Clear-Com Eclipse Intercom Scores at RBS 6 Nations Rugby Tournament
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France 2 Television Network Outfitted HD OBVan with Eclipse Median System and V-Series Panels
The broadcaster, which transmits news, sports and entertainment programming to viewers throughout France, first used the Clear-Com systems to help facilitate coverage of the recent RBS 6 Nations Rugby Tournament. Audiopole, Clear-Com’s distributor in France, facilitated the sale to France 2 and will provide technical support as needed.
With rugby fans in France relying on France 2 to provide them with the latest tournament action, the station’s OB van operators covering the event on-site in Cardiff, UK, needed high-quality, equipment that they could depend on. The overall performance of the Eclipse Median System, which is designed specifically for outdoor broadcast vehicles and similar production environments with limited rack space, and the intuitive design and robustness of the Clear-Com V-Series panels, made them the perfect choice for this event, as well as future news and sporting events.
V-Series panels add further flexibility to the Eclipse
“To help keep from crowding the van with additional speaker systems, some of our LSM and video operators in the OB van also used the V-Series panels as a monitoring system for external audio sources,” says Georges Iseli, Video and Lighting Engineer for France 2. “The superior quality and functionality of the V-Series panels allowed them to do this, which made their job a lot easier.”
The Eclipse Median digital matrix system has a 6RU card frame that houses dual redundant E-208 CPU processors and seven matrix slots as well as eight built-in interface module slots. It also includes a robust E1/T1 telecom connection, fibre linking with intelligent switchover and AES digital connectivity to the V-Series panels for flexibility in OB truck applications. The innovative V-Series panels add further flexibility to the Eclipse with binaural listening, complete with the “Listen Again” function, which allows the user to replay the last 30 seconds of an incoming call. France 2 used these innovative panels to emulate a local commentator’s panel, allowing for the AES audio link to seamlessly transport the program and intercom communications to the French commentator’s headphones.
“The fact that France 2 chose to use Clear-Com’s Eclipse and V-Series panels during the broadcast of such an important sporting event is a testament to our reputation for providing reliable communications solutions built on groundbreaking technology,” says Karlie Miles, Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa Sales for Clear-Com. “France 2’s OB van operators needed an intercom system that was not only compact, but also powerful enough to keep the lines of communication flowing seamlessly. With its ability to link to the V-Series panels via IP, the Eclipse Median will allow them to do just that.”
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About Clear-Com
Clear-Com®, a brand of the Vitec Group plc, is the global leader of professional communication solutions for broadcast, live performance, military, government and commercial markets. For more than 40 years, Clear-Com’s signature products such as Encore Party-line, Eclipse Digital Matrix, CellCom®/FreeSpeak® Wireless and IP Communications systems have revolutionised broadcast stations, production trucks, houses of worship and performance venues. Recognising Clear-Com for its history of intercom innovation, production teams around the world achieve ubiquitous communication with products to promote easy interoperability and global connectivity.
About the VITEC Group
The Vitec Group plc provides vital products and services that support the capture of exceptional images through world-class customer experience and a visionary approach to the future. It is a leading supplier to the broadcast and media, photographic and live events industries in more than 100 countries worldwide, and is rapidly extending its reach by taking proven technologies into government, security and defence. Vitec's many industry-leading product brands have established a formidable reputation for innovation, technical excellence, and superior service and support.
The group has over 1700 employees worldwide, and revenues in 2008 of £338 million. It is formed of three divisions to support specific industry sectors: VideoCom, including manual and robotic camera supports, location lighting, camera and equipment bags, portable power solutions, prompting products, wireless camera links and voice communication systems; Imaging and Staging, supporting the photography, videography and live events markets; and Services, for professional video and audio rental equipment and engineering support for major event productions.