I'm back from LDI

The Las Vegas Show

What an amazing weekend! The stars were all in line for me, I got a seat on the plane with Melanie and Erica, two Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Melanie is studying to be an engineer and Erica wants to be an evangelical speaker. At the LDI Show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center there were more lights and video walls than on the strip. It was overwhelming. Now I had David Roberts with me and he was able to point out the little flaws and limitations for each of the products and companies on the floor. Now I see things completely different.

SGM                                                 

Then he took me by the SGM booth and right away I picked up on the crowd’s interest in what was going on at this booth. They had a G-Spot light on the floor shining up and one hanging from the ceiling shining down with a P-2 and P-5 light shining up and G Series light shining down and water running off of the hanging light, onto the grounded lights

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Then David explained to me that the G-series (G-Spot and G-Profile) lights were the only IP65 rated full motion lights on the market. He went on to explain to me that these lights have internal humidity control systems to keep the internal moisture levels at their optimum. Then he explained that in the LED world they are making lights, more than just illumination. These light fixtures can be programed to be softened, to change color, warmth, pulse, flash, change colors and patterns while focusing and framing.

AESON

There were video wall all over the Las Vegas Convention Center and they all had amazing colors, images and patterns displayed on everyone but David pointed out some with little pixel shadows of red, yellow and blue on one companies display that gave its image a vibration effect and not on purpose. There were big companies like GE, Panasonic, Abson and Daktronics and a whole bunch Chinese manufactures there and all they had was their run of the mill LED video walls for indoor, outdoor with pixel pitches from 16mm down to .69mm. Then we got to the AESON booth. The first thing to jump out at me was the 3D modules in front of the desk. Then they had the transparent video walls on display. They were the only transparent and 3D video wall in the hall. They had their magnetic, modules, the IP65 waterproof outdoor product they made for Sea World, the aluminum alloy and the cast aluminum frames on display with large walls from 2mm to 9mm pixel pitch of different sizes and configuration. It wasn’t how this booth was set up or the images displayed or how they were configured. Attendees were flocking to the AESON booth because of their variety of products. Then they got to hear about the really good part, their pricing, their service, quality and guarantee two years and up to five on some products. On top of that they have their own trusses and rigging.

The Man

The President and CEO of AESON is a real character. He was wearing orange/pink tennis shoes, matching pants and pink poka-dotted shirt and socks to match. He has accounting and clothier business background and he explained how he has relationships in China with the product specific experts who manufacture his product to his specifications. The first thing attendees would ask when they walked up to him was “How much?” Then he would break it down “Indoor or outdoor? What pixel pitch and lumen do you need? What are the dimensions? Do you want DMX controlled…..etc” Then he would tell them his pricing cringing almost as if he was worried about offending them and they would be blown away. It wasn’t that he was the cheapest, compared to the Chinese video wall products but with the guarantee and service the price compared to Apson, Panasonic, GE and Daktronics is where the sweet spot is.

I brought him a ringer, someone who has been in the stadium industry since before he graduated high school and he consults for venues around the world and he knows who has what and how it’s all done and when Michael Weiner got finished with him he spilled the beans. “I have to use the company I rep for who sponsor these international events but they lease this equipment for the event and pull their equipment out of there. I am looking for legacy equipment and the company I rep for, just for these international events is to cost prohibitive, the venues can’t afford it but they can yours with the service and guarantees”.

Loaded for bear

I don’t know everything but I know who does and I know what I’ve got with DX2!