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
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
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...
07/05/2026
Recreating the 1974 Doctor Who Time Tunnel in After Effects
Graham Quince May 6, 2026
0 Comments
The Time Tunnel from Doctor Who titles is one of th...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
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.
