ABC, tpc Relied on Stagetec gear for Olympics Runs

As in 2004 and 2008, STAGETEC systems were once again part of the Olympic Summer Games, which opened in London July 27, 2012. The Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) had plenty of equipment from the MEDIAGROUP on hand for its Olympics production setup.

The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) was the technical heart of the Olympics for all broadcasters. This is where international mixes from all the venues arrived for distribution to the affiliated broadcasters. ABC operated its own studio area here – with three announcer booths and broadcast studios, each equipped with a DELEC oratis COM3 commentary terminal. Generally, the oratis system provided one terminal per announcer booth. Each unit provided the necessary services for up to three announcers. In this way, ABC could provide interviewees with their own microphones, and the COM3 terminal could also be used as a small mixing desk.

All signals, both direct from the announcers and the international feeds from the host broadcaster were fed into a STAGETEC AURATUS console. The NEXUS routing system and AURATUS console on the one hand and the DELEC oratis commentary system including intercom were seamlessly integrated. It allowed for an efficient installation to be created that combined the necessary workflow in the three systems. In addition, the extensive programming logic enabled many processes to be automated.

tpc zurich ag from Switzerland also had STAGETEC MEDIAGROUP systems in use during the Summer Games. tpc was running its own NEXUS main control room in the IBC, distributing the incoming signals from the venues and commentary systems to the tpc edit suites and outgoing lines to the Zurich headquarters.

Apart from ABC and tpc many other broadcasters also used STAGETEC technology for live coverage on their numerous OB vehicles. These include the BBC, NDR, RAI and CCTV. Overall, an estimated 70 NEXUS Base Devices, 15 NEXUS STAR routers, eight STAGETEC consoles – ranging from CANTUS to AURATUS, CRESCENDO and AURUS – a DELEC commentary system and a DELEC intercom system were in operation during the event.

STAGETEC components have frequently been in use at Winter and Summer Games alike, and several venues have STAGETEC systems installed permanently, for example in the Olympic stadium in Beijing where the 2008 Summer Games were held. Stephan Salzbrenner, MEDIAGROUP CEO, has been looking forward to the competitions: “As with previous major events, our products will once again be in the background ensuring excellent audio quality.”