Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) took place from 30 January – 2 February 2024. Located at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, Barcelona, the event showcases audiovisual, systems integration, lighting, live events and IT industries. With a groundbreaking year welcoming 73,891 visitors from 162 countries, ISE saw a 27% increase in visitor numbers from 2023.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, attendees were able to explore 82,000 square metres of floor space across eight halls. With seven technology zones and a sound experience, ISE 2024 also saw the introduction of the Plug and Play stage and the ISE Time Tunnel – celebrating ISE technological advancements, and the ISE Audio Museum, featuring Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon PA and WEM’s Pompeii PA, among many others.
ISE 2024 is the largest AV and systems integration show in the world. This year, it welcomed 1,408 exhibitors across four days, catering to a variety of different sectors.
With an expansion of local and regional partnerships, the event collaborated with The Impulsa Talentum Foundation, the Catalan Sports Cluster, Casa Batlló, and the Joan Miró Museum, and also supported Llum BCN Light Arts Festival, and the AVL SUMMIT from the Spanish association of AV technology importers and manufacturers, AFIAL.
Keynote sessions at ISE 2024
Seeing through the Eyes of Others: Redefining the Art of Storytelling
“If a door hasn’t opened for you it’s because you haven’t kicked it hard enough” advised Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy as she gave an inspiring opening keynote to kick off ISE.
She took attendees through the history of her career, in which her documentary films have impacted legislation and lives around the world. This was a reminder of the impact that audio-visual mediums can have.
Breaking Boundaries with Creative AI
Jeroen van der Most is a digital artist based in the Netherlands. Creating art using data, algorithms and AI since 2010, van der Most discussed how ”AI can breathe deeper relationships with the past and distant futures”.
As an artist, van der Most also explained how he “thinks outside of the existing breaking the boundaries between humans, nature and artificial intelligence”. During his discussion about breaking the boundaries when using creative AI, van der Most discussed how AI played a key role in this most successful project.
One of his most famous pieces is called Letters from Nature which gives nature a voice about climate change. AI wrote letters addressed to political leaders and once sent, their voice began to be heard.
Working closely with the German National Museum, these AI-generated letters were on display for visitors. Large billboards were displayed showcasing nature’s AI-generated voice. Van der Most discussed various projects illustrating how AI is ”breaking the boundaries of art, giving humans the ability to come closer to nature.”
Making ‘Structures of Being’
The final keynote of ISE 2024 was focused on Casa Batló. Attendees got to hear from Sofia Crespo of Entagled Others as she discussed her recent installation ‘Structures of Being’. Utilising projection mapping, Crespo brought the facade of Casa Batlló to life, exploring the relationship between nature and Gaudi’s building.
Inspired by motion and natural processes, Crespo spoke of creating artificial growth simulations and explained the challenges faced when creating generative AI, and the processes of creating her own data sets for the program to draw from. ‘Structures of Being’ drew large crowds in Barcelona when it ran on 27 and 28 of January 2024.
Attendees could also see highlights from Crespo’s ‘Structures of Being’ on the trade show floor.
Special events at ISE 2024
Attendees at ISE 2024 were also given the chance to explore several sites around Barcelona that use AV technology in interesting ways.
The America’s Cup Experience
One of these tours was of The America’s Cup Experience which celebrates the history of this one-of-a-kind competition. Dating back to 1851, The America’s Cup is the pinnacle of international yacht racing. It can be classed as the Formula One of the sea. Women were only allowed to participate in 1995 when one woman’s boat entered. Now in 2024, there is both a women’s and children’s cup with 12 countries participating.
Furthermore, a deed of gift for the cup was written in the 1850s to celebrate their win stating ‘It’s a challenge cup for a friendly competition between foreign yacht clubs’. Over time the competition has evolved and in 2024, this is not the case! Donated to the New York Yacht Club in 1857, the trophy is an integral part of the history of this sport. In the Cup’s 173-year history, it has only been won by four countries, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and the US.
The experience is extremely immersive, showcasing state-of-the-art technology. This includes a 609-metre square projector screen, a tunnel of screens showing key dates in time, the most popular boats and how they have developed and key people in the cup’s history. Moreover, a unique maze of screens using projectors with geometric correction illustrates in-depth detail about this unique competition. Plus, a 360-degree projection room simulates the feeling of being on board.
The America’s Cup Experience is currently open by appointment only. It is due to open to the general public in August 2024, coinciding with this year’s competition.
Casa Batlló
On Thursday morning, ISE attendees had the opportunity to visit Casa Batlló. Here, they could discover the work of Antoni Gaudi as well as other contemporary artists.
Celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, Casa Batlló features immersive art installations that utilise the latest in screen and projection mapping tech. At the start of the visit, guests are welcomed into the Gaudi Dome by Miguel Alonso. The experience immediately transports visitors into the world of Gaudi through the use of a 360-degree projection-mapped turntable.
Technology has been embedded into every element of the house. From living frames that bring to life the stories of the Batlló family, to minuscule projects on plant leaves. At the end of the visit, attendees also had a chance to experience Refik Anadol‘s Gaudi cube. The world’s first six-sided LED screen cube, this transports guests into the mind of Gaudi.
This impressive installation is the product of Casa Batlló and Anadol’s advanced machine learning and AI algorithms. It draws from the largest digital library of Gaudi’s work to create spectacular visuals.
ISE 2024 session highlights
Lang Rudolph, manager of autonomous systems at LANG AG spoke about drones in entertainment. He said that drones are more commonly being used within the entertainment industry. Many organisations are employing drones for visual presentation. Alongside the current technologies of lasers, lights, projection mapping and large-scale LED screens, drones within the entertainment space are to be identified by the quality of the product, not the quantity.
Rudolph also discussed the key steps required to create and fly drones as part of an entertainment show. This includes the location, content, risk assessment and security concept, as well as design and rendering. Along with details of the permits and the guidelines that must be followed, Rudolph discussed that the team required for drone shows may be smaller than expected as long as they are comprised of professional and trained individuals.
At the Digital Humans panel discussion Nico Roig from Metropolitica, Cai Felip from Union Avatars and Sergi Sagàs from Hyperreal then spoke about how digital humans are becoming more commonly used and popular through the use of AI technology. They also explained how the creation of digital humans is set to enhance the immersive and virtual reality space.
This panel discussion identified that digital humans are most commonly used in film, television and gaming. However, it is believed that this is set to increase as technology evolves and AI becomes more prominent in everyday living.
Immersive projects on show
On the final day of the show, Alexis Bowles and Auriane Falières from Moment Factory gave attendees an insight into their work and recent projects.
Moment Factory is a multimedia entertainment studio using content, interactivity and scenography to create one-of-a-kind experiences. Bowles and Falières showcased their skills and knowledge in creating unique immersive projects.
The team works on a range of projects across a variety of sectors. This includes concerts, themed entertainment, immersive experiences and augmented reality. Examples include the Moët & Chandon event and the Kaleidoscope Lazy River, as well as the Lumina Light Walk.
Using drones, VR and video mapping ensures all areas within a space are accounted for. A key projection mapping project on the Sagrada Familia brought crowds of over 100,000 people. Furthermore, the team at Moment Factory are proud to share their work alongside U2 on the outside of The Sphere and are continuously working on innovative projects.
The most recent project, set to open in April 2024, is The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True. This is an ”innovative, interactive multimedia experience” taking guests on a journey through the life of Lionel Messi.
AVIXA Xchange LIVE at ISE 2024
There were several educational sessions on the AVIXA Xchange LIVE booth.
One session explored whether AI is biased. Jessica Sanders of Absen hosted a panel that included Chris Hope of The Looplab, Stacia Pfeiffer of Pixomondo, and Gill Ferrell of 1EdTech and EUNIS.
“There is no such thing as artificial intelligence. At the moment it is augmented intelligence. It’s not thinking or feeling.” said Pfeiffer, echoing earlier discussions related to AI and creative ownership.
Considering that, the consensus was that any biases emerging from AI systems are a product of human development. Ending on a call to action, the panel also encouraged the audience to take responsibility for combatting AI biases. This can be done by rethinking hiring practices and ensuring diversity in the teams creating these systems.
Exploring AI and more
Another session that focused on AI saw Andreea Timis of The LED Studios, Jessica Cooper of Pixel Artworks, and Anna Bulakh of Respeecher tackle the question: ‘Who owns the content AI creates?’
Whilst not an easy question to answer, the panel agreed that AI as it exists today lacks the capacity to create novel content. So, in that respect, it can’t be considered a creator.
“It’s about creating a culture of authorship and provenance” said Bulakh, encouraging the industry to always be mindful of the root of AI material.
Sustainability was another popular topic of discussion at this year’s ISE. At an Ask the Experts panel, Piet van der Zanden of TU Delft, Kristin Bidwell of ACT Associates, Kelly Perkins of The Farm AV, and Lode De Raedt of DG Interpretation discussed how the ProAv industry can make more sustainable choices.
One of the key points raised was that clients today are keen to opt for more sustainable options. Especially when suppliers spell out any cost-saving benefits. It was also highlighted that through making these choices, other aspects of our culture are improved as well.
Preview of the Llum BCN Light Festival at ISE 2024
On the final night of ISE, attendees were also given the chance to preview Llum BCN. This Light Festival took place from 2 – 4 February. ISE is sponsoring the festival for the third year in a row. Attendees heard from Mike Blackman who thanked everyone in Barcelona for their support of the show after COVID.
“Even I couldn’t have dreamed we would do what we are doing”, he said as he revealed that the show is 30% larger than last year. He said that it is a “testament to the popularity of this city and the beautiful weather!” He added that ISE will continue to give back to the city and showcase how advanced Barcelona is becoming in installed AV.
Innovation on the ISE 2024 trade show floor
7th Sense
7thSense, the multi-award-winning media solutions specialist, launched an update to its market-leading Medialon Manager show control software at this year’s show. The company also showcased its latest products. For example, the newly launched R-Series 8 hardware solution and the 7thSense Compere software for system programming.
The R-Series 8 won an ISE 2024 Best of Show Award in the Sound & Video Contractor category. These awards honour the best products and solutions exhibited at ISE. Products are judged on their innovations, variety and breadth of features, ease of use, value for money and more.
AV Stumpfl
AV Stumpfl, a creator of mobile and installation projection screens, multi-display and show control systems, showcased its latest products.
These included the latest PIXERA 2.0 software features, its new PIXERA GEN 2 media server hardware, Blackpeak, a black projection screen, and its innovative AnyShape projection screen technology. With AnyShape, custom-built projection screens can be created with a variety of frame shapes, such as circles or rounded edges.
The company was also recognised by ISE for its 20th consecutive year as a founding member. Its Blackpeak screen surface also won the InAvation Award in the Accessory category. Blackpeak offers a black projection screen material that provides a high contrast ratio even in ambient light environments.
Barco
Barco, the technology company focusing on innovative visualisation solutions, displayed ClickShare. This is a new flexible, user-friendly and affordable solution for meeting rooms.
The company also presented two new projection platforms and a new image-processing solution. The Encore3 is the third-generation Event Master platform that offers integrated video signal distribution and layered video screen composition. It can manage all screens from projection and LCD to LED.
The new I600 and QDX projector families achieve higher resolutions and brightness levels in a more compact design. Barco’s UDM projectors also won an InAVation Award for Best Events Technology.
Beckhoff
Beckhoff Automation, a leader in PC-based control technology, showcased how to integrate all technical systems on a single platform complete with secure automation.
Attendees could also learn more about 7thSense’s update to the Medialon Manager show control software. This now includes support for interfacing with Beckhoff’s PLCS using the ADS protocol. The new integration allows data to flow between the PLCs and Medialon Manager show control software seamlessly and securely.
The company also highlighted its Planar motor system with a display showcasing items like a watch and perfume bottle moving in a set pattern.
Christie
Christie, the global visual and audio technology company, had a theme of “Experience is Everything” for its 2024 ISE booth. Attendees could step into a 100-square-foot immersive room which used 4K13-HS laser projectors with content from THÉORIZ and sensory technology from Augmenta. The museum-inspired Nook projected artwork into screens using Christie 4K860-iS and DWU1400-GS laser projectors.
The company also showcased its MicroTiles LED with an 18-foot-high interactive display. The content on the LED tiles was managed by Pandoras Box Server. The content and sensory technology were also provided by THÉORIZ and Augmenta.
Dataton
Dataton, a global leader in audio-visual software for visitor experiences, showcased the new WATCHOUT 7 show composer software. This update gives programmers more power, easy optimisation and sophisticated workflows. With new audio and visual engines, users can create more stunning displays.
Support for HDR and high-quality file formats is also available in WATCHOUT 7. The company also showed attendees WATCHPAX 30, the latest addition to its media server range.
Digital Projection
Digital Projection, a specialist in laser projectors, showcased two new laser projectors at the show, the E-Vision 16000i WU and the updated Satellite MLS. Attendees could also see the European debut of the new TITAN family of projectors. The E-Vision 16000i WU has a brightness of 16,000 ISO lumens and the Satellite MLS has improved light sources and fibres.
The company also showcased its M-Vision 27000 projectors with a projection-mapped bull that also used VIOSO’s technology.
Highlite International
Highlite International, a leading supplier of show, audio and light equipment, displayed its new lighting, sound and AV products. These included the NRG PA loudspeakers and the new DAP Frigga column PA system. The company also showcased its expanded Odin Audio Systems by DAP line array loudspeakers and its DMT Alpha Series A3.9i – Indoor LED panels.
Holoplot
Holoplot, a Berlin-based manufacturer of audio technology, showcased its renowned X1 product series at the show. The company also introduced its new compact Matrix Array X2 which brings its technology to even more applications.
Showcasing demonstrations for attendees, the team gave users precise control over sound in both the horizontal and vertical axes. This allows them to navigate even the most difficult acoustic settings. Providing high-quality, realistic audio for stereo deployments with exceptional speech intelligibility, users could add and explore creative capabilities to enhance immersive sound designs.
After being awarded Best in Show for a third consecutive year, this innovation showcased various demonstrations for attendees throughout the show. Through the continued success of the Las Vegas Sphere, the team at Holoplot is continuously providing innovations for the wider sector for speech and multi-content applications.
Working to works to continuously improve and enhance the functionality and capabilities of its systems the team announced the new operating system, OS 2.0. This is the largest iteration of the software engine that powers its products, upgrading its user applications to provide even greater functionality.
L-Acoustics
L-Acoustics, an industry leader in designing and manufacturing sound systems and technology, also presented new technology at ISE 2024. This included the Xi Series and an AI-powered Mixhalo Translate functionality for the L-ISA platform. Mixhalo Translate gives visitors access to AI-generated interpretation and transcription at live events using their own devices and headphones.
The new X8i and X6i will ship in April 2024 and are designed to meet the requirements of integration projects that need powerful, high-quality sound with discreet design. Attendees could also listen to L-Acoustics Integration solutions in the Audio Demo room, such as the L-ISA, Ambiance Acoustics System, Milan AVB and more.
Listen Technologies
Listen Technologies, a provider of assistive listening, multi-language audio transmission and live streaming audio solutions, and Ampetronic revealed a groundbreaking assistive listening solution at the show.
Tracy Bathurst of Listen Technologies, Julian Peters of Ampetronic, and Chuck Sabin of Bluetooth SIG presented the ‘AURI system’. Utilising Auracast, which has quickly become the industry standard for Bluetooth technology, the AURI system allows audio to be transmitted to multiple devices. This revolutionises how audio can be shared across a space.
Users can connect any Bluetooth-enabled device. This means they can listen through their own devices at a range of up to 100 metres. Listen Technologies and Ampetronic anticipate that this technology will transform the way venues broadcast audio to large crowds.
Panasonic Connect
Panasonic Connect, a leading audiovisual technology provider, had three themed areas on its booth, an Education, Business Collaboration and Entertainment area.
In the Entertainment area, there was an immersive, interactive universe on display. Meanwhile, in its press conference, the company spoke about the upcoming Paris Olympic games. Panasonic Connect has supported the Olympics since 1987 and the Paralympic Games since 2014. Since then, over 1,170 projectors, 420 LED large screens and 940 video cameras have been displayed at the Games.
Hartmut Kulessa also spoke about Panasonic’s new visual solutions. These included the SQ2H series and the PT-MZ882 series of projectors which includes recycled material, as well as the ET-FMP50 media processor. This media processor is designed for multi-projection applications such as immersive experiences and museums.
Panasonic Connect also announced the new RQ7 Series 1-Chip DLP Projector, which will be available from Q3 2024. This allows more versatility for projection mapping.
Powersoft
Powersoft, the Italian amplifier specialist, introduced the new Verso gateway as well as the new lower-power Unica models at the show. Verso connects current Powersoft products to MyUniverso Cloud seamlessly. This allows users to monitor and centralise remote firmware updates for connected amplifiers.
Attendees could also learn more about the new Unica 1K8 and Unica 5K4 which are intended for smaller applications. These lower-power Unica models highlight Powersoft’s dedication to providing a versatile platform for various installation design needs.
The company also won the Applied Technology Award at the 2024 Inavation Awards. In keeping with Powersof’s environmental goals, its stand was made of reusable and eco-friendly materials such as wood and glass.
tonwelt
tonwelt, a leading full-service provider of interactive visitor guiding systems, and its colleagues from RSF Museo guiding systems showcased the new features of its supraGuideDIVA. This now features optical triggering.
When the audio guide’s integrated camera is pointed at a work of art, the device recognises the piece. It then pulls up the correct Point of Interest information for the user. This feature doesn’t require any additional hardware and also removes the need for exhibit numbers next to an item.
Also on display was the supraGuide Spheric. This is an all-in-one audio guide with 3D audio, cordless use, triggering and automatic release, video synchronisation and more.
Other highlights from the ISE 2024 show floor
Disguise revealed its soon-to-be-released VX 3 hardware and the recently-launched VX 2+ which can run pre-rendered and real-time content at scale. Attendees could also learn more about Disguise’s Designer software integration with ISAAC and the Disguise Cloud toolset. In the interactive LED photo booth attendees could immerse themselves in dynamic virtual environments. These were custom-built by Meptik, Disguise’s Creative and Technical services divisions.
LG Business Solutions entertained ISE attendees with its LG LED wall with kinetic movements and content created by EASYWITH. This wall featured LED panels that moved in time to the content displayed. This product is aimed at customers seeking to provide more depth to message delivery by stimulating visual communication through kinetic movement. The product is scheduled for sale towards the end of 2024.
Samsung launched its new Visual Experience Transformation (VXT) Platform. Alex Lee, EVP, VXPM spoke about the three mandates for the VXT Platform: screen value maximisation, democratising screen-share and world-class cloud-native platforms and services.
New products on show
BrightSign showcased its SoC, an all-in-one solution with BrightSign technology built into the screen. With a variety of screen partners, this option allows BrightSign to offer lots of customisation with a reduction in installation and implementation costs. The company also displayed its XC series which is perfect for immersive spaces as it has multi-output.
Meanwhile, Absen gave ISE 2024 attendees the chance to take part in a Fastest Lap Competition with its full-size Touring Car. This was placed in front of a curved Absen NX1.8-N LED screen. Using AMERICA’s touch-free technology and the Absen NX series, visitors could modify and personalise a car displayed on the screen with a gesture-based control.
K-array also launched several new products at the show including PRISMA, a digital matrix and amplifier series. KGEAR, a brand within the K-array group, debuted the GU210 subwoofer. This is ideal for fixed installations, both indoor and outdoor.
Leyard Europe featured an LED sphere on its booth as well as a VP/XR studio setup with an Extended Reality stage. The company also showed its new MicroLED Chip on Board solution with the Leyard VDS series.
Save the date
Integrated Systems Events is a joint venture between AVIXA and CEDIA – the two leading industry associations for the global audiovisual industry.
Next year’s event will take place in Barcelona from 4 to 7 February 2025.
