Q&A: Clear-Com Intercoms for Venues

We had a chance to sit down with Vinnie Macri, Market Outreach Manager for Clear-Com, to talk about intercoms needs in venues, IP infrastructure, how integrators choose the right system, and who should be involved in the deployment of those systems. 


Q: What are the main types of venues that use intercoms?

A: "Venues" is a broad topic, but when you think of them, one thinks of Performing Arts to House of Worship to Sporting facilities and anything in between. What they all have in common for intercom is that these venues are places where productions happen - shows! These could be for television or for live audiences or combination special events, like political conventions. These are all productions that require specialized communications to make them successful. For Clear-Com, we have an extensive network of rental partners servicing these facilities. Within the facilities themselves, you will find many permanent installations for broadcast and live shows costing sometimes millions of dollars. Right in the heart is a production intercom system like Clear-Com.

Q: Most venues now have an IP infrastructure onsite. How is this type of network used for intercom systems?

A: First of all, some, not all facilities have an IT infrastructure useable for production. If one refers to infrastructure simply as category cable, then yes - a lot of facilities have category cable run throughout. It is a decision for the production and how the facility has to operate from a tenant's or user's perspective that may or may not leverage the category infrastructure. IP protocols are the predominant transport methods used in networking. Clear-Com has designed communication solutions that use standardized IP protocols for over a decade and more recently with specialized products for remote-to-facility productions. These solutions are usable on any IT infrastructure. We find that most modern facilities, or older updated ones, have referred any IT work to a consultant. Within the facility, it is typically the IT department who will manage the network and they are the most helpful in accommodating any intercom devices that sit on the network, whether it's for in-house maintenance crews use or for a show. Within today's venues it is the IT department making most of the decisions.

Q: What are the benefits?
A: Routing is the key benefit for network audio, including some intercom applications. Used in intercom workflows, routing primarily involves audio "program" feeds to users, typically talent. Certainly, having IP distributed around a venue makes the cabling and interconnection of devices much easier, and less time consuming for both set-up and tear down no matter if its copper or fiber based. Using an IP network within a venue for intercom deployment is not necessarily of value because these systems tend to be fixed. Where they do become interesting is when we turn to the use of tablets, smartphones and laptops running Clear-Com intercom applications, where users are not fixed and would like to operate with other devices on the network - fixed and remote.

Q: What are the disadvantages? How can they be overcome?
A: Being that the industry is working towards standardizations for low-latency audio transport over a network, it's with great anticipation that we hope to see more interoperability between manufacturer products and not simply audio network interfacing. The biggest discovery - we wouldn't say disadvantage - is the lack of understanding about networking and the realization that networking is not necessarily a cheaper solution and requires a lot of design consultation and cooperation between all interested departments. For venues with fixed or virtual intercom devices sitting on a network, there are no disadvantages other than the realization of living in an imperfect IP world with some latency. This of course is a matter of design.

Q: How can an integrator best choose a system that suits its client's needs?
A: Whenever a consultant is not present and when an integrator is asked to design communication systems for venues, we always suggest that they use our services. Sometimes we recommend a consultant! Clear-Com has worked hard in offering Partners web portal access, including a consultant specific portal, to design tools and system design reviews. Designing and selecting the correct pieces for a specific client use and workflow differs from venue to venue. There is no one size. Clear-Com has a distinct advantage that we offer more solutions than any other intercom manufacturer that includes: analog wired partyline, digital networked wired partyline, numerous wireless partyline, digital matrix, system interfaces, virtual communications and communication sub-systems, such as IFB and commentary.

Q: In an area where staff using the system are often temporary or freelance, what is the best route to deploying a system that is understood and easy to use by people that are often operating in high-pressure environments?
A: There are some aspects of using intercom or deploying intercom that should not be left to chance. Besides the obvious, when you're over your head, stop digging and ask for help.  Most freelance technicians coming into a venue specialize in intercom systems. If you look at some of the biggest shows, there are dozens of independent freelance comms engineers that understand the systems. As a manufacturer, we tend to develop user devices that are familiar and easy to use; however, depending on the complexity of the device and the overall system intention to meet a workflow, we find and recommend appointing an educated A1 to lead the communication team. A clear part that Clear-Com plays is education and we offer many avenues for understanding intercom including tutorials, videos, and accredited courses.

Vinnie Macri is the Market Outreach Manager for Clear-Com. He has extensive experience in the theater, live performance and broadcast intercom, working with customers and consultants in all markets for intercom education.

Do You Need a LAN or a WAN?

When designing an IT network topology, you might want to consider a Campus Area Network (CAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) or a Tiny Area Network (TAN), but most certainly a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) will do the job. All of these networking schemes utilize the same switches and file transfer technologies and are used to connect computers and devices, allowing them to communicate in a specific geographical area or region.

You might be most familiar with the computer networking terms like LAN or WAN, which are thrown around a lot in conversations about setting up IT networks and collaborative environments, but what do they really mean to your organization? 

LOCAL AREA NETWORK

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers and network devices that are connected together, usually within the same building. Examples could be a small office or production facility, a single building or multiple buildings located on campus. 

WIDE AREA NETWORK

A Wide Area Network (WAN), as its name implies, connects several LANs together (whether nearby or in different parts of the world) and is typically used by an enterprise-level installation (a corporation or organization) or local governments that make civic information easily accessible to the public.

CONNECTIVITY

The technology employed - routers, servers, cabling, desktop clients for users - is high speed and relatively expensive. LANs tend to use high-speed connectivity technologies like Ethernet (CAT5/6 cabling) or Token Ring (all computers are connected in a ring or star topology). WANs most often use technologies like MPLS, ATM, Frame Relay and X.25 for connectivity over long distances.

LANs use Layer 1 devices, like hubs and repeaters, and Layer 2 devices, like network switches and bridges. WANs use Layer 3 devices, such as routers, multi-layer switches and specific devices like ATM or Frame Relay switches.

One LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves, while computers or other networked devices connected to a WAN are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.

The major advantage of a LAN is the speed it can reach. With a LAN, it isn't uncommon to see technology that supports 1Gbps file transfers. Most agree that a LAN can operate up to 30x faster than a WAN. The further the distance, the slower the network. However, the major disadvantage with a LAN is that it is only good as far as you can reach an Ethernet cable or WiFi signal. Simply put, you cannot buy an Ethernet cable that will reach throughout an entire building, and a WiFi connection rapidly deteriorates as you get further than a few dozen miles away.

A WAN connection is generally harder to setup, but there are many creative ways to do so. One very common way is renting a line from an Internet service provider and using their network (that's already connected to the entire world) and connecting Point A to Point B. Another way to do a WAN is connecting the devices with various wireless technologies, like cellphone towers or satellites. As you can imagine, all of these are much harder to create than setting up a LAN, and almost always demands high level professional setup and maintenance.

RELIABILITY

LANs are generally more secure than WANs, but, of course, WANs enable more widespread connectivity. And, while LANs tend to be owned, controlled and managed in-house by the organization where they are deployed, WANs typically require two or more of their constituent LANs to be connected over the public Internet or via a private connection established by a third-party telecommunications provider. As for actual reliability, LANs tend to have fewer problems because there are less systems to deal with. A WAN tends to be less fault tolerant as they consist of a large number of disparately located systems that have to be reliably connected.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS

One of the big disadvantages to implementing a WAN is the cost. Having a private WAN can be expensive because of the technology required to connect two remote places together. However, WANs using public networks can be setup very cost-effectively using Virtual Private Network (VPN) hardware and software, which allows a desktop computer to transparently connect to a remote network as if you were physically attached to that network. For security, the communication link between your computer and the remote VPN hardware is encrypted while using the VPN.

The maintenance costs are often lower with a LAN because it covers a relatively small geographical area, while maintaining a WAN is difficult because of its wider geographical area.

In the end, it's clear that those implementing a network - whether a LAN or a WAN - should take a hard look at how they plan to use that network and who will use it. Each topology has its advantages and disadvantages that can affect an organization's productivity significantly. Which one you choose ultimately depends on costs and your business model.

The Origin of TCP/IP

These days virtually everyone is talking about Internet Protocol (IP), the standard encoding scheme for sending audio and video files (as IP packets), either over the Internet directly or over an Ethernet-based CAT5/6 cabling network. The cable itself is favored because it is much smaller and lighter and therefore much easier to work with when building new A/V facilities. But where did the IP scheme as we know it today come from?

WHAT IS TCP/IP?

First, we have to look at Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which basically describes a protocol that will work on any sort of computer and operating system for transportation of packets of data across the internet or studio network between different systems.

Early concepts of packet networking were developed at several different research labs in the US and overseas, initially for military use. In the late 1970's, a set of networking protocols that allowed two or more computers to communicate, known as TCP/IP, were developed by The Defense Data Network, part of the Department of Defense, for widespread industry use across its Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANet). ARPANet was an early packet switching network and the first network to implement the protocol suite known as TCP/IP. Soon, several other TCP/IP prototypes were developed at multiple research centers between 1978 and 1983. However, the migration in the US of the ARPANet to TCP/IP was officially completed on January 1, 1983, when the new protocols were permanently activated across what has since become the World Wide Web.

Source: wikipedia.org

For production professionals, TCP/IP has become very important to audio file delivery and networking because it allows the flexibility to route resources to any part of a facility (or remote location) from a centralized position. It also facilitates the development of Audio-over-IP (AoIP) networks that allow convenient control and monitoring of equipment and systems, and the rapid transfer of audio and firmware files between components.

INFORMATION OVERLOAD

With the use of TCP/IP, the amount of information a single cable can carry has increased from a few thousand bits per second in the 1960's to a few billion bits per second today. Regular affordable connections in every day information systems now carry one or more gigabits of information in a single fiber cable over distances spanning many miles. This bandwidth is enough to transport hundreds of high quality audio channels, replacing hundreds of pounds of cabling in conventional systems. More importantly, the functional connections in a networked audio system can be designed separately from the physical connections in the network, due to the flexibility of the IP scheme.

The functionality opens up a wide array of exciting possibilities for the audio industry: any number of I/O locations can connect to the network anywhere in the system without the limitations of bulky cables, leaving the actual connections to be managed with easy-to-use software. Control signals can be included in the network without additional cabling. Computers can use the network to control and monitor audio devices, such as digital mixers and DSP engines. Video connections can also be included using affordable IP-controlled cameras. 

IP is allowing users to send high-quality audio feeds over long distances. This is also known as Audio Contribution over IP (ACIP), which enables programming contributions from outside members of the team as if they were in the next room.

CHANGING THE WAY YOU COMMUNICATE

Clearly, the Internet and IP have changed the way audio production is performed across a wide variety of applications. Time and space limitations are no longer valid. Professional productions now benefit from the ability to bring in all types of sources from a variety of disparate locations to support and control an array of devices.

The inevitable merging of computer networking technology and audio distribution has arrived. It's time to re-examine the assumptions and concerns (eg, latency, security, etc.) that are holding some professionals back from choosing Audio-over-IP solutions and just get on with it. IP packets can be easily sent and received in a variety of ways that help streamline workflows of all types. It also potentially enables more productivity with less people.

Early AoIP networks were plagued with dropouts, pops and clicks, with most devices limited to a paltry 10 Mbps bandwidth. Some thought that IP packets were never going to be fast enough to deliver real-time audio. With modern advances in networking connectivity, now we know you can.

Network speed is no longer a practical limiting factor. Gigabit speeds and modern switching technology ensure virtually zero packet loss under real life conditions in copper or fiber optic networks, while providing ample bandwidth for hundreds of channels of audio and other data at each node. Switched networks isolate traffic at each port, permitting thousands of channels to exist without conflict on a single network without dropouts or errors. 

MOVING FORWARD

The effect that the Internet Protocol has had on today's audio professional cannot be overstated. TCP/IP ensures that data will get to the correct destination and received in the correct order. We're living in a time of massive online growth. IP has helped make sense of it all and, really, saved the day by making our lives a whole lot easier. And the best part: an IP network will be relevant and easily upgradable for years to come.

Audio-over-IP Networking Takes Many Forms

While everyone agrees that networking audio products to create flexible workflow infrastructures is indeed the best way to distribute and leverage the multiple signals used for a video production or broadcast facility going forward, there's a bit of a debate about the most efficient way to do it. We see and hear a lot of acronyms and fancy names thrown around when it comes to networking, that is, sending audio signals over an Internet Protocol network (AoIP), but what's it all mean?

The two major competing formats - Dante (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet, a proprietary but widely accepted protocol from Australia-based Audinate) and AES67 (a more open industry initiative) - similarly convert audio signals to IP and enable complete flexibility in where audio equipment can be located and how signals travel around a facility or live production. Yet, they also have their differences. Choosing the right one has led to a bit of confusion among customers seeking to set up networks that allow individual pieces of audio equipment (microphones, mixing consoles, routers, audio processors, etc.) to communicate with each other in new and innovative ways that have not been possible before.

Both the AES67 and Dante AoIP protocols convert audio signals to IP 

and enable complete flexibility in where audio equipment can be

located and how signals travel around a facility or live production.

Many applications and proprietary networking benefit from both protocols and, interestingly, both are supported by each other in many systems cases - such as audio mixing consoles from companies like Solid State Logic and Wheatstone. And the benefits for users are potentially huge, allowing broadcasters, production studios, houses of worship and other venues to combine studios and resources as a result of IP audio networking. The flexibility of these systems makes it possible for them to change the studio from one network affiliate to another in a matter of minutes. That includes reconfiguring everything, from remote venue to mix-minus and talent mics. No longer do users have to keep dedicated studios for each show or affiliate. One, very flexible studio can serve multiple purposes.

On a practical level, IP audio is much easier to deal with and far more scalable for doing the fast-paced productions that go on in production environments these days. Mic sharing, studio swapping, and setting up IFBs are straightforward and quick, which means a good return on investment because you're able to streamline production and reduce hardware costs in many cases. 

DANTE

Dante consists of software, hardware, and network protocols that deliver uncompressed, multi-channel, low-latency digital audio over a standard Ethernet network using Layer 3 IP packets. It consists of a suite of technologies: an easy to integrate Audio-over-IP networking implementation, along with well-defined developer tools and software applications. This provides manufacturers with a complete toolkit from which to build networked products, plus it gives end users everything they need to easily design, use and manage systems with audio networking.This is very different from only having a published standard, which still requires additional building blocks, which may result in very inconsistent implementations. 

Layer 3 IP Networking Packet

Dante has been licensed by approximately 350 companies, which have in turn produced more than 1,000 products incorporating the AoIP technology. Audinate produces Dante modules, chipsets and reference designs to fit virtually any type of audio product, from tiny, cost-effective single-channel devices to massive consoles with hundreds of channels. And they all work the same way, with the same tools. Dante offers, by far, the widest uptake and the most defined advanced feature-set of the current technology options. It represents a reliable, high-capacity, ultra-low latency audio network with plug-and-play discoverability, full redundancy, advanced API, and excellent value for the customer, according to the company.

Dante is also designed to work with standard network switches, allowing it to be easily integrated with existing IP infrastructure in a facility without the need for special network hardware. Interestingly, Dante also incorporates support for AES67, allowing users to connect to other audio networks without disturbing the routing or performance of the Dante network in any way. Finally, Dante Controller software provides users with audio-specific network management tools that allow them to monitor clock health and latency in real-time. 

AES67

Many new products are now being introduced that natively support AES67. It is an AoIP interoperability standard, developed by the Audio Engineering Society and published in September 2013, which is intended to provide the audio transport and clocking requirements for different AoIP technologies to interchange audio. It does not strictly define how to control and manage these connections. The details of the configuring of these connections are then determined by each underlying technology, manufacturer implementation or a control system deployed that manages multiple technologies.

Demonstrations of the AES67 networking format have been held at several audio industry
conventions to show how the open standard helps manufacturers, integrators and end users alike.

The AES67 standard is what's called a "Layer 3" protocol software suite based on existing standards that is designed to allow interoperability between various IP-based audio networking topologies, like Ravenna and yes, Dante. It also identifies commonalities with Audio Video Bridge (AVB) and specifies real world AVB interoperability scenarios. AES67 is designed to ensure interoperability between previously competing AoIP systems and long-term network interoperation between systems. Since its publication, AES67 has been implemented independently by dozens of manufacturers and adopted by many broadcast and production facilities.

RAVENNA

Ravenna is yet another audio networking technology for real-time transport of audio and other media data in IP-based networked environments. It was first introduced in September of 2010 at the IBC convention in Amsterdam and is compatible with AES67, since all relevant mechanisms, protocols and formats used for synchronization, transport and payload mandated by AES67 are fully supported. Ravenna is based on protocol levels at or above the Layer 3 protocol. All protocols and mechanisms used within Ravenna are based on widely deployed and established standards. Ravenna can operate on most existing network infrastructures using standard networking technology. Performance and capacity scale with network performance. Ravenna is designed to meet requirements for low latency, full signal transparency and high reliability.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

So, does the audio industry have to standardize on one format? Not necessarily, according to those with experience in audio networking.

"There is space for different technologies and standards within the audio industry and it is important to recognize the difference between the two," said Tom Knowles, Product Manager of Broadcast Systems at Solid State Logic. The company's System T broadcast audio production environment is based around Audinate's Dante AoIP technology and also incorporates the AES67 standard.

"Different AoIP technologies have their own benefits and compromises. The value of a standard, such as AES67, is interoperability between the different AoIP technologies," said Knowles. "Those technologies still exist to provide added feature sets, while standards provide a level of interoperability for the user when a single technology is not used."

Today's standard industrial IT infrastructure has already overtaken the technology of AES/EBU, MADI and TDM routers in terms of performance, cost and flexibility. Networked systems deliver huge improvements in infrastructure flexibility, better scalability, and significantly lower costs. Broadcasters and systems integrators can expect more choices in selecting interoperable equipment and solutions from a range of suppliers and will have more scope to manage and control these systems.

In the end, improved flexibility, interoperability, and features like discoverability will mean the broadcasters can adapt their systems as their own needs evolve and demands change. Freedom from expensive central routing hardware means that budgetary and inflexible infrastructure obstructions to improvements, change, and renewal are removed. Networked control allows multiple operators to share core processing power, opening up many possibilities for collaborative and multi-role production.

Clear-Com Hosts Training for IATSE Local 16

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/IATSE-Local-16/156851841041721

Come join Clear-Com as we do our training for IATSE Local 16! 

Where: Moscone Center 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 

When: January 30 - 31, 2015

About the Training: Become more familiar and proficient with our Tempest wireless intercom and HelixNet digital network partyline! While these systems are certainly intuitive and provide an easy out‐of‐ box experience, we will train members to impress clients with their ability to configure and operate them at the power‐user level. Though simple configurations are instantly achievable, the more advanced features are equally easily attainable. We will also look at very new and emerging technologies in IP and fiber transport as well as the newly released FreeSpeak II DECT wireless digital intercom system. Whenever possible, we will keep the training as generic as possible, including attributes of Clear‐Com products, as well as other manufacturers’ features and models. This will include pin outs for products and handy tricks to interface all of the many popular professional intercom systems, wired or wireless, together. Your presenter has spent many years doing exactly what your members do every day. He or she can relate to the workflow and challenges which IATSE members confront at their gigs. Clear‐Com knows that a smooth gig, staffed by a knowledgeable crew leaves the client feeling well served and ready to recommend both crew and gear for future shows. This is our goal: to make the staff shine and have the client confident for the future.

Boosting Broadcast Audio at the Chinese Grammy's

Photo Credit: encn.blouinartinfo.com

Organizers of the 25th Golden Melody Awards enlisted the expertise of Larry Estrin, the Director of the Clear-Com Global Rental Group, to make the Chinese Grammy Awards as engaging as its American equivalent. Mr. Estrin helped improve the audio by reconfiguring the way the sound and communication systems were installed and used. 

Read the full story here: Boosting Broadcast Audio at the Chinese Grammy's

Application Diagram: Dispatch Operation with IP Communication

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

Dispatch Operation with IP Communication:

Application Diagram: Stand-up (News) with matrix and intercom-over-IP

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

Stand-up (News) with matrix and intercom-over-IP:

Clear-Com Achieves Blanket Coverage at World Cup Stadia

Photo Credit: Goal.com

Clear-Com will be used at all 12 World Cup venues – ranging from the smallest, Arena da Baixada, with 37,634 seats, right up to the largest, Maracanã, with a seated capacity of 37,634. Its communications technology will be interconnected via IVC-32 and VoICE units. 

Read the full story on SVG Europe: Audio@WorldCup: Clear-Com achieves blanket coverage at World Cup stadia

Audio@WorldCup: Clear-Com achieves blanket coverage at World Cup stadia

Getting Hip to the World of AoIP

Photo Credit: psneurope.com

"Audio-over-IP is not only becoming the basis for transmitting and distributing sound in a wide range of situations, it is bringing once disparate areas together," says Kevin Hilton of Pro Sound News Europe. He reports on how intercom companies have designed systems based on the AoIP format, such as Clear-Com Concert, an intercom-over-IP software solution. Read the full article on pages 28-29: Getting Hip to the World of AoIP

ICON Solution Based on VoICE2

VoICE2

VoICE2 is a 1RU, four-channel Ethernet/IP interface for extending intercom audio communications to remote sites over IP networks (LAN, WAN, Internet).

Check out our ICON solution based on VoICE2:

Benefits

• Designed for ease of setup
• Four channels of panel or four-wire over Ethernet/IP
• Automatic network bandwidth detecting CODEC's
• Selection of CODECs with varying audio qualities
• Low latency over LAN and WAN system

Learn more about ICON Solutions: Connectivity Solutions for Voice Communication Systems

ICON Solution Based on Concert Server

Concert Server

Need large scale, distributed intercom connectivity, especially over LAN, WAN, and Internet? Check our our ICON Solution based on the Concert Server.

Benefits

• Designed for IT networks 
• 144 channels of virtual intercom and/or 4-wire over IP
• Multiple nodes
• Simple audio connection to other intercom systems
• Selection of CODECs with varying audio qualities and bandwidth requirements 
• Secure and low latency over LAN and WAN systems  

Learn more about ICON Solutions: Connectivity Solutions for Voice Communications Systems

ICON Application: Simultaneous Multi-site Meetings

Today's productions are becoming more complex as facilities need intercom connectivity between multiple locations. It is crucial that the production teams have a seamless connection, whether they are in the same building or in a different country. Clear-Com's ICON Connectivity Solutions help bridge the communication connections, regardless of distance, for any given situation.

Here's a real life example of where ICON can help:

A Clear-Com user asks "We have corporate offices in San Francisco, New York, and Tokyo, and every month we hold simultaneous multi-site meetings. How can we connect all of our locations?"

Clear-Com Concert Server

Answer: If you already have a partyline intercom system, like Encore, you can add some interfaces along with a Concert-Server-4W at each location, and now you can connect all three locations to create one large intercom system. If you have a camera crew and projector screen, your director can be calling shots to show at all of the different sites; everything will be smoothly connected. 

The advantages of using Concert are:
1. You will own it.
2. It's secure on your private network.
3. There are no subscription fees or subsequent fees from a phone conference bridge.
4. You can have as many people in the group as you like. (Other systems limit you to 4 participants.)
5. Plus, Concert has outstanding audio quality and low latency.

To learn more about ICON products, visit: http://www.clearcom.com/product/icon

Private Company Makes History and Changes the Future of Space Travel with the Help of Intercom-over-IP

Driven to transform space transportation and to one day enable people to live on other planets, SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches the world's most advanced rockets and spacecraft. It is also the fastest- growing provider of launch services, performing commercial and government satellite launches as well as completing critical NASA missions to deliver cargo to the International Space Station.  To carry out their work, the SpaceX staff rely on Clear-Com Concert, an intercom-over-IP solution, to communicate with each other across different geographies and time zones.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CUSTOMER: SpaceX 

• Space transportation

• 3000+ staff members

• Hawthorne, CA headquarters

BUSINESS CHALLENGES

• Maximizing productivity

• Enterprise-wide communication

• Rapid expansion

INTERCOM SOLUTION

• 200 Clear-Com Concert Licenses

BUSINESS RESULTS

• Enhanced enterprise-wide teamwork

• Achieved significant cost savings and performance

• Improved continuity of knowledge-sharing and operations

• Higher employee satisfaction and lower resource expenditure

NEXT STEPS

• Nearly 40 upcoming launches, including 10 cargo missions to the space station

• Carry crew to space on Dragon spacecraft

Read the full case study here: Private Company Makes History and Changes the Future of Space Travel with the Help of Intercom-over-IP

Speaking of Communication

In TVB Europe's latest industry forum, Philip Stevens discussed current studio and broadcast communications issues with several industry experts, including Simon Browne, Clear-Com's Director of Product Management. Find out more about what broadcasting challenges exist and how 'the cloud' plays a part on pg. 42 of TVB Europe's June 2013 issue.

June 2013 Trade Show Wrap-Up!

Here are some key highlights from our trade shows in June!

 InfoComm     (June 12-14, 2013, Orlando, Florida)
 
InfoComm is the world’s largest pro-AV trade show and brings together more than 35,000 professionals, 925 exhibiting companies and over 300 education sessions from the industry’s most respected experts. 

At this show, Clear-Com made several exciting product announcements regarding its Eclipse HX matrix intercom, HelixNet Partyline, new RS-701 beltpack and Tempest wireless intercoms.

Eclipse HX
Press Release: Clear-Com Eclipse HX-Delta is Now Shipping Worldwide 
Video: Eclipse HX Product Overview

HelixNet Partyline
Press Release: Clear-Com Releases New HelixNet Partyline System Linking Capability at InfoComm 2013
Video: HelixNet Partyline with Network Linking Product Overview

RS-701 Beltpack 
Press Release: Clear-Com Unveils Next Generation 700 Series Analog Beltpacks at InfoComm 2013

Tempest
Press Release:Clear-Com Presents Upgrades to Its Tempest Digital Wireless Intercoms at InfoComm 2013
Video: Tempest2400 with Seamless Roaming Product Overview

We also had a popular t-shirt raffle in which we gave away one Clear-Com t-shirt per hour! Check out our Twitter page (@clearcomsystem) to find out who the winners were! 

Don't forget to watch the various application videos that we featured at the show as well:
Stadium/Arena (HelixNet Partyline and Optocore interfaces)
Performing Arts Center (Eclipse HX-Delta and Tempest2400)
House of Worship (Eclipse HX and HelixNet Partyline)

Clear-Com also exhibited at the Broadway Sound Master Classes (June 7-8, 2013, New York City, New York) and demonstrated its HelixNet Partyline system. In Asia, Clear-Com made its presence known at PALM China Expo (June 7-10, 2013, Beijing, China) as well as Broadcast Asia (June 18-21, 2013, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore).
Read more: Clear-Com Highlights Latest Broadcast Intercoms at Broadcast Asia 2013

Application Video: Stand-up (News)

This video shows how the Eclipse HX matrix and Clear-Com Concert enable broadcast communication between studio staff and the remote crew. 

Application Video: Broadcast Control Room

Watch this video to see how the Eclipse HX matrix systems, HME DX210 wireless intercom and Concert intercom-over-IP solution are being used in a typical broadcast control room. 

NAB 2013 Highlights

There was a lot of activitiy at the Clear-Com booth this year. If you didn't get a chance to stop by our booth, here are some key highlights on our products:

New Products at NAB 2013 

Eclipse HX Matrix Family, featuring NEW HX-Delta
The Eclipse HX systems offer a wide range of powerful matrix frames that are perfect for dynamic productions, enabling users to rapidly execute system changes and easily manage the configuration software. The new Eclipse HX-Delta matrix system is a cost-effective, 3RU intercom solution that can be conveniently installed in places where space is limited or throughout a multi-level studio facility. This infrastructure permits shorter cable runs and puts users closer to their intercoms.

>Read Press Release
>Watch Video
>Visit Website

HelixNet Partyline with Linking
With cabling simplicity, high channel density, and network capabilities, HelixNet Partyline is the leading digital partyline intercom for productions requiring quick set-up and multiple channels of intercom. The new HelixNet Partyline v1.1 enables linking between HelixNet systems to extend digital partyline communications to multiple sites over fiber or LAN, eliminating the need for long cable runs. Up to 20 audio channels, five program audio feeds and power for beltpacks are supported over a single shielded twisted-pair cable.
 
>Read Press Release
>Watch Video
>Visit Website

Concert v2.7
Clear-Com Concert is a secure and scalable solution for providing high-quality voice communication within a single venue or between multi-site facilities over an IP infrastructure. The new software upgrade to Concert v2.7 enables an unlimited number of remote Interface Gateway servers and allows the ability to seamlessly integrate external audio sources, such as Clear-Com equipment or other third-party analog equipment. Concert v2.7 also offers improvements in the web-based management interface, making the system even more user-friendly.
 
>Read Press Release
>Watch Video
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Tempest Enhancements
Feature-rich wireless intercoms in two or four channel offerings, the 2.4 GHz Tempest2400 and 900 MHz Tempest900 deliver cutting-edge RF technologies to ensure interference-free communications. The Tempest2400's unique Seamless Roaming feature enables continuous wireless coverage across an expanded production space, giving crew members reliable communication in multi-studio and multi-floor facilities. The latest Tempest900 BeltStation is equipped with an advanced Planar Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA) to offer more range in wireless coverage. The new Tempest Remote Transceiver Line Extender also increases coverage by extending the systems' cable run distance of a remote antenna by 3,000ft (914m) with one Line Extender or 2,000ft (609m) per Line Extender if using more than one Line Extender. Limit 3 Line Extenders per system.
 
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