Hog Factor Winners Help HES Unveil the Future at LDI 2015

	Photo: Caevionne Philips

Automated lighting manufacturer High End Systems states that "the future is now," and the company upheld that bold statement at the LDI 2015 exhibition last week in Las Vegas. High End's display featured an unprecedented range of high power LED moving lights. With the introduction of three new LED products, the company says High End enjoyed a tremendously successful LDI. Designers and specifiers had much to witness during the three day event; the company debuted SolaWash Pro 2000, SolaSpot Pro 2000, and Uno. The trio of new products was accompanied by SolaSpot Pro 1500 and SHAPESHIFTER.

"These LED products are not only quiet, energy-efficient, and low maintenance, they are every bit as bright as 1,200W / 1,500W metal-halide based moving lights," comments director of marketing Jeff Pelzl. "Many of our LDI visitors and customers commented that they have never seen lighting this bright from an LED-based product."

Along with the LED automated lights, High End also launched the new Hoglet and Miniwing for the Hog 4 console line. Also on display was the GUI interface for Axon.

Near the end of the first show day, the crowd stood silent, the lights dimmed and the music roared as the Hog Factor finals commenced. Finalists from Carnegie Mellon, Webster University, and SMU were on hand to battle it out live, Hog style! After some nail-biting moments coupled with amazing timing and much flair, the team from Carnegie Mellon (Patrick Hayes and Alex Stevens) emerged victorious. Judges Vicki Claiborne, Scott Chemeleski, Marian Sandberg, and Marty Postma were in attendance to watch over the proceedings. The Carnegie Mellon team won a HOG4 console as well as a $20,000 scholarship for their university. Each team member also walked away with a Hedge Hog 4x console. Runners up Webster University and SMU each won Hedge Hog 4's and Hoglets. In addition to the finalists, each participating university received two SHAPESHIFTERS for submitting a show to be judged.

High End Systems general manager Chris Ferrante commented, "The event was a huge success. We met our goal of getting Hogs into the hands of tomorrow's operators and designers, while giving them the chance to showcase their talents on a truly unique platform. We are already looking forward to next year's competition! I would also like to thank CSI Leasing who supported this competition alongside us -- they are a fabulous resource when it comes to leasing in the educational market."

High End Systems will soon be announcing dates for the 2016 Hog Factor competition and encourage all students from all across the USA to take part in the only national collegiate entertainment lighting competition. For more information check out www.highend.com/hogfactor.

High End systems is part of the Barco group.