W-DMX Adds Glowing Effects to Eurovision 2013

Wireless Solution Sweden AB appeared on site in stunning fashion at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, held at Malmö Arena in southern Sweden.

A sea of kinetic sculptures were hung throughout the entire arena roof, resembling interior design lamps that would raise, lower, and change color for the different performances. The sculptures were hung from custom winches designed by Tait Technologies with the majority hung over the audience and 14 placed directly over the main stage.

Two W-DMX BlackBox F-1 MKII units controlled 70 W-DMX Micro OEM Transceivers (with support of RDM), utilizing three channels for an RGB LED located inside the fixtures and two channels for their speed and position. Although independently controllable, the sculptures as a whole were designed in unity, creating wave effects or lowering at the same time to give an intimate feel to the arena. Control came via MA Lighting grandMA Light consoles. The W-DMX units come with the latest G4S software with Advance Adaptive Technology, making it ideal for a crowded wireless traffic spectrum.

Lighting designer Fredrik Jönsson, says, "W-DMX was really the only way to pull off this effect. The signal was solid and reliable and setup was clean and fast -- something very important on a show this size."

Technical director Ola Melzig agrees, saying, "Inside the arena, we had twice the amount of wireless traffic per cubic meter as Times Square in New York and the W-DMX worked flawlessly. It's truly plug and play -- hands down amazing. Both a cost effective and easy solution."

Tait Technologies assistant project manager Brandon Bogaert adds, "The installation of the W-DMX was extremely easy and fast, making that task painless, which was very important when every minute counts."

In addition to the kinetic sculptures, 50 Clay Paky Glow Up Strips located in the main lighting rig behind the stage were operated via OEM installed W-DMX, giving added flair to the main stage looks.

Eurovision 2013 consisted of three live broadcasts -- semifinals 1 and 2 on May 14 and 16 and the finals on May 18. The show is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. The contest has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programs in the world. The production is well-known for its technical achievements and its equipment demands are high.

The 2013 show broke all previous television viewer records with over 170 million viewers worldwide, not counting internet views. In a show of this scale, nothing is left to chance.

Final results of the competition put Denmark as 2013 champion with the song "Only Teardrops" by Emmelie de Forest, putting the show in Denmark next year for the first time since 2001.

See Wireless Solution Sweden at PLASA Focus: Austin, September 10 - 11.