- ODIN digital intercom matrix extends station’s RTS systems into the IP realm while retaining compatibility with legacy keypanels
- ROAMEO digital wireless beltpacks enable effortless communications for mobile crew throughout WFSB studio building
- ODIN infrastructure supports analog audio and Dante/OMNEO networking with AZedit software programming, fiber frame linking and RTS Trunking
Burnsville, MN, June 2020 – For most broadcasters, major equipment investments are scheduled years in advance, giving engineering staff plenty of time for appropriate planning. At WFSB-TV, Meredith Corporation’s CBS affiliate in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, that time came last year. The station’s maintenance engineer, Larch Purinton, had studied the options for upgrading communications across the station’s two control rooms, two studios, and remote truck. The system selected was the RTS ODIN digital matrix with ROAMEO digital wireless beltpacks.
“We knew we would be moving to an IP-based system, and looked at all the major brands,” notes Purinton. “There were several factors that pushed us to stay with RTS. First, our RTS ADAM matrix system has served us well for over a decade, with great reliability. Another thing we could not ignore was that our existing keypanels could still be used with ODIN, which meant significant savings. We also loved the fact that ODIN still uses AZedit software for control and programming, which made the changeover a lot easier.”
There were several factors that pushed us to stay with RTS. First, our RTS ADAM matrix system has served us well for over a decade, with great reliability.
WFSB purchased three ODIN frames: two 64-channel units for the production facility, plus a 16-channel version for the station’s remote truck. The two primary frames are connected via RTS Inter-Frame Link, with truck linkage done via a TM-10K trunking frame. While the station kept several legacy KP-32 keypanels, they also added 10 new KP-5032 rackmount panels with EKP-4016 expansion panels, all with color displays, and refreshed their inventory of RTS headsets and panel microphones.
WFSB also invested in the ROAMEO wireless intercom system, which essentially places a small control panel on the user’s belt. Eight ROAMEO TR-1800 beltpacks are split between the studio and truck, with three AP-1800 wireless access points strategically positioned within the building to enable seamless communication with full mobility.
“The first thing you notice is the sound quality,” says Purinton. “ROAMEO is very quiet, which we love, but what’s really great is the way the wireless connection moves with you. The access points keep you solidly connected as you move through the building, so if the floor manager needs to go upstairs, they stay in communication the entire way.”
The station‘s RTS TIF-4000 interface provides field crews with access to ODIN for IFB by phone. Two GPIO-16 devices read contact closures from the TIF and other devices, illuminating notifications of remote dial-ins on the control panels for producers and directors. Remote users automatically hear the correct audio regardless of which control room is active, thanks to programming statements for the GPIs implemented via AZedit.
“In just two rack spaces, we’ve got 128 crosspoints, and everything is networked together with Dante/OMNEO, plus MADI to access all the mix-minus and microphone feeds from our audio console,” says Purinton. “Our producers can listen to talent without opening up the fader. Same thing with IFBs out in the field; we get two-way communication on the fly. Upgrading to ODIN and ROAMEO has made everything easier, especially with the great factory support from RTS. I can’t give a bigger compliment.”
www.wfsb.com
www.rtsintercoms.com
RTS equipment list:
3x ODIN digital matrix frame
4x Inter-frame link fiber SFP module
1x TM-10K Trunkmaster
1x RVON-IO eight-channel analog-to-VoIP interface panel
1x AZedit configuration software
4x AP-1800 ROAMEO access point
8x TR-1800 ROAMEO wireless transceiver
10x KP-5032 rackmount keypanel, 32-key, color
10x EKP-4016 expansion keypanel, 16-key, color
5x MCP-90 gooseneck condenser microphone
20x PH-88R5 single-sided headset, A5M connector
Contact person for press inquiries: Guy.Low@us.bosch.com
