Andover, UK - June 2015: A pair of Trilogy’s Gemini distributed matrix intercom systems have been linked 10 km (2,5 KM “as the crow flies”, 10++ km fiber length) apart to provide the core intercom for remote production system for production of multiple daily horse racing events for Mediatec Broadcast, Norway.
At the end of May, Mediatec Broadcast for the first time performed the live production using the capabilities of Trilogy’s Gemini matrices and high speed link (HSL) to connect the MCR and the studio facilities.
Trilogy’s proprietary HSL audio network is configured as a point-to-point connection, with failover to network for all traffic if the HSL-fiber link should fail.
Mediatec Executive said, “The key point is that we wanted remote site operation but had to ensure full audio bandwidth and near zero latency, which you can’t achieve using standard IP links 10 kilometres apart, but you can achieve when using Trilogy’s Gemini with HSL. It worked flawlessly.”
Gemini is Trilogy’s flagship intercom system is built on the concept of a de-centralised, scalable platform of 32 port matrices, each with IP connectivity. For the harness racing production, information from comms links with cameras, reporters, commentators, and local control rooms at the 12 horse racing track spread around Norway, are sent to Mediatec’s master control room (MCR) in Oslo. There the audio is transferred to the GEMINI intercom system and available for crews at the MCR and studio.
The IMG Studio control room in Oslo uses a Gemini linked via fibre to a Gemini frame at Mediatec’s MCR, connected via a range of embedders/de-embedders for near zero latency, full bandwidth, bi-directional communication between the Mediatec MCR and IMG Studios to the race tracks.
The remote comms links worked flawlessly on the first production. During june 2015, an additional ten race tracks in southern Norway will come online. Over the next five years it is estimated that around 2,500 productions will be done using Gemini matrix comms systems.
IF YOU WANT TO ADD IT:
Mediatec Broadcast also has a large TRILOGY MERCURY installation, compromising 7 frames spread out across Norway/Sweden to link studios, OB´s, MCR´s, broadcasters and other facilities. This system has been upgraded to the new software version 5 to be integrated with the GEMINI system. A total of about 200 ports + 150 IP-channels are available in the Mediatec Broadcast MERCURY/GEMINI system.
Trilogy’s Sales Director Ewan Johnston said, “If it were needed, this is further proof that Gemini leads the way in remote comms over IP. In racing terms, it’s a safe bet.”
