Aquivo News

AQUiVO smashes an ace at Wimbledon 2008

To celebrate London’s flagship championship tennis tournament, official banking partner HSBC transformed Wimbledon tube station into a virtual tennis court, with Nintendo Wii activities played on a 55” AQUiVO screen!

Marking the annual return of the world’s most prestigious grand slam tennis event, HSBC decided to transform London’s Wimbledon tube station into a fully interactive mini tennis court for the duration of the tournament.

Enlisting the expertise of Red Door Events the station’s outdoor concourse was immersed in tennis fever, which incorporated a revolutionary 55” AQUiVO and a Nintendo Wii which were both built into the set, on which commuters were encouraged to challenge each others tennis skills. 

Insight AV sourced and specified the outdoor LCD screens for Red Door Events from specialist UK distributor, PSCo.

 

Amazing AV for Channel 4's Big Art Project

Six weather resistant AQUiVO screens have been unveiled as part of Channel 4’s ‘Big Art Project’. The screens adorn Channel 4’s ‘Big 4’ based outside the channel’s headquarters on Horseferry Road, London.

To celebrate both the Channel’s 25th anniversary year and the launch of the Big Art Project, a 50-foot-high metal '4' was constructed for the steps of the channel’s headquarters. Over the 12 months of the channel's anniversary year, four different artists will have customised the Big 4.

The second adaptation by Mark Titchner, Find Our World in Yours Find Your World in Ours. In this case, the artist uses 6 AQUiVO outdoor screens to enhance the interactivity of the sculpture.

Architecture and Design Agency FreeState is working with each commissioned artist to bring their designs to life, Adam Scott, Design Director at FreeState, explained: “We work closely with artists on their initial design concept to find the most appropriate solutions; from conception right through to the delivery, to the onsite management and maintenance of the installation. As the screens for Mark Titchner’s installation were going to be displayed externally on the structure, we needed to ensure that they would be robust enough to endure the volatile environment.

This rental project is one of the first for PSCo’s range of AQUiVO outdoor screens, which launched last year. The robust screens feature a toughened glass front and anti-reflective surface which make them perfect for temporary or permanent outdoor installations.

AQUiVO Makes Its First International Début

AQUiVO launched internationally at this years leading European AV and electronic technology exhibition Integrated Systems Europe (ISE)! The revolutionary weatherproof LCD screens have been a huge success in the UK since their launch in the UK by distribution partner PSCo, in March 2007.

AQUiVO is now a firmly establish brand throughout the UK and Canada and is set to be a huge success in the warmer European climates.

PSCo showcased the IP56 rated screens at the exhibition in Amsterdam in an effort to broaden the reach and availability of the screens, penetrating the international market even further. 

More than 22,000 people visited ISE 2008 (38% more than the previous year) and customer enthusiasm for the AQUiVO range unveiled by PSCo was overwhelming.

Swim Centre Splashes Out on AQUiVO

SwimRight Ltd have installed a revolutionary water resistant LCD screen at Frutina Swim Centre in London to act as a supportive teaching tool for competitive swim training.

The specialist Swim Centres are designed to facilitate learning and help swimmers improve their techniques. Specially designed “flo pools” create a powerful current in the water for students to swim against, during which they are filmed. The recording is then instantly relayed onto the poolside screen, where the coach or trainer can analyse the strokes and illustrate how improvements can be made.

Russell Kitching, of Frutina Swim Centres, explained; “Having an AQUiVO screen to relay images cuts down on time between swims and when it comes ironing out problems of technique, nothing beats showing someone an instant replay of their stroke. They have really made the learning process easier, and much more efficient.”

Nick Field, from SwimRight Ltd., commented; “This installation has taken swimming analysis to a completely new level. By integrating poolside screens, which have been designed specifically for use in this environment, we can provide a total solution for our clients and help establish much more effective teaching methods.”

Wet Summer Blues

2007 saw the wettest August for over 15 years*, snuffing out hopes of many a weekend summer barbeque.

On average, 120mm of rainfall fell across the UK since the start of the month, around two-thirds more than normal. The prolonged spells of rain had been caused by the onset of the hurricane season across the Atlantic Ocean late in August coming after the arrival earlier in the season of a jet stream stretching further south than usual.

It hasn't dampened the British spirit though as more and more people look to spend their leisure time outside, either at home, or at leisure establishments.

Many pubs, clubs and bars have also had to cope with the smoking ban forcing more people to spend their time outside across the country.

As more people look to spend time outside, they will be looking for more options for outdoor electronics, including stereo systems and televisions that can withstand the weather.

* BBC

AQUiVOs for the Teesside Transporter Bridge

Enigma FX entertained passengers with AV when Newcastle Gateshead Initiative (NGI) contracted them to supply a creative display solution for the Teesside Transporter Bridge during August 2007.

The bridge’s gondola needed an integrated system that would fit with the aesthetics of the industrial landmark, as well as keeping passengers entertained on their journeys. Opened in 1911, the Edwardian engineering of the Transporter Bridge reflects the dynamic, industrial heritage of the area and a crucial element of the installation process was ensuring that the technology was embedded seamlessly into the structure.

Enigma FX were contracted to install the system, sourcing four weather-resistant AQUiVO screens from PSCo. The screens sat neatly above passengers and cars in the gondola and due to their astounding durability, could broadcast specially made short films with immaculate image clarity come rain or shine.

Enigma FX Owner, Nick Joyce, commented: “We were looking for something unique, a display that would catch the attention of passengers whilst also fitting in with the traditional bridge design. The AQUiVO screens offered the perfect solution. The AQUiVO housings were also ideal for customising, most people assumed they’d been there for a very long time.”

The Day Aquivo Met The Fireman's Hose

We obviously test our products when we design and build them but there's nothing like making the point in a dramatic way.

Step forward our friends at the UK fire brigade who really know how to make a splash and prove how water resistant our Aquivo LCD Screens really are.

England is now smoke free!

The smoking ban came into force in England yesterday, meaning the end of smoking in ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed’ spaces.  This will have a dramatic impact on the pub trade, with many pubs and bars opting to create outdoor garden areas where smokers can still light up.

A recent article from Sky News claimed that many pubs aren’t prepared for the ban, stating that: “Many pubs will not have outside shelters in place by the time England's smoking ban comes into force”.  This means that many pubs and bars will now be rushing to create such areas before they feel the possible negative impact in lost revenue as a result of smokers deciding to stay at home.

One important consideration when creating outdoor areas is to provide ample entertainment – ensuring smokers can still enjoy the pub environment.  The AQUiVO range of weather resistant LCD screens are proving popular with publicans who are opting for outdoor TV screens to entertain punters.  These screens can be kept outside all year round and can withstand whatever the Great British weather throws at them, as well as coming with anti-theft wall mounts for added security.

The full impact of the ban remains to be seen, but publicans should now be preparing their outdoor entertainment areas to ensure they don’t loose out.

Read the full Sky News article here 

AQUiVO appoints first Canadian distributor - Advanced Products Group

Innovative audio-visual distributors Advanced Products Group have been appointed by AQUiVO to distribute their range of weather resistant screens across Canada.

With fully sealed, lightweight aluminium frames and a toughened glass front, the AQUiVO range of weather resistant LCD screens are perfect for outdoor use at a variety of events or permanent locations, such as pubs, bars, sports venues, and many other applications.  Capable of enduring a variety of weather conditions, including rain, humidity and dust, these outdoor TV’s also ensure superb brightness, contrast and colour quality.

Advanced Products Group are experts in creating the right presentation environment and offer the most comprehensive design and installation services, featuring state-of-the-art audiovisual systems for boardrooms, conference rooms, classrooms and training facilities.  They are part of one of the largest international groups dealing exclusively with specialized audiovisual equipment.

For more information visit: www.apgdisplays.com

TV goes ‘al fresco’ with AQUiVO

BAR 07 visitors were treated to an outdoor display of AQUiVO weatherproof screens at the exhibition this week.

The show featured an ‘Outdoor Inspirations’ area, sponsored by AQUiVO and ROKA, where the weatherproof screens were viewed by bar designers, owners and staff alike. Two 42” screens were on display at the back of the set with rain pouring down the screens and two more were positioned outdoors in the Beefeater Bus area, surrounded by visitors enjoying a few drinks in the sunshine.

The screens are designed to be used outdoors, and are IP56 rated, ensuring they are resistant to dust, water and humidity. With a thick toughened glass front and anti-theft bracket, the screens are designed to be hardy, resilient and suitable for use in public areas. The anti-reflective surface has been designed to support the excellent picture quality, even in sunlight.

John Jeffreys, Business Development Manager for AQUiVO’s UK distributor PSCo, explained;

“Many of the visitors to the show had never seen the screens in action before and were amazed to see them in water. With the fast approaching UK smoking ban, the screens offer a great opportunity to make the outdoor areas of your bar as appealing as the indoors, and many of the visitors saw the potential for entertaining customers in their al fresco areas.”

The AQUiVO screens come in 3 sizes, 42”, 47” and 55”, and were displayed throughout the show on various other stands including Bar Talks, Design Talks and the Anheuser-Busch stand, proving to be a popular choice for all. Designed to suit a variety of garden areas, with Full HD and HD Ready resolutions available, the screens have unmatched picture quality for displaying sport, music or lifestyle content outside bars, clubs and pubs.