UK trade magazine adopts Social Media interaction as editorial policy – is this the future?

A major b2b title in the UK has become the first to employ Social Media directly in the production of its print-edition editorial. Control Engineering magazine under the editorial direction of David Greenfield has only been an active participant in the business networking site LinkedIn since May 2009, but has already built a strong following of around 3,500 users. LinkedIn allows users to organise themselves into groups based on interests or professions. Each group offers its members an interactive discussion board facility that allows them to debate the various themes and topics they are interested in. By following and participating in these discussions on its LinkedIn and Facebook pages, Control Engineering’s editor has been able to tap into a rich seam of lively debate and informed comment from which to create highly-topical editorial. You can read the first article developed in this way here.

In a publishing world that has for so long simply regurgitated print editorial in online form, this is a very interesting development. Closing the loop between traditional and modern media makes a lot of sense from an editorial point of view; comment is easily obtained, it’s dynamic, fresh and completely democratic. Anyone has a chance to have their voice heard, not just those with big PR budgets and advertising spends.

For PR companies, it provides the clearest signpost yet that the role is changing. Clearly, it is no longer enough just to be writing and sending out press releases when editorial policy is being built in such a dynamic way; PR companies now have to take an active role in monitoring and engaging in forums such as Linked In and Facebook or risk having their messages left behind. It’s like the editors are stepping down from their ivory towers into a vibrant, thronging marketplace filled with colour and distraction. The challenge for PR people is to ensure they maintain an influential position in this melee; if you like, a guiding hand to lead an editor gently but firmly to their client’s stall. We can only do that by being there and staying connected.

Honesty is the best policy

“Photoshopping” – the deliberate manipulation of photographic images to enhance, conceal or mislead – is in the news a lot lately,  mainly as a result of the media’s growing unease about the use of implausibly-skinny models to promote ladies fashion. But as far away as it may seem from the glamour of haute couture, the world of B-2-B PR is not immune to Photoshop controversy, particularly when it comes to the portrayal of professional display equipment such as LED screens and videowalls.

The problem is – like stroppy catwalk models – such devices are notoriously difficult to photograph well, particularly with digital cameras. There are problems of exposure, viewing angles, unpredictable moiré effects and screen refresh artefacts. Little wonder, then, that some manufacturers resort to the “artist’s impression” approach to creating imagery for their products.

Personally, I don’t like it. Trying to promote a visual product by using a picture that has been faked is questionable practice at best. Particularly so when the subterfuge has been badly executed, as in the example above. In this recent image from a well-known European manufacturer, the fake image has been badly aligned, resulting in a picture that seems to float a good centimetre outside the physical dimensions of the screen. Not good. The same image also features fake mullion lines superimposed over what is quite clearly a stock library image. To my mind, not only does this seriously undermine the quality proposition of the product concerned, but it also raises questions of ethics –  a deliberate attempt to mislead a potential customer surely is not a good start to the relationship. If a manufacturer is willing to “lie” about how its screen actually looks, what else are they willing to lie about?

We do, from time to time, manipulate images of our client’s products to enhance their appearance or correct some of the technical problems that often occur when photographing screens. However there is one big difference: We NEVER use library shots to fake a screen image because it is vital to maintain integrity. We would never for a second consider putting an untruth into a press release – why would we do so with an image?

When we go on a shoot we always take lots of shots at various timings and exposures, and then use these collections of real images to create a composite or an HDR composite of a real, genuine product image.

If you or your client are a display manufacturer – please think twice about using fake pictures. With just a little more effort and skill, you can achieve great results without cheating. As they say – honesty is the best policy.

Ian Pickering wins top photography award

We just heard this afternoon that our favourite photographer has been awarded the title of UK Commercial Photographer of the year 2009 by the Master Photographers Association, at its Annual Awards Presentation on Sunday evening in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. These awards are the professional photographer’s equivalent of “The Oscars” – contested by the very best of the UK’s photographers. And as if that wasn’t enough, Ian also scooped first AND second place in the Midlands area Best Wedding Photograph before capping the evening with a Special Silver Award for his outstanding achievements. Quite an evening!

We’ve worked with Ian on many occasions and as our clients will testify, Ian is not only a gifted and visionary photographer but the consummate professional. Ian could be briefed to photograph a black cat in a coal cellar at midnight and still come away with a picture good enough for a magazine front cover. And not only that, he’s one of the friendliest and easy-to-work-with people we’ve known.

Well done, Ian – your awards are richly deserved.

www.ianpickering.com

Dallas Cowboys’ Diamond Vision screen confirmed as world record

From www.diamond-vision.tv 

The world’s first four-sided, centre-hung, stadium video display consists of four Diamond Vision LED video screens, with the two main high-definition sideline displays measuring 22m high by 49m wide, and two Diamond Vision end-zone displays measuring 9m high by 15.5m wide. Weighing 544 tons, the screens are suspended 27.5m feet directly over the centre of the playing surface and stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other.

With a total viewing area of over 1,058 square-metres, the Diamond Vision display is equal to around 3,268 52-inch televisions, and is comprised of 10,584,064 individual LEDs.

“This was probably the most exciting project we’ve ever been involved with,” said Mark Foster, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Diamond Vision Systems. “The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most innovative teams in the NFL, and their new stadium reflects that. These scoreboards and displays are the realisation of the Cowboys’ commitment to their fans and the sport. We are very proud that the Cowboys organization turned to Mitsubishi Electric to deliver their vision as part of this incredible project.”

"We’re extremely proud of our world-class Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision screen,” said Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. “We have designed everything about Cowboys Stadium to provide an unequalled experience for our fans, and this screen is the centrepiece of what we have created for them.”

Mitsubishi Electric has now been recognised by Guinness World Records five times for its accomplishments, and the Cowboys’ board is the fourth Diamond Vision screen to be honoured by Guinness. The first came in August, 2003, for the World’s Longest Video Display at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. In March 2005, GWR recognized the Diamond Vision LED display at Turner Field in Atlanta as the World’s Largest High-Definition Television Screen, and in September 2005 the Mitsubishi Electric video board at the Japan Racing Association Tokyo Racecourse was certified as the World’s Largest Television Display. In 1993, Mitsubishi Electric was recognised for designing and installing the world’s fastest elevator — capable of travelling at 750 meters per minute — at the Landmark Tower in Yokohama, Japan.

Mitsubishi Electric, the Official Large Outdoor Video Display Provider of the PGA TOUR, was the first company to introduce large-scale video display boards for the 1980 Major League Baseball All-Star game at Dodger Stadium. Since then, Mitsubishi Electric has been recognised as the leader in visually stunning displays for sports facilities, advertising, entertainment and communications. Other installations include the first-of-its-kind high-definition display at Yankee Stadium the first 32:9 ratio HD scoreboard at AT&T Park in San Francisco Times Square’s first HD display at MTV studios traffic-stopping marquees at Bally’s and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas a massive 11-screen display at Times Square in New York City and the largest indoor HD screen in North America, the 10m x 33.5m screen at the Colosseum in Las Vegas.

Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision News

Touchable holography becomes a reality

Japanese researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a touchable holographic display that allows users to interact with a floating 3-dimensional image. Using a combination of Wii gesture recognition sensors and a ultrasound transmitter, the researchers were able to not only control a holographic object floating in space, but to give the user tactile feedback when they “touch” it.

Semiconductors Challenge OLEDs

September 16, 2009

A recent Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Spectrum article reveals that organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology may not be the successor to liquid crystal display technology (LCD) after all. New research funded by the Ford Motor Corporation demonstrates the creation, assembly, and connection of inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on a flexible substrate, opening up the possibility for the miniaturization of the technology. Given that inorganic LEDs surpass OLEDs in brightness, energy efficiency, durability, and moisture resistance, printed compound semiconductors may soon be the replacement technology of choice for small, pixel-dense displays.

From the Globalspec Newsletter

Birmingham-based Industry Forum’s ‘learn from the best’ visit to Japan

 Sep 7 2009 by John Cranage, Birmingham Post

Industrialists and engineers from all over the UK are being invited to take advantage of a chance to learn the secrets of Japanese manufacturing first hand in a “learn from the best” initiative run by the Birmingham-based Industry Forum.

The visit to Japan from November 21 to December 5 will be the ninth in a programme of Best Practice visits. Delegates – industry executives from a wide range of sectors – will visit some of Japan’s top manufacturing companies.

In the five years that visits have been running delegates from the automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical, food processing, white goods and other sectors have been given unprecedented access to manufacturing processes which are the envy of the world and rarely duplicated outside Japan with total effectiveness.

The ground-breaking visit has been made possible by contacts made by Industry Forum director Arthur David, who formerly worked for Nissan and General Motors, and Industry Forum executive co-ordinator Koji Wanaka, who was a senior official at Honda.

The visit will include detailed briefings by senior management at Nissan, Honda and Toyota and their major suppliers, as well as non-automotive companies.

Delegates will also attend detailed lectures from world-renowned Japanese experts on quality and total productive maintenance, as well as a presentation and reception at the British Embassy in Tokyo. Delegates on last year’s visit said it was a real eye-opener. Chris Taylor, lean change manager at Siemens, said: “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see world-class production really taking place.”

Peter Jones, specialist manufacturing adviser at the West Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service, said: “Seeing and touching has put all the theory into real perspective and is the greatest motivational experience possible.”

The cost of the programme is £7,800 plus VAT which includes accommodation at a Tokyo hotel, flights, internal transport, all visits, interpreters and support from Industry Forum staff.

Mr David said previous visits had a “life-changing effect” on some delegates.

“The Japanese never stay still in business and all of the latest thinking in terms of lean manufacturing, quality, waste elimination, cost, efficiency and delivery originates in Japan,” he said. “There’s no better way than learning first hand from the best in the world.

“It is often claimed in the UK and western Europe that we can’t compete with Far Eastern countries because our labour costs are high.

“But Japan has some of the highest labour costs in the world and still leads the way in manufacturing efficiency.

“Japanese industry has spent decades refining their approach to manufacturing process control and people productivity and has deservedly gained worldwide recognition.

“This programme allows delegates to experience first hand what Japanese companies are doing and how they are maintaining their international reputation. In the past the Japanese have been protective of their secrets so opportunities like this are very rare indeed.”

The Industry Forum – based at Birmingham Business Park – was set up in 1996 by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to improve competitiveness in the UK-based vehicle and components industry. Its practical programmes have led to major improvements by automotive suppliers across the UK and are being used in other industry sectors including aerospace, food processing and the construction equipment industry.

For further details of the Japanese visit call Arthur David at the SMMT Industry Forum on 0121 717 6613.

Birmingham Post – Business – Business News – Automotive Business – Birmingham-based Industry Forum’s ‘learn from the best’ visit to Japan

Something for everyone at Manufacturing Technology Ireland 2009

Manufacturing Technology Ireland makes a welcome return to the National Show Centre, near to Dublin Airport, on October 14th & 15th 2009. The hugely popular event is Ireland’s largest manufacturing exhibition, and the premier showcase for Ireland’s considerable industrial and manufacturing expertise

At this year’s show, an expected 250 exhibitors will be promoting an extremely broad range of industrial products and services, including machinery, sub-contracting, factory equipment, consumables, mechanical, electrical and electronic components. With its experience of large-scale pharmabio and food & drink manufacture, Ireland also offers a unique concentration of automation, packaging and materials handling expertise, much of which will also be represented at the show. This diversity makes Manufacturing Technology Ireland an unrivalled marketplace for both buyers and sellers of industrial technologies and services.

Show director Phil Valentine says, "There really is something for everyone at Manufacturing Technology 2009. The diversity of skills and capabilities within Ireland’s comparatively small manufacturing economy is quite astonishing. We’ve tried very hard to reflect the unique blend of talents to be found here."
Ease of access makes the show popular with professionals who normally would not have the time to attend trade events. "We recognise that time is money, so everything is geared towards enabling visitors to make the most productive use of their time at the show." Technology Trails guide visitors straight to suppliers from specific sectors such as pharmabio or automotive, and the Manufacturing Technology Ireland website at www.industry.co.uk/ireland features a searchable database of exhibitors, enabling visitors to pre-plan their schedule.

Also, this year for the first time, the show has its own presence on the business networking service LinkedIn, which will allow visitors and exhibitors to meet and interact before and after the event itself. The Manufacturing Technology Ireland 2009 group is open to all LinkedIn users. For more information, visit www.linkedin.com.

Along with showcasing the best of Ireland’s manufacturing enterprise, MTI 2009 also offers visitors the chance to participate in a series of free, topical one-hour industrial seminars. Some of the highlights of this year’s programme include a session by Jason McChesney that examines how to increase profit and productivity during the recession through effective time management. Ray O’Neill, managing director of ESS Ltd, Limerick, discusses the topic of Lean Maintenance. Orla McNally, from Alma Consulting examines how to maximise the taxation benefit from your investment in innovation. Amongst the many other topics under review over the two-day show will include sessions on CE Marking, an introduction to patents and how to tender successfully for public sector contracts. A full listing of the seminar sessions is available on the show’s blog site at www.mti2009.wordpress.com

Manufacturing Technology Ireland opens on October 14th from 9.00am until 5pm, and on October 15th from 9.00am until 4.30pm. Entry to the exhibition and the seminars is free. The National Show Centre is located on the main Dublin to Belfast road, a short distance from Dublin Airport, the M50 and M1 motorways and Swords. Dublin city centre is just 20-30 minutes away and Belfast about a 2 hours drive. Car parking at the National Show Centre is free to exhibitors and visitors. For more information, and to book your tickets and free seminar places, visit www.industry.co.uk/ireland or call +44 (0)1784 880890.

Video ad runs in printed magazine

As revealed in InAVate

On September 18, when Entertainment Weekly subscribers in Los Angeles and New York open the latest issue of the show business title they will see a CBS advert with a difference. Thanks to Video-in-Print technology, developed by Americhip, the first video advertisement incorporated in a paper magazine is to be published, showing clips of the broadcast network’s upcoming programmes, interspersed with promotional videos for Pepsi.

Los Angeles headquartered Americhip, develops "multi-sensory marketing" and claims it has solutions that communicate with all five senses.

According to technology review site, CNET News, the screen has been under development for about two years. The one to be incorporated in the magazine is 2.7mm thick and has a resolution of 320×240. The battery lasts between 65 to 70 minutes but can be recharged with a mini USB cord via a jack. The screen uses TFT LCD technology and is enforced by protective polycarbonate.

Mini-speakers, incoporated in the screen, provide sound for the product described by Americhip as "the future of advertising".

InAVate – Video ad in printed magazine

3D display cube creates images in real-time

From InAVate Magazine

05 August 2009

Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology has unveiled a new handheld, 3D communications tool. The gCubik, developed by the NICT earlier in the year, reproduces 3D images, inside a 10cm-per-side cube, that are viewable without special glasses. Now, the gCubik+i can generate the images in real-time allowing them to be manipulated using touchscreen panels and on-board motion sensors.

All the six faces of the cube display 3D images, allowing users to see the display from every possible direction. By adding special sensors, users can also interact with the inside images.

The gCubik was born out of a drive at NICT to develop 3D technology that does not require 3D glasses. The organisation said: "Our "gCubik", a cubic auto-stereoscopic display, which has been designed as a tool to support communication among multiple users, is a graspable display born from this new concept."

Each face of the display includes a touch panel. Speakers for posture and acceleration are included inside. Therefore, users can have simple interaction with the 3D images displayed. This now makes it possible to develop applications and begin discussions towards using the display as a communication tool.

The Institute hopes that, by allowing users to share 3D images instead of pictures, it can provide a new means for future communications. "We plan to propose a new interaction paradigm, and develop applications, for multi-user collaborative tasks that exploit the concept of ‘Graspable 3D Images’," the Institute said in a statement. "Furthermore, we plan to make the display which is wireless, even more compact and improve its image quality in preparation for commercial applications."

Each face of the display uses integral photography, which is one of the various methods to display 3D images without special glasses (auto-stereoscopic). When viewing a real scene, humans see a different image with each eye, which depends on the distance and the different position of the eyes (binocular parallax). When we move our heads, we see different images (motion parallax). These are some of clues on how humans perceive depth (3D). Integral photography uses a tightly packed micro convex lens array to record distinct ‘elemental’ images, and when these images are again viewed through the same micro-lens array, they reproduce the 3D integrated image of the scene with both binocular and motion parallax. The Institute’s system utilises the electronic integral photography which uses an LCD display, instead of the recorded photograph, to display the elemental images.

Integral photography makes use of the principle that convex lenses are designed so that parallel incoming light rays converge into its focal point. Conversely, all the ray lights coming from a light source at the focal point will come out of the lens as parallel rays in the direction of the line joining the light source with the lens principal point.

By arranging and displaying appropriate elemental images on the LCD pixels corresponding to each lens, each screen of the display functions as a window where different views of the scene can be observed depending of the viewing angle. By using integral photography (IP), horizontal and vertical motion parallax for 3D images can be observed without special glasses.

Besides, auto-stereoscopic displays using lenticular lenses are more widely known than the ones that use integral photography, but they only provide horizontal motion parallax, a subset of the parallax provided by IP.

InAVate – 3D display cube creates images in real-time