Riedel Communications, pioneer of advanced intercom and radio technology, is providing seamless communications for the production team of California‘s HP Pavilion at San Jose arena. Riedel‘s state-of-the-art Artist Digital Matrix intercom system is ensuring flawless production throughout the 450,000-square-foot indoor arena during its full schedule of shows.
The 20,000-seat arena, which was recently renovated to include Riedel‘s advanced intercom system,
hosts a number of sporting events and is home to the San Jose Sharks ice hockey team, San Jose Stealth lacrosse team and the San Jose Saber Cats arena football team. Besides sports, the arena also hosts live concerts, family shows and World Wrestling Entertainment matches and exhibitions.
Pro Media/Ultrasound was responsible for the integration and implementation of the Artist Digital Matrix intercom system. According to Pro Media/Ultrasound‘s Demetrius Palavos, “Riedel Communications is providing the arena with behind-the-scenes communications that is versatile for all of the different events it hosts throughout the year. The flexibility that this system offers is second to none. Operators will be able to make changes to panels with a touch of a button that will allow them to be more efficient.”
One Artist 128 and one Artist 32 digital intercom matrix mainframe is acting as the heart of the installation, administering all audio and communication signal distribution throughout HP Pavilion‘s indoor arena. The Artist platform is designed to interconnect multiple matrix frames (nodes) by a dual optical-fiber ring to form a single large, full summing, non-blocking distributed matrix for up to 1,024 users, providing a decentralized infrastructure for live audio and intercom applications and saving a considerable amount of wiring and installation costs.
The Artist platform features AES3/EBU broadcast-quality audio throughout the entire system, not only within the matrix but also to the panels, which are connected to the matrix via a standard AES3 signal on Coax or CAT5 cables. On top to the intercom application the Artist 1000 panels provide a second audio channel which can be used for audio transport or commentary applications. The panels also provide local GPI/Os which can be programmed system-wide. In addition, the dimmable alphanumeric 8-digit LED display keys of the Artist 1000 series control panels allow clear labeling of destinations and excellent readability under all lighting conditions.
“The system is simply flawless,” comments Greg Carrolan, technical director of the HP Pavilion. “This is the clearest communications system that we have used. The flexibility of programming; the clarity and quality of the communications system is just astonishing. ”
About Riedel
Riedel - one of the major suppliers of communications equipment to the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France - designs, manufactures and distributes the most sophisticated intercom and radio technology for customers worldwide in the broadcast, pro-audio, event, sports and theatre industries. The products reflect today‘s leading-edge technologies that expand conventional concepts into tomorrow‘s applications. The Riedel group of companies also includes a European based large rental operation that provides radio, intercom services, event accreditation & ticketing systems as well as fiber-based audio and video transmission systems. The Company was founded in 1987 and today employs over 150 people located within 7 locations in Europe, Asia and North America.
