AV Case Study: ADSTAR Summit
Panasonic RQ35K gives AVE the firepower and flexibility to deploy a showstopping, 32m-wide curved backdrop.
14 October 2024
For Sydney-based production company Audio Visual Events (AVE), creating unforgettable live experiences is more of a passion than a job. Starting as a dry-hire business which branched out into live event production, AVE possesses both the expertise and equipment required to bring events to life with state-of-the-art audio and visuals. One of the more recent products to join AVE’s arsenal of AV tools is Panasonic’s new offering — the RQ35K laser projector. This purchase has already proved pivotal, particularly at the prestigious ADSTAR Summit in Canberra, where AVE deployed four RQ35Ks to light up the centrepiece of the main auditorium – a massive, custom-designed curved screen.
TEAM EFFORT
At the heart of AVE’s success is a deep-rooted philosophy of collaboration and trust. This is not just limited to its clients but extends to the company’s choice of equipment suppliers, with Panasonic being a trusted partner for years.
AVE Director Paul Keating emphasises the value of relationships in the AV industry: “We’re both a dry-hire business and an end-to-end production company, so when we make purchasing decisions, it’s not just about the gear — it’s about the relationships. Companies like Panasonic give us insights into what’s coming next, and that helps us stay ahead of the market.”
MAKE IT SMALLER, LIGHTER, BRIGHTER
This trust-based relationship allowed AVE to make an informed investment in the Panasonic RQ35K, a projector designed for the demands of large-scale events. Offering 30,000 lumens of brightness in a smaller and lighter package, the RQ35K is a testament to Panasonic’s commitment to meeting the needs of event professionals.
Mark Shepherd, Head of Production at AVE, has a long history with Panasonic products and is thrilled with the continuous innovation the company brings to the table: “I’ve been using Panasonic products for around 20 years. They’ve always been consistent and reliable, but what’s really encouraging is how Panasonic continually invests in the future of projection. With each new release, its projectors get smaller and lighter while delivering even more brightness.”
The RQ35K’s advanced laser engine and compact design made it a perfect fit for AVE which needed high-end projection power without excessive bulk. The efficiency of the RQ35K starts even before an event begins, as Keating notes: “It’s smaller, which is something everyone always asks for. So we get the advantage from the moment we’re putting it in the truck.”
IGNITING ADSTAR
The RQ35K recently had its time to shine at the ADSTAR Summit in Canberra — a major event focused on the intersection of defence, science, technology, and research. This was a high-stakes production, and AVE knew they had to deliver a visual experience that would leave a lasting impression on attendees.
Daniel Quinn, Technical Project Manager at AVE, spearheaded the design and implementation of a custom curved screen that became the focal point of the presentations. “ADSTAR was a fantastic opportunity for us. I wanted to differentiate ourselves, so I designed a 31.8m by 5.8m screen — the biggest we could physically fit in the venue. It required four projectors to edge-blend across it, and I knew the RQ35K would be perfect. When people walked into that room, I wanted them to say, ‘Wow’.”
The key to this success was Panasonic’s edge-blending technology, which streamlines the process of creating a seamless visual across the massive screen.
“The edge blending on the Panasonic projectors is crucial for a project like this,” says Quinn. “It allows me to handle geometric correction and blending directly on the projectors, which simplifies the process and adds redundancy to the system. I didn’t need to rely on the media server for that, which gave me more flexibility.”
EDGE BLENDING EFFICIENCIES
Beyond the stunning visuals, AVE also benefited from the RQ35K’s logistical efficiency. The 30,000-lumen brightness meant AVE didn’t need to double-stack projectors to achieve the desired brightness, cutting down on equipment transport and installation time. This efficiency is crucial in an industry where time and resources are always at a premium.
Mark Shepherd explains how this improves operational efficiency:“With the RQ35K, we’re not stacking projectors or sending down twice as much stock to get the brightness we need. It’s less weight in the truck, fewer people needed to lift and install, and it’s quicker to set up.”
For AVE, the relationship with Panasonic goes beyond just purchasing projectors — it’s a partnership that evolves with the needs of the industry. Keating highlights the importance of Panasonic’s customer-focused approach: “The Panasonic team is fantastic to deal with. We’ve attended their rental summits and asked for brighter, smaller, lighter projectors, and they delivered. To know that your voice is being heard from a supplier, that’s really powerful. It shows they value us, just as we value our customers.”
RESPONSES