Panasonic PTZ Cameras Deployed On Ed Sheeran's Tour

The groundbreaking use of Panasonic PTZ cameras is bringing fans closer to the action of Ed Sheeran's latest global stadium tour.

Fans see Ed perform in a new 360-degree production set-up, surrounded by the crowd in each stadium, with Panasonic PTZ cameras operated remotely to bring the audience closer to the action. Tour video director Phil Mead believes it's the first time PTZ cameras have been used exclusively in a global stadium tour thanks to the innovative capabilities of the Panasonic PTZ cameras.

The video production team was recommended to look at Panasonic AW-UE150 PTZ cameras by its partner the CVP Group, one of the leading Broadcast and Professional video solutions providers in the UK and Europe. After a demonstration, the team were convinced that solely using Panasonic PTZ cameras would work.

"With the in-the-round stage design, we couldn't have anything to obscure the crowd’s view," explained Phil, from Colonel Tom Touring, the video production company supporting the Tour. "A tour like this would typically use traditional cameras with operators but they would have been too intrusive and that wasn’t an option."

There are 12 Panasonic AW-UE150 PTZ cameras used in the tour set-up; six on the masts that support the whole steel structure, four at each corner of the stage and two on the large screens above. Images are fed back over fibre to the remote broadcast truck, equipped with production switchers, up to 300 metres away. The cameras are controlled using seven of Panasonic’s AW-RP150 remote camera controllers, with a large touchscreen display for easy use, a joystick for one-handed operation and simplified PTZ camera presets and tracing memory.

"We were immediately impressed by the incredible picture quality, the size of the cameras and their versatility," said Phil. "Another great benefit was the ability to use the crop function. It means that a single camera and operator, can achieve two shots – a full body shot and a close-up."

"Before we began this tour, people would have said that using a PTZ camera as your main lens on a stadium show was insane, but I am very keen on pushing new technology and seeing where its limits are. We are doing that with the Panasonic PTZ cameras on this tour and there is no doubt that they are more than up to the task and are helping to deliver an incredible experience for the fans."

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