
Exploring the ocean floor with RTS: IP-based intercom plays key role in bringing Nautilus Live to global audience posted: 08/02/2022
The Exploration Vessel Nautilus uses a full range of RTS intercoms for both ship operations and scientific communications on a global scale
Dual ODIN digital matrices provide the intercom backbone, incorporating KP series keypanels and a ROAMEO wireless system to maximize communications flexibility
Land-based scientists and students participate remotely via telepresence using IP-based RTS VLink virtual intercom software
--
Established by Dr. Bob Ballard in 2008, the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) is a nonprofit dedicated to studying the world's oceans, acting as the eyes and ears of researchers and observers globally. OET operates the 68-meter exploration vessel Nautilus and its two remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), Hercules and Argus, used for exploring the ocean floor.
The Nautilus hosts a wide range of scientists, educators and students onboard, and shares its explorations with a global audience via three HD video livestreams of its activities on its Nautilus Live website. Uniquely, all audio for the livestreams (as well as ship operations) is provided via RTS intercom systems.
advertisment --
The onboard control center consists of three connected shipping containers housing a fully functional 4K television station. The Nautilus uses two 16-port ODIN digital matrices and a Trunkmaster server to connect the ODINs via 24 KP-5032 and KP-4016 keypanels around the ship; in addition, one ROAMEO wireless access point with two TR-1800 beltpacks and eight licensed channels of RTS VLink virtual intercoms are in use to connect and collaborate with researchers around the world. Audio and video for the livestreams are operated by the onboard video engineer, then transmitted to the OET website via the ship's attitude-stabilized satellite link.
advertisment --
With a full career in television and postproduction, OET Senior Video Engineer Dave Robertson helped to specify and update the system. I have a long history of design, installation and operation of video media systems, including satellite links, comms and IP video, he explains. That was a perfect fit for OET's vision of real-time cooperation between the Nautilus and scientists around the world.
advertisment --
It was Robertson and the OET team who expanded the idea of using audio intercom to include simultaneous interaction with researchers on shore. This is done via RTS VLink software, an IP-based solution that ties in seamlessly to the ODIN systems used on board. What makes this application unique is our ability to aggregate research audio into a partyline and send it out as part of our live satellite video streams, notes Robertson. Considering that we're totally isolated out on the ocean, it's pretty remarkable.
Using VLink, literally any researcher can be part of the exploration team via their own devices. VLink ports are pulled into the master RTS comm system, with access and routing handled onboard. This enables full telepresence for scientists on shore, going beyond observation and commentary, extending to such activities as real-time piloting of ROVs on the ocean floor.
advertisment --
Those explorations are often narrated as they unfold, enabling scientific and educational institutions - as well as the general public - to observe the new worlds constantly being revealed by the ROV dives. Between ROV deployments, the livestream may show scientists processing samples or other activities.
advertisment --
Having used them since about 1980, Dave Robertson appreciates how RTS intercoms have always embraced new technology while maintaining compatibility with its older systems - extending their utility value and return on investment. Even the ODIN, which is state-of-the-art IP technology, still has ports that will talk to legacy systems including analog two-wire systems, he adds.
Working with a wide range of governmental, educational, and private sponsors, the Ocean Exploration Trust is well equipped to carry out its scientific missions, aided in no small part by the RTS intercom systems that deliver audio concurrently to a global community of virtual explorers, students and researchers.
advertisment --
RTS equipment list
3x ODIN 16-port OMNEO digital intercom matrix
15x KP-4016 keypanels
9x KP-5032 keypanels
1x ROAMEO AP-1800 wireless access point
2x ROAMEO TR-1800 belt packs
1x VLink virtual matrix server with eight licensed ports
1x TM-10K Trunkmaster server
1x LCP-102 level control panel
PH-88R5 headsets
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
15/06/2026
Detach from Direct-Attached: How Remote Editing with EVO Keeps Creative Teams Mo...
14/06/2026
Library captures 1960s R&B/pop drum sound
Following on from their recent wave of plug-in effects, Iconic Instruments have just launched an all-new virtual d...
14/06/2026
HBO Comedy Rooster Shot with URSA Cine 17K 65
Brie Clayton June 14, 2026
0 Comments
Large format brings viewers intimately close to characters.
Black...
13/06/2026
Latest expansion pack includes 252 presets
Devious Machines have recently introduced another expansion for their powerful multi-effects plug-in, Infiltrator...
13/06/2026
Create custom DAW/plug-in controllers using prompts
MetaGrid have recently introduced an all-new AI Builder function to their touchscreen-based control surf...
13/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
YES Network and The Gotham Sports App will air seven Athletes Unlimited Softball...
12/06/2026
The United Football League will host its FAST Innovation Suite at the 2026 United Bowl presented by Credit One Bank on Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m. ET at Audi...
12/06/2026
PTZOptics and LayerJot will present live demonstrations at InfoComm 2026 showing how natural-language AI prompting, robotic camera control, and on-device comput...
12/06/2026
MultiDyne Video and Fiber Optic Systems will exhibit at InfoComm 2026, featuring...
12/06/2026
Ateme has announced that Eurovision Services is using Ateme's software-based frame-rate conversion technology for international live event workflows. The de...
12/06/2026
Bitmovin and Simplestream have announced a partnership with Xperi to simplify the launch of OTT streaming services on TiVo OS smart TVs and devices. The collabo...
12/06/2026
Net Insight has announced that a multinational technology company is deploying a...
12/06/2026
MLB Players Inc., the business arm of the MLB Players Association, has announced a partnership with Athletes First to develop and sell brand partnerships across...
12/06/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D) and VuWall have announced the CommandKeyboard-Advanc...
12/06/2026
Comcast Smart Solutions announces a new smart technology deployment with Major L...
12/06/2026
Elevation Worship completed the initial leg of its Elevation Nights 2026 tour ...
12/06/2026
AJA Video Systems has announced KONA IP25 support for Colorfront Transkoder and ...
12/06/2026
Audinate Group Limited (ASX: AD8) will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth C7321, Ce...
12/06/2026
Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould has announced the appointment of Scott Adametz as Chief Technology Officer. The Pac-12 describes the hire as the first CTO appo...
12/06/2026
Grass Valley has announced AMPP Edge Live, a production system combining Grass Valley hardware, NVIDIA Blackwell GPU acceleration, and AMPP OS in a single platf...
12/06/2026
At one time a trailblazer with the launch of the Longhorn Network, the Universit...
12/06/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
12/06/2026
Chyron has announced PAINT 10.4, an update to its illustrated replay and sports ...
12/06/2026
SVP, Production, Mark Gross: With the new schedule, with not having every Sunday night, it has given us an opportunity to take a step back and reimagine what o...
12/06/2026
For Televisa Technical Engineering Manager Roberto N nez Ibarra and the small team of 12 technicians and two production personnel at the IBC things are already ...
12/06/2026
Simple Steps to Better Acoustics - Taming The Small Room
Most of us mix in spare rooms and small spaces, where the acoustics fight us at every turn. At Gear...
12/06/2026
Latest addition expands vintage-inspired effects palette
Meris' Ottobit pedal range draws its inspiration from vintage gaming consoles, and the latest a...
12/06/2026
Soundbox-based chamber strings series expanded
Sonora Cinematic have just announced the launch of the second instalment in their Soundbox-based chamber stri...
12/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
AJA Announces KONA IP25 Integration with Colorfront Software
Brie Clayton June 12, 2026
0 Comments
Collaboration enables uncompressed SMPTE ST 2110 I/O ...
12/06/2026
URSA Cine 12K LF Used to Create Visuals for STUTS' K-Arena Concert
Brie Clayton June 12, 2026
0 Comments
Organic visuals projected on a giant scre...
12/06/2026
MTI FILM Acquires Mango New Edit, Expanding its Global Post-Production Services ...
12/06/2026
AI Point Tracking Speeds Up Complex VFX Tracks in Mocha Pro
Jessie Electa Petrov June 12, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026.5 release adds automatic point trac...
12/06/2026
Bitmovin, a provider of video streaming solutions, has partnered with Simplestream, a provider of OTT and broadcast solutions, and technology provider Xperi, to...
12/06/2026
Leostream Corporation, creator of the world-leading Leostream Remote Desktop Access Platform, today announced Jigsaw24, a leading B2B IT solutions provider wit...
12/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/06/2026
How Aussie indie games and screen are levelling up with IP 11 June 2026
Ari Harrison, Pro Jank Footy
Head of Games Joey Egger and Ari Harrison of Umbrella sha...
12/06/2026
AgentPerf from Artificial Analysis, the industry's first agentic AI benchmark, gives developers, enterprises and infrastructure providers a clear way to com...