RAI invests in advanced intercom solution from Clear-Com

Clear-Com has partnered with Video Progetti to deliver an advanced intercom solution for Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), Italy’s state broadcaster. The deployment is set to enhance RAI’s production capabilities across its extensive network of production centres and regional stations, making it one of the most sophisticated intercom setups in Europe.

RAI operates four major production centres in Milan, Naples, Rome and Turin, along with 23 regional stations. As the fifth-largest media company in Europe, RAI manages 14 TV channels and 23 regional feeds, providing a comprehensive broadcasting service to the nation.

The broadcaster required an intercom solution that could handle the complexity of its productions, from major live events to small studios. The solution needed to provide a centralised management mechanism, integrating each sub-system into a single multi-studio environment. Additionally, the intercom terminals had to offer robust and reliable wireless operation.

Video Progetti proposed and deployed a full Clear-Com system based on the Eclipse HX Digital Matrix and FreeSpeak II wireless system. Each of the five galleries has its own Eclipse matrix, interconnected in a peer-to-peer fashion via IP using RAI’s standard IT network. This forms a seamless integrated system with a sixth matrix, referred to as ‘Pool’, managing all shared resources such as wireless beltpacks and studio panels independently from each gallery. These functionalities are embedded into the Eclipse matrix, eliminating the need for additional middleware or orchestration. The wireless FreeSpeak system can be shared across all galleries and studios as required.

“Clear-Com’s solutions have proven to be transformative for the team’s production capabilities,” said Francesco Struzzi, sales director, Video Progetti. “The integration and flexibility of the Eclipse HX Digital Matrix and FreeSpeak II wireless system have significantly enhanced our ability to manage complex productions seamlessly across multiple locations.”

The use of the 1.9GHz frequency allows for a robust and interference-free radio system. Clear-Com’s optimised DECT technology ensures interference-free wireless communication between transceivers and beltpacks. The ease of use of the solution is further enhanced through the HCI API, which allows for control from third-party automation systems, making system reconfiguration quick and easy.

The Clear-Com solution includes EHX configuration software with a client-server topology, allowing multi-user access with varying levels of permissions. EHX also provides telemetry data on RF signal statuses, battery levels and alerts to ensure maximum reliability. Dynam-EC software offers an additional operational management layer with a customisable graphical interface and drag-and-drop functionality.