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5 Star Sets the Pace at PLASA
5 Star Cases celebrated their 25th anniversary at PLASA soaking up the buzz of a phenomenally busy show. Adopting a completely new style for 2006, with an atmosphere of fun and a more informal approach really paid off.
The 5 Star ‘Speed Challenge’ simulator game wowed the crowds, with hundreds of visitors vying for the chance to win a briefcase every hour, and the overall prize of £2500 to spend at 5 Star Cases. The entire ‘Speed Challenge’ simulator, complete with high quality graphics and sound was housed in a custom built ‘Super Tour’ flight case, complete with racing seat, steering wheel and pedals.
The whole system was designed and manufactured in house by 5 Star, pooling skills from its technical, marketing, production and engineering departments. The game featured Codemasters’ ToCA 3 Honda 2006, racing Civic saloon cars that zoomed around the famous Brand’s Hatch circuit. The Challenge – recording the fastest of three lap times - proved a popular respite from the hustle and bustle of the packed exhibition Each hour, one of 5 Star’s special limited edition 25th anniversary briefcases was given away for the fastest lap-time. The quickest lap over the four-day show won the £2500.
Peter Theodorsson of Swedish company DJ In A Box AB triumphed in this feat, attaining a blistering Best Lap Time of 50.2 seconds, with Kevin Williams of UK based consultancy, KWP Ltd, a close runner up at 51.3 seconds. P4 as he’s known (the company has no less than four Peters!) and the sales team at 5 Star will shortly be discussing how to spend the £2500 spoils.
Another 5 Star showstopper attracting people onto the stand in droves was the transparent case, mocked up as an aquarium, complete with colourful calming environment and real fish, proving that cases really are multi-purpose. It was also very popular with those wanting to calm their nerves after the adrenaline rushes of the Speed Challenge! This is now back at base, taking pride of place in the lobby.
5 Star’s usual dynamic array of road cases were on display including an impressive Tour Grade road trunk housing Digital Projection’s Highlite Pro data projector. The large format 4,000 ANSI lumen machine is for medium to large venue displays. The case features a ‘Top Hat’ design for easy equipment removal and sets of handles in sensible places all round to aid lifting. Internally it’s fitted with polyethylene foam blocks and supports providing the maximum equipment protection.
Pioneer’s brand new DVJ-1000 player was also on display - its first major UK viewing. 5 Star has worked closely with Pioneer to develop a state-of-the-art console system containing two twin DVJ-1000 DVD/CD decks, the latest Pioneer DJM-800 mixer, VSW-1video switcher and triple TFT 6.5 “ display monitors. All this housed in a fabulous casing, complete with a CNC machined ‘pod’ for quick setup from a single case. The console’s main feature is the angled positioning of the twin DVD/CD players, optimized for performance by mixmasters of all styles. The console is aimed at Pro DJ’s and DVJ’s and again illustrates the diversity of 5 Star’s design team.
In picture: 5 Star’s Jim Willis and Keith Sykes with their ‘fish tank’.
20th September 2006
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