Sound Waves: the Calrec broadcast audio news update - #15

transcript

calrec.com Putting Sound in the Picture

2008 OLYMPIC GAMES NBC OLYMPICS GO HD WITH CALREC

SOUNDWAVESThe Calrec Broadcast Audio News Update

Issue 15

C444 Soundwaves AW 11/3/08 15:27 Page 3

NBC Olympics owns the exclusive US media rights to the Olympic Games,and this Summer will broadcast the Beijing Games to an estimated 200 millionAmericans. In Beijing the Games will be produced totally in high-definition for the first time. It is a brand new challenge for NBC and the implications on audio are not insignificant.

NBC Olympics are using no less than eight Calrec consoles atthe Olympic Games in Beijing. Two Sigma with Bluefin consoleswill be stationed at the International Broadcast Center (IBC), witha further five Omega with Bluefin consoles located at variouslocations in the city. Finally, NBC Olympics will have an Alpha withBluefin console installed at Beijing’s National Aquatics Center toprovide audio mixing for Olympic swimming and diving.

“Each Olympic Games’ coverage brings with it new demands for better technology, increased flexibility, and greater efficiency,” says Bob Dixon, NBC’s Project Manager for Sound Design at the Olympics.

“Since 1996 we have gone from an analog-only 2-channel contribution and distribution audio platform to a fully digital, discreet 5.1 channel platform.

“At the Beijing Olympics the Games will be produced totally inhigh-definition with 5.1 discreet channels of audio. But we are still in a period of transition in the United States. Most of ouraudience still watches the games on standard definition televisionreceivers with two channels of audio. So everything we do inChina must serve both communities.

“We will send six discreet channels of audio with high-def picturesto the US, but we will also be paying the greatest attention to the down-mix of those channels for our stereo-listening audience.From each venue we will be sending not only a 5.1 channel program mix, but a simultaneous 2-channel program down-mixand a stereo down-mix of the sound effects as well. We use thestereo sound effects mix in promos and post-produced pieces.

“Calrec consoles will give NBC Olympics the ability to address all six channels at once, or divide them up quickly and easily so the delay on the surround channels can be addressed. Calrecwill provide the kind of quick flexibility an operator mixing a liveevent in Surround needs.”

NBC, “America’s Olympic Network,” owns the exclusive U.S. mediarights to the Olympic Games, television’s most powerful property,through 2012, which includes Beijing, China in 2008, Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012.

In August 2008, NBC Universal will present the 2008 OlympicGames from Beijing, China (August 8-24, 2008). In August 2004,203 million viewers watched as the networks of NBC Universal -NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Bravo, Telemundo, and NBC’s HDaffiliates - offered a record 1,210 hours of Olympic coverage fromAthens. In February 2002, 187 million watched the Salt LakeOlympic Games on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC.

NBC OLYMPICS GO HI DEF WITH CALREC FOR THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

More Than an Upgrade: Historic Calrec Console FindsFountain of Youth

It’s only eight years old, but the audio console in Corplex Inc.’s HD mobile unit,Platinum, already has historic significance- back in 2000 it was the first of Calrec’s Alpha series to be installed and operational anywhere. Now, Calrec engineers are enhancing and rejuvenatingthis historic Alpha, incorporating Calrec’ssignature Bluefin High Density SignalProcessing system and a host of otherfeatures, including flexible TFT metering,full 5.1 surround sound spill control, andthe addition of 12 more faders.

This console will now offer Corplex clientsthe same state-of-the-art functionality andperformance as a brand new Alpha deskright off the factory floor.

“I like to say our Alpha has found the fountain of youth,” said Dave Greany,Corplex VP and Partner. “The fact that this enhancement is possible is testimonyto Calrec’s engineering and design staffas well as their management’s customer-first philosophy.

“In 2000, they designed a first-class digitalconsole in the Alpha. Now, some eightyears later, technology has progressed but Calrec hasn’t forgotten about thosecustomers that invested early in the game.Today, they make sure upgrades can beretrofitted into that console.

“Our own clients expect us continually toprovide the latest technology, particularlywith audio. Now, both Platinum with the Alpha and our new unit Iridium with a Sigma, will be at the same level of features and refinement. That makes it easy for our clients’ operators andCalrec makes it easy for us.”

Iridium will debut with a Calrec Sigmadesk onboard in summer 2008.

YES Network Bats 1000 with Sigma

YES Network, the United States’ most-watched regional sports network for the past four years, has installed a Sigma with Bluefin console as part of a state-of-the-art HD renovation of their2,500-square-foot control room at itsbroadcast center in Stamford, Connecticut.

The studio is primarily used for live pre- and post-game shows, and for simulcast of WFAN Radio’s top-rated

“Mike and the Mad Dog” show. Thesesophisticated productions involve multiple instant replays and require many microphones and remote feeds,adding up to thousands of cues.

“I am in love with the Sigma console,” said YES Network Senior Audio EngineerBill Powers. “In a small footprint it has allof the options I want, but the thing I lovemost is its reliability. In my eyes, this is theSherman tank of audio consoles.”

Powers noted that an element crucial to him in live production is the Sigma’sresiliency. Occasional routing errors are an inevitable part of audio operations inthe digital age, he said, and when theyhappen, it’s important that the audio neverfalters. According to Powers, because the Sigma console can be reset and under control almost instantly, the audio is never interrupted.

“The Calrec mixing deskshave immense ability to transform enormouslycomplex set-ups intosomething a single operator can manage. It was an easy choice.The console had to be a Calrec.” Mike Mundt, VP of Engineering, NCP

TRIM PLEASE DO NOT PRINT

MAGENTA RULE

NCP Counts on Calrec

New Century Productions (NCP) isadding two new Calrec mixing desks to its OB fleet. NCP selected a 72-faderAlpha with Bluefin console for its newest,state-of-the-art HD production truck, NCP X. In addition, NCP is upgrading its NCP IV HD truck with a new 64-faderSigma with Bluefin console.

NCP X was built specifically to meet theexacting standards of ESPN’s SundayNight Baseball telecasts.

“Sunday Night Baseball is the world’s premier baseball telecast,” said MikeMundt, VP of Engineering at NCP. “It is an extremely complex audio set-up andyou need an audio console with a lot of horsepower to keep it under control. The Calrec mixing desks have immenseability to transform enormously complexset-ups into something a single operatorcan manage. It was an easy choice. The console had to be a Calrec.”

NCP X is the third New Century OB truckoutfitted with an Alpha console and theSigma on NCP IV is the seventh Calrecaudio console in the NCP fleet.

Calrec Scores Touchdown in UK with CTV and Fox Sports

UK OB specialist CTV and the NFLscored a touchdown in London, with flanking support from Calrec Audio. NFLhost broadcasters Fox Sports teamed up with CTV’s flagship OB9 HD truck tobroadcast the New York Giants vs. MiamiDolphins game in front of a sellout,90,000-strong Wembley Stadium crowd.

Broadcast live across Europe on SkySports and in the US via Fox Sports, it was the first NFL league game to beplayed in the UK, but according to CTV’s International Business Director Bill Morris, there was one reassuring constant - Calrec.

“Fox Sports Network and the NFL treatedthis league match as they would a matchplayed in the US,” says Morris. “Fox travelled with its full announcer, talent, and reporting team, as well as a core crewof U.S. operators from its regular NFLteam. The sound supervisor immediatelyfelt at home and was thrilled to see theAlpha as it is identical to the one he hadbeen using on various shows in the U.S.”

Independent research by the Sports Video Group claims Calrec audio consolesare installed in 48% of U.S. HD trucks and are far and away the market leadersin their field.

Recent Sales Include

Australia Global TV Sigma

Canada MVP Omega

Canada Global Vancouver Omega

Chile TVN Zeta

UK Gaelic Media Services Zeta

Japan ABC Alpha

Japan NTV Alpha

South Africa MNET Omega

South Africa Telkom Media Sigma

South Africa Telkom Media Omega

South Africa Telkom Media Hydra

UK BBC Omega

UK BBC OB’s Sigma

UK CTV OBs Zeta

UK Gearhouse 021 Omega

UK Megahertz Sigma

UK Megahertz Sigma Bluefin*

UK NEP Visions Omega

UK Roll to Record Zeta

UK Telegenic Ltd Alpha

USA Atlantic Video Inc Omega

USA CBS Alpha Bluefin*

USA Corplex Alpha Bluefin*

USA Corplex Sigma

USA Fox News Sigma

USA Indianapolis Motor Sigma

Speedway

USA KNTV-TV Sigma Bluefin*

USA Mira Mobiles Sigma

USA NCP Sigma

USA NEP Supershooters Sigma

USA NEP Supershooters Omega

USA NMT Sigma

USA OETA Zeta

USA Turner Alpha

USA WBBM Sigma

USA WBBM Hydra

USA WCAU-TV Omega

USA WMAQ Omega

USA WNED-TV Omega

USA WVIZ-TV Omega

Upgrade*

In fact, every NFL gamein the U.S. is coveredby a Calrec console.

OFFLINE EDITOR REMOTE AUDIO PROTOCOLCalrec’s new Offline Editor is an emulation of the Calrec console PC application on any other PC, such as a laptop.

This allows remote configuration of any Calrec console, savingtime on site. The Offline Editor is especially useful for freelanceoperators planning for a specific outside broadcast, and enablesthe desk to be preconfigured while it is still in use - practical for control rooms which are subjected to fast turnaround between broadcasts.

Calrec Audio have announced a major technology initiative developed with partner Ross Video Ltd allowing remote control of fader modules on any Bluefin enabled Calrec console.

This protocol enables a Ross vision mixer to take control over the serial interface to autofades on the Calrec desk. In addition,the interface provides individual control of faders, Cuts, and PFL of up to 192 faders on the Calrec console directly from theRoss OverDrive Automated Production Control (APC) System.

D&MAs you will no doubt be aware, in August 2007 Calrec joined D&M Holdings, a worldwide provider of products in the premium audio and video marketplace.From the emerging entertainment-driven home networking market to the hometheater and custom-installation markets, D&M brands are renowned for quality,technological innovation and performance.D&M provides the global sales and marketing channels as well as back office support that brands like Calrec can leverage to broaden distribution and increase market share. The D&M business platforms allow Calrec to concentrate on product development and manufacturing, optimizing core strengths.

Since becoming part of D&M, Calrec has gone from strength to strength... our processes are more streamlined, our new developments are more innovative and our sales figures continue to rise.

But much has stayed the same.

All Calrec’s distribution and support processes, including personnel, are the same. All research, engineering and servicepersonnel are still in place, and development has continuedunabated. All manufacturing continues to be in Hebden Bridge,West Yorkshire.

Above all else, everyone at Calrec and D&M has ensured that our customers receive the same high levels of service they havealways enjoyed, and we will constantly look to improve as we have always done.

We are very excited to be part of a company that shares our values and philosophies and places the ultimate importance onhigh quality audio equipment. Calrec has proved to be a terrific fit in D&M’s portfolio, and we are looking forward to even greater expansion in the future.

ON THE ROADAt NAB 2008 (Booth N8723) Calrec will have a full compliment of Bluefin consoles alongside new fixed-format Hydra boxes, Ross Video integration software and a brand new Offline Editor (see above). AES Europe (Stand 1209) makes itself at home in Amsterdamthis year, where Calrec will have a Sigma with Bluefin console.

At KOBA in Seoul, Calrec will show a Zeta on the Avix stand.

As a member of the Texas Association of Broadcasters, Calrechas had a presence at their annual show in Austin for the lastfew years, and this year is no exception with an Omega consoleon display.

Exhibition Location DatesNAB Las Vegas, USA 14-17 April

AES Amsterdam, Netherlands 17-20 May

KOBA Seoul, Korea 28-31 May

TAB Austin, Texas 7 Aug

ARGENTINAARS TechnologiesContact: Martin SznaiderTel: 0054 11 4574 3666msznaider@arstech.com.ar

AUSTRALIASyncrotech Systems Design PTYContact: Paul HeatonTel: 00 612 9879 0800paul@ssd.com.au

BRAZILPhaseContact: Carlos E.O. CapellaoTel: 00 55 21 2493 0125capellao@phase.com.br

BULGARIA/ROMANIAEurosoundContact: Milko ValovskyTel: 001 514 934 6231eurosoundmv@hotmail.com

CHILEAudioproContact: Antonio MonsaterioTel: 0056 2 269 2481audiopro@entelchile.net

COLUMBIAAdvanced CommunicationTechnology S.A.Contact: Daniel AmayaTel: 00 571 617 0060damaya@actsa.com.co

CROATIAKapetanovic SistemiContact: Darko KapetanoicTel: 00 385 01 6040 585prodaja@kapetanovic-sistemi.hr

CZECH REPUBLICElvia-Pro SPOL, S.R.OContact: Jaroslav RomanTel: 00 420 224 999 411jaroslav.roman@elvia.cz

DENMARKProfessional Sound SystemsContact: Bo BrinckTel: 00 45 329 729 00bo@pss.dk

EGYPTTatasContact: Fathi BayoumiTel: 00 202 393 8151tatas@soficom.com.eg

FRANCEEurocom BroadcastContact: Bruno GuersTel: 00 33 1 60 64 21 21bguers@eurocom.fr

GERMANY, AUSTRIA & SWITZERLANDFor TuneContact: Stefan MayerTel: 00 49 711 3705253smayer@for-tune.de

GREECEPantheoContact: Tasos PandisTel: 00 3 010 362 4356sales-info@pantheo.gr

HONG KONG, CHINA & MACAUJolly Proaudio BroadcastEngineering LtdContact: Andy LeungTel: 00 852 2191 3660jolly@jollyproaudio.com.hk

INDIAElectro DynamicsContact: Lalit AgarwalTel: 00 911 1416 22014eledyne@vsnl.net

IRANLianpad Co LtdContact: Hamid BahktiariTel: 00 98 21 2272 2924lianpad@kanoon.net

ISRAELOnset Systems Engineering LimitedContact: Jody DresnerTel: 00 972 3 9043235jody@onsetsys.com

ITALYDario ScavinoContact: Dario ScavinoTel: 00 3902 891 0631dario.scavino@fastwebnet.it

JAPANHibino CorporationContact: Ryuji EnomotoTel: 00 81 3 5783 3110enomoto@hibino.co.jp

JORDANAVC Al-WaseetContact: Ali Abu KwaikTel: 00 962 6 553 0581akwaik@avcalwaseet.com

KOREA Avix Trading Co LtdContact: Steve KimTel: 00 82 2 565 3565trading@avixtech.co.kr

KUWAIT Adawliah Universal Electronics CoContact: Khalid Al NoubaniTel: 00 965 953 5898knoubani@adawliah.com.kw

LEBANONBroadcast & CommunicationSystem S.A.L.Contact: Joseph HallageTel: 00 961 01245656joseph.hallage@bcssal.com

MEXICORespuesta Integral S.A. de C.V.Contact: Rafael Rodriguez SerranoTel: 00 52 55 5766 3018 respinte@edomex1.telmex.net.mx

NETHERLANDSHeliosContact: Okke Van BergenTel: 00 31 23 531 9472okke@helios.nl

NORWAYLyd-Systemer A/SContact: Terje EngedahlPhone: 00 47 22 72 5920info@lydsystemer.no

POLANDProfiAudio LtdContact: Igor PogorzelskiTel: 00 48 500 255 073igor@profiaudio.co.uk

QATARSalem Media CastContact: Ghallab MohamedTel: 00 974 483 6915ghallab@salammediacast.com

SAUDI ARABIAModern Media SystemsContact: Khalid Abdul MajeedTel: 00 966 1 462 4266kmajeed@Alfaisaliah.com

SERBIAPro VideoContact: Zoran CrnomarkovicTel: 00 381 11 311 51 24crni@provideo.co.yu

SINGAPORE/MALAYSIATeam 108 (Support Center)Tel: 00 65 6748 9333108@team108.com

SLOVAKIAElvia-Pro Spol, S.R.O.Contact: Jaroslav RomanTel: 00 420 224 999 411jaroslav.roman@elvia.cz

SLOVENIAMTD Slovenija d.o.o. PtyContact: Dusan GajicTel: 00386 14 301270dusan.mtd@siol.net

SOUTH AFRICATRU-FI ElectronicsContact: Flemming RavnTel: 00 11 462 4256/7/8/9trufi@trufi.co.za

SPAINConsultores Electroacousticos S.L.Contact: Guillermo AlberdiTel: 00 349 4620 2338g.alberdi@coelsl.com

SWEDENTranzicomContact: Ulf ReinhardTel: 00 46 8 730 3710ulf@tranzicom.se

SYRIATechnical Light & Sound CenterContact: Raghid NajjarTel: 00 963 11 223 5384raghid@tlscgroup.com

TAIWANHi-Pro TechnologyContact: Christina ChenTel: 00 886 2 2563 3811christina.chen@cinchy.com.tw

THAILANDDSE Co LtdContact: Chai MekratriTel: 00 66 2 930 6500dsecoltd@ksc.th.com

TURKEYERELContact: Mahmut TuncelTel: 00 90 216 538 91 00mahmut.tuncel@erel.com.tr

UNITED ARAB EMIRATESTEK SignalsContact: Tariq RajaTel: 00 971 2 6272 701tariq@teksignals.com

VENEZUELAAVCOMContact: Juan MendezTel: 0058 212 239 0944jmendez@avcom.com.ve

USABexel ASG West(South East and Mid West USA)Contact: Helen CarrTel: 001 800 542 3332hcarr@swl.com

Bexel ASG East(Western USA and WesternCanada)Contact: Greg SiersTel: 001 800 225 6185gsiers@bexel.com

Studio Consultants Inc.(North East USA and Canada)Contact: Doug SimonTel: 001 212 586 7376dsimon@studioconsultants.com

WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTORS

Calrec Audio LtdNutclough MillHebden BridgeWest YorkshireHX7 8EZEngland UK

Tel +44 (0)1422 842159 Fax +44 (0)1422 845244Email enquiries@calrec.com

calrec.com

Sound Waves: the Calrec broadcast audio news update - #15

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