Hive, a company specialising in media control systems and software, is celebrating the launch of Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, which opened in March at Excel London Waterfront’s entertainment district, ImmerseLDN.
The 26,000 square foot exhibition, produced by FKP Scorpio Entertainment and created by Madrid Artes Digitales (MAD), combines archaeology, narrative, and immersive technology in a 360 degree experience that immerses guests in the story of the boy king in an extraordinary reimagining of Ancient Egypt.
At its centre, guests will find an 8-metre-tall, 360-degree projection-mapped environment, dubbed the ‘black box’, which will transport them to an intricately detailed ancient land. This innovative showpiece was designed and installed by Belgian multimedia specialists Painting with Light (PWL). It features projection powered by Epson and media playback delivered by Hive’s high-performance Beeblade system.
Ambitious timeline
The project required a fast turnaround, and PWL had a little under four months to design, build, install, and commission the black box ready for the opening. The full-scale immersive theatre, which includes 44 Epson projectors, with spatial audio, projection mapping and seamless synchronisation, was to be located in a challenging venue with uneven floors and ceiling heights that necessitated a bespoke solution.
With numerous global collaborators involved, the pressure was on to create a fully integrated experience that would impress guests, while also setting a new benchmark for future touring venues.
Hive’s Beeblade Pluto media servers, in three compact Beehive enclosures, serve as the foundation for the installation. The company’s systems have a reputation for perfect synchronisation across multiple outputs using Beesync, plug-and-play reliability, easy-to-use software and scalable, and low-power architecture. They were selected for the project for their ability to work flawlessly over long periods.
Content is shown on a canvas spanning over 1,200 square metres, with ultra-wide resolutions and 30fps frame rates, to deliver a perfect visual journey through ancient tombs, temples and landscapes. This is rendered in exceptional clarity and synchronised to an immersive 3D audio environment.
The accuracy and speed of the calibration procedure added to the project’s technological accomplishment. In just two days, VIOSO, a company renowned for its auto-alignment technology, calibrated all 44 projectors on site.
Pixel-perfect warping and blending were made possible by their camera-based solution, which was recently integrated with Hive’s playback system. The solution also offers one-touch recalibration should any projector change over time.
This integration was especially satisfying for the team as it set a new standard for effective setup in large-scale immersive projects.
Although the installation is complex, the system’s reliability under pressure has been proven. PWL’s technical team could respond instantly when a power outage struck during a live show, and so minimise the disruption caused. They remotely diagnosed the issue and guided on-site staff to a solution in a matter of hours.
Designed for touring
The exhibition is touring internationally and has welcomed more than 1.8 million guests across twelve cities, including Madrid and Cairo. Its London run marks the first deployment of the new modular black box, created for ease of repeat use as the experience tours new markets.
Peter van Bilsen, strategic director at PWL, says: “Working with Hive on Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition was a true example of how the right technology and teamwork can deliver exceptional results under pressure. Hive’s media server proved to be reliable and perfectly suited to the fast turnaround. We’re proud of the outcome and of the great collaboration that got us there.”
“Working at London’s new immersive venue, ImmerseLDN, was a fantastic experience,” says Mark Calvert, Hive’s managing director and co-founder. “This project brought together expert teams – from PWL’s seamless install to Epson’s projection, VIOSO’s calibration and MAD’s storytelling. We’re proud Hive technology helped power such a loved attraction. Huge thanks to PWL for their enthusiasm towards Hive – we’re excited for what’s next.”
The London showing of Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition continues until 29 June. By bringing together technology and storytelling, it exemplifies what can be achieved when the right partners come together, and serves as a template for future immersive experiences.
Last month, Hive announced that it has appointed CAST as its official distributor in Germany, expanding its footprint in central Europe. The collaboration leverages CAST’s trusted reputation, technical expertise, and established history in the entertainment technology sector.
