Riedel's MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero Drive Integrated and Reliable Comms in Paris La Défense Arena
Riedel Communications' MediorNet real-time media network, Artist digital matrix intercom, and Bolero wireless intercom are providing a comprehensive signal routing and communications backbone for Paris La Défense Arena, a showpiece domed stadium located in the famous La Défense business area west of Paris.
MediorNet provides integrated, decentralized, and fully redundant signal distribution and processing throughout the 40,000-seat arena, which opened to much acclaim in October 2017. Through tight integration with MediorNet, Artist and Bolero enable flexible communications with crystal-clear audio quality.
One of only two multiuse domed stadiums in Europe, Paris La Défense Arena features moveable seating that enables it to be used for a variety of indoor sports and entertainment events at various capacities. The arena is the home venue for the French rugby union club, Racing 92, and will play host to gymnastics events for the 2024 summer games.
"Since the arena is state-of-the-art and groundbreaking in many ways, we needed nothing less than the state of the art in communications and signal routing technologies. Riedel was the obvious choice," said Jean-Marc Poissenot, Chief Operating Officer, Paris La Défense Arena. "MediorNet is a powerful solution for handling the complexities of transporting, routing, and processing video and audio signals across the long distances spanning our arena. Plus, the combination of Artist and Bolero, with its unique Advanced DECT Receiver technology, delivers reliable communications that are immune to the multipath reflections you can expect in many stadium deployments."
The decentralized MediorNet backbone enables Paris La Défense Arena to route any type of signal from any point in the stadium to any other point or points without requiring staff to reconfigure any cables. The network reduces single points of failure and creates operational efficiencies by enabling arena staff to place physical I/Os closer to where they are needed. In addition, MediorNet's integrated processing capabilities include embedding/de-embedding, frame synchronization, video/audio delays, and a test pattern generator, reducing the need for single-purpose peripheral devices.
An Artist-32 digital matrix intercom mainframe enables robust and reliable crew communications throughout the arena. The Artist intercom supports 12 Bolero wireless beltpacks together with an RSP-2318 SmartPanel in the control room. With its integrated mic and speaker, each highly intuitive Bolero beltpack can also be operated as a wireless keypanel or as a walkie-talkie radio. Operators, administrators, and crew enjoy seamless communications workflows thanks to the integration of wireless and wired technology in a single decentralized system.
"Paris La Défense Arena is another outstanding showcase in Europe for Riedel technology, highlighting how our communications and real-time network solutions are able to fulfill even the most complex requirements of arenas and stadiums," said Franck Berger, General Manager, France and Africa, Riedel Communications. "Bolero has proven to be a game-changer for wireless communications, especially when paired with the award-winning Artist, our multifunctional SmartPanel user interface, and MediorNet's industry-leading signal transport and processing capabilities. This high-profile arena installation is just one more example of how unique and agile Riedel solutions really are, not only for sports broadcast but also for events and entertainment."
Further information about Riedel and the company's products is available at www.riedel.net.
Riedel MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero Form Complete Comms and Signal Transport Backbone for Parliament of Catalonia
WUPPERTAL, Germany — Feb. 11, 2020 — The Parliament of Catalonia in Barcelona has installed a comprehensive signal routing and communications backbone based on Riedel's MediorNet real-time signal transport, processing, and routing technology, together with the Artist digital matrix intercom and Bolero wireless intercom. The new networking infrastructure is a core element in a multiyear HD upgrade of the Parliament's video recording and broadcast capabilities.
The Parliament of Catalonia is the unicameral legislature of Spain's autonomous community of Catalonia, occupying a historic, 300-year-old palace in Barcelona's Ciutadella Park. Since 2002, the Parliament has been producing its own institutional television signal and making it available, free of charge, to media outlets.
For the wholesale migration of the video operation to HD, the Parliament had several complex requirements. Although the installation would initially be based on 1080i, the goal was to adopt technologies that could be easily migrated later to 1080p and 4K production in an IP-based operation. In addition, the signal distribution mechanism would need to support existing workflows in the Parliament building, which are based on nodes distributed throughout the facility and connected by fiber optics. The project hinged on the ability to transport large numbers of decentralized signals in an effective and financially viable way, with future-proof technologies that could serve the Parliament well for at least a decade.
"Even in the project's early stages, it was clear that Riedel's MediorNet would be perfectly suited to our needs in terms of flexibility, decentralization, and the ability to transport and route signals over fiber. MediorNet also gives us the guarantee of a smooth transition to IP in the future, with the reliability and proven success of a solution that's well-established in the market," said Daniel Rodriguez Carvajal, Audiovisual Technician, Parliament of Catalonia. "MediorNet's ease of use, management, and plug-and-play capabilities are also big plusses. In fact, we think of MediorNet as a type of ‘Swiss Army knife' – it's incredibly versatile, and we have had absolutely no system failures since we went live with the new infrastructure."
The Parliament of Catalonia's massive decentralized 368 x 368 router consists of four MediorNet MetroN core routers and 36 MediorNet MicroN high-density media distribution network devices, 10 of which are configured as multiviewers with the Riedel MultiViewer App. The deployment also includes two Compact Pro stage boxes and four RockNet real-time audio distribution devices. The SMPTE 2110-30-based network integrates an Artist-64 intercom mainframe and Bolero wireless intercom, outfitted with 20 2300-SmartPanels to enable agile routing and control of all intercom signals.
Thanks to close collaboration between the Parliament audiovisual staff, the Riedel team, systems integrator Telefonica Servicios Audiovisuales, and Riedel's partner Crosspoint, the new signal infrastructure was deployed in record time. Barely four weeks after the deployment began, the installation operated flawlessly for its first event, a ceremony to present the Parliament of Catalonia's Medal of honor on the National Day of Catalonia. Essential to this production were the Artist wired intercom system, which also acted as a simple audio monitor, and the easy-to-use Bolero wireless intercom, which enabled the audiovisual staff to communicate seamlessly and reliably.
"Riedel's MediorWorks interface is used on a daily basis for monitoring and controlling crucial operations within the Riedel distributed matrix at an engineering level, and it offers ease and immediacy in the technical monitoring and detection of errors that are vital to our operation," said Rafael Ramón Martín, Image and Sound Technician for the Parliament of Catalonia. "Even with an electrical shutdown of the entire infrastructure, MediorNet just switches off and then switches back on, and everything works perfectly."
Further information about Riedel and the company's products is available at www.riedel.net.