
When the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, home to the Dallas Symphony, was shut down in March due to the pandemic, administration and staff were eager to find a solution for its thriving community of classical music lovers. The Eugene McDermott Concert Hall, where the orchestra performs, was outfitted with a Telemetrics robotic camera system, and the hall is now streaming concerts live and recording multiple performances with reduced audience in attendance.
When they returned to the stage in August, a venue that can seat 2,062 people was limited to 125 maximum with social distancing measures in place. They even extended the performance platform to provide an additional 744 sq. ft., enabling the musicians to sit farther apart. All agreed that a virtual experience was critical to sharing music performed by the Dallas Symphony.
The Dallas Symphony is now streaming its performances live and recording its performances with the help of this new robotic camera control system. The DSO started capturing performances with the system the first week of October. The concert videos are available on the DSO's website, and the organization streamed its first live concert on November 9. They closed 2020 with a series of Christmas concerts that were televised on local station WFAA-TV and on Bloomberg Television globally. Now, season ticket holders are able to view live and on-demand performances for free. Non-subscribers pay a nominal fee for VoD access.
It became important to share the Dallas Symphony in a way that keeps everyone safe yet still allows patrons and performers to experience the music they love, said Lamar Livingston, Director of Technical Operations at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. We take our mission of delivering the best music in the world very seriously.
The camera robotics system was installed from August-October and includes six Telemetrics RoboEye Pan/Tilt systems and a RCCP-2A robotic camera control panel that is operated by a single person. This operator is also responsible for a seventh (Panasonic PTZ) camera that is installed in the second tier of the venue and provides alternate shots of the stage.
The RoboEye2 (PT-RE-2) is a fully integrated, aesthetically pleasing robotic camera system that can include a1 -type EXMOR R CMOS 4K digital camera or an HD camera with zoom lens and a compact pan/tilt head. The system's robotic servo controls use motors of ultra-high position and velocity accuracy, which makes RoboEye2 the perfect choice for venues like this.
Innovative features aside, the camera's operational sound was perhaps the most critical factor in Livingston's buying decision.
There were not going to be noisy cameras installed on my watch, he said, confidently.
The McDermott Concert Hall is one of the most well-respected concert halls in the world, and its low ambient noise plays into that reputation. It was critical to Livingston and his team that the RoboEye camera does not introduce any extra sound during operation. Looking at its specs, Livingston recognized that the RoboEye offers a maximum audible noise level of 25 dB. That's comparable to a human whisper from five feet away.
I was standing right next to one of the cameras while it was being operated, and I didn't hear a thing.
I was standing right next to one of the cameras while it was being operated, and I didn't hear a thing, said Livingston. That's huge for us. Other robotic cameras we considered are noisier and not suitable for our purposes. The cameras can't be disruptive to our audience. Our HVAC, lighting, dimming systems are all incredibly quiet, so the robotics had to match that. I can confirm that the RoboEye is whisper quiet as it pans and tilts. We are very pleased with their performance.
With the help of system integrator TM Television (based in Carrollton, Texas), they've mounted three RoboEyes in the soffit areas of the orchestra terrace ceiling. Two others are on poles to the left and right at each stage entrance, and one more is positioned upstage center in the choral terrace (behind the performers). Livingston said this carefully thought-out configuration-including the Panasonic PTZ camera on the second tier-provides the best coverage of the entire stage as well as closeups of the performers.
During each production, the control room is manned by a robotics operator, a TD operating a Blackmagic Atem Constellation switcher, and a music score reader to help the technical staff anticipate the music.
They added a Blackmagic router in the video control room (there's also a separate audio control room) to manage the venue's new fiber-optic infrastructure. It allows them to patch and route signals from the portable cameras back to the control, or when using a TV truck, broadcast cameras may be used.
The RCCP-2A Robotic Camera Control Panel features dual joystick controllers, user configurable control surface, and high-end processors to support complex automated key-frame based motion paths, as well as snapshot thumbnails for shot presets and live video preview. A single operator on Livingston's team can maneuver the cameras with more powerful, yet natural control over camera moves. The RCCP-2A's TeleKeys automatically adapt to show options relevant to the task at hand, while customizable wheels and knobs make it easy to operate the robotic cameras. A series of Hot TeleKeys provide fast access to favorite camera angles and other system parameters for on-the-fly changes and individualized program settings.
Operators of the panel were trained on the Telemetrics control panel for about a week before they began the recordings.
The productions we've completed thus far have been smooth and error free, said Livingston. Everyone has been thrilled with the way that the image looks and the performance of the robotics.
Most recent headlines
13/03/2025
TAG Video Systems and Harmonic Partner to Deliver Enhanced Real-Time Monitoring ...
13/03/2025
DigitalGlue Invites NAB Visitors to Experience New Features in Managed Storage P...
13/03/2025
FOR-A America Theme - Connecting the Present, Building the Future - Comes to Lif...
13/03/2025
CTIA, the wireless industry association, has named former FCC Chairman Aji Pai as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. He replaces Mere...
13/03/2025
he National Association of Broadcasters is urging the FCC to end its investigation of that controversial CBS interview with Kamala Harris stating there is no ...
13/03/2025
MIAMI CBS News & Stations continues to expand its use of augmented and virtual reality technologies with the planned launch of an augmented reality/virtual real...
13/03/2025
Srividhya Srinivasan, co-founder and chief customer success & innovation Officer at Amagi, tells TVBEurope how staying ahead of the latest trends is essential f...
13/03/2025
WASHINGTON FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency has launched a massive, new deregulatory initiative that could potentially subject virtually all ...
13/03/2025
SUNNYVALE, Calif. SDVI has announced that it has integrated its Rally media supply chain management platform with the Spectra Vail multi-cloud data management s...
13/03/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted a waiver of its local ownership rules to permit Gray Media to acqu...
13/03/2025
TV Tech: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2025 NAB Show?...
13/03/2025
Watch Student Naomi Soleils Folk Pop Performance on The Voice The songwriting major sang Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals during the blind auditions.
...
13/03/2025
Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!
Shake your Shamrocks, Patrick Kielty will be...
13/03/2025
This St. Patrick's weekend, RT invites you to celebrate all things Irish, showcasing the very best of Irish sport, entertainment and live coverage from the...
13/03/2025
What's next in AI is at GTC 2025. Not only the technology, but the people and ideas that are pushing AI forward - creating new opportunities, novel solution...
13/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
By combining T-Mobile's robust network, Thal...
13/03/2025
Bundle up - GeForce NOW is bringing a flurry of Blizzard titles to its ever-expanding library.
Prepare to weather epic gameplay in the cloud, tackling the genr...
13/03/2025
AI is leveling up the world's most beloved games, as the latest advancements...
13/03/2025
PC game modding is massive, with over 5 billion mods downloaded annually. Mods p...
12/03/2025
O Spotify acaba de lan ar o relat rio Loud & Clear deste ano, uma vis o transpar...
12/03/2025
Spotify acaba de presentar el informe Loud & Clear de este a o, una mirada trans...
12/03/2025
Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Enrich your experience thi...
12/03/2025
Spotify has just unveiled this year's Loud & Clear report, a transparent loo...
12/03/2025
More than 70% of FAST programming has been produced since 2010, according to new Gracenote report
NEW YORK March 12, 2025 Gracenote, the content data busin...
12/03/2025
GEONA, Nev. Independent digital and linear advertising rep firm Viamedia will adopt cloud-based ShowSeeker Pilot as its primary ad campaign and order management...
12/03/2025
BRUSSELS Mediagenix has announced that Wael Yasin has joined the company as sales director Central Europe....
12/03/2025
LONDON A new study highlights opportunities for shoppable TV and the massive impact online consumer spending is having on the economy, with Omdia predicting tha...
12/03/2025
CUPERTINO, Calif. Interra Systems has announced that Comcast Technology Solutions has integrated recent updates to BATON Version 9 into its operations....
12/03/2025
Nevion announces new 400G addition to its eMerge SDN media fabric offering
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
High-capacity switch enhances existi...
12/03/2025
DaVinci Resolve Studio Delivers Cinematic Sound for Adam Bol
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
Feature film relies on DaVinci Resolve Studio for ...
12/03/2025
SVT Leverages Ateliere Live to Pioneer 100% Software-Defined Production at Rally...
12/03/2025
Berklee Awards Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to Four Organizations A total of $17,000 will be distributed among the Boston-based nonprofits.
By
Madd...
12/03/2025
TVBEuropes Jenny Priestley sits down with new SMPTE president Richard Welsh to discuss his aims for the organisation going forward, its efforts to attract a you...
12/03/2025
The new process has significantly enhanced operational efficiencies, with automation freeing up creators to concentrate on higher value tasks
By Matthew Corrig...
12/03/2025
Jellyfish Pictures, which has offices in London and Sheffield, said it has been battling hard in the face of strong headwinds over the last 12 months
By Jenny ...
12/03/2025
Visit Booth #W2213 to Experience the Latest in AI-Driven Content Discovery and Workflow Automation
Bitcentral, a leader in media workflow solutions, is set to ...
12/03/2025
CHICAGO Jeff Lilly has been named WGN-TV director of technology effective March 17, 2025, according to Ric Harris, WGN-TV vice president and general manager....
12/03/2025
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. A new study from LG Ad Solutions indicates that consumers want more features that would allow them to shop for products on the connected T...
12/03/2025
BOTHELL, Wash. The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) and the Video Services Forum (VSF) will once again present...
12/03/2025
PHILADELPHIA Comcast announced that it has upgraded Xfinity Internet speeds for more than 20 million customers for no additional cost....
12/03/2025
Create with Maxon: Cinema 4D Fundamentals Workshop - March 12-14
Brie Clayton March 11, 2025
0 Comments
Makin' Waffles with Elly Wade
During Marc...
12/03/2025
Ottawa, Canada - March 12, 2025 - Ross Video is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Tunnell as Business Development Director, Cloud Solutions, reinforc...
12/03/2025
12 Mar 2025
VEON to release 4Q 2024 trading update on 20 March 2025 Dubai, 12 March 2025 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital operator, today confirms ...
12/03/2025
Getting set for the Winter Olympics: Inside SVT's ongoing software-based pro...
12/03/2025
THE PLAYERS Championship 2025: AI Commentary, Shared-Reality Viewing at COSM, La...
12/03/2025
Seamless SMPTE 2110: A Discussion on Making the Move to IP Less Painful Leaders from Netflix, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, LinkedI, and Megapixel address ...
12/03/2025
Opening Doors of Perception: Meta's Ajit Ninan on Rethinking AR/MR Perceptua...
12/03/2025
With the 2025 Formula 1 season set to begin in Melbourne on March 16, Sky Sports is gearing up to deliver its most comprehensive F1 coverage yet. Following a th...
12/03/2025
Unicanal and Trece TV revolutionize Digital TV in Paraguay with Rohde & Schwarz ...
12/03/2025
Honoring Service, Celebrating Sport: Rohde & Schwarz UK Sponsors NavyFit Rugby D...