Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Powersoft Deva Makes Times Square Debut at New Year s Eve Festivities

12/01/2017

--

For people up and down the East Coast and around the world, there is no more vaunted place to be on New Year's Eve than New York City's Times Square. Whether you waited out in the cold for a chance to watch the evening's events unfold firsthand or you are one of the over a billion viewers tuning in on TV, nothing rings in the new year quite like the big ball dropping in the city that never sleeps.

Maryland Sound has been on the ground for this worldwide phenomenon for the last 17 years, providing the live sound that makes the event a magical experience for the over 2 million attendees braving winter weather for an up-close glimpse of the shiny ball. The company has an unassailable reputation for excellence in event sound, handling numerous major events around the country including the last six presidential inaugurations, concerts, festivals and rallies on the national mall, as well as corporate and private events and music tours, but he is always trying to create a better experience for his clients and event-goers.

This year, Maryland Sound used new Deva multimedia devices powered by Powersoft as part of their system, providing security monitoring, emergency messaging capabilities, and ambient music, for the New Year's Eve festivities. The Deva system brought a whole new range of functionality to the city's most important gathering.

Early Adopter

Thanks to a keen eye for the latest technological innovations by owner Bob Goldstein, Maryland Sound started using Powersoft amplification from the minute it became available in the US. We immediately recognized the attention to detail in the design and layout of Powersoft's amplifiers and the amount of power they could provide for their size, not to mention the outstanding sound, Goldstein says. Over time we would also learn that they were extremely reliable. As one of Powersoft's top customers year after year, the Maryland Sound team had heard about the new Deva multimedia device powered by Powersoft in its earliest stages. We first saw it when it was just a concept, and we've been talking about it and waiting for it ever since, he says. Maryland sound recognized it as a compact, weatherproof device with functions that could play an important role in a large event like New York City's New Year's Eve celebration. I saw right away that Deva was an outstanding communication and surveillance device which could assist security and emergency services to observe and communicate in a place like Times Square, Goldstein says. Upon release, Maryland Sound quickly purchased a Deva system ahead of this year's celebration.

Success by Design

The key to our success is the extensive testing we do of each rig before we show up for a job, says Benjamin Krumholz, Systems Engineer for Maryland Sound. As soon as they received the Deva units, Krumholz and his team set them up around Maryland Sound's large campus in Baltimore to take them for a test drive. He quickly found that they were both versatile and durable.

The revolutionary Deva packs an incredible amount of functionality into its uniquely shaped and compact enclosure. Featuring bi-directional wireless A/V communication as well as lighting, Deva is powered by an ultra-efficient Class D amplifier allowing up to 115dB of audio output. It's amazing how much output it can achieve given its size, Krumholz says. Another key feature for Maryland Sound was the Devas toughness in the face of inclement weather. These units are designed for permanent outdoor installation, and it was clear they could handle whatever the New York winter could throw at them, Krumholz adds.

Krumholz strategically placed the Deva units in pairs throughout Times Square. It went up incredibly fast, Goldstein added. With the network control integration built into the Deva, Goldstein and Krumholz set up a LAN network in the square for their system. It inspired us to set up an IP network in Times Square for the first time, Krumholz says. Cisco SG300 switches help create a separate VLAN for the Deva within a broader system network to take advantage of the Deva's vast networking capabilities.

Multi-Function All-Star

From their perches just above crowd level, the Deva units served multiple functions during and leading up to the big day. First, we preprogrammed the Devas to play some music playlists in the days ahead of the 31st to help set the mood in Times Square before the event, says Krumholz. On New Year's Eve, the Devas provided live video feeds to the control booth. The video feeds provided Goldstein, Krumholz, and their team with a valuable sense of how the crowds were developing and moving through the space, as well as whether there were any security concerns. The ability to get an up-close look at what's going on in the crowd is not something we've ever had before from the comfort of our control room, Krumholz says, referring to the large black shipping containers stacked two units high seated on an island between Broadway and 7th Avenue that served as their base of operations for the event. It really changed things, he adds.

More to Come

This year's Deva rollout was just the beginning for Maryland Sound. This is the first time we got to see these units in action, and the first time we were running an IP network in Times Square, Krumholz says. There will be many more interesting possibilities going forward that will incorporate Deva into a lot of different kinds of environments. For Goldstein, a key part of his business has always been increasing the value his clients are getting from him and increasing the value of his services by doing so. Deva can provide a lot of utility to large event setups or permanent installations by expanding security monitoring and emergency messaging capabilities, he says. I can see big things fo
LINK: https://news.creativecow.net/story/884450...
See more stories from creativecow

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

05/03/2026

Clear-Com Supplies Cloud-Based Communications System for...

Clear-Com has provided Gen-IC virtual intercom, its cloud-based voice communications system for SaxaVord Spaceport, the first fully licensed vertical launch s...

05/03/2026

Hollywood Professional Association Concludes the 2026 HPA...

The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives and executi...

05/03/2026

LynTec 20 AMP Dual Output DMX Relay Now Shipping

LynTec, a leading manufacturer of electrical power control solutions for professional audio, video, and lighting systems, today announced that its new Dual DMX ...

05/03/2026

Snicket Labs Partners with ES Broadcast to Expand Access...

Snicket Labs is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with ES Broadcast for its award winning solutions, Match and Enrich. Under the agreement, ES...

05/03/2026

LiveU Marks First Large Scale Global Deployment of AI Dri...

LiveU today announced the first large-scale deployment of its AI-driven LiveU IQ (LIQ ) technology at a global, multi-venue sporting event, setting a new benchm...

04/03/2026

Lega Basket Serie A Modernizes Media Operations Across Italian Basketball with ScorePlay

Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the governing body for Italy's premier basketball...

04/03/2026

To Mark Five Years at Wrexham AFC, Co-Chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds Will Host Broadcast During Wrexham-Swansea City on March 13

Wrexham AFC co-chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds will host a first-of-its-kind ...

04/03/2026

FOX Sports Marks 100 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 with Company-Wide Celebration

The countdown is underway and with just 100 days to go until the world's greatest sporting event begins on Thurs., June 11, FOX Sports, America's Englis...

04/03/2026

Exchange, NBCUniversal Team Up to Provide Service Members with Free Streaming of Paralympic Winter Games

No matter where they are in the world, service members and veterans can stream N...

04/03/2026

Telemundo Releases Somos Ms, the Official Anthem of its FIFA World Cup 2026 Coverage

Telemundo officially releases Somos M s, the anthem for the network's cove...

04/03/2026

Hollywood Professional Association Concludes 2026 HPA Tech Retreat

The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives, and execut...

04/03/2026

Case Study: How SEG+ Unified Utah's Biggest Sports Teams into a 40%+ Subscriber Growth Streaming Platform

Smith Entertainment Group transformed how local sports are consumed by creating ...

04/03/2026

SVG in Indy: Pacers Sports & Entertainment Remotely Produces Broadcasts of G League's Noblesville Boom

The production method, which spans a distance of 36.2 miles, was designed and im...

04/03/2026

Haivision Releases Seventh Annual Broadcast Transformation Report, Highlights Key Trends Shaping Live Production in 2026

Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and...

04/03/2026

SVG Sit-Down: Quantum CEO Hugues Meyrath on Reshaping the Company, the Impact of AI, Evolving Media Storage

When Hugues Meyrath came out of retirement to take the helm as CEO of Quantum, i...

04/03/2026

As Banana Ball Expands Exponentially, So Too Do Its Production Capabilities

Last week's launch of Banana Ball Championship League has spurred a significant upgrade of production facilities The Savannah Bananas, arguably the hottest...

04/03/2026

Press Release TEST

sldkfjsdlfkjsldkfjsldkjfslkdjfslkdjfsl Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus...

04/03/2026

Spotify A/Presenta Brings Fans Closer to Artists' Creative Process in Latin America, Starting With ROSALA

For many fans, a song's backstory can be just as compelling as the final pro...

04/03/2026

Spotify Kicks Off Our 20th Anniversary at SXSW With a Celebration of Artists, Creators, and Fans

In 2006, Spotify was founded on the belief that technology could bring artists a...

04/03/2026

Spotify and Coca-Cola Saddle Up for a Rhinestone Cowboy Experience at the Houston Rodeo

Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we&#...

04/03/2026

Spotify Doubles Down on Investments in Australian Fan Discovery of Homegrown Aussie Talent

Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conver...

04/03/2026

FKA twigs and Jordan Hemingway Explore the Making of HARD' in Episode Two of Directed By'

Earlier this year, we launched Directed By, a documentary-style series that pull...

04/03/2026

100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The FIFA World Cup 2026

100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...

04/03/2026

KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance

KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance In a joint 6G AI proof-of-concept demonstration, the CMX500 one-box tester from ...

04/03/2026

APTS Announces Public Broadcast Leadership, Advocacy Awards

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

04/03/2026

SES publishes 2025 Annual Report

Luxembourg, 3 March 2026 - SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company's full year financial results for ...

04/03/2026

NBC Sports, USA Sports Extend Rights Deal with PGA

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

04/03/2026

Broadcasters Gather in DC for NAB State Leadership Conference

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

04/03/2026

Transforming Africa's Future Farmers: Satellite-Enabled IoT Powers Data-Driven Agribusinesses

Luxembourg, March 3, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, along with I...

04/03/2026

VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innovation in Pakistan and Bangladesh

04 Mar 2026 VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innov...

04/03/2026

VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open RAN, AI Collaboration

04 Mar 2026 VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open...

04/03/2026

Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage

Wednesday 4 March 2026 Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage Sky Sports is preparing for one of the most highly anticipated F1 seasons in recen...

04/03/2026

Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with Hard-Hitting New Teaser and Poster

Back to All News Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with ...

04/03/2026

Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities

Back to All News Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities Business 04 March 2026 GlobalUnited States Link copied to clipboard After launching the Netflix Ad...

04/03/2026

March 02, 2026

Scripps Research welcomes healthcare innovator Joe Kiani to the Board of Directors Kiani brings decades of experience in patient safety and public service. Mar...

04/03/2026

March 03, 2026

Nanoparticle vaccine approach takes on a new target: Hepatitis C virus Scripps Research scientists reengineer critical proteins on the surface of HCV, paving th...

03/03/2026

LIV Golf, Beyond Sports Elevate Online Gaming Ecosystem with Launch of LIV Golf Fantasy and LIV X

Beyond Sports, a Sony group company, and LIV Golf, the world's golf league, ...

03/03/2026

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Announces Launch of Detroit SportsNet

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announces the launch of Detroit SportsNet (DSN), a year-round broadcast home for two of Detroit's franchises. With flexible op...

03/03/2026

Advanced Systems Group Promotes Gretchen Taipale to Vice President, Managed Services

Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media ...

03/03/2026

PGA of America, NBC Sports, and USA Sports Extend Media Rights Agreement Through 2033

The PGA of America, NBC Sports and USA Sports extend their media rights agreemen...

03/03/2026

HONOR, ARRI Announce Technical Collaboration to Bring ARRI Image Science into Next-Gen Consumer Devices

AI device ecosystem company HONOR enters into a strategic technical collaboratio...

03/03/2026

Telos Alliance Partners with College Radio Foundation to Support College Broadcasters

Cleveland's Telos Alliance, pioneers in broadcast technology for 30 years, l...

03/03/2026

Sennheiser Relaunches MD 9235 Wireless Mic Head

The MD 9235 microphone head for wireless handhelds has been a firm favorite with many engineers and artists for its ability to cut through high on-stage levels ...

03/03/2026

Haivision to Showcase Private 5G and Live Video Contribution Innovations at MWC 2026

Haivision Systems Inc. (Haivision), a global provider of mission-critical, real-...