Green Hippo Hippotizer Media Servers have powered a live video production for Swiss band HECHT at Zurich’s Hallenstadion, combining multiple camera feeds, real-time Notch effects and programmed content across a large-scale LED system.
Designed by Roger Staub, creative director at Leap of Faith, the production was built around the ability to react to the band’s performance rather than use video simply as a pre-programmed backdrop. Four operated cameras and several fixed units supplied live footage that could be manipulated and integrated with other visual content in real time.
A 16m by 7m LED backdrop formed the main 2048 by 896-pixel canvas, comprising 224 AR7.8 panels. Two additional 4m by 7m LED IMAG screens, each using 56 AR7.8 panels, extended the video system across the venue.
Two Hippotizer Media Servers were deployed in main and backup configurations, with Barco S3 systems providing main and backup switching. The Hippotizer systems were supplied by Green Hippo’s Swiss distribution partner menzi ebz ag, with product specialist Michael Kuhn providing network and technical support.
“Since we rely heavily on live camera feeds for this production and use Notch as well as real-time effects, we needed a media server with immense processing power to keep the latency as low as possible,” said Staub.
The workflow combined pre-programmed visual content arranged in cue lists with live feeds and real-time manipulation. Using Hippotizer and ZooKeeper, the team could trigger cues and dynamic backgrounds, adjust colours and apply effects while overriding programmed material when events on stage required an immediate response.
That flexibility was particularly important for HECHT’s unscripted interactions, enabling the visual team to respond to the musicians rather than remain tied to a predetermined sequence.
“I find the technical aspect of a show so exciting because it forms the foundation for the creative, musical and artistic parts,” said Staub. “Ultimately, we can only execute what is technically feasible. That is precisely why I am fascinated by using modern technology to continually push the boundaries of what is possible.”
