Bolin NDI Cameras Bring Ultra-Low Latency and Flexibility to Glyndebourne’s Conductor Camera System
History of Glyndebourne Opera House
Glyndebourne Opera House, nestled in the countryside of East Sussex, England, is one of the world’s most prestigious opera venues. Founded in 1934 by John Christie and Audrey Mildmay, Glyndebourne has long been associated with innovation and technical excellence in performance.
The annual Glyndebourne Festival draws audiences from around the globe, combining classical tradition with cutting-edge stagecraft. Behind the scenes, the theatre’s AV systems support the seamless execution of highly complex productions, with a critical focus on visual communication between performers, musicians, and technical staff.
Behind the Curtain: Why Technical Video Matters at Glyndebourne
At the heart of Glyndebourne’s video infrastructure lies its conductor camera system – a vital tool used to provide musicians, singers, and stage teams with a clear, real-time view of the conductor during performances and rehearsals. With latency playing a crucial role in musical precision, any upgrade to this system required absolute confidence in video speed and accuracy.
“Conductor camera systems have often been left behind due to the fact that latency is so critical, ” says Jonathan Moss, Head of Sound & Video at Glyndebourne.
“While we were lucky to have transitioned to LCD screens a number of years ago, we were very much still limited to the analogue domain to accommodate the required latency. This often results in complaints from performers on the quality and size of the image.”
Glyndebourne’s ambition was to modernize this system – without sacrificing the near-zero latency performers relied on.
Core Video Demands in a Live Opera Environment
To achieve this, Glyndebourne had several key technical requirements:
• Ultra-Low Latency: A conductor feed must reach performers with virtually no delay.
• High Image Quality: A sharp, colour-accurate image improves visibility for musicians and vocalists.
• NDI® and SDI Compatibility: Supporting both network distribution and direct SDI output ensures flexibility across existing infrastructure.
• Compact Form Factor: Discreet deployment is essential across the stage, auditorium, and orchestra pit.
• Flexible Control: Multiple controllers and quick redeployment were key for dynamic stage environments.
“We were aiming to find a system which could be used concurrently on a network for ease of distribution, along with SDI to maintain compatibility with existing systems and provide an ultra-low latency option, ” Moss explains, “Flexibility and ease of deployment was also important, hence adopting a number of the smaller N2 PTZ cameras.”
Delivering the Solution: Bolin R9-418N and N2-220X Cameras
Glyndebourne selected a combination of Bolin R9-418N and N2-220X cameras for its upgraded conductor camera and show relay systems. Each model features native NDI® support and SDI outputs, giving the technical team full flexibility across digital and legacy workflows.
The R9-418N delivers crisp 4K images in a compact form—perfect for fixed positions focused on the conductor.
The N2-220X PTZ cameras offer smooth, silent pan-tilt-zoom operation, ideal for flexible, discreet coverage
throughout the venue.
“Bolin knew how critical it was to get this right, and supported us through a number of tests and demos in order to make sure all key stakeholders were on board before biting the bullet,” said Moss. “Combine that with a range of products that really does accommodate our needs so well and it becomes an obvious choice.”
A Trusted System: Bolin’s NDI Cameras in Daily Use
The new Bolin-based conductor camera system has exceeded expectations at Glyndebourne, delivering on both technical performance and operational flexibility:
Ultra-Low Latency: The conductor camera feed shows no noticeable increase in latency compared to the legacy analogue system.
4K Image Quality: Singers and musicians now benefit from a sharp, high-resolution, colour-accurate image. NDI Simplifies Capture: Modern digital workflows are now easily supported thanks to native NDI outputs.
Rapid Deployment: PTZ cameras are used flexibly for special effects monitoring—such as trap doors, fire cues, or revolve stages.
“While the key starting point for this project was to upgrade cameras, distribution and screens for our conductor camera system, the Bolin cameras have proved so popular that we have been able to expand our capabilities while achieving the core goal,” Moss explains. “We’ve achieved a digital conductor camera system that has no noticeable increase in latency compared to our analogue system, and provides an excellent 4K picture in the Process.”
Conclusion
By deploying Bolin’s R9-418N and N2-220X cameras, Glyndebourne has successfully modernized a critical part of its video infrastructure without compromising the latency that musicians rely on.
With improved image quality, flexible deployment, and strong support from Bolin throughout the process, the Glyndebourne team has expanded its use of video technology across the building, enhancing technical control and creative potential alike.
“Bolin have been incredibly supportive from the moment we started this journey,” says Moss. “It’s a system that’s exceeded expectations, solved the latency challenge, and helped us evolve how we use video throughout the venue.”
As Glyndebourne continues to pioneer innovation in opera production, Bolin is proud to support its mission with high-performance video solutions built for precision, flexibility, and reliability.