Category Archives: Guides

Outdoor PA System Hire for Fêtes, Sports Days, Community Events and Racing

Outdoor event setup with mounted loudspeakers and inflatable attractions on a grassy field under a cloudy sky.

When you are organising an outdoor event, sound is one of those things that can make the whole day feel organised, professional and under control. Whether it is a school sports day, village fête, community event, fun run, horse trial, MX race, showground event or local fair, people need to hear what is happening. They […]

Planning a conference stage? Pair a digital lectern with microphones, screens and live relay

Staging and AV setup for Limerston Capital's 2025 Annual General Meeting with screens and sound equipment.

When planning a conference stage, it is easy to focus on one piece of equipment at a time. A lectern gets booked, microphones are added later, and screens become a separate conversation altogether. In reality, the most successful conference setups come from treating the stage as one connected system. At AVE Services, we often supply […]

Funeral & Memorial Live Streaming Using Bonded 5G and Starlink

Witney audio visual equipment hire

When family and friends cannot attend in person, live streaming allows them to still be part of the service in a respectful and meaningful way. At AVE Services, we provide funeral live streaming and memorial live streaming for venues of all sizes, helping loved ones watch from home, from hospital, from care settings, or from […]

Why do event and theatre technicians and staff wear black all of the time?

AVE Services van parked outside a venue at night, with purple lighting highlighting the brick facade and festive outdoor decor.

If you’ve ever been to a theatre show, concert, conference, or live event, you’ve probably noticed the crew: calm, focused, carrying radios, gaffer tape, and the weight of everyone else’s poor planning. And nearly always dressed head-to-toe in black. It’s not a fashion cult (mostly). Wearing black is a practical, professional choice that helps crews […]

“We’ve got 45 minutes to set up”: fast-turnaround events along the M40 corridor

LED uplighting on a stage at an indoor event venue, highlighting stage design and event mood lighting.

If you’ve ever had the words “doors open in 45” dropped on you like it’s a totally normal way to run an event, welcome to corporate life along the M40 corridor. Oxfordshire sites around Bicester, Banbury, and the surrounding business parks are brilliant for accessibility, but they also tend to come with tight schedules, shared […]

Outdoor events in Oxfordshire: power, audio coverage, and the weather problem

AVE Services van parked near a barn, with a toy truck navigating a muddy puddle in the foreground.

Outdoor events in Oxfordshire are brilliant… right up until the first gust of wind finds the one unsecured speaker stand, or a sudden downpour turns your “temporary cable run” into a trip hazard and a short-circuit audition. If you’re planning an outdoor event (festival field, marquee wedding, community day, school fete, sports presentation, corporate summer […]

Christmas Party Equipment: Your Guide to a Brilliant “Work Do”

Disco ball reflecting colorful lighting at an event, surrounded by truss rigging for support and illumination.

Christmas party season is the one time of year everyone expects music, lights and a proper dancefloor moment. Whether you’re planning a cosy office “work do”, a big corporate party or an end of year party with family and friends, the right Christmas party equipment makes all the difference. If you’re thinking about a DIY […]

Christmas Projection for Windows: A Friendly How-To Guide for Magical Displays at Home or Work

Festive holiday ornament on a mini red sled amidst pine branches, with warm lights creating a cozy backdrop.

Every December, searches for Christmas projection and window projection take off—because a moving, glowing window scene just feels like Christmas. Whether you’re planning cosy movie night marathons or a shopfront that stops passers-by in their tracks, this guide walks you through everything: choosing a projector, setting up on glass, picking festive video loops, adding sound, […]

Remembrance Sunday PA & Video Hire

Wooden remembrance cross with poppy in grass, commemorating soldiers; suitable for memorial events or services.

Remembrance Sunday deserves quiet professionalism, clear sound, and respectful visuals. AVE Services supplies outdoor PA systems and video solutions for services, parades, and wreath-laying across November—covering everything from a small battery speaker at a village memorial to full large-scale audio with IMAG cameras and LED videowall for town and city events. We regularly support councils, […]

What is a “Decimator” (and why do AV techs love it)?

4 channel sdi multiviewer with HDMI

If you work in live events or video production, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Grab a Decimator.” They’re talking about the Decimator MD-HX, a tiny red box that solves a huge range of signal headaches on show day. Think of it as the AV world’s Swiss-army knife for converting, scaling, and troubleshooting video signals — […]

Whiteboard vs Touchscreen Hire: Which to Use—and Why

Whiteboard, white board, 800mm long x 1200mm wide, hire, whireboard hire, ave services, Berkshire, Hampshire, Wilthsire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, London, M3, M4, M25

When you’re planning a meeting, training course, or conference session, choosing the right front-of-room tool matters. Should you stick with a classic whiteboard or opt for an interactive screen/touchscreen (often called a smart board)? As an AV and events partner, we stock both touch screens and white boards, and we see them used in every […]

What size screen is best for exhibition stands?

Exhibition booth with display panels and lighting setup at a tech conference, featuring the Czech Space Office.

If you’re planning a smaller shell scheme stand, it’s tempting to think “bigger is better.” But when you’re working with 2–3 m walls and tight aisles, an 85″ screen can be the wrong tool for the job. In most cases, a 50″ screen hire is the sweet spot for exhibition screen rental on compact stands—giving […]

Results calls & webcasts: how finance teams avoid dropouts at 08:00

Crowd gathered under dramatic event lighting, creating long shadows on a spacious stage, suitable for conferences or public events.

An 08:00 (UK) results call or earnings webcast is perfect for market timing—but it’s also when networks are busy and small hiccups become big headlines. Here’s a simple guide to keep your investor relations webcast reliable, clear and on time. Why 08:00 can go wrong Busy networks: Everyone’s logging on at once. Tight schedules: Analysts […]

Investor Day playbook: staging, sightlines, and streaming that wins analysts over

Large display screen showing CrowdStrike IPO Day Celebration in an office setup with red balloons and AV equipment.

Why this matters Investor Days are trust engines. Analysts judge clarity, reliability, and how well you evidence the story. This playbook keeps focus on what they actually need to see and hear—without surprises. 1) Define the narrative first Decide what you want analysts to conclude before you choose kit. One story arc: strategy → proof […]

AGMs without drama: the AV checklist UK company secretaries actually use

AGM logo with Annual General Meeting in blue text, suitable for corporate event branding and conference materials.

Why this matters AGMs are high-stakes: legal obligations, voting accuracy, and a mixed audience of investors, media, and employees. The tech must be boringly reliable. Use this field-tested checklist to keep the day calm—whether in-room, hybrid, or fully streamed. 1) Room & stage: set clarity first Good sightlines, clean audio, and readable screens do more […]

Directional Speakers for Equestrian Training & Shows

Steel truss with mounted loudspeakers set up outdoors against a brick wall, under a clear sky for an outdoor event.

Cover rings, fields and barns with calm, intelligible audio—without unsettling the horses. Running commentary, safety messages and timely ring calls are critical at equestrian events, but so is keeping noise controlled around sensitive areas like warm‑up rings and stables. This guide explains how we design outdoor PA that’s clear where you need it and quiet […]

Christmas Party AV Hire

Gobo Christmas

December sneaks up and suddenly you’re hunting for speakers, lights and “something Christmassy” that isn’t a Santa hat. If that’s you, welcome — this is a practical, no‑nonsense guide from a team who spend every festive season in hotels, offices and marquees helping parties sound great and look magical. The vibe comes first (then the […]

Do you really need subwoofers?

Stage lighting and LED wall with heart graphics set up for a corporate event at an indoor venue.

Many corporate event planners tell us, “It’s not a party—do we really need subs?” We get it. Subwoofers are often associated with nightclubs and festivals. But in business settings—product launches, award shows, conferences, and even subtle background music—subwoofers are a quiet hero. They don’t make things “boomier”; they make things clearer, warmer, and more professional. […]

Why We Use Neutrik TRUE1 Instead of Standard 13A British Plugs

In live events, reliability and safety aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re non-negotiable. That’s why our rental stock and in-house builds standardise on Neutrik powerCON TRUE1 (often seen as TRUE1 / TRUE1 TOP) rather than domestic 13A BS1363 plugs. Below is a plain-English breakdown of the benefits, plus when and where TRUE1 makes a real difference on site. Quick […]

Different Size Screens: What Audience Size Are They Best For?

50" screen hire with stand, hotel venue

Choosing the right screen size can make or break visibility in a meeting room, conference, or live event. Below is a practical guide for LCD Screen Hire (32″–86″) with typical audience sizes and recommended viewing distances. We’ll also cover how to use relay screens alongside LED videowalls and projection for bigger rooms. The quick answer […]