Following the development of new software, enabling Optocore devices to be connected directly to the Optocore-DiGiCo fibre loop, the German specialists created an ambitious network at this month's Frankfurt Prolight Sound which threatened to steal the show. The two companies along with Clear-Com certainly ring fenced the opening morning with successive virtual' press conferences, where the media thronged to the stands first to see DiGiCo MD James Gordon hosting, with marketing director Dave Webster speaking remotely from the Optocore stand, followed by Bob Boster, MD of Clear-Com, who was beamed in from the Optocore stand as Simon Browne anchored the press call from Clear-Com's stand location.The three stands were connected via single mode fibre all made possible by the new DiGiCo implementation. Visitors were clearly able to see the remote X6R mic preamp on the Optocore booth being controlled from the console on DiGiCo's booth.
But what is the new software that enables Optocore's X6R and V3R mic preamps to be controlled directly from the console?
By adding a simple Optocore 16-channel X6R-FX interface to the DiGiCo network extra I/O connectivity can be achieved together with Ethernet and RS485/422, explains Optocore founder, Marc Brunke. They can also use Optocore's cost efficient DD2FR-FX and DD4MR-FX MADI interfaces to increase the number of MADI ports available on the console.
Although Optocore partners with multiple console manufacturers, only DiGiCo has OEM Optocore and is running the native 2.21 Optocore protocol. With both companies R&D departments working closely together, we have managed to join two systems together in an intuitive and elegant way, he said.
Having proven the concept and demonstrated how easy it was to add professional video signal layers on top of the Optocore technology, to create high-bandwidth and high-channel count systems when it came to Brunke's turn to address the press there was nothing left to prove. And so he switched the emphasis from the network to his new MADI over Cat5' standard which has now been ratified by AES. This extends the AES10 MADI standard by allowing twisted pair Cat5 connectivity in addition to the current options.
He explains, This complete, cost-effective solution provides the bridge between low channel count and high channel count devices. Up to now MADI has been too expensive for low channel devices but this is no longer the case. Also, because the new version makes MADI compatible with IEEE802.3, it can now be used in combination with other recent network standards like AES-X210 / AES-67 or older proprietary Ethernet implementations.
The Optocore booth remained packed throughout the four-day show, topped off with a party on the opening night when the Munich-based company were able to treat press and customers to some genuine Bavarian hospitality.
Commented marketing director, Tine Helmle, This was unquestionably our most successful trade show participation ever. The network created a real buzz as a result of which we received many new enquiries as well as being able to forge closer links with our existing global reseller network.
And DiGiCo MD James Gordon backed this up, hailing the new agreement between the two companies. We believed that this live demonstration was the best way to demonstrate just how easy the system is to use, he summarised.
OPTOCORES PROLIGHT SOUND NETWORK EXTRAVAGANZA
New DiGiCo software implementation enables three-way communication Munich, 12th March, 2014
Following the development of new software, which will enable Optocore devices to be connected directly to the Optocore-DiGiCo fibre loop, the German network specialists are gearing up for their most exciting, and progressive Frankfurt Prolight Sound ever. They will mark their appearance at Europes leading expo by connecting their stand, along with those of its partner companies Clear-Com and DiGiCo, via single-mode fibre. As a result of this large network we will be able to provide video, audio, intercom and data connectivity between all booths, states Optocore Application Engineer, Maciek Janiszewski. I believe this is the first time that anything on such a scale has been implemented.
For video transmission they will provide a combination of the Route66 core router, from sister company BroaMan, at the Optocore booth, and BroaMan Mux22 satellites at Optocore, DiGiCo and Clear-Com. By deploying those units everything will be connected, and just a duplex fibre between each booth will provide multi-channel video, audio and data application. We can also route each video or audio source to any output within the network. Mux22 has the capability to combine the protocol-independent transfer of up to eight 3G/HD/SDI video signals with the synchronous Optocore audio and data network via two optical fibres in just 1RU.
Optocor-DiGiCo Fibre loop connected with Optocore/DiGiCo and Clear Com stand
DiGiCo MD James Gordon confirmed the agreement. We believed that the best way to demonstrate just how easy the system is to use is via live demonstrations, and we have done this by connecting the DiGiCo booth to the Optocore and Clear-Com booths via an Optocore loop for audio, with a BroaMan Route66 core router for the video.
At the same time DiGiCo will reveal the new console software which enables Optocore devices to be connected directly to the DiGiCo-Optocore fibre loop. On the DiGiCo stand (8.0, #G56) users will be able to see each Optocore interface as a part of the DiGiCo- Optocore network, showing how their X6R and V3R mic preamps can be controlled directly from the console.
Using fibre connection between DiGiCo and Optocore booth all visitors will be able to see the real remote preamp application the remote X6R mic preamp on the Optocore booth will be controlled from the console
