Technology Exposed 2014 closed its doors at Ascot Racecourse today celebrating a successful fifth year as the UK’s premier showcase of the very latest audio, video, print, video conferencing, broadcasting and networking solutions. Hosted by Midwich, the UK’s leading trade-only distributor of technology solutions, Technology Exposed 2014 was the setting for the first UK showing of the LG 98-inch edge lit 4K LED display, and Samsung’s new SMART signage 85-inch 4K LED display.
The expo attracted several hundred installers, integrators and end users who witnessed more than 70 exhibitors and shared hundreds of show-related Tweets over the two days. Further highlights included exclusive launches from Canon, Hitachi, Sony, Optima, Draper and ATEN, live audio demonstrations from Peavey, Sennheiser and other major brands, and live talk sessions from key speakers including Futuresource Consulting and Astec technology.
LG used Technology Exposed to unveil some truly show-stopping, cutting-edge display solutions. The show floor and social media was abuzz with raves about the new 98-inch edge-lit LED widescreen display with 4K resolution, showcased for the first time in the UK and mounted using Peerless AV’s revolutionary Quick Release Video Mount. The world’s first 34-inch ultra-wide UHD curved monitor was also presented at the LG booth, delivering a more immersive experience for gamers and designers.
Samsung also unveiled its new SMART signage 85-inch 4K LED display and its next generation flat UHD screen. Four unique, vertical specific videowalls involving BrightSign, Toshiba, tvONE, NEC, DEXON, TDSi, Datapath and other vendors were demonstrated by True Colours, the technical AV division of Midwich.
“We’ve had a phenomenal few days at Ascot and hope that in bringing all these solutions together in this unique way we will have opened the eyes and minds of visitors to tap into new business opportunities,” said Stephen Fenby, Managing Director at Midwich. “Walking the show floor you couldn’t help but be inspired by the new technologies and solutions on display. The vertical markets stand was a new feature for this year where our specialists laid bare the cross-over potential of technologies in different environments from control rooms, fire operation centres, airports and train stations to retail stores, museums and art venues.”
Arriving visitors were offered 30-minute guided audio tours using Sennheiser wireless headsets for a quick introduction to show floor highlights. Located near the entrance, the vertical markets stand featured an impressive glass window transformed into an interactive touch screen using Visual Planet Touchfoil. The latest 3D printers and scanners from Cube Pro and Sense were also in-action revealing the enormous potential for growth in the education and healthcare sectors.
In the hospitality area, Canon launched their new range of MAXIFY business inkjet printers enabling users to print anywhere – directly from mobiles, tablets or cloud storage providers through dedicated mobile printing applications.
Projectors also grabbed a piece of the limelight with Sony showcasing the world’s brightest 3LCD laser light source projector and Optoma demonstrating its new 1080p short throw education and business projector, capable of projecting a 100-inch image from just a metre away. Also, for the first time in the UK, Hitachi showed its portable SMART Projector, an ultra-short throw projector capable of showing a 40-inch screen from a 1cm throw distance.
Additional new product launches included the 4K ready projection screen from Draper that utilises unique TecVision Engineered Surface Technology and AV systems specialist ATEN unveiled its new 16×16 high end matrix switcher for the first time in the UK enabling seamless switching for time-critical activities.
Outside in the Audio Suite, visitors could see, hear and compare top-of-the-range speakers from Peavey, Sennheiser, RCF, Bosch, ElectroVoice, Traction Sound and TOA designed for houses or worship, university lecture theatres, airports and shopping centres.
Live streaming and IP network convergence were hot topics in the broadcast, access control and physical security solution areas of the show. Nearby, attendees at the live talk sessions heard from Social Media Specialist Mark Adams on the keeping ahead of social changes. Matthew Bates from Astec Technologies’ talked about interactive technology in retail. Chris McIntyre-Brown of Futuresource Consulting provided an insight into the commercial display industry. Kyocera Document Solutions’ Stewart Dudding explained the future of managed print services and HyPAS, and Midwich’s own 3D Print Specialist Ashley Camm told the shape of things to come with 3D printing in vertical markets.
For further information about Technology Exposed 2014 and the full scope of the Midwich Group, please visit www.midwich.com, email: info@midwich.com or call: 01379 649200.
