Tech Focus: Intercoms, Part 2 — Suppliers’ Offerings Reflect Increased Reliance on Remote Production

Seamless communications connect diverse platforms and environments

By pro-audio standards, intercoms represent a small market sector, but it’s a critical one — and, in the age of supercharged remote production, increasingly competitive. Here’s a look at the latest intercom offerings from the market leaders.

Click here for Tech Focus: Intercoms, Part 1 — Comms Are Complicated by Production’s New Realities.
Click here for Tech Focus: Intercoms, Part 3 — Comms Are Key for Chess Competitions, Debuting as an Olympic Sport in Paris.

Clear-Com

Clear-Com LQ IP interface

The Eclipse HX digital matrix, LQ Series of IP interfaces, the Agent-IC mobile app, and the new Station-IC virtual-desktop client were used extensively to enable seamless communications for remote-production activities during the pandemic. Agent-IC and its Station-IC desktop counterpart provide easy-to-implement communication between facility-based staff and production teams on location for field reporting, live event production, remote coordination, and other critical tasks. “At-home” production personnel who have downloaded the app onto their desktop, smartphone, tablet, or wearable device can connect to a host Eclipse HX digital matrix or local and remote LQ IP interfaces over 3G, 4G, LTE, and Wi-Fi networks. App and desktop users have a fully functional intercom panel that can monitor the intercom system and receive IFB feeds. LQ can extend the capabilities and intercom channels of an Eclipse HX system to one or more remote locations by positioning an LQ device at the destination location and interfacing with Clear-Com wired beltpacks, SIP clients, or any Agent-IC mobile-app user or Station-IC desktop user.

A single local or remote LQ device can host 16 Agent-IC and/or Station-IC users, and a link group can host up to 48 total Agent-IC and/or Station-IC users, where LQ acts as the server. With a host Eclipse HX matrix, many more Agent-IC users can access the production intercom remotely; the number of users able to access the main intercom depends on the quantity of IP ports on the E-IPA cards. LQ devices can link different industry-standard 2-wire intercom and 4-wire audio systems together, regardless of brand and platform. They also work with SIP telephony systems, allowing Clear-Com’s portfolio of intercom systems to seamlessly connect with VoIP phones. The FreeSpeak II digital wireless solution is available for use in the 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. http://www.clearcom.com/

Pliant Technologies

Pliant Technologies CrewCom CB2 wireless intercom

The CrewCom wireless intercom system features full-duplex wireless radio packs and excellent range, with multiple RF access points connecting via copper (100 m) or fiber (10 km). CrewCom wireless products are available in 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz models (where the latter band is legal). Any combination of the frequency bands may be used on the same CrewCom system. Pliant also recently introduced its 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz IP-rated radio transceivers, which now allow RF access in the toughest weather conditions without the need for rain covers or external boxes. CrewCom CB2, also available in 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz, offers the same CrewCom wireless technology along with ease-of-use and high-level performance at an affordable price point for a full-featured intercom system.

Both CrewCom and CB2 offer a High Density mode that greatly increases user densities. For CrewCom, the software-selectable mode supports 32 radio packs (RPs) on a single radio transceiver while dynamically allowing any four of them to communicate in full duplex across four conferences. This allows the system to scale up to hundreds of users, providing adaptability for almost any application.

MicroCom XR digital wireless intercom system provides portable, full-duplex, multi-user intercom. The robust two-channel intercom system is available in 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz and is able to have up to 10 full-duplex users and unlimited listeners, providing flexibility for a range of applications. https://plianttechnologies.com/products/crewcom/

Riedel Communications

Riedel Communications Bolero beltpack

The Artist digital-matrix audio and intercom ecosystem is designed to manage diverse audio formats: AES3, AES67 (including SMPTE ST 2110-30/31), Dante, VoIP, and analog. Operating on a fiber-based backbone, the compact system establishes a decentralized infrastructure for live audio and intercoms, achieving highly scalable matrix sizes from 16×16 ports up to 1024×1024 ports within a mere 2RU. Dual optical-fiber rings allow multiple frames to seamlessly interconnect and form a unified, full-summing, non-blocking distributed matrix that appears to the user as one cohesive system. User-friendly Director configuration software ensures ease of operation with the industry’s fastest upload times.

The versatile Bolero DECT-based wireless intercom system operates in the license-free 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz ranges. Whether integrated into the Artist digital-matrix intercom or used independently, Bolero serves as a wireless beltpack, wireless keypanel, or a two-way radio. Innovative technologies, such as the Advanced DECT Receiver (ADR) and near-field communication (NFC), enhance Bolero’s capabilities, offering multipath tolerance improvement, easy beltpack registration, and RF-frequency monitoring. Bolero boasts six channels, Bluetooth connectivity, custom audio filters, and battery life of nearly 18 hours plus charger monitoring.

In addition, Riedel offers PunQtum, an IP-based digital partyline enabling straightforward network-based partyline intercom deployment. Additionally, the TAC ultra-lightweight in-ear headset is designed for demanding environments and offers maximum intelligibility and a secure fit, with a noise-canceling microphone and XLR connector.

The 1200 Series SmartPanels provide multiple full-color multi-touch displays, hybrid lever keys, software-defined app integration for multifunctionality, and adaptability to diverse workflows. Available in 2RU and 1RU versions, the panels combine advanced intercom, control, automation, and audio-monitoring functionalities while saving valuable rack or desk space. All 1200 Series SmartPanels inherently support AES67, including SMPTE ST 2110-30/31l; offer connectivity options via fiber SFP or copper RJ45 connections; and provide flexibility through daisy-chaining and redundancy options, including SMPTE ST 2022-7. https://www.riedel.net/en/

RTS

RTS DBP digital beltpack

The new DBP four-channel/four-button wired beltpack runs on PoE (802.3af and 802.3at) and connects using OMNEO IP technology (Dante, AES70, and others). Hybrid design supports both digital-partyline and matrix-keypanel modes: as a digital partyline device, DBP connects to an OMS; as a portable keypanel, including point-to-point communication, DBP can be connected to any RTS digital/IP matrix product using OMNEO, such as OMI cards in ADAM/ADAM-M frames or OMNEO ports on ODIN frames. DBP automatically selects the correct mode of operation (digital partyline/OMS or keypanel/matrix) when connected and switched on.

Using the license-free DECT frequency band, ROAMEO provides high-quality audio via a seamlessly integrated digital wireless beltpack and associated access points. Operating like a wireless keypanel, ROAMEO can be fully integrated into an existing ADAM series. The system comprises the TR-1800 beltpack, AP-1800 access point, and charger, holster, and pole-mount kit accessories. Connection to a digital matrix is established via a single Ethernet cable. The system can use standard IT infrastructure, and access points can be daisy-chained. ROAMEO’s cellular structure can cover a wide area with seamless roaming between individual cells. Users can expand the coverage area by adding further access points, and additional wireless beltpacks can be directly addressed as part of a wired RTS matrix intercom system. Depending on the audio codec deployed, users can select between a higher emphasis on voice quality (G.722 full bandwidth) or a more efficient use of the radio spectrum with a higher number of beltpacks (G.726 narrow-band). ROAMEO can be configured via scroll lists on the beltpacks or via the control software, which allows users to configure the complete intercom system. It offers a large color LED display and intuitive icon-based menu, and, with the four talk/listen buttons shaped differently to provide tactile feedback, operation of the device is possible in low-light environments. http://www.rtsintercoms.com/

Telos Alliance

Telos Infinity intercom family

The Telos Infinity family of matrix-free IP-connected intercom products comprises an ecosystem of rack-mount and desktop intercom panels, beltpacks, headsets, and enterprise software for complete control of large-scale intercom installations. Infinity products offer native support for AES67 and ST 2110-30 AoIP standards, enabling easy interoperability with Telos Alliance products via Livewire+ AoIP, as well as legacy third-party analog, AES, SDI, and MADI systems. The Infinity VIP cloud-based intercom system enables TV producers, technicians, and field operators to instantly extend comms to smartphones, tablets, and computers using standard HTML5-capable browsers. The award-winning Infinity VIP App for Android and iOS devices allows admins to invite participants via email links that automatically open preconfigured virtual-intercom panels on smartphones and tablets. Infinity VIP can be hosted on the client’s choice of an on-premises server, cloud platform installation via AWS (Amazon Web Services), or the Telos Alliance AP-3000 hardware platform. Infinity VIP is available in a SaaS model, incorporated into such platforms as Grass Valley’s AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform) and Vizrt’s Viz Now. https://www.telosalliance.com/infinity