The post Covid-19 world is likely to be different as a result, there will be a greater demand for remote production. So what defines a “Remote Production” ?
- International broadcaster sending production content to overseas bureaux.
- Broadcaster home or ‘hub’ being connected to communications onsite (i.e Soccer Stadium), these could could be a truck or flypack, for example.
- Operators being in direct communication to main broadcaster whilst operating from home
All of these are commonplace and have been performed by RTS for many years. The seed change is that IP has been used more commonly as method to save costs and personnel on site at televised events.
Now, consider the following diagram. There are two separate communication systems which are working in separately from each other. What would be required to make them act together as a single intelligent system? Before you answer the question, you should consider the distance between sites and HQ. Can it be connected within LAN latency guidelines? If yes, OMNEO works on networks of up to 20ms latency.
If your answer to the LAN latency guidelines question is NO, then you might want to consider RVON (RTS Voice over network). It is a tried and tested method of delivering communications (audio & data) over WAN. This allows communication links to be made from continent to continent. This will involve RVON capability within your matrix. RVON has traditionally supported G.711 codec and that is available for all KP Series key panels. ODIN and the RVON + card (latest generation) can also support G.722 codec. This offers improved audio quality if linking ODIN’s or RVON + equipped ADAM’s in the application of matrix audio tie-lines.
Starting in July 2020, RTS has extended use of G.722 codec as an optional download for KP Series, meaning that matrixes and keypanels can fully support G.722. This helps reduce operator fatigue in longer sessions and enables a more robust, high quality VoIP infrastructure, also adding to the considerable versatility of the KP Series family.
The first initial step in linking two ‘island’ communication systems is to establish audio links or audio ‘tielines’ between two matrixes (in this case two Odin’s.
There are no rules or limits with this, the decisions should be made on
- How many simultaneous ‘talks’ are required between Headquarters and Site (Soccer Stadium) and this will dictate how many tie-lines will need to be specified.
- Distance between sites so the choice of LAN or WAN technologies (OMNEO or RVON)
Having established how audio from one matrix is being transmitted to the next, the question becomes, how will the system behave and be seen as a single communication system?
The answer is that RTS uses intelligent trunking to provide system control of multiple RTS matrixes (therefore entire communication systems).
TM10K Trunking Computer is a multiple matrix controller which controls tie-line cross points, keypanel alphas and routing for both systems as illustrated below.
From late September 2020, RTS will be releasing an optional but highly recommended software update.
Given that the TM10K dynamically tracks tieline crosspoints between matrixes and that these can also change dynamically depending on tie-line traffic, RTS is adding resources which can enable ‘Constant Gain’ so that audio levels for tie-lines can be consistent across matrix systems.
This ultimately enables multiple systems geographically to act in a completely unified manner including the tie-line audio levels.
The trunking data control is represented in orange in the illustration above.
Using remote Keypanels
It is possible to operate the RTS keypanels remotely using RVON back to an RVON equipped matrix. We illustrate remote panels being connected via RVON back to ODIN, but this works with any RVON equipped RTS matrix.
RTS strongly recommends that a VPN is set up from Headquarters back to any home or remote location where the remote panel is being deployed.
Please note also that all KP series can be converted to RVON functionality by using the ‘RVON for KP Series’ firmware download available from the RTS website.
We are happy to chat to you further about how RTS Intercoms solutions can optimize your workflow.