Issue 105 - September 2015
Reliable and fail-safe communications for the broadcast of live events are more important than ever. On site, broadcasters only have one chance to grab the perfect image for the viewer with time being a crucial factor. The larger the event, the more viewers it reaches and the higher the risk that something could go wrong. As a consequence, reliable, non-blocking, high-performance communication between all participants is essential. In broadcasting, nothing can happen unless everyone can talk and communicate with each other, explains Nico Lewis, Senior Sales Manager RTS Intercoms. That is why high profile live events such as Wimbledon, the Winter Games or the Superbowl rely on RTS intercom systems to provide communication in their broadcasting OB trucks.
The latest member to this prominent circle is the MotoGP. The Italian broadcast specialist ONE TV is relying on RTS intercoms to support its coverage of the premier championship of motorcycle road racing worldwide for Sky Italia. Live productions are always challenging, as you only have one shot at getting everything right, says Rosario Castaldi, Senior Account Manager at ONE TV. For the MotoGP, we also need to bear in mind that our whole system has to fit inside two flight cases. The tight schedule of the MotoGP calendar poses a further challenge: Some months, races are held on consecutive weekends. The scant time available for setting up and breaking down the system is therefore an extremely important factor.
The basis for our work is communication, says Castaldi. Without being able to speak to one another, we would be unable to implement productions successfully. To assure communications, ONE TV brought in Professional Show, RTS partner and Italys largest system integrator. Together they devised a communication system built upon RTS equipment. An RTS ADAM-M mid-size modular intercom matrix equipped with MADI, VOIP-enabling RVON and analog cards constitutes the heart of the system deployed each weekend. A total of 14 color display keypanels with integrated DSP processing, multidirectional keys and an intuitive graphic user interface are connected to the compact digital audio matrix thereby allowing user-friendly operation and ensuring highest audio quality. RTS gooseneck microphones complete the mobile installation.
The intercom equipment from RTS is highly flexible and delivers first class performance qualities essential for any live production, explains Castaldi. What we especially appreciate during the MotoGP is the fact that the system is easy and quick to set up. With MADI on board, we can integrate the system into the audio networks on site using standard cabling. The RVON system additionally allows us to become an extension of the Sky Italia system through trunking.
The performance of the systems has been so outstanding that ONE TV is set to make broader use of them. ONE TV is currently developing another flyaway system. The mobile production room will include 24 cameras and all the equipment needed for the host broadcast production of the three Superbike races outside Europe. Rosario Castaldi: In view of the fantastic experience we have had with RTS, its obvious that RTS equipment will be on board.
Intercom highlights at IBC
One of these could the new RTS KP-Series the highlight of the RTS booth at IBC (booth B48, hall 10). The KP-Series keypanels set a new milestone within the RTS product range, combining HD color displays, intuitive operation and full compatibility with all existing RTS matrices in a modern design. KP-Series keypanels are suitable for a wide range of intercom product customers such as broadcast production studios, theater and sport venues, houses of worship, and outside broadcast vans.
The new KP-Series family from RTS includes three members: The KP-5032 (a two-rack unit keypanel with 32 operation keys), the KP-4016 (a one-rack unit keypanel with 16 operation keys) as well as the EKP-4016 (a one-rack unit extension panel with 16 operation keys). All KP-Series keypanels are backwards compatible with RTS analog matrices and have future-proof OMNEO IP technology on board using Dante transmission protocol.
Each KP-Series keypanel features a full-color HD display offering superior color, contrast, resolution, and viewing angle. The keypanels are capable of displaying Latin, Cyrillic and simplified Chinese characters. Additionally, RTSs latest product innovation allows intuitive single hand operation by ergonomically designed four-way levers providing talk/listen and volume. The KP-Series of panels now offer as standard a full range of external connections for GP-I/O and ancillary audio functions, which were previously optional. Superior sound quality with design assistance is provided by the EV speaker engineering R&D group.
