What Show Sage does

Show Sage LLC is a privately held, Illinois-based provider of customized A/V Display and Control Solutions, operating in its third decade from Franklin Park in the Chicago metropolitan area. The company functions primarily as a value-added North American partner and systems integrator for a portfolio of multi-vendor media server and show control platforms rather than as a developer of core technology. Its solution set centers on Dataton WATCHOUT multi-display production and playback software (with which it holds the North American Partnership), complemented by LightAct, Hive, PIXILAB Blocks, Medialon show control products, Merging Technologies Ovation audio servers, and Control Buddy. Under its own brand, Show Sage sells pre-configured Show*Server media playback servers and Show*Station production workstations, available in rack mount and mini-desktop form factors, designed to run WATCHOUT, PIXERA, and Blocks software.

The company's core technology offering is not a single proprietary product but rather an integrated ecosystem of third-party platforms, on which Show Sage layers configuration, calibration, training, and consulting services. Solutions operate on the Windows platform and are scalable from basic multi-screen playback to highly interactive real-time installations with synchronized multi-channel audio. Differentiated technical components include LightAct's Iris computer vision system for automated projector calibration, Medialon Manager V6 and Showmaster series show controllers, and Ovation's sub-frame audio synchronization to WATCHOUT. Show Sage's proprietary contribution is the Show*Server and Show*Station hardware tuning and the consulting/training overlay that simplifies deployment for end customers.

Show Sage's business model combines one-time software license resales (notably WATCHOUT), hardware sales of servers, workstations, and Dataton WATCHPAX media players, professional services revenue from Dataton Academy training and QuickStart two-day onsite commissioning, and short-term equipment rentals. Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct enterprise field sales from the Illinois headquarters (with separate US and Canadian sales/support departments) supplemented by a 100+ affiliate network of dealers, integrators, producers, programmers, and rental companies across the US and Canada. Active event marketing at ISE, InfoComm, LDI, USITT, and other industry shows, combined with membership in AVIXA, USITT, TEA, and CITT, drives demand generation in the live events, museum/exhibition, themed entertainment, broadcast, and fixed installation verticals.

Name

Show Sage

Legal name

Show Sage LLC

Website

https://showsage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Show Sage is a privately held Illinois-based value-added distributor and systems integrator for multi-display A/V control solutions, serving North American live events, museums, themed entertainment, and broadcast customers via Dataton WATCHOUT, LightAct, PIXILAB Blocks, Medialon, and proprietary Show*Server hardware, plus training and consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audio-Visual Control Solutions

NAICS

Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)

akta.pro primary industry

Live Production Switching & Routing (Vision Mixers, Routers) (MPAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lighting & Studio Equipment Retail (Flash, Continuous, Modifiers, Backdrops) (CRACAHAF), Projectors & Projection Screens Retail (CRACAEAB)

Keywords

• Multi-display production software
• Media server solutions
• Show control systems
• AV display control
• Projection mapping software

Headquarters

HQ city

Franklin Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Software License Sales: Sales of WATCHOUT license keys and other media server software licenses. Show Sage maintains inventory of WATCHOUT license keys for quick turnaround on new installations and upgrades as a Dataton North American Partner.
2. Custom Media Servers and Workstations: Sale of pre-configured Show*Server media playback servers and Show*Station production workstations. Servers come pre-loaded with software and support frame synchronization, live capture, and audio output options.
3. Training Services: Dataton Academy WATCHOUT Training classes, online seminars, e-learning modules, and home assignments led by certified trainers. Also offers LightAct training classes at various locations.
4. Consulting Services: WATCHOUT programming assistance, design assistance, and onsite installation support. Includes QuickStart two-day onsite commissioning and WATCHOUT orientation tailored to customer needs.
5. Equipment Rentals: Rental of media servers, Dataton WATCHOUT license keys, and related components for short-term needs. Maintains large inventory for immediate rental with minimum one-week rental period.
6. WATCHPAX Media Players: Sale of dedicated compact digital media players (WATCHPAX 64, 62, 30) designed for WATCHOUT applications. Contains embedded WATCHOUT software license.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Show Sage is a value-added distributor and systems integrator of multi-display AV technologies, reselling a portfolio of media server and control software platforms (Dataton WATCHOUT, LightAct, Hive, PIXILAB Blocks, Control Buddy, Medialon, Ovation) along with custom-configured hardware (Show*Server, Show*Station, WATCHPAX) and complementary services including certified training, QuickStart onsite commissioning, and AV consulting.

Product overview

Show Sage is a provider of customized A/V Display & Control Solutions serving the live events, themed entertainment, and installation industries. The company offers a portfolio of complementary media-server and control solutions organized around a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering includes Dataton WATCHOUT as the primary multi-display production and playback software, paired with dedicated WATCHPAX hardware players. Supporting software products include LightAct (media server with Iris computer vision), PIXILAB Blocks (display management and interactive presentation), Control Buddy Panther (media server control console), Medialon show control software (Manager V6, Showmaster LE/PRO, and MAS Pro Dante audio server), and Ovation audio server. Hardware offerings include Show*Server playback servers and Show*Station production workstations, available in rack mount and desktop form factors. Services encompass WATCHOUT training, QuickStart commissioning, consulting, and trial programs. The portfolio is distributed through a network of authorized affiliates across the US and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Show*Server: Media playback servers for playback of content using software such as Dataton WATCHOUT, AV Stumpfl PIXERA, PIXILAB Blocks, and others.
• Show*Station

Products and services

• Show*Server Media Playback Servers Preconfigured and tuned media playback servers designed to run software such as Dataton WATCHOUT, AV Stumpfl PIXERA, and PIXILAB Blocks, available in rack mount and mini-desktop form factors for live event and installation customers.
• Show*Station Media Production Workstations Hardware workstations specifically designed for production and programming of robust content presentations, available in notebook, rack mount, and mini-desktop form factors for AV production professionals.
• Dataton WATCHOUT Software Multi-display production and playback software solution for orchestrating stills, animations, graphics, video, sound, and live feeds into a single show across multiple display areas. Fully scalable and operates on Windows platform.
• Dataton WATCHPAX Media Players Dedicated compact digital media players for WATCHOUT applications, optimized for performance with embedded WATCHOUT software license. Available in WATCHPAX 64, 62, and 30 models.
• Hive Media Server Software Media server and control solution offered as part of Show Sage's solution set for multi-display production environments.
• LightAct Media Server Software Media server software platform for live-events, fixed installations, and broadcast industries, including LightAct, LightAct Manager, and LightAct WebUIs for creating interactive visual displays and real-time content.
• LightAct Servers Pre-loaded servers with the entire LightAct software suite featuring completely unlimited licenses, providing all tools needed for AV creations in live events and installations.
• PIXILAB Blocks Software Software for producing and managing experiences for museums, exhibitions, visitor centers, and corporate presentations, featuring content and display management, control system capabilities, interactive presentation, and mobile guide functions. Integrated to work with WATCHOUT.
• Control Buddy Software Innovative control system designed for the A/V industry with a customizable interface allowing complex programming to be controlled with button pushes, built for both professionals and non-technical users.
• Control Buddy Panther Software Software console designed to streamline workflow for managing media servers and hardware in live events and professional AV installations. Fully compatible with WATCHOUT 6 and 7.
• Medialon Manager V6 Software Show control software that turns any PC into a show controller with audio/video streaming, database links, media management, facility-wide control, programming interface, GUI builder, and show execution engine.
• Medialon Showmaster LE Software Show control software designed for small to medium applications in museums, showrooms, stores, restaurants, and attractions. Can also be used as a subsystem in larger shows.
• Medialon Showmaster PRO Software Show control software designed for medium to large show control applications requiring additional interfaces for large numbers of controlled devices.
• Medialon MAS Pro Dante Audio Server Professional audio server for multi-track applications and independent multi-zone audio playback, available in 32, 64, and 128 channel versions with high-quality Dante interface and timecode synchronization capability.
• Ovation Media Server & Sequencer Audio server and sequencer providing seamless synchronization of multi-channel audio to WATCHOUT, with rock-solid sub-frame synchronization and intuitive workflow optimization for live events.
• WATCHOUT Training Services Dataton Academy training classes including online seminars, e-learning modules, home assignments, and in-person 2-day WATCHOUT Certified User classes for AV professionals.
• QuickStart Onsite Commissioning Two-day onsite commissioning and WATCHOUT orientation tailored to specific needs to help get installations up and running quickly.
• AV Consulting, Service & Support WATCHOUT programming assistance, design assistance, and onsite installation support with decades of combined experience in multi-display production.
• Spend a Week with WATCHOUT Trial Program One-week trial program providing Show*Server MINI playback server, two WATCHOUT license keys, and telephone support for evaluation purposes.
• Spend a Week with PIXILAB Blocks Trial Program One-week trial program providing Blocks server with software, 2-output Blocks player, Blocks license key, and telephone support for learning the versatile tool.
• Server Rental Services Short-term rentals of media servers, WATCHOUT license keys, and related components with one-week minimum rental period for event production needs.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DatatoncoreTechnology or IntegrationShow Sage is a Dataton North American Partner specializing in WATCHOUT software. They maintain inventory of WATCHOUT license keys for quick turnaround on new installations and upgrades, and offer Dataton Academy WATCHOUT Training classes in partnership with Dataton.
• LightActcoreTechnology or IntegrationLightAct is a cutting-edge media server software and hardware platform for live-events, fixed installations, and broadcast industries. Show Sage offers LightAct servers and training, and promotes LightAct Certified Operator training opportunities.
• PIXILABcoreTechnology or IntegrationPIXILAB Blocks is software for producing and managing experiences for museums, exhibitions, visitor centers and corporate presentations. Show Sage offers Blocks servers and the 'Spend a Week with PIXILAB Blocks' trial program.
• Merging TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationMerging Technologies Ovation is an audio server and sequencer that provides seamless synchronization of multi-channel audio to WATCHOUT. Show Sage brings Ovation to the North American market for theatres, theme parks, concerts and A/V installations.
• Medialon (7th Sense)coreTechnology or IntegrationMedialon (by 7th Sense) provides show control software and servers including Medialon Manager V6, Showmaster LE, Showmaster PRO, and MAS Pro Dante audio server. Show Sage offers these products for museum, showroom, retail, restaurant, and attraction applications.
• Control BuddycoreTechnology or IntegrationControl Buddy, built by professionals with deep industry experience, provides an innovative control system for the A/V industry. The Control Buddy Panther is specifically designed for Dataton WATCHOUT, streamlining workflow for managing media servers.
• HivecoreTechnology or IntegrationHive is part of Show Sage's solution set for media-server and control solutions, included in their product portfolio alongside WATCHOUT, LightAct, and other platforms.
• AVIXAminorOthersAudiovisual and integrated experience association. Show Sage is an AVIXA Member, providing industry recognition and access to standards, training, and networking resources.
• Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)minorOthersGlobal membership organization for themed entertainment. Show Sage is a member, enabling connections with theme parks, museums, and entertainment venues.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Analog Way: Manufacturer of presentation switchers, video processors, and multi-display controllers used in live events and fixed installations — a technical peer to the WATCHOUT/Medialon stack Show Sage sells.
• disguise: Provider of media-server hardware and software for large-scale live events, broadcast, and immersive experiences. Competes with the WATCHOUT/LightAct stack that Show Sage distributes, especially in high-end concerts and themed entertainment.
• AV Stumpfl (PIXERA): Austria-based media-server hardware and software maker (PIXERA) competing head-to-head with Dataton WATCHOUT in live events, museums, and fixed installations — the same category where Show Sage operates as a North American reseller/integrator.
• Green Hippo (tvONE): Media-server and Hippotizer product line for live events and broadcast, now under tvONE. Directly competes with WATCHOUT/LightAct for live-event production and is sold through a similar integrator/dealer channel.
• 7thSense Design: Media-server and show-control technology vendor (and owner of Medialon, which Show Sage resells). Competes in the same theme-park, museum, and immersive-experience segment that Show Sage serves.

Emerging players

• VIOSO: Specialist in projection mapping and multi-projector auto-calibration software. Adjacent to Show Sage's LightAct/Iris capabilities and competing for projection-mapping install projects in museums and themed entertainment.

Broad incumbents

• Barco: Global projection, image processing, and AV control vendor serving live events, museums, and control rooms — overlapping with Show Sage's end-customers and able to deliver integrated multi-display solutions as a single vendor.
• Solotech: Large North American AV integrator and rental company for live events, corporate, and entertainment projects. Competes with Show Sage's integrator and rental offerings at the enterprise level and can deliver end-to-end multi-display rollouts.
• Christie Digital Systems: Large AV manufacturer of projectors and integrated media solutions for cinema, live events, and themed attractions. Competes with Show Sage-enabled projection workflows at the system-integration level and sells direct to the same enterprise end-customers.
• Dataton: Swedish maker of WATCHOUT and WATCHPAX, and Show Sage's most strategic partner. Overlaps with Show Sage in the media-server category but also sells direct outside North America, making it both a supplier and adjacent competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/showsage
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShowSage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/show-sage-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Show Sage