AV News FEBRUARY 2026 by AV News

TD SYNNEX Maverick appointed as distributor for Barco

TD SYNNEX Maverick – a specialist collaboration, digital signage, and unified communications business within TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) – has been appointed as a distributor for the full range of meeting room solutions from Barco in the UK and Ireland. With immediate effect, the complete range of Barco ClickShare meeting room solutions are available from TD SYNNEX Maverick, enabling partners to benefit from Maverick’s specialist knowledge and long experience in the collaboration and audiovisual solutions, and to access the extensive value-added services, stock holding and financial options available from TD SYNNEX. The alliance builds on the strong and established relationships that exist between TD SYNNEX Maverick and Barco in other European countries.

Mark Glasspool, senior director, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX Maverick said: “Barco is another significant strategic addition to the TD SYNNEX Maverick portfolio and one that extends our presence in the market for BYOD meeting rooms and enhances our range of collaboration solutions. We’ll be working closely with the Barco team to reach out to the B2B community and maximise the opportunities for all partners with the full ClickShare range, and in particular working to raise awareness of the huge potential for the Clickshare Hub solution for room-based conferencing”.

Anthony Wright, sales director, UK and Ireland and Nordic Territories at Barco, added: “TD SYNNEX Maverick is a well-established player in the collaboration and audiovisual markets and is ideally placed to help Barco reach further into the partner community and fulfil the huge potential for ClickShare in both the commercial and public sectors.”

Headquartered in Belgium, Barco is a global leader in meeting room technology. With ClickShare, Barco makes it easy to run interactive BYOD meetings in any meeting room. For more comprehensive hybrid collaboration, ClickShare Hub is a modular Microsoft Teams Meeting Room system that provides easy set-up and management. One of the first modular video conferencing room systems built on Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP), this next-generation solution combines unmatched simplicity, rock-solid reliability, and a seamless user experience.

Barco appoints Midwich as projection and image processing distributor

Barco has announced the appointment of Midwich Group companies as its official distributors for projection and image processing products across several key Asia-Pacific markets. This strategic partnership will significantly expand Barco’s regional presence, further empowering system integrators and end-users to deliver premium immersive environments across sectors such as themed entertainment, simulation, live events, corporate experience centres and education. Midwich, a specialist trade-only audio-visual distributor and part of the global Midwich Group, brings deep expertise in distribution, logistics, channel support and AV integration across APAC. This distributor contract includes agreements with Midwich Australia Pty Ltd for Australia,

TD SYNNEX Maverick is a well-established player in the collaboration and audiovisual markets and is ideally placed to help Barco reach further into the partner community.

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Barco appoints Midwich as projection and image processing distributor

With this partnership, Barco gains access to Midwich’s strong local network of system integrators, resellers and technology partners – ensuring optimal service, support and availability of Barco’s projection and image processing portfolio in the region. This agreement opens new opportunities for customers and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia to acquire Barco’s highly innovative ProAV technology, including the flagship projectors from the G series, I series, QDX series and the image processing range including the popular Encore3. “Partnering with Midwich marks a significant step for Barco in the APAC region,” said Jasline Tay, Regional Sales Head APAC, Barco Singapore. “Midwich’s deep knowledge of the AV channel, their strong local support network and dedication to the professional AV market makes them the ideal

Boom hails new service provider as a key piece of its AV puzzle

Video conferencing manufacturer, Boom Collaboration, has announced a strategic partnership with UK service provider, Solvertec, to add a compelling new piece to its AV supply proposition. London-based Solvertec specialises in a wide range of support services including preventative maintenance, remote support, audits to optimise asset investment and performance, plus repairs and technical expertise. The two parties have teamed-up as part of a ground-breaking UK pilot project which Boom views as having the potential to be rolled-out globally. “The landscape is changing. Hardware is no longer the whole story, service is the new differentiator,” confirmed Boom Co-Founder, Fredrik Hörnkvist. “For us it’s about enhancing our value-added customer centric support ethos – by combining remote with on-site support integration.”

He highlighted: “Every customer has different needs and requirements. On-site audits are becoming a lot more popular as emphasised by our new partnership with service specialist Solvertec. They offer a wide range of expertise such as remote support as well as asset list checks, comprehensive equipment testing, detailed room equipment documentation, configuration file downloads and resolution recommendations. A lot of organisations just focus on needing a video-enabled meeting room without necessarily thinking about on-site IT support or service level contracts to maintain that system. When you’re not thinking about the bigger ecosystem you’re missing a big part of the puzzle. We find a lot of smaller organisations struggle more than bigger enterprises.”

He emphasised: “Teaming up with independent service specialist Solvertec gives us a valuable competitive advantage. They solely specialise in this field. With AV audits they make recommendations and suggestions. Standards can vary widely across the industry which is where Solvertec can shine as they are dedicated experts in AV services. They live and breathe this every day. AV services can be supplied in various ways but remotely is becoming the most preferred option as it’s often quicker, easier and more cost effective than site visits. It’s a mixed bag out there. SMEs for example have less internal resources due to economies of scale. They don’t have the knowledge and capacity of bigger enter-

prises with bigger IT departments and bigger budgets. Larger companies can customise service level agreements more easily. What is mission critical? Does it need to be 24/7 for example? There’s a lot of moving parts to consider from the initial design stage onwards. But the most important question is who do they call when something goes wrong? It’s not always in-house anymore.”

In today’s demanding global markets, customers need to minimise costs and maximise expenditure, according to Solvertec CEO and Founder Sebastian Szczesniak. “Sometimes, all customers need is a bit of advice; other times, it’s a complete solution from start to finish. After more than 20 years in the support industry, one thing has become clear: we’re all looking for the same thing - a trusted partner. Someone who’s always ready to help, whether it’s with a quick tip or a comprehensive solution. That’s why Solvertec was founded. It’s not just about audio-visual or video conferencing support. Plenty of companies excel at selling dreams, but what sets Solvertec apart is our commitment to delivering real, practical value.” He added: “Over the last few years we’ve seen a major rise in on-site audits. These make great sense because they allow customers to identify if it’s worth spending money to upgrade systems or if it’s better to utilise existing equipment in a more efficient way, often with more understanding and product knowledge”.

Exertis to distribute LED Studio in Ireland

LED Studio has signed a distribution agreement with Exertis Ireland, strengthening its channel-first approach and enabling greater access to its LED technologies across the Irish AV market. The partnership combines Exertis’ distribution expertise with LED Studio’s innovative product range, giving Irish customers exclusive access to scalable LED display technology with competitive pricing, in-house technical support and a roadmap shaped by continuous R&D investment. As a UK-owned and operated manufacturer, LED Studio is on a mission to redefine LED display technology through long-term environmental thinking and a focused commitment to simplicity, not just in how displays are manufactured, but in how they’re installed, operated and maintained. Exertis will primarily focus on LED Studio’s advanced display solutions for retail, education, corporate, simulation, stadia and leisure environments.

The distribution offer will include AXIS, LED Studio’s flagship MicroLED platform, engineered for speed, simplicity and scalability. Designed to deliver visual clarity, seamless integration and dependable operation, AXIS strips away non-essential extras to create a lean, high-impact solution that delivers where it matters most. Featuring Common Cathode technology, AXIS significantly reduces heat output for displays that remain cool to the touch, enabling more sustainable operation and a lower total cost of ownership. It also helps ensure consistent brightness and performance across the full product lifecycle. Also available through Exertis is V-Poster - a mobile, lightweight (35kg) indoor fine-pitch digital signage solution designed for creative flexibility and rapid deployment. Featuring true plug-and-play setup, integrated speakers, cloud-based CMS, multi-device connectivity and three mounting options, V-Poster is ideal for mobile signage across corporate, education and retail environments, and is also available in double-sided and outdoor configurations.

Paul Bromley, Director of Channel Sales and Partnerships at LED Studio, comments: “Our agreement with Exertis Ireland supports our ambition to build a truly channel-only model in the UK and Ireland. We’ve made a conscious decision to partner only with distributors who share our values and can offer meaningful technical support at a local level. Exertis has a strong reputation for doing just that. As we continue to grow internationally, it’s vital that our partners can help communicate not only the performance of our products, but also the thinking behind them, particularly our commitment to sustainability, simplicity and responsible manufacturing.” Katie Good, Head of Pro AV at Exertis Ireland, adds: “There is a growing demand for LED technology that goes beyond image quality. Customers are looking for systems that are energy-efficient, futureproof and easier to work with. LED Studio has developed a range that stands out not only for its technical innovation, but

Exertis to distribute LED Studio in Ireland

Midwich appointed as UK and Ireland distributor for Logitech

Midwich has been appointed as an official distribution partner for Logitech video conferencing solutions in the UK&I, further strengthening Midwich’s Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C) portfolio and delivering more choice and value for its channel partners. The partnership combines Logitech’s portfolio of video conferencing and meeting room technologies with Midwich’s specialist AV expertise, pre- and post-sales support, and extensive reseller network. This makes it easier for integrators and resellers to deliver complete, scalable UC&C solutions from a single, trusted distribution partner.

While Logitech and Midwich already have an established relationship in the US, this new agreement focuses on supporting UK&I businesses, helping them ac-

cess the latest hybrid working and collaboration technologies with local market knowledge and technical support.

Logitech’s video conferencing solutions deliver effortless, high-quality collaboration across meeting spaces of all sizes and are fully compatible with leading cloud video platforms including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. Lee Harris, commercial director at Midwich Ltd, said:

“The demand for consistent, high-performing meeting experiences is stronger than ever. Partnering with Logitech enables us to offer our resellers and integrators a broader choice of solutions that are easy to deploy, manage and support, delivering real value to the end user.”

Eamon O’Doherty, EU B2B head of channel at Logitech, said:

“Following our successful collaboration with Midwich in the US, extending the partnership to the UK & Ireland was a natural evolution. Midwich’s AV expertise, technical capability and strong channel relationships make them the ideal partner to help us meet growing demand for flexible, reliable video collaboration solutions. Logitech is focused on helping businesses thrive today, and tomorrow, with solutions fit for the office of the future. Together, with partners like Midwich, we’re making it easier for resellers to deliver complete, ready-to-deploy meeting room experiences to customers.” The full range of Logitech video collaboration solutions is available now through Midwich in the UK & Ireland.

Nureva appoints Charmex as a distributor in Spain and Portugal

Nureva Inc, has announces the appointment of Charmex Internacional S.A.U. as a distributor to expand access to Nureva’s revolutionary audio solutions across Spain and Portugal. Headquartered in Barcelona, Charmex is a leading B2B audiovisual solutions provider with more than 35 years of experience and a portfolio that spans videoconferencing, control systems, interactive displays, digital signage and immersive solutions. Charmex will offer Nureva’s full range of audio systems through its established network of resellers and integrators in corporate, education and government markets.

Hybrid collaboration continues to transform meeting and learning spaces across Spain and Portugal. Eurostat reports that 55% of enterprises in Spain held remote meetings in 2024, up from 51% in 2022, underscoring sustained demand for dependable conferencing solutions. Spain is also investing in its university system’s technology through the government’s UniDigital Plan, and the University of Barcelona has implemented hybrid active learning classrooms to support blended instruction at scale. Eurostat reports that 54% of enterprises in Portugal held remote meetings in 2024, up from 48% in 2022. Together, these indicators highlight a growing demand for consistent high-quality audio in larger meeting rooms, classrooms, lecture halls and other collaborative spaces — without adding complex installation and management for IT teams.

Responding to this growing demand, Charmex will offer Nureva’s award-winning audio systems powered by patented Microphone Mist technology. This breakthrough technology fills rooms with thousands of virtual microphones, delivering true full-room audio coverage so every participant is heard clearly, and collaboration happens naturally, without the cost and complexity of traditional installations[NK1.1]. “The addition of Nureva to our portfolio strengthens our commitment to innovation and to improving communication experiences in today’s hybrid working and learning environments,” said Santiago Verdú, CEO of Charmex Internacional. “Nureva’s unique audio systems, combined with our expertise in AV integration, will allow our customers in Spain and Portugal to equip medium and large rooms with clear, consistent audio without complex installations.”

Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO commented: “Adding Charmex as a distributor in Spain and Portugal is an important step in bringing simple, high-performance audio to more organizations across these countries, “Charmex’s long-standing AV experience and strong customer relationships will help IT teams modernize their meeting rooms and classrooms with systems that are easy to deploy, scale and manage.” Nureva continues to grow its global footprint, with recent deployments including Groupama Stadium in France, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages in India and Canterbury Institute of Management in Australia. The appointment of Charmex

Nureva appoints Charmex as a distributor in Spain and Portugal

Nureva Inc, has announces the appointment of Charmex Internacional S.A.U. as a distributor to expand access to Nureva’s revolutionary audio solutions across Spain

Re-Sauce unveils rebrand as the consultancy accelerates into 2026

Re-Sauce, the international sales and business consultancy for global technology brands, today announced a strategic rebrand, including new logo, brand toolkit, and a revitalised website to celebrate the company’s legacy, its future and the team behind its work. The rebrand marks a new and exciting era of brand identity, with a strengthened leadership team and increased portfolio of sales, commercial strategy, marketing and PR service offerings. “It is important that our brand clearly reflects the company’s direction, character and skillset, now that we have made added Beky Cann to our senior leadership team,” said Gordon Dutch, CEO of Re-Sauce. “We reflected on who we would like to be going forward and what our clients value most about us - both as individuals and as a team. The rebrand signals to existing and prospective clients that Re-Sauce is ready, aligned, and committed to creativity, vision and adaptation to the ever-changing digital world. We’re excited to see what the future will bring not only for our company, but also for our clients.”

Although the logo and the colour theme have changed from a playful red and yellow theme to an attractive navy blue, the name has remained the same to ensure the company is recognisable in the industry yet highlights the shift in journey, values, market stance and differentiation. Beky Cann, Head of Global PR & Marketing at Re-Sauce, confirmed: “To coincide with the new re-brand, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the all-new Re-Sauce website, which reflects the changes in our business model since launch, and the value that we provide our clients. It also includes a significant number of client testimonials and case studies. This rebrand and website represents yet another strategic development of the Re-Sauce business in 2026.”

The Re-Sauce team will be out in force during ISE 2026 in Barcelona with Gordon Dutch and Beky Cann attending, as well as members of their wider PR team covering the US, DACH, France, Spain, LATAM, APAC and Middle East. To arrange a meeting, please contact hello@re-sauce.net.

Scandec to distribute LED Studio in Norway

LED Studio has strengthened its continental presence by announcing a new strategic partnership with Scandec Systemer AS, appointing the Norwegian AV specialist as its distribution partner for Norway. Under the new agreement, Scandec will represent LED Studio’s full indoor LED portfolio, with an initial strategic focus on two of its award-winning solutions: the EDGE Series and UNITY All-In-One. Together, these platforms bring industry-leading performance, energy efficiency and simplified integration to Norway’s control room, corporate and education sectors.

Scandec, known for its technical expertise, service-driven approach and strong network of resellers across Norway, will offer full sales, support and system design

services for both product ranges. Kim Erik de Sousa, Subject Matter Expert, Scandec Systemer AS says: “At Scandec, we only work with manufacturers who share our values of quality, innovation, and reliability. LED Studio’s EDGE Series and UNITY AIO offer exactly what our customers need; high-performance, energy-efficient LED technology with simplified integration and longterm value. We’re excited to introduce these solutions to our partners and clients throughout Norway.”

The partnership marks a significant milestone in LED Studio’s Northern European growth strategy and reflects its commitment to providing localised expertise and service for its cutting-edge LED technologies. Ryan Austin Smith, Sales Director, LED Studio comments: “Scandec

is an ideal partner for LED Studio. Their track record in complex AV environments and commitment to sustainability perfectly complements our brand and vision. Together, we’re bringing Norwegian customers access to award-winning, future-proof LED solutions designed for real-world demands.” Both product lines are engineered for ease of deployment, durability and energy efficiency, reflecting LED Studio’s commitment to reducing e-waste and supporting circular technology through its modular V1 Architecture.

LEA

Professional expands its global commercial audio tootprint

LEA Professional’s commercial audio technology catalogue, featuring industry-first advancements in intelligent IT solutions, best-in-class DSP, and smart power management, is set to reach more Australian customers in 2026 through a new distribution partnership with Jands, one of Australia’s leading AV distributors. The Jands team has been providing the highest quality technology solutions to its customers since 1970. Thanks to Generation AV, LEA Professional’s APAC manufacturer’s representative and authorized sales partner, Jands, and LEA Professional, the partnership came together. “We are excited to see this partnership take shape,” said Dave McKinney, Managing Director, Generation AV. “By bringing LEA’s extensive commercial solution lineup to the Australian market through a trusted distributor, we can reach a larger customer base and provide the quality and support they expect. It is immensely rewarding to help connect two organizations that are equally committed to excellence and customer success.”

This partnership will bring LEA Professional’s award-winning Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series, featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity, to more Australian customers. These series enable integrators to use cloud-based remote control, monitoring, notifications, and more from any internet-enabled device, keeping them connected anywhere in the world. “This partnership reinforces Jands’ ongoing investment in future-ready audio technologies and its commitment to supporting the evolving needs of the Australian professional AV industry,” said Phil Muffet, CEO and Managing Director, Jands. “As AV systems continue to move toward networked, remotely managed environments, LEA Professional’s approach to amplification aligns closely with the way consultants and integrators are designing, deploying, and supporting systems today.” LEA Professional’s smart amplifiers are the most feature-rich amplifiers available in the industry — featuring onboard 96kHz DSP, LEA Cloud connectivity, WebUI, third-party API control, real-time load monitoring, Lo-Z/70V/100V selectable by channel, Smart Power Bridge technology,

event and fault monitoring, high-efficiency power design, over 3,000 speaker tuning presets, and LEA’s advanced amplifier control software, SharkWare. “Partnering with Jands to expand our commercial reach is an important step in our international growth strategy,” said Scott Robbins, Vice President of Sales, at LEA Professional. “The team’s deep understanding of the Australian market and strong relationships across the region will help us better serve commercial-focused customers and accelerate adoption of our solutions.”

TVC takes commercial AV to EAG

Bolton integrator TVC Technology Solutions made its debut appearance at the UK’s leisure, gaming and gambling sector’s flagship event, and wowed visitors with cutting edge AV technology. Marking a strategic step to expand in these vertical sectors, the TVC team headed up its large booth with transparent LED screens, ultra-bright displays, LED walls and integrated audio solutions. While EAG may sit outside the usual exhibition calendar for the AV integration community, TVC’s presence made a clear statement about the company’s ambitions.

Rather than treating the show as a one-off experiment, TVC approached it as an opportunity to showcase how robust, intelligently designed AV systems can elevate customer experience in some of the most demanding commercial environments imaginable. Partnering with its specialty karaoke supplier, Singa to bring further interactive engagement, the stand quickly became a focal point for visitors across the three days at the ExCel London event.For TVC, the transparent display was a hook with the stands main theme being less about novelty or technology itself and more about storytelling. It provided a clear, visual demonstration of how modern AV can in-

tegrate seamlessly into physical spaces, delivering high-impact content without compromising architectural design or operational flow. In a sector where floor layouts, sightlines and customer movement are commercially critical, the technology resonated strongly with visitors. “Our goal at EAG wasn’t just to show impressive kit, but to demonstrate how our approach to AV integration translates into new sectors,” said Andy Greaves, Sales Director at TVC Technology Solutions. “Gaming and leisure venues are complex, high-pressure environments, and that plays directly to our strengths. The response confirmed that the skills and standards expected in commercial AV are not only relevant here, they’re in demand”.

The wider showcase reinforced TVC’s credentials as a full-service integrator capable of delivering complete AV ecosystems rather than isolated components. Wyrestorm’s networked video distribution systems, LG’s high-bright displays, stretch-bar screens and Symetrix’s zoned audio control are just some of the different technologies that were presented as part of a cohesive, centrally managed solution, reflecting the same design-led, performance-focused approach TVC brings to hospitality, retail and enterprise projects. The collaborative element with Singa further highlighted how specialist technology providers and integrators can work together to deliver richer, more engaging proposition in almost any customer engagement-drive sector. The partnership served as a practical example of how integrators can add value by orchestrating multiple technologies and suppliers into a seamless in-venue experience.

From an AV industry perspective, TVC’s successful EAG outing offers a compelling case study in sector diversification. As traditional markets mature and competition intensifies, the ability to adapt core integration expertise to new environments is becoming increasingly important. Gaming, leisure and entertainment venues present unique challenges, but they also offer opportunities for integrators willing to engage with different stakeholders, commercial drivers and creative expectations. By the end of the show, TVC Technology Solutions had not only raised its profile within a new industry but also reinforced its identity as an integrator that thrives on complexity, creativity and performance.

Delta Live joins Groupe Novelty

Groupe Novelty has announced the acquisition of Delta Live, a highly respected UK-based company specialised in audio, production and event delivery. This strategic acquisition marks a major step in the Group’s international development and reinforces its footprint in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s most dynamic and influential event markets. Founded in 1988 and affiliated with the L-Acoustics Group since 2019, Delta Live has built a strong reputation as a customer-first, highly skilled partner delivering complex corporate events, venue productions and live experiences across the UK.

As part of Groupe Novelty, Delta Live will operate under the brand “Delta Live by Novelty”, preserving its identity, leadership and client relationships while gaining access to the Group’s international expertise, resources and network. This integration will enable Delta Live to further strengthen its technical offering across Groupe Novelty’s five core disciplines: audio, lighting, video, rigging and power distribution, allowing the company to support larger, more ambitious and increasingly international projects. “From our first conversations, we were impressed by Delta Live’s customer-first mindset, high technical standards, and people-centric leadership” says Jacques de La Guillonnière, founder-president and CEO of Groupe Novelty. “Delta Live is a natural fit to support Groupe Novelty’s growth in the UK, alongside Novelty UK. We are also pleased to continue our longstanding and trusted partnership with L-Acoustics as we support Delta Live’s long-term development.”

Since joining L-Acoustics Group, Delta Live has been an exceptional partner. As the company’s strategic priorities evolved, this transition to Groupe Novelty represents the right next step for Delta Live’s continued growth. “Groupe Novelty brings deep expertise in premium technical event production and maintains strong relationships across Europe and the UK, making them an ideal home for Delta Live’s talented team and prestigious client portfolio,” says Hervé Guillaume, CEO at L-Acoustics Group. “We’re confident this move positions Delta Live for long-term success in an environment fully aligned with their core strengths. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with both Delta Live and Groupe Novelty.”

“Delta Live has always been built around long-term client relationships, technical excellence, and a strong culture that puts people first. With these shared values, joining Groupe Novelty is a natural next step in our growth journey. Being part of the L-Acoustics success story has been a privilege, and this partnership allows us to preserve what makes Delta Live special while gaining access to broader technical expertise, international scale, and long-term investment that will directly benefit our clients and our team. We’re excited about what this means for our future in the UK and beyond,” concludes David Hanson, Delta Live’s managing director. Delta Live’s clients will benefit from full continuity of service, working with the same trusted teams and contacts,

while gaining access to increased technical capacity, multidisciplinary expertise and Groupe Novelty’s international reach. Together, Delta Live and Groupe Novelty aim to deliver even greater value, innovation and scale across the UK and international markets

Christie to sell its broadcast and professional video business

Christie Digital Systems USA and Vista PHX, Corp., today announced an agreement in principle to sell the Christie Broadcast and Professional Video business to Vista PHX, Corp., a new corporation created by former Vista Systems owners and industry veterans, Clark Williams and Jeff Wilson. The transaction, expected to close by the end of February, would mark the return of some of the industry’s most respected video processing technologies to the innovators who designed, built, and championed them.

Continuing to operate in Phoenix, Arizona, newly formed Vista PHX, Corp., will acquire the Christie intellectual property and essential operational infrastructure for the Spyder, Terra, Phoenix, and Mastering Gateway product lines. This transition will bring these video processing platforms back to their roots, where the products were originally developed and manufactured.

In particular, the transaction will help secure the future of the Spyder brand, a benchmark for uncompromising performance in live events, broadcast, and high-end installations worldwide. The Phoenix-branded distributed content management system, Terra SDVoE platform, and Mastering Gateway Series further reinforce Vista PHX, Corp.’s capabilities in delivering end-to-end mission-critical video processing solutions. “Bringing Spyder and the other innovative video processing product lines back under independent ownership is significant,” said Clark Williams, CEO of Vista PHX, Corp. “For our customers, this acquisition means continuity where it matters and acceleration where it counts. The same team, the same engineering DNA - now with the clarity and autonomy to move faster and invest deeper in the platform our customers rely on.”

Michael Phipps, president, Christie, commented on the transition. “The divestiture of the Broadcast and Professional Video group reflects our continued focus on our long-term strategic priorities. We believe that returning the video processing family of products to Clark Williams, Jeff Wilson, and the Vista PHX team will best position them for sustained growth under owners whose core mission is centred on these products. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and responsible transition for employees, customers, and partners.”

Vicoustic and United Acoustic launch UniVicoustic

Vicoustic, the world leader in innovative acoustic solutions for the professional audio and installation markets, has joined forces with United Acoustic Private Limited, part of the United Group to launch UniVicoustic, a new global acoustic brand combining European acoustic expertise with large-scale, vertically integrated manufacturing across Europe and Asia. The joint venture was officially unveiled at ISE Barcelona 2026.

As part of this joint venture, United Acoustic Private Limited becomes an investor in Vicoustic, and jointly the companies will operate production and office facilities in Porto, Portugal, and across 8 cities in India. Together, the companies will employ over 300 staff, within a combined manufacturing footprint of approximately 18,000 sqm. Vicoustic licensed its patented VMT technology to United Acoustic Private Limited in 2023. Since then, the company has operated in India under the brand UniAcoustic and has built India’s largest integrated acoustic solutions manufacturing facility including a major PETproduction line, enabling full control over the production process for sustainable, high-quality, certified acoustic products.

As part of this joint venture, the existing Vicoustic and UniAcoustic brands will transition into UniVicoustic, bringing all acoustic solutions from both organisations under one unified global acoustic brand. As part of its global integration strategy, UniVicoustic will introduce its expanded brand ecosystem through a phased rollout across 2026, ensuring clarity, continuity, and value creation for clients, partners, and the design community worldwide. The companies are now coming together under one brand, UniVicoustic, with the strong determination to become a leading global player in the acoustic market. As part of combining both parties’ resources, UniVicoustic will have arguably the largest assortment of acoustic products in the industry, covering solutions from large arenas and concert halls to projects satisfying the most discerning architects and interior designers. All this while remaining highly focused on Sustainability as a Material Cesar Carapinha, Founder and CEO of Vicoustic, remarks: “We are thrilled to unite with United Acoustic Private Limited to bring a new level of technical mastery to the acoustic industry. This partnership amplifies our collective strengths, ensuring that our brand remains a primary force driving innovation and excellence in acoustics.”

For current Vicoustic clients, this joint venture means faster development cycles, higher production capacity, control over dedicated PET production for acoustic products, broader certification ranges, shorter supply lines, and in many cases more competitive pricing. Shabbir Rajkotwala, Founder and Managing Director of United Acoustic Private Limited, comments: “Our decision to invest in Vicoustic reflects our confidence in their technology, people, and global potential.

FEATURE BUSINESS

ISE 2026 roundup

So, the numbers are in: Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 has officially closed its doors following four days of inspiring firsts that pushed beyond the expected to redefine the possible and reinvigorate the AV and systems integration industry. ISE 2026 welcomed 92,170 visitors from around the world – an 8% increase in total attendance compared with 2025. The show floor featured a total of 1,751 exhibitors, including 323 making their debut at the event, contributed to the largest total show floor space in the event’s history at 101,000 sqm.

“As ISE 2026 comes to a close, I’m truly inspired by the passion and strength of our community,” said Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events. “Over four extraordinary days, we celebrated groundbreaking technology, ignited bold ideas, forged lasting connections, and set new benchmarks for our industry. What excites me most is the creativity, energy, and diversity of our exhibitors and partners, and the un-

wavering dedication of the ISE team that makes it all possible.” AV News drew your attention to a good percentage of innovations and announcements in our ISE 2026 Preview edition. Naturally, there are many exhibitors who preferred to keep the wraps on their innovations until the show doors were actually open to visitors.

We have picked, what we consider to be, the most interesting for this post-show roundup.

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Panasonic

to showcase next generation projection at ISE 2026

Panasonic will demonstrate the future of professional visual technology at ISE 2026, unveiling a comprehensive portfolio of projection, LED and workflow solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of live events, immersive experiences, education, corporate and signage environments. Highlights will include:

A new game-changing projection light-source platform, delivering true 3-Chip DLP performance without the traditional limitations of 1-Chip, offering outstanding colour reproduction, high brightness and improved operational efficiency in a compact, installation-friendly design.

The PT-RQ45 42,000-lumen projector, now available for customers to experience live at ISE. Sharing the same chassis as the PT-RQ35 but delivering 12,000 lumens more brightness, the PT-RQ45 is designed for large venues, live events and immersive installations where maximum visual impact is essential.

Panasonic’s first 4K LCD projector will be at the heart of an on-booth golf simulator – producing close-range visuals with reduced pixel structure, supporting highly realistic imagery that is critical for immersive applications such as sports simulation and interactive experiences.

A 55” LED platform designed for fast deployment across signage, retail brand experiences and video walls, featuring excellent brightness uniformity, modular design and practical VESA-mounting capability.

Under its Mevix branding, Panasonic’s latest projection and LED technologies are engineered to balance high-performance visuals with simplified installation, improved reliability and a lower total cost of ownership — enabling integrators and end users to deploy advanced visual experiences across a broader range of venues. The latest technical innovations will see Panasonic well positioned as the next generation of visual content technology enables new market opportunities. “Our customers are looking for high-impact visuals without compromise — in performance, flexibility or efficiency,” said Hartmut Kulessa, Head of Marketing Visual Systems at Panasonic Connect Europe. “At ISE 2026, we are introducing a new way to deliver premium quality LED video walls, plus a projection light-source platform that delivers true 3-Chip DLP performance without the traditional limitations associated with 1-Chip systems. These developments reinforce our long-term commitment to innovation and to supporting our partners worldwide.”

Panasonic will also highlight its wider ecosystem of projection, display and software-driven workflow tools, designed to simplify system design, reduce downtime and support scalable, future-ready installations across entertainment, signage, education and corporate communication. Visitors to ISE 2026 can experience Panasonic’s latest visual innovations at Booth 3J500.

Pleneo and Sennheiser announce intelligent room kits

Pleneo and Sennheiser announced the availability of two intelligent meeting room kits designed to remove installation complexity, reduce deployment cost and enable consistent, AI-ready collaboration in medium and large meeting spaces. High-quality, intelligible audio is foundational to modern, AI-powered meetings, particularly in large, organisation-critical spaces. As enterprises increasingly rely on intelligent meeting workflowssuch as speaker recognition, voice attribution, transcription, and meeting analysis - the accuracy of those experiences depends on clear, consistent audio capture across the entire room. In larger spaces, where multiple participants speak, move, and present, achieving that consistency has traditionally required complex design and tuning.

The Pleneo Medium Room Kit and Pleneo Large Room Kit are designed to change that. Engineered for rooms up to 50 m² (approx. 10 m × 5 m) and 90 m² (approx. 12 m × 7.5 m) respectively, the kits extend AI-enabled collaboration into larger environments that are typically difficult to standardise and scale. By integrating Sennheiser ceiling microphones as part of a fully orchestrated Pleneo system, the kits deliver high-performance audio pickup that supports intelligent meeting experiences in the spaces where collaboration matters most. Each kit is built around Pleneo RoomHub, which con-

nects all room endpoints into Pleneo Room OS, the system layer that powers the room as a single, unified environment. Room OS enables zero-touch deployment and automated setup, allowing complete rooms to be brought online without specialist configuration or individual tuning of audio or video settings. Rooms deploy over standard IT infrastructure, using enterprise-grade security and governance frameworks by design.

RoomHub applies AI-driven audio tuning and enhancement across the system, including adaptive room tuning, AI NoiseSense, ML-based room enhancement, and IQ Voice Enhancement, to ensure clear, consistent speech regardless of room acoustics or participant behaviour. The result is reliable, highly intelligible audio that supports both human collaboration and AI-driven meeting intelligence. Video intelligence is delivered through Pleneo RoomVision cameras, which support AI speaker tracking automatically follows the active presenter. AI autoframing keeps participants naturally framed without distracting camera move-

ment. Together, the audio and video systems behave as part of a coordinated whole, rather than independent devices. Using Pleneo Cloud, rooms are provisioned, configured, monitored, and managed centrally as complete systems. IT teams can manage rooms directly within Pleneo Cloud or integrate room data and events into the platforms they already use for IT service management and operations, enabling consistent oversight without introducing new operational silos.

James Knight, CEO, Pleneo says: “These room kits are about transforming how large meeting spaces are delivered at scale. As meetings become more intelligent and more reliant on AI-driven workflows, capturing clear, accurate voices across large rooms is essential. Pleneo Room OS makes that possible by removing the need for individual configuration and manual tuning, and by turning complex systems into predictable, software-driven spaces that are easy to deploy, manage, and trust.”

Charlie Jones, Sr. Partner Relations Manager, Sennheiser says: “Clear, reliable audio is critical for effective collaboration, especially in larger rooms. These kits bring the audio quality large rooms need for intelligent meetings into a form IT can deploy, scale, and support, ensuring intelligent meetings receive the high-quality audio inputs they need to perform at their best from group collaboration.” The Pleneo x Sennheiser Room Kits are available through joint distribution partners in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, India and Asia-Pacific regions, supporting multi-country deployments for enterprise, corporate and education customers.

d&b audiotechnik goes bold at ISE 2026

d&b audiotechnik returned to Barcelona for ISE 2026 with one of its most significant lineups of new product introductions to date. Headlining is the U-Series, a new family of compact multipurpose point-source loudspeakers, opening a completely new chapter in the product category. Another key focus is the advancement of audio-over-Ethernet technologies with four new Milan-enabled products, expanding the d&b Milan ecosystem and enabling users to build scalable, robust, and future-ready audio systems. Completing the highlights is the 42S, a new point-source loudspeaker that combines acoustic precision with an ultra-compact form factor.

Underlining its commitment to constant innovation, d&b will premiere the U-Series, a new family of compact multipurpose point-source loudspeakers, representing a true paradigm shift in system design. Featuring both passive and advanced networked options, the series provides maximum system architecture freedom, all packaged in a sleek, industrial design that supports a wide range of installed and mobile applica-

TECHNOLOGY

tions. d&b will also shine a spotlight on its latest Milan-AVB products reinforcing the company’s dedication to open standards, reliability, and seamless integration.

The new Milan lineup includes the DS22 Audio Network Bridge, the DS1 USB-to-Milan interface, the DN2 AVB Switch and the 5DM, the Milan-enabled version of the renowned 5D installation amplifier. Both the 5D and 5DM pair perfectly with the new 42S, an ultra-compact all-purpose solution for applications where size and acoustics matter.

In addition to the new launches, visitors to the stand will be able to discover a range of products and solutions tailored to the needs of fixed installations, including CCLi, the installation version of the CCL Compact Cardioid Line Array, as well as a selection of the company’s Custom Solutions offering, which spans color options, custom rigging, and weather-resistant variants.

“ISE is a fantastic opportunity to showcase how innovation can strengthen our clients’ businesses, and I’m proud of our team to bring such an extensive range of new products to Barcelona,” says Jaakko Kaivonen, CEO d&b group. “I’m looking forward to meeting partners, customers, and industry peers, and to continue fostering the relationships that make this industry so special.”

Barco introduces SwiftAgent: the intelligent software switcher

Developed to empower single operators and small teams, SwiftAgent unifies the capabilities of a production switcher and a presentation switcher into one powerful, intuitive platform. Its AI-driven camera tracking, framing, and switching enable smooth, professional-quality results without constant manual control –freeing operators to focus on content, creativity, and audience engagement. “Event teams today need tools that are as agile as they are,” said Carla Munoz Arellano, Product Manager SwiftAgent at Barco. “SwiftAgent delivers intelligent assistance that supports a small team of operators, or even just one operator, throughout the entire production workflow, whether they’re managing a live event on-site or operating remotely.”

Equipped with centralized management and AVoIP technology, SwiftAgent enables seamless control from any location, making it a future-proof choice for hybrid and distributed event setups in corporate environments. Its screen management tools, automation workflows, robust streaming capabilities, and brand-agnostic device compatibility streamline operations across the entire production chain. With SwiftAgent, anyone, from event coordinators to IT staff without AV expertise, gets an intelligent companion that ensures precision, reliability, and ease of use – helping them deliver memorable experiences with confidence.

Panasonic introduces 3-chip DLP quality to 1-chip projection

Panasonic Projector and Display Corporation has introduced a new standard in 1 Chip DLP projection with the PT-HTQ20, marking the company’s first 1-Chip DLP projector to support the Rec. 2020 colour gamut. Powered by Panasonic’s newly developed VIVID PRIME RGB laser light-source technology, the PT HTQ20 delivers 20,000 lumens of brightness and 4K resolution. Unveiled at ISE 2026, the MEVIX PTHTQ20 is designed to deliver the colour fidelity typically associated with 3-Chip DLP projection, without the traditional limitations of other technologies. By combining wide-gamut colour reproduction with high brightness, the projector achieves a balanced output where colour purity and luminance are maintained si-

multaneously — a critical requirement for immersive content. “At Panasonic, our goal with PT-HTQ20 was to bring the visual impact of 3-Chip DLP projection into a compact and flexible 1-Chip platform, without compromise,” said Hartmut Kulessa, Head of Marketing Visual Systems at Panasonic Connect Europe. “By combining Rec. 2020 wide-gamut colour with high-speed colour switching and balanced brightness output, we’re delivering a viewing experience that feels natural, immersive and free from artefacts”

At the core of the MEVIX PT-HTQ20 is Panasonic’s VIVID PRIME RGB laser technology, enabling more than 95% coverage of the Rec. 2020 colour space. Unlike conventional projectors that prioritise brightness at the

expense of colour performance, the PT-HTQ20 delivers vivid, pure colours while maintaining consistent brightness across the image. A proprietary RGB-plus-phosphor design also ensures smooth tonal gradations when displaying standard Rec. 709 content. VIVID PRIME’s high-speed colour switching further enhances image quality by effectively reducing rainbow effect - a common artefact in projection that can distract viewers, particularly in immersive environments. The result is a more comfortable, fatigue-free viewing experience that supports extended dwell time in experiential spaces.

Image performance is complemented by 4K resolution delivered via Quad Pixel Drive technology, along with an enhanced Gradation Smoother that reduces colour banding and supports subtle tonal transitions in digitally created and cinematic content. Building on the reliability of Panasonic’s DLP platform, the PT-HTQ20 inherits extensive installation flexibility and long-term durability. It supports Panasonic’s D3-series projector lens lineup and mounting frames, such as those used with the PTRQ25K. It also features proprietary circuit-board coating for improved resistance to dust and humidity and includes a mechanical shutter to protect the DMD chip during stage lighting use. A filterless design enables up to 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation, supported by Multi-Laser Drive Engine redundancy and Backup Input for mission-critical environments.

Additional integration features include an Intel SDM-compatible expansion slot, Smart Projector Control app support, a remote preview function and Panasonic’s Visual Software Suite for simplified system management and workflow automation. Adachi, CEO of Panasonic Projector & Display Corporation, stated: “For years, we have elevated the quality of immersive environments by delivering uncompromising brightness in a compact design, together with industry leading 4K driving technology. Now we enter the next chapter. By expanding our new core technology, VIVID PRIME, across our model lineup, we will raise immersion to an entirely new dimension. By harnessing the full potential of Rec.2020, we aim to open up a new market for immersive experiences and bring fresh innovation to the world of visual media.” The PT-HTQ20 will be available from Q4 2026.

Panasonic unveils a 55-inch DVLED panel

Panasonic Projector & Display Corporation unveiled its new MEVIX TL-55LV12A dvLED display at ISE 2026, expanding its professional display portfolio with a large-format LED solution designed to address the practical challenges of specification, installation and long-term operation. Scheduled for release in the first half of 2026, the 55-inch display delivers seamless, high-brightness visuals while removing traditional LED barriers through controller-less HDMI input and compatibility with standard VESA mounting systems.

Across corporate lobbies, retail environments, transport hubs and control rooms, demand continues to grow for large displays that deliver strong visual impact, high visibility in bright spaces and consistent image quality over extended operating hours. However, many traditional dvLED systems require external controllers, bespoke mounting solutions and complex configuration, increasing cost and deployment time. The TL55LV12A has been developed to bridge this gap, combining the visual advantages of LED technology with a deployment model that feels familiar to AV professionals. Featuring a bezel-less design and a fine 1.26 mm pixel pitch, the TL-55LV12A enables multiple 55-inch units to be combined into large, seamless displays tailored to a wide range of spaces. With brightness of up to 800 cd/m² and a wide colour gamut, the display maintains vivid, high-contrast imagery even in brightly lit environments.

Low power consumption is achieved by adopting COB flip chip type LEDs. (110 inch-class, 720W at 800 cd/ m²) A key differentiator is its controller-less architecture, allowing content to be displayed directly via a simple HDMI input. This removes the need for dedicated LED controllers and complex system configuration, enabling faster installation and reducing overall system complexity. To further simplify upgrades and retrofits, the TL55LV12A is compatible with VESA-standard mounting systems, allowing existing LCD video wall brackets and infrastructure to be reused. This reduces additional construction work and helps lower project costs when transitioning from LCD to LED. Furthermore, this model can be installed both horizontally and vertically to suit various spaces and environments. The display’s slim 29 mm cabinet depth and lightweight design of approximately 22kg reduce the physical demands of transport and installation, while maintaining a clean, architectural appearance once installed. By combining VESA mounting compatibility with direct HDMI operation, Panasonic enables AV professionals to deploy large-format LED displays using familiar workflows, helping projects move from specification to operation more efficiently. “With the TL-55LV12A, we focused on removing the practical barriers that often stop LED being considered for everyday professional projects,” said Hartmut Kulessa, Head of Marketing Visual Systems at Panasonic Connect Europe. Controller-less HDMI operation and VESA mounting compatibility make it much easier for integrators to deploy seamless LED displays, while still delivering the visual performance and reliability customers expect from Panasonic.”

Built for long-term, continuous operation Designed for professional environments, the TL-55LV12A supports 24/7 operation and incorporates long-life LED modules rated at up to 100,000 hours to half brightness under standard conditions. The use of COB-type LEDs improves durability and resistance to shock, vibration, dust and contamination, supporting stable performance in demanding locations. Maintenance is simplified through a front-access design, allowing LED modules,

power supplies and circuit boards to be replaced from the front of the display. This minimizes downtime and enables efficient servicing, even in wall-mounted or space-constrained installations.

The unveiling of the MEVIX TL-55LV12A LED solution marks a significant step in Panasonic Projector and Display’s commitment to identifying and meeting customer requirements. Panasonic Projector and Display Europe CEO, Yousuke Adachi, said: “Panasonic Projector & Display Co., Ltd. continues to create innovative value and experiences, based on its proven technological expertise and extensive track record in the professional visual solutions business. As a global brand for large-format display systems, we are committed to meeting diverse customer needs across a wide range of markets - from digital signage in retail and public spaces to information displays in corporate and educational environments. By further expanding our LED display lineup, we aim to shape the next generation of visual experiences.”

Midwich Group launches global consultant portal

Midwich Group, a global network of technology distributors, has launched Consultant Connect, its new global consultant portal during ISE 2026, reinforcing its commitment to supporting and connecting the worldwide AV community. The portal was officially unveiled at an exclusive event held on Monday 2 February 2026 at El Xalet de Montjuïc, Barcelona, attended by more than 80 consultants from around the world. Created to streamline access to critical technical and industry information, Consultant Connect provides a unified plat-

form for consultants, vendors, integrators and end users, bringing together resources including product news, technical documentation, schematics, training opportunities and events – all curated to support consultants from early-stage design through to project delivery.

While Midwich Group does not sell directly to consultants, the launch of the portal reinforces the Group’s role in supporting and partnering with its customers and channel partners to connect information and expertise, enabling stronger collaboration across the AV ecosystem. Stephen Fenby, Midwich Group CEO, said: “Consultants play a pivotal role in shaping successful AV projects, yet historically they have needed to navigate fragmented sources of information and disconnected networks. Consultant Connect is our response to that challenge – a single, trusted space that supports consultants with the insights, resources and connections they need to deliver impactful outcomes across the AV ecosystem.”

Dino Drimakis, director – strategic development MESEA at Midwich Group, said:“ Consultant Connect is a bold and necessary step in connecting all stakeholders across the AV ecosystem. Consultants play a critical role in shaping the customer journey, and this platform equips them with the right tools to support and empower their work. Designed to simplify access, remove friction, and support projects more effectively, Consultant Connect reinforces our belief that when consultants are empowered, the entire industry benefits.” With the introduction of Consultant Connect, Midwich Group continues to invest in initiatives that empower consultants, foster collaboration and support the evolution of the AV industry globally.

Epson launches new professional display and education projectors

Epson announced two new projectors with a new lens range, expanding its line-up for both large-scale professional displays and education. The new products include the EB-XQ2030B, the world’s smallest and lightest 30,000-lumen 4K projector for high-brightness installation and rental applications, the EB-870Ei, a new interactive ultra-short-throw education projector, and a new series of lenses supporting the full high brightness projector range from 6,000 to 30,000 lumens. Epson is showcasing its new product launches within Infinity, a multi-sensory projection installation that invites visitors into an ever-shifting journey of light and colour. Inspired by the movement of a photon through space and time, the installation surrounds audiences with reflections, fluid motion, and brightness, demonstrating how projection can create immersive environments that engage the senses.

As the focal point of Epson’s ISE presence, Infinity brings together people, products, and ideas — illustrating the creative and experiential power of projection for large venues and digital signage. “At ISE 2026, we want people to do more than simply look at projection — we want them to see it and feel it,” said Massimo Pizzocri, Vice President, Epson Europe. “Our stand is designed to immerse visitors in the power of light, showing how projection can shape spaces, create emotion, and deliver experiences that go far beyond the screen. Whether in large-scale installations, signage, education, meeting rooms or home entertainment, Epson continues to push the boundaries of what projection can achieve.”

Epson launched the EB-XQ2030B, a new 30,000-lumen 4K projector designed for rental and staging, visitor attractions, themed entertainment, commercial signage, immersive spaces and digital art installations, as well as selected corporate and higher education environments. Designed to make 30,000-lumen projection more accessible, the EB-XQ2030B combines Epson’s 3LCD technology with 4K Crystal Motion to deliver ultra-high brightness and detailed 4K images in a compact form factor. Epson describes EBXQ2030B as the world’s smallest and lightest 30,000-lumen 4K projector, setting a new benchmark for versatility in this class. The EB-XQ2030B is aimed primarily at the rental and staging sector where transporting, rigging and deploying multiple high-brightness projectors is routine, but it is also intended for fixed installation projects where size, weight and installation flexibility are important.

Epson has a proven track record of growing and leading the market segments it enters. The combination of image quality, size, weight and price point is intended to drive further adoption of 30,000-lumen projection and support market growth across rental, staging and fixed installation applications. Epson’s drive towards producing lightweight, compact and more efficient

products without compromising on quality means that the environmental impact of the EB-XQ2030B is considered throughout each stage of the manufacturing process. This includes consideration of raw materials, packaging and waste products, energy consumption from logistics, storage requirements and operating power consumption. The EB-XQ2030B expands Epson’s market leading position in 4K projection to the 30Klm+ market, with an all-new flagship 30,000-lumen 4K projector. The EB-XQ2030B is supported by the new H Series lens range, a single, enhanced line-up covering brightness from 6,000 to 30,000 lumens. The new range features expanded throw ratio coverage and innovative new lens designs to fit an even wider range of installation environments. The EB-XQ2030B will be available in Summer 2026 (regional availability to be confirmed).

The EB-870Ei is Epson’s new interactive ultra-shortthrow education projector that builds Epson’s established range of interactive classroom models, including the EB-1485Fi, with updates designed to make installation and daily operation simpler, while supporting collaborative teaching and learning. EB-870Ei creates a large, bright, clear interactive display with an ultrashort-throw design to help reduce shadows and reflections providing a large interactive display for clear classroom viewing from any angle or distance within a classroom. To support modern teaching styles and device flexibility, the EB-870Ei includes a broad set of connectivity options design to support collaborative uses, including Epson iProjection, Miracast, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, enabling content sharing from multiple sources depending on classroom infrastructure and device preferences. The EB-870Ei UST education range offers fit-and-forget laser technology with improved resolution and sound. It uses Epson’s laser display technology to support long-term, low-maintenance operation. It also adds 4K Enhancement (4KE) resolution and improved sound, providing a step up in clarity compared with current Epson UST education models.

PPDS unveils configuration platform for Philips video wall design

PPDS has announced the latest advances in its unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled service, support and business opportunities to partners and customers around the world, with the launch of the brand new and ‘all inclusive’ Philips LED Configurator. Set unveiled and demonstrated for the first time at ISE 2026 the new and updated online Philips LED Configurator takes traditional LED configuration tools and capabilities to the next level, delivering effortless dvLED design opportunities, for seamless ordering and installations. Free to use and available exclusively to PPDS partners and customers worldwide, the intuitive Philips LED Configurator – hailed internally as the most comprehensive of its kind – lets customers effortlessly create and accurately visualise their creative ambitions, down to the finest specifications and details, on screen. Addressing and minimising common sources of complexity and inaccuracy in design workflows, the Philips LED Configurator allows partners and customers to select from PPDS’ full suite of indoor and outdoor Philips dvLED panels, factoring in their specific needs and re-

quirements for the project, including size, pixel pitch, brightness, and refresh rates, to name only a few. And that’s not all. PPDS has teamed up with some of the AV industry’s leading manufacturers of components – including producers of brackets, mounts, control boxes, data cables, light sensors, finishing kits, and more – so that customers can select a full range of components as part of the design process, ready to be ordered as part of the package. This optional ready to go approach eliminates any concerns around compatibility, while saving substantial time on research for solutions specific to a project. The final results – including components – will all be featured and presented on the platform, providing partners and customers a perfect visual representation of the results before a final decision is made. Available globally and tailored to specific markets, partners, and customers, the platform will provide a total cost of the components, which can then be managed as part of an overall project package. In addition, a standard version of the platform will be accessible and available to all via the PPDS website, with all enquiries and submissions being evaluated and discussed before being referred to an appropriate PPDS specialist partner. Marco van der Knaap, Head of Strategy and Transformation Philips dvLED at PPDS, commented: “The journey from creation to installation of LED walls can

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sometimes be a complex, and frustrating, experience, with many aspects to consider. Having worked in this space for over 25 years, I have seen and experienced them all, and these provided the foundations for the new Philips LED Configurator. We have designed the platform to be easy to use and virtually foolproof, with the intuitive menus making the entire process – from selection to design – universally usable.”

Jae O Choi Park, EMEA Commercial Head at PPDS, added: “The new platform provides a fast and simple opportunity for customers to take control of their ambitions, to experiment with ideas, and then, should they wish, to take things to the next stage with formal and detailed discussions around the project. With our certified and trusted select partner network, the customer will be safe in the knowledge that, should they wish to proceed, they will be partnering with the best in the business based on their project needs. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, ensuring the most positive outcomes and experiences.” Van der Knaap concluded: “With the Philips LED Configurator, you can create your complete solution in a single location and then visualise it perfectly on screen. That’s not always been the case on other platforms. Things like cables, control boxes, and mounts will change the aesthetics of a project design and, in some cases, make the final results look untidy, if not completely unfeasible. We took all these concerns for installers into account while creating a unified solution that delivers exactly on what it promises. Providing everything required for planning an installation, ensuring project ambitions are much faster and as hassle free as possible. This is a game changing new tool for our partners and customers, not only simplifying project creation and management but also in helping them win business they may otherwise not have been aware of.”

FEATURE

New Jabra expandable room solutions

Jabra announced new expandable room solution, a new range of scalable video collaboration solutions designed to deliver complete video and audio coverage across mid-size to large meeting spaces. Built to support clear, natural interaction, the room kits combine intelligent video, room filling sound and flexible expansion to help organisations create environments where every participant can equally take part in the conversation, no matter where they sit in the room. Jabra PanaCast Room Kits are available in configurations with one, three or five cameras, giving organisations the flexibility to choose the right setup for their space while maintaining a consistent experience across rooms. Each kit is designed to work as a unified system, allowing teams to start with a strong base configuration and expand as needs evolve.

At the core of the room kits is the new Jabra PanaCast 55 VBS, paired with the new Jabra PanaCast SpeakerMic and Jabra’s multi-camera technology. Together, they form an Android-based solution that is easy to deploy, simple to manage and designed to scale without adding complexity. For years, Jabra has empowered professionals with intelligent video solutions that make communication feel natural in any space. Jabra PanaCast Room Kits build on this expertise by giving organisations a flexible foundation that adapts to different environments and collaboration styles, ensuring a consistent and inclusive experience across every room. This solution reflects Jabra’s commitment to creating collaboration technology that supports the natural flow of conversations in meeting rooms. By combining panoramic video with multi-camera coverage, room-filling audio and intelligent framing, it delivers a more balanced and immersive experience that keeps participants engaged from any and every position in the room. Many multi-camera systems require extensive configuration and ongoing adjustment to perform well. Jabra PanaCast Room Kits take a different approach, with a plug and play design that simplifies setup and minimises the effort required to support and maintain rooms over time. Organisations can bring advanced multi-camera experiences into their spaces without the need for complex programming or specialist tuning. Jabra’s expandable room solutions include:

Jabra PanaCast 55 VBS

An evolution of Jabra’s Video Bar portfolio, the PanaCast 55 VBS adds expanded connectivity to support extension audio and multi-camera setups. It features a panoramic 180-degree video with intelligent framing and edge AI-powered features that enhance clarity and engagement, capturing the full room in a natural and balanced way.

Jabra PanaCast SpeakerMic

A new audio extension designed to bring Jabra’s professional sound deeper into the room. The Jabra PanaCast SpeakerMic captures voices evenly across seating posi-

tions and adds meeting room controls, helping conversations feel clear, natural and balanced throughout the room.

Jabra Cams

An AI-driven multi-camera system powered by Huddly Crew and now part of the Jabra portfolio. Using multiple vantage points, the cameras track the active speaker and capture the room more completely, creating a clearer and more immersive visual experience. Intelligent director modes allow meetings to focus on the person speaking or highlight group interaction, adapting dynamically as conversations unfold.

Together, these components form a unified room solution that can be scaled and configured to meet the needs of different settings. Organisations can add cameras or extend audio coverage over time without replacing the core system or redesigning the room.

Jabra PanaCast Room Kits reflect Jabra’s Scandinavian approach to simplicity and thoughtful engineering. This design philosophy extends to the packaging itself, which allows IT teams direct access to configure key components without unpacking the entire kit before moving the system into its final location. Plug and play setup makes it easy to bring rooms online with minimal effort. Supported by the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform MDEP, the solution delivers reliable and secure Android-based performance across rooms. Easy access to components, streamlined cable management

VITEC launches X-View integrated displays

VITEC has announced the launch of its X-View integrated display range, designed to simplify and enhance corporate communications and meeting room signage. X-View combines VITEC’s proven Avedia platform technology with purpose-built displays. The first product in the range, XV15, combines purpose-built display hardware with full compatibility with VITEC’s Avedia platform, delivering a clean, reliable and centrally managed signage solution for meeting rooms, public areas and workplace communications without the complexity of separate external players and power supplies. “Corporate environments demand signage that is informative, dependable and easy to manage at scale,” says Richard Bernard, Director of Product Management at VITEC. “With X-View, we have paired our trusted Avedia endpoint technology with display hardware to form a single, integrated solution. This enables businesses to deploy meeting room and corporate signage quickly and ensure consistent messaging across their workplace.”

and flexible mounting options support a smooth installation process and consistent results across deployments. More than thirty million professionals rely on Jabra solutions and that heritage carries into this next chapter of video collaboration. Jabra’s long-standing relationships with Microsoft, Zoom and other leading platforms ensure certification, compatibility and seamless meeting experiences. These partnerships give organisations confidence that their collaboration spaces are ready for today and built for the future. “Meeting spaces today need technology that supports people in a natural and unobtrusive way. With Jabra PanaCast Room Kits, we focused on creating room experiences that feel balanced and inclusive from every seat. By combining intelligent video with high-quality audio, we help organisations build spaces that support more natural interaction and confident participation, said Holger Reisinger, Senior Vice President, Jabra Video Business Unit. With Jabra PanaCast Room Kits, organisations gain a flexible path to building meeting spaces that evolve with their needs. A strong foundation, modular expansion and simplified deployment come together to create consistent collaboration experiences across every room.

The X-View range consists of integrated displays powered by VITEC’s endpoint technology, effectively embedding an Avedia media player directly inside the screen. Fully integrated with, and managed through, the Avedia platform, the displays offer the same control, monitoring and reliability customers expect from VITEC’s platform-controlled endpoints, supporting long-term, always-on operation in corporate environments. Two display sizes are available: a compact 11.6-inch model, ideal for installation outside meeting rooms, and a larger 21.5-inch display suited to broader corporate communications. Typical use cases include meeting room status displays, welcome signage, corporate announcements, event information and live data feeds.

X-View is optimised for non-interactive signage applications, ensuring focus remains on clear, glanceable information. Integration with Office 365 enables real-time meeting room availability and scheduling information to be displayed, supporting efficient room use and improving the visitor and employee experience. As part of the Avedia platform, the ArtioCreate application enables users to easily create and display customized meeting room signage for engaging and informative content. Installation is simplified through power-over-ethernet (PoE), removing the need for a separate power cable and helping create cleaner, more discreet installations. The displays also support video playback for dynamic content delivery.

Barco UniSee 500+ image perfection that saves energy, eyes and budget

Barco has announced the launch of Barco UniSee 500+, the successor to its widely deployed UniSee 500 LCD video wall platform. This new generation delivers a significant step-up in image quality while reducing power consumption by 25%, making it an ideal solution for demanding 24/7 control room environments, corporate boardrooms, and experience centres. The Barco UniSee platform has redefined professional LCD video wall technology since its introduction 8 years ago. With its groundbreaking NoGap technology eliminating bezels for a nearly seamless viewing experience, combined with the innovative UniSee Mount system that ensures precise, damage-free installation, the platform has earned widespread recognition and adoption. The Barco UniSee platform has won multiple awards (including the prestigious Red Dot Design Award) and is operating in thousands of installations around the globe.

Barco UniSee video walls are deployed in mission-critical control rooms, boardrooms, and corporate environments around the world, where reliability, image quality, and ergonomics are paramount. The platform has become the benchmark for LCD video wall solutions, combining superior performance with the lowest total cost of ownership in its class. Barco UniSee 500+ leverages state-of-the-art LCD modules to deliver exceptional visual performance. For the first time in the 500-nit segment, Barco UniSee 500+ introduces smart local dimming technology. This intelligent feature provides sharper image quality and more accurate visual information to operators: Enhanced inter-panel communication delivers a more uniform display experience across the entire wall, reducing visible boundaries and inconsistencies. Comprehensive colour, brightness and contrast calibration allows the video wall to be fine-tuned to perfection, ensuring consistent visual performance throughout its lifetime. In control room environments where operators monitor screens for extended periods, ergonomics directly impact performance and health. Barco UniSee 500+ addresses this with several key improvements. The platform now achieves EMC Class B certification for electromagnetic radiation – a significant upgrade from the previous Class A standard. This results in lower electromagnetic emissions, less interference with nearby equipment, and a safer and more compliant installation environment.

Heat radiation has also been reduced, contributing to more comfortable control room conditions and making the UniSee 500+ exceptionally well-suited for intensive, round-the-clock operations. Additionally, expanded software monitoring parameters offer a deeper insight into panel status and lifecycle indicators, which improves maintenance planning and minimizes downtime. Environmental responsibility and cost-efficiency

go hand in hand with Barco UniSee 500+. With 25% lower power consumption compared to the previous model, the new platform dramatically reduces operational costs and supports organizational sustainability goals – without compromising performance. The platform has also earned Barco’s prestigious A+ Eco score, reflecting its industry-leading sustainability credentials.

“Barco UniSee 500+ reinforces our position as the technology leader in professional LCD video wall solutions”, says Gerrit Vermeire, VP Product Management and R&D Display at Barco. “We’ve listened closely to our customers in control rooms and corporate environments who need exceptional image quality, outstanding ergonomics, and sustainable operations. Built on our award-winning platform architecture, Barco UniSee 500+ offers the most compelling value proposition in the mid-range LCD video wall segment today.”

Barco UniSee 500+ is TAA compliant and available for order from end Q1/2026 onwards through Barco’s global partner network. The platform maintains full compatibility with the proven UniSee ecosystem, including the UniSee Mount and InvisiMount (the recently launched mounting solution that offers a sleeker design, without visible wall crosses), and power supply options, ensuring seamless integration for new installations and upgrades.

Delta’s Digital Projection and Vivitek

Introduce the “Future of Professional AV”

Delta, a global leader in power management and smart green solutions, showcased offerings from its display brands Digital Projection and Vivitek at ISE 2026, emphasising performance, flexibility, and energy efficiency for ProAV, IT, system integrators, consultants, and control room professionals. A key highlight will be Digital Projection’s newly launched ultra-compact, 3-chip DLP TITAN Luma series, which offer brightness up to 37,000 lumens. Commenting on its presence at ISE 2026, Holger Graeff, General Manager of Display Solutions EMEA, said: “Our focus is to provide innovative display solutions via channel partners and consultants to end-users, with an ecosystem of industry-leading products, software and services. ISE 2026 is the perfect platform for attendees to witness this firsthand, and experience the strengthened synergy between Vivitek, Digital Projection and Delta Display Solutions across their respective defined market segments. We are also honoured and thrilled to celebrate Digital Projection’s impressive 30-year milestone, during which it has shaped the world of high-end projection solutions.”

Digital Projection, the award-winning specialist in highend, three-chip and single-chip DLP projection, will unveil its latest generation of laser illumination platforms.

The core focus will be the debut of the TITAN Luma series. These ultra-compact, 3-chip DLP laser projectors, deliver up to 37,000 lumens in a lighter chassis, making them perfect for large venues and simulation integration. Building on the success of its unique and unmatched Satellite MLS concept - which separates the light source from the projector head - Digital Projection will demonstrate its latest 8K-resolution model, offering users unparalleled flexibility. Pioneering single-chip RGB laser technology, Digital Projection designed the E-Vision series for applications where colour fidelity and durability are paramount, such as immersive art installations, projection mapping, and high-end home cinema. Those hardware breakthroughs are supported by new Nexus-powered software tools that use advanced algorithms for rapid, automatic calibration and blend for complex multi-projector arrays.

Serving education, corporate, government, hospitality, and small-to-large venue applications, Vivitek underscores its commitment to smart, collaborative environments with a series of major innovations across its Novo Ecosystem, interactive flat panel displays, and laser projection lineup. Vivitek continues to offer a wide range of all-in-one Android or Windows-based interactive NovoTouch panels for use in corporate and education environments, now with AI-assisted tools to enhance group collaboration. The unique NovoDisplay professional signage series now features AI-assisted content generation, automatic template adaptation, smart playlist recommendations, and predictive scheduling to simplify signage creation and management. Rounding out the portfolio, Vivitek will present new compact, high-brightness single-chip DLP laser D9000Z projectors offering up to 30,000 lumens. Focusing on the conference segment, the D5000Z Series now offers additional lens options, while in the large venue category the D8000Z Series enhances Vivitek’s position by offering exceptional performance and image quality. Developed with total cost of ownership in mind, the D8000Z Series is ideal for meeting rooms, classrooms, and medium-sized venues. Central to the Delta’s message at ISE 2026, is its commitment to sustainability. Both Vivitek and Digital Projection’s latest lineups feature significant improvements in power consumption per lumen.

Nureva adds coverage map and camera switching

Nureva Inc. announced a new coverage map and automated camera switching capabilities for its HDL310 audio conferencing system designed for large meeting and learning spaces. Powered by Nureva’s patented Microphone Mist technology, the HDL310 now uses coordinate-based (XY) sound location data and its unique coverage map to show exactly where voices are being picked up in the room. With these new HDL310 capabilities, IT managers and integrators can define camera zones, assign cameras or presets to each zone and monitor real-time microphone pickup - all from the Nureva App. As people move and speak in the room, the XY sound location data automatically triggers the corresponding camera so remote participants always see where the conversation is happening. When the room is reconfigured, users simply select the relevant preconfigured room profile in the Nureva App, and the system applies the correct zone coverage and camera switching settings without any need for manual recalibration.

Traditional camera switching solutions typically require multiple ceiling or table microphones, detailed DSP programming and manual calibration that must be reconfigured whenever room layouts change. The HDL310 system takes a different approach, combining its builtin Microphone Mist technology with the INOGENI CAM230 multi-camera selector to localise sound and automate camera switching. The HDL310 system’s coverage map provides IT managers and integrators with a clear two-dimensional view of microphone pickup points across the room, making it easy to validate coverage, fine-tune camera zones and troubleshoot issues without specialized tools or expertise. Nureva’s HDL410 system for extra-large rooms already has these same capabilities, which have been widely adopted to simplify multi-camera experiences in classrooms and meeting spaces up to 35’ x 55’ (10.7 x 16.8 m). The HDL310 now brings these benefits to large rooms up to 30’ x 30’ (9.1 x 9.1 m), giving IT teams a consistent workflow for cam-

era automation across the two systems. “As Nureva continues to transform and simplify large-room audio, extending our coverage map and camera switching functionality to the HDL310 system is a natural next step,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “These additional features will help our customers to create a more inclusive hybrid experience, where everyone in the room can be both heard and seen, without adding complexity to their AV stack.”

PPDS redefines elemental expectations for digital signage

PPDS has announced the launch of its new Philips Signage 2000 Series, bringing UHD digital signage back to basics. Unveiled at ISE 2026 this exciting new Series continues PPDS’ global efforts to deliver the broadest portfolio of visual solutions, supporting the range of needs and budgets while bringing powerful benefits and competitive advantages to customers of all sizes –from small independents to international conglomerates. Redefining and raising the bar for so called ‘standard’ signage displays, the Philips Signage 2000 Series brings together some of PPDS’ most acclaimed features, capabilities and technologies, ensuring maximum impact and control for installations in 16/7 dawn to dusk environments.

Guaranteed to make a positive impression – including installations inside retail stores, corporate offices, hotel lobbies, bars, cafes or restaurants, museum exhibits, school corridors, and more – the Philips Signage 2000 Series launches in a range of screen sizes to suit, including 43”, 50”, 55” and 65”. Portrait or landscape mountable, each display has been designed to pack a punch, equipped with a stunning 4K UHD, 400 nits of brightness, finessed with a stylish, even bezel design for a premium presentation. Andrea Barbuti, Global Product Management Lead EMEA at PPDS, commented: “At PPDS, we don’t believe in barriers, and we work hard to ensure we provide solutions that support the many, rather than the few. The Philips Signage 2000 Series brings signage right back to basics, equipped to support and satisfy simpler integrations that don’t require some of the bells and whistles found on our more premium offerings.”

Joining the Philips Signage 5000 Series and the Philips Stretch 3150 Series – both unveiled at ISE 2026 – the Philips Signage 2000 Series joins the ever-expanding professional Android SoC family of Philips Professional Displays. Powered by Android 14, offering trusted connectivity and security built in, as well as seamless integration and enhanced performance. Tailored to meet the unique needs of the customers and environment, the Philips Signage 2000 Series is optimised for native Android apps and enables users to install web apps and

software directly onto the display, eliminating the need for an external media player. Furthermore, the Philips Signage 2000 Series can be managed and monitored remotely using the newly upgraded Philips Wave platform. This evolutionary cloud platform puts AV/IT managers fully in control, with simplified installation and setup, monitoring and controlling displays, upgrading firmware, managing playlists, and setting power schedules.

For complete peace of mind – particularly for more demanding commercial applications – the Philips Signage 2000 Series also features PPDS’ exclusive FailOver technology, which ensures screens never go blank, automatically playing back up content on screen in the unlikely event of a media player failure. With versatility and flexibility at the heart of Philips Professional Displays, the Philips Signage 2000 Series adopts a future proof approach for customers, with its modular design bringing opportunities to add WiFi and Bluetooth with the optional CRD22 module, as well as PPDS’ all in one wireless content sharing solution, Philips ScreenShare.

This modular approach, together with Philips Wave, is ingrained in PPDS’ wider sustainability strategy, with a firm focus on reuse and recyclability, reduced WEEE disposal, while helping to save time, energy, and environmental impact during the lifetime use and management of displays. Barbuti added: “The Philips Signage 2000 Series is a great opportunity for businesses, whether upgrading older displays or dipping their toes into the technology for the first time, to reap the benefits and rewards available through digital signage, from a trusted global provider, at a budget that suits. At ISE 2026, we have redefined the perception of basic digital signage displays.”

Philips Wave brings new ‘finetuned efficiencies’ to partners

PPDS has announced the latest innovations of Philips Wave, with the evolutionary remote display management platform announcing a brand-new suite of ‘business critical’ enhancements, plus new time saving and opportunity generating configuration capabilities, at ISE 2026. Developed in house and trusted by leading organisations around the world, the cloud-based Philips Wave platform unlocks the full potential, versatility and intelligence of Android SoC Philips Professional Displays, while helping to inspire more sustainable business operations. Designed with flexibility and versatility in mind, Philips Wave provides a centralised system for AV/IT managers and system integrators – whether employed internally or as part of a service contract – to deploy, configure, monitor, manage, and maintain entire display fleets entirely remotely, with screens tailored to support the precise needs and requirements of the customer and environment. Since launching in 2022, Philips Wave has become the go to platform in retail, corporate, education, banking, insurance, transporta-

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tion, public venues, food and beverage, and more.

Concluding a series of headline hardware and software announcements at ISE 2026, the latest evolutions to Philips Wave have been hailed as the platform’s most transformational to date, bringing greater choice, value, and efficiencies to partners and customers alike. Among the flood of new updates for 2026 being showcased on Philips Booth 3N500 in Barcelona, Philips Wave now offers a wealth of new configuration tools designed to help take the hassle out of display set ups, saving substantial time, effort, and cost, while delivering on customers’ desired outcomes and ambitions. Tailored to the current and future needs of the market, system integrators and AV/IT management teams can create and/ or duplicate display configuration settings and then seamlessly deploy them to multiple screens – locally or around the world – at the click of a button.

Ensuring optimum performance at all times, new features, settings, applications, firmware, and software can be effortlessly scheduled and added – collectively or to specific displays – as they become available, all from a single centrally managed location. Trialled and perfected with several existing PPDS partners in recent months, the latest configuration tools have been proven to dramatically reduce installation times – approximately 75 per cent in some instances – saving on both effort and cost. Furthermore, Philips Wave also offers enhanced power scheduling opportunities by switching off screens when not required and adjusting the brightness to reflect the lighting conditions based on factors like the display’s location or even the time of year. This helps to ensure optimal viewing experiences of each display –whether indoors, outdoors, or exposed to changing light conditions (such as a retail store), while reducing energy consumption for a lower cost of ownership and extending product lifetimes.

Stuart Millward, Technical Director and UK Education Sales Manager at PPDS, who has initiated and managed the latest enhancements to Philips Wave, commented: “These new configuration updates will be a game changer, substantially simplifying and speeding up project roll out processes and reducing configuration errors, delivering greater value to our partners, and providing new revenue generating opportunities. This is another landmark moment in the evolution of Philips Wave.” Security has always been of paramount importance in Philips Wave, which now features powerful notification features. The system will automatically send live alerts to selected email addresses when a screen’s activity falls outside its defined parameters. Examples include when a display scheduled to be on is unexpectedly switched off or if it begins displaying incorrect or unauthorised content. The notifications provide 24/7 security and reassurance, further empowering system integrators and AV/IT managers to take immediate action and provide greater value as a platform and as part of a service contract. The notifications provide further peace of mind to partners and customers, with Philips

Wave already holding an ISO 27001 certification, which demonstrates PPDS’ commitment to safeguarding sensitive data and information and has measures in place to protect against current and future security threats.

Stuart Millward added: “Some customers will have fleets of hundreds or thousands of screens located around the world, and keeping a physical eye on each is a near impossible job. Philips Wave removes those obstacles by providing 24/7 monitoring and security, immediately alerting the right people to any suspicious actions or activities, empowering them in providing a proactive support service, identifying issues and resolving them quickly and efficiently. For system integrators, this, along with all the other innovative and extensive capabilities of Philips Wave, provides a compelling and invaluable service offering, giving businesses the confidence that their displays and investments are in good hands and driving results.” Ron Cottaar, Head of Global Marketing at PPDS, concluded: “At ISE 2025 we announced the rebranding of PPDS Wave to Philips Wave. This was more than just a name change; it was a marked shift in our visions and the capabilities we would offer through the Wave ecosystem, while furthering our total solutions commitment. Developed in house, our blueprint has also been led by the current and future needs of the market and responding accordingly and swiftly. The advancements over the past 12 months have been

incredible, and at ISE 2026, we are excited to demonstrate all the ways in which Philips Wave is the complete package for our partners and customers. The Wave keeps rolling, and our team continues to bring new features and evolutions to support our partners and cus-

Absen unveil groundbreaking innovations

Absen says it has redefined the future of visual solutions with an ambitious lineup of innovative products. Taking centre stage was a series of pioneering displays engineered for maximum portability, superior durability, and uncompromising visual performance across the corporate, rental, and fixed installation sectors. Absen’s presence at the show underscored its commitment to advancing Micro LED technologies, driving higher resolution and greater reliability into every type of display application.

The product showcase will feature significant upgrades across Absen’s core product lines, including: SA1.5 COB: SA1.5 is the next generation of the Saturn (SA) platform: a 1.5mm pixel pitch COB rental display. It features advanced flip-chip COB technology for stunning visuals and enhanced reliability. Built with a dura-

ble dual-layer die-casting magnesium cabinet, it’s designed for efficient rental operation, offering fast locking, full maintenance access, and backward compatibility with SA series accessories. It’s also a pioneering product that empowers small-pitch stage display screens with COB technology, leading the revolution in stage display.

CL V3 (Clear Cobalt Series V3): CL V3 is Absen’s flagship LED display, redefining the viewing experience with its peak visual performance. Utilising Micro LED technology and the industry-leading Black Matrix process, it achieves extreme pure black levels, delivering superb contrast. Furthermore, the panel-level integrated packaging offers comprehensive protection for core components, ensuring reliable performance in various environments and setting a new benchmark for professional display solutions.

AW Pro: this OOH innovation is an ultra-HD fine pitch display solution. It features flip chip COB technology with a pixel pitch of P1.25, delivering sharp, close view picture quality even outdoors. Built for all weather reliability, it integrates a streamlined design and smart cluster management to significantly simplify installation and maintenance, setting a new standard for urban streetscape aesthetics.

“ISE 2026 is where Absen’s next chapter comes to life. We’re advancing Micro LED and COB to deliver higher resolution and reliability across ProAV, Rental, and DOOH.” explains Tania zhao, Vice President, Absen. “We look forward to welcoming the industry to the Absen stand 3M400 in Barcelona to officially launch the next chapter in LED innovation.” Other featured products will include the PO Series which highlights Absen’s commitment to creative applications. These slim displays are crafted for high-impact use in retail environments, airports, stations and restaurant settings. Visitors to the Absen booth can expect to see a demonstration of true innovation with the debut of the X136F foldable screen. This all-in-one display takes the convenience of the popular Absen icon X series and introduces a revolutionary foldable design, promising to drastically simplify the logistics and deployment of large-format LED in corporate meeting rooms and educational environments. Absen’s 2026 lineup demonstrates a holistic approach to the industry’s evolving needs.

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LED Studio targets simulation and smart display markets

LED Studio unveiled two distinct new LED display technologies at ISE 2026 that expand the company’s offering into high-performance simulation and space-saving dual-sided signage. The company debuted OSIRIS, a purpose-built display platform for mission-critical simulation environments, and GEMINI, a unique double-sided LED system housed within a single ultra-slim cabinet. The launches signal LED Studio’s strategic move into application-specific innovation, with products engineered not just for image quality, but for the evolving needs of training, testing and public-facing communication. Making its debut at ISE, the 0.9mm OSIRIS display has been purpose-built for high-end, mission-critical simulation environments.

OSIRIS supports true 3D visualisation with an ultra-smooth 240Hz refresh rate and multiple point-ofview (MPOV) capabilities, making it ideal for immersive training, automotive development, and advanced simulation. Setting a new benchmark in curved LED technology, OSIRIS is the first flexible Chip-On-Board (COB) LED display engineered with a true, built-in precision curve. Unlike traditional rubber modules that are bent post-installation, OSIRIS modules are CNC-manufactured with an integrated curve, delivering consistent surface uniformity and long-term structural integrity. Visitors can experience OSIRIS in action through a high-performance driving simulator, delivered in partnership with Livewire. The demo highlights the display’s low-latency handling, 5G data capability and robust architecture, designed for minimal downtime. OSIRIS features full power and data redundancy and a magnetic front-service design that enables fast, tool-free hot swapping, ideal for demanding applications where reliability is non-negotiable. To mark the launch, LED Studio and Livewire will host a competitive simulator challenge at ISE with visitors competing for the fastest lap time, and the winner receiving an F1 racing experience. Also shown for the first time at ISE is GEMINI, LED Studio’s dual-sided LED display, housed within a single, ultra-slim 58mm cabinet. Unlike conventional solutions that place two cabinets back-to-back, Gemini is a purpose-built dual-display system engineered from the ground up for versatility and performance. Each side of

GEMINI operates independently, enabling fully customised configurations. For example, a high-brightness outdoor-facing screen can be paired with a fine-pitch indoor COB display, each showing different content tailored to unique environments or audiences. With a compact 500x500mm footprint and a 1:1 aspect ratio, GEMINI brings functional elegance to a wide range of retail, transport, and public information settings. Built with energy efficiency, ease of installation and front serviceability in mind, GEMINI simplifies deployment with integrated power and data connectivity while maintaining outstanding visual performance.

Ryan Austin Smith, Sales Director at LED Studio, commented: “At LED Studio, innovation is driven by purpose. OSIRIS and GEMINI reflect our commitment to solving real-world challenges with intelligent design, exceptional quality and total system reliability. These solutions not only push visual performance but also embody our values of sustainability, operational simplicity and long-term value for our customers.” In addition to the product launches, LED Studio will showcase displays powered by 7thSense, Navori, and Colorlight, highlighting the company’s strong technology partnerships and commitment to open integration. LED Studio screens will also be featured live on the Peerless-AV booth, further demonstrating the flexibility of its products across mounting solutions and real-world use cases.

SiliconCore and TRAK-KIT present LED displays in motion

At ISE California based LED display manufacturer SiliconCore is partnering with NYC TRAK-KIT to break spatial limitations with a dynamic moving display showcase. Booth 5H100 will feature two high resolution configurations from SiliconCore’s Enlighten COB Series on a TRAK-KIT Multi Panel System to demonstrate how displays can be reconfigured in an instant to change an environment or engage an audience. TRAK-KIT manufactures made-to-measure architectural dynamic mobile solutions that redefine the viewing experience to create flexible spaces with digital backdrops for a variety of use cases such as multi-purpose rooms, retail environments, digital signage applications, collaboration spaces and home installations. or flexible workplaces, these systems unlock an environment’s hidden potential with options to use displays as part of the architecture as in a divider or backdrop. The system can easily change the displays orientation from portrait to landscape to fit any presentation requirement, create different sized canvases for visual impact and then move displays out of sight when not needed. These systems can be custom and either manual or fully automated with precise presets to be controlled via typical automation products such as Crestron, Extron, AMX, Lutron, Savant and control via RS-232 or 485. For retail, digital signage and staging environments, kinetic display sequences can be

programmed to capture attention, reconfigure store environments and ensure messaging is strategically placed to enhance and inform the customer journey. The displays bringing this to life are SiliconCore’s Enlighten 0.9mm and 1.2mm displays. Enlighten is SiliconCore’s COB Series which delivers dvLED displays with the highest performance and ultra-low power consumption. This is achieved using the manufacturer’s unique and patented technologies, with the more advanced Common Cathode IQ. This reduces operational costs consuming 10-40% less power than comparable COB products and up to 50% less than SMD. Exceptional image quality, including colour uniformity and deeper blacks are achieved with SiliconCore’s ZACH technology and its LISA encapsulation method contributes further to the enhanced contrast ratios.

Shadi Shahrokhi, Chief Designer and FOUNDER of TRAK-KIT said: “We are excited to package our dynamic motion systems with the modularity and low power consumption of SiliconCore’s advanced LED technology. Together, we are delivering truly unique, large format dvLED displays that can move, rotate and transform spaces in ways previously considered impossible. By maximizing the modularity and visual clarity of dvLED displays, we are able to expand the creative potential for projects and physically transform spaces. In SiliconCore, we found a partner equally committed to innovation and sustainability. Their Common Cathode architecture and in-house driver chip development make their displays one of the best designed in the industry, which aligns perfectly with our goal to create flexible systems that are as smart and sustainable as they are visually impactful.”

Jim Wickenhiser, Chief Operating Officer at SiliconCore comments: “This collaboration with TRAK-KIT unlocks entirely new ways for dvLED displays to integrate into the built environment. By combining our Enlighten Series with their kinetic mounting systems, we’re enabling displays that not only move, but that serve as dynamic architectural elements, partitioning spaces, adapting to content needs and enhancing user engagement. It’s a perfect showcase of how SiliconCore’s ultra-low power, high-performance technology can be easily customized to support evolving spatial and visual requirements, whether in flexible workplaces, immersive retail or high-impact brand environments.”

AUO Display Plus to showcase nextgen smart retail solutions

AUO Display Plus (ADP) showcased integrated solutions designed to redefine retail experiences through sustainable innovation. Under the theme, ‘Design Without Limits’, ADP presented its AecoRetail suite, including AecoPost and AecoTag, empowering retailers with energy-efficient, smart display solutions that enhance customer engagement while reducing environmental impact. By showcasing a full range of ePaper displays at ISE, ADP will demonstrate how these solutions fit into real-world retail applications. “At ISE 2026, we’re not just displaying products – we’re demonstrating a vision for retail that’s immersive, eco-friendly and efficient,” says SH Liao, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Smart Retail Business Group at AUO Display Plus. “By combining cutting-edge display technology with software and complementary technologies, ADP enables retailers to create seamless, scalable experiences that delight customers and optimize operations for greater ROI and sustainability.” Solutions shown included:

AecoPost – unplugged, full colour ePaper solution

ADP will feature AecoPost: a lightweight, battery-powered ePaper signage solution designed for sustainable, long-lasting performance. Enabled by E Ink Spectra™ 6 technology and enhanced by ADP’s proprietary AecoColor+ algorithm, AecoPost delivers richer colours and paper-like viewing comfort. Requiring zero power to maintain a static image and backed by a long-lasting built-in battery, it ensures vivid visual impact with minimal energy use, embracing simplicity with installation flexibility without wiring.

Content management is flexible. Businesses can manage content centrally across multiple locations via a cloud-based platform, integrate with their own CMS through APIs, or use the dedicated mobile app for fast deployment and on-the-go updates. By adopting AecoPost, retailers streamline operations by eliminating the lengthy printing and delivery processes of traditional posters, significantly reducing costs, power consumption, and paper waste. This solution simplifies in-store communication while enhancing engagement and sustainability with powerful visual performance.

AecoTag – A sustainable ESL solution for modern retail AecoTag is a cloud-based electronic shelf labelling (ESL) solution that enables real-time, wireless price updates, dynamic promotions, and centralized control across retail locations. Pricing and content can be synchronized instantly from headquarters to stores, streamlining in-store operations to increase efficiency and accuracy.

Designed for operational scalability, the system supports deployments of up to 4,000 AecoTag units, ensuring reliable performance for large-scale installations. Its

ultra-low power consumption and long battery life contribute to a lower total cost of ownership, while also helping retailers reduce paper waste and labour costs, meet sustainability goals, and enhance the customer experience.

Beyond AecoRetail, ADP presented a further range of retail products at ISE, from ePaper, MicroLED, and Ultra-Slim LCD Signage to integrated CMS platforms. This offering represents a fusion of advanced display hardware, intelligent software, delivering integrated, future-ready experiences for global retailers and connected environments. ADP’s commitment to sustainable display innovation is powered by its strategic partnership with E Ink, the global leader in ePaper technology. This alliance enables ADP to integrate cutting-edge ePaper technology into its solutions. Demonstrating the strength of this partnership, E Ink’s eye-catching 75”Color ePaper Signage is featured at ADP’s showcase during ISE, - highlighting the vast potential of large-format ePaper for stunning advertising and information displays. Together, the companies are expanding the future of ePaper signage and will continue to collaborate on a more comprehensive product portfolio for global markets. As a dedicated display solutions provider, ADP is more than a technology innovator – it is a partner in building open, collaborative ecosystems. By uniting display hardware, scalable software platforms, and a robust network of partners, ADP delivers integrated solutions that empower diverse verticals sectors, including retail, education, enterprise, healthcare, and more.

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Alfalite celebrated its 20th anniversary at ISE 2026

Alfalite took part in ISE 2026 with a special showcase marking the company’s 20th anniversary. Under the slogan “20 years lighting the future”, where it presented both the evolution of its proprietary technology and its application in highly critical professional environments. Alfalite’s presence at ISE 2026 followrd a dual approach: on the one hand, a display of its LED technology in its purest form; on the other, an applied demonstration focused on control rooms, defence, security and broadcast—strategic areas for the company in this new phase. “Reaching 20 years as a European LED display manufacturer is a milestone that reinforces our way of understanding technology: in-house development, extreme reliability and a long-term vision,” says Jesús Cabrera, CEO of Alfalite. “ISE 2026 is the ideal setting to show not only how far we have come, but also where we are heading.”

Alfalite’s main booth at ISE 2026 (4Q300) will be entirely dedicated to the manufacturer’s own technology. Here, the company will present the most advanced portfolio developed over its 20-year history, with a clear focus on its highest-value technological solutions.

Among the highlights is UHD Finepix MATIX AlfaCOB and AlfaMIP, Alfalite’s premium solution for ultra-high-resolution fixed installations. Designed for corporate, broadcast and mission-critical environments, this series delivers advanced colour accuracy, high durability and a perfectly uniform visual finish, along with a design that simplifies maintenance and adapts easily to any environment. The booth will also feature Neopix MATIX AlfaCOB, the evolution of Alfalite’s professional rental range, developed for live productions, events and VP XR virtual production applications. This series combines a lightweight yet robust structure with fast installation and high operational reliability, maintaining consistent visual quality even in complex configurations. All these ranges incorporate MATIX technology, developed entirely by Alfalite, which enhances LED module protection, chromatic and luminance uniformity, thermal dissipation and overall system resilience—key fac-

tors in professional applications where service continuity is essential. In addition, visitors will be able to see Litepix, a well-established reference in the rental market thanks to its versatility and robustness, as well as Modularpix Pro, designed for demanding fixed installations in corporate, retail and entertainment environments. Located opposite the main booth, the company presented an applied demonstration based on UHD Finepix MATIX AlfaCOB, recreating a control room environment focused on defence, security and broadcast monitoring. This space will showcase real-time 3D graphics and secured, encrypted signal workflows, integrated within the Connectivity Ecosystem—a technology alliance formed with companies such as Brainstorm, Domo, Eutelsat, One Way, FOR.A, Dejero, Ontario Solutions and RGB Spectrum. The aim is to demonstrate how Alfalite’s LED technology integrates into complex infrastructures where continuous visualisation, redundancy and 24/7 reliability are decisive for accurate decision-making. “In control rooms and operations centres, there is no margin for error. Every component

matters,” explains Cabrera. “That’s why we have spent years designing LED panels intended to operate in a stable, redundant and continuous manner in environments where tolerance for failure is virtually zero.”

In addition to its two booths, Alfalite will also provide LED screens for the Ontario Solutions/Dejero Booth (4N550), as part of the Connectivity Ecosystem, further reinforcing its presence in the field of critical and advanced connectivity solutions. Alfalite’s participation in ISE 2026 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the company. After two decades of experience, Alfalite looks to the future with a clear commitment to proprietary innovation, mission-critical environments and the development of increasingly demanding visual experiences—particularly in professional television production, control rooms and strategic applications. “This 20th anniversary is not just a celebration, but a starting point,” concludes Jesús Cabrera. “We continue to move forward with the same passion as on day one, confident that the best of Alfalite is still to come.”

Christie Korus Series 1DLP projectors will debut at ISE 2026

Chriistie is pleased to announce the launch of Korus Series, a new range of 1DLP laser projectors that offer 4K UHD+ resolution and exceptional value in a versatile and compact package. The new series will be on display at ISE 2026, powering a dynamic projection mapping display in Hall 3, on stand 3K500.

With four models, including two TAA-compliant projectors, the new series features brightness up to 14,250 lumens. Powered by advanced 0.8” HEP DMD technology, these projectors unite stunning 4K UHD+ clarity, colour, and 1,500:1 native and 25,000:1 dynamic contrast with exceptional lumen-to-watt efficiency in a compact design. At just 38 lbs (17.2 kg), Korus Series is 30% lighter than comparative models, setting a new benchmark for portability in its class.

Korus Series combines omnidirectional flexibility, professional-grade features, and eight interchangeable lenses, including a Z-shaped ultra short throw lens, for complete installation freedom. Space-constrained and complex projects are simplified, and extensive connectivity powers seamless integration.

“We are excited to offer the ProAV industry a feature-packed and competitively priced 4K 1DLP laser projector series,” says Joel St-Denis, director of product management, Christie. “This new series stands out with 4K UHD+ resolution—in a platform smaller and lighter than comparable WUXGA projectors in similar brightness and class.”

Korus Series also supports both active and passive 3D with stunning depth and simplifies setup with built-in Twist™ for warping and blending, optional Mystique™ for camera-based alignment, and Christie Intelligent Camera compatibility.

Bang & Olufsen first look at its landscape speake

r Bang & Olufsen offered an exclusive first look at its forthcoming landscape speaker at ISE 2026. The preview marks a bold expansion to the brand’s architectural audio portfolio and an important step in Bang & Olufsen’s strategy to extend beautiful sound seamlessly into outdoor living spaces. “For more than a century, Bang & Olufsen has crafted products that elevate the home – shaping how design, technology and craftsmanship come together to create unforgettable experiences. Now, we extend that philosophy beyond the walls of the home as we preview our new vision for the future of architectural soundscapes in outdoor living,” says Nikolaj Wendelboe, Interim CEO of Bang & Olufsen, and continues:

“Our preview at ISE is an invitation for custom integrators and design professionals to experience how our landscape speaker connects seamlessly with our portfolio of speakers and TVs – and how it integrates into the wider home. I am excited to show how Bang & Olufsen continues to shape a world where beautiful sound elevates every space you call home.”

The new landscape speaker is the first outdoor solution conceived, designed and crafted entirely by Bang & Olufsen. Crafted from enduring materials and designed to withstand the elements, the speaker delivers powerful, precise outdoor sound with the same signature quality people expect from a Bang & Olufsen speaker. It also integrates seamlessly into Bang & Olufsen’s unified ecosystem, allowing listeners to move from room to room – and into outdoor spaces – with one coherent, continuous listening experience.

For integrators, the new landscape speaker offers flexibility and design-first thinking – supporting collaboration with architects and landscape designers while maintaining the uncompromising performance from Bang & Olufsen. Through Bang & Olufsen Atelier, which is also showcased at ISE, finishes can be tailored to complement landscaped environments and architectural aesthetics. Bang & Olufsen expects to launch its new landscape speaker by the end of 2026.

AV Stumpfl showcases PIXERA four GEN2 and new workflow tools

Austrian manufacturer AV Stumpfl returned to ISE with a major update to its PIXERA media server platform, headlined by the new PIXERA four GEN2 hardware and the forthcoming PIXERA 26.1 software release. The company will also present new configuration tools for both PIXERA servers and its range of projection screens.

Aligning with the ‘Push Beyond’ theme of ISE 2026, AV Stumpfl unveiled its most powerful media server solution to date in the shape of the new PIXERA four GEN2.

The flagship of the PIXERA line-up, the GEN2 series is designed to offer significantly more processing headroom for demanding real-time graphics applications and XR/AR broadcast and virtual production set-ups.

Alongside GEN2, the company introduced the PIXERA four GEN2 RS, a new media server platform optimised for rental/staging projects where ruggedness and reliability are paramount.

On the software front, AV Stumpfl will use ISE 2026 to showcase PIXERA 26.1, continuing its shift to a yearbased versioning convention introduced with PIXERA 25.x (2025). The change is tied to the company’s new Update Access Package (UAP) model, which provides customers with ongoing access to updates and bug fixes over a defined period. Existing PIXERA license hold-

ers can speak with AV Stumpfl staff on the stand about how the UAP model applies to their systems and how best to align future upgrades with their projects. Recognising the rapid adoption of IP video in broadcast, live events and installations, AV Stumpfl also demonstrated PIXERA’s latest SMPTE ST 2110 capabilities at ISE 2026, including support for Rivermax-based workflows and compatibility with Matrix Video.

On the projection screen side of the business, meanwhile, AV Stumpfl is putting significant weight behind its screens configurator, which aims to simplify the process of specifying and ordering complex screen systems. The new configurator is designed to make it easy for integrators to define the parameters of the screen (e.g. screen type, size, surface, frame and accessories) and generate a clear parts list and pricing in a single environment, streamlining what has traditionally been a complex order process. At ISE 2026, the configurator was demonstrated alongside new inline screen products, including the INLINE 125 DEK and INLINE 160 DEK models. These systems extend AV Stumpfl’s INLINE range of discreet, roll-up projection screens with additional size and installation options, giving designers more flexibility when integrating projection surfaces into corporate and architectural environments.

Alongside the screen configurator, the manufacturer also presented its PIXERA hardware configurator. This tool guides users through key decisions, including codec and resolution requirements, number and type of outputs, redundancy strategies and storage needs, and suggests the appropriate server solution based on those requirements. While AV Stumpfl is known throughout the industry for its responsive technical support, the company emphasises that much of its effort now goes into making that support almost invisible in day-to-day operation, reflected by its investment into tools such as the new configurators, as well as existing guides such as the PIXERA help centre. The ISE 2026 line-up reflects its customer-first philosophy, aiming to reduce the situations where users need to pick up the phone in the first place. “Our goal with the new products and configurators is simple: we want our customers to spend their time on creative and technical decisions that move their projects forward, not on wrestling with product choices,” commented Rainer Brandstätter, head of marketing for AV Stumpfl. “Over the last few years, we’ve invested heavily in tools, training and documentation so that, when someone comes to us with a specific challenge, we can respond quickly with solutions that we know will work in the real world.” He adds: “ISE has always been a place where we can have very concrete conversations about projects. With the new PIXERA models, updates to our software platform and our latest screen innovations, we’re in a stronger position than ever to support those conversations and we look forward to catching up with friends old and new in Barcelona.”

Closing the loop: Maroon 5 and the end of the analogue era

For 25 years, monitor engineer Dave Rupsch has occupied the high-stakes sonic cockpit for global icons like My Chemical Romance, Katy Perry, Megadeth, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nick Jonas and more. He has watched the industry undergo a digital revolution, seeing line arrays and consoles evolve into marvels of precision — yet one crucial link remained stubbornly tethered to the past. To Rupsch, a flawless, end-to-end digital IEM transmission was his “white whale” and the “utmost needed component to close the loop on modern concert audio technology”. This search felt like an elusive and unattainable goal for far too long.

That search came to an end during the 2025 Maroon 5 tour. While Rupsch had spent years relying on industry-standard analogue wireless systems, the increasing congestion of the UHF spectrum was becoming an unavoidable disruption. During the tour opener in Phoenix, a city notorious for its fully occupied radio spectrum, “The team found that environmental factors like noise floor and limited manoeuvrability were becoming unnecessary stressors while doing an already psychologically demanding job,” Rupsch explained. Seeking a premium experience for the band, Rupsch decided it was time to move beyond the limitations of traditional RF, and with the assistance of Clair Global, the Sennheiser Spectera system, the world’s first wideband, bidirectional digital wireless ecosystem, was put to the test.

The transition from a trial to a full-scale deployment with the entire band happened much faster than anticipated. Initially, Rupsch planned to ease into the technology, noting that “in the Wild West, the first guy through the saloon door is the one who gets taken out!” He placed only the crew and music director (MD) on Spectera packs, but the results were immediate. Within five minutes, the MD approached Rupsch to relay that the pack sounded fantastic before walking on stage to show the rest of the band, prompting them to immediately inquire as to why they weren’t yet using it. Rupsch recalled, “Our ‘trial period’ was about five minutes before Spectera ended up being used on every show of the tour.” The shift in audio quality was rooted in the absence of traditional analogue artifacts.

Rupsch noted that, “the absence of any analogue RF artifacts like noise floor, swishes, pops, or clicks allowed the performers to lean into the minute details of the mix.” The band’s studio engineer immediately responded to the spacious stereo imaging, while several band members commented that it was the clearest they had ever heard themselves. Beyond the leap in sonic fidelity, Spectera’s architecture has fundamentally redefined the monitor workflow for Dave Rupsch. A key efficiency is the move from traditional BNC to standard Cat 5 cabling for antenna deployment. “Cat 5 is so much more pliable and easier to coil,” Rupsch noted. “It’s now possible to add these to our cross-stage looms without the signal loss or interference typically associated with long

analogue runs.” Because these antennas are smaller and lighter than conventional helical models, they can be easily claw-mounted to scaffolding anywhere on site. The system’s ability to “bend” around corners and walls is driven by its high-density network of multiple antennas. For the Maroon 5 arena tour, Rupsch utilized a four-antenna setup - placing units at stage right, stage left, the thrust, and backstage. This configuration ensured Adam Levine remained connected even when moving through the crowd, upstage, or into the dressing rooms. Rupsch recommends a minimum of three antennas for standard arena stages to ensure a stable connection the moment an artist puts on their pack backstage. This multi-point strategy creates a powerful network that maintains signal integrity through physical barriers, providing seamless coverage across the per-

London to host the world’s largest Pixar immersive exhibition

London is to host the world’s largest immersive exhibition celebrating Pixar Animation Studio. The exhibition runs from 13 February until June and is open every day except Tuesdays. Daily time slots begin at either 9am or 10am (depending on the date) and run until 7pm. During UK school holidays, the exhibition is open daily, in-

formance area and the arena concourse.

As Rupsch looks toward a massive 2026 stadium tour with My Chemical Romance, Spectera has elevated from a curiosity to a necessity. He plans to carry two Base Stations to handle large-scale environments and performers with headset mics who can “take advantage of Spectera’s dual transmit and receive features.” For Rupsch, this marks the end of a fifteen-year wait for the industry. “We as engineers and RF coordinators have been waiting for these advancements to reveal themselves,” he reflects. By delivering a quality, clean, sonically satisfying digital IEM transmission, the “white whale” has finally been caught, providing the reliability and purity that the modern stage demands.

cluding Tuesdays. Mundo Pixar Experience offers fans of all ages a chance to enter the universes of Pixar’s most iconic films and relive the stories that have shaped generations up close. Following its record-breaking success in Brazil, Mexico, Belgium and Spain, where it welcomed over 3.2 million visitors and received widespread

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acclaim, Mundo Pixar Experience will now arrive in the UK for the very first time. The Experience also launches ahead of the release of two brand new Pixar films coming to cinemas in 2026, the new original “Hoppers” in March and the eagerly anticipated “Toy Story 5” in June.

Set in a purpose-built venue in Wembley Park, the exhibition will span more than 3,500 square metres, and will feature 14 Pixar universes including over 25 sculptures, inviting guests to explore meticulously recreated environments from “Toy Story”, “Monsters, Inc.”, “Cars”, “Finding Nemo”, “Inside Out”, “Coco”, “Up”, and many more fan favourites. Each space combines detailed set design, ambient music, and specially crafted scents to immerse visitors in Pixar’s most beloved stories.

An exhibition by Golden Peak Live Entertainment, in collaboration with Proactiv Entertainment, RG Live, Senbla, and Luna, the London edition will also include a brand-new room created exclusively for this stop on the world tour — debuting for the very first time at Wembley Park and offering a unique experience available only in the UK. Visitors can shrink down to toy size in Andy’s Room “Toy Story”, explore the Scare Floor at “Monsters, Inc.” with Mike and Sulley, race into Flo’s Café from “Cars” to meet Lightning McQueen, or soar through the skies with Carl Fredricksen from “Up”. They can also visit the Headquarters of Riley’s emotions from “Inside Out 2”, and journey from “Coco” Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead. Beyond the immersive sets, guests can take part in a special Pixar Ball Treasure Hunt, searching for the famous yellow ball with a red star hidden throughout the exhibition — a playful nod to the beloved Easter egg that appears in many Pixar films.

Mundo Pixar Experience is accessible for visitors with motor, hearing, visual, and neurodivergent disabilities, ensuring that everyone can share in the creativity and joy of Pixar’s storytelling. This trailblazing exhibition is a heartfelt journey through 40 years of imagination, emotion, and innovation - celebrating the timeless stories that continue to inspire children, families, and fans around the world.

PSV Eindhoven upgrades the fan experience with four new dvLED scoreboards

PPDS has announced its latest major sporting collaboration, having been selected to deliver four new cutting edge outdoor dvLED scoreboards inside the 35,000 capacity Philips Stadion, home of Dutch football team PSV Eindhoven, for ‘game changing’ fan experiences. PSV Eindhoven (Philips Sport Vereniging) – is one of Dutch football’s most successful teams, boasting proud local and domestic records, including 26x league titles and a number of UEFA and European Cups. At the time of writing, the team sits top of the Eredivisie league table, seeking their first championship win since 2023.

More than a simple collaboration, PSV Eindhoven’s association with Philips is now entering its 113th year, with the club founded by Philips employees – and Philips itself founded in Eindhoven – back in 1913. As the club’s biggest supporter, Philips is recognised by the Guiness World Records as holding the longest sponsorship partnership in sports history, reflected in the stadium branding and on the club’s shirts.

As a modern, world class multifunctional arena (including concerts), offering state of the art amenities and an unforgettable atmosphere for its passionate army of fans, the Philips Stadion management team sought new ways to deliver an enhanced matchday and event experience, with digital displays central to its ambitions. After 12 years, and with visual technology advancing significantly, the stadium’s existing P16 Philips LED walls within the Philips Stadion no longer met the needs and requirements of the club, nor expectations from fans. Having previously upgraded the club’s corporate areas with an array of Philips signage and interactive displays, PSV Eindhoven once again approached PPDS to find a

solution.

Concluding a number of consultations and stadium visits, the key requirements for the project included uncompromised high quality performance, with maximum reliability and flexibility. Along with this, screens needed to be seamlessly adaptable to various hosted events (beyond football), ensuring clear, engaging displays throughout the stadium. Sustainability was also a core focus for PSV Eindhoven. Bringing on board local AV and technical specialist and PPDS Partner, Mansveld Techniek, the new Philips Urban LED 6000 Series was the standout choice. Tailored to meet the exact needs of PSV Eindhoven’s AV/IT, the Philips Urban LED 6000 Series boasts a 6.67-pixel pitch and 10,000 nits of brightness — an epic five times step up from the previous 16 pixel pitch, while also doubling the original 5,000 nits. Each wall delivers high contrast and high refresh rates of 7680hz for smooth visual reproduction – including live broadcasting – with more colour subtlety, shading, and saturation.

With inclement weather in Europe, the Philips Urban

LED 6000 Series walls inside the stadium can withstand anything Mother Nature throws their way, with the reassurance of an IP65 rating – resistant to water and potentially hazardous or corrosive airborne pollutants –and uncompromised performance in subzero conditions down to -20°C (-4°F), or extreme temperatures of up to 50°C (122°F). Each wall is strategically placed for fans with up to 30 meter viewing distances, rather than the more traditional two videowalls positioned at each end of the stadium. This ensures optimum viewing experiences for fans located anywhere in the stadium. Completed in just three weeks, ahead of the start of the 2025/26 Eredivisie season, the new 8m x 4.5m walls also operate with a power consumption of 18kw. This brings immediate cost of ownership savings when compared to each of the original walls’ 23kw power consumption.

This collaboration ensured the new solutions were seamlessly integrated and tailored to the specific needs of the Philips Stadion environment, supporting the stadium’s reputation as a premier venue in the Netherlands. Sjors van den Boogaart, Director of Philips Stadion commented: “After more than a decade of service, our displays have made way for the new LED walls in the Philips Stadion, delivering a huge leap in image quality and brightness, which perfectly aligns with our ambitions for innovation. Fans now experience sharper visuals, while installations continue to support dynamic and impactful content.” Koen Vroomen, Sales Manager Benelux at PPDS, added: “Continuing PPDS’ enviable association and affiliation in designing and providing tailored dvLED solutions to some of the world’s leading professional teams – with FC Barcelona, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Harlequins RFC among those made public – we were delighted to be part of this exciting project. When Philips was established in 1891, it was with a vision to bring cost effective electrical innovations to the world. What better way to celebrate that vision than by bringing the latest outdoor Philips LED innovation back into the Philips Stadion and continuing to showcase high performance and innovation to the world.”

Oxford University’s new Schwarzman Centre

Designed by Hopkins Architects and opened in October 2025, Oxford University’s Schwarzman Centre boasts all the facilities expected of a leading educational institution. Alongside the Bodleian Humanities Library, plus research and lecture facilities, are world-class spaces for the development and performance of music and arts, equipped with sound solutions from d&b audiotechnik. Its showpiece venue, the Sohmen Concert Hall, is intended primarily for unamplified orchestral presentation, but in order to host amplified performances when needed, it is equipped with d&b’s new CCL system, which brings cardioid performance to a new class of compact line array. Elsewhere, in the versatile, experimental space of the Black Box Performance Lab, the latest multimedia presentation technologies include a versatile rigging grid and a flexible, immersive d&b Soundscape sound system.

Leading theatre consultancy Charcoalblue, who had led the design of technical performance infrastructure, was asked to consider sound systems for the Concert Hall and the Black Box. Charcoalblue’s Paul Franklin and Dicky Burgess knew that the Concert Hall’s need to be multi-use would call for a compromise of sorts. Burgess says, “They needed a top-quality mobile solution – a PA that was deployable, not permanent, because architecturally, the room is beautiful.” The Black Box, meanwhile, needed a playback system with enough processing and source flexibility to reproduce the ‘immersive’ mixes created in the centre’s Dolby Atmos-equipped music studios. Once d&b audiotechnik was chosen to provide the solutions – not only for its product quality, but also for its commitment to ongoing involvement with the facility – Creative Technology was selected to supply and install the solutions. Burgess recalls, “CT’s tender stood out both for the level of support

they would give to the project, and also for their impressive track record with Soundscape.”

d&b’s new CCL (Compact Cardioid Line Array) was chosen for the Concert Hall’s deployable main PA, consisting of two mobile ground-stacks, left and right, each of two CCL-SUBs, two CCL12 and one CCL8. Additionally, 44S cabinets provide front-fill, Y7Ps cover the balcony, and a combination of E8 and E6 boxes covers the choir stalls. M6 monitor wedges and a B6-SUB (for drum-fill) are available for the stage, and D40s are the chosen amplifiers. “The size was one of the main reasons for choosing CCL, but also the cardioid technology,” says Burgess. “The amount of sound produced by those small cabinets is quite amazing.”

In the Black Box, the d&b Soundscape system comprises three 360˚ ‘rings’ of d&b 8S loudspeakers – 16 on the lower ring, 16 on the middle, and another nine, plus two 21S-SUBs, in the ceiling. The choice of Soundscape was aided by the imminent release of d&b’s new software, Create.Control. A major step forward for d&b Soundscape, Create.Control’s intuitive visual interface offers extensive sound object and show control possibilities. Crucially for this application, it includes control of the Z-axis in the Soundscape environment –essential for the required Atmos playback. James Frost, project engineer for Creative Technology, says, “Create.Control is a huge improvement in the d&b ecosystem, making Soundscape more approachable.”

The Schwarzman Centre signals a new phase for Oxford University’s cultural ambitions. Its new programme will draw creatives and thinkers from around the world to focus on experimentation and co-creation together with Oxford’s communities and academics, enhancing artistic endeavours for generations to come. Thanks to the expertise and attention of d&b audiotechnik and Creative Technology, as the university explores new possibilities for art and sound, it will have at its disposal one of the finest resources in Europe.

Sennheiser supports the resurrection of Notre-Dame with Spectera

After the terrible fire, it took only five years of – albeit extremely intensive – work to rebuild the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Novelty, the integrator responsible for re-equipping Notre-Dame, was consulted two years prior to the cathedral’s reopening to supply a new sound system, with the specifications calling for expanded coverage while keeping all technical equipment as discreet as possible. After an in-depth study, it became clear that only Sennheiser’s Spectera wideband wireless system ticked all the boxes of the stringent specifications. When David Créteur, project lead at Novelty, started to look into the RF wireless equipment for the cathedral, he quickly realised they needed a new solution that would satisfy the demands that came with the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris. The new specifications included sound reinforcement for mobile celebrations, where the priests or the archbishop would move about whilst still being heard clearly without any dropouts. In addition, the use of new spaces such as the side chapels had to be factored in. In a nutshell: RF coverage had to be ensured throughout the entire length of the cathedral, from the entrance of Notre-Dame to the chapel of the Crown of Thorns reliquary located at the very back, and across its width, where obstacles like wooden partitions and massive stone pillars had to be overcome.

Beyond ensuring reliable RF coverage across almost the entire cathedral, Créteur was looking for a system that was discreet and easy to operate, knowing that Notre-Dame has to combine spiritual life with welcoming the public. As a place of worship, Notre-Dame de Paris has always been freely accessible to all. “Notre-Dame is a place of sharing open to all visitors, whether they wish to attend a service or just want to walk under its vaults,” says Laurent Prades, technical manager of Notre-Dame de Paris. “This is what makes this cathedral so unique: It welcomes the whole world, worshippers and visitors alike, with services being held during visits, and visits continuing during services.”

In practice, Notre-Dame remains a place of prayer and contemplation for the thousands of worshippers who can attend five services every day of the week. But it is also a place open to the public 12 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. One of the special features of Notre-Dame is the fact that the cathedral is open to the public the entire week. While mass is celebrated at the centre, a consistent stream of visitors circles around the priests. In view of the new requirements and the exceptional operating conditions, the question was which wireless system to use? Notre-Dame’s old system relied on an analogue two-channel Sennheiser 3000 series receiver and a pair of active directional antennas placed at the centre of the liturgical podium. This heritage system was testament to the effectiveness and long-term reliability of Sennheiser wireless, but given the area to be covered, Créteur felt it was time to move on from analogue: “Instead of working only along

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the axis, we now had to cover almost the entire cathedral, which is just over a hundred metres long from the entrance to the back and almost 50 metres wide at the transept. With the digital wireless technologies we were familiar with, we could have done it, but we would have had to multiply the number of antennas to a total of at least eight to be placed throughout the building, and then connect them with long lengths of cable. To compensate for the rigidity and line losses associated with copper coaxial cable, we would have had to use costly fibre extension solutions, which would potentially have led to problems with combining antenna pairs and zoning. Ultimately, the installation would have been quite complex, requiring the use of numerous devices, with the added difficulty of having to activate and deactivate zones manually.”

Knowing that the installation had to run autonomously, without the constant intervention of a technical manager, Créteur had to find another solution. Turning away from traditional RF wireless technologies, which were decidedly too complex to implement, Créteur briefly considered switching to a DECT-based solution. Then, during a chance encounter with a Sennheiser presentation, he discovered the possibilities offered by Sennheiser’s WMAS implementation, the new Spectera system: “The further we got into the presentation, the more Spectera seemed to solve the problems one by one, and to perfectly meet the specific requirements of our project by considerably simplifying the system and its installation. First of all, unlike traditional wireless systems, Spectera does not need diversity, so with comparable or even superior coverage, we can go from eight antennas to four, which halves the cabling. Secondly, the antennas combine perfectly without the need for a technician to intervene, eliminating the operational difficulties associated with zoning. And finally, the antennas are connected via Ethernet cables, a standard that is easier to integrate and more affordable than coaxial cable.”

Unlike traditional RF wireless systems, Spectera does not employ diversity, which halved the antenna requirement for Notre-Dame However, in view of the specifications, the team planned to wire the entire Notre-Dame cathedral with fibre rather than RJ45: “When Sennheiser confirmed that a fibre extension works perfectly by simply adding a fibre media converter from the list of models they had tested, we realised that Spectera was the solution we were looking for.” In a historic site such as Notre-Dame, any technology used must be both durable and virtually invisible, as Alain Richon, project manager for the sound system for the diocese in the cathedral, points out: “Every cable path was carefully considered with the architects, and to anticipate future developments, it seemed logical to opt for fibre. In this context, a system like Spectera, which is based on technologies from the world of telecoms and networks, fits perfectly with this vision.”

On paper, the further the study progressed, the more the system seemed perfectly suited to Notre-Dame de Paris, but the stability of Spectera’s RF transmission still

had to be verified on site. A full-scale test was therefore organised in early 2024 in a cathedral still under construction: “We were all dressed in white overalls,” recalls Créteur. Together with Sennheiser’s Hadrien Soulimant (Business Development Manager Professional Audio) and Charly Fourcade (Technical Application Engineer Pro Audio), Créteur set up a test configuration in the middle of the scaffolding. In parallel, a test span was created to check the visual appearance and audio quality of the sound system. Results were very promising, but still the tight renovation schedule had to be met. Exceptional circumstances called for exceptional measures, and so, in autumn of 2024, Sennheiser delivered a temporary, pre-production configuration comprising a Spectera Base Station and three SEK bidirectional bodypacks. While waiting for the handheld transmitter to become available for Spectera, a Digital 6000 wireless system was also deployed, comprising a two-channel receiver and two handheld microphones. Today, liturgical life has resumed at Notre-Dame, with rhythm given by the five daily services. “Every morning before the first mass and every evening after the last mass, worshippers and visitors are welcomed in the narthex for the Angelus prayer,” explains Prades. On the technical side, the choice of microphone varies ac-

cording to preference, with some priests using a handheld microphone and others a bodypack transmitter with an MKE 40 clip-on microphone, which is appreciated for its discretion and sound quality. The cathedral also has an audiovisual control room, from which the teams of television channel KTO provide daily broadcasts. “When unobtrusive sound capture is required, the microphone chosen for the altar of Notre-Dame, the MEB 114 boundary microphone, is the most suitable because it is both aesthetic and precise, with very consistent directivity across the entire spectrum. The wireless microphones can also be used for the hosts of concerts by the “Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris” choir, which the “Musique Sacrée à Notre-Dame de Paris” association organizes every Tuesday.”

Notre-Dame’s technical rack is strikingly simple and compact, with the Spectera Base Station occupying a single rack unit while allowing the use of up to 32 microphones and 16 stereo IEMs. With a traditional system, the necessary components would have required much more space and higher electricity consumption. Spectera directly integrates with a DiGiCo console via Dante, using a 4ERA4 matrix, which allows for simple and smooth transport and distribution of audio channels to the console. Initially planned to be located on the gallery

at a height of around ten metres, the four antennas were ultimately brought down, providing very stable coverage throughout the cathedral. Occupying just one unit in the technical rack, the Spectera Base Station (in the middle) may look very compact, but it can handle up to 32 mic channels and 16 stereo IEMs. A classic narrowband system would have demanded much more space and would have had higher current consumption As soon as the installation had been completed, David Créteur was already planning its future: “There may be occasions when priests need to speak in front of the church. In this case, a fifth antenna would be needed, and we might add that. We already tested such a scenario live, and simply took antenna 4 outside during operation. It worked without having to restart the system.” Spectera allows Créteur to look at future usage scenarios with confidence: “Spectera gives us the freedom to accommodate a larger number of bodypacks, either permanently or on a rental basis for one-off events in the cathedral. We could also reroute additional channels to the outside to facilitate the work of our regular partners KTO or Radio-France, who often come to Notre-Dame. In addition, thanks to its bidirectionality, Spectera offers new possibilities for sound engineers. When they need to move around to make level adjustments from their tablet, they can now press a PFL (Pre Fader-Listening) button and hear it directly through their headphones plugged into an SEK bidirectional bodypack. Even though these uses were not originally requested, we’ve realised that these features can be really useful, and why not take advantage of them since they are already included?”

Italian greats in ‘Musica per una fine’

When a forgotten piece of music by composer Ennio Morricone featuring a magnetic tape recording of poet Pier Paolo Pasolini was unearthed, K-array and SZ Sugar embarked on a historic journey to revive a masterpiece from two of the greatest creators in 20th century Italian culture - and share it with the world.

The spellbinding moment in which Maestro Ennio Morricone’s music intertwines with the words of Pier Paolo Pasolini, performed live for the first time by an orchestra in the evocative setting of the Teatro Verdi in Florence, is captured in a unique new documentary: “Musica per una fine”. A special project by the globally renowned manufacturer of audio technologies K-array, curated by WE RAD, the documentary is now available online with free access. “Intelligence will never carry weight, never / in the judgment of this public opinion (…) every idea is unreal, every passion unreal”. The work opens with these stirring words, spoken by the late poet Pier Paolo Pasolini, as the renowned late Morricone’s music enters—clear and gentle—embracing the listener in a feeling of profound completion.

Conceived by Andrea Torelli of K-array and Anna Leon-

ardi of music publishing house SZ Sugar in a meeting of minds, the documentary recounts the story of this special project and goes behind-the-scenes of the first live performance of the choral and orchestral version of the piece. A journey through art, sound, and memory, the composition is performed by the musicians of the Orchestra della Toscana and the voices of the Harmonia Cantata Choir, conducted by Raffaele Puccianti, live at the Teatro Verdi in Florence. Bringing together two giants of twentieth-century Italian culture in Morricone and Pasolini, the work comes alive through images, emotions, and the testimonies of those who made it possible. The documentary concludes with moving words of gratitude penned in a handwritten letter from Maria Travia, Ennio Morricone’s wife.

The documentary is the first episode in the “Beyond Sound Towards Meaning” series, a cultural sharing program which invites audiences to rediscover sound as a universal language. The series will explore the role of sound as meaning, delving into the artistic and ethical values of works while technology remains invisible. Care and responsibility, truth and delicacy are the principles that guided K-array in restoring the essence of Morricone’s work and the value of Pasolini’s text, allowing people to fully experience their important cultural legacy. “When we were given the opportunity to take part in this project, we immediately felt deeply moved by what it represents,” said Andrea Torelli, Marketing Director at K-array. “We soon realized that it was not at all distant from the context in which we work every day—it touched us profoundly. Faced with such an important artistic message, we could act as the medium through which this work might reach a new audience. The ‘end’ referenced in the title should not be understood solely in a negative sense, as the end of what unites us today amid many conflicts, but as an appeal for a necessary new beginning, through the language of culture—which is not a luxury, but a right and a responsibility.”

The composition by Morricone is structured as a score for a mixed four-part choir and orchestra, combined with a tape recording of a text by Pasolini taken from his poem “Gli italiani”. “Accustomed cowardice, used to seeing others die in the most atrocious way, with the strangest indifference,” declares the poet, striking with his stark analysis of the Italian people. The undeniable civic value of the poem is reaffirmed today in a national and international context that is different, yet equally tense and conflict-ridden. Bringing it back to light by enhancing its lucid content is an artistic and historical gesture of impact, not intended to be celebratory or absolving. The piece originally appeared in the end credits of the soundtrack composed by Morricone for the film “Pasolini, un delitto italiano” by Marco Tullio Giordana (1995). It was Morricone himself who extracted this segment, which then went on to live a life of its own. Upon closer listening, the work reveals the coexistence of the Maestro’s two artistic souls: the cinematic one— present in the first instrumental section, evocative and

narrative in nature—and that of absolute music, in the second part, constructed as a psalm for choir and orchestra.

It is a perfect example of the dualism that characterized Morricone’s artistic life: from music for the screen loved by the public, to pure, experimental, and structural compositions, which earned him critical and academic recognition. “Musica per una fine” is one of the rare works in which these two sides of Morricone unite, a reconciliation which makes it an artifact of extraordinary value.

Studio Haifax deploys CODA Audio VCA system for Jan Smit

Dutch singer Jan Smit has been a household name in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany for almost three decades. A recording career which began at the age of just ten has seen Smit become a hugely popular, chart-topping star, who as well as playing to packed arenas, also enjoys a successful TV career as a coach on The Voice of Holland amongst other commitments. Smit recently celebrated his forthcoming fortieth birthday with a show at the AFAS Dome in Antwerp where an audience of 12,000 delivered several standing ovations during a boisterous fun-packed evening. Experienced audio specialist Studio Haifax was engaged by organisers House of Entertainment to take care of the show’s audio, and supplied a CODA Audio system.

System Engineer Lennert Van De Velde of Studio Haifax took care of the project: “We are a trusted partner of

House of Entertainment, and have worked at this arena a few times, including on a previous Jan Smit show. For this event we designed a system based on CODA Audio’s VCA ‘family’ of line arrays - ViRAY, CiRAY and the flagship AiRAY.” Studio Haifax has an extensive inventory of CODA Audio and in addition to exceptional sound quality, places a high value on its compact, easy-to-rig nature, which once again proved invaluable according to Lennert: “CODA was the logical choice for this show. The ease with which in can be rigged is always a positive for an arena show like this and the form factor really comes into its own in a show where moving LED walls play a significant part. It was very important to keep clear sightlines, and the VCA family’s compact size really helps without any compromise on output. The AFAS Dome is an acoustically challenging space but System Optimiser (CODA’s proprietary prediction software) made it very easy to design the system, make adaptations, and predict coverage accurately. All the predicted data translated very reliably into the real-world application.”

Studio Haifax deployed a main PA comprising 10 x AiRAY per side (8 at 90° and 2 at 120°), with a further 14 x AiRAY (90°) per side as outfill. 12 x AiRAY (90°) per side acted as delays, with 8 x ViRAY (120°) per side as outfill delays. 10 x CiRAY (90°) provided further delays, with frontfills of 12 x ViRAY (120°). 3 x N-RAY acted as balcony outfill. The low end was provided by 20 x SCV-F sensor-controlled subs per side flown behind the outfill arrays, supplemented by 30 x ground stacked SCP sensor-controlled subs. The system was powered by CODA Audio’s LINUS DSP amplifiers. Lennert sums up another highly successful show: “The combination of a cardioid flown SCV-F sub-array behind the AiRAY system, together with the ground-stacked SCP cardioid sub-array, made for very good control of the low end of the spectrum. By adopting this design, we could keep levels on stage pleasant for the artists, and keep low frequency energy away from the empty reverberant areas. The compact high output of the AiRAY, CiRAY, and ViRAY systems provided plenty of headroom and very nice coverage of the venue, without impacting the visuals of the show.”

Global Sales and Marketing Director for CODA Audio, David Webster, comments: “Studio Haifax is a valued customer of our Benelux distributor Viladco, and do consistently fantastic work using CODA Audio systems across a wide variety of applications, ranging from big arena shows through to theatre productions and corporates. It seems that rarely a day goes by without a Studio Haifax CODA system on the road, something that we’re proud of and very happy to see!”

ST Engineering Antycip redefines the immersive TORE experience

ST Engineering Antycip (Antycip), has completed major integrations at TORE (The Open Reality Experience), the University of Lille’s large-scale immersive environment built around a distinctive flattened torus-shaped display. A pioneering project at the intersection of science, technology, and art, TORE has reached a new milestone in its evolution. The integration of state-ofthe-art projection and calibration technologies now delivers an unprecedented level of realism, further strengthening its position as a cutting-edge immersive platform.

This new technological configuration is based on the integration of 20 Barco I600 4K10 projectors with dedicated optics, and a Scalable Display Technologies automatically calibrated digital correction solution. The new laser projectors deliver a super-shifted 4K pixel resolution, ensuring high visual fidelity across the immersive environment. This modernisation enhances colour accuracy, image fluidity, and visual continuity across the flattened torus-shaped surface measuring more than 8 metres in diameter, a geometry that goes beyond conventional cylindrical immersive displays. It also enables higher refresh rates, the handling of complex scenes, the integration of artificial intelligence modules, and the exploration of remote interaction and collaboration between immersive environments. “TORE allows us to conduct academic research in cognitive science, art history, and archaeology, as well as to design immersive artistic works. The level of realism required for high-quality immersion makes optimising projection and computing systems essential. The integration of innovative technologies expands our computing and interaction capabilities and opens the door to new collaborations between research and industry,” explains Yann Coello (PhD), Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology, and Director of the Visual Sciences and Cultures Research Federation at the University of Lille. For Antycip, this new configuration holds particular significance: “TORE holds a special place in our history. It is a foundational project for our immersive visualis-

ation activities and continues to push the boundaries of what technology makes possible. It is a true source of pride for our teams,” says Johan Besnainou, France–Spain Director, Antycip. Inaugurated in 2018, TORE remains a global reference for large-scale immersive visualisation. Its versatility, spanning scientific research, cultural heritage exploration, and artistic creation, makes it a symbol of French innovation in immersive experiences. This modernisation further consolidates the University of Lille’s position as a major player in immersive research in Europe.

City Springs theatre’s spatial audio for ‘The Wizard of Oz’

City Springs Theatre Company, based in Sandy Springs, Georgia, mounts four large-scale Broadway-style musicals each year. Each production is staged at the Byers Theatre within the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Centre — a 1070-seat venue requiring the production team to “build the show house” from the ground up each time. Concerts, theatrical shows, and other live events demand exceptional performance and steadfast reliability through the entire audio chain, from microphones and instruments to processing and out to the sound reinforcement, monitoring, and recording systems. Anthony Narciso brings extensive professional experience to his work as a lead sound designer, including his work in theatre as a member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE union, and as a board member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. For The Wizard of Oz, he approached the production “as if we were doing a tour,” given the lack of

permanent infrastructure, creating a fully deployable sound system that transformed the static venue into an immersive, story-driven soundscape. “We deploy a spatial audio system and tracking for the spatial audio system that allows voices to be placed in time and space,” Narciso explains. The large cast, including a child ensemble, demanded precision and clarity across a complex mix of dialogue, music, and effects. To meet this challenge, the design relied on a Dante-enabled TiMax SoundHub, TiMax TrackerD4 tracking, and a Dante network backbone to connect microphones, consoles, processors, and amplifiers seamlessly.

Producing The Wizard of Oz posed both artistic and logistical challenges. The load-in period was just over a week, half the normal time. “We normally have about 12 to 14 days to get up a show, and we have about a week to put this up,” Narciso noted. From a creative standpoint, the show demanded sonic storytelling that could balance orchestral grandeur, environmental effects, and vocal clarity. “The biggest thing for me is providing clarity to cacophonous moments,” Narciso explained. During the tornado sequence, for instance, “we have to be swallowed by this tornado... but we also have to hear the orchestrations clearly.” Achieving that clarity required precision control of placement, movement, and intelligibility — made possible only through a robust, flexible Dante infrastructure connecting every piece of gear digitally.

The Wizard of Oz sound design hinged on a TiMax-based spatial audio system. The TiMax SoundHub processor and D4 tracking system create delay-based spatialization — placing each performer’s voice in its physical onstage location with near-millimetre accuracy. “Without Dante, this is not even a conversation,” Narciso emphasizes. “You need an individual channel for each speaker cabinet... Dante’s the way to go to do spatialized audio.” The Dante infrastructure also enabled virtual soundcheck capability — recording live inputs directly into a laptop and routing them back through the console for mix rehearsal. “If the cast isn’t in for 30 minutes, we can hit the button, play back the show audio, and the A1 can be mixing. It’s invaluable.”

The payoff was immediate. Audience members and colleagues alike noted the crystal-clear intelligibility and

spatial realism. “It sounds better than some Broadway shows,” one lighting designer commented. Others praised that they “understood more of the words in your shows there than I do in a Broadway show generally.” This reaction wasn’t just about volume or clarity; it was about how the sound occupied the theatre space, enveloping the audience in a fully immersive experience. In the company’s earlier years, sound was the area that needed the most improvement. Amongst several other improvements, implementing the spatial system led to the audio receiving frequent compliments from longtime patrons and new audience members alike. This feedback highlighted the importance of spatially accurate sound placement, something Dante-enabled networks make seamless.

The success of The Wizard of Oz demonstrated how a Dante-based ecosystem can elevate theatrical sound to cinematic quality: enabling immersive design, rapid deployment, and unmatched clarity. Dante’s high channel count, low latency, and precise synchronization allowed Narciso to place audio cues anywhere in the theater with pinpoint accuracy, creating a fully three-dimensional sound field. This capability is especially valuable in large venues where audience members experience vastly different acoustics depending on their seat location. As Narciso concluded, “The best thing I can tell you is Dante just works.” For modern theaters seeking immersive spatial audio, the combination of Dante networking and advanced tracking systems isn’t just convenient — it’s transformative, redefining what live theatre can sound like.

Brompton Technology and Theatrixx unleash the magic of ALIZÉ

Brompton Technology’s Tessera LED video processors are bringing magical illusions to life in ALIZÉ, Cirque du Soleil’s 54th production and first ever European residency show, now running at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. The production showcases how Theatrixx LED screens, powered by Brompton’s advanced LED processing and integrated by Solotech, transform a theatrical space into an immersive environment where acrobatics and illusion blend seamlessly. ALIZÉ, presented under the theme of Acromagic, features 43 artists from 21 countries in a visually stunning production that makes the audience part of the experience. At the heart of this technical achievement is a sophisticated LED system powered by five Brompton 4K Tessera SX40 processors, controlling almost 250 m² (952 panels) of Theatrixx xVision Nomad 2.6mm TPEP (Titanium Polymer Edge Protection) LED screens.To bring ALIZÉ’s illusions to life, the production utilises a modern reinterpretation of the classic Pepper’s Ghost illusion, requiring exceptional colour accuracy, wide viewing angles, and flawless performance with reflective and semi-transparent scenic materials. These demands placed important emphasis on choosing the right LED

set-up. The project represents Theatrixx Technologies’ largest European theatrical integration to date and highlights the deepening collaboration between Theatrixx and Brompton, recently formalised with Theatrixx becoming a Blue Partner within Brompton’s Panel Manufacturer Partner Programme.

This recognition is awarded to manufacturers who share Brompton’s values of engineering excellence and uncompromising performance. “Although ALIZÉ is our first large-scale LED integration with Cirque du Soleil, Theatrixx has a longstanding history of supplying Cirque and its technical partners with our designed and manufactured products through various trade channels over many years,” explains Kris Hill, Sales Manager EMEA at Theatrixx. “Our main distribution systems were, in fact, one of the first Theatrixx product lines widely adopted by Cirque’s production teams and partner integrators. These units have been used across multiple shows globally and helped establish the trust and familiarity that later made deeper collaboration, such as ALIZÉ, possible.”

Theatrixx’s direct involvement on ALIZÉ began when John Thurston, Lead Systems Manager at Cirque du Soleil, contacted Theatrixx’s Montreal headquarters regarding LED solutions for the Berlin residency. Given

the European location and Thurston’s UK background, the enquiry was routed to Hill in EMEA. Following initial discussions, Hill was introduced to Anthony Bezençon, Director at VYV, Cirque’s long-standing media systems partner. “We met at Brompton Technology’s London facility to evaluate Nomad TPEP against the very specific optical and creative requirements of the show,” notes Hill. “Further workshops were held with Cirque, VYV, Brompton, and Solotech at our St-Bruno facility, and we have been supporting the project since December 2024.”

The combined performance attributes of Nomad TPEP with Brompton Tessera processing offered capabilities not found elsewhere in the market. “Nomad 2.6 TPEP was selected specifically for its shader-free optical design, high-performance diodes, tight colour tolerances, and resilience,” Hill explains. “A decisive factor in Cirque du Soleil’s selection was the TPEP, Theatrixx’s proprietary LED module design. Unlike traditional LED panels, TPEP eliminates the need for a plastic mask or shaders. This shader-free design provides exceptional viewing angles with little to no colour shift off-axis, while delivering outstanding clarity when using reflective and semi-transparent surfaces.”

Three LED walls work in combination to create the

magic: a 14m by 7m upstage wall visible to audiences, supported by two additional walls that move and rotate within custom automation frames to generate the illusion effect. Running a custom resolution of 2688 by 2688 pixels at 50 Hz, RGB444, 10-bit HDR, the system uses intricate custom mapping across all LED walls using only five processors. The complexity of ALIZÉ extends beyond colour science into the physical mechanics of the production, with one wall moving vertically along rails and another capable of rotating to a horizontal position with pixels facing downward. An energy-carrying chain system was designed to manage cable movement through these complex motions, while the Tessera processors themselves are housed in a room offstage on the fifth floor, connected via multi-strand LC single-mode fibre to custom conversion boxes near the LED walls. “Cirque was looking for very specific technologies. This is a show that is relying on that perfect box with a foil in the middle, enabling them to make things disappear on stage,” explains Hugo Tardif, Senior Project Manager at Solotech, the appointed system integrator for ALIZÉ. “With Pepper’s Ghost you can even have someone on stage left disappear, but not stage right, depending on where the content is coming from. And since we’re aligning pixel to pixel, the audience doesn’t know where the image is coming from.”

Several Tessera software features proved critical to achieving the show’s visual goals. “Hydra Calibration delivers uniformity and accuracy across the full LED installation,” notes Hill. “ShutterSync ensures perfect timing between LED output and PHOTON playback. PureTone and OSCA allowed precise tonal and colour matching. True HDR and extended bit-depth prevented banding on the reflective film. These capabilities significantly strengthened colour accuracy and on-stage visual coherence.” Brompton’s involvement extended far beyond simply supplying processors. “Brompton provided exceptional support throughout,” Hill emphasises. “Their team participated in the London evaluation, the St-Bruno calibration workshop, and final technical setup. Their contribution to colour science and LUT creation was invaluable and directly influenced the final aesthetic for ALIZÉ.”

Custom LUT workflows became a crucial element of the production’s success. Brompton’s Thomas Peters worked directly with Angel Banchs, Lead Colour Engineer from Red Rock Ops, to generate show-specific LUTs, collaborating closely with film-industry colourists and the Cirque team to create 3D LUT files and OSCA profiles specifically for ALIZÉ. “Brompton introduced me to Theatrixx to help them achieve the highest-quality colour for ALIZÉ,” explains Banchs. “Our task was to work alongside the Cirque team to deliver the highest level of colour accuracy and dynamic range using the Theatrixx Nomad LED tiles with Brompton Tessera processors. The SX40 is capable of operating in an HDR environment and using PQ gamma, which allowed us to unlock the full dynamic range potential of the display system.”

APPLICATION

The collaboration required sophisticated measurement and verification. “We used CalMan Ultimate, the Klein K10A, and the Colorimetry Research CR250 to confirm that the system matched the specifications defined in the white paper supplied by Cirque,” Banchs notes. “These tools allowed us to demonstrate that Theatrixx Nomad, combined with Tessera SX40, not only met the required specification but also exceeded it.” One of the most essential tools in the workflow was Pomfort LiveGrade Studio, which works seamlessly with the Brompton 3D LUT capability. “We were able to select individual colours and adjust them precisely,” Banchs explains. “Together, these tools allowed us to build the demanding, yet necessary colour workflow needed to meet the creative expectations of Cirque du Soleil.”

Each of the 952 panels is equipped with a Brompton R2+ receiver card, while Tessera XD 10G data distribution units (two active and two redundant per processor) provide redundancy protection throughout the signal path. “Our client specifically requested that we use the Brompton system. We were very pleased with this choice, as Brompton is what we use for all our newer LED products purchased over the last five years,” says Jonathan Couillard, Senior Video System Designer at Solotech. “We have tested many other infrastructures in the past, and Brompton has proven to be the most rugged, touring-friendly, and versatile system we’ve found. One of the most impressive functions of the receiver card is the OSCA (On-Screen Colour Adjustment) tool, which provides real-time visual control for colour and intensity adjustments through a very intuitive GUI. This capability almost eliminates the need to work exclusively with matching batches of LED panels, as we can now fine-tune each wall on the spot to match others, even when their physical pixels do not emit the same native white.”

The development process involved extensive collaboration. “Cirque wanted to test out the LED, and we quickly saw that we needed very powerful processing to be able to achieve what they were looking for,” explains Tardif. “We turned to Brompton because of our own experience with other big live production projects. The LED and processing worked perfectly from the get-go. No issues on the processing side; the redundancy, everything that we put together, everything that we asked this technology to do, it did.” The LED panels are driven at nearly 100% intensity to provide the required brightness for special effects and perfect contrast, with all content created on-site based on these settings. The result is an image so convincing that audience members cannot distinguish between real performers and projected illusions. “As we began reviewing the content created by the Cirque team and watched it come to life in our prototype setup at the Theatrixx facility, we all had moments of genuine awe,” reflects Banchs. “It became clear that the system designed for ALIZÉ represents the future of live performance shows and what is possible when modern LED, processing, and colour workflows converge at the highest level.”

For both Theatrixx and Brompton, the success of ALIZÉ demonstrates the reliability and performance that long-term theatrical productions demand. “Brompton is widely regarded as the best-in-class global benchmark for colour accuracy, consistency, and processing stability,” Hill emphasises. “For a show of this scale and illusion-driven complexity, Brompton ensures dependable nightly performance, consistent pixel-accurate colour reproduction, robust redundancy and failover, and total stability for the operators and cast. The production marks a major international milestone for the collaboration between Theatrixx and Brompton Technology, proving that advanced LED processing can enable entirely new forms of theatrical storytelling. “Anyone who attends the ALIZÉ show in Berlin will see the seamless integration of advanced technical artistry with the acrobatic excellence that defines Cirque du Soleil,” concludes Patrick Goodden, Technical Sales Manager (UK and Ireland) at Brompton Technology. “The scale and complexity of this production reflect an exceptional collaborative effort, and we are deeply honoured that our LED processing forms part of a show that sets a new benchmark for theatrical spectacle.”

TVC sets the trap for AV at The Mousetrap Social

Employee-owned AV integrator TVC Technology Solutions has completed a full installation at The Mousetrap Social, the latest flagship venue from leading UK pub operator Amber Taverns. Reinforcing how cutting-edge AV technology can enhance customer engagement, atmosphere and operational efficiency, the project demonstrates TVC’s expertise in delivering immersive entertainment experiences in hospitality environments. Following a series of successful collaborations with Amber Taverns at King Street Social Tap in Huddersfield and the Iron Ram in Derby, TVC was once again chosen to deliver a complete AV overhaul for the brand-new Nottingham site. The brief focused on creating a fully immersive environment featuring a bespoke indoor LED display, premium Samsung 4K hospitality screens, a high-performance multi-zone audio system and flexible, centralised control. The goal was to provide guests with a standout experience, encourage dwell time and offer the operational flexibility needed to manage live sports,

events and branded content seamlessly.

At the heart of the installation is a 3m x 1.5m 2.6px indoor LED display, positioned to dominate the main bar area. Its ultra-bright, high-resolution visuals provide cinema-like clarity for live sport, promotional content and branded entertainment, while its flexible design allows staff to switch between live broadcasts, digital signage and music-driven visuals with ease. The LED wall’s durability, low maintenance and future-proof build make it a long-term centrepiece that elevates Mousetrap Social’s identity and enhances guest engagement throughout the day. Complimenting the LED display, a suite of Samsung 4K hospitality screens ranging from 55” to 98” was installed across the main bar, rear seating and mezzanine. These commercial-grade displays deliver consistent, vibrant picture quality under extended operating hours and are integrated with an HD matrix system, allowing content to be changed instantly across any screen. The combination ensures that live sport, digital content and messaging can be tailored to different zones, providing a cohesive and premium visual experience throughout the venue.

To deliver venue-wide audio coverage, TVC installed a professional-grade Audac system comprising V108, V106 and X6 loudspeakers supported by a 15” subwoofer and DSP amplification. Integrated with an Optimal Audio zone control system, the installation allows staff to manage volume levels, audio sources and tonal profiles independently across the main bar, rear seating and mezzanine. This ensures each area has the perfect ambience for daytime trading, peak hours, quizzes or private events, offering operational efficiency and a consistent, high-quality experience for guests. All Samsung displays were mounted using Peerless commercial wall brackets, providing secure, level and cable-managed installations that preserve the modern interior design while allowing easy maintenance access. Combined with the reliability of the chosen hardware, the brackets help guarantee long-term safety and stability for the venue’s AV infrastructure.

Commenting on the project, Andy Greaves, Sales Director at TVC, said, “Our employee-owned structure means everyone at TVC is passionately behind every project. We become true partners to our clients, not just suppliers, and delivering an end-to-end AV solution, from hardware through to content and audio control, ensures a smooth, high-quality rollout every time.”

L-Acoustics Appoints Olivier Maynard as Executive Director of Strategic Market Development

Olivier Maynard as Executive Director of Strategic Market Development and significantly expanded the recently established division’s capabilities to accelerate growth across key vertical markets worldwide. The new Strategic Market Development division regroups three core disciplines – Business Development, Creative Engagement, and Market Intelligence - working in close coordination with regional sales teams to drive demand and strengthen L-Acoustics’ position in both established and emerging markets. Olivier will also be spearheading commercial innovation, developing new business models from concept to implementation throughout the organization. Joining the company’s Executive Committee, he will work alongside the leadership team to integrate market development and new business models into the company’s long-term vision to connect humans through the best shared sound experiences. Olivier reports directly to L-Acoustics co-CEO Laurent Vaissié.

Home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Lowy Concert Hall has substantial audio upgrade with L-Acoustics L-ISA The Strategic Market Development division is charged with understanding L-Acoustics markets at the deepest level, building relationships with end users and influencers, and creating demand for the company’s innovative technologies across diverse vertical applications. From touring and festivals to houses of worship, sports venues, themed attractions, corporate events, and architectural installations, the team develops targeted strategies that connect L-Acoustics technical excellence with the specific needs and aspirations of each market segment.

“In an industry where detailed market data is scarce, our ability to truly understand our customers, their challenges, and their ambitions gives us a decisive advantage,” says Maynard. “Our mission is to support our clients’ business by engaging end users in ways that are inspirational and experiential rather than purely technical - speaking to artists, architects, venue owners, and

creative professionals about the creative potential when exceptional sound becomes part of their vision. By working hand-in-hand with our sales teams in every territory, we’re creating sustainable demand that benefits our entire partner ecosystem.”

Maynard brings extensive experience in strategic market development and business model innovation. He spent over a decade at Boston Consulting Group leading projects in go-to-market strategy, sales, and digital transformation for industrial companies before joining Groupe Beneteau, a global leader in recreational boating, as Director of Digital, New Business Models, and Transformation. In that role, he led the company’s digital strategy and served as Deputy CEO of Services, developing innovative financing and service models. At L-Acoustics, he will apply this expertise to professionalize the division’s approach to vertical markets while exploring new business model opportunities that keep L-Acoustics at the forefront of industry innovation.

“As our portfolio of source, system, and space premium audio solutions continues to expand into new markets, our long-term vision and clients’ success depends on a leadership team that has a deep understanding of the different vertical needs, as well as an ability to explain our value proposition to a wide range of stakeholders, from technical experts to creatives and decision makers,” explains Vaissié. “Welcoming Olivier to our business team and Executive Committee is a key part of this evolution. His unique background in digital transformation and business model innovation is exactly what we need to steer this new division. By integrating

Strategic Market Development into our core executive group, we are ensuring that deep market intelligence and creative engagement remain at the heart of our collective decision-making, securing our leadership position for years to come.”

The Business Development team deploys specialized experts who work globally within specific vertical markets to develop targeted strategies that accelerate growth in high-potential sectors. These experts develop comprehensive go-to-market strategies for each sector, identifying key markets, defining unique value propositions, optimizing product mix, and cultivating strategic partner relationships.

Market Intelligence constructs L-Acoustics’ understanding of the global professional audio landscape through rigorous research and analysis. In an industry where comprehensive market data is limited, this team’s work provides L-Acoustics with a competitive advantage, enabling data-driven decisions about market priorities, product development, and strategic investments.

Creative Engagement focuses on building authentic relationships with influencers and decision-makers who shape the audio industry—artists, architects, designers, and creative professionals. This team communicates through inspiration and experience, demonstrating how L-Acoustics technologies enable extraordinary creative outcomes. This approach is particularly crucial in markets where L-Acoustics is developing brand presence, creating awareness and market demand.

“This organizational structure reflects our commitment to a more strategic, vertical-focused approach to market development,” Maynard continues. “Rather than reacting to market opportunities as they arise, we’re building deep expertise in each vertical market to understand the key countries, the decision-makers, the unique value propositions, and the optimal partner strategies and lead the way. This brings greater efficiency and performance across the entire organization while positioning us to explore innovative business models that will define the future of our industry.”

Absen accelerates European growth in Rental & Staging

A global leader in LED display technology, Absen has dedicated significant efforts in recent years to expanding its live event solutions portfolio. Alistair Mizon’s appointment as its new Product & Technology Manager for Rental & Staging and XR in Europe will aid the drive for product strategy, supporting technical development and helping partners to deliver outstanding results. Drawing on a broad background in product management, technical consultancy and operational delivery from his time at adi.tv and Mizon Events, Alistair will focus initially on improving how knowledge and experience are shared across Absen’s European network. By bringing together insights from teams, partners and real-world applications, he aims to create a more structured and accessible foundation to support product de-

cisions. “This new position gives me the opportunity to focus deeply on direct view LED, an area that has always fascinated me,” says Alistair. “I’m looking forward to working with the Absen team and our partners to help shape solutions that truly support the needs of the rental, staging and XR markets across the region.”

Looking ahead, Alistair’s long-term goal is to champion product development, rooted in practical challenges and real-world use. Recognising that customers are investing in solutions rather than simply LED panels, he is committed to ensuring Absen’s products are designed to solve genuine problems and deliver reliable outcomes within complex creative and technical workflows. “We are excited to welcome Alistair to the Absen family,” adds Debbie Zheng, Director of AbsenLive. “His technical expertise and customer-first approach will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our live events offering and deliver exceptional value to our partners across Europe. The live events market is evolving rapidly, and Alistair’s invaluable experience and expertise ensures we can anticipate customer needs and continue to deliver solutions that set new standards.”

Absen has seen significant growth in the live events sector in recent years, providing LED solutions to some of the most high-profile productions worldwide including the Oasis Live ’25 world tour, 1Live Krone Awards, and the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Japan. Absen also continues to innovate with new product launches tailored to rental and XR applications, including the SA1.5 COB which will make its debut at ISE 2026. These developments underline Absen’s focus on combining advanced technology with practical workflows to meet the evolving needs of live events and virtual production markets across Europe and beyond.

ITN Productions hires Cudmore to launch digital division

Director of Digital Channels at Zoo 55/ITV Studios, George Cudmore, will join ITN Productions as Director of Digital Content. George will lead ITN Productions’ new digital arm with a team of digital specialists made up of new hires and existing staff to kick off a strategic programme of expansion. Rubina Pabini becomes Head of Digital Content in a move that builds on her previous role as Head of Short Form at ITN Productions. The department’s key team also includes Ruby Coote who joins ITN Productions as Executive Producer of Content and Development from Future and Georgia Foxwell joins the department as Executive Producer of Audience and Social, from Global where she was Senior Social Media Editor for The News Agents.

At Zoo 55/ITV Studios, George Cudmore leads the strategic and commercial direction of ITV’s social video business. Over the past 10 years, Cudmore has headed up digital teams for TV broadcast and distribution businesses, including ITV, BBC Studios, Banijay and Endemol Shine Group, focused on delivering forward-thinking digital strategies across key formats and IP as well as driving audience and commercial growth. He will focus on expanding ITN Productions’ direct-to-consumer strategy, building creator partnerships, trialling formats and launching new digital content across genres including entertainment, crime, royals and using ITN’s archive. The new division will build on the success of ITN Productions’ original shortform commissions for BBC Sounds, ITVX, Audible and others as well as its existing YouTube channels. Ian Rumsey, Managing Director of Content, ITN said: “From the moment we announced the creation of ITN Productions’ digital division, we felt a real sense of excitement. I’m delighted that George will be joining us to head up a specialist team of people with great talent, creativity and experience from across the industry who will join our brilliant existing staff. There’s a genuine feeling of momentum. We’re hugely ambitious for the future.”

George Cudmore, incoming Director of Digital Con-

tent, ITN Productions, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining ITN Productions to work with Ian Rumsey and ITN Productions’ Creative Director Georgina Mantle to innovate and expand our reach with the launch of a brand-new digital division. Given the vibrancy of the digital economy, it feels like a pivotal moment to bring new and exciting content, formats and partnerships to market, leveraging ITN Productions’ prowess and archive heritage to build on a great foundation in digital to date.”

Midwich Group to appoint Chief Financial Officer

The Board of Midwich has announced that Adam Councell will join the Company as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board with effect from 2 March 2026. Adam was previously Chief Financial Officer at Marlowe Plc, a position he held from 2021 through to its takeover by Mitie Group plc in August 2025. Prior to Marlowe he was Group Finance Director at Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC from 2019 to 2021, and Restore PLC from 201219, where he played a leading role in the development of the group into a leading office services provider. Prior to this, Adam spent nine years in senior finance roles at Rentokil Initial plc.

As previously announced, Stephen Lamb will step down from his role as Group Finance Director and a member of the Board on 28 February 2026 following an orderly handover to Adam. The Company will provide a further update in relation to Adam’s appointment in accordance with Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in due course. Andrew Herbert,

Non-executive Chairman of Midwich said: “We are delighted that Adam will join the Board as Chief Financial Officer in March. Adam has extensive financial, plc and leadership experience gained across B2B services and has a proven track record of delivering growth through both organic and acquisition-led strategies. “I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Board, to thank Stephen Lamb for everything that he has done for Midwich since joining in 2018 and we wish him every success in his new role.”

Adam Councell, incoming Chief Financial Officer said: “I am thrilled to be joining Midwich at such an exciting time. It is a great business with an excellent market position and a strong culture. I am looking forward to working with Stephen and the team in the coming months as we look to execute the compelling growth strategy.”

David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, announces retirement

David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, announced today his plans to retire at the end of 2026, after leading a transformative era for the association that began in 2012. During his time with AVIXA, Labuskes recognized and encouraged the evolution of the audiovisual industry from one that offers products and systems toward an industry and profession that delivers integrated experiences that connect people to people and in so doing, transforms the world. During his tenure, the industry expanded to include experiential designers, content creators, IT companies, and users of AV solutions across a growing cross section of markets. This led to the rebrand of InfoComm International to AVIXA (the Audio-

visual and Integrated Experience Association) in 2017. “I would have never predicted the level of personal growth and fulfilment that accompanied these many years at the helm of AVIXA,” said Labuskes. “The audiovisual industry has been a part of human evolution since the use of signal fires in early civilization. The association now known as AVIXA was established in 1939, well before most of us were born. The responsibility and privilege inherent within the role I played for a tiny part of that timeline was one that could not have been fulfilled without the brilliance of the team of executives, industry volunteers, and dedicated AVIXA employees giving everything they have to deliver on our mission every day. I look forward to being in the stands watching the future successes of AVIXA and our industry around the world.”

Ensuring AVIXA represented the industry globally is key to Labuskes. Today over 50% of AVIXA’s revenue –from training, trade shows, certifications, and additional offerings – is generated outside of North America. The highest and most impactful rate of audience growth for the association is taking place outside of North America and reflects the transformation of AVIXA into a truly global community. AVIXA certifications continue to be highly respected credentials that demonstrate valued skillsets. In 2025, the number of CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) holders reached 15,000 worldwide. In addition, in 2024, AVIXA launched the Audiovisual Network Professional (ANP) certification, a credential that provides pro AV and IT professionals with the ability to demonstrate their experience of integrating AV into a network. Today, 30% of certification holders are outside of North America.

Labuskes championed diversity throughout the association’s many platforms to ensure an array of voices were represented. During his tenure, AVIXA’s Women’s Council and Diversity Council were established. The Wom-

en’s Council is the largest AVIXA Council with more than 1,100 members and draws hundreds of attendees year after year to its annual breakfast at InfoComm in North America. In addition, Labuskes led AVIXA through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This included navigating the cancellation of live events globally, supporting a critical part of the AVIXA community through a monumental disruption to their business models, as well as supporting the wider AV industry through the transformation demanded by remote and hybrid workplaces. During this time, AVIXA introduced and grew new digital engagement platforms for the AVIXA community as well as reimagined event experiences with the association’s trade shows and conferences around the world. “On behalf of the AVIXA Board of Directors, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to David for everything he has done for AVIXA over the past 13 years,” said Tobias Lang, Chair of the AVIXA Board of Directors and CEO of LANG AG. “His vision and leadership have been instrumental in establishing the audiovisual industry as a globally relevant profession with a strong and positive outlook for the future. David not only helped redefine what our industry stands for, he also built an exceptional leadership team and a culture that is both value-driven and uniquely collaborative. The AVIXA Board has already begun the search for his successor, and we are confident that this exciting, attractive, and demanding role will be filled in a way that reflects the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. I would also like to encourage all members of our global community to use the upcoming Integrated Systems Europe show and all international AVIXA events as opportunities to personally thank David Labuskes for his remarkable contributions to the association and to our industry.”

Before joining AVIXA in 2012, Labuskes spent nearly 14 years with RTKL Associates (now Arcadis), where he established the firm’s Technology Design practice and worked with a growing team of experts to build one of the largest and most-respected technology design practices in the world. During his time there he was elevated to serve on the Board of Directors that reviewed and authorized their merger with Arcadis in 2011, enabling further investment in the growth and diversification of the entire firm.

Re-Sauce appoints Beky Cann as Head of Global PR & Marketing

Re-Sauce, the global sales and business consultancy trusted by international technology brands has announced the appointment of Beky Cann as Head of Global PR & Marketing. Beky joins the Re-Sauce leadership team in 2026 to expand the consultancy’s communications and media services worldwide, strengthening its ability to support clients in brand storytelling, channel influence, trade press engagement, and strategic marketing delivery across Europe, Middle East, In-

dia, North America and APAC.

With 25+ years of PR and marketing experience, including senior international roles in the professional AV, workplace, enterprise technology, and digital signage sectors, Beky brings deep market knowledge and an expansive network of connections built on decades of trust and industry collaboration. Her appointment marks a pivotal milestone for Re-Sauce as it enhances its service portfolio, now offering a fully unified global communications function alongside its established sales introduction and business growth offerings. “We’ve always believed great growth is powered by great communication and building connections between people,” said Gordon Dutch, CEO at Re-Sauce. “Beky brings the strategic PR vision, creativity, and editorial credibility our clients increasingly rely on. Her expertise enables us to scale communications in a way that directly amplifies our global consultancy impact.”

Commenting on her role, Beky said: “This is an exciting new chapter for me personally. I’ve built my career on telling the stories behind great technology brands, in a way that’s authentic, technical, and memorable. Through Re-Sauce, I’m looking forward to delivering PR and marketing programmes that build long-term influence while maximising impact at major industry events, kicking off with ISE 2026.” Beky will serve as a senior communications lead for Re-Sauce clients, with flexibility to support retainers across both local and international markets. “Re-Sauce has a rare ability to align sales strategy with real-world partner insight,” added Cann. “Adding global PR and marketing strengthens credibility earlier and supports faster, more confident growth.”

MNC Software strengthens global sales

MNC Software has today announced the appointment of Adi Itzhaki as Sales Executive effective immediately, expanding the company’s international commercial team to support accelerating global demand, following a record-breaking 2025. Itzhaki will lead a dual mandate of direct sales and partner development to accelerate MNC Software’s international expansion. He will focus on creating new revenue streams and deepening relationships with broadcasters, telecommunications operators, service providers, OTT platforms, and emerging media organizations worldwide. His work will support customers adopting MNC’s modern monitoring and control platform and help scale the company’s partner ecosystem across key markets.

Itzhaki has more than two decades of international experience in broadcast media and technology. He has previously held senior commercial roles at TAG Video Systems, including VP of Sales EMEA and APAC and VP Business Development EMEA, where he led the adoption of software-defined IP monitoring and UHD multiviewer solutions. Prior to that he was Sales Director at SES Satellites, where he expanded MX1 sales across Central and Eastern Europe, building channel partnerships and representing the portfolio at industry events. “MNC Software is redefining how broadcasters and media organizations approach monitoring and control. The architecture, scalability and operational efficiency of the Mosaic platform clearly sets it apart from legacy solutions. I’m excited to join the team at a time of strong momentum and to help customers and partners unlock the full value of MNC’s technology,” said Adi Itzhaki, sales executive of MNC Software.“The industry is rapidly moving away from legacy monitoring and control solutions in favor of MNC’s modern system architecture. Broadcasters are quickly recognizing the operational benefits of our platform while significantly reducing both ongoing and lifetime costs,” said Darren Frearson, CEO of MNC Software. “We are experiencing substantial market growth, and Adi’s market knowledge, technical background and commercial experience will be instrumental as we scale our global footprint.”

Solstice AV appoints Matthew Aspin as Account Director

Solstice AV has announced the appointment of Matthew Aspin as Account Director, marking another deliberate step in the distributor’s continued expansion as it builds towards ambitious growth targets in 2026. Matthew joins Solstice from Exertis, where he held an Account Director role working closely with AV resellers across specification, commercial planning and project delivery. He brings strong channel experience, with a practical focus on helping resellers price confidently and deliver successfully as projects scale. His appointment follows a series of strategic hires made by Solstice AV over the past 12 months, as the distributor continues to invest in people, capability and specialist expertise. The aim is clear: to build a team that enables AV resellers to take on more complex opportunities, with confidence that they are properly supported commercially, technically and operationally.

In his role at Solstice, Matthew will work directly with reseller partners to help turn opportunity into clearly scoped, commercially viable and confidently delivered AV solutions, supported by a business that is intentionally structured for growth. Commenting on the appointment, Michael Tulip, Managing Director at Solstice AV, said: “Our ambition for 2026 is significant, and it builds on the consistent growth Solstice has achieved since we

set up the business in 2020. We’ve been very clear that delivering the next phase of that growth means building the right team around our reseller partners. We’re seeing real momentum across the market, and the opportunity for the channel is substantial, but it only becomes achievable when resellers have the right support behind them. Matthew brings exactly the kind of experience and mindset we value: commercially grounded, channel-focused, and genuinely aligned with how we work alongside partners to help them win and grow.”

Matthew Aspin added: “What stood out to me about Solstice is the clarity of direction and the confidence in how the business is growing. This is about building something robust, capable and genuinely supportive for resellers. I’m excited to be joining at a point where the business is scaling with intent and the opportunity across the channel is so strong.” Matthew’s appointment reinforces Solstice AV’s position as a distributor investing for the long term, strengthening its team to support reseller growth as opportunities continue to expand through 2026 and beyond.

AtlasIED appoints Palkowitch as director of commercial audio sales

AtlasIED has announced the appointment of Joey Palkowitch as Director of Commercial Audio Sales. In this role, Palkowitch will lead the company’s commercial audio strategy and market development efforts across key verticals, including education, industrial, corporate, and hospitality. With over a decade of experience in driving commercial audio growth, Palkowitch is well-positioned to take AtlasIED to the next level. He specializes in building high-performing sales teams, leading strategic partnerships, and executing scalable go-to-market strategies across complex ecosystems. Palkowitch has worked for multiple leading manufacturers and distributors to serve the integration, consultant, and end-user channels in the commercial audiovisual industry.

As Director of Commercial Audio Sales, Palkowitch will work with the AtlasIED sales staff, independent manufacturer reps, and key partners to help grow and strengthen channel relationships and increase sales in strategically targeted verticals. Additionally, his role will be integral in bringing feedback from the field to product and engineering teams to help develop solutions specific to integrators’ challenges. “We are proud to welcome Joey to the team,” said Michael Peveler, Vice President, Sales, AtlasIED. “His deep understanding of the commercial AV landscape, combined with a strong customer-first mindset, makes him an ideal fit as we continue to expand our portfolio and strengthen our presence in key markets.”

“I’m honoured to be joining a company with such a strong reputation for quality and customer focus,” said Palkowitch, Director of Commercial Audio Sales, AtlasIED. “I’m looking forward to building on that foundation by strengthening relationships with our integrator and distribution partners and helping them grow their

businesses with solutions they can trust.” The appointment of Palkowitch further proves AtlasIED’s continued investment in leadership and expertise to support longterm growth and deliver enhanced value to customers and partners globally.

PPDS strengthens DACH sales team

PPDS has announced the appointment of a highly experienced AV channel manager, Mihael Vrhovski, to its thriving DACH leadership team. Accepting the position of Channel Distribution Manager DACH, Mihael’s appointment comes as part of a national and international drive to deliver unparalleled support and create even closer alliances with partners and customers, in DACH and around the world. This includes specialist knowledge of the digital signage market, while previous leadership roles have also seen him responsible for customer and partner relations, project management and delivery, logistics, product warranties, aftersales and more.

Reporting to Konstantin Flabouriaris, Mihael will utilise his vast experience to support and continue the DACH team’s upward market trajectory, and to drive sales of its full suite of visual solutions – including digital signage and ePaper displays, interactive touchscreens, dvLED, videowalls, and professional TVs, as well as display solutions such as Philips Wave, and more – to an even greater scale and audience. His day to day responsibil-

ities will include, but are not limited to, analysing the needs of the market, ensuring the right hardware and software solutions – and tailored offerings – are available to partners and customers whenever they are required. In addition to inventory, Mihael will work closely with the DACH sales team and customers to support local and international projects. This will include providing end to end project management, overcoming challenges as they arise, and maintaining personalised communications for more seamless and successful outcomes.

Discussing his appointment, Mihael said: “PPDS is a globally recognised brand that enjoys an excellent reputation. The company’s commitment to customer focused solutions aligns with my expectations for promoting strategic partnerships, and I am delighted to be a part of the team.” He continued: “My many years of professional experience and in depth market knowledge enable me to identify customer needs at an early stage and work together to develop solutions that create real added value. My goal is to build strong, long-term partnerships and further expand PPDS’s market presence – to the benefit of our customers – and to create added value for the company.”

Konstantin Flabouriaris added: ““Looking ahead to 2026, I am delighted to welcome Mihael to the PPDS DACH team. His skills, knowledge and commitment will help us to realise our growth ambitions. Supporting our partners and customers is our top priority. To meet this requirement, we are constantly evolving and working to improve our services. To do this, we need the right people – and with Mihael, I am convinced that we have found exactly that reinforcement.”

ISE 2026 breaks records in a show of industry momentum

Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 closed its doors after four days of inspiring firsts that reinvigorated the AV and systems integration industry. ISE 2026 broke all records welcoming 92,170 visitors from around the world. A total of 1,751 exhibitors, including 323 making their debut at the event, contributed to the largest total show floor space in the event’s history at 101,000 sqm. ISE 2026 delivered exceptional attendance growth, underlining the continued expansion and global appeal of the show. By Tuesday, the event had already welcomed 55,156 unique attendees, a 10% increase compared with Tuesday 2025 (49,981). By Wednesday, total unique attendance across all show days reached 76,035, while the show recorded its largest single day ever, with 64,198 visitors onsite, almost equalling the pre-pandemic record attendance of an entire ISE show (64,908 at ISE 2019 in Amsterdam).

Momentum continued through Thursday, as total unique attendance climbed to 87,648, officially marking the highest attendance in ISE history. Overall, ISE 2026 achieved an 8% increase in total attendance compared with 2025, demonstrating unprecedented energy, scale, and industry engagement, and confirming its position as the world’s leading event for the audiovisual and systems integration community. The total number of registrations reached 120,914 with over 212,000 visits across the four days. “As ISE 2026 comes to a close, I’m truly inspired by the passion and strength of our community,” said Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events. “Over four extraordinary days, we celebrated groundbreaking technology, ignited bold ideas, forged lasting connections, and set new benchmarks for our industry. What excites me most is the creativity, energy, and diversity of our exhibitors and partners, and the unwavering dedication of the ISE team that makes it all possible.”

At ISE 2026, Spark debuted as a show of unity for creativity and technology – a new initiative driving innovation and knowledge sharing across the creative industries. The new event format brought together the

creators of tomorrow, uniting the brightest minds from Broadcast, Live Events, Marketing, Design, and Gaming into one immersive experience. Spark served as a hub for creative professionals, technologists, and decision-makers to connect, share ideas, and explore the future of creativity. With an outstanding line-up of partners and speakers, Spark 2026 showcased how technology transformed the audience experience, on screen, in physical spaces, and live, and demonstrated how innovation and collaboration are shaping the next generation of creative work.

In another first, ISE announced the ISE Foundation, an initiative spearheaded by ISE, and backed by co-owners AVIXA and CEDIA, with support from the City of Barcelona and the Government of Catalonia. The ISE Foundation aims to empower the AV and systems integration community, with an emphasis on teamwork, innovation, and lasting impact under the tagline “Powering On Together”. The foundation launched at a press conference, with distinguished speakers David Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA; Daryl Friedman, Global President & CEO of CEDIA; Raquel Gil, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona; and Miquel Sàmper, Minister for Business and Labour, Government of Catalonia.

The keynote sessions at ISE 2026, delivered by Matt Clark and Sol Rashidi, electrified the event, drawing full-capacity audiences. Clark took attendees “Behind the Façade: Building a Performance-led Mapping at Casa Batlló, from Concept to Implementation,” reveal-

ing the creative and technical mastery behind the mapping at one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks. Rashidi’s “The AI Reality Check: What It Takes to Scale and the Future of Leadership” offered a compelling look at how AI is reshaping industries and the leadership needed to navigate this transformation. Together, their presentations showcased ISE as the ultimate stage for innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking industry leadership. ISE’s partnership with Barcelona continues to play a vital role in the event’s success. The 2026 show featured a notable delegation of VIPs and government officials, including representatives from Latin American countries, reflecting Barcelona’s status as a global technology hub. Attendees included leaders in national and regional governments, as well as experts in digitalisation and AI policy, highlighting ISE’s impact on international collaboration and regional growth. “ISE jumpstarts every year as the largest gathering of AV professionals. But beyond the numbers is a more remarkable story: people connecting with one another from different corners of the world and exchanging ideas that will live on past the convention centre walls,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer of AVIXA. “The week was full of brilliant minds that push this exciting industry forward. AVIXA is proud to collaborate with the ISE and CEDIA teams to deliver such a vibrant forum.”

“ISE 2026 once again demonstrated the extraordinary power of collaboration across our global technology

ecosystem,” said Daryl Friedman, Global President and CEO of CEDIA. “As co-owners of ISE, we are proud to see the event continue to expand its influence as a platform where innovation, education, and partnership converge. The energy on the show floor and throughout the conference programme reflects a thriving industry that is not only embracing emerging technologies but shaping how they enhance the spaces where people live, work, and connect.” ISE will return for ISE 2027 from 2 – 5 February 2027 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via.

LG xboom Stage 501 – for stage and live-performance environments

LG xboom Blast – a large portable speaker

LG xboom Mini and LG xboom Rock – compact everyday speakers

The studio also hosted The Lab featuring FYI.RAiDiO, an interactive AI-based radio experience created by will.i.am. Visitors can engage with AI hosts, participate in themed stations and explore real-time discussions on music, culture and technology.

The Mastery in Tune zone presented LG’s SIGNATURE lineup in partnership with the Italian high-end living brand Poliform, with each product displayed in a furnished interior setting. The LG SIGNATURE refrigerator incorporates LLM-based conversational AI for natural-language interaction and tailored suggestions.1 The LG SIGNATURE Smart InstaView refrigerator streamlines food management through ThinQ™ Food, which uses an internal camera to identify stored items, suggest recipes and recommend substitutions based on the items inside. The LG SIGNATURE Oven Range offers functions such as Gourmet AI, which uses an AI camera inside the oven to identify more than 80 dishes and automatically select the ideal cooking settings. The AI Browning feature monitors bread as it bakes and sends a notification through the ThinQ app when it reaches the preset level of doneness.

LG has also created a dedicated exhibition space titled In Tune for Everyone, which connects the company’s ESG vision of Better Life for All. The exhibit features the Comfort Kit, designed to help people of all ages and abilities use LG appliances with greater ease, along with Easy-to-Read Books, developed to help slow learners and children with developmental disabilities better understand appliance function and usage.

AVIXA announces InfoComm EDGE in Dubai 2026

AVIXA has announced it will host InfoComm EDGE in Dubai at the Festival Arena October 27-28, 2026. This new two-day experiential event will present a unique environment where key buyers can see, touch, and experience what world-class pro AV innovation is truly capable of. Designed from the ground up to appeal to stakeholders outside of the pro AV trade, InfoComm EDGE will feature all the tech, thought leadership, and networking expected from an InfoComm or ISE trade show, but curated for senior leaders and decision makers who shape, influence, and deliver complex projects across government, enterprise, education, retail, leisure and entertainment. Different by design, the event will provide a new kind of pro AV space ‘Where the Art of the Possible Becomes Reality.’ “Experience lies at the heart of InfoComm EDGE. The GCC is a region that has an unquenchable thirst for innovation, and it has the vision and resources to turn its dreams into reality,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer of AVIXA. “We have an established pro AV community in the region at the forefront of this innovation, which has both the talent and the creativity to deploy the buyer-focused activations that will form the core of InfoComm EDGE.”

With more than 7,200 square meters of flexible indoor and outdoor space, the Festival Arena is an ideal venue for this event. Built around a central stage instead of the traditional trade show grid, InfoComm EDGE will showcase the latest in experiential technology. During the event, there will be a series of activations, designed, built, and staffed by the local integration community, supported by a network of pods to facilitate deeper exploration and networking. “It’s challenging for high-level decision-makers to visualize solutions as they walk around a conventional trade show floor stand by stand,” said Cara Turner, Event Director, InfoComm EDGE. “That’s why, for InfoComm EDGE, we are taking a unique approach by co-creating an event with the de-

sign and deployment community for the first time.” InfoComm EDGE will feature many never seen before live, innovative, and experiential activations. Rather than sales pitches, it will present narrative-led journeys supported by standards-aligned thinking that inspires, reduces risk, and improves outcomes for the end customer. In short, InfoComm EDGE will be a trusted environment focused on capability, integration, and delivery excellence.