Pioneer Electronics and AMT Systems Provide Fitness Center Visitors with Interactive Multimedia Experience. Thin Is In At Sports Club|LA Locations Across the U.S.

Visitors to Sports Club/LA locations around the nation are promised more than a grueling workout when they visit one of the company's national fitness club locations-they will become engaged in a new level of dynamic multimedia interactivity with the touch of a finger, thanks to plasma display technology by Pioneer Electronics (USA)Inc.

Upon entering one of Sports Club/LA's national locations, fitness club-goers are able to navigate through an interactive, full-motion video collage on a professional 50-inch PureVision™ Pioneer plasma display. With plasma display technology from Pioneer and the design expertise of AMT Systems, a Santa Clara-based systems integrator specializing in audio-video engineering, design, communications and installation, fitness club visitors are treated to a dazzling presentation that showcases classes available at the Sports Club/LA location, including boxing, cardio-aerobics, indoor cycling, and cross-training exercises.

Through a touch-screen interface system installed by AMT Systems, fitness club visitors can easily and immediately access information such as class times, instructors, difficulty level, location in the club facility, and a 30-second full-motion streaming video of the class, all on the large, crisp 50-inch XGA Pioneer plasma display screen. The large, easy-to-read plasma screen allows visitors, as well as employees, to view the information with just a quick glance.

"Implementing traditional monitors, like CRTs or LCD displays, would not have effectively captured the high-resolution video content shown at Sports Club/LA," explains Michael Glancy, manager of AMT Systems' Digital Solutions Division. "Pioneer's plasma display technology enabled us to incorporate a display solution that was large, attention-getting, visually attractive, and would be easy for the fitness club visitors to interact with while learning about the range of sports, fitness programs, and services available to them at the club."

In addition, information presented on the Pioneer professional plasma display can be updated easily behind the scenes in real-time from a centralized office location. With a simple plug-and-play connection, all visual content shown on the display can be remotely monitored and controlled by Sports Club/LA staff. Here, employees can access and update class times, instructor names, and facility events with the click of the mouse.

"Pioneer's professional plasma displays are ideal for fitness facilities like Sports Club/LA and other applications where the display technology solution must be both flexible and customizable," said Craig McManis, vice president of marketing for the home entertainment division at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "Our plasmas not only offer a large, crisp picture and high-resolution display option for public presentations, but they also provide tremendous flexibility because they can readily accommodate customized installations like the Sports Club/LA application."

The selection of Pioneer professional plasma displays by AMT Systems for the Sports Club/LA application underscores their position as the technology of choice for customized business applications and public presentations. With a native resolution of 1024x768, Pioneer's professional plasmas can accurately display high-resolution computer signals needed for streaming video presentations and offer more flexible aspect ratios than other forms of technology.

"With the ability to integrate streaming video into a high-resolution Pioneer plasma display, Sports Club/LA visitors are able to experience a level of interactivity that would unavailable using more traditional forms of display," added Glancy. "Plus, Pioneer's plasmas make it possible for Sports Club/LA staff to access content shown on the plasma display remotely and make updates in real-time, which saves time and money."

Digital Solutions, a division of AMT Systems, Inc., provides innovative public display technology. Our interactive information displays create much higher excitement and involvement levels than smaller, old-style "kiosk" type displays. AMT Digital Solutions provides audio and video products for the digital age include designing, programming and installing fully customized touch-screen information access solutions, live and archived streaming audio and video, and audio/video conferencing. Recent installation locations include San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles and live audio and video Internet web casts from Orlando to Portland have reached a measured audience of tens of thousands. Digital Solutions enhances the mission of AMT Systems, Inc., an audio/video engineering firm located in Santa Clarita California, by providing excellence in system design and performance through the integration of the Internet and computer technology.

The Industrial Display Group of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is the leading provider of plasma and video display products for business use. Pioneer introduced the industry's first 50-inch high definition plasma display in 1997 and continues to deliver innovative third-generation display solutions for professional audio/video, information technology, trade show, broadcast, legal, medical, education and transportation applications. In an effort to provide the highest quality of customer care, Pioneer professional plasma displays that are purchased through an authorized dealer, include a one-year warranty with convenient on-site service and technical support.