Wouldn’t it be cool if you could have a massive 201-inch HDTV magically appear out of the ground at the push of a button? Honoured earlier this year with the ‘red dot: best of the best 2012’ award for product design, the C SEED 201 does exactly that.

Created in collaboration with the Porsche Design Studio, the 201-inch outdoor LED TV is waterproof, height-adjustable (up to 15 ft/4.65 m), and able to rotate 270 degrees. Oh and it has a built-in 15-speaker audio system.

 

 

The C SEED 201 column takes 15 seconds to achieve its full height of 4.65 m (15 ft.). Seven massive LED panels unfold equally soundlessly within the next 25 seconds.

 

 

The panels interlock to form a seamless TV screen that bursts into action with revolutionary pixel power for ultra-high resolution images in any daylight environment, including direct sunshine. Each of the over 725,000 LEDs processes image data up to 100,000 times per second, enabling the C SEED 201 to display 4.4 trillion colors.

 

 

The vision came from Alexander Swatek and Edouardo Saint Julien-Wallsee, who had already created a successful LED screen company, Global Bright Media, for events like the Cannes Film Festival and Formula One races. The technical wizardry is the result of innovative R&D, top notch German engineering, and cutting-edge LED technology. A masterpiece of unparalleled craftsmanship, the C SEED 201 is now in production in limited numbers for a discerning global clientele. The first major installation was at the Palais Schönburg in Vienna.

“C SEED is a new brand that came about by pooling years of professional experience,” says Mr. Swatek, referring to the four years of cooperation between his company, C SEED Entertainment Systems, and Porsche Design Studio and the LED video technology pioneer Lighthouse Technologies, which was responsible for the spectacular luminosity of the all-weather screen. “It has a unique heritage because it draws on the best minds in their fields.”

 

From left to right: Alexander Swatek, Managing Partner C SEED; Roland Heiler, CEO Porsche Design Studio; Edouardo Saint Julien-Wallsee, Managing Partner C SEED

 

 

The two-faced, rechargeable universal wireless remote control in monolithic design enables control of all kinematic and TV functions. To prevent unauthorized access to the C SEED 201, the remote control also has an easy-to-use fingerprint sensor. Fingerprint recognition can also be used to set the position of the screen.

 

 

Instead of taking up space when not in use, the C SEED 201 folds up and retreats below ground, where it stays safe and dry in its water-resistant shaft until the next time you need it. Responding instantly to the press of a button, it emerges from the ground swiftly and smoothly. In less than a minute it completes its set-up and is ready for use. Reliable wind, temperature and laser sensors also prevent adverse outdoor conditions from damaging the C SEED 201.

 

 

The C SEED 201 sound system comprises 6 broadband speakers for the left and right audio channels (12 total), and 3 700 W subwoofers for low frequencies. The speakers deliver distortion-free sound under all weather conditions. They are specially designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use.

 

 

At the core of the C SEED 201 is a multi-source media server that transfers HD video and audio data to the screen using Windows 7-based software.