F1 Arcarde

F1 Arcade is an exhilarating F1 racing experience that promises to evoke your inner champion with 53 bespoke full-motion racing simulators that can cater to every level of driving skill. Customers are entertained in a sleek, classy environment offering a range of culinary delights accompanied by an extensive selection of cocktails, champagne, fine wines and beers. To enhance the experience, specialist integration company TVC Technology Solutions delivered a comprehensive multi-zone audio system from KV2 to help create the pulsating energy of the race circuit. The experience is completed by a 3-metre-wide LED screen, an array of huge TV screens and sophisticated lighting features so that fans can watch the ‘real’ motor racing with live commentary, entertainment and the guarantee of an absolutely electric atmosphere.

Having installed the F1 Arcade in London, the world’s first official Formula 1Ò simulator racing experience, the operators Kindred Spirits Ltd. had no hesitation in turning to TVC to equip their second venue in Birmingham with a high-quality, multi-zone AV system. The difference was that by this time, TVC had discovered KV2.

TVC’s brief was to build on the success of the London venue, replicating the high-end, competitive racing experience in Birmingham for the ultimate in social gaming. As customers enter the arcade, they are met with a wall of low-level, yet powerful sound from KV2’s ESD5 2-way full range passive loudspeakers, immediately catapulting them into the atmosphere of an F1 event. Their low profile and impressive size-to-performance ratio makes them an ideal choice in environments where space needs to be maximised, but sound quality is paramount.

Throughout the rest of the venue including the multiple gaming zones, bar area and restaurant, TVC opted for the slightly larger format ESD6 and ESD8 mid-high loudspeakers from the same range; both models are renowned for their exceptional speech and music definition and high output in a compact form factor. In the areas requiring more robust low-end reinforcement, TVC added EX1.2 active subwoofers. Power is supplied by KV2’s ESP2000 and ESP4000 amplifiers.

Audio control and DSP is handled via a Symetrix Prism 16×16 open-architecture DSP engine, enabling audio to be played back across multiple zones and synchronised with the video displays for an immersive and cohesive audio-visual experience. Remote control of the zoned audio system is managed via Symetrix’s ARC-WEB UI on an iPad.

F1 Arcade benefits from a Chamsys lighting solution, which surrounds the centrepiece F1 car in the ceiling. TVC installed two Chauvet Gobozap lighting fixtures (on a system that was designed to be future-proof and to be able to add more and different types of lighting fixtures for specific events), which are controlled by a QuickQ rack, Chamsys’ small rack-mountable version of the QuickQ console specifically designed for installations. It features the same operating system but is designed to work remotely without the need for physical user control – ideal for staff members without technical knowledge. This is paired with GeNetiz 10Scene wall plates with dual colour LED status indication. They integrate seamlessly with the QuickQ rack and trigger remote scene activation. Lighting control is managed via GeNeTix 10Scene wall controllers from Chamsys and the 10Scene app installed on an iPad.

For an all-encompassing AV installation that transports guests to the F1 track, TVC also supplied a comprehensive lighting and video package to the arcade. Several Sky, Freeview and local inputs are connected to Wyrestorm NetworkHD TX units, which convert the video to a network stream. From there, the Wyrestorm NetworkHD RX devices take the streams off the network and convert them to HDMI which can then be played on Samsung and LG TVs around the building or on a large Uniview 3m x 2m LED screen. The screen is powered by a Novastar VX400 processor and MySign signage players distribute the content. This completely immerses guests in the thrill of a real-time race. The control over the content distribution across all screens at the venue is done via Wyrestorm’s NetworkHD Touch app installed on an iPad – which sits alongside the ARC-WEB UI controlling the audio – which allows F1 Arcade Birmingham to remotely control and monitor the full AV system from any compatible mobile device or tablet, enabling effortless management of each zone for maximum flexibility and seamless operation.

There were no specific challenges during this project. TVC were overjoyed that they had found KV2 Audio to help them complete the installation. “KV2 made it easy at every level – the high intelligibility of their loudspeakers ensures that the commentary is always clear and detailed, even against the hostile background of an F1 racetrack. It is easy to deliver fantastic reproduction of music, (mainly DJs) and it was incredibly easy to set up and tune the system. With loudspeakers that are as finely developed and beautifully built as KV2, it takes less time to accomplish a truly rewarding outcome where the sound adds immense value to the experience,” says Tiago Borges, co-owner of TVC.

F1 Arcade is an immersive, technically creative audio-visual solution that transports guests to the thrilling F1 track. It’s a multipurpose system that caters to not only F1 games, but to DJs, private events and background music. It was a problem-free installation that has made the venue a popular destination for F1 fans. High-quality lighting, video and sound reimagine the boundaries of this attraction.