Video: EXPERT Wireless Systems

Clear-Com is the only intercom provider in the industry to bring a spectrum of wireless intercom systems for professional users who may require a standalone wireless system or an integrated wireless solution to complete their communication needs.

This video talks about the wireless products within the EXPERT category. Learn about the HME PRO850, Tempest2400, Tempest900, and CellCom/FreeSpeak product lines.


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

Prosecutors Will Be Violated

Photo Credit: papundits.files.wordpress.com

Ed Fitzgerald, Clear-Com’s Director of Customer Satisfaction, started with Clear-Com in 1977. He remembers when their building was located on 759 Harrison Street in San Francisco. Even though the building stood 110 ft tall, it only had four stories, each of which was 25 ft tall.

From the outside, the facility looked like an old coffee warehouse, but inside, the team simmered with creativity to develop the best intercom systems.

The very first day that he approached Clear-Com, there was a sign on the huge roll up door that caught his attention. The sign was in front of a “No Parking” zone. It said, “Prosecutors will be violated” instead of “Violators will be prosecuted”. From that moment forth, he knew that Clear-Com was a very different company.    

Friday Fun: Are You Partyline Savvy? (Matching Game)

How well do you recognize Clear-Com's partyline intercom gear? Now is the time to test your knowledge.

Can you match each of these products with their picture below?

• Mainstations
• Wired Beltpacks
• Power Supplies
• Remote Stations
• Wall Mount/Speaker Stations
• Interfaces
• Que-Com
• Wireless IFB Intercom
• Program Interrupt (IFB) 

  

                                  

 Click here to find the answers.





Video: ADVANCED Wireless Systems

Clear-Com is the only intercom provider in the industry to bring a spectrum of wireless intercom systems for professional users who may require a standalone wireless system or an integrated wireless solution to complete their communication needs.

This video talks about the wireless products within the ADVANCED category. Learn about the HME DX300ES, HME DX210, and WBS product lines.

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

The Sinking Water Elevator

In the late 1970s, Clear-Com’s budget was limited so they had a water elevator, which went up and down on a piston, to help the team move equipment up and down their four floors.


To make the elevator go up, someone would push a button and a large pump forced water into and under the piston to drive the elevator up. When anyone used the elevator to go up, everyone could hear the motor turn. To go down, the valve would open and water would rush out, which sounded like someone was flushing a large toilet.



Photo Credit: Skyscrapersim.com



 Unfortunately, the water from the pump often got mixed with oil and the elevator started leaking since water and oil do not mix. Over time, the elevator even began sinking.

How did Clear-Com deal with this issue?*


The Clear-Com staff followed this advice:
“Make sure that when you go up to third floor, go just a bit above that floor so that you have just enough time to push the heavy cart with the equipment out before the elevator starts sinking.”


*Clear-Com did periodic repairs to the elevator and it would start to function again. Clear-Com is not endorsing sinking water elevators. User discretion is advised.

Video: BASIC Wireless Systems

Clear-Com is the only intercom provider in the industry to bring a spectrum of wireless intercom systems for professional users who may require a standalone wireless system or an integrated wireless solution to complete their communication needs.

This video talks about the wireless products within the BASIC category. Learn about the HME DX100, HME DX121, and HME DX200 product lines.

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

Did I Get a Prank Call?

Over 10 years ago at a NAB tradeshow, Clear-Com was exhibiting the first FL-1 Call Signal Flasher along with the rest of its equipment. The FL-1 Call Signal Flasher connects to any Clear-Com or compatible intercom system. It provides a visual and an audible indication of a call signal on the intercom channel. The flasher emits a bright red strobe light twice a second in response to a call. The flasher also rings like a telephone to catch the attention of the call receiver.

When an application engineer demonstrated the FL-1 Call Signal Flasher’s functions at NAB, many people that were near the table or walking by the Clear-Com exhibit would answer their cell phones when the flasher rang. When they picked up their phones to talk, they realized that no one was on the other end and thought that they had just received a prank call. We were really just demonstrating that our equipment worked and it worked marvelously! The sound from the flasher was loud enough to grab others’ attention, proving that it functioned just as it should.

Friday Fun: Poll Time!

Will you be attending the InfoComm Show next week?

Video: The Need for Wireless

Clear-Com is the only intercom provider in the industry to bring a spectrum of wireless intercom systems for professional users who may require a standalone wireless system or an integrated wireless solution to complete their communication needs. Carrying the broadest range of wireless intercom options, Clear-Com is able to offer a solution for practically any requirement, budget, and environments.

This video gives an overview of what criteria you need to consider when selecting the proper wireless intercom product. Learn tips on how to evaluate your needs, your surroundings and the technical requirements needed for your application.

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

The Miss Manners of Intercom

When you're on a partyline system, everyone is connected together. In order to not annoy everyone on the line, there are a few simple guidelines that should be followed. So, let's take a moment to talk about basic intercom etiquette.

#1: Announce clearly that you are going "off headset". That way it will let the Stage Manager know that you will be offline.

#2: Turn off your mic when you are "off headset" so that it won't pick up ambient noise and cause interference with those still online.

#3: Turn you headset volume to a minimum when "off headset" so the headset feed will not distract the talent or audience.

#4: Keep you beltpack and headset away from hum-causing electromagnetic radiation as much as possible (ie computer monitors, electric motors, lighting patch panels, dimmer packs, etc.)

#5: Although designed to be rugged, system components can be damaged if tripped over or stepped on in the dark. Do not leave the headset or beltpack unattended on the floor. Place them on a chair or table when not in use.

#6: Background noise can be picked up by open mics. You mic switch should be turned "off", except when you have something production-related to say.

#7: Just because intercom is a communication system, does not mean it's a chat-line. Keep conversations limited to production-related talk. You never know who may be listening!!

No "Resting" in the Restroom

Photo Credit: Marketingpilgrim.com

Clear-Com equipment is used by the military, in churches, for concerts, and even in the restroom of all places.

Long ago at one television station in Italy, the manager noticed that several of his staff members went missing from meetings or during critical working hours when they were needed immediately. He didn’t know where to find them and didn’t know how to get in touch with them. One day, he discovered that many of them went to the restroom to literally use it as “room of rest” from their production. The manager decided to have Clear-Com install its partyline intercom system in the restroom so that he could reach them whenever they were needed. The staff no longer had an excuse for not showing up to the production simply because they didn’t know. The staff now had accessible information even from the toilet. The installation of Clear-Com’s partyline intercom system reduced unnecessary breaks and optimized the work environment at the television station.

Friday Fun: Basic Intercom Crossword

Think you know basic intercom? 

Try to solve this crossword puzzle!

>>Click here to download the PDF





And for those that want to see how they did:
>>Click here to see the Answer Key

Video: Hybrid Network Guide

Clear-Com's Hybrid Network is a single communication network comprised of two combined technologies: Eclipse TDM matrix technology and IP-server based communications. By embedding I.V.Core into traditional hardware panels and soft-panels, communication workflow options are endless.

Hybrid Network

You can watch our Clear-Com Hybrid Network Support Guide below or access it here:
http://www.clearcom.com/support/videos

Can You Use a Bluetooth Headest with Intercom?

Yes, you can thanks to a company called JK Audio, based in Illinois.

Introducing the BlueSet™ series of intercom headset adaptors, using Bluetooth Wireless Technology. You can stay connected to your personal Bluetooth ear-set by pairing the BlueSet to your device. Just plug the BlueSet  into a beltpack or an intercom panel's headset jack and off you go. It's a great find for those who want their headset to be wire-free!

What's also cool about it is that you can also pair the BlueSet to your cell phone and use that to connect your partyline channel to the phone call. Kind of like a bluetooth telephone hybrid! Very cool indeed!

Keep in mind, though, that Bluetooth has limited audio quality. However, in many applications, this is just what the Comms Doctor ordered!