Portuguese broadcast audio specialists CLS Audiovisuais, who started using Optocore devices soon after setting out in 2004, have now embraced associate company BroaMan’s versatile Mux22.
The company has purchased a system from the company’s territorial dealer Garrett Audiovisuais, installing the 1RU multi-format transmission device in one of their full HD camera and control OB’s in time for the recent Wimbledon Tennis Fortnight.
Mux22 series is ideal for OB truck applications. In one rack space it provides every type of signal which is required between the truck and the remote stagebox.
The device offers every signal needed in 1RU, combining 3G/HD/SD-SDI I/O with Optocore and SANE digital audio networks — and can transport video, as well as audio and data, on a single duplex fibre. In this instance CLS has constructed a point-to-point system with 12-in/4-out at one end and 4-in/12-out at the other.
Configured with a master control room and two galleries for beIN Sports (MENA) in France, CLS’ OB truck includes a studio, two commentary positions for each plus reporters and ENG crews.
For the past two years Wimbledon has formed an essential part of their busy international sports schedule and the Mux22 enables them to uplink the signal, elegantly and economically, to the studios in Paris.
CLS Audiovisuais’ historic relationship with Optocore, and the reliability of their products, played an important part in their decision. “We have been working with Optocore since 2006, so we know their products well,” said CLS owner, André Senos. In fact four X6R-FX AD-DA of their network converters are incorporated into the OB van signal chain.
“We had been seeking a solution to and once we had seen the product at IBC in Amsterdam, and Garrett had arranged a demo we knew this was the right technical solution.”
During Wimbledon Tennis Fortnight, the OB van received 14 signal feeds from host broadcaster, the BBC over a distance of 250 metres from the transmission centre; they were one of 2500 broadcasters providing an HD experience from all nine courts to viewers in more than 100 countries.
“Mux22 enabled us to take a lot of HD signals and transmit down a single fibre,” concluded André. “Everything worked extremely well.”
As for Garrett Audiovisuais, set up in 1978 they have been working with Optocore virtually since its inception, and with their impressive portfolio of audio, lighting and video brands are geared up to meet the ever more demanding AV requirements from customers in the so-called PALOP countries.
For the data and video distribution, a number of BroaMan Repeat48 devices with different I/O configurations were provided in Standard (one channel per fiber) and WDM (multiple channels on a single fiber) — with as many as 12 video channels on a single fiber. The BroaMan Mux22, in addition to video and data, provided Intercom connectivity in some locations.
Marie-Anne Jofret confirmed that these products had been chosen not only for their flexibility and adaptability. “In addition,” she said, “they also represented a real financial advantage, offering a good quality/price ratio.”
Both ENGIE Ineo and Astell were happy that the Optocore / BroaMan networks had fulfilled their objectives, she said in summary. The goal had been to make available, at different key points in the building, a number of audio / video signals in order to manage the venue without having to recable for each event.
“The combination of BroaMan and Optocore gear made it possible to meet these constraints — simply by implementing these optical fiber networks,” she confirmed. “And when it came to achieving low latency the Optocore / BroaMan devices met the requirement, allowing us full flexibility.”
In terms of the roles played by the individual stakeholders, as the AV design consultants, Astell were responsible for answering all questions at the procurement stage and validating proof of concept of the fiber infrastructure.
Philippe Moreau provided commercial and technical support throughout, and was also the link with the Optocore / BroaMan R&D teams in Germany. In addition, he organised two training sessions and a three-day workshop to allow hands-on operator experience.
As a result, the facility now rivals the largest indoor facilities in the world: the Madison Square Garden in New York (the only other venue in the centre of a city), the Staples Center in Los Angeles, O2 Arena in London and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin.