LED Video Displays are Lighting the Way to a Better Stadium and Arena Experience

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While there’s still nothing quite like watching your favorite team in person, home entertainment systems are getting pretty close. With wider screens and surround sound, some fans may be tempted to stay in for the night rather than fight for parking downtown. Sports venues are no longer able to rely on the game itself to draw in crowds. Instead, the fan experience has taken center stage. By utilizing cutting edge LED technology, stadiums can offer fans an immersive, multimedia experience. Creating an engaging and vibrant culture around the game through the use of LED screens is a great way to keep fans coming back time and time again.

We’re not just talking about the jumbotron. Everything from improving architectural aesthetic to providing an easy to use tool to guide fans through the venue can be achieved through the use of LEDs. Imagine walking into an arena for the first time, but instead of merely filing through security, you are surrounded by a hallway made entirely of screens showing the season’s highlights, past triumphs or an update on other games from around the league. In that hallway, there are even wrapped columns featuring current players portraits, making it feel as if they’re with the fans. It would be an unbelievable first impression.

Here at PixelFLEX, actually built something very similar for the MLB All-Star Fan Fest. Essentially a giant theme park for baseball fans, this event gives fans the chance to meet with their favorite players, watch live broadcasts of sports talk shows, and even participate in training drills. When it was hosted in San Diego, PixelFLEX was tasked with creating an arched entry way into their interactive fanzone. With the help of San Diego based MSI Productions, we developed two screens that were 16 feet high and 25 feet long, arcing elegantly over fans as they walked through. The LED entry way provided an immersive fan experience that many may never forget.

LED screens can be used for more than just entertainment. Bridgestone Arena, for example, turned to PixelFLEX to install a screen above escalators that carry 95% of visitors to their seats. Since Bridgestone is ranked sixth in the world for ticket sales among sporting venues, this screen provided ample opportunity not only for advertisement revenue, but also promotion of their own events as well.

Regardless of whether they are used as maps throughout the stadium, engaging entryways or advertising, LED screens can improve the fan experience, and in turn keep them coming back game after game. As an American-based LED manufacturer with expertise across a wide range of industries, PixelFLEX is dedicated to developing creative solutions tailored to the exact need of any space, be it a conference room or a giant stadium. To see what PixelFLEX LED is capable of creating for your sports venue, visit https://pixelflexled.com/portfolio/ today!

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PixelFLEX™ elevates the live entertainment experience at The Cowan

Design-build specialists J Sound Services creates a premiere acoustics and audio/visual design for the new music venue at Top Golf Nashville using FLEXTour 2.8mm LED video

Nashville, TN (3/27/2018) – Specializing in the design of premiere audio/visual systems, J Sound Services has produced a number of successful integrated solutions for the design-build industry. Recently working with the management team behind the new Top Golf location in Nashville, Tennessee, they were asked to create a custom acoustics and audio/visual design for The Cowan, a two-story live performance music venue. Wanting a high-definition video display to complement the multitude of applications planned for the new venue, J Sound Services installed a mobile and expansive FLEXTour 2.8mm LED video solution from PixelFLEX™.

“This was our first time working with Top Golf, and we were referred through a colleague of ours, Nick Cua,” began Jason Spence, J Sound Services. “Set and lighting designer Chris Lisle, with the direction of Aria Group Architects and Nick, was helping define the experience of the room. From an atmosphere and ambiance perspective, they wanted to have a very industrial looking space, but from a functionality perspective, we knew they would be using The Cowan for touring artists, live recordings, singer/songwriter showcases, and corporate events as well. To create a warm production environment in a stark, industrial room, we paid a lot of attention to the details, which really shows in the design of the FLEXTour LED video system.”

A robust, high-definition and curve-able LED video display, FLEXTour is designed specifically for the rigorous demands of live entertainment productions. With its unique rigging capabilities that allow for traditional and off-set configurations, each 500mmx1000mm tile is fully front-serviceable and its integrated climbing ladder allows for quick access to displays flown high overhead. Built with the highest standard in components including the new NovaStar A8s receiving card, FLEXTour is completely flicker-free making it one of the premier LED video design solutions available today.

Spence continued, “For the LED video, we started by investigating the visual acuity of the space and what content would be shown on the screen. With many types of events, the content would range from full-on HD video imagery to PowerPoint presentations, so we really needed to keep the formatting of the content as simple as possible and we ended going with a 16:9 format.”

With the technology solution now identified, the determination of pixel pitch was yet to be made. On a stage measuring approximately 24 feet wide and 16 feet deep, Spence knew that image quality would be key to the experience behind the video design in the live entertainment venue.

“When we do a video installation, we really try to look at all technology solutions, and when determining the pixel pitch, we knew we needed a clear and crisp, high-definition display,” explained Spence. “We initially looked at both 3.6mm and 2.8mm options and wanting the client to see the performance differences between the two, we went over to PixelFLEX for a factory demo. They set up two walls at opposite ends of the viewing space; on one side was the 2.8mm and on the other a 3.6mm. We all then stood in the middle and it was a pretty quick decision to go with the FLEXTour 2.8mm LED.”

While determining the ideal pixel pitch was a significant part of the technology solution, the functionality of the video system needed to be addressed as well. Since the venue would be used for multiple events requiring various positions of the video system on stage, Spence and his team designed a custom mounting structure which enabled a traveling LED video design.

“In this particular situation, our client also wanted to have the ability to move the LED video screen to various positions on stage for different applications of the space,” added Spence. “To do this, our rigging engineer worked with the Top Golf structural engineers, and they fabricated a beam and trolley system that was connected directly to the building structure. Since the video screen would now be mobile on the trolley structure, we needed a robust LED panel technology that could securely lock together, and the FLEXTour works great.”

Now finished with the installation of the video system, it was time to focus on the backend operation that could provide expansive control options for the design. Understanding that both technical and non-technical personnel would be using the display, Spence designed a comprehensive, yet simple, control system that would allow anyone to quickly get their event going.

“There really is a wide range of functionality in the room from a sound, lighting and video perspective,” admitted Spence. “We have an Analog Way Asender 32 that is feeding the outputs to the sending units, and the inputs are connected to a media server and an auxiliary HDMI TV input. There are also HDMI inputs on the stage and front-of-house so that pretty much anywhere you need to place your source inside the venue, you have a way to connect to the LED video wall. All the switching is done using the Analog Way Web RCS software, and we have a three-camera HD PTZ system as well in case they are doing an event that needs live video. Additionally, if there is a non-technical staff that needs to put something on the wall, we have a Crestron Control system that allows them to easily switch to pre-loaded graphics or connect a laptop to the LED video wall with one-touch ability.”

Completed and ready for guests, The Cowan has begun selling out houses for established touring artists such as the Stone Temple Pilots, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, and the Old 97’s. Knowing they had created a state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video design, Spence was eager to see the reaction of both guests, artists and technicians alike.

“The response has been absolutely tremendous, and people are blown away,” concluded Spence. “From all perspectives of clients and guests, people are having a similar reaction where they stop for a moment to take it all in. We were really given the opportunity to deliver something special and watching the reactions has been the best part. It’s been an overwhelmingly positive response and it’s a great system.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

For more information on J Sound Services, visit www.jss.net, or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/jsoundservices.

 

(Architectural Photography by Michael Baxter, Baxter Imaging LLC)

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PixelFLEX™ shines in the rooftop experience at Beer Park

Ponto Solutions Design Principal Matt Abbrederis creates a dynamic, high-definition video display atop the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino with FLEXUltra 1.9mm LED technology

Nashville, TN (3/15/2018) – Located on a 10,000-square-foot deck overlooking the Fountains of Bellagio, Beer Park at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino provides an exciting rooftop experience. With over 100 eclectic beer options, including 36 beers on tap, the developers of the flagship location wanted the outdoor atmosphere to be a shining example of how to best enjoy the Las Vegas life. In this environment, they now needed a high-definition video display to be a focal point in the dynamic audio/visual design, so they worked with the design specialists at Ponto Solutions who chose a FLEXUltra 1.9mm LED video solution from PixelFLEX™.

“The restaurant/bar design market is a big industry for us, and we were very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the developers of Beer Park,” began Matt Abbrederis, Ponto Solutions. “They really wanted this location to be a premier entertainment experience through an environment that’s exciting and upbeat. They also wanted to be able to draw people in off the Las Vegas strip, so we put together a complete audio/visual package that would help them accomplish all their goals, which ultimately included the high-definition FLEXUltra LED video display.”

A dynamic, high-definition and curve-able LED display, FLEXUltra allows boundless opportunities to create an unforgettable video experience with each frame manufactured specifically for the installation. Utilizing the ideal tile size for deployment of both 16:9 and 4:3 video ratios, FLEXUltra has a 160° horizontal and vertical viewing angle which offers one of the highest off axis viewing angles in the industry, and the fully front-serviceable panels allow for quick and easy onsite installation and maintenance. With a 3869Hz refresh rate, FLEXUltra panels are now available in numerous pixel pitch options ranging from 1.2mm up to 4.0mm.

Abbrederis continued, “In our initial design concepts, we wanted to wrap the LED video around the entire center bar to resemble the NHL center-ice or NBA center-court scoreboards. Since this was the inaugural Beer Park location, we ended up first installing a 4-panel LCD wall. After things got up and going, they saw the need for the LED video, so we flew them down to Nashville to show them the PixelFLEX technology. Once they saw the FLEXUltra solution for themselves, we got approval to swap out all the LCD panels with the 1.9mm LED technology, and they love it.”

Ready to begin the installation of the new LED video system, Abbrederis knew that the numerous challenges of living in the Las Vegas desert might present a series of obstacles. Wanting to ensure the longevity of the system, they next created a custom enclosure and mounting rack to match the specs of the FLEXUltra LED video display.

“This is an outdoor environment and in Vegas that’s a bit unique,” explained Abbrederis. “You have high winds blowing sand, 120-degree summer heat, spring and fall rain storms, and then it even gets cold in the winter with snow every once in a while. Needing a way to best protect the system, we worked with PixelFLEX and a local fabricator to create an outdoor enclosure, with a custom mounting rack, that allowed us to easily install the FLEXUltra LED.”

As the integration of the new system could now move forward, the goal was to make the rooftop design as flexible and truly unique as possible. Keeping both the experience of the guests and the management team in mind, Abbrederis created an easy-to-use audio/visual package which is conveniently controlled through a handheld tablet.

“The LED video wall is now being driven by a Crestron system which gives us a great level of flexibility,” added Abbrederis. “On the HD LED video wall, we can now use it as one large display, or we can break it up and show up to four different pieces of video content at once. We then have an audio system that can intelligently read the decibel levels throughout the space to give us a nice and even distribution of sound across the entire rooftop with no hot spots. The complete A/V system is then controlled off a tablet that the employees can use to change the channels, break up the video and audio zones, and then also adjust volume in fully integrated operating system.”

In an ever-evolving world of consumer engagement, Abbrederis believes that LED video technology is a key design element for an innovative and modern customer experience. Looking at the technology from both a performance and functionality perspective, he is quick to note its multiple advantages for a more successful and memorable visual display.

“In this application, reliability was certainly the key, and the overall reliability of LED video is much greater than other large format displays,” Abbdrederis admitted. “Additionally, the imagery of the LED video is seamless so that you don’t have varying colors, and the installation is a lot easier because you are essentially using one big mount instead of individual mounting LCD displays. Plus, if one LCD display goes out, you have to replace the entire display. With LED technology, should you have a panel failure, you just pop it out and place in a new one, so it minimizes your down time and you get a better-quality display.”

Ready to now showcase the new FLEXUltra LED video system to the developers of Beer Park, Abbrederis was excited to fully demonstrate how it would enhance the open-air atmosphere. While also understanding that the final result would ultimately be determined by the allure of the system on the guests, he is confident about the lasting effects of LED video technology in this type of entertainment environment.

“Once they saw the result of the new system, they knew why we were pushing an LED video solution in the beginning of the project,” concluded Abbrederis. “The brightness, the clarity and the technology all make a statement in your facility, which customers really appreciate. We started quoting LED video about 18 months ago, and what we have found out is that if you have a high-definition LED video display in your venue, guests are going to more significantly enjoy the experience.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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PixelFLEX™ revitalizes the worship experience at Southside Baptist

Director of Media Chris Clark works with the Nashville-based LED video manufacturer to upgrade an antiquated LCD system with high-definition FLEXTour 2.8mm LED

 Nashville, TN (2/19/2018) – Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, Southside Baptist is a congregation filled with uplifting music, encouraging messages, and an atmosphere of family unity. Built on a foundation of excitement in sharing their faith, the church recently upgraded their antiquated LCD video system in a move to pave the way for a heightened worship experience. Working with the Nashville-based LED video manufacturer PixelFLEX™, Southside Baptist is now enjoying the multitude of performance and maintenance benefits provided by a high-resolution FLEXTour 2.8mm LED video display.

“In our previous design, we had an array of twenty-four 65-inch LCD TV’s, with a 2-inch bezel around each unit, so you can only imagine our challenges and frustrations,” began Chris Clark, Southside Baptist Director of Media. “With the LCD display, it was impossible to create a seamless image, and it looked a bit clunky and cheap. Since I go to a lot of sporting events, I knew LED video would be an ideal solution, and we couldn’t be happier with our new high-definition, video system from PixelFLEX.”

A robust, high-definition and curve-able LED video display, FLEXTour is designed specifically for the rigorous demands of live entertainment productions. With its unique rigging capabilities that allow for traditional and off-set configurations, each 500mmx1000mm tile is fully front-serviceable and its integrated climbing ladder allows for quick access to displays flown high overhead. Built with the highest standard in components including the new NovaStar A8s receiving card, FLEXTour is completely flicker-free making it one of the premier LED video design solutions available today.

Clark continued, “During our initial research, we also thought about the possibility of using a projection system, but it’s simply not as bright as LED video, and you have to worry about regularly changing bulbs. LED video is just better all-around, from both a maintenance and performance perspective, and after meeting with PixelFLEX, I knew that no matter what LED product we chose, it would be a PixelFLEX solution because working with them is like working with a friend.”

Getting started on the initial design, Clark knew that the size of the screen might present a small challenge. With a custom configuration needed to fit into the worship design, Clark also wanted to make sure that the image quality was something that no one in the congregation would forget.

“Physically speaking, we have a pretty odd shaped area where the video display hangs that is a little wider than a standard 16:9 format, roughly 29-feet wide and 11.5-feet tall,” explained Clark. “Since we didn’t want to change anything else about our worship design, I gave PixelFLEX our dimensions to see what they thought. We didn’t necessarily have a particular pixel pitch in mind either, but we really wanted something that was going to be colorful, bright, and completely clear. After that, they gave me a few options, and we chose the FLEXTour 2.8mm, which is insanely good.”

Now that the design was ready to move forward with a FLEXTour solution, it was time to mount the new system. Using the existing truss structure that was already in place for the old LCD displays, the team was able to quickly assemble the new LED video wall and get it ready for content.

“I am the full-time video technician at Southside Baptist and then we also have a volunteer crew that assists as well,” added Clark. “During the installation, the FLEXTour system went together very easily, and as far as control, we come straight out of a computer running ProPresenter, into the PixelFLEX sending unit, and then to the LED screen in a very simple process. We are now using it for just about everything that you can think of, and it’s completely changed the experience for our congregation.”

In a digital world where people are engaging with dynamic content in all phases of their lives, LED video is continuing to show how drastically it can enhance any worship experience. Behind the screen, Clark is quick to explain that LED video not only enhances the viewers experience, but it also simplifies that of the technician.

“I’ve worked with a lot of different video technologies, and LED video is not just better for the experience of the people, that’s obvious, but it’s better for those who have to operate and maintain the system as well,” concluded Clark. “I don’t have to worry about replacement projectors bulbs every three months as you would with projection, and with the LCD TV’s it was impossible to match the color and brightness of each unit. The process of actually using LED video in your worship design is 100-times easier, and the experience is also 100-times better. It’s simply a complete game-changer all the way around.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

 

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PixelFLEX™ makes it to movies at Landmark 57 West with Reflect

Senior Systems Engineer Chas Thornhill creates a bright and maintenance-free FLEXLite II LED video display for the new 8-screen Indie film experience in New York City

Nashville, 2/12/2018 – Known for their award-winning historic and contemporary theatre locations, Landmark Theatres is the largest theatre chain dedicated to showcasing and marketing independent films nationwide. Originally founded in 1974, Landmark now encompasses 53 theatres in 27 markets, including the new Landmark at 57 West in New York City. Designed as a shining example of the Landmark commitment, the theatre group wanted a large video display to attract the attention of those passing by, and they did so with the assistance of Dallas-based Reflect using a FLEXLite II LED video display from PixelFLEX™.

“We have worked with the Landmark Theatre group for a number of years now, but this was the first time they would be using LED video,” began Chas Thornhill CTS, Reflect’s Senior Systems Engineer. “The original design was specified as an LCD video wall, but with the size of the display, and the fact that it would be competing with ambient sunlight, we convinced them that it would be best to go with LED. Additionally, the height above the ground would make an LCD option difficult to maintain, so with the FLEXLite II LED video not only would it be brighter, but it would also be a much more maintenance-free experience.”

FLEXLite II LED from PixelFLEX™ is an economical and dynamic solution which provides both indoor and outdoor solutions ideal for any commercial environment. With its bright, dense display and high refresh rate, FLEXLite tiles are calibrated directly out of the box to ensure perfect color and brightness. Available in 2.6mm-6.25mm pixel pitch options, the easy access back panels allow for simple on-site repairs without the hassle of removing the entire back of a tile.

Thornhill continued, “In the physical design, they wanted to set the video display back from the lobby window about 48-inches, because anything closer would be considered an outdoor sign and require additional permitting. In doing so, there was no physical wall to mount the LED screen onto, so we designed a truss system that would be mounted between two concrete columns. Once we had the design completed, we sent the specs to the architect who dropped them into their revised drawings. Then after the General Contractor mounted the truss system, we came in and were able to quickly assemble the LED wall in between the truss pieces.”

As the team got to work completing the installation, the finished FLEXLite II LED video display measured approximately 3-meters wide and 6-meters high. Now focused on the controls for the system, the wiring for power and data were included into the Reflect design specification, which would also provide simple, web-based updating for the visual content.

“For control, we installed a ReflectView media player and a PixelFLEX SU401 sending unit in an IDF rack approximately 100-feet away,” added Thornhill. “The electrician then ran all the power and Cat6 cable we specified from the IDF to the display. Since the display will be used for the promotion of upcoming movies and other internal campaigns for the theatre, the cloud-based ReflectView system allows the content to be pushed to the theatre from an outside location so the staff does not have to worry about updating onsite.”

With all construction and installation projects now finalized, the Landmark at 57 West opened its doors to the new state-of-the-art, eight-screen movie theater located in Manhattan’s Far West Side. Ready for eager movie-goers who were excited to enjoy the latest Landmark Theatre experience, Thornhill knew the FLEXLite II LED video display would not disappoint.

“We are currently running the system at about 65% brightness and getting somewhere in the neighborhood of 1600-1800 NITs, which makes the screen easily visible during the day, and at night, it lights up the whole street,” concluded Thornhill. “In a new construction project, the LED video screen was one of the last elements to go in, and we had the full install complete in only two days, which they greatly appreciated. Early on in the process, we brought the Landmark Theatre team over to our office to show them the power, performance, and reliability of an PixelFLEX LED video display, and once they saw its numerous advantages, they were absolutely sold.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX™ offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX™ is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX™ LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX™ at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

 

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PixelFLEX™ and Vectorworks, Inc. Partnership Brings Latest LED Display Technology to CAD and BIM Designers

Vectorworks users can now access PixelFLEX product symbols, images and specifications for entertainment, architectural or commercial designs

Columbia, MD (February 12, 2018)—In an effort to better provide ready-to-use LED video solutions for your entertainment, architectural and commercial designs, PixelFLEX™ is proud to announce that it has joined the Vectorworks, Inc. software content community. Used by over 650,000 designers worldwide, the design symbols, images and specifications for the PixelFLEX FLEXTour, FLEXLite Plus and FLEXCurtain HD video solutions, including accessories, will be available for download in all Vectorworks CAD and BIM design programs beginning in March.

“As we have continued to expand our LED video solutions into a multitude of different markets, it has become imperative that we provide designers with the tools necessary to quickly complete their designs,” said Jon Chavez, technical director at PixelFLEX. “We have been very fortunate to have many talented professionals incorporate our solutions into their design portfolios, and our partnership with Vectorworks will only allow them to further their creativity.”

A Nashville-based LED provider, PixelFLEX offers creative solutions and dependable service for their award-winning LED video display technologies. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX LED video solutions can create a one-of-a-kind design for any tour, live event or permanent installation, and can be downloaded through the latest updates of the Vectorworks design software.

Vectorworks is a global design and BIM software developer serving professionals in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries. With their 2D/3D cross-platform software, designers can build data-rich, visual models without sacrificing the design process, while collaborating efficiently throughout a project life-cycle.

“LED video walls are arguably the fastest growing part of the live event world,” said Chris Baccala, content development manager at Vectorworks. “This partnership with PixelFLEX will give Vectorworks users a massive advantage in accuracy, speed and flexibility in designing events and installs, as well as retail and hospitality projects.”

This content is exclusively available to Vectorworks Service Select members now with rollout to all users in Vectorworks 2019 software this fall.

For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

About PixelFLEX

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

About Vectorworks, Inc.

Vectorworks, Inc. is a global design and BIM software developer serving over 650,000 professionals in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries. Since 1985, we’ve been committed to helping designers capture inspiration, nurture innovation, communicate effectively and bring their visions to life. With our cross-platform software, designers can build data-rich, visual models without sacrificing the design process, while collaborating efficiently throughout the project life-cycle. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Newbury, England and London, England, Vectorworks is a part of the Nemetschek Group. Learn how we empower designers to create experiences that transform the world at vectorworks.net.

 

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PixelFLEX™ relaxes poolside at The Nine with The ESB Group

Design Engineer Drew Breland installs an outdoor FLEXStorm LED video display designed to enhance the game-day atmosphere near the University of Alabama

Nashville, 2/12/2018 – Operated by The Scion Group, The Nine at Tuscaloosa is a high-quality apartment community with a full set of innovative and luxurious amenities. Located only a short distance from the University of Alabama, The Nine also includes a resort-style pool complex where the residents and their guests can enjoy the finest in outdoor living. Now wanting a high-definition visual element to complete the poolside environment, especially on game day, the management team called upon the design specialists at The ESB Group who installed an IP-65 rated FLEXStorm LED video display from PixelFLEX™.

“The Nine is a privately-owned, upscale apartment complex located near the University of Alabama that has created a truly unique living environment,” began Drew Breland, Solutions Architect and Design Engineer, The ESB Group, Inc. “Inside there is a spacious lobby where tenants can enjoy a luxury clubhouse, a Starbucks Internet café, or even a virtual golf course. Outside, the property has a beautiful resort-style pool complex which is completed by the HD FLEXStorm LED video display.”

Built to withstand adverse weather conditions while still providing a truly breathtaking experience, the fully IP-65 rated FLEXStorm LED can be utilized for outdoor advertising, entertainment, and much more. With its adjustable sensors that communicate directly with the cabinets control system, FLEXStorm has variable brightness offerings between 6500-7500 Nits to look its best day or night. Additionally, using cloud-based content management, updating the FLEXStorm is simple and easy with the click of a button, and the fully front-serviceable panels allow for quick access to the electronics and data control for any onsite service.

Breland continued, “The FLEXStorm LED measures about 20-feet wide, and it’s positioned so that no matter where you are in the courtyard, you can easily see the screen. We then prewired for a dedicated poolside audio system that can work in conjunction with the FLEXStorm for a complete outdoor A/V design.”

With the LED video solution now identified, the team at The ESB Group was ready to begin the build-out of the retrofitted, poolside LED video display. Knowing the ideal placement, a permanent structure was created prior to their arrival, which made for a quick and easy install.

“To create the permanent mounting structure for the FLEXStorm, the management team brought in an engineer who welded together an aluminum frame that anchors directly to the concrete patio,” explained Breland. “From an installation standpoint, I really like how the FLEXStorm comes ready to assemble in the back box, which allowed us to quickly assemble the first row. Once we got that first-row level to the aluminum backing frame, it was as simple as stacking blocks.”

As the final LED panel was put into place, it was time to run the controls that would bring the new outdoor living experience at The Nine to life. Benefitting from the AV system control room that already existed in the luxurious lobby, it was a simple power and data cable run that made the FLEXStorm LED fully operational.

“The controls for the FLEXStorm system are coming off a tuner box that is located inside the clubhouse control room where they also control all of the interior A/V as well,” added Breland. “This really was an ideal location, so we connected the NovaStar processor to the TV tuner and it allows them to use the FLEXStorm LED video display in a traditional TV format.”

With University of Alabama football season quickly approaching, the outdoor FLEXStorm LED video display was now complete. Designed specifically to enhance the poolside experience as the Crimson Tide takes the field, the FLEXStorm LED is ready to play, no matter if it’s an afternoon or nighttime kick-off.

“All the guests absolutely love it and they keep calling it their outdoor big screen,” concluded Breland. “Additionally, no one has to ever worry about changing the brightness of the display since the FLEXStorm technology will automatically adjust to the optimum viewing brightness. It really does provide a great living experience when everyone is outside, with the grill’s fired up, in a community tailgate-party watching the University of Alabama football game on a 20-foot LED TV.”

 

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX™ offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX™ is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX™ LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX™ at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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PixelFLEX™ sets the tone downtown with HC Media and Fishbrook Design

HC Media Studio 101 debuts with an exciting LED video display which illuminates downtown Haverhill, Massachusetts, using FLEXLite NXG 3.9mm LED video technology

Nashville, 2/6/2018 – As the cable access provider for the City of Haverhill, Massachusetts, HC Media is a non-profit corporation developed to provide residents and other non-profit institutions access to the medium of television. Recently unveiling their new Studio 101 located downtown in the Harbor Place building, HC Media wanted to create a captivating visual display that would excite the entire community and illuminate the revitalized downtown district. Working with Fishbrook Design Studio, the digital display needed to be bright and powerful with a distinct 90-degree design capability, so they chose FLEXLite NXG 3.9mm LED video from PixelFLEX™.

“HC Media Studio 101 is a new studio and performance space designed as both a live recording and educational facility for the community of Haverhill,” began Matt Belfiore, HC Media Director of Operations. “With the studio being in a prime downtown location, we wanted the community to be able to see what was happening inside so about 50% of the building is wrapped in windows. We knew we needed to have digital signage that could play to the cars and pedestrians passing by, and we wanted to incorporate colorful moving graphics and video content which is why PixelFLEX™ was an ideal solution.”

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“Our design uses this glassy, ground floor space on the busiest corner in town to put the process of inventing and producing new media on display,” added Matthew Juros, Principal Fishbrook Design Studio. “With all the windows, we really wanted to draw the attention inside, instead of digital signage outside. Looking at the options available, we knew that LED video would be incredibly punchy and vibrant, and the FLEXLite NXG worked perfectly in the design.”

With fully front-serviceable video panels, plus seamless right-angle corner capabilities, FLEXLite NXG is one of the highest resolution LED video displays on the market today. Available in 2.6-6.25mm pitch options, plus a 6.25mm full outdoor IP65 version as well, the FLEXLite NXG 500mm x 500mm video tiles are calibrated directly out of the box to ensure perfect color and brightness to help realize the full potential of any LED video design.

“Matthew and the team at Fishbrook Design really did a great job identifying the perfect solution for our new studio,” continued Belfiore. “I initially had the misconception that LED video would be a more costly option, but once we started speaking with PixelFLEX and saw what the FLEXLite NXG could do, we knew this would give us the better ‘bang for our buck’ and the install looks absolutely amazing.”

Now getting started on the install at HC Media Studio 101 with the assistance of MediaLight Inc., the FLEXLite NXG LED video tiles would be mounted on an interior wall 8-feet away from the exterior windows. Additionally, as visitors walk into the main entry of studio, the design team also wanted the FLEXLite NXG to take a 90-degree turn leading into the new studio space.

Juros explained, “The LED video wall is installed 12’ 8” above the finished floor and it rests on a 7-inch base recessed in a shallow alcove so that the surface of the panels are coplaner with the wall itself. The full wall facing the exterior windows measures approximately 10-feet in length, then when you walk in the front door, the video does a 90-degree turn and goes for another 5-feet in length. During the entire project, it really seemed that PixelFLEX™ understood exactly what we were trying to create, and it was a very simple process to install the system.”

As the installation of the LED video was completed, the team next focused on the control and content generation aspects of the design. Wanting to make sure the system was easy to control, the design features a proprietary plug-and-play option, as well as the potential to run content from the convenience of a laptop as well.

“For the driving of the system, we have a proprietary PixelFLEX™ driver installed in the control room rack where we can simply insert a USB drive with whatever content we need to display, or we are also able to run the HDMI from the driver into a laptop and control from there as well,” continued Belfiore. “For the content, we wanted to do a lot of movement and color with contrasting lights and darks and when we put the first piece of content on the screen everyone was extremely impressed. As a Public Access station, we are very excited to be able to bring something of this magnitude to the community and it really has the potential to set a wonderful tone in downtown Haverhill.”

Now complete, the new HC Media Studio 101 is in full production, broadcasting from the corner of Merrimack Street and Main Street in downtown Haverhill. As focal point for the rejuvenated area just off the banks of the Merrimack River, the FLEXLite NXG LED video design is proving that LED video is the ideal solution for truly engaging digital displays.

“Our focus at Fishbrook Design was to create the most dynamic canvas possible for HC Media to generate the content needed, and it’s exciting to watch their inventive and creative content come to life,” concluded Juros. “With LED video, there is almost unlimited flexibility on what you can create and there is simply no other way to solve what it can do for digital communications or graphics.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX™ offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX™ is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX™ LED video walls and video screens, visit pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

 

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PixelFLEX™ goes to the Farmer’s Market with The ESB Group

Design Engineer Patrick Sobers revitalizes the guest experience at the Tuscaloosa River Market with a new FLEXLite NXG 4.8mm LED video display

Nashville, 2/1/2018 – Located on the banks of the Black Warrior River, the Tuscaloosa River Market is an open-air Farmer’s Market and multi-use public facility which hosts weddings, rehearsal dinners, civic gatherings and more. Originally opened in 2012, the market has continued to grow in popularity with multiple events typically scheduled each week throughout the year. Now needing a more high-powered digital display to better inform visitors of the upcoming events, the Tuscaloosa River Market called upon the design team at The ESB Group who created a bright and colorful digital display using FLEXLite NXG LED video from PixelFLEX™.

“The market has been open for approximately five years now, and they had been relying a projector and screen system that was really only effective during the twilight hours,” began Patrick Sobers, The ESB Group Design Engineer. “As a multi-use public facility, the challenge was to retrofit the AV System so that they could have the brightness needed to also support the daytime events. Building on the success we previously had at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater using PixelFLEX technology, we decided to go with the same product family and installed a 4.8mm FLEXLite NXG LED video system.”

Using front-serviceable video panels, plus seamless right-angle corner capabilities, FLEXLite NXG from PixelFLEX™ is one of the highest resolution LED video displays on the market today. Available in 2.6-6.25mm pitch options, plus a 6.25mm full outdoor IP65 version as well, the FLEXLite NXG 500mm x 500mm video tiles are calibrated directly out of the box to ensure perfect color and brightness to help realize the full potential of any LED video design.

Sobers continued, “After consulting with PixelFLEX about the right technology, we looked at both a 3.9mm and 4.8mm option, but decided the latter would be the best fit for the install. When looking at the physical layout of the space, there are two 30-degree wall flanks on either side of the screen, so we decided to put the biggest wall possible on the flat, center section. For the height consideration, there was a large, iron header bar that we would have to contend with in the ceiling. To gauge the ideal height, we stood in the back of the room and placed it as high as possible, without being obstructed by header bar, which made it about 8-feet from the bottom of LED video screen.”

Ready to now begin the install, the FLEXLITE NXG system would need to be mounted to an interior concrete wall which overlooks the open-air venue. Excited to see the improvement LED video would make in the venue, The ESB Group was able use the existing control room of the old projection system, while also putting some finishing touches on the display as well.

“To hang the LED video wall, we used a Unistrut metal framing system to tie the frame into the concrete wall which was covered with a brick veneer,” added Sobers. “We also worked with another company to finish out the edges of the frame using a perforated metal that looks fantastic. They had an existing rack room with a Crestron DM Switcher, so we feed the stage inputs from there. The finished 4.8mm FLEXLite NXG wall is approximately 11.5-feet by 6.5-feet, and it makes a dramatic improvement to the AV capabilities of the venue.”

As more multi-use facilities continue to explore the possibility of using digital displays to heighten the guest experience, there are particular design aspects that one should always remember. Wanting the display to be a dynamic source of information, Sobers believes that the performance capabilities of LED video make it the ideal solution.

“When looking to create an LED video design for this type of venue, you always need to keep an eye on your audience distance, from the closest sets of eyes all the way the furthest person away,” explained Sobers. “Additionally, since owners will want to run these types of displays in broad daylight, you need the brightness of LED video over projection. At the Tuscaloosa River Market this is imperative as they continually display upcoming events that guests might be interested in attending, and if they can’t see it, they won’t know.”

With the design and install complete, the FLEXLite NXG LED video system has revitalized the digital experience at the Tuscaloosa River Market. Operating daily under the management of the City of Tuscaloosa, the improvements to the AV system had to be a cost-effective solution as well, which is exactly what the LED video system from PixelFLEX™ provided.

“It’s exciting to see LED video becoming so much more affordable for municipalities,” concluded Sobers. “A lot of cities own their own Arena’s and other multi-use facilities, and I feel like LED video is now bringing them the technology at the price point they can afford. It’s easy to show them the obvious performance benefits, but now they can also justify the expenditure as a budget item, and it’s a great tool for them to use.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX™ offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX™ is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX™ LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX™ at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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PixelFLEX™ brightens the Manhattan night at 300 Park Avenue

Technology integration firm VJVIT creates a new rooftop, outdoor living experience in New York City for Rockrose Development using IP-65 rated FLEXStorm LED video

Nashville, 1/30/2018 – Respected as one of New York’s premier luxury real estate developers, Rockrose Development recently began work on the renovation of their property at 300 Park Avenue. Located in the prestigious Park Avenue submarket in Manhattan, the project renovation was to include the creation of a completely new rooftop, outdoor living experience. Wanting a dynamic visual display to be the focal point of the design, Rockrose Development called upon the team at VJVIT who installed an IP-65 rated FLEXStorm LED video display from PixelFLEX™.

“We have done other technology related work Rockrose Development in the past, but this was our first time creating an outdoor LED video display,” began Victor Perez, VJVIT COO. “The property had a high-end client moving into the top two floors of the building, and they wanted to create an exciting rooftop deck for them as well. As part of the build-out, the elevator was to be extended to open onto the roof, so the mechanical room had to be extended, which in turn provided a large brick wall that was perfect for the installation of the FLEXStorm LED video display.”

Designed specifically to overcome the challenges associated with traditional outdoor LED video displays, FLEXStorm from PixelFLEX utilizes an intelligent, auto-correcting light sensor control system to ensure the perfect brightness at all hours of the day. With its safe and reliable IP65-rated connections, FLEXStorm can weather the environment, and is available in a variety of custom sizes, resolutions and configurations

“In one of the project renderings, the architect had shown a projection system throwing an image on the exterior wall,” continued Perez. “In discussing with them the plausibility of an outdoor projector, we outlined the lighting challenges and the need for the system to be completely weatherproof. Once we showed them that we could create a greater impact with an outdoor LED video screen, they loved the idea.”

With approval to move forward on the LED video installation, the team at VJVIT began to research potential solution providers. As this would be their first outdoor video install, Perez wanted to find an experienced provider who would serve as a reliable partner throughout the design.

“At the time, we were a bit new to the world of exterior LED video, so we started doing our research and due diligence to find the right partner,” added Perez. “Once we spoke with the team at PixelFLEX, we were confident they could provide the proper guidance and support we needed all the way through the design and installation process.”

Now turning their focus to the physical construction aspects of the design, the team needed to determine how the FLEXStorm LED could be mounted on the rooftop deck. Utilizing the new construction which was taking place for the expanded elevator system, the design now encompasses a permanently fastened mounting bracket connected directly to the building itself.

“During the design phase, there were a lot of questions about how we would actually mount the screen on the exterior brick wall,” explained Perez. “In the end, we designed a steel structure that was welded directly onto the building sub-structure during the extension of the elevator mechanical room, before the brick was put in place. The steel structure is very similar to what one might use to mount a large TV in their home, and this allowed us to then assemble the individual FLEXStorm LED tiles into the larger display. We then created an enclosure that goes from the sides of the screen, to the brick wall, which masks the supporting steel structure and gives us the flush-mount look we wanted.”

Ready to finalize the control system behind the design, VJVIT wanted to create an even more dynamic experience by tying together elements of custom audio with the LED video. By developing a series of control points and output options, the rooftop deck is now able to accommodate a variety events, or a quiet evening alone.

“The controls of the rooftop experience are driven by a Crestron control system with two touch panels in different locations that allow them to control both the LED display and the audio system as well,” explained Perez. “The sound system is then broken up into various zones, so you can have individual control in certain areas, plus you also have the ability to connect a laptop either wirelessly or through hard-wired inputs located throughout the deck. Additionally, if they simply want to show a movie, there is a Blu-ray player connected as well, so the complete system gives the property owners a tremendous amount of flexibility when hosting an event or enjoying the rooftop in private.”

With the final design complete, it was time to now showcase the new FLEXStorm LED video design to the property owners and management team. Understanding the anticipation felt by many on the project, Perez was excited to unveil the new outdoor living environment, and it certainly did not disappoint.

“When we initially fired up the system, we got some HD video and audio to run through the system for a burn-in during the day and night,” concluded Perez. “Once we were ready to showcase the system running it complete unison, everyone was completely mesmerized. While we were only a small portion of the overall project design, getting the FLEXStorm LED video up and running was a milestone that everyone was waiting to see, and with its performance capabilities it is definitely the focal point of this rooftop outdoor living experience.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX™ offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX™ is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX™ LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX™ at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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