Tag Archive: LED screens

1. White Light Oversees Technical Upgrade at Sage Gateshead

   13 May 2021 10:12 Leave a Comment

   

   Sage Gateshead is an internationally-renowned music centre and conference and event venue located in the North East of England. In 2019/20, it welcomed 430,000 visitors, staged 500 concerts and events, supported over 200 musicians, worked with 20,000 children and young people and 20,000 adults through music-making, whilst an additional 6.6 million people heard its work via stream or broadcast. The venue houses three main stages of acoustic excellence, a 26-room music education centre, four bars, a brasserie and a café. Last year, it decided to install audio and visual facilities on the concourse and hospitality areas and approached White Light (WL) to oversee this technical upgrade.

   Having first opened in 2004, the aim of the upgrade at Sage Gateshead was to ensure its facilities were completely up-to-date and provided the best possible experience for those visiting the venue. The project was overseen by WL’s Business Development Manager James Pini, who comments: “Prior to our installation, the concourse and hospitality areas had no installed audio or visual systems for enhancing ambience and experience. The team at Sage Gateshead wanted to implement a multi-functional operation, including zoning to create a particular feel/atmosphere during a particular time of day and throughout certain events. They also wanted to improve the building’s overall visual communication, whether that was highlighting upcoming shows, promotions or access points. As such, they were looking to invest in digital signage and LED screens in order for the interior to be aesthetically pleasing but also have clear messaging”.  

   Having spoken to Sage Gateshead, WL’s Systems Design team made several site visits to the venue to finalise a specification that would suit the venue’s technical and budgetary requirements. The main areas of focus would be the bar and restaurant, along with the main concourse.

   

   In terms of the audio installation, this saw WL put in a place a brand-new sound system. James explains: “For us, it was important to have consistency throughout all of the spaces in terms of output but we also wanted to make them as user-friendly as possible for the client; ensuring that the system could be controlled from one place. As such, we drew on the QSC audio system which included a full-range surface mount and ceiling speakers in each area. This was controlled via a seven inch touch screen so the staff could change it as and when it suited them. At the back of house, we deployed a QSC Core 5.10.i which distributed the audio around the different areas and had the ability to split the various spaces”.

   For the bar area, WL had to draw on a different system due to the specificities of the space. James explains: “Obviously ambience and music is vital for any social area yet one of  Sage Gateshead’s bars is actually an open top meaning it could be slightly challenging when it comes to audio output! Thankfully, we have experience of working in similar spaces and knew to draw on the Yamaha full range speakers and sub woofers. These were installed behind the bar and thanks to their position, allowed for completely even distribution”.

   Once the audio installation was complete, the WL team then completed the visual elements. This included transforming the iconic Northern Rock Foundation Hall wall, which featured a 6m x 4m LED screen acting as the building’s main focal point and one which could be seen through the windows across the Tyne river. Both WL and Sage Gateshead decided to increase the size of the screen in order to make it a true centrepiece, upscaling it to 10m x 5.5m, using the Uni Lumen Uslim 4.9mm pixel pitch to ensure the picture was as high-quality as possible.

   

   On the West Elevation Level of the building, WL also installed a transparent LED 6m x 4m screen which can be used to push content via the Brightsign digital signage players. As the screen is positioned over the West entrance, this means it is visible to visitors as soon as they enter the building. Similarly, on the East and West side of the building, there are 8 x 55inch LCD full weatherproof signage boards which can also relay content and information on upcoming events. The overall control system utilises Crestron and each individual area can be controlled via an iPad, which was customised and programmed for the Sage Gateshead team, offering the most user-friendly experience possible.

   The technical upgrade is now complete and will be on full display when visitors are able to return to the building later this year.

   James concludes: “This was a fantastic project for us to be involved in and we were delighted to work closely with Sage Gateshead and deliver on its specific brief to elevate its spaces. We’re looking forward to when audiences can return to the building and experience this upgrade first-hand for themselves”.

   Photos courtesy of Tynesight.

2. White Light Supplies LED Walls to Park Holidays UK

   26 July 2017 15:14 Comments Off on White Light Supplies LED Walls to Park Holidays UK

   Park Holidays UK is the largest operator of holiday parks in the south of England. With 27 parks stretching from Devon in the west to Suffolk in the east, they offer a range of distinctive and individual parks in some of the most popular costal resorts in the country. Alongside accommodation, Park Holidays UK is committed to providing holiday-makers with a range of entertainment and state-of-the-art facilities. As a result, the company recently approached White Light to supply them with a series of LED screens.
   Jay Muzzell is Retail Support Manager at Park Holidays UK. He comments: “My role at Park Holidays UK means I oversee all of the retail departments along with the design and install of the technical equipment. As we oversee some of the most popular resorts in the country, we want to ensure that those who use our parks receive the best holidaying experience possible. Technology plays a huge part in this, which is why we were so eager to utilise LED technology”.
    
   Prior to the purchase of the LED screens, Jay had previously worked closely with WL’s Technical Solutions Director Andy Hook who supplied him with a series of LED columns. He states: “We had seen the LED columns in action and decided to use a few of these as a new feature for our outdoor entertainment. When we initially hired them in, we were very impressed with what we saw (as were those staying at the parks); so much so that we wanted to see what else was available out there”.
   Antony Vine, WL’s Business Development Manager, states: “After speaking with Jay and hearing about his specifications and his budget, it became clear that the ESD Lumen LED walls we had in stock would be the most suitable. They essentially wanted screens which could help enhance entertainment shows, which in turn would lead to a more exciting experience for those staying at the parks”.
   Park Holidays UK ultimately invested in 32 Panels of ESDLumen Dazzel 5.9mm Screens. Antony states: “ESDLumen are a leading LED display service adviser and one whose products we frequently invest in. Whether it’s trade shows, private events or conferences, they can be used in a range of environments and are extremely thin and versatile while offering the highest quality output. They are also very reasonably priced and fell well within Park Holidays UK’s budget”.
    
   WL supplied the range of screens to Park Holidays UK and they were put straight into use. Jay states: “We installed the screens and the immediate impact was palpable. We use them on a daily basis to advertise events running that day, along with broadcasts of our entertainment, show visuals and even games. We have an endless range of uses for them and they have genuinely become an integral part of our day-to-day activities”.
   This marks another example of WL supplying a client with the very latest LED technology bespoke to their exact requirements. Antony adds: “We are constantly investing in the very latest LED technology and have supplied clients ranging from broadcast channels such as ITV Sport to houses of worship to secondary schools. The use of LED technology, particularly screens similar to these, is constantly growing as organisations such as Park Holidays UK push boundaries by offering their customers something new. Due to our experience, knowledge and investment, we are in a position to help them achieve this”.
   Photos courtesy of Park Holidays UK.
    

3. White Light Announced as Official d3 Technologies Partner

   9 May 2017 09:31 Comments Off on White Light Announced as Official d3 Technologies Partner

   As the complete technical solution specialist, White Light works in a range of markets, including theatre, corporate events, broadcast, retail and leisure. Whether it’s supplying equipment for a brand-new space or upgrading an existing system, WL is constantly drawing on the very latest technology to offers its clients the exact solutions they require. This includes d3 Technologies’ state-of-the-art equipment which WL has utilised on a whole range of projects. The company has now been appointed as a d3 Certified Solutions Provider; meaning it now has its own fleet of d3 hardware which is available to customers.

   Being the world’s first integrated video production suite, d3 is the ultimate software to visualise, design and sequence projects. Based around a real-time d3 stage simulator, it offers a single solution needed to design, communicate and sequence any project. It also allows users to work with props, venues, LED screens, projection, lighting and moving stage elements; creating a fully integrated system.

   Lee Dennison, WL’s Head of Business Development, comments: “Due to the vast capabilities of d3 technology, we found ourselves constantly using the software as it provided options that simply weren’t out there. Also, as a company who works extensively in technical installations, we are often asked to provide all of the production aspects, including audio, lighting and video. Therefore, to have a system which allows us to visualise all of these components together is extremely beneficial. Such technology is changing how we view a lot of our work and this was something we wanted to make accessible to our clients”.

   As a d3 Sales and Integration Partner, WL joins an exclusive list of companies who are officially licensed to sell d3 technology. Sarah Cox, Sales Manager EMEA for d3 Technologies, states: “WL has a very thorough understanding of the potential d3 technology has. As a result, we’ve built a really strong relationship with the WL team and achieved some very special projects together. We’re very excited that they’re now able to distribute d3 products to their clients and pass down that knowledge and trust.”

   

                        Sarah Cox

   Over the past twelve months, the two companies have worked together on a range of projects. These include the ITV Sport Formula E studio along with a ground-breaking interactive training system for ATT. d3 Technologies has also held demo days at WL’s state-of-the-art Studio15, which has allowed those interested to get insight into the d3 solution first-hand.

   d3 Technologies are exhibiting on the WL stand at PLASA Focus in Leeds this week. The exhibition takes place today until tomorrow (10^th May) and WL will be situated on Stand N-C24. Representatives from both WL and d3 will be on the stand, available to speak to any visitors.

   Lee adds: “This is a really exciting time for both companies. d3 is continuing to develop its innovative technology and we are now in a position to offer this to customers on a whole range of projects. Together, we’re looking forward to offering this revolutionary technology to our established clients and those experiencing d3 for the first time”.