Stop, Look, Listen

Known as the largest AV systems integration show in the world, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) returns to the RAI, Amsterdam, 7 – 10 February, 2017. Broadcast Film & Video Editor, Jacqueline Purse, looks ahead to this year's event...

Last year, the event welcomed more than 65,000 visitors through its doors, as well as over 1,100 exhibitors and countless new product launches. The exhibition is always the big draw for a majority of attendees, but away from the show floor there is also an extensive professional development programme from CEDIA and InfoComm, Show Floor Theatre sessions, pre-show and at-show events, tech tours, and networking opportunities to get involved with.

At the time of writing, more than 130 exhibitors will make their ISE debut this year including Argosy, Canford Audio, Imagination AV, JVC, Light Blue Audio, Pure Theatre, TSL Systems, and Zebra Touch. The number of new exhibitors demonstrates the strength and popularity of the show, and as a result, over 3,000 sq m of extra exhibition space has been created for 2017. There is an additional hall and pavilion this year, while other key changes include the introduction of a new Smart Building Theatre into the new Hall 9, while Education Technology will be the focus of Hall 13.

Commenting on the decision to increase the exhibition space, Mike Blackman, Managing Director at Integrated Systems Events, said: "Making sure that we can feature all of the world's leading AV vendors and service providers has always been a priority for us in delivering value for ISE attendees. With the expansion of the show I am delighted that we are able to take the attendee and exhibitor experience to the next level for our 2017 event. We will be able to provide more space for exhibitors and create a richer experience for attendees over the four days of the show. As ISE evolves and grows, it's great news that our venue partner is working with us to take the show forward."

There are five dedicated areas on the show floor at ISE. They are:

Audio
This area covers everything from amplifiers to loudspeakers, processing, networking and the various sub-categories that fall underneath the umbrella of 'Audio'.

Digital Signage
This is said to be one of – if not the – fastest-growing AV market segment at the show.

Residential Solutions
ISE founding partner, CEDIA, is the home technology industry's leading resource for education, networking, business and technical resources. ISE's association with Residential Solutions companies, brings cutting-edge home technologies to the show.

Smart Building
As the world continues to turn towards smarter solutions, the desire for smart home and smart building design increases. This dedicated area on the show floor, as well as Smart Building content elsewhere, means ISE is the place for the latest products, emerging trends, energy savings, home automation solutions, and the best practice approaches.

Unified Communications
Companies in this area will showcase the latest in videoconferencing, chat, email, instant messaging and other unified communications solutions.

Argosy (12–F68) will introduce Belden's field mountable REVConnect cable termination system to the pro-AV market. "Since the acquisition of Argosy by IEWC last year, our company has broadened its remit from TV studios and outside broadcast (OB), to pro audio recording and commercial pro-AV applications," said Chris Smeeton, Managing Director, EMEA at Argosy. "Bringing our expertise to the pro-AV market is now a major focus for Argosy. As part of this drive, we recently hired Daniel Hinton a specialist from the pro-AV market."

BenQ (5–U24) will demonstrate the PV3200PT 32" 4K UHD video-editing monitor, which comes with features ideal for those working in professional video post-production. It has a 100% Rec. 709 colour space, hardware calibration, brightness uniformity and Palette Master Element Colour Calibration Software.

The PV270 will also be on show at ISE 2017. This 27" monitor delivers uncompromising colour performance and calibration tools for post-production workflows. Again, it has 100% Rec. 709 colour space, and 96% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The 99% Adobe RGB coverage encompasses most of the colours producible for photography professionals. In addition, the PV270 is Technicolor Color certified. The 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution delivers a crisp picture quality expected for close reviews and detailed editing.
With a 14-bit 3D Look Up Table, professionals are able to display accurate colour mixture. It also improves the RGB colour blending accuracy. GamutDuo enables users to view video simultaneously in different colour spaces side-by-side for added comparison convenience and reliability.

DPA Microphones (7–T235) will showcase the new Microphone Base. This new stand is for the company's d:screet SC4098 Podium Microphone. Designed to be placed on a table or podium, or attached to the ceiling or the wall, the Microphone Base is available in two colours, black and white, and comes with either a MicroDot connector, an XLR connector, or unterminated leads for connections to Phoenix blocks.

The d:screet capsule is mounted on a boom that, for the tabletop version, has a gooseneck at the top and the bottom, so users can position the mic where they want it. The ceiling version consists of one gooseneck. In both versions, the cable can exit either to the side or beneath the unit.

DPA has assembled various kits containing a different connector solution in response to the different needs of installers. For tabletop applications there are three kits consisting of a black base and a d:screet SC4098 with a 45cm (18in) gooseneck, while for ceiling applications there are three kits consisting of a white base and a d:screet SC4098 with a 15cm (6in) gooseneck. Customers can also purchase the microphone and microphone base separately to mix and match connectors, base colors and gooseneck lengths.

Guntermann & Drunck (10-P126) will present a variety of KVM smart solutions at ISE 2017, including new systems transmitting KVM-over-IP™ as well as installations supporting classic, dedicated cabling. Since the systems are compatible with each other, there are solutions fitting any applications: either with uncompressed or compressed video transmission for resolutions up to 8K, without any latency for top video quality and perfect hand-eye-coordination, via CAT, fibre optics or over IP.
The new KVM extender DP1.2-Vision-XG extends computer signals up to 10,000m thereby transmitting 4K or even 8K video at 60 Hz pixel by pixel. The latter is carried out over up to four synchronous video channels. Dedicated transmission takes place over fibre optics to provide sufficient bandwidth for uncompressed DisplayPort signals, video, keyboard/mouse, RS232, USB 2.0 and audio.

With regards to matrix modules, the new ControlCenter-Compact has replaced G&D's DVICenter. The ControlCenter-Compact is available in six expansion levels providing between 8 and 80 dynamic ports, which can be used either as input or as output. The device is compatible with both the DVICenter and the ControlCenter-Digital as well as all end devices, making it possible to add new systems to existing infrastructures.

Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH (1-H20) will target the areas of Live Entertainment, Public Display and Collaboration at ISE 2017. Looking at Live Entertainment, live events are no longer limited by stage or screen. With Panasonic's 30,000 lumen laser technology and 3D mapping users can project with an astonishing level of brightness, as well as create unique moving shapes and project with the clarity of reality. The company will also showcase its Live Production Control Room and demonstrate how audiences outside the event can 'experience the moment'.

Then there's LinkRay, which can deliver a world of information directly into the palm of customers' hands. Using their smartphones, the technology allows people to scan the world around them to unlock tailored content such as promotions and translated text. Coupled with analytics software , LinkRay offers statistics for profiling shoppers, helping clients to understand customers and serve them better.

Lastly, is Collaboration, and Panasonic's Lecture Capture 2.0 frees students from the confines of the classroom or lecture theatre by capturing sessions and releasing them to the world online. Crisp 4K footage from multiple video feeds can be shown on one projection screen. Advances in secure video streaming will also be demonstrated at the show.

Away from the show floor, other highlights of ISE 2017 will see InfoComm host an event aimed at young AV professionals aged 35 and under. Taking place between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday 8 February, young AV members will have the opportunity to meet their peers in informal surroundings and learn about what InfoComm can do for them. Visitors will also discover how they can get involved in the industry.

The Women of InfoComm Network (WIN) will also commence its activities this year on Wednesday with a networking event in The Emerald Room, RAI, from 5pm to 7pm. The evening will begin with speed networking; this provides attendees with an opportunity to spend a few minutes with each person in attendance in a relaxed, introductory way. This will be followed by cocktails and canapés, with a chance for further general networking. During the event, visitors will also be able to help compile a list of industry events for 2017 at which WIN members will be available to meet up at around the globe. To round off the event, WIN will launch WIN Career Empowerment Alliances for 2017 – an initiative to provide opportunities to discuss issues including career advancement, training, work-life balance, conflict resolution and more.

On Thursday 9 February, is the Sports Venue Technology Summit, devised by SVG Europe in conjunction with Roland Hemming. The half-day programme examines the technologies and processes underpinning the modern connected stadium. As well as assessing the latest developments to enhance the in-venue experience, the event also addresses the broadcast innovations bringing an increasing number of sports events to fans all around the world. Digital signage, virtual reality and a new generation of broadcast platforms will all be included in the programme. Confirmed speakers for the summit include Florian Rotberg, Managing Director of invidis consulting; Bob Kronman, Director of Kronman Associates; and Stuart Fisher, Chief Technical Officer of Derby County Football Club. Sessions will be moderated by Roland Hemming and SVG Europe Managing Editor David Davies.

With any industry event, the Keynotes are always worth paying close attention to as influential industry leaders are often included in the lineup, providing a unique insight into the sector as they tackle the latest, most pressing issues affecting the industry. This year is no exception at ISE with Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil delivering the Closing Keynote.

Lamarre is responsible for Cirque du Soleil's business strategy and financial growth, and also oversees the company's creative department and creation of all new shows. Two of his greatest business achievements with the organisation involve the music icons Michael Jackson, and the Beatles; Cirque du Soleil's production of LOVE, which is based on the music by The Beatles, and ONE, which is a celebration of Michael Jackson's work. These, along with the other shows, combine acrobatics, theatrics, visuals and music. For more than 30 years, Cirque du Soleil has shown how creative expression can benefit from the adoption of the latest audio-visual technologies when used to enhance and compliment a show's key storylines.

Commenting on his appearance at ISE 2017, Lamarre said: "As emerging technologies continue to grow their influence on live entertainment, it is timely for me to participate in ISE 2017. I will have an opportunity to share my vision on how new technologies will have a huge impact on artistic content."

Mike Blackman added: "ISE and its co-owners CEDIA and InfoComm International are proud to welcome Daniel Lamarre as our Closing Keynote for ISE 2017. It will be fascinating to hear the inside story of Cirque du Soleil from such a respected and successful business development expert."

ISE 2017 takes place at the RAI, Amsterdam, 7 – 10 February, 2017.

www.iseurope.org

This article is also available to read at BFV online here, page 56.

(JP/LM)