Dataton WATCHOUT at Rand Merchant Bank Awards Ceremony, South Africa

Dataton's WATCHOUT multi-image display and presentation software was delivered by multimedia specialists PENMAC Audio Visual for Rand Merchant Bank's (RMB) annual awards presentation and staff event held in July in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Penmac Audio Visual is the Watchout premium partner for South Africa and supported the RMB event with on-site technical support and advice.

Designed by Andrew Timm, Andrew Thabo Television (ATTV) the event celebrated the Sandton skyline of Gauteng, Johannesburg, South Africa, of which the main RMB head office building is an integral part.

"The client wanted synchronized displays which could be used for the entire day and which transformed content according to schedule. Due to the colossal height of three of the projected surfaces on the main stage, we needed to implement vertical edge blending of display devices and utilised the new features of Watchout version 5.2," explains Malcolm Finlay, president of Penmac Audio Visual. "This effectively managed all the content for the 11 data feeds, as well as the geometric correction and masking required to replicate the individual shapes of the buildings on and off the stage, creating a synchronized visual spectacular.

"The main stage projection was mapped by four Barco FLM 20+ 20,000 lumens HD resolution DLP projectors, while a Roadster S+16K DLP projector from Christie Digital Systems was dedicated to an information screen which was flown in when required," adds Finlay.

"In order to complete the Sandton 'skyline', two additional projected surfaces were flown on the extreme edges of the main stage and were vertically projected using four LX605 3-LCD projectors from Christie Digital Systems."

To depict changing corporate messages and staff awards throughout the eight-hour event, all surfaces were seamlessly synchronized. The 18m stage was framed downstage by a 16mm pitch LED mesh proscenium arch and the Sandton 'skyline' was completed using a 12mm LED mesh dynamic 'sky' at the extreme back of the set. All technical staging, including LED surfaces were supplied and rigged by EPH Productions.

Fredrik Svahnberg, Marketing Director at Dataton says: "Watchout version 5.2 was launched into the market in early 2012 and we're delighted that the edge blending, warping, and geometric correction features have been used to their full potential to create a stunning awards ceremony for such a prestigious organization thanks to the help and support of our Watchout Premium Partner, Penmac."