Barco, XL Video and Control Freak Systems create adventurous HD environment with Mariah
For Mariah Carey’s current “The Adventures of Mimi” tour, Barco joins forces with XL Video and Control Freak Systems to create a remarkable HD performance environment — including a unique ENCORE video processor interface purpose-built for lighting designers.
Visualization specialist Barco announces that Hollywood-based XL Video has selected Barco LED, projection and image processing equipment as the centerpiece of Mariah Carey’s current “The Adventures of Mimi” tour. Barco gear includes two ELM R18 projectors for side screens, four movable LED screens composed of ILITE 10 tiles, and thousands of Barco MIPIX modules for the stage’s two architectural pieces (a huge “M” that frames the stage, plus a flying “O” ring that masks the smallest ILITE screen).
To complete the Barco equipment array, twin ENCORE Video Processors provide 12 layers of HD video that can be routed to any LED wall or projection screen. However, in this unique concert configuration, the standard ENCORE Controller is replaced by a custom interface designed by Portland-based Control Freak Systems. Using DMX protocol, ENCORE’s image processing tools and all individual video layers can be assigned to any dimmer on the GrandMA console. With the same ease as fading up a light, the LD can size, position, color correct and fade any layer, and perform completely synchronous video-plus-lighting moves.
“It’s a phenomenal interface,” said Joshua Alberts, Video Chief Engineer for the Mariah Carey tour. “From a creative standpoint, the Lighting Director (LD) can sit at his console and make an entire show, with lights, video and playback all at his fingertips. Without any specific knowledge of the Encore, he can use familiar controls to adjust all image parameters, all in the LD’s world, and all in his own terminology. The ENCORE’s there — it’s just hidden inside the lighting board.”
“As far as the technical aspects of the ENCORE and the Control Freak interfaces go, it’s a wonderful mystery to old school guys like me,” said Sparky Anderson, Lighting Director for the Mariah Carey tour, “but from a control standpoint, it’s really wonderful. This is the only product I’ve used that not only controls all the lighting cues, but each and every video screen, size, layer and transparency. When Mariah goes to the chorus or starts a new verse, I can instantly change video along with my lighting.”
“Essentially, the interface is the ENCORE Controller built entirely of software,” said Stuart White, President of Control Freak Systems, “but with all of its capabilities geared towards the LD. We are the glue between what the GrandMA console speaks and what the Encore speaks. Where my job comes into play, is to make the HD video behave as much like a lighting element as possible.”
Dana Corey, Senior Director of Marketing for Barco’s Media and Entertainment division commented on Barco’s long-term relationship with XL Video, and the continuing video-as-lighting trend. “Both here and with their European branches, XL remains at the leading edge of concert and trade show productions, and we’re honored to be one of their major suppliers for creative display solutions. Especially in venues such as Mariah’s, XL isn’t afraid to break new ground in terms of equipment and interfaces, and certainly the collaboration between Barco and Control Freak is clearly helping to build a bridge between the lighting designer’s world and the video designer’s world.”
About XL Video
XL Video was formed in 1996 and has quickly established itself as the international market leader in the field of video production for trade shows, outdoor events, indoor events, concert touring and television. We are a leading rental supplier of video display systems with indoor and outdoor LED screens as well as having one of the largest fleets of high-brightness projectors which also complement our fully SDI camera systems. We guarantee creativity, quality and innovation with tailor-made solutions and work in close cooperation with all the leading manufacturers of this state-of-the-art technology. XL Video is a global player with offices around the world to serve you, offering experience, expertise and the right people for the job, with an impressive track record to prove it. Visit www.xlvideo.com for more information.
About Control Freak Systems
In collaboration with Artfag, Control Freak Systems’ objective is to develop customized software and hardware control solutions for concert and production venues. Control Freak Systems give designers the ability to control their performance environment exactly as they envisage. Unleash your inner Control Freak. Visit www.controlfreak.tv for more information.
About Artfag
Artfag LLC was formed in January 2001 as an amalgamation of the knowledge, resources and style of two designers, Doug ‘Spike’ Brant and JUSTIn collie, who together have over 40 years of experience in lighting, set and production design in a variety of formats including concert, television, video, and special events. As a result of this broad experience, Artfag’s mission is to consolidate these multimedia into one design element that they have dubbed “Performance Environment Design™.” Visit www.artfag.tv for more information.
About Barco
Barco, an international company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, provides visualization and display solutions for professional markets. Barco designs and develops solutions for large screen visualization, display solutions for life-critical applications, and systems for visual inspection. With its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, Barco is active on a worldwide basis. Barco is quoted on Euronext Brussels and is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company (Euronext: BAR; Reuters: BARBt.BR; Bloomberg: BAR BB). Visit www.barco.com for more information.
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