PROMAG Magazine Vol. 21 No. 4

FOURTH QUARTER 2013 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 4 GEARHOUSE SA BITTEN BY VIPERS



upfront Fourth Quarter 2013 Volume 21 Number 4 PROMAG is published quarterly by Electrosonic PROGRESSING OR REGRESSING? CONTENTS SA and distributed to the professional audio, video and lighting industry. © PROMAG and Electrosonic SA. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. I love watching news and current afairs DIARY channels; my favourite is the German Shows and events worldwide – Integrated Editorial and subscriptions news channel, Deutsche Welle - loosely 2 Systems Europe, Prolight + Sound 2014, Managing Editor – Terry Bourquin Light+Building 2014, NAB SHOW, LIGHTFAIR 011 770 9800 or [email protected] translated as German Wave. As information International 2014 from all over the world washes over me, Editing – Khuboni Communications I realise, with mixed feelings, that the NEWS Design and production – Cranberry Creative theatrics of the South African political The Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre revived, Solutions scene are no diferent from those in many 3 Crestron demonstrates truly integrated Cover image – Bidvest Annual Chairman's other countries. home automation at CEDIA 2013, 10K projector solves the problem, HFX installs Lunette curved Awards 2013 - Photo: Zoom Photography screen, James Valpy - The Hippotech, Tommy While whistle-blower Edward Snowden takes a deep Printing – Seriti Printing - 012 333-9757 breath in preparation for his next exposé of the CIA, invests in Martin Rush and 101s, Business Day TV President Obama muses whether he really wants the gets the LED treatment, Windhoek dealer solves Electrosonic SA telephone wire-tap information about Angela Merckel’s space problems, Kramer wins manufacturer Johannesburg – Electrosonic SA next appointment at her hairdresser. Large segments of of the year & systems product of the year AV 33 Lily Avenue, Northclif, Johannesburg the European population are disgruntled and would be awards, Curtain rises on Market Theatre revamp, toyi-toying – if only they knew how! Greece has ground P O Box 73515, Fairland, 2030 to a halt, yet again. In Spain rampaging strikers are DigiComm is going places, Hatfeld Christian Church Tel: 011 770-9800 causing more damage than the running of the bulls, and Fax: 011 782-3123 in France travellers have been stuck at airports. Show me www.electrosonic.co.za a country and I’ll show you corruption, mayhem, dirty e-mail: [email protected] tricks, murder, politicking and bungling. It would be amusing if it weren’t so pathetic and predictable. 24 hour AV Systems Support 0861 AVHELP / 0861 28 43 57 Politics may be regressing, but it is positive to note that 24 hour Lighting Technical Support in other areas humankind is forging ahead. In the AV 0860 MARTIN / 0860 62 78 46 and Entertainment Lighting Industries dazzling new COVER STORY developments and time-saving improvements come of Durban – Electrosonic SA KZN the production line on a daily basis. There is a feeling of 12 Gearhouse bitten by Vipers Units 5/6, 80 Rinaldo Road, Durban North growth in our industry. It is a great feeling and PROMAG enjoys bringing you the good news and positive stories P O Box 401130, Redhill, 4071 that create that feeling. Tel: 031 533-0900 Fax: 031 533-0920 In our cover article you can read about the SAIFTA Ceremony and the motivation behind Gearhouse’s Crestron House decision to acquire a bank of new MAC Vipers. In 2013 279 Weltevreden Road, Blackheath, two major theatres underwent massive refurbishments. Johannesburg The Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre in Welkom, has embraced the latest technology and is welcoming a new Tel: 011 745-8190 generation of theatre lovers. The iconic Market Theatre FEATURE e-mail: [email protected] is ready to continue its role in putting the spotlight on 14 The evolution of video walls social and political issues. Useful Links ADB Lighting – www.adblighting.com In his time in the lighting and AV industry Bruce Genricks, FEATURED PRODUCTS Compulite – www.compulite.com Managing Member, has seen many developments. Crestron's HD-XSP 7.1 high-defnition Crestron South Africa – www.crestron.co.za Some have been fads, but many have endured. In 16 professional surround sound processor, an absorbing article he maps out the Evolution of CM Lodestar – www.cmrigging.com Videowalls. Once they were a rare sight - clunky racks of Crestron's TSW-730 7\" touch screen w/room Electron – www.electron.gr monitors. Nowadays these sleek seamless screens are scheduling, Crestron's Inet-IOEX-IRCOM infNET Elite Screens – www.elitescreens.com standard at most events. That’s what I call progress. At EX® wireless IR/RS-232 control module, Green Green Hippo – www.green-hippo.com the other end of the age divide, a 25 year-old lighting Hippo's Rackoon, Elite Screen's Quickstand and video technician, James Valpy, was hand-picked to InfoComm (ICIA) – www.infocomm.org go on the road with Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. staging screens, Martin's RUSH PAR 2 RGBW Kramer – www.kramerelectronics.com Find out why he is known as The Hippotech, and why Zoom™ and JEM Compact Hazer Pro™, Screen Inernational's projector lift SI-100, Electrosonic Litec – www.litectruss.com prodigies like him are driving our profession forward. SA's Control Freak, NEC's M311W: 3100-Lumen Martin Professional – www.martin.com widescreen portable projector, Galaxy Pro video Milos Structural Systems – www.milosgroup.com To paraphrase John Lennon: “Progress is what happens wall controller, Kramer's KDS-EN2R HDMI over while you’re busy making other plans”. So, let’s leave the NEC Displays – www.nec-displays.co.za politicians and the activists to their regressive squabbles, IP receiver, WP-580TXR active wall plate and RC- PLASA – www.plasa.org and revel in an industry that’s surging ahead. 78R 8-button room controller SACIA – www.sacia.org.za Screen International – www.screenint.com On behalf of everyone at Electrosonic SA and PROMAG, I TUTORIAL wish you a restful holiday. Sierra Video – www.sierravideo.com How to select a projection screen, by SIM2 – www.sim2.com — Managing Editor: Terry 24 Elite Screens PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013 1

upfront DIARY – UPCOMING EVENTS AND SHOWS Integrated Systems Europe — 4 - 6 February 2014 Amsterdam RAI, Netherlands - www.iseurope.org Integrated Systems Europe, or ISE as industry specialists call it, is the world’s best-attended tradeshow for professional AV and electronic systems integration. Prolight + Sound 2014 — 12 -15 March 2014 Frankfurt am Main, Germany - www.prolight-sound.com Prolight + Sound brings together all the technologies and services for the events and entertainment industries, presents them in several diferent product groups. Light+Building 2014 — 30 March - 4 April 2014 Frankfurt, Germany - www.light-building.messefrankfurt.com The World’s Biggest Trade Fair for Lighting and Building Services welcomes manufacturers to launch trends and innovations from the felds of lighting, electrical engineering and building automation. NAB SHOW — 7 - 10 April 2014 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - www.nabshow.com After more than 80 years, the NAB Show is still the essential destination for broadcasting professionals who share a passion for bringing content to life on any platform. LIGHTFAIR International 2014 — 1 - 5 June 2014 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - www.lightfair.com LFI 2014 is the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference. LIGHTFAIR International blends continuing education courses with innovative products and cutting-edge technology.

news THE ERNEST OPPENHEIMER THEATRE REVIVED! The Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre, located in Welkom, was opened on 15 February 1968 and is named after the mining magnate, and founder of Welkom, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. The drive to build a theatre in this Free State mining town came from a certain Mrs. Martie du Plessis, the wife of the Administrator of the Free State. She had the pleasure of presiding over the opening ceremony, which was also graced by Gé Korsten, who starred in the opening production, Bedelaarstudent. The theatre was designed and built with an eye on the grandeur of European architecture. The vision was to create something of lasting beauty and beneft, a monument to art. The Yellowwood used throughout the theatre, and the glass tubes in the foyer, were imported from Austria and hand-crafted on site; as was the magnifcent crystal chandelier that hangs in the auditorium. The larger two of the four beautiful tapestries gracing the foyers were designed by the famous South African artist Eleanor Esmonde-White; and the two Renier Smit (Electrosonic SA) and Dulcie Harris (Theatre Manager) smaller tapestries by Cecil Skotnes, another famous South African artist. The with the arrival of Robert Juliat Followspots theme of these tapestries, which were hand-woven in France, is ‘Birth of the arts through diamonds and gold’. The Ernest Oppenheimer is the frst theatre in the Southern Hemisphere to cater for Paraplegics, with specially designed toilets, and space in the auditorium aisles for wheel-chairs. The theatre was one of the frst to ofer head-sets for the hard of hearing, and seat-lights to allow patrons to read programmes. It is a sad irony that this wonderful facility, so welcoming to people with special needs, was of-limits to black South Africans. Thankfully the bad days of Apartheid are over and since the late 80s the theatre has been a world class Electron premium 79 range of Dimmers community resource that enriches the lives of all Welkom residents. When, in 2011, a fre damaged the stage it was decided to use this as an opportunity to refurbish the theatre; retaining the class – but adding a modern touch. The Theatre Manager, Mrs Dulcie Harris, worked closely with the Matjhabeng Municipality in ensuring that refurbishments to the facility did justice to its reputation as South Africa’s fnest theatre. When PROMAG contacted Dulcie she made special mention of the instrumental role of the Municipality in ensuring the project was a success. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust; to Denis Hutchinson (theatre consultant); and to all contractors for working so hard in meeting their deadlines and maintaining a high standard of workmanship. Team Electrosonic SA, with Omar Sharfoodeen as head technician, had the massive task of redoing the dimming and cabling for the theatre. This involved laying 1200m of new cabling, putting in new dimmers, rewiring 168 outlets, and rewiring the lighting bars and DMX ties. They only had a couple of weeks to do it, but in true Electrosonic SA style they met their deadline and completed the job with the care and excellence associated with the company. The theatre also obtained lighting kit from Electrosonic SA, including: two Robert Juliat follow-spots, sixteen Martin Mac Aura wash lights, two Martin Rush MH LED profles, Martin DMX Splitters and a Martin M2GO Controller. Renier Smit, Technical Sales and Support, headed the Electrosonic SA team on the project and Jesse Dullabh, Technical and Controller Support, is responsible for on-going training. Dulcie was extremely happy with Electrosonic SA’s service and commended Renier and the team for ‘going the extra mile’ to bring state-of-the-art lighting to her theatre. Dulcie, who has been the Theatre Manger since 1996, anticipates a new golden era for the Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre: “Words cannot express my excitement in seeing this theatre operational again, and I welcome back all theatre supporters with much enthusiasm.” PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013 3

news CRESTRON DEMONSTRATES TRULY INTEGRATED HOME AUTOMATION AT CEDIA 2013 This year’s CEDIA (Custom Electronic (DES) enthused: \"As usual, Crestron stole the Smart Graphics Gallery Design and Installation Association) Expo CEDIA EXPO show. We saw some amazing The future of GUI (Graphical User Interface) took place in Denver, Colorado in late Crestron innovations that will allow us to design was unveiled at the all-new Crestron solve more problems than ever. The team Smart Graphics Gallery. Displayed on TSW September. Crestron is traditionally one of from Jersey continues to give us ways to stay touch screens and iPads, the award-winning the major players at the Expo, and this year proftable and take care of our clients.\" designs gave visitors an up close look at the was no diferent. power of this pioneering new design platform. Awards Smart Graphics brings sliders, knobs, gauges, New Products Crestron products were recognized with eight gesture control, and widgets to every display, Much of the excitement revolved around industry awards, the most of any exhibitor. The making it faster and easier to create the most Crestron’s new products, including: following products won awards: interactive GUIs available anywhere. • Complete line of shading solutions • Fusion EM (Sustainable Lifestyle Product Crestron Integration Awards • infNET EX® home control Innovation Award) Not only did Crestron win a truck-load of • Smart Graphics™ • CNX-PVID8X4 Video Distribution Switcher accolades, they also handed some out. • TSW Touch Screens (CEDIA Hall Of Fame Award) Crestron’s Integration Awards, now in its ninth • Crestron App for Samsung Smart TV™ • Crestron Motorized Shades year, honour the most innovative and creative • 4K Ultra HD-ready DM® systems • HD BaseT Extender, HD-EXT3-C residential installations featuring Crestron home • New landscape speakers • TSW-1050 HD Touchscreen automation solutions. Crestron named its 2013 • AIR 6.5-inch 2-way Surface Mount Outdoor Integration Awards winners during a special Little wonder that Creston’s booth was the Speakers ceremony at CEDIA Expo. Congratulations are largest and busiest at the Expo. As Kevin • TSW-1050 HD Touch Screen due to all entrants for their amazing work in Lambidonis, CEO of Digital Edition Supplement • infNET EX® Wireless Control Modules Crestron homes across the world. 4 PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

news 10K PROJECTOR SOLVES THE PROBLEM By Abrie du Plooy (NE C & GALAXY Product Manager) What do you do when you need to fll to mount the projector against the back wall an 8,8m wide screen from 60m away underneath the gallery bulkhead. This proved to be very practical from a mounting point of and still display a Full HD picture? The view but unfortunately resulted in a massive answer is easy - you use a super bright 60m throw distance (distance between the projector with a super long zoom lens projector lens and the display surface); enough and voilà! The problem is solved. to make any projection designer shudder. The guys from Panavision were recently faced with This large throw distance posed another major this challenge on a city hall renovation project. It was challenge; how to deliver the required brightness a case of ‘Challenge Accepted!’ Panavision received and resolution to adequately display a bright Full the 10-bit Hollywood Quality Video signal a request to provide a solution in record time. Due HD image and fll the massive projection surface processing, and a dual lamp system to deliver to circumstances beyond control, the solution and way up front. the powerful 10k brightness, makes this machine pricing structure had to be submitted within four So it was back to the drawing board; and after even more appealing to the user. It also ofers days of receiving the brief. Panavision approached doing the calculations we came up with a solution. special characteristics such as 3D Stacking; the team at Electrosonic SA for assistance; after all, as The correct projector and lens combination Blanking; Crestron RoomView; DICOM Simulation; the saying goes, two heads are better than one. So delivered exactly what we needed. We suggested Digital 3D Reform™; Edge Blending Function we put our heads together, but not before fring up a NEC PH1000U projector with a light source (03.2012); Free Tilt; Geometric Correction; Lens the cofee machine and donning our thinking caps. that delivers 10 000 ANSI lumens to provide the Memory; Lens Shift and Lens Shutter with The frst challenge Panavision faced was to fll the brightness required. And we used a NEC NP29ZL Powerpoint, Movie, PDF and USB Picture Viewer; RS-232 Control; and Seamless Switching. 8,8m wide screen. The ideal solution would have long zoom lens (4.16 - 6.96:1) which flled the 8,8m been a rear projection system, but the maximum wide screen from 60m away. It was impressive, So, to close of the chapter, we did it! Between the width was only 6m, which didn’t sufce. Front even if we say so ourselves. teams at Panavision and Electrosonic SA we created projection it was going to have to be. This presented the perfect solution that matched the requirement the second challenge - where to mount this thing? The NEC PH1000U is a 3-Chip projector with and got the nod from satisfed customers. Not And by that I mean we had to establish a physical a high defnition 16:10 resolution (WUXGA – only was this an awesome projection design and mounting location for the projector. Because the hall 1920x1200) for installations that demand the installation, but also the frst of its kind in South had a very high roof, a ceiling mounting would not highest levels of heavy-duty usage. The Five Africa from the NEC arsenal. only be tricky but would also result in an eye-sore in optional bayonet lenses and an integrated At Electrosonic SA we pride ourselves in providing the smack-dead-centre of the fnished ceiling. stacking frame make it ideal for high-end display solutions. Features such as the motorized lens world class design assistance and in meeting It would also have to hang quite a few meters down shift, and easy analogue or digital connectivity, tight turnaround times. What’s more, we ofer in mid-air, something that would’ve displeased make it a real gem when it comes to cost and this service at no additional charge. We invite our many users of the theatre. The solution was time management. Great picture quality from customers to take us up on the ofer. As anyone who watches Animal Planet This is how it’s done in a public movie-house, and knows: bats see with their ears. They emit how it’s done in some private viewing rooms too. Recently Jacques Kruger, from HFX Systems, installed ultrasonic sounds and sense where their a 120 inch Lunette Elite Screen for a private client. The prey is by the length of time it takes for the curvature of the Lunette reaches into the viewer’s sound to bounce back. Humans are not peripheral vision, and this too helps to enhance the immersive experience. The curvature also eliminates quite that sophisticated in picking up the the pincushion efect, where the projected image is direction from which sound is coming, larger on the sides and smaller in the middle. Jacques but we can still sense when sound is out explained that the fnely woven fabric of the Lunette screen, which runs diagonally, is especially designed of sync with that we are seeing. to eliminate that unwanted patterning efect known as moiré when the perforation of the fabric lines up This is where Elite Screens comes in: they’re a with the pixels of the projector’s LCD or DLP chipset. California-based projection screen manufacturer. The screen also supports 4k resolution. Their Lunettes are not only curved, but also acoustically transparent; both important factors Besides the screen, HFX Systems also installed the in enhancing the authenticity of the viewing projector; a full 7.1 surround system (including experience. If your projection screen in your cinema difusive and absorptive acoustical panelling); is acoustically transparent it means that instead of and a specially designed acoustically friendly air- having to put your loudspeakers out of position conditioning system. (to the side, or below the screen) you can put them behind the screen. So while watching the latest HFX Systems, who have installed a number of Elite blockbuster movie the sound comes directly from Screens, is very happy with the product and notes the screen, ensuring proper audio localization. that it is excellent value for money. PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013 5



news Electrosonic SA’s buzzing stand JAMES VALPY – THE HIPPOTECH By Bruce Schwartz (Entertainment Lighting Manager) James Valpy’s nick-name is ‘The Hippotech’, but he’s not a hi-tech game ranger. This South African born, English trained, lighting and video technician trots the globe providing stunning visuals with Green Hippo Media Servers. I caught up with James backstage at the Johannesburg leg of Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. Born in Cape Town in 1988, James left South Africa for England when he was four. He studied at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and completed his BA (Hons) in Theatre Practice. James initially specialized in production lighting but soon gravitated to video as a medium. The knowledge of both proved invaluable. James was working as an associate to the production designer Tupac Martir, when he met Ed Prescott on the Beyoncé Glastonbury tour. James bumped into Ed again in Azerbaijan where he was working as house tech for J-Lo, Rihanna and Shakira. In spite of the twenty hour days, James managed to keep a smile on his face throughout, and this made a good impression on Ed. Ed liked what he saw and put James’s name forward as the Green Hippo Tech for Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. James got the job, and he and Ed now both work for Bowman Touring Video out of the USA. Both provided their tech assistance throughout the entire Diamonds World Tour. James frst got his hands on a Hippo at university where, as part of his second year studies, he volunteered to program and engineer the video for a big musical theatre show. The university had an older V2 Hippo that was upgraded to a V3; and they used a MagicQ desk to program, which was similar to the Avolites desk, which James knew. James trained with Simon Harris and James Valpy doing his \"Hippo-magic\" at Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour Hippo helped him out in loaning a machine for a university show. He quickly became the Hippo expert at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He was the crucial link between lighting and video, and in his fnal year of study he worked in the Green Hippo Ofce with Nick Charalampidis. He tested new Using two versions of Hippo software ver 3.2 to Time-code sync on a layer, it versions of software, and got invaluable under-the-hood experience of the provided immense power when using DMX control. To date the system has software. It was the perfect training for problem-diagnosis in Hippo Systems. been rock solid, as one would expect from Hippo. It all came together for ‘The Hippotech’ on the Diamonds World Tour, where The youthful James takes great inspiration from video practitioner legends his skills and experience were thoroughly tested. For Rihanna’s B-Show there such as Cherie Sturm, Ed Prescott, Graham Lambkin, Ed Lawlor and John is no automation rigged, so James had to take all the original video content, Bowman; as he does from Green Hippo gurus Simon Harris, Kris Murray and which was pre-masked to the raster, and stitch it back together in After Loren Barton. Efects. This meant he could use one Hippo to playback the content, instead of fve Large Hippo HD units, which is how it worked on the USA leg of the The future is bright, not only for James but for media servers, which will tour. He had one week to build a 3 X Hippo HD system for the main show, and become ever more crucial to the live event industry as projectors and LEDs a 2 X Hippo Portamus system for the B-Show. The Diamonds tour was also the get brighter. The challenge for the designers is to push their creativity, and frst show to use the new Blackmagic Design USB3 SD SDI capture cards. For stretch their technical capability, in designing more visually spectacular the Johannesburg leg James used one Hippo Portamus to run the content on shows. When audiences pay top dollar to see a big live show, they expect a the screens on stage; and a backup unit to provide FX for the IMAG screens. At mind-expanding visual extravaganza. James ‘The Hippotech’ Valpy, and his one point during the show all of the video was run through only two Hippo Green Hippo Media Servers, are perfectly placed to deliver just that. Portamus laptops. TOMMY INVESTS IN MARTIN RUSH AND 101s The charismatic Tommy Derbenus, from Power Room AV, knows the up on an arsenal of MAC 101s. This decision was based on the feedback from Johannesburg and Pretoria nightclub scene inside out. Tommy is a long- MAC 101 owners, and on the sheer number of fxtures out there for cross standing supplier of lighting and needed to expand his inventory. He wanted rental. Tommy also needed to provide some wow factor in one of the larger to invest in the best; equipment that would withstand the rigors of club life. venues. After seeing the Martin RUSH MH3 Beam he reckoned that four of After doing his research Tommy put his faith in the Martin Professional range. them would do the trick. Tommy spent time in the Demo Room at Electrosonic SA (Johannesburg), Tommy’s Martins are now working away night after night in premier clubs where he carefully reviewed various products. Eventually he decided on the such as Taboo and Sway in Sandton; and Kong and Hush in Rosebank. Tommy Martin RUSH MH2 Wash as a good ft for the diferent clubs he is involved is happy that his investment will serve him well over the long run; and that he with. Because he also rents out to the staging industry he decided to stock has the committed support and backup of the Electrosonic SA team. PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013 7

news BUSINESS DAY TV GETS THE LED TREATMENT Summit TV was recently taken over by of a Martin M-PC controller. The Martin new owners and is now called Business Tripix fxtures were chosen for their high Day TV (BDTV). The studio in which BDTV brightness; their quietness; and, most is flmed also hosts the Ignition Channel importantly, for their colour consistency. The Martin Tripix does not have shadow or colour and the Home Channel (on the DSTV separation problems, something inherent to bouquet): hence the need for a lighting many LED products. solution that ofers dynamic color change. The M-PC controller allowed BDTV to quickly set up presets for various shows, and then to Nico Steyn, from IntelliLAB, approached instantly recall them; this ensures consistency Electrosonic SA to help fnd the right solution. and quick turn- around times. The studio has a large backdrop, foating LED Screens, and a newly redesigned presenters’ Electrosonic SA’s Omar Sharfoodeen and his desk. Electrosonic SA’s Bruce Schwartz, install team had the fxtures installed in no in consultation with Nico, proposed a time. Jesse Dullabh, Technical and Controller combination of Martin Tripix 1200 fxtures and Support at Electrosonic SA, conducted Versa-light RGB strip lighting, all controlled control desk training to eager BDTV staf. WINDHOEK DEALER SOLVES SPACE PROBLEMS Generic Electronic Solutions recently he reckons it is a massive niche and in time he moved into larger premises at 8 Rieks will exploit it. van der Walt Street, Maerua, Windhoek. According to Jacques Generic Electronic Solutions ofers a complete service: “We like to Owner and founder Jacques Koekemoer says, come in at the beginning and take it through “This is to accommodate the growth we’ve to the end. The only thing we don’t do is IT experienced the last year or so”. Jacques established Generic Electronic Solutions 11 networks”. Jacques believes that after-sales years ago and has gone from strength to service must be good. “It’s not just price and ofering the cheapest quote. It’s about ofering strength ever since. “We have a staf of 22 and the best service and using reputable state of the we provide fre detection, access control, CCTV art products such as Kramer and Crestron, Bosch and AV services”. and Ziton”. Jacques prides himself on being the His clients include the Namibian Government, preferred installer for Electrosonic SA in Namibia. University of Namibia, Namibia Polytechnic, “Our philosophy is simple: Best Service. Latest as well as private companies such as Ernst & Technology. Afordable Price” Young, Bank Windhoek, Old Mutual, Sanlam and Metropolitan Life. One market Jacques For more info visit www.generic.com.na has not entered yet is the residential market: or E-mail Jacques at [email protected] KRAMER WINS MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR & SYSTEMS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AV AWARDS The 2013 AV Awards took place on Friday The VP-771 Switcher/scaler WINS Systems Product of the Year Award 11 October at the London Hilton, Not only was it a great honour for Kramer to win the Manufacturer of the UK, at a gala dinner attended by guests Year Award, but Kramer also won the Systems Product of the Year award, for from all over the European AV industry. the VP-771. This is the second year in a row that this award goes to Kramer Manufacturers, dealers, sponsors, and of Electronics; the Digital Step-in Family won at the 2012 AV Awards. course winners, all gathered to hear the results of this year's AV Awards competition. The VP-771 Switcher/scaler The 9−input VP-771 is part of a new line of presentation scaling switchers, Kramer WINS Manufacturer of the Year AV Award the answer to today’s demanding applications that require professional, For over 30 years our company has been providing solutions to the vast range high-quality, scaling and switching technology. The VP-771 ofers a versatile of challenges that confront the AV industry: developing creative, reliable and feature set that includes Luma-Keying, Picture-in-Picture functions, 2K value-oriented top-of-the-line products to customers around the world. The resolution, emergency alert notifcations, built-in web pages, and more. distinguished award committee chose to acknowledge this contribution by giving the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year AV Award to Kramer Electrosonic SA is proud to be the sole distributor of Kramer Electronics in Electronics. What an honour! South Africa, and congratulates them on this signifcant achievement. 8 PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013

news CURTAIN RISES ON MARKET THEATRE REVAMP Photo by Lungelo Mbulwana On September 16 the Market Theatre’s Mhlophe and Somewhere on the Border by moving the Laboratory Drama School, and the Main Theatre was ofcially reopened Anthony Akerman. And on the music front Market Photo Workshop School and Gallery, after extensive refurbishment. The veteran jazz saxophonist Khaya Mahlangu into this building. played alongside cellist Kutloane Masote. building that houses the Market The theatre was founded in 1976 by Mannie Theatre is exactly one hundred years The renovation was made possible by capital Manim and Barney Simon and challenged old and was originally the Indian Fruit funding from the Department of Arts and apartheid from the conviction that culture Market. Culture. The overhaul was sparked by renewal can change society. Now the much-needed projects in Newtown and in particular the overhaul will ensure it remains a leading light Newtown Junction, currently a massive in South Africa’s cultural scene. The renovations to the Main Theatre have construction site on the doorstep of the been underway since February and will ensure a better theatre experience for audiences Market Theatre complex. Newtown Junction In November the Market Theatre and performers. There are plush new seats will be a mixed-use development of ofces, became the proud owner of 4 Martin that ofer more leg-room, and the capacity retail outlets and restaurants. MAC Vipers! has increased from 380 to 450. Toilets have The refurbishment is part of a larger overhaul been upgraded and the box-ofce has been For more information please contact Market enlarged. The building is a protected Heritage plan that will be completed at the end of 2014. Theatre Senior Publicist 011 832 1641 or Site and the architectural designs have kept The Laager Theatre will transfer to an adjacent 072 367 7867 the integrity of the building, including putting building, which will open up space to extend E-mail: [email protected] the foyer and create a new dressing room the original signboards, used by the market and new ofces. Other exciting plans will see traders, back on show. the area previously occupied by the famous Gramadoelas Restaurant reused as a jazz To mark the event Artistic Director, James Ngcobo, put on a star-studded celebration, venue. which included excerpts from famous Market Theatre productions: Hello and Goodbye by Athol Fugard; Saturday Night at the Palace The Market Theatre has also purchased the by Paul Slabolepszy; Nothing but the Truth by COSAC building, in Bree Street, and will Mariann and Tom Crosswell Dr John Kani; Have you seen Zandile by Gcina centralise its various cultural activities by PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013 9

news COMPANY PROFILE: DIGICOMM IS GOING PLACES The DigiComm shop, offering both AV and IT solutions, is equipped with a State-of-the-art Home Theatre demo room (right). DigiComm is an Alberton based, AV & In setting up his demo facilities at his shop IT Systems Integrator Company with Rajen designed a full Cinema Room with Home big plans to go nationwide. Owner Automation oferings to demo to his potential and existing clients. Rajen collaborated with Rajen Naidoo began his career in IT as Electrosonic SA to showcase their latest a programmer and moved on to sales oferings. “I have found that they become fully and marketing at 3M and Philips, before engaged with any project they are involved starting of on his own 13 years ago. with”. Rajen has worked with Electrosonic SA on Rajen’s list of Equipment installed at DigiComm: numerous projects over the years. “The Kramer His wife, Thingal, manages the business with products they supply are top quality and the • Crestron MC3 Processor • Crestron Prodigy Processor him; he also employs two admin staf and eight Crestron components are great for automation • Crestron Audio Distribution Amplifer technicians who do the installations and client installations either for Residential or Corporate • Crestron Cameo Keypads support. Applications”. He is also impressed with the technical back-up they provide. “It’s always • Crestron Cameo Keypads, Intl DigiComm is not a typical AV products company, good to know that you’ve got experts double- • Crestron 2.8\" TouchScreen Keypad it specialises in providing complete AV and IT checking your systems, and it also puts clients at • Crestron Ipad Dock solutions. “We have installed AV and IT Systems ease when they see what a good relationship we • Crestron Excite In-Ceiling Speakers for ofces, training rooms, boardrooms and have with our suppliers”. • Crestron Ipod Dock auditoriums for, among others, Anglo American, • Crestron TouchScreen Remote The JD Group, HP, BidPaper Plus Group and Rajen is a member of SACIA; his vision is to • Kramer HDMI Matrix Ekurhuleni Municipality”. be a preferred supplier that delivers quality • Kramer TP573 HDMI Transmitters technology based on innovation, reliability and • Kramer TP574 HDMI Receivers DigiComm has also done numerous Home service in a dynamic and professional manner. Automation, Home Theatre and Cinema Room • Kramer VP425 HDMI Scaler installations. “We ofer a streamlined solution. He also has short term plans to open another • Kramer 1:2 HDMI Distribution Amplifer We like to get involved as early as possible. The • Kramer WXA3 HDMI & VGA Patch Panel ideal is when a home is still in the planning stage two DigiComm stores in Gauteng; and long • Kramer VGA Cabling and Flyleads term plans to create DigiComm franchise before construction has started”. • Kramer HDMI Cabling and Flyleads opportunities nationwide. When – not if - • Kramer Adapters DigiComm is situated on the ground foor DigiComm goes big, you’ll read about it frst here • Crestron Lighting Control of the Meyersdal Square Shopping Centre in in PROMAG. • Crestron Power Supply Michelle Avenue, Randhart, Alberton, and walk- • Crestron 4-Channel Dimming Module in customers can experience the full range of For more information about DigiComm, visit • Crestron 8-Channel Switching Module what Rajen and his team can ofer in his specially their website: www.digicomm.co.za or contact • Hager DB Board designed home theatre environment. them on: 0861 2255 85 10 PROMAG – fourth quarter 2013