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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Wireless and Communications => Topic started by: Pete Erskine on August 16, 2016, 01:34:33 PM
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This summer, Riedel Communications hired me to work on another mega event like I have done for them before. This will be my 17 and 18th time doing events this size and experience paves the way to do more. Now that other articles have been written I can post my pictures.
Here is an article from SVG http://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/08/11/live-from-rio-2016-riedel-has-olympic-sized-presence/
Each time Riedel Communications provides the pinnacle of comms systems. The massive communications system allowed very comfortable communications during rehearsals and the actual show. Everyone has access to almost all channels and usually communicate to me or Radouan for any changes in their panel. Of course the equipment is only the tool.
The real greatness is the caliber and friendliness of technicians that Riedel hires to do the work. We always have a good time and, because of the attitude, work hard.
The overriding goal is facilitating communications for the show, of course.
The full collection of pictures is http://www.bestaudio.com/massivecomms/
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For the radio system, what's the minimum and average adjacent channel separation? (I presume this is all in the low to mid 400's?) How many channels get combined into a single TX antenna [feed]?
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Each time Riedel Communications provides the pinnacle of comms systems. The massive communications system allowed very comfortable communications during rehearsals and the actual show. Everyone has access to almost all channels and usually communicate to me or Radouan for any changes in their panel. Of course the equipment is only the tool.
Great photos and details Pete.
What is your workflow like with multiple programmers online to the system at the same time - do you still have to get the latest copy from the network before making any changes?
Is the panel offline beep and key flash something that is standard in Director or more logic programming?
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Great photos and details Pete.
What is your workflow like with multiple programmers online to the system at the same time - do you still have to get the latest copy from the network before making any changes?
Is the panel offline beep and key flash something that is standard in Director or more logic programming?
We take care in notifying each other that we might need to do programming and then when done say get a new copy. Generally it's me and if I leave my post Radouan takes over listening to COMMHELP and doing any editing. Also we disable OVERWRITE.
Panel offline is done with a logic function on the ALWAYS button of the panel which if the panel is live the logic is pushed. If panel is unplugged the logic goes off. the function beeps me and flashes the marker keys. This is a trick I learned from Radouan.
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Panel offline is done with a logic function on the ALWAYS button of the panel which if the panel is live the logic is pushed. If panel is unplugged the logic goes off. the function beeps me and flashes the marker keys. This is a trick I learned from Radouan.
Nice, probably not something that you'd have time to program on every show, but I guess once the system is running in rehearsals for this scale show there is a good amount of time to add details like this to the system?
Is the UPS monitoring all done over network using SNMP or similar? Are there network switches with each Artist node?
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For the radio system, what's the minimum and average adjacent channel separation? (I presume this is all in the low to mid 400's?) How many channels get combined into a single TX antenna [feed]?
This is an amazing transmitter combiner. Typically this method is used on high power commercial broadcast systems but rarely more than 5-6 TX. Steve has expanded the idea for almost 50 TX frequencies. The amazing thing is that any one TX only looses 6 dB by the time it gets to the antenna. NO additional amplification is needed during or after the combining. All of the loss is due to the little bit of RF that does get through to another TX or the term in a circulator.
HERE is the design PDF for Steve's antenna system (http://www.bestaudio.com/s/Rio-LMR-base-radio-schematic-cavities-as-built-No-Frequencies.pdf)
Read about this technology HERE (https://books.google.com.br/books?id=K9N1TVhf82YC&pg=PA1627&lpg=PA1627&dq=rf+combining+starpoint+wave+guide&source=bl&ots=RswfiLdWkt&sig=SfVPO5tR5Z89ZM_5pZsjH654OHo&hl=en&sa=X#v=onepage&q=rf%20combining%20starpoint%20wave%20guide&f=false)
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Is the UPS monitoring all done over network using SNMP or similar? Are there network switches with each Artist node?
Yes all UPS are monitored by SNMP. Most every node has a MediorNet Modular node as well which provides network as well as video interfacing for the PTZ camera system.
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Nice, probably not something that you'd have time to program on every show, but I guess once the system is running in rehearsals for this scale show there is a good amount of time to add details like this to the system?
One thing about doing comms...once it's setup and running there is nothing to do so I occupy my time by implementing these kinds of things to make it interesting for me. The panel offline was a great success since we knew before the user that his panel was off!. I would immediately call an adjacent user and say we were on the way.
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This is an amazing transmitter combiner. Typically this method is used on high power commercial broadcast systems but rarely more than 5-6 TX. Steve has expanded the idea for almost 50 TX frequencies. The amazing thing is that any one TX only looses 6 dB by the time it gets to the antenna. NO additional amplification is needed during or after the combining. All of the loss is due to the little bit of RF that does get through to another TX or the term in a circulator.
How complex is it to deploy this system on site? I assume the tuned cable lengths are all set in advance during prep and then the cavity filters tuned on site with a tracking generator?
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How complex is it to deploy this system on site? I assume the tuned cable lengths are all set in advance during prep and then the cavity filters tuned on site with a tracking generator?
It took Torbeg and Steve 2 days to fine tune the cable lengths and adjust frequencies. It is not an easy system to setup. The cable lengths theoretically could b done in advance but in reality small adjustments needed to be done once all channels were online based on how much of the freqs got into other TX.
Using a normal hybrid combiner would put a lot of rf back into each TX and the circulators. The circulator terminations would get too hot to touch. Using manifold combining in this system they are cold meaning very little RF is fed back into the previous TX.
A tuning box could be made that electrically adjusts the length of the cable. Nothing like that exists as a product so manual cable length was the easiest way to do this.
I am told that cellular techs travel with a lot of pre cut cables, sort of like a kit of all the different values of resistors, that they just use to adjust combining, rather than build cables on site.
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This is an amazing transmitter combiner. Typically this method is used on high power commercial broadcast systems but rarely more than 5-6 TX. Steve has expanded the idea for almost 50 TX frequencies. The amazing thing is that any one TX only looses 6 dB by the time it gets to the antenna. NO additional amplification is needed during or after the combining. All of the loss is due to the little bit of RF that does get through to another TX or the term in a circulator.
HERE is the design PDF for Steve's antenna system (http://www.bestaudio.com/s/Rio-LMR-base-radio-schematic-cavities-as-built-No-Frequencies.pdf)
Read about this technology HERE (https://books.google.com.br/books?id=K9N1TVhf82YC&pg=PA1627&lpg=PA1627&dq=rf+combining+starpoint+wave+guide&source=bl&ots=RswfiLdWkt&sig=SfVPO5tR5Z89ZM_5pZsjH654OHo&hl=en&sa=X#v=onepage&q=rf%20combining%20starpoint%20wave%20guide&f=false)
Hi Pete,
Wow!
It looks like the cost of the hardware would be commensurate with its performance level.
Do you know where he acquired all of those dual junction wideband isolators?
Sent from my mobile phone. Please excuse the inevitable spelling and grammatical errors.
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It looks like the cost of the hardware would be commensurate with its performance level.
Do you know where he acquired all of those dual junction wideband isolators?
Sent from my mobile phone. Please excuse the inevitable spelling and grammatical errors.
http://procom.dk/products/242-pro-is-380-s1-pro-is-380-d1
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It took Torbeg and Steve 2 days to fine tune the cable lengths and adjust frequencies. It is not an easy system to setup. The cable lengths theoretically could b done in advance but in reality small adjustments needed to be done once all channels were online based on how much of the freqs got into other TX.
Using a normal hybrid combiner would put a lot of rf back into each TX and the circulators. The circulator terminations would get too hot to touch. Using manifold combining in this system they are cold meaning very little RF is fed back into the previous TX.
A tuning box could be made that electrically adjusts the length of the cable. Nothing like that exists as a product so manual cable length was the easiest way to do this.
I am told that cellular techs travel with a lot of pre cut cables, sort of like a kit of all the different values of resistors, that they just use to adjust combining, rather than build cables on site.
That is true with the cellular techs. Running my hand across the loads on the circulations is job one when troubleshooting or inspector a combining system.
What I don't understand is why the production industry doesn't have the equivalent of a z-match. I just did a search and could not even find a picture, it was a 1/1 inch cube with a variable inductor and capacitor. It created a tank circuit and allowed poorly designed amplifiers to load better. Any good RF tech kept a few in their toolbox. I can't recall if it was a Phelps or a DB product. At first I thought it was TXRX systems but they are still in business and have no reference of it.
The cable tuning method requires quite a bit of intuition. Do you use any Smith Charts when you do these calculations? Have you ever had to employ a tuning stub?
I honestly am just surprised that the methods used by amateur radio operators of my youth is the chosen method for the latest high tech production gear.
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The cable tuning method requires quite a bit of intuition. Do you use any Smith Charts when you do these calculations? Have you ever had to employ a tuning stub?
They used a R&S®ZVH Cable and Antenna Analyzer (https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/product/zvh-productstartpage_63493-11194.html) to visually see the null at a freq. Put a T on it then a termination on one side and the cable on the other and left the end of the cable open. Basically a distance to fault measurement, I think.
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They used a R&S®ZVH Cable and Antenna Analyzer (https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/product/zvh-productstartpage_63493-11194.html) to visually see the null at a freq. Put a T on it then a termination on one side and the cable on the other and left the end of the cable open. Basically a distance to fault measurement, I think.
Wow that is nice. I cut my teeth on the HP 8510. With the S-Parameter test set it weighed over 200lbs in the flight case
A brief story since you mentioned circulators.
A carrier and a group of tech's that will remain nameless was having trouble commissioning an analog cell site. This would have been about 88 if I had to guess. They had replaced LDF on the tower, had the climbers and riggers up numerous times and yet the combiner fault was displaying on computer and shutting down the PA module. They claimed it would not transmit long enough to get a reading of reflected energy on the analog watt-meter integrated into the combiner circuit.
The boss didn't want be to give these brain surgeons instructions on how to key the radio in maintenance mode so off I went to the town with the test set in Piper Cheyenne with a cargo door so the above referenced test gear would fit in the aircraft.
I pull up onsite and they expect me to start unpacking my gear. In fact the local manager was combative from the get go since before I pulled all that crap out of the van (the 8510 and case) I wanted to have a look. I quickly keyed the radio then ran my hand across the circulators, expecting to find a mistuned cavity and know where to start my work. Low and behold the output load was hotter than a firecracker after only 3 seconds of about 120w. I pulled the jumper and peered into the N female attached to the 1 5/8 airline. The connector was assembled wrong and the centerpin was recessed. I pointed it out and told them to remake the connector and all should be OK.
Test set never unpacked, lunch at the waffle house and home in time for happy hour. I don't think the boys at the cell site had as pleasant a day.
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The connector was assembled wrong and the centerpin was recessed. I pointed it out and told them to remake the connector and all should be OK.
Test set never unpacked, lunch at the waffle house and home in time for happy hour. I don't think the boys at the cell site had as pleasant a day.
That's like checking that their eq is plugged in. Nice. I guess you knew where to hit it with a hammer.
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That's like checking that their eq is plugged in. Nice. I guess you knew where to hit it with a hammer.
My mentor had too great phrases check where the last technician was working first and it's always the simple shit. 30 years later I don't think he has ever been wrong.
One of the mistakes I see engineers make when confronted with massive systems is to get overwhelmed with the scale of it all. You have to think of it as many small systems put together. If you don't teach good core troubleshooting skills in the beginning you can't succeed on large systems.
I had this discussion with Henry Cohen when I met him in Cleveland. He has a land mobile background also. We have to take the time to be the mentor to the young techs around us.
If we don't then who is going to take care of all this gear when we are drooling on ourselves and parked in front of a TV watching endless Law and Order reruns?
Take care
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Each time Riedel Communications provides the pinnacle of comms systems. The massive communications system allowed very comfortable communications during rehearsals and the actual show.
In terms of overall number of interfaced radios, I think I saw that the system for the last winter games had quite a few more channels. Do you think that was a one-off rather than a trend in mega event comms system design? Would you like to have more radio channels on this show but limited by other factors such as budget or spectrum? Are there additional back to back channels that don't have a need to be interfaced to the wired system?
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In terms of overall number of interfaced radios, I think I saw that the system for the last winter games had quite a few more channels. Do you think that was a one-off rather than a trend in mega event comms system design? Would you like to have more radio channels on this show but limited by other factors such as budget or spectrum? Are there additional back to back channels that don't have a need to be interfaced to the wired system?
Budget is always a factor. Soche probably was a very low rf usage area so freqs were probably easier to get. the usage will always expand to the size of the system.
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My mentor had too great phrases check where the last technician was working first and it's always the simple shit. 30 years later I don't think he has ever been wrong.
Great story. 8)
One of my troubleshooting tips is "just look at the damn thing for a couple minutes". Finding a burnt component usually makes the rest of the search a lot shorter.
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Great story. 8)
One of my troubleshooting tips is "just look at the damn thing for a couple minutes". Finding a burnt component usually makes the rest of the search a lot shorter.
Agree completely and thanks.
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They used a R&S®ZVH Cable and Antenna Analyzer (https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/product/zvh-productstartpage_63493-11194.html) to visually see the null at a freq. Put a T on it then a termination on one side and the cable on the other and left the end of the cable open. Basically a distance to fault measurement, I think.
It's actually a 2 port VNA that can measure distance to the fault (the end of the cable) and then translate that length into frequency taking into account the type of cable. It can be calibrated to a reference length/frequency before each use so the measurements are consistently quite accurate. It can then measure VSWR of the tuned jumper connected to the next filter input, if they so desired.
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In terms of overall number of interfaced radios, I think I saw that the system for the last winter games had quite a few more channels. Do you think that was a one-off rather than a trend in mega event comms system design? Would you like to have more radio channels on this show but limited by other factors such as budget or spectrum?
As Pete stated, budget and spectrum availability are always factors. On these large events, available spectrum, physical square footage and install time are generally the primary factors over budget. With a filter/isolator TX combine system, as opposed to hybrid coupler, adjacent TX channel spacing is greater (generally a minimum of 175-225KHz based on filter Q), a lot more floor space is required to accommodate significant numbers of relatively large filters, and (as Pete mentioned) a lot of time is required to build tuned interconnects.
On the flip side, a hybrid coupler system, requires lots of RF power to compensate for the insertion losses, and lots of AC power to run the RF amplifiers (and possibly air conditioning).
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It's actually a 2 port VNA that can measure distance to the fault (the end of the cable) and then translate that length into frequency taking into account the type of cable. It can be calibrated to a reference length/frequency before each use so the measurements are consistently quite accurate. It can then measure VSWR of the tuned jumper connected to the next filter input, if they so desired.
So it is not actually like a sweep generator/spectrum analyzer/S-axis test set that can show the response of a filter/network and be used to tune the filter in real time? When tuning cavity filters as was just mentioned the same exact tradeoff occurs, the sharper the Q the greater the insertion loss.
While we are discussing combiners I am sure there are folks that have never seen one. For the lurkers this is a 5 cavity hybrid combiner. The things with the red caps and little dummy loads are where the transmitters are attached. They are magnetic circulators that act as RF diode gates and shunt incidental energy returned from impedance mismatches to the dummy loads.
The big cans are cavity filters. The stick with the red cap is a rod that moves a plunger to alter the resonance of the cavity. There are also matching loops that are on the input and output connectors that can be tuned for best match.
You can see the jumpers between the combiner network and the cavity are all of different lengths (count the dress loops) this is part of the tuning process and what was being discussed.
This looks to be about a 100w combiner to my eyes.
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Hi Pete,
Is the Rehearsal system tied to the main system using a trunk navigator for dynamic port usage or is it just conferences at each site I nterfaced over VoIP 4w? I take it there is a network data connection as well as voip between the two sites if Radouan is able to access both systems from his control poaition.
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Hi Pete,
Is the Rehearsal system tied to the main system using a trunk navigator for dynamic port usage or is it just conferences at each site interfaced over VoIP 4w? I take it there is a network data connection as well as voip between the two sites if Radouan is able to access both systems from his control position.
Trunk Navigator. 2 VOIP cards in each system make 16 4-wire lines, some are static for audio TC and showcall. the rest are dynamic. Audio playback and monitor routing are still at the stadium as are announcers. We are on the same LAN as the venue.
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So it is not actually like a sweep generator/spectrum analyzer/S-axis test set that can show the response of a filter/network and be used to tune the filter in real time?
Because it's a two port VNA, it does have a tracking (sweep) generator and can do S12 & S21 measurements. However, for the measuring VSWR, return loss or distance to fault, it's used as a one port device for S11 (or S22) measurements.
While we are discussing combiners I am sure there are folks that have never seen one. For the lurkers this is a 5 cavity hybrid combiner. The things with the red caps and little dummy loads are where the transmitters are attached. They are magnetic circulators that act as RF diode gates and shunt incidental energy returned from impedance mismatches to the dummy loads.
This is not a hybrid combiner; there are no hybrid couplers. This is a star junction, filter-isolator configuration - the same as Pete is discussing. The isolators - circulators with port 3 (and port 4 if a dual stage) terminated - are connected between the final PA and the filter.
This looks to be about a 100w combiner to my eyes.
I'll agree with that.
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Because it's a two port VNA, it does have a tracking (sweep) generator and can do S12 & S21 measurements. However, for the measuring VSWR, return loss or distance to fault, it's used as a one port device for S11 (or S22) measurements.
This is not a hybrid combiner; there are no hybrid couplers. This is a star junction, filter-isolator configuration - the same as Pete is discussing. The isolators - circulators with port 3 (and port 4 if a dual stage) terminated - are connected between the final PA and the filter.
I'll agree with that.
I have been calling it the wrong thing for all these years. So a combiner that uses a ferrite style coupler is properly referred to as a hybrid combiner?
Like this?
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Trunk Navigator. 2 VOIP cards in each system make 16 4-wire lines, some are static for audio TC and showcall. the rest are dynamic. Audio playback and monitor routing are still at the stadium as are announcers. We are on the same LAN as the venue.
Is comms responsible for all time code distribution to the users from audio playback? If so, how much redundancy has to be built in, as I'd expect timecode to be critical for most departments on this scale of show?
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Is comms responsible for all time code distribution to the users from audio playback? If so, how much redundancy has to be built in, as I'd expect timecode to be critical for most departments on this scale of show?
You are right, it is the most important "audio" in the show. It actually is a shared responsibility with audio where the TC originates. Many of the Artist panels have TC displays and a lot are fed via the 2nd channel of the panels for users to see and take cues. Audio distributes many of the displays too, and feeds key departments like automation, SFX, Lighting, video and Projection. I don't know for sure but I think most have redundant feeds. MediorNet transports TC to every department and to the Network as well.
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I have been calling it the wrong thing for all these years. So a combiner that uses a ferrite style coupler is properly referred to as a hybrid combiner?
Ferrites refer to the circulator/isolator since they contain a magnet. Hybrid couplers' internal transmission paths are generally copper, aluminum, copper clad aluminum or some non-ferrous alloy.
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I have added more detail and more pictures.
http://www.bestaudio.com/massivecomms/
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I have added more detail and more pictures.
Are you using you excel spreadsheet and labelling templates to mark up panels and beltpacks?
The power for panels is distributed locally in each control room from the central set of UPS, and the coax or cat5 home run back to the node location?
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Are you using you excel spreadsheet and labeling templates to mark up panels and beltpacks?
The power for panels is distributed locally in each control room from the central set of UPS, and the coax or cat5 home run back to the node location?
Not doing my usual labeling this time. Most all BP and panels were already installed and labeled when I got here. For the booth each room got 2-3 AC lines from different UPS'. Also within a room every other panel was fed by different UPS. Most rooms have 1-2 5-wire coax lines going back to the nodes in the hallway. Some locations around the stadium are using PMX multiplexer with fiber to extend from the Node. Also in several places the PMX will connect to a CIA and local C44 for a beltpack.
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Not doing my usual labeling this time. Most all BP and panels were already installed and labeled when I got here. For the booth each room got 2-3 AC lines from different UPS'.
Does production provide power at each node location? Or is there one primary set of power at the comms control room with distribution to all the nodes done by Riedel alongside their fibre?
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Does production provide power at each node location? Or is there one primary set of power at the comms control room with distribution to all the nodes done by Riedel alongside their fibre?
Production has 4 generator farms around stadium and Riedel is expected to go no more than 75 Meters to get power. Distribution beyond these 4 disconnects is all Riedel.
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I have added more detail and more pictures.
Looking at the net view of frames in the system, was there an advantage to splitting the simplex radios across two nodes or just there for additional capacity? Are you using RIFs for the GPIO to the radios?
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Looking at the net view of frames in the system, was there an advantage to splitting the simplex radios across two nodes or just there for additional capacity? Are you using RIFs for the GPIO to the radios?
It was a wiring and cable length issue for the GPI. RIF seems to have a bug and the GPO was more reliable with the actual card. This is one node the other is essentially the same.
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I have added more detail and more pictures.
Hope the show went well last night.
How do you have the program audio inputs set up? Does each panel listen directly to the port or is it through a conference with the panels as listen only?
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Hope the show went well last night.
How do you have the program audio inputs set up? Does each panel listen directly to the port or is it through a conference with the panels as listen only?
No listens commands were used. Just conferences as listen only - easier for user since it doesn't need to be turned on and a talk can still be programmed on the button.
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No listens commands were used. Just conferences as listen only - easier for user since it doesn't need to be turned on and a talk can still be programmed on the button.
Does the limit of 100 members in a conference apply equally to users who are listen only?
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Does the limit of 100 members in a conference apply equally to users who are listen only?
Yes it does. That's why we break showcall into departments. also it lowers the traffic one hears by not including any of the other conference calls to showcall in yours. we stack them on the Showcaller's and ASM keys.
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Yes it does. That's why we break showcall into departments. also it lowers the traffic one hears by not including any of the other conference calls to showcall in yours. we stack them on the Showcaller's and ASM keys.
I like that, good idea.
Mac
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Did you end up using the Tait duplex base stations as shown in the drawings?
Just curious - a long established New Zealand company still manufacturing the majority of its product in the same town where Sir Angus Tait started in 1947.
Doug
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A town I am sitting in right now!
I'm a big fan of Tait the gear, as well as Tait the company, which has an unusual structure to try to prevent its management screwing it up.
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A town I am sitting in right now!
I'm a big fan of Tait the gear, as well as Tait the company, which has an unusual structure to try to prevent its management screwing it up.
We use to use Tait radios in the Land Mobile business (community repeaters and such) if I recall they even had a paging base station.
Always enjoyed working on it. Looking at the pictures I think they were T800's
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The T800s just wont go away: they are still - after 30 odd years - manufactured for some VHF bands. The UHF models are now well discontinued. There are bazillions installed. Many that were retired from commercial service ended up with a second life as amateur radio repeaters.
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I have added more detail and more pictures.
Hi Pete,
How is the programming done for the users who are sharing a panel with double headset? Custom audio patch using the second matrix channel and then selecting 2nd channel on the neccessary keys? How about sidetone?
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Hi Pete,
How is the programming done for the users who are sharing a panel with double headset? Custom audio patch using the second matrix channel and then selecting 2nd channel on the necessary keys? How about sidetone?
Most of the 2 headset panels are just sharing the same keys, no second channel. This is a slight problem because the 2nd headset on an RCP panel usually adds a little buzz (slight hardware bug). When needed I usually add a second audiopatch to turn on the second headset to minimize its use with a "2nd HSon" button on the panel. On a DCP it's OK but we aren't using them. There are 2 CCP commentator panels each with 2 announcers for the verbal descriptive audio channel (for blind audience) and they work fine and they are programmed for 2nd ch use of the comm system.
If you do program the second headset to use the 2nd channel, sidetone can be specified for ch2.
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Hi Pete,
It looks like the CCTV system is IP based across a network with servers for recording, and that the viewer stations are PC's with monitoring software? How does Mediornet fit into the system? Is it just being used to transport Ethernet data to switches at each node?
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Hi Pete,
It looks like the CCTV system is IP based across a network with servers for recording, and that the viewer stations are PC's with monitoring software? How does Mediornet fit into the system? Is it just being used to transport Ethernet data to switches at each node?
Yes, here the MediorNet is primarily an IP network and all the CCTV transport over it. Some Artist panels also go over it. All user stations are PC and can be programmed for what channels they need and wheather they can control the camera.
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Hi Pete,
In the picture of Radouan's control room it looks like there is a pretty large workbox in the background. I assume the expectation is for all contractors to be fully self contained and provide all tools needed to commission and maintain the system. Have Riedel supplied any particularly interesting, unusual or specialised tools as part of this package?
Is much consideration given to providing some home comforts for the crew whilst on site for such a long duration, beside copious amounts of Yummi Comms?
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Hi Pete,
In the picture of Radouan's control room it looks like there is a pretty large work box in the background. I assume the expectation is for all contractors to be fully self contained and provide all tools needed to commission and maintain the system. Have Riedel supplied any particularly interesting, unusual or specialized tools as part of this package?
Is much consideration given to providing some home comforts for the crew whilst on site for such a long duration, beside copious amounts of Yummi Comms?
You need to be self contained. There isn't a radio shack in every corner of the world. They bring some very specialized RF testing equipment and enough tools for any cable repair, spare cards, panels, beltpacks, headsets, etc. as well.
Comforts depend on the show. Of course there is a tea kettle and instant food on hand but food within the Olympic venue is pretty meager and really not very good. The Canteen has meals for purchase, which also are not inviting. I never went there. In the control rooms there are refrigerators which have sandwiches - they're 95% bread so I sometimes take 2 and combine the insides to make 1 more-normal sandwich. Way to much candy, cookies and chocolate and not enough fruit. I am sure I've put on 20 lbs here just eating junk food.
When I have been on Musical tours, they know how to take care of the crew. World class catering is so important for morale and no Olympics production has ever realized that.
Riedel is very good at spreading out the shifts so, except for show days, no shift is more than 10 hours. Radouan usually comes early and I stay late. and until the last few days before a dress or show everyone has 1 day off a week. That's where the real comfort comes in.
Most important is being there for the production. From the multiple persons responding to COMMHELP to crew and volunteers for the FM cast radios and radio room distribution, as they say, it takes a village.
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Yes, here the MediorNet is primarily an IP network and all the CCTV transport over it. Some Artist panels also go over it. All user stations are PC and can be programmed for what channels they need and wheather they can control the camera.
How does the Artist panel transport work? MADI from an artist node to a Mediornet Frame? Is there a Mediornet card that allows direct connection of the AES panels?
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Each MediorNet frame has 2 Artist panel ports, 1 coax and 1 cat5. they can be inputs or outputs. We transported the Broadcast Artist panels this way to the broadcast compound. Connecting to an artist node at the stadium into the coax input on 2 MediorNet frames to the single MediorNet frame in the compound using 1 on coax and the other on Cat5.
All the 4-wires (16) to the truck went as madi over this same frame with analog backups connected in the stadium to the trucks fiber stage box in audio at the patch point.
Automatic logic was used to switch to analog if audio in the madi went away.
For larger shows like the Eurovision song Contest, ALL Artist ports were connected as madi in one central Artist node and all distribution was over MediorNet with the expansion panel shown below which give 8 ports. Terrific way to do this because any reprogrammed port is available anywhere and moved just by changing a cross point.