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FEATURE: SHOW CONTROL


(Medialon is introducing a new service for its customers that sees all connected devices send uptime and failure information to a Cloud-based database that can be monitored via the web.) Carru goes on to note that it allows a marketing organisation to collect substantial amounts of data that enables it to understand which are the most popular elements of a show, how visitor patterns vary during a week and so on.


And the influence of the web can


extend still further. Once a show control system becomes, in effect, the front end to a database, it can integrate with a website, for example, allowing visitors to pre-register in such a way that the show experience they receive is personalised to their preferences. No discussion of the significance of communications to show control would be complete without reference to the rapid growth in the need to integrate increasingly ubiquitous mobile devices. “It’s now possible to have


interactivity with mobile devices and streaming media over standard network solutions,” points out Svahnberg. “If we go back to the time before 2007 – before the iPhone – and look at what we can do today, there is an amazing convergence of communication, web and media. Much of the interface design we see in


MEDIALON HELPS CREATE DUTCH TOWN – IN JAPAN


Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park in Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan, which recreates a Dutch town. The spacious resort is suffused with a European atmosphere with its picturesque canals, windmills, gardens and architecture. The park houses various


amusements and rides, including 3D technology theatres, a haunted house, a replica of the Domtoren (Dom Tower) of Utrecht, a boat ride related to the hit Japanese anime series One Pieceand a new indoor ride based on One Piececharacters and stories. Medialon show control system technology was chosen to be part of One Piece – For the New World, the


today’s control systems was not possible back then.”


KEEPING IT SIMPLE Much design effort is being applied to ensure that the growing complexity and sophistication of shows doesn’t detract from users’ ability to take advantage of the functionality available. A case in point is a recent development from AV Stumpfl.


new indoor ride at the theme park. A Medialon


Showmaster PRO controls a


Medialon MAS PRO 32-channel audio server as well as projectors from Panasonic and NEC, 17 media players


“The Avio protocol is integrated into


the new version of Wings Vioso,” says Berger. “The concept behind this protocol is to convert every signal to one specific range of values, allowing every node in the network to influence another and vice versa. The whole network is a decentralised one and can be administered from any device with a browser. One of the most important features of this development is probably the usability: connecting nodes only requires one drag and drop, which allows you to work fast and extremely effectively.” Carru sees a similar requirement.


“Ease of programming has always been our number one goal,” he says, “but without sacrificing power. We believe we have achieved a pretty high level in that direction; it’s all drag and drop programming in real time, with no compile/download/ try/start over. At the same time,


and two DMX recorders. It also handles the ride lighting and shooting system control as well as the rack power control. The MAS PRO audio server controls the audio tracks and effects.


we’ve made it easier to link to databases, to transfer files and so on. Our plan is to improve ease of use again and again and again. The easier the tool is to use, the easier the creation is achieved: technology must not constrain creativity.”


“WHOSE IDEA WAS THAT?” Carru’s observation raises an implicit question: who drives show control development? Users or engineers? “It’s definitely a bit of both,” says Out Board’s Haydon. “Event and show creatives have to come up with ever more wow factor to impress people – so in that case, it is client-driven. But we have opened the eyes of some designers to how dynamically focusing the sound can create better immersion and impact.” Carru sees things similarly.


“Technology is always coming up with cool stuff that creative people may


FC Bayern Munich has created an installation that tells the club's history. It is controlled by AV Stumpfl's Wings Vioso 26 January 2013 www.installation-international.com


CASE STUDY


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