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Realtime Concert Program Notes on a PDA

Posted by michael on from the peter-and-the-wolf dept.

PoisonousPhat writes "NPR has an article on a new idea for concertgoers at the Aspen Music Festival. Dubbed the 'Concert Companion', the concept used a PDA (a Sony Clie PEG-NX73V for those of you that MUST know) as a 'listener's guide...that updates you with information about what you're hearing, in real time.' The concept seems similar to the audio headsets available in museum tours. Read the bleeping article here."

3 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. PDA in the audience by pheared · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yeah and theatre geeks are upset.

    I sit on the fence. On one hand, I would find it horribly distracting to have a gadget in front of me. However, it's nearly as distracting as all of the other people in the world who are so important that they need to be fucking with their cell phones at every moment of the day. Perhaps the PDA would at least turn their attention away from a device that does a poor rendition of Beethoven's Fifth everytime someone calls.

  2. why not also.... by MarcoAtWork · · Score: 3, Insightful

    preload the score on the devices and broadcast a synchronization signal? (you'd probably need somebody to follow the score somewhere and, say, tap a key every 8 measures, don't think it could be done automatically).

    The screen is a bit small but with a half-vga resolution (320x480) in landscape mode it should be feasible to show 2-3 staffs and at least 3-4 measures.

    The user would probably also be able to select what instruments they're interested in (say, violins & brass, or choir & organ, or whatever) because you wouldn't obviously be able to show all the staffs at the same time.

    I'd find this much more useful than comments like the ones written in the article.

    --
    -- the cake is a lie
  3. Well, It's certainly better than a talking guide.. by antimith · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'd certainly prefer it over one of those little hand held talking things like you can get at the National Gallery in DC.
    But what was wrong with paper? guess their just trying to save a few trees. :\

    I've seen PDA's used for guides for conferences, seminars etc.. and they always seem like overkill. But I like the techy stuff as mutch as the next guy and I've been looking for a reason to use those little dinks so bring on the toys hehe.
    [stupid]
    Wonder if the'll be supported at the next metallica concert 'round here
    [/stupid]

    --
    "Oh... There it goes... my brain stopped" - Ed from Ed, Edd, and Eddy.