Riedel’s Artist Digital Matrix Intercom System Delivers Greater Flexibility to Versus Network

Riedel
Communications’ state-of-the-art Artist Digital Matrix Intercom System, as well
as the company’s digital beltpack system Performer, will be the heart of
VERSUS’ communications system in its new 18,000 square foot HD production
studio in

Stamford,

Connecticut.

VERSUS, a cable
television sports network owned by Comcast and shown in the United States, reaches
more than 72 million homes with live event programming that includes the Tour
de France, the National Hockey League (NHL), collegiate sports from top
conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West, the America’s Cup,
and World Extreme Cagefigthing.
VERSUS
will be utilizing Riedel’s cutting edge technology at the network’s studio to
ensure seamless communications during production.

“I was
impressed with the system’s audio quality,” commented Paul Koopmann, director
of engineering for VERSUS.

“It’s a far
superior product in its design in both its intuitive user interface for
programming and ease of change.

The
control panels were more flexible, offered additional features and were easier
to use.

I was truly blown away when I
saw the panels.”

VERSUS
employed one Artist 128 intercom mainframe just in time for the NHL season,
which began on September 30.

Artist is
designed as a powerful matrix platform for intercom, as well as the
distribution of analog and digital audio and TCP/IP data signals. The system
consists of a fiber-based network backbone providing a decentralized
infrastructure for live audio and intercom applications.

Multiple matrix frames (nodes) are
interconnected by a dual optical fiber ring to form a single large, full
summing, non-blocking distributed matrix. The maximum distance between two
nodes can be up to 1650 ft as standard, and optionally up to 12 mi.

This allows a high degree of decentralization
of the entire matrix in a very cost-effective way. As a result, the matrix
frames can be located near the intercom stations of a specific studio or
production facility, saving a considerable amount of wiring and installation
costs.

“When you
have to wear a headset and talk to people that are in different locations, you
don’t want them to sound like they are communicating over a tin can for six
hours of a production,” stated Koopmann.

“What truly sold me was when I put the headset on and listened to the
quality of production; I was floored because it sounded like there were
professional audio microphones all around.”

The Artist 1000 LED Series provides easy-to-operate, high-tech control panels
with broadcast quality audio, minimum dimensions and outstanding design. The
1000 Series are the premium control key-panels from Riedel and are available in
19“rack-mount, desktop and modular (Danner) versions. VERSUS will be using the RCP-1012,
the DCP-1016 and the ECP-1012PT from the Artist 1000 Series.

All control key-panels feature bright,
dimmable 8-digit alpha-numeric LED displays, individual rotary encoder for
listen level control and LED level indication for each talk key.

A special alphanumeric 8-digit LED display
key has been developed, which allows clear labeling of destinations and excellent
readability under all lighting conditions. These exclusive display keys are
used on all 1000 Series control and expansion key-panels, resulting in an
ultra-compact design. All Artist control panels are connected to the matrix
digitally through an AES3-Signal over a single Cat5 or Coax cable resulting in
perfect audio quality.

“The
Riedel system, unlike others, is modular,” Koopmann adds.

“You can start with whatever size you want
and build up.

That was critical, because
with our growth in sports programming, I can’t lock myself into a size.

It gave me the flexibility and versatility to
be able to do what I need today, as well as tomorrow, with growth.”

Versus
also employed the Performer Series with the use of the C44 and C3 two-channel
digital beltpacks.

The C44 system
interface makes the Performer Series the first fully integrated ‘digital’
solution for combined digital matrix and partyline intercom. The C44 converts four
two-channel CAT5 matrix ports to four powered beltpack lines. Up to 16 beltpacks
can be daisy-chained on each line, one single C44 can power up to 38 beltpacks.
C3 is an ergonomically shaped, fully digital 2-channel beltpack that includes
popular features from conventional analog partyline systems including
daisy-chaining. Unlike its analog counterparts it’s completely noise-free and
hum-free.

The
Connect Solo Telephone Hybrid interfaces the Versus intercom system via analog
a/b telephone connections to PSTN public telephone networks.

The device combines two independent analog
POTS telephone hybrids in one halfrack/1RU device. One unit – two hybrids: This
saves rackspace and is a valuable advantage, especially for mobile production
units. The Versus installation features four Connect Solo devices, which can be
conveniently controlled directly from the control panels via the integrated
telephone key-pad of the ECP-1012 PT expansion panels.