Intercoms: What s on the Market Today

By pro-audio standards, intercoms are a small market sector but a critical one. Here are the latest offerings from the market leaders.

Clear-Com's HelixNet

Clear-Com

New HelixNet Version 3.0, a free software-only update to the HelixNet digital network partyline platform, was developed in response to the growing need for more communication channels to support live sports productions. The upgrade covers five major areas. Channels: A single HelixNet main station will now create 12 PL channels available for use as a system, no linking required. An optional license allows 12 more channels to be added for a total of 24 PL channels. Linking: Because all channels reside in one main station called the Link Master, linking is used only to add I/O capability or expansion-panel function to a linked system. Panel Expansion: HelixNet Main Stations and Remote Stations can be configured to act as expansion panels in a linked system. This allows a user to access all 12 or 24 channels much like a matrix key-panel. Core Configuration Manager (CCM): Supplied free in HelixNet 3.0, the CCM is a browser-based interface for system and device configuration. It allows real-time changes to a system along with upgrade and backup/restore capabilities. The browser interface is optimized for use on computers, tablets, and smart devices connected to the HelixNet Main Station via the optional HLI-ET2 Ethernet module. Roles: A role is a preset configuration of the options for a particular device (HMS, HRM, HKB, HBP). The number of roles is essentially unlimited. Many devices can use the same role, or many unique roles can be created for use on a single type of device.

The FreeSpeak II operates in multiple license-free DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) bands from 1.897 GHz to 1.933 GHz, enabling continuous, clear communication even in RF-hostile settings and eliminates the need for frequency coordination. Its active antennas and wireless beltpacks use separate data and audio channels in DECT6 to create a dependable link between beltpacks and the base station or Eclipse HX matrices. Beltpacks possess cellular auto-roaming technology, allowing them to constantly scan and automatically select the optimal wireless signal. The beltpack is IP-65-rated, which means that it is water- and dust-resistant. The beltpack's exterior housing is also constructed with polycarbonate plastic and thermoplastic elastomer overmold, making it highly durable. FreeSpeak II is scalable: users can add more beltpack users as the team and workload grow; the system can support 20 full-duplex wireless beltpacks. Implemented as an integrated wireless solution within Eclipse HX matrices, known as FreeSpeak II Integra, up to 50 full-duplex wireless beltpacks can be used simultaneously. The system's wireless coverage can be expanded with locally powered active antennas, which can be positioned up to 3,200 ft. away; antennas centrally powered from the base station can be 800 ft. away. Five-way antenna splitters and up to 10 antennas can be installed to create a wide coverage zone for beltpack users to roam. FreeSpeak II beltpacks offer five intercom channels to enable efficient management of workflows. Such features as Listen Again message replay as well as battery health, RF status, and antenna-link monitoring add to the convenience of the system. www.clearcom.com

DELEC

The company's oratis compact professional intercom matrices provide a highly cost-effective entry-level solution. The platform offers up to 48 digital panel ports (16 on AES/EBU, 32 via Dante) and up to 120 four-wire ports (16 two-channel AES/EBU, 64 Dante, 24 analog I/O lines) in only 1RU, featuring the CS 1624 Dante model. Product versions CS 1212 Dante and CS 0800 Dante downscale these specifications to meet smaller port-count setups at a minimum price. DELEC is also present in large systems providing non-blocking solutions with more than 4,000 active ports with its oratis MF4 frames (all of which can drive intercom panels). During IBC2014, DELEC announced the world's first intelligent trunking solution for professional wired intercom and RF handheld two-way radios.

DELEC recently integrated Kenwood NEXEDGE technology into its matrices. Using one digital RIF interface equipped with one or two Kenwood base stations, the DELEC system enables dedicated calls to one of 63 NEXEDGE groups or talk to one of 189 single-unit IDs. Likewise, handhelds are able to address a single DELEC subscriber through this interface. NEXEDGE is a digital TDM-based algorithm modulated on a single RF channel supporting up to 65,000 ID addresses. DELEC users have the option to transparently interface to the third-party VCOM virtual-intercom system, enabling extended communication over cellular, WiFi, and the Internet. This facilitates local, national, and international bidirectional communication. This feature is fully programmable, allowing access via the DELEC IconXP user interface. www.delec.de/delec/index.php/en/

Riedel

Artist is a digital matrix platform for intercom applications and the distribution of analog and digital audio and TCP/IP data signals. The system comprises a fiber-based backbone providing a decentralized infrastructure for live audio and intercoms with matrix sizes up to 1,024 1,024 ports. Multiple frames can be interconnected by a dual optical-fiber ring to form a single large, full-summing, non-blocking distributed matrix. With Riedel's new AES67 client card for Artist, installed into the Artist mainframe and configurable through the Director software, the platform can accommodate both AVB and AES67 audio networks. The interface will also allow AES67 connectivity between the Artist and Smartpanels, as well as other third-party devices.

Tango is Riedel's first network-based communications platform supporting both the AES67 and AVB standard

LINK:	http://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/02/04/tech-focus-intercoms-part-2/...
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