HIVE Powers Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition in London

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5 May 2025

HIVE Powers Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition in London

An immersive 360-degree experience brought to life through precision engineering, cutting-edge technology and seamless collaboration.

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition opened at ExCeL London in March 2025, inviting visitors to step inside the story of the boy king in a spectacular reimagining of Ancient Egypt. Produced by FKP Scorpio Entertainment and created by Madrid Artes Digitales (MAD), the 26,000 square foot experience blends archaeology, storytelling and immersive technology to astonishing effect.

At the heart of the show is a towering 8-metre-high, 360-degree projection-mapped environment – an engineering feat designed to transport audiences to a richly detailed ancient world. This central immersive space, known as the “black box,” was designed and installed by Belgian multimedia specialists Painting with Light (PWL), with projection powered by Epson and media playback delivered by Hive’s high-performance Beeblade system.

From the outset, the project came with an ambitious timeline. PWL had just under four months to design, build, install and commission the black box for opening night – a full-scale immersive theatre powered by 44 Epson projectors and featuring spatial audio, projection mapping and flawless synchronisation. The venue presented its own challenges, including uneven flooring, changing ceiling heights and limited build time, requiring bespoke adaptation. With multiple international partners involved, the pressure was on to deliver a fully integrated solution that would not only wow audiences but also set a standard for future touring venues.

Hive’s Beeblade Pluto media servers, housed in three compact Beehive enclosures, served as the backbone of the experience. Known for their plug-and-play reliability, perfect synronicisation across multiple outputs using Beesync, easy to use software and scalable, low-power architecture, Hive’s systems were chosen for their ability to perform seamlessly day in, day out. The projection canvas covered more than 1,200 square metres, with content playing across massive ultra-wide resolutions and 30fps frame rates. The result was a seamless visual journey through ancient tombs, temples and landscapes – rendered in stunning clarity and synchronised to an immersive 3D audio environment.

Adding to the technical achievement was the speed and precision of the calibration process. VIOSO, known for their auto-alignment technology, calibrated all 44 projectors onsite in just two days. Their camera-based solution, newly integrated with Hive’s playback system, allowed for pixel-perfect warping and blending with the added benefit of one-touch recalibration should any projector shift over time. The success of this integration was particularly rewarding for the team, marking a new benchmark in efficient setup for large-scale immersive projects.

Despite the complexity of the installation, the system proved reliable under pressure. When a power outage struck during a live show, PWL’s technical team responded instantly – remotely diagnosing the issue and guiding on-site personnel to a solution within hours, ensuring the exhibition continued with minimal disruption.

The London run is the latest in a string of international showings for the exhibition, which has already captivated over 1.8 million visitors across twelve cities including Madrid and Cairo. But it’s also the first time the new, modular black box format has been deployed – designed specifically for ease of repeat use as the experience tours new markets.

Peter van Bilsen, strategic director at PWL, praised the collaboration:

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.

Peter van Bilsen, strategic director

Running until 29 June 2025, the London edition of Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition continues to attract audiences of all ages. With technology and storytelling working in harmony, it stands as a benchmark for what’s possible when the right partners come together – and a template for future immersive experiences to follow.

Working at London’s new immersive venue, ImmerseLDN, was a fantastic experience. 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.

Mark Calvert, co founder @ HIVE

Electric Picnic Festival

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27 January 2025

Electric Picnic Festival

Electric Picnic, one of Ireland’s most iconic music festivals, marked the end of summer with a spectacular weekend of performances and cutting-edge visual production. Hive was honored to be selected by 4wall Europe to manage the main stage playback, showcasing the power and reliability of the Beebox Pluto range.

Electric Picnic’s main stage required a video playback solution capable of driving massive LED screens from @roevisual with precision and reliability.

The festival’s high-energy performances and dynamic visuals demanded a system that could seamlessly deliver high-quality playback while handling real-time adjustments. Additionally, the scale of the event required technology that could operate flawlessly over multiple days.

The Solution

Hive’s Beehive Nucleus was the ideal choice for this high-profile project.

Featuring:

– Powerful Performance: The Beeblade Pluto range drove the massive Roevisual LED screens throughout the weekend, within the Beehive Nucleus chassis ensuring vibrant and consistent visuals for every performance.
– Latest Software Features: Electric Picnic highlighted Hive’s newest software innovations, providing enhanced functionality and flexibility for live event playback.

– Reliability Under Pressure: Hive’s proven reliability ensured uninterrupted operation, delivering a flawless experience for both artists and audiences.

The collaboration with 4 Wall Europe was a resounding success. Special thanks to Rhodri at 4wall for placing trust in Hive’s technology, and to Nigel Sadler for his exceptional project support. The project team praised Hive’s ease of use, smooth performance, and advanced features that elevated the visual impact of the main stage.

Conclusion

Electric Picnic 2024 highlighted the power, reliability, and innovation of Hive’s Beehive Nucleus range. The event reinforced Hive’s position as a leader in media server technology, capable of meeting the demands of high-profile festivals and live events. Hive looks forward to continuing its collaboration with 4 Wall Europe and exploring new opportunities to enhance live event experiences.

TEMS – Live

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27 January 2025

TEMS – Live

The TEMS Summer Tour showcased the innovative capabilities of Hive’s Beebox Pluto, chosen for its reliability, ease of use, and sustainable design. With the entire show fully controlled by a lighting console, the Beebox Pluto’s straightforward setup proved invaluable to the touring production, highlighting Hive’s ability to deliver seamless performance under demanding conditions.

Concert tours require systems that are both compact and powerful, with minimal setup time and robust reliability for consistent day-to-day operation. Additionally, there is a growing need for sustainable solutions in the entertainment sector to reduce environmental impact. The TEMS Summer Tour needed a solution that addressed these challenges while maintaining the flexibility required for creative video playback control.

The Solution

Hive’s Beebox Pluto was the perfect fit for the TEMS Summer Tour, delivering:

– Compact Form Factor: Small enough to travel with just a network switch, making it an ideal solution for the touring team.

– Optimized Energy Efficiency: Hive’s energy-efficient design helped reduce the tour’s carbon footprint, meeting the entertainment sector’s increasing focus on sustainability.

– Sustainability Focus: Built from recyclable materials, the Beebox Pluto aligns with modern environmental standards.

– Streamlined Setup: With seamless integration to the lighting console, the system offered a quick and reliable setup, saving freight, time, energy, and manpower.

Key Features in Action

Hive’s Beebox Pluto excelled during the tour, enabling:

– Silky Smooth Video Playback: The system’s smooth H.265 video playback ensured high-quality visuals for every performance.

– Flexible Adjustments: The lighting designer could manage LED pixel mapping, scaling, and color changes directly from the console, ensuring creative freedom and precision.

Customer Feedback

The touring team praised Hive for its exceptional reliability and outstanding customer support, with @samuellisher commenting, “The Hive team are one of the best and nicest on the planet.” This sentiment was echoed across the project team, who highlighted the Beebox Pluto’s practical advantages and performance capabilities.

Sustainability in Touring

Hive’s Beebox Pluto not only delivered a practical and efficient solution but also aligned with the entertainment sector’s shift towards sustainability. The compact design reduced freight costs, while its energy efficiency minimized power consumption—a critical advantage for modern touring productions.

Acknowledgments

Hive extends its sincere gratitude to @samuellisher for his continued support and collaboration, @timmsy for the stunning photography, and @tml_worldwide for the opportunity to contribute to this exceptional project.

Conclusion

The TEMS Summer Tour demonstrated the powerful capabilities of the Hive Beebox Pluto as a compact, sustainable, and reliable solution for the demanding needs of concert touring. By prioritizing sustainability and streamlining technology, Hive continues to set the standard for innovative solutions in the entertainment industry. The project team is eager to explore Hive’s potential in future touring projects.

Rita Ora – Japan Tour

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27 January 2025

Rita Ora – Japan Tour

The 2024 Rita Ora Japan Tour presented a unique opportunity to innovate the way video playback systems are utilized in concert touring. By integrating Hive’s cutting-edge technology with the GrandMA3 lighting desk, the tour designers achieved a groundbreaking solution for seamless control and enhanced usability.

Touring productions require highly efficient, user-friendly systems that can integrate multiple functions while maintaining reliability. Video playback often operates independently of lighting control, creating challenges in real-time synchronization and limiting operational flexibility for designers and technicians. The goal for the Rita Ora Japan Tour was to unify these systems, allowing for streamlined control, reduced complexity, and real-time adjustments directly from the lighting console.

The Solution
Hive became the foundation of this innovative system, seamlessly integrating with the GrandMA3 lighting desk through its advanced GUI.

This integration empowered the lighting team to control video playback and system parameters directly from the lighting console’s touchscreens, eliminating the need for additional devices and enhancing workflow efficiency.

Collaborators Sam and Harry developed custom LUA plugins for the GrandMA3 console, enabling advanced editing of Hive systems directly from the desk. Harry, the lighting designer, could monitor the show, adjust pixel maps, manipulate colors, and manage playlists—all without leaving the lighting console interface. This level of integration allowed for unmatched real-time control, giving designers full creative freedom during the tour.

Sustainability in Touring

Hive’s commitment to sustainability played a crucial role in the project’s success. The system’s lightweight design significantly reduced its footprint, power consumption, and emissions, aligning with the industry’s growing focus on environmentally conscious solutions. Compact enough to fit in carry-on luggage, Hive’s system minimized the logistical burden and environmental impact of transporting gear across multiple tour locations.

Bees – Wolfgang Butress

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World Museum - Liverpool

Client

Wolfgang Butress

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44 Beebox - Minima, Osmia & Pluto

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27 January 2025

Bees - Wolfgang Butress

The product of 120 million years of evolution and with 20,000 known species, bees are vital to our planet’s ecosystems and essential to human existence

Liverpool, UK – Hive Media Control Ltd. is thrilled to announce its pivotal role in bringing Wolfgang Buttress’ celebrated vision to life in the Bees Exhibition at the World Museum Liverpool, which opened in 2024. As a leading innovator in media control technology, Hive deployed 44 of its cutting-edge engines to power the exhibition’s interactive, immersive, and educational displays, delivering an unforgettable experience to visitors.

Renowned sculptor and artist Wolfgang Buttress, celebrated for his work blending art, nature, and technology, collaborated closely with Hive to create a multi-sensory environment that educates and inspires. The exhibition highlights the vital role of bees in our ecosystem, raising awareness of their importance and the challenges they face in today’s world.

Hive’s innovative solutions were instrumental in achieving Buttress’ vision, with each of the 44 Hive engines ensuring seamless operation across the various exhibits. From stunning visual displays to immersive soundscapes, the integration of Hive’s technology enabled a truly dynamic and engaging visitor journey.

“Collaborating with Wolfgang Buttress on the Bees Exhibition has been an incredible journey,” said [Mark Calvert, HIVE Co-Fonder & Managing Director]. “It’s a privilege to contribute to a project that not only pushes the boundaries of interactive technology but also aligns with our values of sustainability and education. We are excited to see how visitors engage with the exhibits over the next year.”

This landmark project would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of an exceptional team. Hive extends its heartfelt thanks to Wolfgang Buttress Studio, Phil Mayer for his outstanding technical pre-production expertise, and Pesh for meticulous onsite commissioning.

The Bees Exhibition will run for one year, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the critical role of bees in our environment through cutting-edge technology and inspiring artistry. Given the exhibition’s subject matter and its alignment with Hive’s commitment to sustainability, this is a project we are immensely proud to have won and successfully delivered.

The Bees Exhibition is now open at the World Museum Liverpool and runs through 2024. Don’t miss the chance to experience this innovative and thought-provoking showcase that brings art, science, and technology together to celebrate one of nature’s most vital creatures.

Luna Park Welcomes the Mythical Dream Circus

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23 January 2024

Luna Park Welcomes the Mythical Dream Circus

To have an in-depth understanding of Luna Park Dream Circus commission please come and meet the Hive team at the ISE Trade Show, Barcelona on stand 5D200, where we will be showcasing our new Beehive product, and our full product ecosystem.

Sydney’s 120-year-old Luna Park recently reinvented itself with the brand-new, $15 million immersive attraction Dream Circus.

Combining artistic creativity with cutting-edge technology, Dream Circus takes guests on a captivating journey through enchanting, hallucinatory visuals brought to life by blockbuster surround sound, holographic innovations and 360º projection.

Enhanced by Hive’s product ecosystem, the media control specialists offered the perfect solution for the world-first attraction.

Dream Circus runs on 32 Pluto Beeblades that are housed in Hive’s new 5U Beehive chassis, alongside 10 Beebox media players. Designed by immersive storytellers Artists in Motion and technically conceived by TDC Australia, the solution powers mythical video through Barco projectors and LED screens inside the park’s existing 3,000 sq metre Big Top building.

An evolution in media control, the Pluto Beeblade improves the way visual experiences can be powered. Essential to any large-scale creative video project, it achieves stunning, silky smooth 8K media playback and 4K output.

The synergy between the various elements of the Hive ecosystem have achieved a spectacular show that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.

“Michael Hassett at TDC, Sydney was eager to deploy the Hive Beeblade range within his Luna Park project. The proven high performance of the Beeblades and product affordability aligned perfectly with the already ambitious ideas of the project.”
Mark Calvert, co-founder at Hive

Mark continues “The Beehive enabled TDC to deploy a traditional rack-room setup to drive the Barco video projectors, and where possible, Beeboxes were deployed to sit next to display technology site wide. Hive now has two successful projects in Australia with BBC Earth Project & Luna Park, and we remain grateful of the trust and confidence TDC has in our product range, in their market.”

Now a permanent fixture at Luna Park, Dream Circus delivers a multi-layered adventure to the iconic family attraction – setting the bar for theme parks of the future that demand immersive thrills beyond the classic roller coaster.

Photo Credits:

TDC is the technology and technologist provider for Dream Circus at Luna Park in Sydney.

The Sistene Chapel

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20 December 2023

The Sistene Chapel

One of the most influential figures in Western art, Michelangelo spent his illustrious career transforming Italy’s most precious palaces, chapels and religious houses into shrines of classical antiquity.

Some of his most notable work can be found in the Sistine Chapel, which, up until now, could only be viewed in person at Vatican City. In a world exclusive exhibition held in the grounds of Warsaw’s PGE National Stadium, the historic edifice has been reinvented 500 years later with the help of media control solutions from Hive.

Spread over three halls, the exhibition – titled ‘The Sistine Chapel. A Legacy’ – is an all-encompassing journey through some of history’s most referenced paintings and sculptures. Polish AV integrators ARAM headed up the complex installation, opting for 39 Hive Beeblades inside Panasonic SDM compatible projectors and three Beeboxes that powered LED walls, transporting guests directly to the Apostolic Palace.

“The right technological solution had to be harnessed for Sistine Chapel Legacy, as it was the first time visitors could get up close and personal with the building outside of the Vatican,” begins Michał Mrzygłocki operations director at ARAM. “The team behind the project – Manuscriptum and LIVE Event Agency – listened to our advice and opted for the highest quality solutions from Panasonic Poland and Hive. There was really no one else that we wanted for this project.”

“The team behind the project listened to our advice and opted for the highest quality solutions from Panasonic Poland and Hive. There was really no one else that we wanted for this project.”
Michał Mrzygłockin operations director at ARAM

When guests arrive at Sistine Chapel Heritage, the first room that they enter explores the era of Renaissance art, where extraordinary reproductions of Michelangelo’s Pietà and David sculptures are displayed. The second space, known as the Cinema Hall, shows the Sistine Chapel and pioneers of the movement across a huge 19-metre LED screen. The third room is where visitors become completely immersed in the chapel via state-of-the-art visual technology, all powered by Hive Beeblade, and kept in sync with Hive Beesync technology.

Named the Immersion Chapel, guests find themselves directly inside the walls of the Sistine Chapel. Beeblade, Hive’s cost-effective solution for media control, was placed inside Panasonic projectors, integrating Hive Media Player Beesync solutions and easy-to-use software into the display hardware and eliminating the need for any complex signal distribution networks.

“The Hive solution was an essential part of the success of this exhibition,” says Mrzygłocki. “I am delighted that we got the chance to be part of such an incredible project in our home country, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Hive. It has been a hell of a ride, with short timelines for delivery and tight schedules with the setup but we did it! The visitors have all been really impressed, it’s definitely a one of a kind project.”

Photo Credits:

Agata Dabrowska Photography

The exhibition is a result of collaboration between the Vatican Museums (©Governatorato dello S.C.V.Direzione dei Musei 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED) and Online Manuscriptum Ltd (© Manuscriptum sp. z 0.0. 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED) and Scripta Maneant (© Scripta Maneant 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED).

Manuscriptum is an avant-garde publishing house that combines tradition with modernity, drawing from the cultural heritage of the entire world.

LIVE Event Agency is engaged in the comprehensive organisation of the exhibition and its promotion. The agency realises both mass events that echo throughout Poland and intimate corporate events. It specialises in producing large sports and cultural events as well as brand and product promotions.

Odyssey: a voyage through light and time.

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15 December 2023

Odyssey: a voyage through light and time.

Odyssey is a transcendent journey through space, time, light and imagination, reflecting on our place in the universe. Imagined by Artists and production company Greenaway & Greenaway and technically delivered by Daniel Williams from LedsAkimbo. Hive’s compact Hive Media Engine delivered high-quality HD playback in an energy-efficient package.

Presented as an LED monolith structure, Odyssey is a bold and dynamic light-based installation that takes viewers on a journey through the cosmos. Standing alone in the darkness, the ambient sequence uses LED technology and the Hive Media Engines to bring the far reaches of the universe into urban and natural environments.

Hive Media Engines are the ideal solution for a project demanding high-performance that doesn’t cost the planet. Offering the brand’s signature web browser control, low power consumption and easy installation approach, Hive Media Engines are a reliable media playback solution that deliver unmatched performance.

The Hive system deployed here worked brilliantly to support LedsAkimbo’s delivery of Greenaway & Greenaway’s work. We are very happy to support this installation and vision.
Mark Calvert, Hive founder

HIVE brings wonders of our planet to life

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9 November 2023

HIVE brings wonders of our planet to life

BeeBlade and BeeBox power immersive journey through the natural world with David Attenborough, at BBC Earth Experience Melbourne.

BBC Earth Experience is an immersive exhibition that promises to transport visitors on a journey through the natural world, narrated by none other than the legendary David Attenborough.

Following the popularity of the inaugural BBC Earth Experience in London, the attraction has recently opened a second site at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. HIVE’s BeeBlade and BeeBox products were chosen to bring this captivating experience to life through seamless media playback.

“We are introducing a new technological era into the industry with the BeeBlade series, and when TDC in Australia contacted HIVE for the BBC Earth Experience in Melbourne we could not have been any more excited,” recalls Mark Calvert, Co-Founder at HIVE. “The natural world, preserving it and the beautiful nature documentaries of David Attenborough have inspired the entire HIVE team for many years.”

Produced in collaboration with Moon Eye Productions, Live Nation and BBC Studios, the BBC Earth Experience consists of eight rooms of digital art that guide visitors through Earth’s diverse ecosystems across seven continents. Visitors embark on a 360-degree audio-visual adventure, taking them deep into the heart of our planet’s most spectacular landscapes. The experience is played out across dynamic multi-angle screens, showcasing both new and existing footage from the ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’ series.

What sets Melbourne’s BBC Earth Experience apart is the playback technology used for this installation. Leading Australian video technology and production supplier, TDC, harnessed an innovative and cost-effective HIVE media server solution to power the project.

Launched earlier this year, BeeBlade is a compact media engine that seamlessly integrates with video projectors and display technology through Intel’s Smart Display Module (SDM) slot, thus eliminating the need for extensive cabling. The Melbourne exhibit is equipped with 70 Panasonic projectors, with 55 creating the main immersive space, 49 of which are powered by BeeBlade. The remaining six utilise HIVE’s BeeBox to achieve 4K clarity.

The BeeBlade and BeeBox don’t just represent technological advancements; they are harbingers of a new, greener, and more efficient era in digital art installations. This transformative approach is not just a disruption in the media server space; it’s an evolutionary leap, saving time, money and the planet.
Michael Hassett Managing Director, TDC.

Panasonic echoed these sentiments on savings, as Tony Molloy, European Sales Manager at Panasonic Business Europe confirms: “In applications such as this, having a system where you can combine the projectors and media servers together in the same location saves costs from an installation perspective.”

Indeed, both BeeBlade and BeeBox represent a shift in the media server market and contribute to a greener, more eco-conscious future in digital art installations. Furthermore, the content is delivered using HIVE’s proprietary BeeSync software, ensuring perfect synchronisation of all imagery.

“The BBC Earth Experience is the perfect playground for our range of BeeBlade products,” concludes Calvert. “They align with the environmental narrative, they meet strict guidelines from the BBC to cut CO2 emissions, and most importantly they provide rock solid reliable playback to the production team, day in, day out. Our team are all immensely proud of the BBC Earth Experience, and I am eternally grateful for their ongoing support and dedication to our brighter vision to revolutionise video playback for the industry we love.”

007 road to a million premiere

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8 November 2023

007 road to a million premiere

“007 – Road to a Million”, Amazon’s latest television series, held its World Premiere on November 2nd, 2023, at the iconic Battersea Power Station. The show features nine pairs of ordinary individuals embarking on a global adventure filled with Bond-inspired challenges, all for a chance to win a life-altering £1,000,000 prize.

Digital Insanity was entrusted with the task of producing all on-screen content and playback services for the event. Additionally, they recreated ‘The Commanders Desk’ from the series as a photo opportunity for guests, where they could assume the role of ‘the commander’.

For Digital Insanity, this event marked the debut of their new HIVE media players, which have recently been added to their inventory of playback devices. These players performed flawlessly throughout the event. They deployed 4 x BeeBox (4k) and 1 x Player_1 (HD) to operate various displays on-site.

The ease of use of the HIVE media players was a standout feature. With just half an hour of training over the phone, the team was well-prepared to work with the new players. They received guidance on essential settings such as output resolution, media uploading, and syncing the players, making deployment a straightforward process. The user-friendly web interface allowed them to control all the players from a single point, simplifying content deployment. While the event’s requirements were relatively straightforward, the team recognized the potential and versatility of these players and intends to explore further applications in the near future.

The event featured several playback areas, including:

THE MONEYBOX: Utilising 1 x 4k output (BeeBox), this two-sided LED cube with mirrored sides created an immersive space where money rained down from the sky.
THE COMMANDERS DESK: Powered by 2 x 4k BeeBox devices, this display, running in perfect sync, recreated the desk from the TV show on two 85″ TVs, resulting in a 3.8m wide x 1.2m high display.
THE LOGOWALL: Driven by 1 x 4k output (1 x BeeBox), it operated the LED Columns on either side of the Logowall.
LED COLUMN: Supported by 1 x HD output (1 x Player_1), it controlled the LED Column facing the lift, providing an impactful welcome to guests as the lift doors opened.

In summary, Digital Insanity’s initial experience with HIVE media players was an undeniable success, as they delivered flawless playback as anticipated. The team looks forward to using them in more complex setups and intends to expand their inventory of these units in the very near future due to their excellent performance and cost-effectiveness.

While the event’s requirements were relatively straightforward, the team recognised the potential and versatility of these players and intends to explore further applications in the near future.

Richard Bagshaw, Digital Insanity.