July 29, 2011

Friday Fun: Intercom Word Scramble

Can you unscramble these COMM-N intercom terms?




Start Unscrambling Now:
>>Click here to download the PDF




Find Out How You Did:
>>Click here to see the Answer Key

Wrap-Up of June Tradeshows

Clear-Com booth at InfoComm 2011
InfoComm  (June 15th-June 17th)
InfoComm 2011 was held in Orlando, Florida with more than 33,000 AV professionals attending from over 90 countries. It was the second largest commercial AV show that was ever held. 

This year, Clear-Com exhibited the HME DX210, Tempest900, Eclipse Matrix over Optocore Network, and more.  Our hourly drawing to give away CC-27 headset generated a lot of chatter on Twitter. We were quite the popular booth! (Follow us on twitter too! @clearcomsystem)


Photo Credit: Youtube.com
 Here’s a video (created by Rave Publications) of Vinnie Macri, Training and Certification Program Manager, Clear-Com, sharing about the HME DX210 at Infocomm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqAExXHrROs

Vinnie also talks about the Tempest900 system at the show in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YveJmKN_Yu0


BroadcastAsia (June 21st – June 24th)
BroadcastAsia is Asia’s largest and most comprehensive exhibition demonstrating the latest innovations in Film, TV and Digital Signage.  The show was held at Suntec Singapore and attracted over 10,700 global visitors from broadcasting and entertainment industrials.

At the event, Clear-Com demonstrated the Eclipse Matrix over Optocore Network, Tempest2400, and HME DX210.

July 28, 2011

Video: Hybrid Network over Optocore Fiber and CAT5

This video discusses the Clear-Com Hybrid Network over Optocore Fiber and CAT5.



The Clear-Com Hybrid Network solution extends critical intercom capabilities from the Eclipse matrix system frames to an integrated network of user control panels, wireless beltpacks, 2-wire partylines and Intercom-over-IP applications.

By operating the Hybrid Network over Optocore Networks using the V3R-FX-INTERCOM FOR CLEAR-COM (4 intercom I/O's) and X6R-FX-INTERCOM FOR CLEAR-COM (8 intercom I/O's) devices, intercom audio is efficiently and intelligently routed to intercom panels at any remote location on the network, with the added benefits of dual fiber redundancy or with additional CAT5 rings, with ultra-low latency and high bandwidth.

The intercom interfaces are based on the Optocore™ and SANE (Synchronous Audio Network plus Ethernet) technology platforms. The Optocore dual, redundant fiber-ring-based network can transport up to 1024 channels of 48 kHz sampled digital audio, or can be reallocated to route data and video signals simultaneously with multi-directional audio. The SANE platform is based on CAT5 cabling, which carries up to 64 channels of very low latency digital audio and two pairs for 100Mbit Ethernet. By using a ring topology, SANE is fault tolerant like the Optocore fiber-based solution and supports up to 24 interface nodes.


You can also access our video at http://www.clearcom.com/support/videos.

July 26, 2011

"Critical Communications" in the Hospital


Photo Credit: Nobelprize.org

In the mid-1980s, hospitals started requesting Clear-Com equipment. They surely did not have a television station or a live concert performing in the facility. Why did they need Clear-Com?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners are used to noninvasively scan the body with magnets. Doctors may order MRI scans to help diagnose torn ligaments, tendonitis, tumors and more. It is the best method of viewing the inside of the human body without surgery. MRI machines usually have a built in intercom system so that the doctor outside of the unit can communicate with the patient receiving the scan. However, even though the MRI scanner was effective at capturing an image of the body from head to toe, the built-in intercom system had horrible sound quality. It was basically useless because the doctor and the patient inside the scanner could not hear each.  
With Clear-Com’s intercom technology, the patient and doctor using the MRI in hospitials can speak and hear each other clearly so that the entire test runs smoothly.

July 22, 2011

Friday Fun: Sometimes, It's Not Just About Work

We have many talented people here at Clear-Com. I mean, we did get our start in Rock n' Roll! So, we decided that for our Holiday Party last December, we'd put our talent to the test. We formed our very own Clear-Com Band! We may be a bit biased, but we think we're pretty good! It was definitely the best Holiday Party we've ever had.

And hopefully this year, the band will have an Encore performance......


Gimme Some Lovin' by the Clear-Com Band:

Drums: Amado Bautista (Repairs)
Bass: Emil Matignon (Technical Support)
Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals: John Pluth (Finance)
Keyboard/Lead Vocals: Rom Rosenblum (Applications Engineering)
Backup Vocals: Amber Burke (Marketing)

July 21, 2011

Partner Spotlights: AM Tecnologia (AMTEC) & Grupo Audio Diseño



Photo Credit:
audiodiseno.com.mx
 The Telemundo Expo Cine Video y Televisión tradeshow is the first show in which both of Clear-Com's distributors in Mexico exhibited both Clear-Com and the HME Wireless products. The event was held at the World Trade Center in Mexico City, Mexico from June 14th to17th.



Photo Credit:
amtec.com.mx



Historically, AM Tecnología, S.A. de C.V. (AMTEC) was the exclusive distributor within the  broadcast marketplace for Clear-Com and Grupo Audio Diseño was the exclusive distributor  within broadcast for HME Wireless products.  Grupo Audio Diseño also had distribution rights for both Clear-Com and HME Wireless products outside of the broadcast marketplace.  Now, both of our distributors will make the entire Clear-Com product line, including HME Wireless products, available to intercom users throughout Mexico.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jaz Wray, Clear-Com's Regional Sales Manager for Southwestern USA & Latin America. He can be reached via email at jaz.wray@clearcom.com or by phone at +1 510 207-3590.  

AM Tecnología, S.A. de C.V. (AMTEC)
Diagonal San Antonio
No. 934, Col. del Valle
C.P. 03100, Mexico D.F.
Tel: 55.23.14.18


Grupo Audio Diseño
Calle Mitla No. 146 Col. Narvarte
Del. Benito Juárez, México, D.F.

Tel: (55) 5530 0380, (55) 5530 3924, (55) 5538 2289
Email: ventas@audiodiseno.com.mx



July 20, 2011

Application Diagram: Small Congregation with Simple Partyline System

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application of Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download, Visio download, or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here.

Small Congregation with Simple Partyline System:
(Click on image to enlarge.)

July 19, 2011

The Hippie's Influence on Intercom

Photo Credit: Devo.com

The hippie culture, which was popularized in San Francisco in the mid-1960s, had an enormous influence on media, food, religion, and people’s attitude towards politics. Because of the hippie movement, war was perceived as unjustified violence and peace was a sustained virtue. Intercom manufacturers did not even think to provide the military with voice communication technologies because supporting war was taboo.
However, as mindsets began to change in the mid-1980s, people began to think that there was a time and place for war and peace. From Clear-Com’s perspective, we realized that if the United States were to end up in a war, we want our defense to have the best intercom equipment possible so that they can communicate clearly. We began to supply the American military with our voice communication systems and have been doing so ever since.

July 14, 2011

Video: Eclipse TDM Matrix/IP Solutions

Clear-Com unveils at NAB 2009 the industry's first Hybrid Time-Divisional Multiplexing (TDM) intercom/IP Server network. The new solution combines the reliability of traditional TDM-based architecture with the flexibility and affordability of the company's groundbreaking I.V.Core technology.
You can access this video here or on the Clear-Com website at http://www.clearcom.com/support/videos.

July 12, 2011

WINK, We're in Broadcast


Photo Credit: Broadcastengineering.com

In the late 1970s, WINK TV called Ed Fitzgerald, currently Clear-Com’s Director of Customer Satisfaction, because they wanted to purchase and install Clear-Com’s intercom systems. Ed remembers that was the first time that Clear-Com had ever received a call from a television station. During that time, we did not understand the broadcast market very well and did not know how WINK TV wanted to use our voice communication systems. We had been primarily serving the live performance industry.  


Photo Credit: Mediabistro.com

Just as concerts were using Clear-Com, the WINK TV team wanted to use our system to coordinate their television cameras during productions. Since that initial entrance into the broadcast industry, Clear-Com has become a global leader in voice communication systems. In basically every major city throughout the United States, there are television stations that utilize our equipment to stay connected.

July 7, 2011

Application Notes #1104

Application: A customer with a new (or existing) partyline intercom needs to integrate the Clear-Com partyline with his new cameras (that you probably just sold to them, right?).

Product Must: Interface 1 channel (or more) of partyline intercom with the camera's intercom, so that the operator will be able to use the camera intercom headset with no need for a partyline beltpack.

Solution: Clear-Com's Encore Partyline Intercom that includes the IF4W4 interface.

Clear-Com Encore Partyline Systems offer unsurpassed 2-wire group communication capabilities. This platform offers an intuitive plug-and-play design and superior audio clarity with the embedded "Clear-Com Sound".

The IF4W4 4-channel, 3- or 4-wire Camera Interface Rack connects Clear-Com to TV cameras, two-way radios, satellite links and other communication devices via the headset jacks or 4-wire circuits.

The best way to interface a camera intercom is, without exception, to access the intercom circuit as a 4-wire circuit and then use one of the 2-to-4 wire interfaces to convert to the 2-wire partyline, much like Clear-Com's EF-701M (single channel) or the IF4W4 unit.

The best answer for camera interfacing is to order the camera with a 4-wire intercom connection. Most higher-end cameras provide this as standard or offer it as an option. This is always the best way to interface to the camera intercom. A 4-wire connection is frequently not available on lower cost cameras. If a 4-wire connection to the camera intercom is not available, the next best choice is to interface to the headset connection on the camera CCU/DCU. (Remember: Rule #1 is that the headset connection MUST be a 3- or 4-wire circuit.)

July 6, 2011

Application Diagram: Remote OB Truck with Matrix System and External Interfaces

The following diagram provides a sample of a common application of Clear-Com products. To access the PDF download, Visio download, or to find out what Clear-Com products are shown in the diagram, click here.

Remote OB Truck with matrix system and external interfaces:
(Click on image to enlarge.)

July 5, 2011

Partner Spotlight: Musson Theatrical

Musson Theatrical has been a proud supporter of the entertainment industry since 1975. Founded by Jan Musson, they specialize in providing theatrical lighting, sound, scenery, and special effects for performing arts, education, worship, photographic, film, video, event, television, trade show, and themed environment applications. They offer rental, sales, and production services. Today, Musson is one of the largest full service theatrical supply houses in the nation.

Musson Theatrical and Clear-Com have been collaborating since the 1970s to provide intercom systems with quality audio and demonstrated reliability. Musson first chose Clear-Com because they were the most reputable in their industry. They have Clear-Com’s wired main stations, wired beltpacks, and headsets for rental. They also have an inventory of those products along with Clear-Com’s speaker stations and accessories for sale. Because of Musson’s goal to support the arts and cultural organizations, they provide the very best in product availability, pricing, customer service, and support.

In the upcoming months, Musson Theatrical will offer their customers the convenience of e-commerce from their website. For more information on Musson Theatrical, visit http://www.musson.com/.

890 Walsh Ave
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Ph. 1-800-THEATER