If you’d like to run a test before the livestream to see if you meet the technical requirements, start one of the videos in the Mediathek. If a video plays, the technical requirements for the livestream should be in place.

• A broadband Internet connection of DSL standard or higher is required. With reception via mobile communications the LTE standard should be at least 3G or higher.
• The video will be offered in various transmission qualities: From low (240p) for lower bandwidths up to high definition (1080p, full HD).
• No downloads should be made in the background during the transmission and no other applications should be open.
• With access via WiFi the Internet speed depends, among other things, on the distance to the access point/WiFi router. Changing its position can improve the connection quality here.
• With DSL/cable connections, the bandwidth confirmed by the provider can fluctuate, which also applies with mobile reception when out and about.
• Keep your operating system and programmes as up-to-date as possible. Ensure, for example, that you use a browser that is as up-to-date as possible. Internet Explorer from Microsoft, for instance, is no longer further developed. In this case, we recommend installing the Microsoft Edge Browser as its successor.
  The currently popular browser types, such as Google Chrome, Edge Chromium (IE successor), Firefox or Safari, support smooth video playing.    

• The transmission is made as an Adaptive HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) in an HTML5 player. This means the video quality largely adjusts to the bandwidth provided. The transmission at first starts in the lowest quality for the lowest bandwidth. The Internet connection allows a higher data rate, so the video quickly adjusts itself with the best possible quality. The HTML5 player allows the video to be played in almost all browser versions and operating systems and on almost all devices.    
• Browser versions with PC and Mac
  The HTML5 player is optimised for the standard browser types, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Along with the automatic video quality adjustment according to the measured bandwidth, you can also specify the bandwidth you want in the bar with the player controls. This is recommended in cases where the bandwidth is prone to constant fluctuations, which can result in continuous quality leaps. In this case a lower bandwidth should be selected, which can then be consistently delivered.
• Stream for iOS (iPad/iPhone)
  Mobile devices with iOS, such as an iPad or iPhone, as well as all standard Android devices, are also configured for playing HLS streams.With the playback functions they behave differently and in places also revert to their own player. The quality adjustment occurs automatically here. On newer generation devices the quality during the reception on the player can also be selected manually.
• Please note: Some devices start the livestream in mute mode, which means the user must switch on the audio on the player themself.
• Adobe Flash Player
  As Adobe officially stopped supporting the Flash Player technology at the end of 2020, livestreams can no longer be played via this application. Some outdated browsers (such as earlier Internet Explorer versions) can only play livestreams with the Adobe Flash Player as a plugin via our player. An update or reinstallation with an up-to-date browser version is urgently recommended due to security issues. Flash is no longer required, and if in doubt, should be uninstalled.

• You can’t see a stream?
  Clear your browser’s cache. If you are using a Windows computer, press the Ctrl + F5 keys for this. If you have a Mac PC, press the Cmd (Apple) + shift + R keys.
  Check the Internet connection and the available bandwidth if required.
• The transmission is intermittent, the stream is not fluid?
  There may be quality losses and drop-outs depending on the computing processor’s capacity or the Internet connection’s bandwidth. Close all other programmes and windows that you don’t need at the moment to reduce the load on your computer and connection. Ensure that no other videos are playing at the same time (possibly in the background) and that no data transfers are underway.
  Reload the page. Open the livestream via an alternative browser (Firefox, Google Chrome, Edge Chromium on Windows) and check that the problem has been removed.
• The stream starts without audio?
  Check if mute is activated on the device, browser and player.
  Begin the test with the video player and check the speaker icon here in the control bar, as well as the speaker control setting. Some browsers influence the video player, causing videos in the basic setting to be started in mute mode.
  Some browsers also offer the option of switching to mute in the top bar. Check the speaker icon in the browser bar above the website to see if the audio is switched to mute. Lastly, the speaker functions on the computer itself should also be checked.

• Laptop to TV connection via HDMI
  Newer laptops often have a DisplayPort or an HDMI output. With a DisplayPort you require a suitable DisplayPort to an HDMI adapter and a sufficiently long HDMI cable. First of all, connect the cable with the TV via a free HDMI input. Then switch the TV’s input to the selected HDMI input. Connect the laptop with the HDMI cable. The laptop then transfers the display to the TV, usually automatically. If the display does not appear or the video window on the laptop is not visible, the laptop display must be switched off. For this the FN key (Function) and monitor key (F7) must be pressed at the same time. Via the selection menu then choose “Output to external monitor” or “Second screen only”.
  The audio is also transferred from the laptop to the television via the HDMI output. If the audio is to be provided via the laptop’s headphones output, the output on the laptop must be switched to HDMI in the control panel → Sound (Windows).
• Laptop to TV connection via VGA or DVI connection
  The connection can also be made via a VGA or DVI connection. All you need here is a VGA or DVI connecting cable. Connect the cable to the laptop’s VGA or DVI output and to the television’s VGA or DVI input. The television is set to PC (RGB/VGA) in the “Input” menu.
  The FN key (Function) and monitor key (F2) must be pressed at the same time on the laptop so the monitor picture is displayed on the laptop.
• Laptop to stereo system connection
  Please use a mini jack-cinch cable for this. The laptop is connected via the headphones output with a mini jack. On the stereo system end connect the two cinch connectors to AUX or TV. Ensure the audio output on the laptop is on. The icon in the Windows task bar must not be crossed out. Also check the set speaker level in the sound mixer and correct if required.
  If there is no audio output, check the audio output settings in the control panel → Sound. Select the headphones output.
• Smart TV
  Smart TVs are new flatscreen TVs with Internet functionality and built-in browser. You can also watch the livestream via these devices. For this, enter the www.staatsoper.de/tv URL via the remote control or a connected keyboard.
• Internet set-top boxes/media hubs
  E.g. Sony Google TV, Apple TV, Samsung HomeSync etc.
  Staatsoper.TV can also be watched via Internet set-top boxes. For this, connect the device as per the operating instructions via HDMI to your TV set. Check the existing connection with your Internet line. Via the browser, you can also watch the livestream with these devices. For this, enter the www.staatsoper.de/tv URL via the set’s remote control or a connected keyboard.

Immerse yourself in a new sound experience!

For the first time, the Bayerisches Staatsballett/ the Bayerische Staatsoper will offer a 3D spatial sound for a completely new listening experience in the live stream of the ballet Cinderella. This stream is optimized for headphones. A multitude of microphones in the room record the sound and transport the original acoustics of the Munich Nationaltheater. Any standard headphones – regardless whether they are low-budget, expensive, old or new – can be used for this effect. Please use this stream only if you are using headphones. Otherwise the normal stereo stream will offer you the better sound quality.

If you want to know more about the technology:

Natural hearing allows the human ear to locate sound sources very exactly in a three-dimensional space. The 3D spatial sound, which we produce, takes advantage of this sensation and thus transports the original acoustics of the Nationaltheater. However, in order to reproduce such a three-dimensional acoustic experience in a living room or a home cinema, a large number of loudspeakers and special playback hardware (renderer) would be required.

We therefore use an alternative, so-called binaural technology, which works exclusively with headphones or earphones. In this case, the human ability to hear in three dimensions is already included in the transmitted sound – and thus enables the listener to experience a more spatial and authentic listening experience. To avoid that the sound effects get distorted, please deactivate any sound enhancement programs on your device (especially for notebooks, PCs).

FAQ ON 3D SPATIAL AUDIO:

Do I need specific headphones?

No. Any commercially available headphone or earphone is capable of outputting the included audio track as 3D spatial audio. The higher quality the headphones are, the higher quality the sound experience will be. Especially if you are using a notebook or PC, please deactivate any sound enhancement programs that might be installed. 

What happens if I play the stream optimized for headphones with my loudspeakers?

You will still hear the music, but in a poorer playback quality. In this case, we recommend the stereo stream, as it delivers much better sound quality on speakers.

Does it matter with which device (cell phone, tablet, laptop, TV, etc.) I play the stream?

No. The 3D surround sound works as soon as you use headphones or earphones. However, if you are using a notebook or PC, please deactivate any sound enhancement programs that might be installed. 

Can I use multiple headphones on one player?

Yes. Either by using a suitable cable or adapter to connect two headphones. In case of wireless headphones, they must be connected to the same output device, e.g. via Bluetooth.

I have a speaker system in my living room that can output Dolby Atmos or 5.1 surround sound: Why can't I use it to enjoy the 3D surround sound announced here?

The sound in our 3D surround sound stream is produced in such a way that it is only reproduced correctly via headphones. This works without any additional hardware or software.

What is the difference to Dolby Surround sound or 5.1 sound?

Dolby Surround is usually understood to be 5.1 playback, such as we are used to from DVD. A 5.1 system is only two-dimensional, i.e. it reproduces "left-right/front-rear". A 3D sound system, also called immersive sound system, adds speakers for the third dimension "top-bottom". Our new 3D surround sound implements this three-dimensionality for headphones.

Where is the difference to Dolby Atmos?

In the "Dolby Atmos" system, an abstract data stream is transmitted, which is optimized and distributed by hardware or software to the respective available speaker configuration during playback. This therefore works with a variety of different speaker or playback constellations. However, Dolby Atmos cannot be played back without the corresponding hardware or software.  Therefore, we currently use the so-called "binaural" technology, which can only be played back on headphones, but without additional technology.

What is the difference to stereo sound?

The format "stereo" knows only one dimension, namely "left-right". In stereo, music can be recorded and played back in a very high quality, but a spatial sound experience is only possible to a limited extent. When using headphones, the listener in stereo has the feeling that the sound "originates inside his head". Our 3D surround sound offers an alternative to this, allowing for a more spatial and three-dimensional reproduction.

For orchestra music, does 3D sound mean that I virtually take the perfect position of the conductor and hear what he/she is hearing? Flutes from the left, trumpets from the right?

The localization "left-right" (and thus the L/R position of the instruments) is already well possible and contained in the stereo format. But the 3D spatial sound allows a more plastic reproduction and localization of the music in 3D space. The virtual listener position is not placed at the conductor (he is acoustically not so advantageously positioned, because much too close to the orchestra) – but rather at an optimal place in the audience.

How many microphones were installed and where?

For our production technique, both the orchestra pit and the acoustic space of the Nationaltheater in the auditorium were miked with a complex array of microphones. For the stream of the Baverisches Staatsballett on November 13, 2022, we used a total of about 32 microphones.