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 1990 xal 4K RIEDEL 4 ELEVATES 4K PROJECTS’ EVENTAND … STUDIO PRODUCTIONS IN DENMARK ■ 4K Projects, a leading provider for events and entertainment productions based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is using a wide range of Riedel products to enhance clients’ on-site productions all across the country and to power the company’s own studio setup. 4K Projects’ core Riedel products now include the Bolero wireless intercom system, Artist-1024 intercom nodes, RSP-1216HL SmartPanels, Mediornet MicroN, and the punQtum IP partyline intercom system. These solutions play a pivotal role in enabling flexible, intuitive communications and, as a result, streamlining 4K Projects' internal production coordination for all types of events. "In the fast-paced world of event production, clear and efficient communication is paramount," said Balder Thorrud, operator and partner at 4K Projects. “Riedel systems help us work together seamlessly with tight deadlines, multiple stakeholders, and complex events. We would never consider anything other than Riedel products because they deliver exactly what we need, and support is great too. It was an easy choice to expand and invest in additional Riedel gear." Besides live music and corporate event productions, 4K Projects also runs Studio99, a complete virtual green screen studio that offers a fully customizable and immersive experience to live stream and broadcasting. In their studio setup, 4K Projects relies on Riedel systems to connect the technical crew, floor managers, moderators, and the studio team. Artist's superior hardware integration, which faciliates simple and reliable interoperation between Riedel products, and Riedel’s steadfast commitment to quality made the company's intercom systems an indisputable choice for 4K Projects. In the field, the Riedel solutions have significantly accelerated 4K Projects' workflow efficiency, reducing setup time and enhancing communication during events. For example, last September the Riedel intercom solutions proved invaluable during the Suspekt concert at Parken, the Danish national football stadium. The Riedel gear was used for production communication, handling cues, program sound, and facilitating communication between all production units to ensure that the event was run flawlessly. “4K Projects’ success in the dynamic world of event production reflects our shared dedication to good, clear communication. The possibility to simply add another Artist-1024 to the setup has proven very useful to accomodate their various production sizes. With Artist's flexible licensing scheme, they can go as low as 16 ports for small productions, and scale up as they please," said Jakob Refer, Regional Sales Manager Northern Europe & BLX at Riedel. "The company excels in managing, planning, and executing every aspect of lighting, video, cameras, and visuals for demanding live events, and we're proud that Riedel gear helps the 4K Projects team make each of these complex productions a success."
A TOTAL GAME-CHANGER
LAFAYETTE COLLEGE'S SPORTS NETWORK SCORES BIG WITH SIMPLYLIVE PRODUCTION SUITE ■ Home to 23 Division l sports, Patriot League member Lafayette College boasts a strong presence in NCAA athletics. To provide broadcasts for its renowned athletics program, the college established the Lafayette Sports Network (LSN-TV) in 1997 and, in 2000, launched live-streaming coverage. Over the years, the student-run network has used NDI technology over the campus network to connect its central control room to any other site on campus as needed to cover a range of athletic and academic events. When the Patriot League moved its broadcast to ESPN+, Lafayette College realized it needed to shift away from traditional linear broadcasting entirely. This transition meant that LSN-TV would need to invest in versatile, intuitive,  professional-grade  tools  while keeping a close eye on its budget constraints. That’s where Riedel Communications changed the game for Lafayette, supplying the Simplylive Production Suite, with its beginner- friendly systems comprising easy-to-use touchscreen interfaces, versatile applications, and compact hardware. “The touchscreen, especially when you’re directing or taking replays, is so much easier and just so much more streamlined," said Jack Strini, Production Assistant for the Athletic Communications Department at Lafayette College, comparing the Riedel suite to other broadcast systems. “It was really easy to learn, especially since Lafayette was my first place getting hands-on experience with this type of broadcasting equipment. And I feel like I’ve kind of mastered the system relatively quickly. It has allowed me to get clips at lightning speed and send replays to my director before he's even done thinking about his next move." Before implementing the Riedel system, LSN-TV could only broadcast one game at a time from its central control room. As a result, concurrent sporting events often went unseen. That has changed with Riedel’s Simplylive Production Suite 8 all-in-one live production system. Offering a director interface in a portable setup that a single operator can use to manage graphics, incorporate instant replays, and control audio, the compact ViBox Mini 8 server empowers students at diverse venues to deliver professional-grade broadcasts that meet the standards of major platforms. Now able to run multiple broadcasts simultaneously, the college has expanded coverage of its athletics program. Today, the network delivers more than 35 live television broadcasts and more than 80 additional live streaming productions annually, reaching upwards of 10 million viewers locally and more than 90 million viewers nationally via partner networks. “When other people have talked to me about what they should get or if they're looking to upgrade, I recommend the Simplylive Production Suite over any other product," said John Sabino, Video Production Manager at Lafayette College. "For a first-time user, it's very easy to learn and use. It doesn't take up too much space, so you can set it up in the corner of your arena or off to the sides behind the stands and still produce a high- quality broadcast." "We've been so satisfied with Riedel since we implemented it," added Scott Morse, Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Lafayette College. "Riedel has helped us not only meet those quality control expectations of ESPN+ but really exceed them. I have often thought, 'Wow, I can't believe that we have this type of product out there on a national level that looks so darn good. With the Simplylive Production Suite, students with any amount of production experience can create high-quality live broadcasts on the fly. Just by watching the first half of a game, a student new to Riedel solution can learn the system well enough to operate it properly for the rest of the game. Whether they're operating cameras, replay, or graphics, members of LSV-TV's six-person team can successfully manage multiple positions at a time – and even compensate if an operator is absent.
(CAPIURE
COLDPLAY

■  RIEDEL EXPANDS RICAPTURE INGEST solutions with launch of ricapture i8, i44, AND i84 At NAB 2024, Riedel announced a significant expansion of the RiCapture ingest solutions line with the addition of RiCapture i8, i44 and i84. Complementing the RiCapture i4, these new additions bring increased channel density and UHD resolutions, 8 and 10 bit support, expanded internal SSD storage, and a series of advanced functionalities to the RiCapture platform. With the brand- new SSE interface for scheduling, streaming and exporting, the RiCapture product-line,  now offers a powerful and compact solution for multi-channel HD/UHD ingest recording and integration to post-production. RIEDEL POWERS COLDPLAY'S MUSIC OF THE SPHERES WORLD TOUR WITH CUTTING-EDGE LIVE MUSIC IMPLEMENTATION In all configurations, RiCapture offers high quality recording in DNxHD or DNxHR along with H.264 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 encoding to the local storage. The local recording storage offers continuous loop recording for the captured content, with options to stream manually, stream with a scheduler, or dip and export files as needed from the available local storage to numerous streaming destinations. ■  Mission Control Ltd., a specialist in delivering global RF coordination and licensing solutions, is using Riedel's Bolero wireless intercom system, an Artist-1024 node, and 1200 Series SmartPanels as a bespoke live music package for Coldplay’s current Music of the Spheres World Tour. For almost two years, Mission Control has implemented a completely new use case for existing Riedel hardware to drive high-quality audio mixing and monitoring. Thanks to this cohesive comms package, Riedel has provided the tour with the high audio quality, easy functionality, and flexibility that is essential for live music productions. "Riedel's solutions have been a total game changer," said Ali Viles, Director of Mission Control. "Our completely new design and usage of this system has not only increased functionality and workflow, but also saved touring  equipment  weight,  significantly reducing our carbon footprint across the duration of the tour — a major requirement that was set by the band before they agreed to start touring again. This new use case has enabled Riedel to gain exposure in new markets, developing a firm foundation for our current and future clients." The SSE control application allows users to select between high resolution DNxHD/R and H.264 – or both. RiCapture offers maximum versatility to capture the recorded media locally, on removable storage, on network attached storage, or to live streaming destinations. RiCapture can be expanded to a network of multiple servers for higher density recording and unlimited destinations with control from a single SSE interface.  The SSE web application interface allows for diverse configuration capabilities including audio mapping and down-mix audio listening. “We are excited to continue working with Mission Control on this completely new use case, helping Coldplay's touring crew deliver the unique performance experience that this tour is renowned for," said Nacho Lee, U.K. Sales Manager at Riedel. "This tour has been a great way to showcase the versatility of Riedel hardware in being able to handle far more than just comms and our company looks forward to seeing how this system will enable crucial audio monitoring, mixing, and more as the tour continues around the world. RiCapture UI & Hardware Unit RiCapture Software Add-Ons include the VDR Panel application for video playback, as well as XDCam encoding for an alternate HD codec for the i4 and i8. Mission Control is using the completely new design and implementation of the Riedel hardware for several applications. Artist- 1024’s high speed MADI stream, running at a sample rate of 96k, delivers a high-resolution, super-low-latency  listening  experience.  This allows backline techs and the audio crew to discretely control their own audio mixes from over a dozen locations around the stadium and communicate seamlessly, while still listening to their individual monitor mixes on IEMs. Combining 1200 Series SmartPanels with Bolero and Artist's capabilities for audio mixing, the complete system enables the team to effortlessly combine, monitor, and adjust individual audio elements, helping them to deliver a high-quality and immersive experience for Coldplay audiences anywhere across the globe. -  HDR Option, XDCAM Option ·  Record DNx & H.264 at the same time ·  Additional I/O Options: NDI, TS UDP, SRT, RTP or RTMP SSE Software for Streaming, Scheduling & Exporting Extensive Monitoring and Multiviewer · Codec: DNxHD (HD), DNxHR (UHD) · Compact 1RU Unit 4 channel HD SDI Inputs ·  2TB SSD internal storage Video: HD 720p, 1080i and 1080p, 8/10-bit Audio: 16 channel embedded per video + Dante or AES67 -  Compact 2RU Unit 4 channel HD SDI Inputs ・4 channel UHD SDI Inputs ・5x 4TB SSD internal storage Video: HD 720p, 1080i and 1080p, 8/10-bit or UHD, 8/10-bit Audio: 16 channel embedded per video + Dante or AES67 i84 •  Compact 2RU Unit • 8 channel HD SDI Inputs •  4 channel UHD SDI Inputs ·  5x 4TB SSD internal storage · Video: HD 720p, 1080i and 1080p, 8/10-bit or UHD, 8/10-bit • Audio: 16 channel embedded per video + Dante or AES67 2TB or 8TB SSD internal storage ·  Video: HD 720p, 1080i and 1080p, 8/10-bit Audio: 16 channel embedded per video + Dante or AES67 FEATURES i8 i44 i4
ON THE MONEY
FIFA QUALITY CERTIFIED
FIFA®
RIEDEL’S MEDIORNET KEEPS VIDEO MOVING FOR MAJOR FINANCE CORPORATION RIEDEL REFBOX SCORES FIFA QUALITY CERTIFICATION FOR VAR TECHNOLOGY QUALITY ■ Video is becoming just an important business tool for financial institutions as it is for most large enterprises. One leading financial services firm now has a flexible, cost-effective new video distribution and control system thanks to Riedel's strategic collaboration with TSL. In a solution delivered by systems integrator Diversified, Riedel’s MediorNet IP video distribution and conversion equipment — paired with TSL's award-winning X-Connect control interface — provides professional-grade distributed IP routing and control functionality without the need for a large-scale matrix. "In the evolving IP landscape, it's crucial for content producers and broadcasters of all sizes to have access to open, affordable solutions for leveraging IP and COTS benefits without the expense of a total infrastructure revamp," said Ian Godfrey, TSL President and Head of Control Solutions. "Integrating X-Connect with Riedel's innovative MediorNet IP video systems, we have created an easy-to-use solution that facilitates high-quality video distribution throughout the company's facilities." ■  In the world of professional football, where every call can have  enormous  consequences, the accuracy and reliability of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) technology are vital. Riedel's RefBox video review system has been awarded the prestigious FIFA Quality Programme certification for VAR technology, demonstrating the company's commitment to enhancing the fairness and transparency of the sport. Riedel's RefBox system underwent an exhaustive string of tests over three days to examine its video feeds' synchronicity and latency, as well as the video quality of the VAR system output. The system’s performance exceeded expectations, passing all tests with flying colors. This achievement is a clear indicator of Riedel's expertise in technological innovation and its dedication to the sport's integrity. Riedel's achievement is a significant milestone in the company's journey as a technology partner for football leagues, clubs, and broadcast service providers. With both FIFA Quality-certified VAR and FIFA IAAP- listed referee communications solutions in its portfolio, Riedel is now at the forefront of providing the tools that guarantee the beautiful game remains just that — beautiful and fair. The FIFA Quality Programme is the gold standard for football technology and equipment, ensuring that anything employed in the game meets the highest benchmarks of safety, quality, and performance. Overall, this certification signals to players, clubs, and associations worldwide that the certified product will consistently deliver under the most demanding circumstances. Now this financial services firm effortlessly moves numerous video signals across its facilities using the Riedel-TSL joint solution. The system's dynamic control infrastructure. with its high level of control and tally, addresses the demands of the firm's multipurpose rooms, live event centers, and virtual audience engagements via third-party platforms such as Zoom. orchestrated by TSL's X-Connect, form a flexible, small-scale solution. Customized for applications emphasizing high-quality video and user-friendly control, such as wealth management meetings, client conferences, and live webinars, the FusioN devices serve not only as 3G/UHD SDI/IP gateways but also as PTZ camera control Ethernet tunnels for remote camera operators. Offering options for FusioN black burst (BB) and frame sync, the devices give users the flexibility to genlock remote sources with BB inputs or use frame sync to lock asynchronous sources to PTP during encapsulation. Additionally, the core IP media fabric consists of two pairs of MediorNet VirtU-48s, establishing the red and blue networks and ensuring full signal redundancy through SMPTE ST 2022-7 seamless protection switching for a fault-tolerant network. TSL's X-Connect connects and controls IP edge devices and legacy broadcast devices, bridging the integration gap between SDI- and IP-based workflows. IMPRINT nications GmbH & Co. KG IEDEL Com Uellendahler Str. 353 Editorial Director: Julian Bülhoff ntact: julian.buelhoff@riedel.net 2024 RIEDEL Communications GmbH & Co. KG. All rights reserved. Windows is a registered mark of Microsoft Corporation. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product pecifications are subject to change without notice This material is provided for information purposes nly; RIEDEL assumes no liability related to its use. April 2024. At each of the financial firm's two primary locations, 50 Riedel over MediorNet  FusioN edge devices, RISE ABOVE THE NOISE RIEDEL BOLERO PUTS SAFETY FIRST
FOR SPECIALISTS IN THE VERTICAL WORLD 200m “I’ve never seen riggers that didn’t spend all day yelling at each other," he told the team.  "You're the quietest riggers I’ve ever seen. It’s unbelievable, you’re just having quiet conversations all day." Indeed, the RISE® Pacific team members were able to talk to each other clearly, reliably, and at a distance without exhausting their lung capacity. What made this possible was Riedel Communication's EMMY® Award- winning Bolero wireless intercom system, accompanied by eight Bolero beltpacks, two antennas, and — of course — earmuffs. A few members of RISE® Pacific had heard about Bolero through their long-term connections in the entertainment industry as well as through integrator, D2N. For any project that’s high in the sky or deep in the earth, clients throughout Australia have learned to call upon RISE® Pacific when they need the utmost care and precision. Whether its rigging for aerial stunts or industrial applications, responding to emergencies, performing structural inspections and maintenance, or guiding expensive high- voltage cabling through deep shafts, RISE® Pacific will be right there. But with so many dangerous tasks in their portfolio, the team needed a robust communications system that could keep pace with these intense physical and operational demands. Where traditional radios and other communication systems had fallen flat, Bolero not only stood but elevated. RISE® Pacific no longer needed to stack multiple antennas on top of each other to guarantee coverage with their standalone system, nor did they need to settle on motorcycle communication networks that weren't durable enough for most projects. Instead, Bolero enabled real-time coordination among team members, who could now provide instant guidance, call for stops, or adjust the pace of operations. By mounting the beltpacks to the radio pouch on a harness and connecting the headsets via Bluetooth®, the crew was also able to ensure a hands-free, cable-free, and safe experience. And whenever used at height, the Bolero pack always gets a second connection back to the harness. *I couldn't count the number of times that I've seen a technician at an event, or a broadcast have a pack drop and get kicked across the floor when it hits the ground, yet it’s always been incredibly durable," said Clancy Simpson, Director at RISE® Pacific. "So, we were confident Bolero was going to be robust and hold up to what we’re going to throw at it, and it definitely has in a big way." Another main draw of the Bolero system was its ability to incorporate RISE® Pacific's preexisting Motorola interface via the NSA-002A network stream adapter. This integration allowed the crew to leverage the strengths of both systems, ensuring that essential team members could utilize Bolero system's advanced features while keeping less critical personnel in the loop on the Motorola network. Bolero also provided the team with the ability to create a separate RISE FM channel when the time is right so that team members can tune in and listen to the same music together. In the end, Bolero became more than the core safety communications tool; it was also a space for camaraderie and connection. So, the team went back to work in the hangar, hanging about 30 meters in the air, ignoring the sounds of jetliners driving past every five minutes on their path to the runway — and trying desperately to adhere to their no-singing-or-whistling rule. ■ Working alongside a jet engine, let alone within the constant activity of an aircraft hangar with planes taking off and landing all around, is not a preference for anyone due to the incredible amount of noise. However, this was the exact setting for one of RISE® Pacific's high-profile jobs. Yet curiously, when the time arrived to ready the Australian airline for its anniversary celebration, a noticeable difference emerged. The client also acknowledged this intriguing shift. Which of your qualities or quirks do you think helps you with your role? One thing I can definitely say about myself… I have a genuine interest in people from all spectrums of life. We all have unique experiences and can learn a tremendous amount from each other. Advice, constructive or otherwise, is meant to make us better. Also, I tend to think about my role and the impact my decisions have far beyond my area of purview, which is helpful when trying to articulate the "why" behind business decisions or strategic initiatives. Service technicians have the proper support – via training or experiential opportunities – to be able to confidently address our customer's needs. Could you share some of your plans for the
Americas team?
Describe the Riedel brand in a nutshell – what makes us stand out? Riedel is a disruptor in the media & broadcast industry and I believe our success can be attributed to 3 factors: 1  Our people: I have no qualms in saying that Riedel employs some of the best and brightest in the business; a group of dedicated, driven individuals who care about what they do 2 taking smart, calculated risks, whether it be through strategic acquisitions or new product offerings 3  having a keen understanding of our customer's wants and needs
What do you think the future of the broadcast industry will look like?
Great question, one that many in the industry continue to try and predict. We have seen certain trends, once thought to be the next big thing (i.e.: 3D television), struggle to gain broad acceptance. One thing is certain; the future of broadcast will be driven by technologies that allow us to do more with less. We see this trend already with the success of Riedel's Live Video Production solutions. I also think Al will play a significant role in future of the broadcast as well…to what extent remains to be seen. Riedel Service and SLAs are really taking off right now. What are your goals on that front? What is at the core of our Service offerings, SLA or otherwise, is the customer: being responsive to their needs. My goal is to ensure that our customers feel as if their concerns are being addressed and responded to in a timely manner, while at the same time making sure that our l was fortunate enough to inherit a team of professionals who are highly skilled and are driven to provide an optimal level of customer service for our clients. I want to continue in that vein, focusing on the overall customer experience, making sure our customers feel they are being taken care of and their concerns addressed in a timely manner. I am also a huge proponent for individual professional growth and working with our internal partners to create opportunities for the Americas team to grow their careers here at Riedel. Continual learning and professional development are key to ensuring we stay knowledgeable, nimble, and efficient. What does customer-centric mean to you? lt’s a responsibility that people at all levels of the organization should and can embrace, from Service and Repair, to Logistics, to Sales. We all play a part in being a customer-centric brand. What do you do in your spare time? On the weekends I practice Jeet Kune Do, a style of martial arts created by Bruce Lee. One of my close friends recently opened a Jeet Kune Do school in the greater Los Angeles area, so I enrolled to support the new endeavor, but also to challenge myself to get into better shape. l am also very passionate about community service, and I try to support various causes as time allows. I’ve worked with The Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles on a handful of volunteer initiatives over the years, and this past November we were able to partner with them to support their annual Thanksgiving meal service. I also volunteer with the Special  Olympics  Southern  California  (where l currently serve as a member of their PR/ Communications Committee), and The Motion Picture Television Fund, an organization that provides assistance to motion picture employees and their families. GARY REYNOLDS, Head of Technical Support, Riedel Americas
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN
BROADCAST AND BEYOND
AN INTERVIEW WITH GARY REYNOLDS
■ Hey Gary! For those who don't know you: What is it you do at Riedel? As Head of Technical Support, Riedel Americas, making sure our American customer base gets the best support they possibly can. But in broader terms, I see my role here at Riedel to support the brand and help in ensuring its success and viability for years to come. My responsibility isn't just to my team, but to our presales engineers, our syscons, our entire sales team, our partners in Wuppertal, Montreal, the UK, and beyond.
So what’s your story? Tell us about yourself.
I'm originally from the Bay Area, born and raised in Oakland. I've spent the majority of my career within broadcast, starting as a Production Assistant with CNN back in 1996. Eventually l gravitated towards editing and became a news editor for the network. From there, I moved into management before landing a new opportunity at ESPN. In 2009 helped establish and oversee the operations team at ESPN's new West Coast production facility and I had the honor to serve in that role for nearly 14 years before beginning my next chapter here at Riedel.
What got you where you are today?
Whenever I'm asked to speak at local colleges or universities, the one piece of advice I give to students is to never get caught saying "what if", and instead take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. It’s a way of thinking that had guided me throughout my career. Having the fortitude to accept change as not only a natural progression of things, but also as something that helps us become more comfortable with being uncomfortable is the only way we can grow. And with change being an inevitability no matter what industry you're in, the more comfortable we are with change, the more effective we as leaders can be in guiding our teams through change. aired on March 12, was distributed to both national and international media partners, offering unprecedented insights into the world of soccer officiating. Approval to use the RefCam system was granted by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and in close coordination between DFB, DFL, and the participating clubs. While Riedel Communications used the record-only version of RefCam during this unique use case, the company has already demonstrated the system’s ability to produce broadcast-quality images during various events with national and international leagues. “RefCam is a Riedel innovation through and through," said Jan Schaffner, Program Manager, Riedel Communications. "Following this successful Bundesliga debut, we will conduct a thorough review of RefCam’s performance in collaboration with Bundesliga officials. This evaluation will determine any necessary adjustments to optimize the technology for future use."
REFCAM PUTS VIEWERS IN BUNDESLIGA REFEREE'S SHOES
■ Riedels' RefCam referee camera system made its German Bundesliga debut in a recent match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of sports coverage. Worn by soccer referee Daniel Schlager, the RefCam system captured an immersive, up-close perspective of the game through the eyes of the match official. This first-of-its-kind initiative in the Bundesliga aims to offer fans a unique view of the on-field action, and to highlight the intricate challenges faced by referees during the heat of the match. Looking forward, RefCam is set to be a prominent offering from Riedel's Managed Technology division, which specializes in delivering custom-engineered technologies complemented by comprehensive support from Riedel's team of qualified engineers. This division previously played a pivotal role in designing a reliable communication infrastructure  for  Bundesliga  referees, showcasing Riedel's commitment to enhancing sports broadcasting through technological Through a joint venture named In-YS (In Your Shoes), Riedel Communications collaborated with  referees Patrick Kessel and Nicolas Winter to develop RefCam. Their partnership ensured that     innovation. the camera system was designed with a deep understanding of referees' needs and concerns regarding the use of such technology. “We don’t want to change the game; our goal is to provide fresh perspectives and further increase the transparency of referees' work," said Nicolas Winter, Co-Founder and Managing Director, In-YS. “Our camera shows unmediated reality, the true speed at which we must make decisions. We hope that this will increase appreciation of our work among fans and athletes — and help counteract the current shortage of young referees." RefCam comprises a head-mounted camera integrated with a transmission system. Because the headgear is ultra-lightweight, weighing just 6 grams, it is barely noticeable for the wearer. The system is available in live and record-only versions, and it features a mute and shutdown function for the microphone to ensure privacy for the referee using the system. The footage captured by RefCam during the Bundesliga match was featured in the 30-minute program "Referees Mic'd up – Bundesliga," produced by DFL Digital Sports. This program, "Our RefCam represents a significant leap forward in the live broadcasting of sports," added Schaffner. "This innovative system promises to transform the way fans engage with sports, further cementing Riedel's status as a pioneer in the field of communication and broadcasting technology."
BREAKING THE TECHNOLOGY BARRIER
INTERSTELLAR TECHNOLOGIES IMPROVES SPACE LAUNCH OPERATIONS WITH RIEDEL’S INTERCOM AND VIDEO TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
■ Background
Based in Taiki, Hokkaido, Interstellar Technologies is a visionary start-up at the forefront of developing affordable and efficient space transportation services that are accessible to everyone. With operations spread across its Tokyo and Fukushima offices, as well as the Muroran Institute of Technology, Interstellar has successfully achieved three space missions with its suborbital launch vehicle MOMO. Currently, the company is focused on the development of its next-generation small satellite launch vehicle ZERO, marking a significant step forward in its ambitious journey.
Challenge
Interstellar's operations are supported by two primary facilities: a command center responsible for the oversight and management of rocket launches, and a combustion test and launch site dedicated to launching rockets and testing engine combustion. These critical sites are situated 8km apart and are interconnected by 10GbE fiber lines. The communication line between the two sites is essential, as the monitoring and launching of commercial rockets must be carried out with constant and accurate communication. However, the reliance on digital simple radio systems for inter-site communication had led to delays, posing a significant and dangerous challenge as the launch of ZERO approached. Additionally, Interstellar recognized it needed a more efficient IP video system capable of reducing delays and enhancing image quality for the combustion test and launch site's two 4K cameras.
Solution
The quest for a robust communication and video transmission solution led Kazunori Makino, TT&C Group Leader at Interstellar’s R&D Department, to Riedel's cutting-edge technology, renowned for its use in the high-stakes environment of Formula One racing. In collaboration with Otaritec Corporation – Riedel’s sales partner in Japan – and Riedel Communications Japan, a comprehensive proposal was developed to address Interstellar's needs. Now, the setup facilitates communication among staff via Riedel intercoms, as well as the transmission of high-quality images from the 4K cameras through MediorNet IP. The selection of Riedel's intercoms for the communication system was driven by their user-friendly design, operational ease, and compliance with the latest video standards. The command center was outfitted with a single Artist-1024 digital matrix intercom, eight RSP-1216HL Hybrid Lever Key SmartPanels and one Bolero antenna to ensure clear and reliable communication. Meanwhile, the combustion test and launch areas were equipped with two Bolero antennas and six beltpacks, providing staff with the mobility and ease of use necessary for efficient operations. For video transmission, the installation of twelve MediorNet IP FusioN 6B devices — utilizing the JPEG-XS video coding standard — enabled the transmission of high-quality, low- latency video between sites, ensuring that the command center could maintain a real-time visual connection with the combustion test and launch sites. "Working with a well-respected brand like Riedel reflects our commitment to the highest quality standards in the technical field," said Kazunori Makino. "We will continue to expand the system in preparation for the first launch of ZERO, which is still under development. For this launch, the Riedel solution will be used not only by Interstellar staff but also by affiliated satellite companies. We feel that the intuitive Riedel solution will provide a high level of launch operations for our company." Result The implementation of Riedel's technology has had a tangible impact on Interstellar's launch operations. The easy-to-use high- fidelity communication system has virtually eliminated the delays that once plagued the team, allowing for more precise coordination and decision-making during critical launch sequences. The enhanced video quality has provided engineers with unprecedented clarity, enabling them to monitor and analyze rocket performance in real-time with greater accuracy. The scalability of the system has also been a significant advantage. As Interstellar continues to grow and take on more ambitious projects, the Riedel solution can be expanded to accommodate additional staff and equipment without         compromising        performance. This flexibility ensures that Interstellar's communication infrastructure will not be a limiting factor in their pursuit of making space accessible. “Riedel and Otaritec are honored to contribute to this exceptional spaceflight program with our cutting-edge communication and video transmission technology," said Guillaume Mauffrey,     Director     Sales      Asia,      Riedel Communications. "The successful integration of our system within Interstellar’s operations is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. We are thrilled to see our technology play a crucial role in advancing the next frontier of space transportation." said Vincent Lambert, Sales Director Key Accounts Asia, Riedel Communications.
LAMAR UNIVERSITY SOARS
TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH RIEDEL
AT HOME AND AWAY
from camera operators to marketing professionals, athletic directors to students engrossed in production. The rest of the team can reach camera operators even beyond the endzone and into the building, and they can also color-balance without interfering with the producer. Scott Price, Associate Director of Broadcast and AV at Lamar University, marveled at the newfound flexibility the Riedel system brought to their campus, which became key to Lamar University's success. The challenges of coordinating teams across diverse locations were now met with streamlined efficiency. Moreover, Price expressed his amazement at the system's performance, highlighting the rock-solid stability of the headset, even in crowded and noisy venues. “Bolero is physically sturdier, more reliable, and audibly clearer than any other systems I’ve tried,” he said. 'The unmatched clarity, range, durability, and scalability of the Bolero wireless intercom, along with the flexibility of Artist and the SmartPanels, made Riedel the clear choice for us." ■  Standing as a beacon of academic excellence in the heart of Southeast Texas, Lamar University sought to elevate its events production to heights that could keep pace with its overall rapid growth. The days of struggling with numerous pieces of equipment needed to end. Instead, the university required a single system that would enable its multiple production teams to work across different venues for a variety of events, whether that be sporting activities or commencement ceremonies. The answer came in the form of cutting- edge communication solutions from Riedel Communications. Riedel's Artist-1024 digital matrix intercom, Bolero wireless beltpacks, and SmartPanels seamlessly integrated not only within the stadium control room but also within a specially designed 24-foot broadcast trailer from Allied Broadcast Group. This mobile unit, mirroring the control room’s setup, provides students with tangible production experience even when they’re on the go. Now paired with Riedel's suite of solutions, the mobile unit could be readily deployed to cover additional campus sporting events — from volleyball to baseball and eventually tennis — while also giving the students real-world experience with state-of-the-art professional equipment. The collaboration between Lamar University and Riedel did more than just enhance events; it testified to the versatility of Artist and Bolero solutions in educational settings and mobile units. The significance of this project will stretch far beyond the campus grounds, as the next generation of professionals — whether at home or away — are already preparing for a head start in the field. With just three antennas, Lamar University could blanket the entire campus. The integrated solutions meant that operations, both in the control room and the mobile unit, were streamlined for everyone involved —
TWO ENGINES IN APAC
GUILLAUME MAUFFREY, SALES DIRECTOR ASIA AND CHRIS JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OCEANIA ■ Last fall, we divided our APAC region into two separate teams – Asia and Oceania – to position ourselves for continued growth in 2024 and beyond. Chris Johnson has taken on the role of Director Oceania, overseeing Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding countries, while Guillaume Mauffrey continues to lead our Asian business units as Sales Director Asia with an increased focus on developing major markets such as China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. We sat down with both of them to learn more about what this new organizational structure means for them and their regions – and what their customers can look forward to in 2024. Hey guys! So tell us… what is this change about? Guillaume The rationale behind this strategic shift is that we see immense growth potential in both Asia and Oceania, while recognizing that both are very different types of markets with very specific needs. Our new organizational structure enables us to better focus on these needs, ensuring that both teams are well-equipped to cater to their markets effectively. Chris Yes, this change wasn't so much about altering my team's relationship with APAC or Asia, but about better supporting our ANZ customers. We aimed to build the organization better suited to them, adding more sales and support resources to cover different verticals to make sure our customers' voices are heard. I am very satisfied with this reinforcement of our commitment to the Oceania region. Our substantial local presence – with sales, service, rental and engineering - is something many of our competitors can't match. It's about being more than just a vendor; we're providing a full service backed by a strong regional team. This is serious added value for our customers. Guillaume Exactly! And this full-service offering is something we want to make more readily accessible to our customers in Asia. Our Managed Technology Division, supplying customers with unified turnkey technology solutions complemented by comprehensive support from our engineers, is one of the things that really sets Riedel apart. Chris and his team have incredible experience in this field, having rocked massive projects like Australian Grand Prix or Soccer World Cups. With their help, I want to grow our managed technology services across Asia! Sounds good! Any other news from your regions that you’d like to share? Chris On the Managed Technology side, events like SailGP in Sydney and New Zealand are great and significant projects for us. Also, our involvement in Formula 1 continues to grow, which is exciting. On the sales side, we just bolstered our team with a new hire, Shauna Purcell, who's now working for Erik Miehs in his new role as Regional Sales Director. She came from Avid and has lots of experience in sales in the media industry as well as partner management. Guillaume With our freshly bolstered ability to focus on the needs of our regions, we managed to sign three new distributors in North Asia alone since the beginning of this year. Japan and China have also been taking off since the organizational change. I’m particularly happy about a very large deal we recently did with a big Japanese public broadcaster – and about the fact that we have moved to new office spaces in Tokyo and in Beijing. These modern and spacious presences are a visible testament of our commitment to the regions, and our customers really appreciate this. Especially when you we're talking service and support, it really makes a difference if your customers know they can rely on you being at their side, that you’re not just some unseen distributor with offices on the other side of the world. Ah, great to hear our customers are really seeing us commit to their needs. Guillaume Just last week, I was visiting customers in Macau, and I was very pleased to see how perceptions of Riedel have shifted. Our customers in Asia know we're not just an® intercom  company  anymore,  but  that we're providing end-to-end services, from intercom and video infrastructures to live video production, challenging traditional competitors. Our systems/solutions approach, rather than just pushing products, is making a real difference, also in challenging markets like China. By bundling products like our Simplylive Production Suite, which offers a much lower total cost of ownership than competitor products, we're able to sell complete solutions that are compelling in price-sensitive markets. This strategy of offering bundled services and products is essential for our growth in challenging markets. Guillaume We both can't wait to introduce our managed technology services more broadly across Asia, which will likely propel Riedel to the next dimension. And in the long run, I have another personal goal: Chris and I know each other quite well, and we always have this friendly competition going on… so I’m not hiding my ambition to grow our Asia business to match Chris' region. Chris Giving us a run for our money this year! (laughs) Guillaume Yeah (laughs), it's good to have two engines in APAC. Australia used to carry the region, but me and my team are determined to catch up to them in terms of staff and sales volume, which would hedge Riedel as a strong l partner in APAC. So what’s on your agenda for 2024? Chris The Live Video Production products are exciting and we see lots of places for them in the market. Additionally, being able to take our 15-year expertise in Managed Technology in Australia and expand that into Asia is also going to be a significant step. Sales Director Asia
A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
LOVE ISLAND USA & BOLERO
■  "Love Island USA", the widely popular dating show produced by ITV Entertainment, has been relying on Riedel Communications' state- of-the-art communication solution for most of the seasons since its inception in 2015. The heart of their setup features an integrated 256-port Artist digital matrix, the Emmy® Award-winning Bolero wireless intercom system with 30-plus beltpacks, and approximately 80 SmartPanels. Riedel's robust solution, provided by Bexel, an NEP Broadcast Services Company, plays a pivotal role in facilitating effective communication and seamless coordination among production and technical personnel during the filming process. Notably, despite the show's numerous shooting locations over the years, Riedel's communication system has consistently delivered flexible and flawless communication, making it an indispensable element contributing to the show’s enduring success. "Communications on these shows is very Important. The work flow is dynamic and changes constantly. Over the years we have been faced with a variety of challenges presented by the locations that were chosen. Riedel has been the backbone of our communications plan tying our various communications' systems together. It is an intragal part of our Producer audio monitoring as well." said Rod Allen, Technical Supervisor and Techncial Project Manager for the show. "Love Island" has ventured to diverse and challenging locations, including Fiji, Las Vegas and Hilo, Hawaii, and Santa Barbara California, each presenting its unique communication obstacles. At times the control room and sets were 100 miles apart. The Riedel architechture allowed us to communicate effectively and reliably using Leased Fiber Circuits as well as Public Internet . Today, Artist and Bolero seamlessly integrate with the Unity IP communications system, Two Way Radio Systems, IFB In Ear Monitoring Systems, On Set Speaker systems, and the Dante Audio Network creating a comprehensive and unified communication solution. The shift from AES3 to AES67 technology, coupled with Bolero's six full-duplex keys, has further elevated the efficiency and functionality of the team's communication network. “We’ve enjoyed helping Rod and the ’Love Island’ team face each of their challenges head-on — with the pandemic, with distance, and with changing locations. It's been a pleasure to watch the system grow and see how this show becomes ever more capable of continuing in an efficient manner with great communication," said Patti Gunnell, Vice President, Key Accounts – West, at Riedel. “We love providing them with the tools they need to bring the directors' visions to life efficiently."
FROM THE RED CARPET TO THE FOOTBALL PITCl
RIEDEL’S ARTIST AND BOLERO BEHIND THE SCENES AT HIGH PROFILE BROADCAST EVENTS [ ] So fer in 2024, Riedel Communications has played a    Following the awards show, ATK Versacom swiftly redeployed the Riedel pivotal role in two prestigious global broadcast events in system for the NFL Honors at Resorts World Theatre, then for the U.S. the entertainment industry: a major U.S. music award show championship football game halftime show. The gear's port deployments and a major U.S. championship football game. Partner ATK shrink the infrastructure and provide a streamlined, compact form factor Versacom, a Clair Global brand, used Riedel’s state-of-the-art that allows the system to adapt readily to events of different scales. Using equipment to ensure flawless communication and seamless Bolero antennas and an expanded 1.9-GHz spectrum granted by the FCC, the operations at these high-profile events. company established a larger, higher-density deployment of beltpacks than is typically possible within a single area. “We love that Riedel shares our desire to be a pioneer, always looking to advance and surgass limitations," said Juan Gallardo, director of technical operations at ATK Versacom. "Riedel is a great partner, and its Bolero is hands-down the most desirable product for live productions. Along with the Artist system, it allows us to guarantee reliable communications even in dense, high-capacity deployments." Year after year, ATK Versacom demonstrates that Riedel's Artist and Bolero systems make it easy to deploy state-of-the-art communications networks at multiple high-profile events with extremely tigits turnarounds. At the music awards show, ATK Versacom deployed Riedel's innovative communication equipment with precision. The deployment included three Artist intercom nodes, which provided AES3, communications distribution, and MADI interface to the production trucks. ATK Versacom used 35 SmartPanels to ensure clear and reliable communication among the crew. Riedel's Bolero wireless intercom system augmented the existing fiber infrastructure with strategic RF coverage, using both 1.3- and 2.4-GHz frequencies to achieve the necessary capacity and density in a specualis limited environment. Bolero wireless provided flexible mobility around the venue and allowed all departments to talk seamlessly. The production used more than 100 Bolero wireless intercom belipacks, 65 over 19:01 z and 86 over 2.4-GBz frequencies, with 43 antennas to cover every nook and granny of the venue, including the suite levels, outdoor areas, and dressing rooms. As one of Riedel's key partners, ATK Versacom relies on Riedel's Artist ecosystem due to its versatility and ease of setup. The crosspoints between hard-wired and wireless systems, the seamless integration of SmartPanels and beltpacks within the same architecture, and the full-duplex communication for safety and clarity all make the Riedel solution a winner for the company's live productions. AES67 support makes it possible to distribute audio signals cleanly across the Riedel communications network.
WATER COOLER TALK
Lucy I've been with Riedel since September 2023; prior I've always worked for broadcasters before switching to the vendor side. For me, Riedel always stood out because the company was ahead of the curve in terms of technology. And it seemed to be very stable, with not a lot of staff turnover – as a Riedel customer, I always dealt with the same people for the last 20 years. I think that gives you real confidence in the company, that it knows where it's going, and it looks after its people. Then, when I was talking to Rik Hoerée at NAB, a lot of the things he said, the vision he shared, resonated strongly with me. What about you? Ulrike Do you have certain strategies to handing the insecurities that come with change? Ulrike Yeah, the remote shift changed a lot for us, and it poses quite the challenges in terms of recruiting and onboarding. Determining whether a person is technically suitable for a position can easily be done in a call, but conveying your company culture and work ethics is more difficult to do remotely. ULRIKE HAMMERSCHMIDT AND LUCY O’BRIEN ON CHANGE Lucy I think it’s about making sure that either you educate yourself to understand the technology better so that it's not so daunting, or you find the right people that give you the education. Constantly talking to your staff helps massively in terms of bringing people forward. You cant communicate too much. So I’d say education and communication are       the next big thing… Which of them do you think are here to stay? key – both for your teams and your customers. ■ Lucy O'Brien joined Riedel late last year as our new Customer Success Director for EMEA. With the demo & exhibition, technical support, training, pre-sales and professional services teams falling under her remit, her main objective is to empower our teams to support our EMEA customers as best as they possibly can. Lucy Obviously cloud technology has been a big thing for the last five years, that’s not gonna go away. And I think the next thing is how we introduce Al into workflows. I've got some friends who think it's the best thing in the entire world, and other people who think it's the end of society as we know it. So we have to find the right way to work with it. What do you think will change from a P&O perspective? Ulrike Before joining Riedel in 2019, I spent nearly 30 years as a self- employed trainer and consultant. After doing some consultancy and workshops for Riedel, I was really intrigued… and when a new role in personal and organizational development opened at Riedel, it felt like Ulrike Agreed, involving everyone in the change process early on is crucial – also from a P&O perspective. Many companies fail to address the psychological aspect of change, which includes managing emotions and expectations. What change has had the biggest impact on your work in recent years? Our Transformation Consultant Ulrike Hammerschmidt has been assisting Riedel leaders and their teams in all things change   the perfect fit. management, team building and leadership development for almost five years. It seems like the world around us is changing and increasing pace, with social and technological 'revolutions' popping up left and right. If you're thinking about "change", what are the first words that come to mind? Lucy The pandemic had the biggest impact socially and technologically. The industry was already moving towards remote production options, but contact restrictions hugely accelerated that requirement. It's the same with remote work; you didn't have a choice, and so you just had to accept the change also see the possible positive outcomes there. Ulrike I think there's a big shift already happening. Leadership, and what it means to be a good leader, will continue to change completely, evolving towards a focus on soft skills, coaching, and facilitating. This requires a change in mindset and competencies, presenting challenges, but also great opportunities for growth and flexibility. Ulrike Hey Lucy, nice to meet you! You’re still pretty new to Riedel, but you’ve known the company for quite some time, right? What was it about Riedel that made you want to get on board? Lucy Changes, especially technological ones, are inevitable and can be exciting, but also challenging and scary. It's important to bring people along on the journey, making the process less intimidating and more inclusive.
AI-POWERED LIVE SPORTS
PRODUCTION FOR A NEW
ERA OF BROADCASTING
HOW RIEDEL AND STUDIO AUTOMATED ARE CHANGING THE GAME ■ Technology and sports are intersecting more dynamically than ever, and two trailblazers are now joining forces to redefine the future of sports broadcasting. Riedel has entered a groundbreaking collaboration with Studio Automated, a pioneer in Al-assisted video production, to usher in a new age of sports broadcasting, characterized by innovation, efficiency, and unparalleled quality. At the heart of this collaboration is a shared vision to transform live sports production through the power of AI and machine learning ML. Studio Automated brings to the table its proprietary technology, honed since its inception in 2020. With a track record of covering over 100,000 sports matches across 1,500 locations worldwide, the Amsterdam- based company has established itself as a leader in automated video production for live sports events. The collaboration between Riedel and Studio Automated will set a new standard for live sports broadcasting. The synergy between Riedel's world-class hardware and software solutions and Studio Automated's software-first approach and advanced Al models promises to create an optimized video production solution. By leveraging Al and ML technologies, the partnership aims to streamline the production process and make high-quality live sports broadcasting accessible to a broader audience. This solution also aims to enable sports productions and leagues to produce their live broadcasts remotely with minimal personnel and operating costs, all without compromising on quality. As the sports broadcasting industry continues to evolve, the partnership between Riedel and Studio Automated stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. It's a bold step forward into a future where technology and sports production meet to create unforgettable viewing experiences for fans around the globe. PROJECT PICTURES g P gu ACS Al UNDETOON UNDER TOUK a P a 2 a a C