Chris Shen- Infra
I have a friend experimenting with low-rez video (of the tube variety) and I said I’d look into some ideas…little did I know it would lead me to Chris Shen’s fascinating work- Infra. A TV made from discarded remote controls. There’s so many great things about this piece that it’s hard to know where to start. Hacking, tinkering, re-purposing, and a smidge of nostalgia all rolled into one glorious low-rez display that has to be seen with infrared goggles. Love it! Personally, I use the Harmony 720 (actually three of them) and though I tried really hard- I could not find one in the photos. When I purchase a new monitor or TV, the remote is usually the first thing I toss- knowing full-well there are better alternatives out there. Kind of makes me think why the manufacturer bothers at all with a lame remote, but that’s a discussion for another day. The whole thing is wired to a Peggy 2, courtesy Evil Mad Scientist Labratories. Be sure to read the write up HERE.
From his press release:
In 1955, Eugene Polley (1915 – 2012) designed the first ever wireless remote control for the Zenith Radio Corporation. At the press of a button, the remote would magically flash an invisible light from across the room and turn your TV set on, off, or change channels, all without you budging from the couch. It was an invention that changed the nature of television.
To kick off 2013 at 18 Hewett Street, Protein is proud to present interactive artist Chris Shen’s original artwork INFRA, a largescale installation that marks the (more…)
Lightbox from NYX Visual
NYX Visual Label has done some pretty impressive work in the last year, and they’ve expanded their studio offerings with NYX Atelier, focusing on the design and production of permanent digital art installs and light devices for private and public clients in Europe. Louis de Castro tells me “LIGHTBOX is a semi-modular, custom build LED ceiling that was designed by NYX Atelier for the reopening of Paris underground music venue “Panic Room” in January 2013. LIGHTBOX was developed by NYX Atelier 
along with Vincent Coutelin, our technical director, and Romain Belloche, our light designer, both overseeing the fabrication and visual programming aspects of the installation.
Thanks to Vincent we had the chance to travel to Shenzhen, China to purchase all the parts and electronics required but also to visit the fantastic factories and suppliers that now allow us to be more flexible than ever on the products and technologies we decide to use on each project.
LIGHTBOX from NYX Visual Label on Vimeo.
The development of the installation also featured a fullfiling partnership with young French company, Chromateq, that supplied us with the DMX controllers and LED Player Software offering great control and customization on a simple package.
Not having the possibility budget wise to create a completely new designed software and controller we turned to them for providing a complete solution that would allow us to concentrate on the design, technical sourcing and fabrication but also provide great tools for developing rich content following the artistic vision for the piece.”
Make sure to check out NYX on their site as well as other projects that have been featured here on Projectionfreak.
Castle Nightclub Gets a Rig from DCBolt Productions
Devin Wambolt over at DCBolt Productions gave me the heads-up on this crazy nightclub install they just completed. The club is Castle Nightclub in Chicago and they premiered the system for a huge NYE bash this year. Devin reports: “We are using three different types of LED’s in this system, (aside from the house lights) LED panels, LED strips, and LED modules. Our LED strips are (32x) SMD5050 LED pixels per meter, our Modules are (5x) SMD5050 LEDs per pixel, the LED panels are 6 millimeter pitch SMD2835 LED pixels. The led strips and modules are run by MADRIX Ultimate for real-time dynamic playback. The LED panel screens are being driven by a custom configured Resolume Arena setup.
Some pretty impressive work, and I’ll be sure to check it out next time I’m in Chicago!
Deadmau5 in London for Nokia
It’s hard not to like a Deadmau5 event….even harder when it involves production, video projection, and LED on a large scale. Last year, Deadmau5 did a gig on the side of the Millbank Tower to launch the Lumia 800, and it looks like they outdid that by a longshot with this event. Lotsa projection. Lotsa LED.
From the press release:
Nokia + Deadmau5 have smashed it once again to produce an ‘out of this world’ light and music spectacular. The pair promised to take fans to a whole new level to celebrate the launch of the new Nokia Lumia handsets- and they didn’t disappoint. The entire London square was on Wednesday night plunged into darkness as Deadmau5 produced an epic audio-visual extravaganza with technical wizardry. Thousands flocked to the capital to be a part of the must-see event of the year. ‘This is Lumia’ was nothing short of ground-breaking, blowing last year’s music experience out of the water. Every inch of the Flat Iron Square, from the windows and bins, came alive in a stunning set of bright lights, pulsing to the backbeat of Deadmau5. As the music started, the advanced technology played like a musical instrument, transforming the street into a kaleidoscope of colours whilst the superstar DJ performed on top of a roof in his trademark costume mouse head.
@nokia_uk tweeted: “Amazing gig. Amazing light show! Time for us to go and celebrate with @deadmau5 #switch”
Meanwhile, @deadmau5 said: “Playing Millbank Tower was an incredible experience, so it’s great to be back in London to team up with Nokia again. The new show was a totally different concept from last year, but equally inspiring and technically challenging.”
Conor Pierce, VP for Nokia said: “We see the Lumia 920 as one of the most exciting phones we have launched at Nokia, it includes some truly ground-breaking innovations: Wireless charging, a screen that automatically adjusts its colour and brightness, depending on sunlight, a touchscreen that even works when you’re wearing gloves and best of all it’s a beautiful device; like the ‘This is Lumia’ event the 920 looks just awesome.”
projectiondesign’s NVG FS35 IR- Night Vision Projection
I had no idea such a device even existed! NVG for a projector! I suppose for a video game crowd this would be excellent…but it seems like it’ll be for so much more- read military. At I/ITSEC 2013, Norway’s projectiondesign announces the FS35 IR series, the world’s most capable solid-state LED projectors for NVG stimulation requirements.
The FS35 IR series is available in two models. The 4.1 Megapixel FS35 IR wqxga features the highest resolution NVG stimulated images available for unprecedented realism and detail in day and night training, whereas the FS35 IR wuxga features dual IG input capability for simultaneous RGB + IR and seamless transitioning from day to night-time training.
The FS35 IR series incorporates projectiondesign’s 2nd Generation ReaLED™ illumination for brighter daytime simulation, and improved optics over previous generation projectors meaning that the intensity of IR is boosted by an (more…)
Massive Video Wall Scoreboard for Pacers
Right here in my hometown! In fact, I got a peek at it before opening night and it looked cartoonishly huge even without being powered up. I might get a chance to get to rig an event around the behemoth this weekend so I’ll snap some more photos….but for a write up, check out Commercial Integrator’s web article.
The new scoreboard features twin 1080p HD video screens (Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision™ 6mm LED), each measuring 50 feet long – extending nearly foul line to foul line – by 21 feet high, about 2,800 square feet in total space. In addition to the HD screens running the length of the court, the rectangular scoreboard is capped by a pair of 25 feet by 14 feet full 1080p HD video screens facing each baseline. Completing the interior portion of the Bankers Life Fieldhouse upgrade is a pair of LED video displays, one in each balcony end zone. The displays measure 23’ by 10’ and provide fans with stats, replays, and other game-related information.
Through ANC Sports’ VisionSOFT operating system, the new audio and video upgrades work with the arena’s existing LED ribbon and digital courtside signage systems.
ANC also updated the aging audio system, head end and broadcast control room. The new control room was built out complete with a full 3G broadcast infrastructure with 1080P signals and production equipment to provide unprecedented image quality. ANC’s unique 64-bit operating system maximizes the clarity of the scoreboard as the operating system does not scale its content, enabling the video screens to display 1:1 resolution.
Audi’s New Digital Showroom
I know- not technically projection….but there’s a lot to look at here. An interactive pad that you step on to change the features of a car, multiple digital surfaces to interact on, and a display that is screaming for no seams. I guess I get it on a lot of levels, but wouldn’t you think a brand like Audi would opt for a more seamless digital display? Or at least a more slick way of presenting the product? Don’t get me wrong- if I had the scratch I’d buy an Audi in heartbeat….but I’d still like to see a seamless display. Or maybe map the features to an analog car in the actual showroom…LIKE THIS? Kudos to Audi for making the whole painful-carbuying-experience a little more slick….and granted, I might be in a minority, but if I wanted to buy a $50,000 car and use a Kinect-based, interactive, input-enhanced, 9-screen display system to do so, I’d want a damn seamless screen. Again, I might be in a minority….BUT…..
We can expect this sort of thing to become commonplace as the marketing folks get more entrenched into AV and control. In fact Aston Martin, BMW, and Infiniti are rumored to be working on the exact same thing. Let’s just hope they invest in Microtiles or maybe an RP alternative.
Worldstage Gets Barco C5 LED Technology
NEW YORK – WorldStage, the new brand for Scharff Weisberg and Video Applications, Inc., has become the first company in the U.S. to acquire Barco’s new C5 5.5mm pixel pitch, black-face indoor LED display. Introduced earlier this year, the Barco C5 has pushed the boundaries of image quality and price.
“Our specialization in LED video is related to mid-size, high-quality LED displays and we’ve done well with the Barco NX-4 and NX-6 tiles for a number of years. However, they are an expensive technology beyond the budgets of many of our clients.” says WorldStage President Josh Weisberg. “We first saw the C5 at the Detroit Auto Show and thought the video performance of the tile was markedly better than the inexpensive tiles that are proliferating throughout the events community and, when we learned that Barco had priced the C5 tile competitively, we were sold.”
In addition to the new tile’s visual characteristics, the C5 is constructed of high-strength aluminum, the C5 enclosure is a silent “fan-free” design and the cable system is clean and logical.
According to Weisberg, “The contrast performance of the C5 tiles is amazing. Due to a unique shader design, the blacks are unbelievably deep. It’s like looking into a void even in bright environments such as a broadcast studio. We also like the system used to align the tiles along concave and convex curves – it’s simple to implement in a precise manner.”
Another advantage of the system is that it uses high-quality processing in the DX-700, Barco’s premier LED processor system. Otherwise, the system uses newly designed ground support and rigging support parts that reduce the number of pieces and parts to a reasonable minimum.
“By investing in the C5 we’ll be able to deliver a better-looking product over its lifespan than our competitors,” says Weisberg. “The C5 may be a more expensive system but it is a high value-based product any way you look at it.”
Scott Snibbe at LAX
Scott Snibbe has gotten a lot of press lately and for good reason. He’s been in the interactive art scene for 20-something years and has collaborated with such celebrated innovators as Bjork, Brian Eno, and James Cameron. His latest work is called “Transit” and is one of 17 pieces running on a 58 back-to-back HD monitor ribbon overhead at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. In Scott’s words :”The 15-minute video features hundreds of pedestrians in silhouette who take part in a loose narrative grounded in their ceaseless movements left to right. Against this backdrop, travelers occasionally put down their bags and break into exuberant dance routines in styles that reflect L.A.’s diversity: from Hip-Hop to Salsa, Ballet, and Punk.
Midway through, the high-definition story shatters into abstracted fragments as multiple copies of travelers wipe forward across the screens; moon-walking travelers float backwards; crowds spew out from single travelers; and a Lady in Red appears who is ignored by them all. The project is a collaboration with Choreographer Francesca Penzani, and videographer Noah Cunningham. The California Institute of the Arts Center for Integrated Media offered substantial facilities and support for the project’s production.”
Here’s a piece from the good folks at the Creator’s Project that goes into detail about some of his innovative work:
LED screens 101
The following is a re-print from the good folks at LiveDesign. It’s a great article on LED screen technology originally done by Fabio Aversa of Eurodisplay.com. Looks like it’s only up for a month then it’ll have to go into digital oblivion, so read it while you can! While you’re at it, have a look at Eurodisplay’s website- it’s chock full of great info about LED’s, LED technology, and outdoor displays.
Madmapper wins LiveDesign Projection Product of the Year
Holy cow! This is a HUGE honor for the GarageCUBE team…..Madmapper, besides being the coolest mapping software on the planet, has been awarded LiveDesign’s Projection Product of the Year Award- right up there with Christie’s YK200 Nitro, the Barco ImagePRO 3G, and Advantage LED Solutions 5mm LED panel. Man, that is some serious company to be in. Congratulations to the whole GarageCUBE team for an outstanding product and a well-deserved award!
Reel Video Systems Screen Demos
Here’s a couple of videos from my friends at Reel Video Systems. Their roll-up screen are SICK and must be seen to be believed- keep in mind these can be viewed in broad daylight and still look good!. They offer a number of roll-up size options including 4,5,6, and 8 meter…..I know the guys that work there and they don’t mess around. They calibrate in-house, and can deploy screens up to 35′ high using a ground mount system. If you want some quality work with a beautiful result give them a call!. I ran a short piece on RVS a while back , but here’s a refresher if you missed it.
Skrillex is out of control
Skrillex blew up the Ultra Music Festival this last weekend and then took off in his own scissor-lift style spaceship. Here’s the proof. With Lasers, dammit! Can someone please teleport me back to being 18 again?….
Electrosonic Installs Versatile AV Technology at the University of Salford’s New MediaCityUK Development
London (March 27, 2012) – When the University of Salford opened its state-of-the-art digital learning, teaching and research space at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays, it incorporated a flexible audio-visual system that can be customised and utilised in a number of creative ways to inform, educate and entertain students and visitors about the University’s current and future projects.
The original technical design was prepared by The Centre for Virtual Environments at the University of Salford, and Electrosonic was awarded the contract to engineer and install the complete system, working directly for the University.
MediaCityUK, which is home to over 1,500 students, acts as a creative space designed to encourage creativity, innovation and collaboration between academics, students, professionals and the industry.
The new entrance area of the building is an elliptical space aptly called the Egg, and is described as “a publicly accessible digital interactive showcase for visitors and students alike”. This open public place, designed to support MediaCityUK’s ethos of collaboration, (more…)
CALL 911 NOW! UMF takes over Miami and is SOLD OUT
EDM superstars Skrillex and Fat Boy Slim are just a drop in the bucket at the Ultra Music Festival. Combine that with a stage and visual design from V Squared Labs and you get the real star of the show– the mainstage rig! Here’s a look at the rig courtesy of MTV and Vello: Get More: Music News
If V Squared is there you know it will be great….maybe rivaling the famed Amon Tobin ISAM rig….we’ll see. “We have this crazy high-definition output system taking it to the next level at Ultra this year,” Virkhaus beamed. Of course, possibly the most exciting one-up from last year’s undertaking is the presence of, wait for it, an “LED roof” over the stage that is going to be an added visual element for each set.
“This is the overhead grid that’s going to be over viewers,” Virkhaus explained. “You’ve got artists like Tiësto, Afrojack, Skrillex, Avicii — people coming who are going to make a fantastic show for the audience — and we are going to do some amazing visuals. I know [the fans] are going to be blown away with the experience we are bringing.”
Of course there are other projects going on as well. Large scale projection masters Senovva will be projectionmapping for Red Bull with 12 Barco FLM 20k’s as seen here:
Send pics please…..or a ticket and a flight to Miami….
Barco NSL-5521
Barco has announced the NSL-5521, a 55″ full HD LCD with LED backlight. You’ll probably install it in a control room with a bunch more to make a huge wall, but why not stick one in your board room or living room for that matter? As a tiled LCD solution, the NSL-5521 is ideal for personal wall environments and adjunct control rooms in Emergency Operations Centers, traffic management and surveillance centers, C4I-SR environments, utilities and process control centers and broadcast & telecom monitoring applications.
Narrow-bezel display for tiled video walls
The new NSL uses durable LED backlights positioned directly behind the LCD panel and has the (more…)
3DM Architectural Maps a Skatepark
Brazilian firm 3DM Architectural did this cool projectionmapping of a skatepark. They tell me that it started out with two 15k PJ’s but they ended up only using one with a wider lens as it achieved a better overall effect. Graphics were done with a combination of 3D max, Maya, and Premier.
Basketball Courts are the next Projectionmapping Playground
I know- it’s Superbowl week and I should be posting about all the great projection happening there (not much) but that’s a different story-
Well it was bound to happen at some point. Ever since the first one of these I saw featuring the original HES Orbital Head I thought it was a great idea. Basketball courts in arenas are the perfect medium for projection…controlled light, loud sound systems, giant canvas, captive audience. I can only hope the half-time stuff gets creative with motion tracking on the cheerleaders and mascots, etc. Team intros could be taken to the next level pretty easily. Not to mention the advertising potential- to wit, the Georgia State Lottery vid that follows. Again, it’s not so much about the “mapping”….there isn’t any really…it’s more about the content production. Although the HES stuff had the player’s headshots projected and some live video highlights, which I’d like to see more of when this takes off again. And you know it will!
ETC pixelToy
ETC has released a beta of a potentially useful app for all the lighting Freaks out there. It’s called ‘pixelToy‘ and from the looks of it I think the squints have another tool for invading video world. With the lighting folks in mind, they’ve kept the user interface completely devoid of text and totally drag-and-drop. No excuses from the lampies about complexity please! It looks like a simple effects generator for lighting instruments, LED arrays, groups of dimmers, and the like. There’s a Timeline with Tracks (more…)
UVA’s Origin: The Origin
I would absolutely love to see this in action. Unfortunately, the closest I’m going to get is through video, but alas, United Visual Artists knocked this one out of the proverbial park. There is a great write-up over at The Creator’s Project that is worth a read. UVA has had (more…)
Dig the New Elation EPV6 LED Video Screen
More details from Elation:
LOS ANGELES – The new EPV6 LED display panel from Elation Professional is equipped with 3-in-1 Tri-Color SMD LEDs. This 6mm indoor video panel features 2,500-nit brightness (more…)
Barco Releases Next-gen Image Pro II
It seems like anymore not a gig goes by where I wish I had an Image Pro…..now I can wish for a Image Pro II. The original Image Pro earned a reputation in the industry for being a bit cantankerous, but it’s one of those pieces of gear you’re glad you have when push comes to shove. It’s the original “anything in- anything out” box for super quality scaling/converting…not so much for switching- but it’ll do that too in a pinch. Barco is launching the new ImagePRO-II, a video scaler, scan converter, switcher, and transcoder in one at Integrated Systems Europe, January 31 to February 2, Amsterdam.
The company says the ImagePRO-II is the most versatile (more…)
Elation EPV762MH Moving Head Video
I guess I’m not exactly sure why you’d want to have moving video panels ….apart from the eye-candy factor…or if someone gets real creative and hangs them sideways to make a wall out of them…but they are pretty cool! Elation Professional’s EPV762 MH is a high-resolution 7.62mm pitch moving head video panel that can rotate just like a moving yoke light fixture, panning a full 540° and tilting up to 265°. The EPV762 MH’s sweeping motion gives video displays extra exposure at shows and events, since the screen is viewable from all sides and every angle. Equipped with 4,096 tri-color (red, green, blue) SMD LEDs and featuring 2,000-nit brightness, this screen can be used for high-res videos, graphics, text messages, special effects and more, “broadcasting” them around the room with its smooth pan/tilt motion. Part of the company’s (more…)
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