a giant, wooden and very reverberant room; the plugin helped knock down reverb. I relied on those noise suppressors quite a bit and they certainly help with intelligibility.”

Backstage, Malgieri found that the Optocore network allowed his monitor console to be mobile and also cut down the amount of gear needed to do the gig. “All risers, band equipment, scenery, grand piano, and whatever else they decided to put onstage went in and out through there, so real estate was a really big deal on stage left,” he explains. “Not running copper snakes this year was huge, and was another benefit of the DiGiCo consoles because I got rid of three split racks and a rat’s nest of cable. We’ve shrunk the footprint from about 50 feet down to half that, to sharing mic pres, no splitters and a lot of fiber—and I was able to leave six to eight large boxes at our warehouse. Also, we used to have this enormous hod [bundle] of cables, and it was a 12-guy, eight-hour ordeal to pull it through the PVC conduit to FOH… This year, with just the two fiber cables and two guys, we were able to save a lot of labor and man-hours. And because I was able to keep the monitor desks tethered down to a loom, it was easy to roll on and offstage for soundchecks. We only had one-and-a-half hours between sessions and, in that time, we had to rehearse four speakers and soundcheck a band in 20 minutes.”

In addition to mixing wedges and in-ear monitors for all the bands and presenters, Malgieri handled Announce from the truck for monitors onstage and off. “I was like the production switchboard for anything around the stage,” he laughs. “Anyone that showed up and needed a temporary speaker, that was me. The stage Announce output from the trucks’ communication system came in and through some creative sidechain-ducking programming I built a Program Interrupt to the backstage monitors, which were time-aligned to the video monitors but fed from the FOH mix, not the broadcast mix. So when anyone was speaking from the truck it cut the monitoring to all the backstage monitors like a TV studio. The flexibility of the console allowed me to do that. I can’t think of any other console that’d allow me to do that in the same way. Another huge thing was that I was able to program a macro to undo that interrupt function without having to get back into my layers and figure out the complicated routing and processing I did. One button press undid it and I didn’t have to think about it on the fly. I just hit the button as an emergency bailout.”
Situated between the venue and the truck, an SD8-24, run by mixer Matt Chavez, with optics on optical loop, served as a distribution hub, routing to lobbies, tents, the plaza, the loge and the balcony. It also broadcast TED’s Walk-in Music at the beginning of each session, and controlled the announcement system that covered the entire venue.

Inside the mobile truck, an SD5 run by Adamo served as an interface between the venue’s audio consoles and truck, running more than 200 I/Os. All channels from the venue were routed over Optocore into the truck and were tied into the main broadcast console via MADI. Additionally, Adamo mixed the musical acts and sent them to the truck, and multitracked to a 128-channel Pro Tools rig via two MADI streams.

A few of the conference highlights were the Kinshasa Orchestre Symphonique (introduced by Ben Affleck), a choir that consisted of 100 members onstage and many more coming in via 32 live Skype feeds, Amanda Palmer and her punk rock ukulele, and Wang Li, the extraordinary master of the Jew’s harp. “The awesome DiGiCo EQ shined during the Jew’s harp performance,” Sandberg recalls, “as he was going for loud volume, which (surprisingly) really put my subs to work. There were lots of small notches under 80hz! The Optocore network was amazing. Because we used very little copper this year, we never had a problem with strange buzzes and hums that have popped up during install and rehearsals in years past. Also, the ability of all five consoles to grab any and all inputs was invaluable. All in all it was great, and DiGiCo shone as expected.”

“The system worked fantastically,” Malgieri adds. “We had no failures or issues; no hums or buzzes. This year was the easiest TED conference so far, due in large part to the DiGiCo/Optocore system. It was also the fastest load-out in the history of the show… by a lot! Every year TED gets a little bit bigger and they request a new technology or infrastructure. Every year, with new changes, we add more gear to our inventory to keep up with the changes, and it’s grown at just the right pace so that we can keep up. This gig ended up raising the expectations for our other clients because they see the benefits of the new gear and systems we’re adopting and implementing. This is the first time I’ve done more than two consoles on an Optocore network so anytime this scenario ever comes up again, it will become a new standard for a large McCune show.”

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Built originally as a private high school located in a residential neighborhood of Montreal, the school has transitioned to College Regina Assumpta, recently designing a 705-seat concert hall as part of the revitalization of the college. “An interesting feature of this project is that the concert hall is found inside a courtyard,� states Guy Desmarteaux, main designer and consultant, GO multimedia inc. “This offers the advantage of having the sound of city noise insulated. Specialized in music and dance education, the school now has a powerful tool for development and improvement.�

The Director of the College, Pierre Carle, was on a mission to make the venue a place where the sound quality could compete with the best concert halls. The team of GO professionals listened to the requirements and combining their knowledge, Carle, accompanied by the Director of the Equipment Christophe Bancilhon, and Eric Brunet, responsible for the audio-visual, worked in obtaining the desired result.

Desmarteaux was assisted by Julie Quenneville, architect and scenograph, with Simon Lemieux, Éric Berteau and Pascal Malenfant Tremblay as the consultant team from GO multimédia inc. The architectural firm for the project was Architectes Gagné & Villeneuve. Electrical and structural engineers collaborated with great ease, and always in the interest of the client, to create a professional level concert hall. “From the beginning of the project, the architects and engineers were happy to work with us to achieve a unique space,â€� says Desmarteaux. “The design was a team effort. The shape, volume, and parameters of the hall were the results of our discussions and proposals.”

“Technologically, it seemed normal and unequivocal to install digital,â€� notes Desmarteaux. “The scale of the challenge was mainly in the integration of clusters of speakers; quite a challenge to integrate the main sound system in a non-apparent way at higher proscenium.â€� The main PA consists of four NEXO GEO S1230, eight NEXO GEO S1210, and two RS18 Ray Subs. Three NEXO NXAMP4x4 amplifiers, allowing an active configuration, power the entire system. A set of loudspeakers provides the surround sound reproduction as well as front fills. All signal processing is accomplished using a digital controller with several adjustable settings via a control and management system using a touchpad. Solotech, Montreal, completed the system installation under the supervision of Charles Cadieux and Gilles Côté.

The clusters are installed with a charge differential between the top and bottom speakers. An important physical exercise was necessary in order to integrate them so as to sonically cover the entire audience. NEXO NS-1 software that determines the methods of possible hanging was suggesting that it was an off-standard or impossible installation. Michel Trépanier and his team at Yamaha assisted in facilitating the integration of the clusters. The optimal positioning of the cardioid subwoofers was determined after several tests and measures to match the acoustic phase and frequency response. “The sound image is an important factor not to be neglected,� adds Desmarteaux.

During the concert hall’s construction, interest was raised from internationally known conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Once the project was completed, the venue’s acoustics charmed him, and a three-year agreement was signed between the College and the Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra, conducted by Nézet-Séguin, for the concert hall to be used as their practice space.

For more information on Collège Regina Assumpta, visit http://www.reginaassumpta.qc.ca.

For more information on GO multimedia inc. visit www.gomultimedia.net.

For more information on NEXO products, visit www.yamahaca.com.

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About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Celebrating 125 years of Passion and Performance, and 25 years in the manufacturer of high quality digital audio consoles, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the addition of NEXO to the product line, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Initially launched in 2010 the Yamaha M7CL StageMix application for the iPad allowed wireless remote control of M7CL mixing parameters for the first time. The combination of the iPad interface and StageMix concept turned out to be very successful, providing unprecedented monitor setup, freedom and flexibility. Versions for the Yamaha LS9 and CL Series soon followed.

Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. has announced the latest updates available in StageMix Version 4. Version 4 includes new Dynamics Parameter Editing, Output Port Delay Editing, Output Port Levels (Gain/Attenuation), PEQ Copy and Paste, Phantom Power Switching, Mix Send Pre/Post Switching, HPF Slope Parameter (CL V1.5 only), Retina Display Support, and other enhancements.

“StageMix Version 4 will work seamlessly with Yamaha CL, M7CL, and LS9 Series Consoles and bring our end users more convenience and efficiency in setting up for live sound events,� states Kevin Kimmel, Systems Application Engineer, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.

Yamaha StageMix Version 4 is scheduled for release in May of 2013, and will be available from the Apple iTunes Store as a free upgrade. For more information on StageMix Version 4, visit www.yamahaca.com.

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About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Celebrating 125 years of Passion and Performance, and 25 years in the manufacturer of high quality digital audio consoles, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the addition of NEXO to the product line, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.

Extron Electronics is pleased to introduce the DSC 3G-HD A and the DSC HD-3G A scalers for 3G-SDI and HDMI. The DSC 3G-HD A converts 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, and SDI video signals to HDMI, while the DSC HD-3G A converts HDMI to 3G-SDI/HD-SDI/SDI. Both products feature advanced Extron video signal processing with 1080i deinterlacing, Deep Color processing, aspect ratio control, and additional processing features for optimal format conversion and image quality. Selectable output rates are available from standard definition to HDTV 1080p/60 and 2K, plus 1920×1200 for the DSC 3G-HD A. For both products, audio from the analog stereo input or the digital video input may be embedded onto the video output. The DSC 3G-HD A and DSC HD-3G A are built for professional AV integration with many convenience features, including a user-friendly front panel interface, internal test patterns, memory presets, and control via RS-232, USB, or on-screen menus.

“When interfacing 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, and SDI signals with HDMI, simple format converters are not sufficient for addressing incompatibilities in resolutions or timings, such as when interfacing 480i with HDMI,” says Casey Hall, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Extron. “The powerful scaling engine and video processing features built into these scalers eliminate these issues, ensuring consistent, reliable signal conversion with high image quality.”

The DSC 3G-HD A and DSC HD-3G A offer several features that enhance and simplify AV system integration. Both scalers feature input equalization which conditions incoming 3G-SDI or HDMI signals to compensate for signal loss over long input cables. The DSC 3G-HD A includes an SDI input loop-through with reclocking to eliminate high frequency jitter. The DSC HD-3G A features a genlock input with loop-through and two simultaneous 3G-SDI/HD-SDI/SDI outputs.

Enhanced audio capabilities for both products include audio embedding, input gain and attenuation controls, and input audio muting. For the DSC 3G-HD A, analog stereo audio, or up to four pairs of AES3 audio channels from the SDI input can be embedded onto the HDMI output. With the DSC HD-3G A, analog stereo audio or HDMI multi-channel PCM audio can be embedded onto the SDI outputs.

FRANKFURT, Germany – HARMAN’s JBL Professional today announced the introduction of its VTX Vertical Transporters, three rolling transporter frames that facilitate the transport of JBL VTX Series line array models for portable tour sound applications. The new transporters include the VTX-V25-VT and VTX-S28-VT for the V25 line array speaker and S28 subwoofer, respectively, and the advanced VTX-V25-VTT tiltable transporter for use with V25. In addition, the VTX-VT-FL forklift adapter is available for use with either VTX-V25-VT or VTX-S28-VT transporters.

The VTX-V25-VT vertical transporter is designed to transport up to four V25 line array loudspeakers and provides a cost-effective option for transporting blocks of V25 enclosures that are used for the upper, relatively flat portions of a variable curvature line array. Supplied in pairs, two VTX-V25-VT caster plates or “transporter skates� attach to the underside of the lower V25 speaker via the V25’s built-in suspension frame hardware. The lightweight transporter skates provide faster, more streamlined operation than conventional transporter grids and a convenient sliding handle feature allows the individual VTX-V25-VT skates to be located on either side of the bottom enclosure prior to securing with integral quick release pins.

The VTX-S28-VT transporter functions in a similar manner as the VTX-V25-VT and can be used to move up to three S28 subwoofers in either front-firing or reverse cardioid mode. Conditioning S28 enclosures in blocks of 3 is ideal from a circuiting point of view when powering subwoofers using Crown Audio VRack12000HD amplifier racks.

The VTX-V25-VT and VTX-S28-VT vertical transporters can both be used with the optional, removable VTX-VT-FL forklift adapter. The VTX-VT-FL is compatible with either vertical transporter and provides two slots that enable a forklift to lift VTX-V25-VT or VTX-S28-VT vertical transporters loaded with four V25 or three S28 enclosures, respectively.

The JBL VTX-V25-VTT Vertical Tiltable Transporter is intended for transporting blocks of V25 enclosures that are used for the lower, high curvature portions of a variable curvature line array (typically the bottom four cabinets). A unique tilting system allows all four enclosures mounted on the VTT to be physically tilted by up to -45 degrees, facilitating attachment of the VTT enclosure block to the upper enclosures that have been previously suspended during the setup process. The VTX-V25-VTT features integral forklift adapter slots, locking tilt adjustment arms and folds down flat for convenient storage when not in use.

All VTX vertical transporters feature tour grade casters with locking brakes for secure, reliable operation. Optional, reinforced protective covers are available for all VTX vertical transporters. Modular VTX-V25-VT and VTX-V25-VTT covers are adjustable to accommodate three or four V25 enclosures and the VTX-S28-VT cover can be used with three S28 enclosures in either front firing or cardioid configuration.

“The new VTX vertical transporters make it convenient and easy to move and set up a VTX line array system,� said Paul Bauman, Senior Manager, Tour Sound, JBL Professional. “They’re a welcome addition to any tour sound company’s VTX inventory and we are confident that these accessories will significantly streamline load in/out and installation operations.�

HARMAN (www.HARMAN.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

FRANKFURT, Germany – In the first European install of HARMAN’s JBL Professional Marquis Dance Club Series loudspeakers, systems integration firm Fokum recently installed a Marquis system at the Opium dance club in Barcelona. The system was sold through Earpro, JBL Professional’s official distributor for Spain and Portugal.

The Opium, a combination club-bar-restaurant, is considered one of the premier dance clubs in the world, located next to the premium ARTS Hotel and near the famous “Bareloneta� beach. Its location, innovative design and high talent level of its DJs makes it one of the most popular venues in the thriving Barcelona club scene.

Naturally, the sound reinforcement system at the Opium needed to be on the cutting edge, fulfilling the requirements of the resident DJs and top-level international touring DJs, as well as the club’s customers. The club needed a sound system with high output on the dance floor, with limited distortion and high intelligibility. While the system needed to be powerful, it also needed to avoid creating discomfort for the club-goers. To this end, the Marquis Dance Club Series was agreed upon as the best option.

Fokum installed four super tweeter MD1 loudspeakers at the Opium club, plus four MD2 bi-amplified high power loudspeakers, eight MD3 15-inch low-frequency loudspeakers, and four MD7 ultra-long excursion dual 18-inch subwoofers. Powering the system are Crown Macro-Tech i Series amplifiers (four Crown Macro-Tech 5000i and four Macro-Tech 9000i amps. Sound processing is managed through BSS London BLU 100.

“The Opium owners were asking for the top sound system on the market, so we immediately recommended the JBL Marquis Dance Series,� said Josep Maria Aldoma, Director and Founder of Fokum. “We set up a demo together with EARPRO and the owners of the Opium were absolutely delighted. The best news is that, since the Marquis system has been installed, we only received positive feedback on this application.“

The Marquis Dance Series features eight impressive models, designed to bring a new level of sonic excellence to dance club environments. The JBL Marquis Dance Club Series incorporates new driver configurations and enclosure designs to deliver powerful, immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity even at higher volume levels.

“Honestly, as of today there is no other loudspeaker that even come close to
Marquis Dance Club Series,� Aldoma added. “Of course there are other solutions available, but a specific solution for dance clubs with such a high performance level—that is only available from JBL Professional.�

HARMAN (www.HARMAN.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

The quality, clarity and brightness of amusement park attractions, video and image-intensive shows, and exhibitions and virtual design applications take a significant leap forward today with the introduction of the new Christie® D4K2560 and Christie D4K3560 projectors. The new D4K models are the first projectors to combine 4K resolution, high frame rates at 60 frames per second (fps) and 3-chip DLP® technology. Both the Christie D4K2560 (25,000 center lumens) and Christie D4K3560 (35,000 center lumens) provide razor-sharp image detail – and video with smoother motion and transitions – for unsurpassed image quality and a more vibrant and appealing visual experience. The new projectors replace the Christie D4K25 and D4K35, respectively, and are perfect for any application requiring 4K, 60 fps, 3-chip DLP® projectors with high brightness.

“Christie is the only manufacturer providing full 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution at 60 Hz and the reliability and image clarity of 3-chip DLP® all in one package. Both projectors are a quantum leap forward in video image processing and a breakthrough in high frame rate and high resolution video projection,� said Mike Garrido, senior product manager, Business Products, Christie.

The Christie D4K2560 and Christie D4K3560 projectors are the first of Christie’s new TruLife™ Electronics platform that offers customers superior image and video quality for the most comfortable and realistic viewing experience. Additionally, the units come equipped with 3G SDI, Display Port, and DVI/Dual Link DVI inputs, so Christie customers can update their existing sites for future projects without the constraints of SDVI inputs.

“Customers such as automotive designers and amusement park operators will love the increased dynamic range and the highest fidelity content with immaculate, deep, and vivid color transitions,� Garrido continued. “Amusement parks, for example, are open all day and well into the evening seven days a week and the combination of 4K, 60 Hz and DLP® reliability can manage the heavy workload with smooth, crystal-clear video content much longer than what has been available.

“With the launch of the Christie D4K2560 and D4K3560, Christie stands above the crowd in its ongoing commitment to providing the ultimate visual experience to its customers. Our new projectors continue to demonstrate our dedication to being the industry leader with incomparable solutions and customer service.�

The Christie D4K2560 and Christie D4K3560 have a three-year parts and labor warranty and ship in June 2013.

Celebrating 12-Year Partnership in Evolving Fiber Network, Bexel Transports High Volume of Communications Signals from the Heart of Hollywood

(HOLLYWOOD, CA) Bexel, a unit of the Vitec Group‘s Services Division and a leading worldwide provider of broadcast services and solutions, recently celebrated its 12th year supporting the global live broadcast of the Academy Awards(r) with its largest effort to-date – connecting every major component of the 2013 show’s broadcast together at the Dolby Theatre. Working with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including Engineer in Charge Tad Scripter and Hollywood & Highland management company CIM, Bexel implemented a comprehensive fiber optic network connecting key production locations such as Hollywood & Highland, Dolby Theatre, Loews Hotel and the domestic and international television compounds behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd.

“With all the complexities involved in a live program, Bexel did a great job with no malfunctions!” said Michael B. Seligman, supervising producer of the 85th Academy Awards(r).

For the Oscars, Bexel deployed more than 17 miles of temporary fiber. This is in addition to the four miles of permanent multi-strand fiber optic cables utilized to successfully transport HD/SD video, audio, data and communications signals for live simultaneous broadcasts of the Red Carpet pre-shows, the Oscar ceremony, backstage press interview and photo rooms and the Governors Ball, the Academy’s official celebration following the Oscars.

“The technical complexity of this project in connecting so many different elements of the show has continued to grow since we first installed the permanent fiber network into the Hollywood & Highland and Dolby Theatre complex back in 2001,” said Bexel’s Craig Schiller, vice president of engineering and operations. “We continue to enhance the fiber optic network, as it is the backbone that allows us to make point-to-point connections and the reason we are able to service all of our customers so effectively.”

In order to pull off a live event of this magnitude, Bexel’s credentialed staff of more than 40 skilled fiber engineers and support technicians were onsite for 15 days. The team enabled the transport of 275 video signals, 180 audio signals and 150 intercom signals over fiber for the Academy’s domestic and international broadcast partners.

Still photographers were provided with 40 fiber connections from the Red Carpet, Orchid Court and the Dolby Theatre. They were also equipped with sufficient bandwidth to connect to their workrooms in the Loews Hotel, enabling immediate delivery of still images to media and photographic services worldwide.

In addition, Bexel once again deployed its RF-Over-Fiber antenna system to enable all of the exciting action during the official Red Carpet pre-show. Bexel’s RF-Over-Fiber system provided unprecedented wireless communications coverage not previously available with a conventional wireless system. Bexel’s RF base camp was located at the 90-degree turn of the Red Carpet, and was used as the head-end position. Four small RF fiber-site boxes were established along the Red Carpet and enabled connection for up to six antennas to ensure there was no loss of signal and that none of the evening’s star-studded arrivals were missed.

“Oscar(r) weekend is without a doubt the most fiber-intensive event we do and the fact that it continues to flourish and continues to be such a success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the professionals at Bexel,” added Schiller.

The 86th Academy Awards will take place on March 2, 2014.

About Bexel
Bexel is the pre-eminent worldwide provider of broadcast services including video and audio equipment rentals, fiber services, new audio sales, used equipment sales, and repairs/maintenance. Bexel provides brilliantly designed and flawlessly executed systems and solutions to all customers – including producers of the biggest and most important televised events in the world. For more information, visit http://www.bexel.com.

About the Vitec Group:
Capture the moment(tm)
For over 100 years, through every innovation in photography, film and digital image-making, Vitec businesses have developed a powerful portfolio of brand and products that have enabled some of the most amazing moments to be captured under some of the most challenging conditions. Vitec is an international Group principally serving customers in the broadcast photographic and military aerospace and government (MAG) markets. Vitec is based on strong, well-known premium brands on which its customers worldwide rely. Vitec is organized in three divisions: Videocom, Imaging and Services Videocom designs and distributes systems and products used in broadcasting and live entertainment, film and video production and MAG. Imaging designs, manufactures and distributes equipment and accessories for photography, video and events. Service provides equipment rental, workflow design and technical support for camera, video, audio, fiber optic and wireless technology used by TV production and film crews. More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.

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Company Booth Will Feature Newest Encoder/Modulator Solutions and Offer Product Demonstrations

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — April 4, 2013 — BTX Technologies, a value-added distributor and manufacturer of interface, integration, and system products, announced today that it will showcase ZeeVee’s new HDbridge(TM) 2000 Series encoders/modulators for smarter, higher-density HD video distribution at the 2013 NAB Show. more

Christie® is showcasing its newest offerings at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show April 8-11 including the world premiere of 3-chip DLP® technology displaying 4K resolution at 60 Hz with the introduction of the new Christie D4K2560 and Christie D4K3560 projectors.

These new 4K resolution products are the first to include the new Christie TruLife® Electronics platform – a quantum leap in video-image processing and a breakthrough in high frame rate/high resolution video projection for the ultimate in hyper-realistic images.

The Christie D4K2560 is displaying full 4K resolution at 60 Hz and, along with the Christie D4K3560, the Christie D4K2560 provides precision image detail and video with smoother motion and transitions for a more vibrant and appealing visual experience. Featuring flexible 4K inputs, both projectors are ideal for applications requiring high brightness and 4K resolution with immaculate video and image quality.

Innovation Theatre provides Sneak-Peek at the Future of 3D Cinema
The spacious and inviting Christie booth also features the Entertainment Solutions Innovation Theatre presenting a groundbreaking comparison between 3 F.L. and 14 F.L. while emphasizing the benefits of higher brightness 3D.

Christie Broadcast Set Highlights Latest Trends
The Christie booth also features the ultramodern Christie broadcast set with a concave backdrop of 138 Christie® MicroTiles®. The 48 center tiles feature Christie Interactivity Kit and Christie Jumpstart while two portrait-mounted 55-inch Christie FHD551-X flat panels with damage-resistant, optically bonded Corning® Gorilla® Glass frame the sides of the fully integrated exhibit. All display technology is mounted using rp Visuals custom-mounted display solutions with two Christie Spyder X20 video processors managing the content.

Utilizing thin and lightweight Gorilla Glass, Christie is the only brand to offer a bonded solution that retains the LCD flat panel’s sleek, narrow-bezel design without increasing the image-to-image gap between panels.

Christie Business Products Zone
Located in the Business Products zone is the new Christie LW720 3LCD projector. Building on the successful Christie LW650, the Christie LW720 is a compact and affordable LCD projector with 7200 ANSI lumens and 2500:1 contrast ratio for high brightness and deep, rich blacks. The single-lamp LW720 has one of the largest lens shift ranges*, giving customers the ability to place the projector in a variety of locations in museums, houses of worship, large conference rooms and rental/staging applications.

Also at NAB for the first time is the Christie FHD551-W outdoor flat panel. Introduced earlier this year, the rugged 55-inch Christie FHD551-W with optically-bonded glass is a professional grade full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution) solution for a wide range of applications including outdoor sporting events and venues, architectural applications, entertainment parks, the hospitality and resort industry, transportation, and other outdoor environments not usually applicable with standard LCD panels.

Following on the heels of a successful launch late last year, Christie is pleased to showcase the Christie DHD775-E and Christie DHD550-G 1-chip DLP® projectors. Fast becoming go-to solutions for displays in board rooms, classrooms and meeting spaces in government facilities, both the E Series and G Series comes with native HD resolution models and easily connect to today’s computers either wired or via wireless connectivity option. The Christie DWU775-E features an optional dual processor warp module for blending and warping images, color matching and an optional stacking system – making it ideal for applications requiring geometric adjustments and/or multi-projector setups and rental and staging applications. For fixed applications, the Christie DHD550-G provides exceptional image quality boasting 5000 lumens from a single mercury-lamp design. With high brightness and better price/performance than other projectors in its class, the Christie G Series is an excellent choice for myriad display applications where value and image quality are deciding factors.

The Business Products Zone also includes two Christie Roadster HD20K-J 3-chip DLP® projectors demonstrating their ability to flawlessly blend and warp images.

Christie Products at Five Additional Locations
A 3-unit tall by 2-unit wide array of 72-inch WU cubes will be displayed at the Vizrt booth while the Quantel booth features a Christie CP4230 DLP Cinema® projector using a Christie Spyder X20.

At the Autodesk booth, two Christie Roadster HD14K-J 3-chip DLP® projectors and a Christie Spyder X20 will be displayed while, at the Alcorn McBride booth, 24 Christie MicroTiles will be showcased. Creator of the Pandoras Box media player, coolux Media Systems is featuring the Christie YK50 dual-arm projector yoke supporting the Christie LX700 projector, 12 Christie MicroTiles and four Christie HD10K-M 3-chip DLP® projectors.

Finally, The Ryerson School of Media will have dozens of students traveling the show floor in their phosphorescent orange shirts, encouraging visitors to stop at the Christie booth.

*Varies on lens