Integrated Systems Europe – AV Trends In Live Events

From fine pitch LED to projection tracking, AV technology in events is evolving fast. The biggest challenge is making sure you take a measured approach to using the best of what’s on offer. Ahead of Integration Systems Europe 2018, Europe’s premier show for integrated audio-visual systems sector, we explore the latest technology likely to impact upon the live events industry.

Live event clients have always sought something different, exciting or cool to impress their audience and with today’s dynamic mix of technology, producers are empowered not only to satisfy but exceed expectations.

“The biggest challenge is creating new and unique experiences that have an instant wow factor and audience impact,” says Mike Ross, Attractions Development Manager, Holovis. “With the rise in experiential events and the encouragement from brands for people to share the content online, people have seen it all and are becoming harder to impress.”

Available technologies range from the almost like-for-like replacement of projection systems with LED, to live streaming from drones and emerging tools like Augmented Reality (AR) with barely explored potential.

Form and function

LED screens, in general, have become so affordable that ‘live scenery’ is a viable option for many events and shows but it is fine pitch displays where advances are strident.

With worldwide demand set to increase by 2021 by an average of 46% year on year (Source: LEDinside), producers are wise to fine pitch LED advantages over projection. The category is “pushing out large projectors,” according to Tim Brooksbank, CEO at image processing developer Calibre.

“The resolution of LED has gone from rubbish to revolutionary and is now as good as, if not better than, projection,” adds Colin Parnell, producer at Fonix screen hire. “You can throw as much light as you want onto the screen without impacting the picture, and there’s no throw distance so your presenting talent can actually touch it. The only reason to use projection now is to maximise an existing investment.”