June 2014
www.tvbeurope.com
“IP technology is getting more important, and we all know IP is the future” — Nico Lewis, RTS
TVBEurope 45 Forum Comms
Communications from the communicators
This month’s Forum addresses topics surrounding broadcast communications. Philip Stevens moderates
EASY-TO-USE INTERFACES driving intricate operations, combined with the signifi cant advances in technology, have joined to create an exciting time in the intercom world. Research is ongoing into improving methods of obtaining the maximum benefi t from those new technologies. Alongside the move to digital have come different delivery methods for maintaining communications between production personnel. So, just what are the demands from customers when it comes to comms requirements? Has the ‘cloud’ impacted the comms market?
Is there one signifi cant development in the recent past involving comms that you’d mark as ‘groundbreaking’?
Browne: The network technology that we can now exploit to enable greater functionality, but retain the same infrastructure, provides groundbreaking alternatives to traditional intercom. With HelixNet — new products launched at NAB 2014 – we are able to provide many full audio bandwidth party lines and programme audio feeds down the very same single pair cables that once carried a single analogue party line. In Eclipse- HX matrix, we can intelligently link multiple frames together across continents, or remote users to the central equipment over IP that earlier used more expensive telecom connections.
Collings: There is now signifi cantly tighter integration with all other broadcast systems. For example, central routers: from a technical point of view, the router allows non-blocking systems of up to 4,096 ports, with even larger planned levels of blocking. Among other benefi ts, this allows a distributed system design with IO frames installed close to operational areas, simplifi es the provision of inter-area, cross-campus or long-distance comms, eases phased installation of large broadcast centres, and provides frame-to-router connections that employ Ethernet so the installed data network can give
Simon Browne, Clear-Com
the transport where appropriate. In other words, the system becomes a tool that can be used for many more tasks than just comms. On another front, there is improved audio quality (24-bit broadcast quality). Davis: Digital audio
networking systems will change the way comms is used. At Glensound, we are introducing systems that use the Dante protocol. Our forthcoming commentary and intercom
Eric de Bruyn, ASL
products will therefore connect to any compatible intercom, console or router. Users will have the choice of specialist end units on their network, rather than having to take the own brand intercom offering of the main system. This will allow dedicated commentary units on an intercom infrastructure which is a big jump forward. The Dante system also allows for redundancy on the link, a point
To discuss a range of topics involving comms, we’ve brought together (in alphabetical order) Simon Browne, director of product management, Clear-Com; Chris Collings, director, Aspen Media (distributor for Delec, Stagetec, RTW, Jünger, DirectOut Technologies and JLCooper); Gavin Davis, managing director of Glensound; Eric de Bruyn, CEO of ASL Intercom; Christian Diehl, product manager at Riedel: Nico Lewis, senior sales manager RTS Intercoms; and Malcolm Reed, projects and training manager, Trilogy Broadcast.
Glensound has always been concerned about with many intercom systems. Intercom audio is often not at a quality level for on-air use. With the digital network audio systems such as Dante, it is now viable to have a full commentary position connected within the intercom structure, with the Dante software able to manage multiple commentary points and route a whole system. de Bruyn: AVB is maybe not ‘groundbreaking’, but is certainly an issue that has to be addressed in the case of digital intercom systems. Diehl: Networking. Lewis: No, not for intercom. This is a very conservative industry. We only see that intercom needs to do more — integrate with third- parties, fi bre, IP, and digital integration, multi-functional user interfaces as well as an integrated wireless system. Also systems are getting bigger. Where a mid-sized OB truck needed 24 ports in the past, now it is easily 64 or more ports. Reed: New workfl ows are demanding more complex solutions that integrate fully with the latest workfl ow optimisation solutions. The communications element is becoming an integral part, rather than a bolt-on as we have seen in the past. Much of this builds on the groundbreaking IP connectivity that has seen such a high adoption rate
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