Riedel Communications Artist Digital Matrix Intercom System is the focal point of Global TV s recently updated studio complex in Toronto, Canada. The system includes 6 Artist mainframes (nodes) connected via fiber, over 80 control panels, Performer Digital Partyline and Connect Solo telephone interfaces.
Global TV, a division of CanWest Global Communications Corp, broadcasts via 10 television stations and reaches 96% of English-speaking Canada. The network is the Canadian home to many popular shows such as Survivor, 24 and Entertainment Tonight, as well as producing Canada s most-watched news program. Recently, the company upgraded its Toronto facility with a focus on employing only the best cutting edge technology. Products that used fiber cost-effectively were considered especially attractive because of the plant s physical layout. The resulting design produced a high-tech studio complex unparalleled in North America.
Gary Hodder, the Broadcast System Designer on the project, explained that Riedel was in a unique position to meet Global TV s needs. The decentralized architecture of the Artist intercom system, with its integrated fiber solution, was one of the key reasons for choosing the product. In addition, the system s ability to route broadcast quality AES audio and incorporate IP-based solutions for remote locations were important factors contributing to Global TV s decision. "All the features are excellent," Hodder summarized, "Riedel has a very viable product."
As indicated by Hodder, both the features and cost-effectiveness of Artist are unique on the market. Nodes of various sizes connect via fiber to form a single decentralized non-blocking matrix. Each individual node is populated with Client Cards for interfacing to a variety of control panels and audio formats, including 4-wire, AES and MADI. The control panels are connected digitally to the mainframes bringing AES audio all the way to the panel over either CAT5 or coax cabling. Multiple other interfaces provide access to POTS and ISDN telephone lines, Audio-over-IP and professional two-way radios.
At Global TV the Artist system includes 1 x Artist 128 mainframe for the central machine room, 3 x Artist 32 frames for the location s three control rooms and 2 x Artist 32 mainframes for the building s two studios, all connected via fiber and together forming a single matrix. The system was laid out to allow any mobile units using Artist to dynamically join this matrix by simply connecting a single fiber, thus eliminating the need for complicated tie lines. When this is done the truck s intercom becomes fully integrated with the larger matrix as if it were a permanent addition to the fixed installation, offering virtually unlimited communication and audio routing between the truck and the plant. This straightforward solution saves time, headaches and money. Mobile Video Productions (MVP), another division of CanWest, has already ordered an Artist system for a new mobile production truck in order to take advantage of this feature.
Throughout the facility, Global TV installed a variety of Riedel s control panels, which are known for their superior design and exceptional audio quality. For most positions, Global choose Riedel s signature 1000 Series panels because of their integrated 8-character, in-key LED displays and individual volume controls for each key. The installation features both the RCP-1012 and RCP-1028 rackmount versions of the panels. These were supplemented with a number of 2000 Series LCD panels.
Global also purchased a full complement of Performer Digital Partyline equipment, including C3 beltpacks and C44 System Interfaces. The Performer C3 beltpack offers all of the features expected in an old-fashioned 2-wire beltpack, such as dual channels, XLR cabling, and ease of use. Yet because of its digital technology, the C3 provides these features with crystal clear sound and without the need for any 2/4-wire converters. This results in a quieter system that is easier on both end-users and engineers.
About Canwest Broadcasting:
Canwest Broadcasting operates two conventional television networks, Global Television and E!, and twenty-one of the country s most popular specialty channels, including HGTV, Mystery TV, National Geographic Channel, Showcase, Slice and TVtropolis. Canwest Broadcasting is a division of Canwest Media Inc.
About Canwest Media Inc.
Canwest Media Inc is a subsidiary of Canwest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwest.com; TSX: CGS and CGS.A). An international media company, Canwest is Canada's largest publisher of paid English language daily newspapers and owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, web sites and radio stations in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Global TV, a division of CanWest Global Communications Corp, broadcasts via 10 television stations and reaches 96% of English-speaking Canada. The network is the Canadian home to many popular shows such as Survivor, 24 and Entertainment Tonight, as well as producing Canada s most-watched news program. Recently, the company upgraded its Toronto facility with a focus on employing only the best cutting edge technology. Products that used fiber cost-effectively were considered especially attractive because of the plant s physical layout. The resulting design produced a high-tech studio complex unparalleled in North America.
Gary Hodder, the Broadcast System Designer on the project, explained that Riedel was in a unique position to meet Global TV s needs. The decentralized architecture of the Artist intercom system, with its integrated fiber solution, was one of the key reasons for choosing the product. In addition, the system s ability to route broadcast quality AES audio and incorporate IP-based solutions for remote locations were important factors contributing to Global TV s decision. "All the features are excellent," Hodder summarized, "Riedel has a very viable product."
As indicated by Hodder, both the features and cost-effectiveness of Artist are unique on the market. Nodes of various sizes connect via fiber to form a single decentralized non-blocking matrix. Each individual node is populated with Client Cards for interfacing to a variety of control panels and audio formats, including 4-wire, AES and MADI. The control panels are connected digitally to the mainframes bringing AES audio all the way to the panel over either CAT5 or coax cabling. Multiple other interfaces provide access to POTS and ISDN telephone lines, Audio-over-IP and professional two-way radios.
At Global TV the Artist system includes 1 x Artist 128 mainframe for the central machine room, 3 x Artist 32 frames for the location s three control rooms and 2 x Artist 32 mainframes for the building s two studios, all connected via fiber and together forming a single matrix. The system was laid out to allow any mobile units using Artist to dynamically join this matrix by simply connecting a single fiber, thus eliminating the need for complicated tie lines. When this is done the truck s intercom becomes fully integrated with the larger matrix as if it were a permanent addition to the fixed installation, offering virtually unlimited communication and audio routing between the truck and the plant. This straightforward solution saves time, headaches and money. Mobile Video Productions (MVP), another division of CanWest, has already ordered an Artist system for a new mobile production truck in order to take advantage of this feature.
Throughout the facility, Global TV installed a variety of Riedel s control panels, which are known for their superior design and exceptional audio quality. For most positions, Global choose Riedel s signature 1000 Series panels because of their integrated 8-character, in-key LED displays and individual volume controls for each key. The installation features both the RCP-1012 and RCP-1028 rackmount versions of the panels. These were supplemented with a number of 2000 Series LCD panels.
Global also purchased a full complement of Performer Digital Partyline equipment, including C3 beltpacks and C44 System Interfaces. The Performer C3 beltpack offers all of the features expected in an old-fashioned 2-wire beltpack, such as dual channels, XLR cabling, and ease of use. Yet because of its digital technology, the C3 provides these features with crystal clear sound and without the need for any 2/4-wire converters. This results in a quieter system that is easier on both end-users and engineers.
About Canwest Broadcasting:
Canwest Broadcasting operates two conventional television networks, Global Television and E!, and twenty-one of the country s most popular specialty channels, including HGTV, Mystery TV, National Geographic Channel, Showcase, Slice and TVtropolis. Canwest Broadcasting is a division of Canwest Media Inc.
About Canwest Media Inc.
Canwest Media Inc is a subsidiary of Canwest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwest.com; TSX: CGS and CGS.A). An international media company, Canwest is Canada's largest publisher of paid English language daily newspapers and owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, web sites and radio stations in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
