In Broadcast - June 2015 - 38


38

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 5 - Issue 6 | June 2015

InStudio

Riedel Moves Ahead With
Software-Based Innovations

Riedel highlights the company's new software-based solutions...

W

ithin the past year, Riedel
has turned its attention to
software-based innovation, leveraging
its expertise to deliver versatile, highquality communications and signal
transport solutions with a new degree
of flexibility. Among the most exciting
of the company's new software-based
solutions are the Tango networked
communications platform and RSP2318 Smartpanel.
With the new Tango product,
which was unveiled at IBC2014,
Riedel Communications extended its
intercom product line to include a
communications platform suited for
small to mid-size installations at a
price-to-performance ratio unheard
of in the industry. Tango is Riedel's
first fully network-based expandable
communications platform to support
both the RAVENNA/AES67 and AVB
standards. Equipped with its own
dedicated intercom application ("My
first Riedel") and capable of supporting
other apps that bring additional
functionality, the platform can easily
be turned into a cost-efficient and
cutting-edge solution for a variety of
communications scenarios.
With more and more broadcasters
leveraging
existing
network
infrastructures for signal delivery
and management, Riedel has been
working hard to provide products
that let users choose the standards
that they prefer. Giving customers the
choice of both RAVENNA/AES67 and
AVB compatibility has been Riedel's
first step in offering plug-and-play
simplicity on the user's standard of
choice. Tango uses either RAVENNA/
AES67 or AVB as the main transport
protocol for interfacing with intercom
panels and third-party devices.
The Tango platform itself provides
convenient and cost-effective access
to advanced intercom technology. It
features two integrated Riedel digital
partyline systems, two AES67- and
AVB-compatible ports, two Ethernet
ports, an option slot, and redundant

power supplies.
A high-resolution,
full-colour,
TFT
display
ensures
perfect readability
at all times. The
unit's
intuitive
front-panel controls
simplify the recall
of presets and
adjustment of audio levels, while its
powerful hardware allows the system
to grow through future applications.
Because Riedel built Tango on
a versatile open hardware-based
platform concept, users can make
an investment in the solution with
the assurance that it can meet their
evolving needs. By running different
Riedel software applications on a
single hardware platform, users can
reduce operational costs, augment
their workflow efficiency, and create
more
networking
opportunities.
Together, these benefits make for
more powerful production and
delivery environments.
For example, when paired with the
"My First Riedel" application, Tango
serves as an asymmetric 40x80 matrix
that may be configured via Riedel's
Pulse software. The asymmetric matrix
size is another Riedel innovation,
and it facilitates standard premiumquality stereo audio connections to
Riedel panels. Working with the Pulse
software, users can access, set up, and
control any aspect and function of the
platform and its installed applications,
including
Riedel's
intercom
application. Programming is made
simple with convenient drag-and-drop
functionality and 3D views.
The Tango platform also is fully
compatible with all of Riedel's
current and legacy intercom panels,
including the company's new RSP2318 Smartpanel. In fact, the RSP-2318
Smartpanel can be used in any existing
Riedel installation. Its support for new
and legacy systems ensures smooth
interoperability among all Riedel

Riedel's RSP-2318 Smartpanel

intercom systems, including not only
the Tango platform, but also the Artist
digital matrix intercom system and
Performer digital partyline intercom
system.
With three editions of the intercom
app, each with a range of connectivity
options tailored to address specific
user requirements, the RSP-2318
Smartpanel serves as a powerful
multifunctional user interface. Offering
a variety of features and capabilities
that enrich the user experience, this
new keypanel is set to transform
the way broadcasters and A/V
professionals communicate.
In just one rack unit, Riedel's
Smartpanel supplies three highresolution multitouch colour displays,
premium-quality stereo audio, a
multilingual character set, and
standard matrix connectivity via
RAVENNA/AES67 or AVB. Simple
software upgrades allow the units
to adapt if and when the user's
requirements change.
With the "BASIC" app for the Riedel
Smartpanel, users gain 12 intercom
keys and connectivity to RAVENNA/
AES67 or AVB. The "PLUS" app for the
keypanel also provides 12 intercom
keys - and adds an analogue audio port
for four-wire integration and three
GPI/Os.
The
Smartpanel
"PRO"
app
features 18 intercom keys and two
analogue audio ports for four-wire
integration, three GPI/Os, and the
ability to connect an independent
second headset. All three units can be
expanded via an integrated options
slot and are ready for add-ons, as

well as additional intercom and nonintercom apps.
With three editions of the intercom
app for the Smartpanel, Riedel
can now provide exactly what its
customers need while keeping solution
costs low. With the new app concept,
the company's customers don't pay
for additional features that they do not
need, but rather can invest - upfront
or incrementally over time - in just
what they want. Over time, the Riedel
intercom app can be quickly and
easily upgraded to the desired edition
without requiring changes to any
hardware components.
As the company moves forward
with its software-based approach to
product development, it will continue
to refine and release new apps that
enable users to optimise the new
Smartpanel for their operations.
Riedel has committed to this
combination - an open hardwarebased platform and selection of readily
upgradeable software apps - to ensure
that its customers have the flexibility
essential for smaller installations,
such as those at educational
institutions, houses of worship, and
corporate production environments.
Riedel's support for both RAVENNA/
AES67 and AVB connectivity likewise
affords users a high degree of
flexibility, allowing them to build a
communications backbone based on
their network standard/protocol of
choice. With these innovations, Riedel
makes smart, agile, and cost-effective
communications solutions available
to an even broader array of users and
use cases.

Riedel's Tango networked communications platform
http://www.inbroadcast.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkGSkjljNXQ http://www.riedel.net/en-us/products/communications/tangonetworkedcommunicationsplatform/platform.aspx
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