Leading event communications supplier expands inventory
Based in the Sydney suburb of Rhodes, The P.A. People are one of the world’s leading suppliers of event communications systems, having worked on many of the largest celebrations and events across the globe, including five Olympic Games. Their inventory includes wired matrix and digital matrix intercom systems, trunked and traditional two-way radios, CCTV systems, time code displays, event networking and WiFi, mass cast monitoring and full duplex comms systems.
Recently the company was looking to augment its equipment arsenal with a broadcast qualityvideo transport solution. “We looked at quite a few solutions from a number of vendors from around the world,” commented Chris Dodds. “Our initial focus was on equipment based on the emerging SMPTE 2022 standard, but it quickly became apparent that the level of networking equipment required was simply not tenable for live short-term events.”
Instead the team turned their focus back to alternative technologies and eventually rediscovered the BroaMan range of fibre-based solutions. BroaMan, the sister brand of Optocore, has developed a number of solutions based on single-channel and CWDM technology to transport SDI video and audio signals over a fibre backbone.
Senior Account Manager for The P.A. People, Andrew Rodd noted, “We were looking for a solution to transport multiple channels of SDI video across venues and between breakout rooms. When we found the Repeat48 product we found just what we needed, and we knew that with the Optocore heritage it would just work.”
Repeat48 is a series of application engineered electrical-optical-electrical media converters for 3G/HD/SD-SDI or AES10/MADI signals. It converts video or digital audio between coaxial and optical connections. Both the Repeat48 and Repeat48 WDM can be populated with up to 12 dual channel 3G/HD/SD-SDI or AES10/MADI modules and SFP fibre optic transceivers at point of manufacture.
The P.A. People have standardised their inventory with the BroaMan Repeat48 WDM units, configured to transport 6ch of SDI video in each direction over a single pair of single mode fibre optic cores. Each unit can also transport an auxiliary 1310nm wavelength to allow a network, and an Optocore path or other service to utilise the same fibre cable.
“We are very happy with our purchase. The Repeat48 units have added yet another dimension to our event communications offering,” summarised Dodds.” Since our purchase we have successfully used the units on a number of high-profile corporate events, as well as at last January’s inaugural ATP Cup in Sydney.”
The BroaMan solution provides the final piece of the jigsaw, and has enabled The P.A. People to transport video at live events alongside comprehensive network solutions.
Once again BroaMan and Optocore network devices were deployed to maximum effect at this year’s Grand Concert de Paris spectacular.
The event coincides with France’s National Day (on July 14). And having scaled new heights last year with the unique solutions and I/O capacity provided by the two German partner brands—creating an immersive environment for Radio France, with 152 Optocore preamps and MUX22 IVT / MADI connectivity—this year technology contractors GB4D went even further. Working once again for Radio France, they set up an elaborate optical broadcast network topography on the Champ de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, but with the location eerily empty other than for technicians.
“Playing without an audience due to COVID 19 was certainly weird,” stated GB4D owner, Gilles Bouvard. “We felt really alone without the 500,000 spectators!”
Bouvard was clear in what the challenge represented, and it was essentially to produce an advance multi-format broadcast signal flow to the Radio France and France TV OB trucks from the FOH and monitor positions, as well as from the pyrotechnics position.
“We had to provide Radio France’s sound engineers with all the necessary tools,” he confirmed. And this year that again included 144 Optocore microphone preamps (both X6RFX and TP) as well as MADI stream connectivity between the LAWO, Yamaha and Studer consoles, via BroaMan MUX22 MADI and Optocore M12 and DD2FR-FX devices. In all, GB4D created a distribution universe of more than 600 audio streams between the FOH and monitor consoles, and broadcast facilities for Radio France and France TV.
Additionally, GB4D provided MADI audio streams for virtual soundchecks to radio technicians in charge of HF control for the soloists. “This made it possible from the Wavetool software to conduct MADI monitoring of the 155 pickup microphone preamps,” explained Bouvard. Finally GB4D constructed a BroaMan link for the spectacular firework finale which was once again produced by Groupe F.
Explaining this final deployment, Gilles Bouvard said, “The request was to retrieve the audio streams from the firework soundtrack, to give the pyrotechnician a video stream from the France TV finale, and to link everyone together with an intercom network for orders.”
This connection was achieved via a pair of BroaMan MUX22 IVT/IC444, a device that combines different formats of Video, Audio, IP, Intercom and other data on fiber distribution system. The sound of the fireworks was wired to the four line inputs that populate the MUX22, wired with other Optocore audio interfaces in a redundant optical loop. All audio streams were shared throughout the Optocore network.
The cable distance between the two MUX22s—stationed at the Eiffel Tower and the France TV OB van—was approximately 450 metres, with SDI signals passed between the fireworks base and France TV control room for the grand finale, with the four IC444 audio line inputs, and LAN for the IP intercom.
From the fireworks control room under the Eiffel Tower, the audio signals for the soundtrack had to be connected. For this, two Apple computers were equipped with sound cards, which were connected to the four line-level audio ports of the MUX22.
An SDI output, connected to a 32 “screen, broadcast the final image of the France TV production. The pyro technician wanted to have the image direct from the OB van in order to avoid the six-to-eight seconds delay from the satellite.
Thanks to the MUX22 LAN, we were also able to create an order network between the fireworks technician and the France TV script manager,” continued Bouvard. “This GreenGo IP order network consisted of a portable station on the pyro side and a 4-wire box for the interface with the France TV communication grid.”
“The choice of MUX22 for this application was simple,” stated Bouvard. “Everything I needed, in terms of format transmission, was contained in one box!”
The Grand Concert de Paris, for which Radio France is co-producer, is the largest classical music concert broadcast live on television and radio in more than 31 countries, and representing approximately 41 million viewers.
The artistic performance was produced by the National Orchestra of France, the Grand Choeur de Radio France, as well as the Maitrise de Radio France. Founded after the Second World War, and intended for children aged nine and over, this high level musical training is one of the first experiments in the so called ‘half-time educational system’, combining general education and musical training.
“We are delighted to have been able to collaborate on this landmark event once again this summer, with a more prestigious solution than ever,” said the GB4D owner in conclusion.
He was supported by GB4D team members, Diane Hivert (Distribution Manager, France) and Titou Victor (GB4D Optocore Technician).
MADI routing and house loop provide greater channel and wireless mic access
The Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus theatre has extended its long relationship with Optocore, in order to keep pace with evolving technology. In the case of such a formidable, multi-space complex as this, an agile digital infrastructure, with multiple routing options and interconnectivity, is essential. To maintain this, the theatre has upgraded the original Optocore analogue network, installed in 2011, to an advanced and future-proof system.
Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, Dantons Tod, Regie, Armin Petras
The latest integration, undertaken by Amptown System Company GmbH (ASC), was overseen by the Theatre’s Tonmeister (and Deputy Head of Sound), Torben Kärst, who designed the audio system, working alongside head of department, Peer Seuken, and video specialist, Tim Deckers. This has seen the installation of Optocore M-series MADI boxes in both the 800-seat main theatre and 350-seat studio theatre, with an Optocore AutoRouter installed in the latter. “The installation was about achieving increased routing options, better sound quality, an increased channel count and greater flexibility,” stated Kärst.
All locations in the main building of this three-building complex (including Foyer, Rehearsal Stage and Recording Studio) are now connected by MADI.
“In terms of transmission it was mandatory to keep system latency as low as possible,” Torben Kärst continued. “This is where Optocore is absolutely the market leader. Reliability and small form factor of the devices, enabling large decentralised systems to be built, are further reasons why Optocore was the choice for us.”
From the original proposal for a ‘stand alone’ Optocore system for the smaller studio theatre came the possibility of exchanging audio signals between both the larger and smaller theatres. “The biggest leap forward was when we decided to centralise our entire wireless system,” states Kärst, explaining the process. “Since then, we have been able to send audio signals across the whole building.” Crucially, this third house loop, complementing the Optocore/DiGiCo loops in both the large and small venues, proved to be a much simpler but more powerful version of the original design.
The integration now features an Optocore AutoRouter, multiple MADI devices, connected to the DiGiCo system and Optocore’s new sample rate converter. “It is the centre point of the house loop,” Kärst confirms. “With this device, we distribute our 56 radio mics and feed the 16 IEM devices. It’s also the clock master of the whole audio system.”
Another major leap forward has been the installation of an Optocore AutoRouter in the smaller theatre. “With AutoRouter there is no need for patch cables to close a loop, as this is now done automatically. Each connection point on stage is connected to the AutoRouter as well as the permanent devices as a loop and our DiGiCo console. Connecting the console separately, and not as part of the permanent loop, provides us the possibility to power off the console and check the optical status of the system using the Optocore control software. So we are able the see the RX and TX power of each transceiver in the system, which makes troubleshooting much easier.”
At the same time, the theatre’s tech team had kept abreast of developments with Optocore partner company, BroaMan. As a result, three BroaMan Repeat48 devices have now been deployed for video distribution. It was Torben Kärst’s task to ensure full integration and interconnection between audio and video.
Summing up the value of this upgrade, he is unequivocal. “For the small venue, we now have an increased channel count with fixed installed connection points spread all over the hall. This includes Mic/Line inputs, Line outputs, loudspeaker outputs, video I/O as well as sufficient Cat7 and fibre ports—and that creates an awful lot of flexibility.”
And the by-product of these efficiencies is faster change-over and set-up procedures, in turn enabling longer time for rehearsal … much to the delight of incoming production crews.
BroaMan has announced that it will now offer its Multipurpose Fiber Extender for Video, Audio and Intercom (MUX22) with 12G-SDI interfaces—to support greater resolution, frame rates and colour fidelity.
The 12G addition to the existing 3G support means that BroaMan will not only continue to support 4K SDI transport formats but also routing and transport of high bandwidth data streams, such as 10G IP traffic for SMPTE 2110. Uniquely, the company offers not only single-mode but also multi-mode options for 12G fiber transport.
Stated BroaMan Technical Sales Manager, Maciek Janiszewski, “12G migration is our step into the future. Our customers have been asking about 12G and IP technologies, and the new hardware upgrade will allow us to meet all modern requirements; it means we can offer pure 12G-SDI, pure IP or a mixed 12G-SDI and IP transport solution.”
He explained, “At the very beginning we decided to use CWDM multiplexing technology, which is not restricted to bandwidth, to run multiple signals over a single fiber.
“The migration to four times higher bandwidth is a logical step for us and means we can keep the same form factor of our well-known products.”
Munich based fibre network specialists, Optocore and BroaMan, have announced the promotion of Dawid Somló to Sales Distribution Manager for both brands.
Dawid has been with the company for five years and during that period has managed relationships with existing distributors as well as significantly expanding the distribution network worldwide.
Stepping up to management level, and tasked with overall international sales and network responsibility, he states, “I am delighted to take up this new position and relish the challenge ahead, as nowadays technology allows us to make incredibly smart solutions with high bandwidths using all kinds of signal for different applications. I am honoured to be a part of this technological change on the board of such important companies as Optocore and BroaMan who can make this possible by utilising the optical fiber environment. More and more customers are starting to realise that thanks to our partners all over the world.”
Added Tine Helmle from the board of directors, “Dawid’s promotion to this new position was a logical decision. He is a great person to work with and has grown our distribution network considerably in recent years. I am very happy to have him on our team.”
