Movie sets are getting more and more fluid every day. Video Assist operators are setting up multiple video villages, and are in connection with several departments simultaneously. Multiple people are watching different live and playback images at the same time. As a result, the VA operator has to be in constant communication with several locations.
Add to this the problem that VA equipment is required to receive audio from the sound engineer, and either send back playback audio, or even distribute that audio and arrange speakers, headphones or other way for directors, producers or clients to listen on.
After 5 years of development, we present a complete, flexible system which can do all of this, and more, in a half width 1U rack size, DC powered box, with digital matrix, full size connectors and an integrated USB sound card.
Video Assist Hungary is one of the biggest VA and DIT rental house in continental Europe. We do over 400 projects a year, including several A-list Hollywood movies. We are part of Hungary's biggest rental group, from sound stages and cameras to motion control and 3D rigs. We build and use our own rigs, for 14 years now.
Shh! This is a secret!
During the IBC2024, we offer private demos. Please contact us if you are interested!
We are exhibiting on NAB2024. Just as last year, we are joining Qtake and Ovide on stand C4150. We will have some R-Com units for sale at a discount price during the show! Visit us for a demo, and grab your gear in Las Vegas, April 13-17.
Upcoming feature lets you clone an output to another. Main use for this would be to feed the same signal to the operator's speakers and headphones. We will add extra functionality where muting the speaker wont mute the headphones.
While R-Com has a built in-tone generator, previously this was only available for advanced users from the mixer. Now basic preset users can access it quickly with a special button menu.
We are presenting R-Com on the 2024 BSC Expo. As before, we are on the Ovide stand. Visit us in London!
The R-Com system is consisting of a Central station, and up to 3 optional endpoints. You can also add speakers, radio mics, and wired audio devices of any kind. The Central station also connects to your video recorder over a single USB. Audio connectors are all full sized, industrial standard wiring, so your existing cables just work.
The central device is the heart of the R-com system. It holds an 8x8 digital matrix, an OLED display, an integrated USB sound card, plus a total of 5 physical inputs and 6 outputs. It also has 8 fully assignable soft pots, and 6 programmable buttons. All controls are lighted for feedback and night operation. The device can be fully customised, with channel names, levels, control layout, input and output types - saved to named presets. The XLR plugs can act as inputs, outputs, or both, in analog or AES/EBU. Connect speakers, radio mics, EPK crew, on-set editor or a music player.
You can connect up to 3 endpoints to a central station. A simple 3XLR connection is all what's required for two-way audio. The endpoint has optional AB/V-lock battery plates, built in speaker and mic. You can connect an external speaker and one or two mics for better quality and usability
(digital endpoint shown with optional dual V-lock plates)
You have a selection of digital or analog endpoints. The more economic analog version has minimal features: mic preamp (with PH48), line and headphone outputs with volume knobs and a PTT switch. The digital version has 3 mics (one built-in and 2 external), 3 outputs (internal speaker, external line and headphone) and can be programmed on a small LCD.
You can also use a custom cable to attach your own devices, like two-way radios, wireless mics or 4-wire into other intercom systems.
The 8x8 matrix allows you to route any input to any output, regardless of its type. It gives the R-Com Central its unique flexibility. You can send clean or playback audio, with or without your voice, any way, any level.
Input or output, analog or AES/EBU, unbalanced or balanced, mic or line level, 48V phantom, grounded or ground lifted, one or two-way, XLR, 6,3mm or 3,5mm jack. Whatever you need.
Size matters. With a half rack width and 1U height, the R-Com barely takes up more space than the audio card that is likely already on your cart. Its also in a sturdy metal box, with no fans or cooling required. The optional rack ears can go either side.
You do not need to carry an external audio box for Qtake any more. Integration means its directly fed into the matrix, without any audio loss. The two USB channels are treated separately for more flexibility.
The 256x64 pixel graphical display makes it easy to see what is happening, or navigate the extensive menus. The menus follow the presets, plus shows VU levels and the position of the encoders
No two shows are the same. That is why you can customise the layout. Any encoder can control any in or output, and any button can be a talk, mute, or even recall. They also have multicolor LED light.
There are 72 points in the matrix where you can adjust audio levels. In custom presets, you can assign any of them on the soft encoders. You can attach, edit and save custom labels to all pots on the main screen for easier use.
For easy shows, select the built in presets. The channel names are fixed, and engraved on the back. Advanced users can go full custom, and save settings for the next show, or switch between them after a take. You can always start from an easy preset and build from there.
Integrated test tone generator can help you quickly find audio problems and set levels in the tent.
Listen in on any input without assigning it to an output, or even setting the volume. Sound engineers call this PFL, and it will be available from the Mixer page.
R-Com has an onboard USB hub! If you connect the mini USB to your mac or pc, the two outputs will activate. Perfect for your Qtake dongle!
To use the endpoint, you have to set the XLR in LINK mode. This is a special two-way audio connection over a standard 3XLR. However, you can also use a splitter, which converts a LINK into a separate input and output
Put the endpoint between your monitor and AB/V battery. It will pass power. Or power it from a D-tap into its Lemo plug. Or plug a mains adapter in the monitor cart and it will be always on.
Tell your clients to push the Kill button for privacy. Set a timer, so they wont leave it off for the next take!
Select between the built-in mic, XLR input with or without 48V power, and TRRS jack with mic (like an iPhone headset)
Utilize the USB connectors on the endpoint as a phone charger for your clients
With integrated Expander, Compressor and Gate, adjustable in the menu, you can eliminate noise near the village
A small graphical LCD helps to navigate the menus, and display VU meters and the Kill function
Select between the built in speaker, XLR or the headphone output, with separate mute and level controls
Integrated test tone generator can help you quickly find audio problems and set levels in the tent.
R-Com central station is a very flexible, complex system with a lot of options. These options are accessed thru the menus and the mixer pages shown on the OLED display. To make the learning process easier, we created a simulator of the control surface.
The most basic preset has no endpoints at all. It only has incoming audio from Sound, connection to Qtake, playback sent to Comteks (level adjustable), and the operator listening to a preferred mix of playback and a radio mic from the Director. Also has the ability to talk over the Comteks, establishing simple two-way comms with the Director.
The second preset has everything #1 has, plus an added wired Endpoint (analog or digital). This is fed with adjustable level playback (and the ability to talk over), while the operator can now adjust a mix of playback, director village or director wireless. Also a direct button to remotely mute the Endpoint speaker (if they leave it open during take)
Building on Preset 2, This setup adds one more wired endpoint - typically used for a producer's or client's village.
As usual, the operator can adjust volume going to any destination, talk to any of them, and listen to any talk from them, remotely adjusting their levels or muting their speakers.
90% of the time, a device is only used with its basic functions, the way it was intended to use. The remaining 10% is what really tests a system's flexibility, and how it adapts to a new challenge. We gathered our top VA operators, and asked them to tell a story where they were in a pinch audio-wise, and then we thought how R-Com can handle those. Here are a few examples:
Are you on a vfx shoot with no sound dept, but the stuntman wants to record their countdown? Set the central's or endpoint's input to mic with 48V phantom power and record set noise. No external mic? Route the integrated microphone to the USB output and into your recorder, so you can tape the set audio without a sound dept!
You need to send live audio to the clients, zero delay, and mute the director, then switch to playback with delay? Set up two presets, one where the client gets a straight feed and director gets nothing, and one where they both get the Qtake feed. Set a button to recall each preset.
Does your DP wants to hear the director, and they are in separate tents? Route the director’s endpoint mic back to the DP’s endpoint speaker. Put a mute on one of your buttons so you can kill it while recording.
Do you have an endpoint in the directors tent, one on an onset monitor plus a radio mic on a wireless monitor and don’t know where your director is talking? Press TALK ALL to answer to all outputs. This can have the added benefit of talking over the USB, which Qtake will add into the SDI streams!
Want to wear a wireless headset and leave the cart? Plug it into an output, name it if you want, and send your director's mic to your wireless earphones. You can add the playback audio to your headset too, to hear the ADs. Or mix your lapel mic over the Comtek to speak to the scripty on the cans.
Is Editorial pissed because they take away your files and you record a mono audio only on the 1st channel? No need to recable, just route the same feed from the sound dept to both USB channels.
EPK turned up and wants to record the audio from the directors tent? Give them a mini-jack feed to their wireless transmitter, and set it as a direct clean feed from your endstation. Don't forget to warn the boss.
Suddenly in need of stereo recording? Route two inputs to the integrated stereo sound card, and use two XLR outs to feed stereo to your director - and you can talk on either or both ears!. You still have 4 more outputs, and you can mix the two channels into a mono mix for the scripty on one of them, and listen to the director on your speaker.
Do you need to record an external timecode onto qtake? Route the minijack input to USB channel 2, and plug the SMPTE TC into it. Now you have it in the file, and you can send it to an external machine, like a lighting desk.
Pallag u 39
Dunakeszi
2120
Magyarország
© R-Provideo, Balazs Rozgonyi