JERUSULEM — ETC France and Protech Integration are using Medialon Manager to control a light and sound spectacular projected onto the restored citadel surrounding the Tower of David in the center of Jerusulem. The 45-minute show, which runs four times per week, was created by Skertzo, and joins a tradition of exhibits and projects at the site that illuminate its historic significance with modern technology. “We had complicated technical challenges — sensitive electronic equipment that needed to be installed in open space under severe climate changes all year round,” said Yehuda Vaknin, who oversaw many of the technical details of the project, which projects film footage onto the walls, archeological ruins, bridges and hidden pathways of the ancient citadel.
“There was also the need to overcome problems stemming from working in an archeological site in with complex physical conditions, strict aesthetic demands and extremely difficult cable laying,” Vaknin added. “We selected Protech Integration for their proved capabilities, a company that could lead us through this complicated project so we could open according to the time goal we set for ourselves.”
By the time the project was confirmed, Protech Integration and ETC France had less than three months to decide on equipment, install infrastructure, design and assemble weather-proof projection rooms, lay fiber optic cables for video and control and design command rooms.
“Because of the impossible time schedule, we had to install equipment and design the system at the same time,” said Asi Goren from Protech Integration. “The only way to succeed was to work in a very precise time table,” he added. “Thanks to the experienced Protech team and the devotion of our people, we identified and solved the problems before they arise, so we did not waste precious time on fixing faults.”
Medialon Manager controls all of the AV equipment used on the show, including 20 projectors driven by 10 Onlyview servers and 10 Adtec High Definition players. It also controls the Alesis hard disk audio player used for the multichannel soundtrack. Medialon Manager is also used to overview and maintain the system, dealing with such issues as projector errors and lamp life. The sound system is by Nexo.
“Patrick Dury from ETC has recommended Medialon for the project and we have approved gladly,” Goren said. “In our experience with Manager, there is rarely something you cannot do with it and with this project, which had a lot of unknowns, we were very happy to have such a tool.”
For more information, please visit www.medialon.com , www.protech.co.il , www.etc-pigi.com and www.towerofdavid.org.il/eng/.