Maybe the Dutch have got the jump on this one because they recently launched the first Streetcaster screen in Holland in the city of Lelystad, where it is placed on the Stadhuisplein in the centre of the city. This screen is the first Dutch project for Streetcaster and will be followed by other screens in several other Dutch cities. For audio reproduction, the screen is fitted with Alcons LR7 micro line-arrays.

Streetcaster is a new concept which could be compared with the famous Town-crier phenomena from ancient times. Streetcaster installs and exploits big LED-screens in public areas in villages or cities. Streetcaster does not only install and maintain the actual screens but also provides and generates all content. The concept is aimed at a wide audience and therefore generates a programming which varies from local and national news, public announcements for cultural events and happenings or commercials.

Streetcaster screen, with Peter Kaandorp of Sinus Pro (left) and Hans ter Burg of Streetcaster (right).

A Streetcaster screen is more than just an electronic billboard with video and audio capabilities. “The commercial options of a Streetcaster screen are quite obvious.” explains creative director Hans ter Burg of Streetcaster. “But a Streetcaster screen does have much more possibilities. Every screen is supported by an editorial staff which engages itself to generate content for the screen. Apart from public announcements and commercial messages, the screen can also be used for news made available by local broadcasting companies; Even tweets from Twitter are visible, by using certain codewords in the message. A web interface can be used by the editors for fast upload of new content through the internet”.

The screen can also be used during (sports) events, festivals, festivities and concerts. As the screen is fully interactive, it features a camera and connection facilities for large scale live gaming events and connected with the internet, even game events between several cities featuring a Streetcaster screen are possible!

The LED-screen itself measures 24 m2 (258 ft2) and is supplied by Philips which also supplied all digital driver electronics. The supporting column features in- and outputs for connecting equipment like a game console, microphone or any other sound source.

The installation and infrastructure is supplied by Dutch system integration company Sinus Pro from Hoofddorp. “Such a screen looks very simple but involves much more systems because of the interactive capabilities.” explains Peter Kaandorp from Sinus Pro.

All control electronics for the screen are situated in a control room in a nearby multi-storey car park, connected with a web interface using multiple fibre optic cables which carry all audio, video and control signals.

For sound reproduction, a special loudspeaker system was installed which is aimed at a precisely defined area of the town square. “The use of an Alcons loudspeaker system was a deliberate choice for us.” tells Peter Kaandorp. “The screen in Lelystad is placed right in the city centre on the main square and neighbouring houses should experience no inconvenience from the screen. This required very precise projection control, so we use six line array cabinets of the new Alcons LR7 ultra compact line-array system to project the sound at the area in front of the screen, defined in cooperation with local authorities.” The volume level is quite low during daily use but can be increased to higher levels during special events like football matches or mini concerts. “Here another unique feature of the Alcons LR7 comes into play, as we need the best intelligibility at lowest up to highest SPL’s possible”.

Following the success of the Streetcaster screen in Lelystad other Dutch cities already have showed interest in the concept. Not only was this the first Streetcaster project, it was also the first installation of the Alcons LR7 micro line-array worldwide!

Just wondering when Streetcaster is likely to show up in Oz.