Clear communication across the Great Wall
Published: ASIA
CHINA: During the 2016 edition of China’s Great Wall Marathon race, Clear-Com was selected as an official communications technology supporter for the event’s television relay. Several thousand athletes ran the more than 45km distance, with Chinese media company Sina streaming the marathon live.
The Clear-Com equipment was supplied and managed by Beijing Longway Broadcast Technology Company (Longway), which implemented an Eclipse HX digital intercom matrix to enable communication between the production team, as well as an IVC-32-HX frame card that facilitated use of the Agent-IC iOS app, meaning that the crew could use their iPhones as a two-way duplex intercom connected to the main intercom system. This in turn was connected to those using IP-based V-Series control panels also provided.
The Eclipse HX system allowed communication between those in Sina’s Beijing production studio and 20 production crew members situated at the marathon’s starting line and at the finish, in addition to motorcycle-mounted camera operators.
‘Broadcasting for long distance outdoor events generally uses simple intercom systems. Such wired systems typically offer limited functionality and range, which is very inconvenient for the director who is organising and controlling the broadcast event,’ said Longway production director, Yang Xiang. ‘In contrast, the IP-enabled Eclipse HX system and Agent-IC app provided us with the kind of secure, reliable duplex intercom service normally only found inside a studio. The IP-based system outdoors allowed us to cover a huge area efficiently and effectively.’
‘The Great Wall of China is an iconic world treasure, which the Great Wall Marathon pays tribute to with its feats of world-class athleticism,’ furthered Jeffrey Wu, Clear-Com’s regional sales manager and chief representative for China. ‘We were excited to see Clear-Com solutions play such a pivotal role in bringing this marathon to the world.’
Impressed by the Clear-Com system, Longway plans to deploy it again for other outdoor events that it is set to cover, including the TDQL cycling race.