The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has recently seen the installation of a DirectLight Pro LED screen from Leyard Europe as part of a comprehensive upgrade for its flagship Kelvin Lecture Theatre at London’s historic Savoy Place. Designed and installed by Snelling Business Systems, the theatre is used for in person, hybrid and broadcast-quality events, with the DirectLight Pro screen replacing the existing dual-projection system. “The IET brief focused on replacing projection with a future-proof, broadcast-capable LED solution while retaining and integrating much of the existing AV infrastructure,” says Tristan Boler, Global Account Manager at Snelling Business Systems. “The system needed to meet key objectives, including suitability for events and filming, support 4K in and out video workflows, and compatibility with Teams, Zoom and broadcast production via IET.tv. There was also a requirement for improved reliability, brightness and viewing angles, and it had to be capable of supporting the venue for the next five to seven years.”
The final design was developed in conjunction with the IET team to ensure operational simplicity and technical capability, with DirectLight Pro’s production at Leyard’s facility in Slovakia helping to achieve the tight timeline from order confirmation in September 2025 to delivery for IET’s winter installation window. The carefully engineered solution combines the DirectLight Pro LED wall with Colorlight processing, an updated Analog Way and Lightware video infrastructure, and Q SYS control. DirectLight Pro’s wide viewing angles improve sightlines for audience members seated at the sides of the theatre, whilst broadcast compatibility, including Genlock support via the Colorlight processor, allows for seamless integration with IET.tv’s filming and live production workflows. “A 7.26m x 4.08m DirectLight Pro 1.8 M05 LED wall was chosen as the best solution for the project following a detailed technical and commercial product comparison,” Boler continues. “The overall aim was to match the original project format while delivering a dramatic visual upgrade. DirectLight Pro also integrates seamlessly with the Analogway, Lightware and Q-SYS systems, protecting the IET’s previous investment.”
Boler notes that key differentiators of Leyard’s DirectLight Pro include Chip-on-Board (CoB) LED technology, offering improved robustness and image uniformity, native 4K (3840 × 2160) resolution at a 1.8mm pixel pitch in a 16:9 format, and 10-bit colour processing to meet IET.tv broadcast requirements. Sustainability was also an important part of the selection process. At an average whole-wall power draw of 2.88kW, the Leyard solution recorded the lowest figure among the shortlisted products, approximately 30.9% below the nearest alternative and 40.4% below the average of the competing options. The ability to power the wall down fully outside booked use, Leyard’s EverCare Lifetime Warranty, and access to long-term UK and European support provided further confidence in the choice.
Snelling worked closely with the Leyard Europe team throughout the project. “Leyard Europe provided technical design and application engineering support during specification, and helped with installation, commissioning and on-site training,” Boler says. “The team also worked with us on the display’s scanning characteristics and calibration so that it could perform cleanly on camera when used with the genlock-enabled Colorlight processor. This collaborative effort ensured the LED wall met both AV and broadcast performance expectations and was delivered in time for IET’s installation window.” The project also retained viable elements of the existing AV infrastructure, reducing unnecessary replacement while adding operational resilience. Since the upgrade, bookings for the Kelvin Lecture Theatre have increased by 56% (it should be noted that the screen was marketed from autumn 2025 ahead of the December installation, and a number of bookings were secured in the lead-up to the install), while the permanent LED wall has reduced the need for clients to bring in temporary displays, avoiding additional build and derig time. Its support for hybrid, broadcast, and live productions reinforces Savoy Place as a premier technical events venue. “The installation of the new LED wall at the IET Kelvin Lecture Theatre has been transformative,” says Sean Spencer, Head of IET Venues. “Feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly in comparison with the previous screen, with noticeable improvements in brightness, scale and overall presence. It also significantly reduces setup time and removes the need for clients to bring in external LED builds, saving both time and cost. We are extremely grateful to Leyard Europe”
