Riedel Provides Seamless Behind-The-Scenes Communications For HP Pavilion At San Jose Arena

Riedel Communications is providing seamless
communications for the production team of California’s HP Pavilion at San Jose
arena. The 20,000-seat arena, which was recently renovated to include
Riedel’s advanced intercom system, hosts a number of sporting events and is
home to the San Jose Sharks ice hockey team, San Jose Stealth lacrosse team and
the San Jose Saber Cats arena football team. Besides sports, the arena
also hosts live concerts, family shows and World Wrestling Entertainment
matches and exhibitions.
Pro Media/Ultrasound was responsible for the
integration and implementation of the Artist Digital Matrix intercom system.
According to Pro Media/Ultrasound’s Demetrius Palavos, “Riedel Communications
is providing the arena with behind-the-scenes communications that is versatile
for all of the different events it hosts throughout the year. The
flexibility that this system offers is second to none. Operators will be
able to make changes to panels with a touch of a button that will allow them to
be more efficient.”
One Artist 128 and one Artist 32 digital
intercom matrix mainframe is acting as the heart of the installation,
administering all audio and communication signal distribution throughout HP
Pavilion’s indoor arena. The Artist platform is designed to interconnect
multiple matrix frames (nodes) by a dual optical-fiber ring to form a single
large, full summing, non-blocking distributed matrix for up to 1,024 users,
providing a decentralized infrastructure for live audio and intercom applications
and saving a considerable amount of wiring and installation costs.
The Artist platform features AES3/EBU
broadcast-quality audio throughout the entire system, not only within the
matrix but also to the panels, which are connected to the matrix via a standard
AES3 signal on Coax or CAT5 cables. On top to the intercom application the
Artist 1000 panels provide a second audio channel which can be used for audio
transport or commentary applications. The panels also provide local GPI/Os
which can be programmed system-wide. In addition, the dimmable alphanumeric
8-digit LED display keys of the Artist 1000 series control panels allow clear
labeling of destinations and excellent readability under all lighting
conditions.
“The system is simply flawless,” comments
Greg Carrolan, technical director of the HP Pavilion. “This is the
clearest communications system that we have used. The flexibility of
programming; the clarity and quality of the communications system is just
astonishing.”