The Sep/Oct issue of LIVE dives into how AV is transforming sports, from immersive fan experiences to cutting-edge stadium tech. We also spotlight the technical wizardry behind London's latest immersive experience Elvis Evolution – as well as Disney's latest stage revival Hercules. Our first IBC Pro AV Highlights offers an extensive AV guide to this year's show and the lighting showcases setups for every scenario Finally, don't miss this issue's buyers’ guide to essential pro audio gear: PA systems, intercoms, mics, mixing consoles, and more!
UNPACKING ELVIS EVOLUTION The tech behind London’s pelvis-poppin’ experience IBC 2025: PRO AV HIGHLIGHTS Your audio-visual guide to this year’s conference HERCULES ON THE WEST END Disney’s dazzling stage revival goes the distance
LIVEMAG.ONLINE
SEP/OCT 2025
Now we are in this
‘sportainment era’ where people expect more than just sports. They want to be entertained around the sport Uncover AV’s disruptive impact on the sports sector on page 20
SHOOT AND SCORE We step inside the stadiums of the future to find every facet of fan experience facing a technical transformation
EDITOR’S WELCOME
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Discover Minoru Fujimoto’s viral AV wearables on page 36
EDITORIAL Editor Verity Butler +44 (0) 1223 492246 veritybutler@bright.uk.com Senior staff writer Katie Kasperson Features writer Oliver Webb Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editors Zanna Buckland & Chris Young Editorial director Nicola Foley ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith +44 (0) 1223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Sales managers Emma Stevens +44 (0) 1223 499462 +44 (0) 7376 665779 emmastevens@bright.uk.com Kurran Jagpal +44 (0) 1223 492244 kurranjagpal@bright.uk.com DESIGN Junior designer and Senior designer Carl Golsby Magazine design manager Lucy Woolcomb Design director Andy Jennings PUBLISHING Managing directors Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck FOLLOW US ad production Holly May Junior designer Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman
F rom the ancient Greeks and gladiators brutally sparring wild animals (and one another), it’s fair to say sport has seen many iterations throughout human existence. But if one thing remains the same, it’s that the desire to be entertained in this format has never lost momentum. This means delivering high-quality fan experience is crucial, and early venues such as the Colosseum and Circus Maximus demonstrate that this is something we have been honing for quite some time. Back to the present, and cue audio-visual technology. The Sep/ Oct issue of LIVE delves into AV’s influential impact on sport. From colossal in-venue LED displays to immersive innovations for home viewing, it’s rewriting the playbook on sporting engagement. Speaking of immersive, this issue also takes you inside London’s latest attraction: Elvis Evolution , a dazzling, AV-driven journey through the life and legacy of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. We’ve got the technical scoop slathered in olive oil competing in the original Olympic Games on how cutting-edge projection, lighting and sound come together to bring a music legend’s story to life. Over in London’s West End, we’re pulling back the curtain on the tech powering Disney’s latest West End revival, Hercules . With Disney’s proven track record on
stage ( The Lion King , Frozen , Aladdin and more), the new show promises to be another epic blend of storytelling and technology. Also, our lighting showcase takes a panoramic view of solutions across the AV spectrum, from energising the classroom to sparkling on stage. For those on the hunt for pro audio accessories, this issue’s buyers’ guide highlights the cream of the crop, including PA systems, mixing consoles, intercoms, in-ear monitors and more. Finally, with the lines between broadcast, live events and pro AV blurring faster than ever, don’t miss LIVE ’s inaugural IBC: AV highlights. We’ve distilled the must-see tech from this year’s show into a handy guide for anyone seeking solutions that will work seamlessly from the broadcast studio to the boardroom. So, if you’re heading out to Amsterdam in September, make sure to grab your physical copy of LIVE and book a meeting in with our team. We’d love to hear your stories, swap ideas and talk about the next big thing in AV.
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Verity Butler Editor veritybutler@bright.uk.com
CONTENTS
06 NEWS AND UPDATES The latest audio-visual scoops – from medieval metal to broken records at Stade de France
16 IBC: AV HIGHLIGHTS Headed to Amsterdam in
September? Here’s your AV guide to IBC 2025 ahead of the show
20 SPORTS AV
From smart courts to supersonic stadiums, this issue delves into the tools powering the sports sector
28 IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES The King is in London, and we’re not talking about Charles III. Check out our scoop on Elvis Evolution
36 INDUSTRY ICONS
LIVE.
Meet Minoru Fujimoto: the dance tech whizz behind LED wearables worn by the likes of Beyoncé!
54 LIGHTING
44 THEATRE
As it grows into a luminous market for AV, we look into examples of leading lighting solutions
LIVE goes behind the tech scenes of Disney’s latest theatre revival: Hercules on the West End
50 CONCERTS & TOURING Experts from Universal Pixels and Clair Global’s Skan join us to discuss the art of building a global tour
60 BUYERS’ GUIDE
Revealed: the cream of the pro audio accessories crop – from consoles to mics, PAs to in-ears
36
This issue’s cover was designed by Carl Golsby at Bright Publishing. Image supplied by Fiba
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NEWS
SMODE TECH SUPPLIES SENSITIVE ABSTRACTION
Smode Tech’s media server and real-time compositing platform is powering Sensitive Abstraction , a new fulldome graphic and sound art performance by visual artist Yannick Moréteau and the electronic music composer Flore. Described as an immersive journey through the poetic dimensions of mathematics, Sensitive Abstraction has toured planetariums and digital arts festivals in Canada and France since its premiere in 2024. Created entirely with Smode, the work looks to transform abstract mathematical
Yannick Moréteau, founder of arts collective WSK, developed and runs the entire performance using a single Smode media server, from the creation of the visuals to generation and export of the content – previewing the dome projection and managing the show live with assistance from Smode’s real-time compositing capabilities. “I believe Smode is still not well known enough among designers and technicians, even though it addresses their needs perfectly,” said Moréteau. “It’s an incredibly powerful tool with a unique approach.”
principles such as the Fibonacci sequence and Euclidean grids into flowing visual tableaux, synced in real time with Flore’s score in spatial audio.
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A CELEBRATION OF SOUND: JUST FOR ONE DAY The new Just for One Day musical commemorates how music united the world nearly 40 years ago in a unique event to raise awareness and funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. Playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, the critically acclaimed musical features hit songs by some of the most iconic artists including Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Elton John and more. Gareth Owen, sound designer for Just for One Day , relied on 84 channels of the Axient Digital Wireless System and PSM 1000 In-Ear Wireless Personal Monitoring System, among other Shure tools. “The sheer volume of RF equipment on most musical theatre shows means we just need a system that works. We can’t deal with unreliable RF for a musical like this, and Shure delivers reliability time and time again,” said Owen. Shure software – Wavetool and Wireless Workbench – played crucial roles too, providing a centralised solution for remote listening and simultaneously monitoring RF and battery levels. This helped to identify and resolve any audio problems that arose, which guaranteed exceptional performance for the artists and audiences alike. Directed by Luke Sheppard and written by John O’Farrell, the new show donates 10% to The Band Aid Charitable Trust, with £1 million already raised.
CHAOS DROPS 30,000 ASSETS
full creative potential,” said Stephan Sieber, CEO of Chaos. With ongoing investment aimed at digitally supercharging user workflows, the platform is evolving on multiple fronts: expanding its animated asset collection with the introduction of animated people from Anima, as well as enhancing creative flexibility with the launch of the AI material generator, an AI-powered tool that transforms photos into lifelike 3D materials.
At the end of July, Chaos launched a major expansion to its Chaos Cosmos library, adding nearly 30,000 high-quality 3D assets. With this, it became the largest curated library of assets for architects, architectural visualisers, interior designers and other 3D and AEC professionals. “This takes our asset library to a whole new level, empowering our users to create faster designs, better builds and smarter scales, exploring their
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BULLETIN
SHARPENING UP DVLED OFFERINGS Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe has announced the addition of an ultra-fine pixel module to its direct-view LED (DVLED) FE3 Series – using Flip-Chip IMD technology. The new module complements the existing 1.2, 1.5 and 1.9mm options in the FE3 DVLED line-up. TABLET FOR THE FUTURE Canal Toys has unveiled the Pad Creator interactive tablet, a new multimedia tablet for children aged eight and up. The new tablet offers instant printing, allowing digital creations to be brought to life in seconds. It also includes draw, write, photograph and design functionalities. GOING LINEAR WITH LONG THROW HK Audio has released its Linear 9 Long Throw Pack, a scalable system configuration that combines high SPL performance and long-throw precision with plug-and-play usability. Developed with touring professionals and rental firms in mind, the set-up is a powerful and road-ready solution. EVOLVED LEARNING FOR VIRGINIA TECH A major installation of TVONE Coriomaster video processors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), as part of a wider upgrade of TVs, LED video walls and projector screens, has transformed how students learn and lessons are taught. Four distinct areas of the institution’s Alexandria campus now feature LED screens, projections or displays. LIGHTWARE UNLOCKS 5K Lightware has revealed a new feature for its MX2 matrix switchers. The firmware upgrade unlocks 5K resolution support, with no hardware modifications required. Integrators can now boost performance and support for 5K ultra-wide displays, simply by adding the latest firmware. This feature is especially useful for collaborative spaces.
SŌL I BLINDERS GO ON TOUR
unique blend of retro form factor and modern colour capabilities. “I’m generally attracted to retro-looking fixtures,” Roth explained. “My preference is to utilise the best aspects of new technology, ideally in a fixture that has a throwback feel to the earlier days of the lighting industry.” The fixture proved a natural fit for Nathaniel Rateliff’s vintage style of music. With its RGBLAW chip, the Sōl I Blinder delivers a full colour spectrum, including warm and cool shades of white. Its high CRI, over 93, creates looks that translate well live and on camera.
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats hit the road in spring for their first major tour as headliners. The soulful, vintage-inspired production design of their South of Here tour had the Elation Sōl I Blinder at the very heart of the lighting design. The Blinders were chosen as a key fixture by production and lighting designer Jeremy Roth, who specified 106 units as the core element of the visual aesthetic. Brown Note Productions delivered the full lighting, audio and rigging systems for the tour. Roth turned to the Sōl I Blinders for their
CLEAR-COM EQUIPS ’COASTERS
operators, loaders and platform staff. Continuous improvement lead for Merlin Theme Parks Kiran O’Connor explained how Equip boosted communication in the parks: “Initially, team members were hesitant, wondering if they should talk, because suddenly everyone could hear them. But they quickly settled in and understood when was right to have those conversations.”
Clear-Com has successfully implemented its Equip intercom system at Merlin Theme Parks, enhancing ride operations, safety and guest satisfaction through improved team communication. Long-standing, trusted tech partner Tyrell introduced Merlin to Clear-Com’s Equip system – a hands-free, full-duplex intercom solution designed to streamline conversations between ride
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Geneva-based wellness studio Casa Boost is transforming yoga into an immersive experience using Christie Captiva DWU500S ultra-short-throw laser projectors. The installation was carried out by Moonlight Drive, in partnership with The Good Brand, turning a single wall into a dynamic visual canvas to enhance meditation and movement sessions with vivid projections of landscapes, galaxies and flowing textures. Two Christie Captiva DWU500S projectors, with 1DLP laser tech and WUXGA resolution, were installed YOGA ACROSS THE UNIVERSE audio system, needed to align with the artists’ cinematic vision. Cohesion handled PA for the ambitious project. The tour was creatively ambitious, incorporating lots of visuals, pyro, cryo and lasers, accompanied by a robust and consistent PA that Cohesion was tasked to deliver each night. “It’s about evoking an experience,” said FOH engineer Kenny Sellars. “Sometimes you feel like your head is pinned back. We feature some insane sub drops, fire, magic tricks – you name it. This show is a full-body feeling.” 21 PILOTS BRING CINEMATIC VISION TO LIFE In support of their hit album Clancy , Twenty One Pilots launched their most expensive tour yet: 73 dates, four continents, debuting in Denver last August and continuing through Oceania, Central and South America before finishing this spring in Europe. To best support The Clancy World Tour , all facets of production, particularly the
ALFALITE X APULI Alfalite recently announced the
inauguration of a new virtual production XR studio at the ITS Apulia Foundation’s Apuli Digital Lab in Bari, Italy. Featuring Alfalite’s VP XR solutions, the project was carried out in collaboration with Alfalite’s local partner, Broadcast Digital Service, which was responsible for the supply and commissioning of the systems. Located at the Fiera del Levante and forming part of the innovative Apulia Digital Lab, the new facility claims to be one of the most advanced digital production environments in southern Europe. It offers students, creators and AV professionals a full XR stage equipped with the latest VP technologies, and is part of a broader initiative to foster innovation in the fields of cultural industries, entertainment and ICT. “This project is a clear demonstration of how LED technology can empower education, creativity and innovation,” said Silvia C Natal, international sales manager at Alfalite. “We’re proud that our Modularpix Pro LED panels were selected for such a visionary initiative, which brings virtual production within the reach of students and professionals alike.”
side by side, creating a seamless blend over the 9x2.2m projection surface. Painted in a neutral grey tone to maximise colour vibrancy, it displays looped video tailored to each class, from animated cosmic journeys to tranquil natural scenes.
BLENDING CLASSICAL MELODIES WITH MEDIEVAL METAL
instruments – from strings, flutes and acoustic guitars to vocal performances. “The Wharfedale Pro system gave an outstanding performance, convincing the event organisers to entrust us with the audio production again, for Tolkien Tage 2026. We’re particularly pleased with the positive feedback from guest sound engineers, and I must highlight the excellent support from IAD-GmbH, the German distributor for Wharfedale Pro,” said Stefan Kosmalla, managing director of Rockline Sound & Light.
June saw the German Tolkien Society hold a four-day festival in Geldern am Niederrhein. The varied programme, including a concert evening featuring diverse artists and ensembles, was enjoyed by a total of 14,000 Tolkien fans. Technical audio production was handled by Rockline Sound & Light from Issum; it deployed an extensively scaled Wharfedale Pro system to cover the broad musical programme. The system had to cleanly amplify classical ensembles of diverse acoustic
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BULLETIN DAKTRONICS JOINS WITH GRASS VALLEY A major strategic technology partnership has been announced between Daktronics and Grass Valley. The collaboration aims to unite the live production expertise of Grass Valley with Daktronics’ leadership in the production of large-scale LED displays. MOONLIGHT BUILDS ROBOTIC LINE Robotic line array company PK Sound has advanced its partnership with Moonlight Productions by adding its new T8 compact line array system and complementary T18 intelligent subwoofers. “PK Sound’s variable robotic coverage control remains an impressive, highly beneficial technology for our work,” stated Moonlight Productions co-founder Greg Ostrander. ADAPTIVE SOUND BOLSTERS WORSHIP Church Unlimited recently turned to its integration partner Messenger AVL to apply an EAW Adaptive sound system to its tech portfolio. The EAW Adaptive technology offers a powerful solution: a software-controlled system capable of even coverage all the way to the back of a room. SPOTLIGHTING COHEED & CAMBRIA For the recent US leg of Coheed and Cambria’s 2025 Welcome to Forever tour, lighting designer Ben Jarrett of Squeek Lights crafted a dazzling visual feast using Elation’s Paragon pro moving head as the primary spot fixture. Paragon played a central role in shaping the visuals, while supporting the band’s unique The Amory Wars narrative thread.
HK AUDIO FOR IRON FEST OPEN AIR
With a daily capacity of around 800 attendees, Iron Fest’s asymmetrical terrain meant that delivering consistent sound came with challenges. “We needed punch and precision in front of the stage and a more relaxed mix in the social spaces. Cosmo gave us that control, and the terrain didn’t interfere as much as we initially feared it would,” said Vicente Rios Silvestre, application support engineer at HK Audio. “Cosmos gave everyone a reliable starting point, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive – it meant a lot.”
Set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Ohmbachsee in western Germany, Iron Fest Open Air has quickly earned its reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting boutique metal festivals. With a focus on top-tier curation, this year’s edition once again pushed the bar – especially when it came to sound. To meet the festival’s technical demands, Iron Fest’s longtime audio partner, SPV Neuschwander, selected the HK Audio Cosmo Line Array System to provide sound reinforcement across the weekend event.
KALI AUDIO GOES OVER-EAR
Kali Audio has unveiled the HP-1 – its first over-ear DSP-powered headphones for mixing and QC. They provide users with a neutral and accurate representation of their mix, plus the ability to switch between voicings at the press of a button. Wired connection is also available via the 3.5mm jack and included cable.
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BULLETIN
ON RENOVATES ICONIC FACADE
The digital art facade of the FIESP building in São Paulo, Brazil has been entirely transformed. Global AV tech company On completed a sweeping technological overhaul of the Sesi-SP Digital Gallery, replacing the previous 26,000 LED dots with more than 120,000 newly engineered units, resulting in ten times the brightness. DETROIT SCHOOL SETS BAR FOR VP Brompton Technology’s LED processing solutions are at the heart of a cutting-edge virtual production studio recently installed at Detroit Country Day School. Thought to be the first pro-grade VP and VFX studio in any PreK-12 educational institution in the US, the new facility features a rack-mounted Tessera SX40 4K LED video processor among other Brompton solutions. MARTIN BRINGS OUT BLACKLINE Q Martin Audio has launched the Blackline Q series. The nine-strong range of products comprises improved passive two-way point source loudspeakers, all-new column speakers and a suite of subwoofers. The series features intelligent design details that make it equally at home in portable or install applications. NSIGN INSTALL WIPES THE FLOOR Mein Bodenbelag, an 160-year-old floor-covering retailer based in Neresheim, Germany, has elevated its showroom experience by implementing a digital signage network powered by the Nsign.tv software platform. The system includes 20 displays strategically placed throughout the store to provide an engaging experience. GRAND OPENING COVERAGE SUCCESS Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) played a key role in the grand opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe. The massive media event included coverage from NBC and more – all of which relied on PWS to stay connected and interference-free.
A WELLNESS TRIPP
by research, Tripp has leveraged immersive technology and AI, enhanced by music, to deliver personalised wellness experiences. The newly launched Sound Bath by Tripp is a separate, immersive auditory and visual experience that features music by Tiësto & 7 Skies, David Starfire and more. The new VR app invites users to step into a world of vibrant sound bowls and collaborate with these artists.
Tripp, an award-winning XR wellness company, recently launched Sound Bath by Tripp, a new application available on the Meta Quest store. It seeks to redefine the experience of sound baths with its fusion of music, light, haptics and interactive flow. With over 13 million sessions served across VR, AR and mobile, Tripp is one of the fastest-growing XR wellness platforms. Informed
UK FESTIVAL SCENE TAKEOVER
The festival site attracted an aggregate of more than 300,000 people in all. Solotech, working alongside production manager Frankie Tee of Enteetainment and technical production manager Amy Harmsworth, fielded no fewer than 62 WPL elements on the main stage, driven in optimum one-box resolution from Martin Audio’s multichannel Ikon IK42 amps.
Solotech returned to Brockwell Park in south London to support three successive weekends of festival activity. Having populated the event with MLA in previous years, it was time to upgrade their expanded WPL inventory. This provided site coverage for events including Wide Awake, Field Day, Mighty Hoopla, City Splash and Lambeth Country Show over the long duty cycle.
NEWS
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RECORDS BROKEN AT STADE DE FRANCE
SOUNDING OUT POC POC FROM DJ MAG’S TOP 100 CLUB LIST
Pham Duy Quang said: “The glass interior’s height is approximately 8.5m, and the capacity around 1100, so we knew Torus by Martin Audio would deliver high-quality sound. The speakers produce clean audio and combine well with the powerful SXCF118 subwoofer.” Martin Audio’s marketing director James King added: “We are proud, once again, to have key representation in DJ Mag ’s list of famous dance venues. We have a long, distinguished heritage in equipping venues and EDM events with our premium sound systems.”
For dance venues the world over, one of the most coveted accolades is recognition in DJ Magazine ’s top 100 clubs. Located in Vietnam’s capital, Ho Chi Minh, Poc Poc Garden first featured in the list last year, after Duc Pro Audio fitted a Martin Audio sound system in 2023. Now, for the 2025 list, it has risen even further in the ranks. Located in the heart of District Three and boasting impressive premium and outdoor spaces, it combines unique performances with high-octane dance music. Duc Pro Audio product manager
Stageco was recently selected as a key technical provider for French production company Teckoff for a run of big shows at Paris’s Stade de France in April. One of these included Marseille-born rapper Jul, who smashed the venue’s attendance record with his audience totalling 97,816 – eclipsing the previous record set in 2022 by Indochine. Project manager Lies Rombouts described the record-breaking Jul event as a ‘fascinating challenge’ that highlighted Stageco’s many strengths. “Jul’s date was set in between shows at the stadium by Burna Boy and rapper/ singer Ninho – both of which were also Stageco projects,” she revealed, “so it was great to have the cooperation between all of the teams to guarantee smooth transitions all round.” Hendrik Verdeyen and his 11-strong crew handled Burna Boy’s four-tower system, enhanced with catwalks, as well as the delay towers, FOH risers and camera decks, which were all built from 12 trailer loads of Stageco gear. A Gérard Drouot production, the Stageco project manager for Burna Boy’s concert was Dirk De Decker, with Jelte Smets brought in as structural engineer, while Bart Bleys looked after all things research and design.
NEWS
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DUBAI FOUNTAIN GOES DIGITAL
“This is probably the most interesting project we’ve done in a long time,” commented John Joseph, director of Blue Rhine Industries. “A digital hoarding of almost half a kilometre long isn’t something you hear about every day.” Infiled stepped in to help transform the promenade into a breathtaking digital experience. Spanning 440m in length and standing three metres high, the temporary LED display is now the longest digital screen in the world – and was designed, manufactured and installed in under 60 days.
Set against the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk is always a hub of tourist activity. With the fountains set to go through a long stretch of renovation, developer Emaar sought to ensure the atmosphere of the popular area would remain uninterrupted during the six months of construction. Working closely with Dubai- based system integrator Blue Rhine Industries, Infiled was tasked with providing a solution to maintain engagement at one of the city’s most-visited tourist sites.
GLOBAL BUYERS CLIMB IN APAC Notably, 2025 welcomed 40%
July saw Infocomm Asia 2025 successfully bring together the
international attendees – an increase of 35% on the previous year. The show also saw a rise in visitors from key markets such as Australia, India, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. “The significant increase in high-value international buyers with immediate purchasing needs proves that Infocomm Asia is an essential platform where the region’s pro AV community gathers to connect, learn and drive the industry forward,” said June Ko, executive director of Infocomm Asia.
industry’s most influential minds and most significant buyers from across the Asia-Pacific region at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok. The show floor saw a vibrant hub of innovation, showcasing over 250 new products from more than 170 exhibitors. The show floor was characterised by a strong presence of AV and IT channels, including a significant contingent of systems integrators, distributors and consultants from across the region.
DIARY DATES INTEGRATE EXPO 27-29 August Sydney Australia
PLASA SHOW 7-9 September London UK
INFOCOMM INDIA 9-11 September Mumbai India
IBC 2025 12-15 September
NAB NEW YORK 22-23 October New York US
Amsterdam Netherlands
16 IBC 2025: AV HIGHLIGHTS IBC IBC is right around the corner, and with the continued convergence of sectors, LIVE is on hand to provide this year’s pro AV highlights Words Verity Butler
A s the team here at LIVE gears up for the busy period otherwise known as ‘the great IBC build-up’, we look to this year’s show with a clear mission: to identify the AV tools and trends increasingly proliferating the show’s floor. Cunningly dubbed ‘AV broadcast’, this distinct overlap is growing nearly twice as fast as traditional media tech – at 2.9% CAGR versus 1.8% between now and 2027 – according to IABM and Caretta Research. If one thing was clear from our first foray to the show in 2024, the market for media and entertainment technology is far from confined to those producing for television and cinema screens. From the ever-expanding growth of the creator economy, which sees social media influencers building broadcast-level mini-studios and teams, to education, houses of worship and corporate sectors looking to sophisticate their workflows, AV has never been more in demand.
IBC 2025 will be held on 12-15 September at RAI Amsterdam
demographic of talks, exhibitors and visitors at IBC only works to emphasise this further. If you want to make a beeline for the talks and booths giving voice to the broadcast AV conversation at this year’s show – look no further.
Sports clubs and leagues are cutting out the broadcaster to stream video direct to fans – and brands are too. This pervasiveness of digital surfaces and media technology in almost every facet of modern life has enabled this convergence, and the increasing pro AV
The Accelerator Zone at last year's event in the Netherlands
IBC
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The winners will be those who can adapt to evolving audience needs and innovate using emerging technologies
TALKS AND PANELS Though many of the talks at IBC centre around broadcast and production, there are still an array that directly link to pro AV and live event production. Here are some you won’t want to miss. DAY 1: FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER CTO ROUNDTABLE UNLOCKING POTENTIAL: ADOPTING & ADAPTING THE NEW TOOLS OF THE TRADE 10.30-11.30am, Conference Room 1 Traditional broadcast infrastructure has given way to much more flexible, intelligent and sustainable systems. But the industry transformation goes far beyond just updating equipment as broadcasters fundamentally rethink how they create, deliver and monetise content in an era where viewing habits change as quickly as the technology enabling them. This panel includes speakers from Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount and ITV.
DAY 2: SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
ADVANCES IN VIDEO: AI ENCODING, AVATARS AND IMMERSIVITY 1.45-3.15pm, Technical Papers Room Video is at the heart of our industry, and this three-paper session presents impressive and compelling technical advancements spanning encoding, AR/ VR/XR and immersivity. Speakers at the session will hail from Imax, Qualcomm and Japan Broadcasting Corporation. DAY 4: MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER RECONFIGURING AN ESTABLISHED MEDIA ECOSYSTEM BY EMBRACING DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION 12.30-1.15pm, IBC Showcase Theatre One of the largest media conglomerates in the Arabic region, United Media Services (UMS) will discuss its strategy to embrace disruptive and emerging tech to drive vital new approaches to the evolution of media, serving audiences with trusted, compelling, highly entertaining and innovative services.
PANEL: IS THIS THE END OF ADVERTISING AS WE KNOW IT? 4.30-5.15pm, Conference Room 1 The media landscape is changing and traditional advertising players will get squeezed unless they can successfully implement technological, business- model and business-design innovation. Panel includes speakers from WPP, Little Dot Studios, Fox Advertising and Google. DAY 3: SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER MEDIA 2025: WINNERS AND LOSERS IN THE NEW CONTENT ECOSYSTEM 10.15-11.15am, Conference Room 1 The winners will be those who adapt to evolving audience needs and innovate using emerging technologies while still maintaining their core strengths. Speakers include representatives from ProSiebenSat.1 PULS 4 and Fremantle Media International.
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BOOTHS, GLORIOUS BOOTHS There has been an industry-wide funnelling of top-tier broadcast and production tools into the AV sector. Here are some booths at this year’s show that feature companies pioneering this shift.
PTZ OPTICS Stand 1.BO7
PTZ Optics is a US-based company that manufactures robotic pan, tilt and zoom video cameras. With a variety of cabling options, network connectivity and remote-control capability, PTZ Optics cameras are ideal for video production and livestreaming applications.
INFILED Stand 3.B61
Attendees can hop to various exhibitor booths and try out their latest products
CLEAR-COM Stand 10.D29
Infiled is a leading high-tech enterprise that specialises in developing and manufacturing large LED displays. It offers high-performance solutions adapting to the diverse needs of various applications, including rental, corporate, control rooms, XR and virtual production.
complete ecosystem of tools trusted by TV networks, houses of worship, educators and streamers alike.
Clear-Com is a trusted provider of professional real-time communications solutions and services, founded in 1968. It released the first-to-market wired intercom systems for live performances. Since then, the markets it serves include broadcast, live performance, live events, sports, aerospace and government.
NEUMANN Stand 8.D50
Since 1928, the name Neumann has been synonymous with perfect sound, pioneering innovation and uncompromising quality. With the introduction of its first audio interface MT 48 and its revolutionary converter technology, Neumann now offers all the necessary technologies to capture audio in reference quality, from sound recording and sound reproduction.
DIRECTOUT TECHNOLOGIES Stand 8.D65
Directout specialises in developing pro audio connectivity, networking and bridging solutions for broadcast, studio, live and installed sound applications. The company’s solutions help build bridges between systems based on different audio formats, such as MADI, Soundgrid, Dante and Ravenna. AJA VIDEO SYSTEMS Stands 2.G106a, 2.G107a and 7.B19 AJA Video Systems is an innovator for the broadcast, cinema, pro AV and post-production industries. Its solutions provide both powerful and flexible video interfaces and conversion technologies, alongside state-of-the-art digital video recording solutions, advanced colour management tools and cutting-edge remote production technology.
SENNHEISER Stand 8.D50
Sennheiser is one of the planet’s leading providers of professional audio technology. And the Sennheiser Group doesn’t solely include the Sennheiser brand, but is also made up of Neumann, Ambeo and Merging. Its extensive and world-renowned product portfolio spans wireless microphones and monitoring systems, wired microphones, conference and information technology, professional headphones, streaming – as well as 3D audio technologies and software.
BRAINSTORM Stand 7.C39
Brainstorm’s advanced yet user-friendly products meet today’s rapidly evolving broadcast and AV market requirements by providing state-of-the-art 3D graphic, VP, XR, AR and virtual studio solutions. With more than 3000 installations around the world, its client base includes many of the biggest global broadcasters, as well as smaller and regional stations, production houses, film facilities and other content providers.
NETGEAR Stand 10.D33
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in the US, Netgear is a global leader in innovative networking technologies for businesses, homes and service providers. Netgear delivers a wide range of award-winning, intelligent solutions designed to unleash the full potential of connectivity and power extraordinary experiences.
ASTERA Stand 12.F33
MARSHALL ELECTRONICS Stand 11.C28
Astera develops lighting solutions for the film and event markets and has been at the forefront of lighting technology ever since the mid 2000s. Renowned for its battery-powered, remote-controlled LED lights, Astera has solidified its reputation as a key player, known for setting high standards in innovation and reliability.
Marshall Electronics is a globally recognised, award-winning brand provider of quality, high-performance products for integrated AV systems, houses of worship, broadcast and streaming applications.
AUDIO-TECHNICA Stand 8.D46
VIZRT Stand 10.A41
In 1962, possessing an ambition to produce high-quality audio for all, Audio-Technica’s founder Hideo Matsushita created the first truly affordable cartridge in Shinjuku, Japan. Since then, Audio-Technica has grown into a globally celebrated company that is devoted to delivering audio excellence at every level.
BIRDDOG Stand 7.C13
With more than 25 years of innovation in storytelling workflows, Vizrt is a leader in real-time graphics and live production for creators. Vizrt shapes video creation thanks to groundbreaking solutions in graphics, cloud, live streaming, virtual production and more.
Birddog is redefining what’s possible in live video – from world-class broadcast studios to content creators on the move. Built upon its true broadcast DNA and powered by NDI, Birddog offers a
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BMW Park in Germany now has a permanent glass floor following a basketball season-opener installation provided by ASB Glass Floor in 2023
BEYOND THE From smart courts to supersonic
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SCOREBOARD stadiums, LIVE explores AV tech shaping the future of sports media Words Oliver Webb
22 SPORTS TECHNOLOGY 2 001 marked a significant the sports sector, with the introduction of Hawkeye development when it came to audio-visual technology in during coverage of a cricket Test match between Pakistan and England. The advanced camera system is used to track the trajectory of a ball and also provides real-time data for accurate decision-making. It wasn’t long before other sports such as tennis and ice hockey followed suit and implemented the technology too. AV has not only shaped how matches are officiated but also serves as a useful tool for athlete performance and fan engagement. Innovations in cameras, audio systems, LED video walls and real-time signal distribution are at the forefront of improving coverage of games – and are changing how fans experience them, both in person and at home. SUSTAINABLE PIXEL POWER At the centre of many forms of sport are the LED screens that allow fans, both present and at home, to stay close to the action. They might have been around since the sixties – and have been an integral part of the sporting world since the nineties – but they continue to play a major role in stadiums, and the tech powering them is rapidly advancing. According to Ross Noonan, technical marketing and training manager at DigiLED, the LED display world, despite its influence, has a hidden problem: standby power use. “When your crowds aren’t around, you ought to be switching those screens off completely,” he begins. “You might think, easy enough – I’ll hit the breaker switch, or a bunch of them if it’s a massive set-up. And while that’s one way to do it – shutting them down is straightforward – the real headache comes when you try to power them back up safely without any hitches.” Firing up LED screens again can cause a surge of inrush current, which might trip breakers or even damage older parts with the sudden stress. “The larger the screen, the higher the risk,” says Noonan. “That’s why, for years, most LED displays aren’t ever fully turned off. They’re just set to black or some kind of ‘pseudo standby’ mode, where they can still draw up to 17% of their maximum power while doing absolutely nothing.” DigiLED came up with Zeus, the zero-energy-use system, to combat this problem. Zeus is a power management set-up designed to drop standby power to zero and handle safe restarts for indoor and outdoor screens alike. “Sports venues have always been at the forefront of using huge, bright LED displays, so they’re perfectly placed to get the most out of something like Zeus,” he explains. “Since it launched, it’s been fitted in 85 sites worldwide (and counting), including big-name arenas like The O2 in London, the Scottish Event Campus and grounds for cricket clubs such as Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Sussex County Cricket Club. The benefits add up quickly. Take Yorkshire County Cricket, as an example.
We are always striving for better, constantly progressing with energy-saving options to become a greener stadium
Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s utilisation of the DigiLED power management system Zeus has cut costs, energy use and CO2 emissions
Since 2023, they’ve saved £28,500, cut energy use by 101,545kWh and reduced CO2 emissions by 25,792kg. We’re always striving for better, constantly progressing with energy-saving options to become a greener stadium.” SLAP SHOT AI camera tracking is significantly impacting live sports by automating and enhancing how games are filmed, analysed and experienced. Major sporting leagues, such as the Premier League, NHL and NBA, have already
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opportunity, connection and recognition, helping shape the future of sport across Africa by giving every single player, team and supporter the chance to be seen and celebrated.” In an exclusive partnership with AI Sport Africa, Pixellot is powering the largest school and youth sports broadcasting initiative ever launched on the continent. Beyond Supersport Schools, Pixellot’s partnership with AI Sport Africa extends to regional projects such as the Nigeria Premier Football League, the Zambia Super League, the first international rugby match in Zimbabwe and pilot initiatives across East Africa. “We are also seeing this impact replicated globally through our various partnerships with major broadcasters,” says Evans. “Sports Engine Play has extended its multi-year collaboration with us, accelerating NBC’s efforts to activate game streaming from youth sports facilities across the US. The partnership now includes livestreaming coverage of more than 10,000 games, with select games even streaming live on Peacock. Similarly, CBC/Radio- Canada launched their youth sports platform with 100 Pixellot AI cameras and has been expanding to provide more access to Canadian youth sports across hockey, volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, field lacrosse and rugby.” SMART COURT TAKEOVER Smart courts have become a prominent feature across the sporting world, and ASB Glass Floor has been leading the way in implementing their use. Its patented glass flooring technology combines the durability of traditional sports floors with the adaptability of glass via two products: the Lumiflex – the first full LED video sports floor made of glass, certified for professional sports – and ASB Multisports, which features customisable LED game lines activated via touchscreen. ASB Glass Floor’s first major project was the 2023 Fiba Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup. “Fiba, for the first time ever, changed the rules and glass floor was allowed,” says Stephanie Pfeffer, marketing manager at ASB. “Until then, only wooden courts were used. They basically changed the rules
DigiLED’s Zeus has also been installed at The O2 in London to help manage its LED displays, as well as at more than 80 other sites globally
incorporated AI camera tracking systems to both improve coverage and support officiating. For fans, the technology has enhanced viewing significantly and viewers are able to capture fast-flowing action without missing any details. Founded in 2013, Pixellot devised automated production that enables high-quality video coverage at a fraction of the cost of traditional production. The Pixellot Show S3 is one of the most advanced AI sports camera systems. “It brings elite-level broadcasting and analysis to youth and grassroots sport across Africa and beyond,” says Wayne Evans, sales director, Africa. “Powered by our sport-specific AI, the system continuously learns and improves by processing data from thousands of games streamed every week. With a three-camera array that captures every angle in ultra-wide 12K, the Show S3 automatically tracks the action and streams broadcast-quality video live and on demand, without any camera operators needed.” Throughout Africa, the S3 is giving schools, clubs and academies access to consistent, high-quality coverage – not just for the match day but also for development and growth. “Coaches can review every game with full replays, create highlights and access detailed performance analytics,” notes Evans. “It is a powerful tool to drive improvement, track progress and support talent at all levels. I see the S3 as a platform for
Pixellot’s AI sports camera system, the Show S3, automatically tracks action and streams broadcast-quality video with no operator required
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for us as we are the only sports glass floor provider in the world. The athletes were all very excited about it because you have better grip on the glass floor than on a wooden floor, and it’s not slippery or hard when you fall. Those are usually the typical concerns people have around playing on glass. So, this was the first official proof of concept for our highest level of competition.” ASB Glass Floor has also worked with the NBA. “They reached out to us, which was very exciting because the US is such a big market, especially in basketball,” says Pfeffer. “We also had the FC Bayern Munich installation for the season opener in 2023, which was our first step into basketball in Germany. After that, we got our first permanent installation for FC Bayern at BMW Park, which functions as a multi-functional arena. It’s a nice case study for the multi-functionality of a venue, where you don’t have to completely build or rebuild it just to be able to integrate new technology. It was initially built for the Olympics in 1972 and now serves as one of the premier destinations when it comes to venues in Germany because of the technology they have installed.”
Since ASB Glass Floor’s inception, there has been growing demand for glass floor technology. “In the past, fans went to actually watch the sport,” says Pfeffer. “Now we are in this ‘sportainment’ era where people expect more than just sports. They want to be entertained around the sport. Our floor is at the centre of the entire arena, so you can do so much more with it. There are so many capabilities, but I feel that brands sometimes don’t know what to do with it. That’s why we do events, such as Beats N Buckets, which was a great opportunity to show sponsors what is possible and how they can use the floor in creative ways.” ASB Glass Floor is also able to integrate the floor with various tracking systems. “For example, we had a partnership with Shot Tracker where we included their tracking system,” says Pfeffer. “We developed games and you can track the ball and get to see the statistics on the floor. Essentially, we are picking up live data and displaying it directly to the fans, as well as to the coaches themselves. The floors are used for much more than fan engagement and sponsorship, they are also used for player development and
Play Sight’s smart-court systems are designed to be affordable and easy to set up, meaning their use is not limited to elite clubs and players
We are in this ‘sportainment’ era where people expect more than just sports. They want to be entertained around the sport
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coaching and it can be used to increase players’ performances and training. We are currently developing a tool where coaches can draw drills on an iPad and then run the drill on the floor.” Play Sight is another company specialising in this area, and its Smart Court AI technology has helped take sports entertainment and performance to the next level. “We founded Play Sight with the mission of democratising sports technologies,” says co-founder and CEO Chen M Shachar. “We launched our first product back in 2014. We turn courts into a smart court by connecting the internet and using cameras with AI technology. We’re essentially connecting the on- court activities and the digital world.” Initially starting in tennis, Play Sight offers AI-based solutions for more than 40 sports. It was important for Play Sight to develop affordable technology, not just for elite-level clubs and teams. “It had to be fully autonomous, with a very easy set-up and installation,” says Shachar. “The smart court provides four main services, the first of which being automated production, which means a customer can stream or broadcast live with no camera operator on the
At Leeds United’s Elland Road, more than 100 Martin Audio speakers have been installed to improve coverage
premises,” he continues. “Roughly 90% of sports can’t afford to bring in television crews to produce their game like the NBA or Premier League do. The ability to automatically stream live with no camera operator means that, now, every sports organisation can easily engage with their fans, monetise their content and raise the visibility of their sport or club. Every player can now engage with their followers as well.” The second use is player development, implementing AI and video technology to enhance the performance of the players. The third use is VAR. “Officiating has become essential for sportsmanship. Every Play Sight smart court comes with a VAR system built in. So, instead of having VAR at just the elite levels, this enables every second- or third-tier league to use the technology. Everything we do, and at the core of the technology, is our ability to automatically track the players and the ball using AI technology,” Shachar explains. Play Sight has more than 600 sports organisations worldwide on its books with some of the top names in sports, including 23 NBA teams, hundreds of college programmes in different sports, private schools, multi-sports academies and all the major tennis federations. Recently, its focuses have shifted towards padel and pickleball. “I believe that, in the near future, every sports facility is going to have AI cameras integrated into their facility,” argues Shachar. “Padel, for example, is growing rapidly in the UK, and in a few years all these clubs will incorporate AV. “They are going to be smart and will feature advanced cameras, players will also be able to use the technology to get their automatic highlights of the game and share that on social media. “They will also use AI technology to find out about their statistics, and to get recommendations about how to improve their game. They will be able to livestream all the tournaments that run there. And Play Sight is proud to be part of that technology revolution in sports.”
The Beats N Buckets event enabled ASB Glass Floor to showcase the potential of its high-tech flooring to sponsors
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