Although it opened in 1982, Roy Thomson Hall (RTH) still holds its own as a cultural icon with its amazing acoustics and stunning architecture.Best known as the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), this impressive yet intimate, 2630-seat space has become a multi-purpose venue, hosting business conferences, lectures, comedians, and gala screenings for the Toronto International Film Festival.
Because it was built before the era of high definition projection and digital signage, more and more often, Roy Thomson Hall had to rent equipment to meet performance requirements.
This meant additional costs for each show, plus crew for expensive and time-consuming set-ups and tear-downs.
To give the hall its own visual system, the Videoscope Design and Engineering Team worked for almost a year with the Production Managers for RTH and the TSO to design and commission the right custom solution.
The process even involved a 3-projector shoot-out staged in-house at Videoscope.The Panasonic PT-DZ12000U projector won the day with its quiet operation.
Two are now installed for rear screen projection.
They provide high definition images, with true 1920 by 1080 resolution and 12K (12,000 ansi lumens) brightness.
The two 9 by 16 foot fixed screens have an impressive presence.
But when not in use, motorized lifts raise them 50 feet to disappear into the ceiling.Within five minutes, the screens can be in place and the projectors ready to go.
Everything is controlled in the wings where Videoscope installed an equipment rack and a station for a single operator.
Videoscope programmer, Arlen Carlson, set up the Crestron Control System to operate the screens and projectors.
It also handles three computers, two Blu-ray players plus two extra inputs. For smooth transitions, Extron Seamless Production Switchers feed the signals to the projectors.
The system has been used by the TSO for special events,
like Mozart, Beyond the Score®.
The first half of this concert was a multimedia presentation of historical context and musical materials for Mozart’s 27th Piano Concerto.
After intermission, with the screens out of sight, the orchestra performed the full concerto.
Whether it is for Toronto Symphony performances, high powered presentations by corporate movers and shakers, or video reinforcement for stand-up comedy,Roy Thomson Hall now has images to match its wonderful sound.
Visit the Roy Thomson Hall website
for more information about RTH and its programs.
For custom A/V solutions, contact Videoscope for a consultation.
AV System Design
Photos:
Outside Roy Thomson Hall - Arlen Carlson, Crestron Programmer (left) with Lorne Feld, CTS, AV System Designer.
On Stage, (left to right) Séan Baker, Production Manager for RTH, Lorne and Arlen.