Digital Communications

Christian Bockskopf

Published 1st April 2014

by Christian Bockskopf Issue 87 - March 2014 1. What does Riedel do? Riedel Communications designs, manufactures, and distributes pioneering real-time video, audio, data, and communications networks for broadcast, pro audio, event, sports, theater, and security applications. The company also provides rental services for radio and intercom systems, event IT solutions, fiber backbones, and wireless signal transmission systems that scale easily for events of any size, anywhere in the world, from church installations to Formula 1 races.

2. Why are your solutions networked?
What does that mean? The MediorNet system from Riedel Communications is a real-time network for moving video, audio, data, and communications over a fiber infrastructure. By employing a network for signal transport, not only is every signal available at every node on the system, but signal routing functions are also supported, in turn allowing the user to send any incoming signal to any output or even to multiple outputs with just a mouse-click.

3. Do I need to worry about having all of my signals on fiber?
Fiber itself has been used for years in telecommunications and you can move far more signals over fiber by using various multiplexing schemes. When you add in the fact the high definition video signals are distance-limited on copper cabling, the benefits of fiber are clear. However, in the event of a cable failure, Riedel systems employ ring topographies that provide complete redundancy, so your signals are safe.
4. The new MediorNet 2.0 has a 10GB backplane. What does that mean? In simple terms, a high-speed backplane allows us to deal with the high bandwidth signals of today while future-proofing ourselves for the signals of tomorrow.

5. What is DECT and why is it good for wireless communications?
DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) is a digitalwireless technology that is globally license free, making it perfect for applications that need to work in more than one country. DECT uses TDMA to allow for many more users per base station than competing wireless intercom systems and, because it is digital, features clear communications and a high degree of resistance to crosstalk or interference. 6. What is AVB and can I use it with the Artist system? Audio Video Bridging (AVB) is a standard that provides for the synchronous, real-time, low-latency delivery and guaranteed bandwidth of broadcast signals over AVB-enabled Ethernet networks. One key reason that AVB is being so readily and widely adopted is that it is an IEEE standard that relies on established Ethernet standards. Because the technology boasts a solid foundation, the AVB-enabled infrastructure and hardware investments that broadcasters make are safe. The intrinsic familiarity of todays Ethernet networks, along with the assorted parts and pieces that make them work, is but one of the attractive benefits that make the AVB standard uniquely qualified to serve as a backbone for broadcast signal transport. The new CPX-AVB expansion card for the Riedel Artist 1100 series control panels provides the next generation of AVB interfacing for Riedel Artist digital matrix intercom control panels.
7. Can I use AVB for video, too? Yes. But, of course, the bandwidth requirements of video are better suited to faster backbones. Once we embrace 10G Ethernet systems, HD video transport will be far more practical and economical.
8. How is RockNet different from MediorNet? The MediorNet system is a real-time network for moving video, audio, data, and communications over a fiber infrastructure. RockNet is a real-time, low latency audio distribution network tailored to tour and installed sound applications. RockNet is a universal solution to almost any imaginable audio distribution challenge and behaves very much like a traditional analog active split system. Also, Because Riedel products are so well integrated, RockNet systems can be used with MediorNet backbones in large-scale signal transport applications.
9. How do these systems end up saving money? The shift to fiber and the flexibility and functionality of the MediorNet, RockNet, and Artist systems can radically reduce the complexity of an installation, as well as the time and resources required to complete it. Because so much functionality is packed into single boxes, technicians maintaining the link and intercom systems only need to work with and understand the Riedel components, rather than a wide variety of boxes and components. Whats more, fiber can be a very effective solution for long-haul signal transport, with less equipment, less money, and no latency.

Related Articles

Related News

Related Videos

© KitPlus (tv-bay limited). All trademarks recognised. Reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited without written consent.