BEIJING, CHINA, August 18, 2008 – The Vitec Group Broadcast Systems Division companies Clear-Com® Communication Systems and Nucomm are going for the gold at this year’s 2008 Beijing Olympics. Both companies are helping viewers stay close to all of the action as the broadcast networks assume their positions for the coverage of the games.
China’s National Broadcaster CCTV is entrusting Clear-Com, the global leader of professional communication solutions for broadcast, live performance, military, government and commercial markets, for its intercom networking needs. Clear-Com is providing a link between CCTV and the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC), the hub of all broadcasting activities for the Olympic Games, and CCTV’s new Television Culture Centre (TVCC) as well as the existing CCTV headquarters. Among CCTV’s arsenal of communication equipment are two of Clear-Com’s Eclipse Omega systems with 144 ports in total, which form the heart of the network at the IBC and TVCC, and an additional six Eclipse PiCo units, each providing up to 36 full duplex/4-wireless ports that are deployed throughout the arenas for electronic field production. Furthermore, Clear-Com’s Eclipse V-Series user control panels, which support 5 Chinese (Kanji) characters per key display, are installed into various production rooms for crew members to stay in synch during production hours.
In addition, 13 of China’s leading broadcasters have selected Clear-Com products for use within 14 OB vans including two belonging to Shanghai TV (STV). While each of the 14 OB vans is relying on different combinations of equipment to broadcast the games, all are dependant on Clear-Com’s Eclipse Digital Matrix to act as the heart of their communications systems. Available in a variety of configurations, the typical OB van setup features Clear-Com’s 32-port Eclipse digital matrix system and I-Series control panels with built-in microphone headset connections and four display key modules along with a keypad. Designed with a high level of fault tolerance, Eclipse offers continuous operation throughout the entire Olympics production with the ability to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is reinforced by built-in layers of redundancy measures. Many broadcasters have also opted to add FreeSpeak® (formerly Freespeak10) digital wireless beltpacks for fully integrated communications for the production teams as they move through the broadcast centers and sporting stadiums.
Nucomm, a worldwide provider of premier digital and analog video microwave systems, is making history during this year’s Olympics, providing the first HD airborne microwave system sold to a broadcast network in P.R. China, CCTV. Nucomm’s CamPac 2 wireless microwave camera transmitter; a small, lightweight HD/SD COFDM unit intended for moving camera applications is installed within CCTV’s helicopter. The network is also using Nucomm’s Newscaster DR, a lightweight HD/SD COFDM microwave receiver for portable and mobile video applications. In addition to providing overhead shots, the helicopter serves as an airborne repeater for CCTV during the games. On the ground, two motorcycles send pictures up to the helicopter where they are relayed back to a Nucomm portable receiver terminal.
Extending its presence during the Olympics, six of Nucomm’s CamPac 2 wireless camera transmitters and six of its Newscaster DR diversity receivers are being used by 3G Wireless LLC, an industry leader implementing wireless HD technology, all of which are stationed at the Hong Kong-based Sha Tin competition venue and Beijing-based Workers’ Stadium for delivering superior HDRF coverage for the host world feed. The Nucomm system was used during portions of the opening ceremony and is being utilized during several competitions including the Keirin Track Bike racing event, where one of the CamPac 2s is transmitting via a camera-back system for a follow camera, and the equestrian event, in which the other CamPac 2 is linking back POV shots during the event’s featured “jumps.”
“The Vitec Group Broadcast Systems Division is proud to have Clear-Com and Nucomm participating in this year’s Beijing Olympics,” says Joop Janssen, CEO of The Vitec Group Broadcast Systems Division. “The fact that these broadcasters have chosen our Clear-Com and Nucomm products for covering an event of this caliber is a clear indication that we are upholding our mission in delivering state-of-the-art equipment that offers reliability, ease of use and flexibility for seamless communication and broadcasting.”
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® Digital Wireless and IP Communications systems have revolutionised broadcast stations, production vans, 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. More information can be found at www.clearcom.com.
About Nucomm
Nucomm, Inc. is a worldwide provider of premier digital and analog video microwave systems (including COFDM and VSB) for the broadcasting industry’s portable and fixed link applications. Offering video microwave transmission equipment for the military, law enforcement, telecom and cable television circuits, Nucomm’s products have helped revolutionize live broadcast coverage of major outdoor events including sports, auto racing, marathons and parades. Nucomm, along with RF Central and Microwave Service Company, forms The Vitec Group RF Systems business unit, part of The Vitec Group Broadcast Systems Division. For more information about Nucomm, visit www.nucomm.com.
About The Vitec Group plc
The Vitec Group plc is acknowledged as a global leader in the supply of equipment and services to the broadcasting, entertainment and photographic industries and has established a reputation for technical excellence and superior engineering along with an astute business strategy which has seen it grow by acquisition. Innovation is a cornerstone of the Group’s activities and the organization is committed to a policy of continuous product development. With revenues (2007) of $546m (£274m) and over 2200 employees world-wide, its products are distributed in almost 100 countries, through a strong, fully-resourced distribution network or direct to the end user or corporate customer. More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.
