Clear-Com's HelixNet is a unified intercom platform supporting a design philosophy that boasts ‘cabling simplicity, ease-of-use, networking flexibility and system intelligence’. The first two products in the family, the HelixNet Main Station (HMS-4X) and HelixNet Beltpacks (HBP-2X), were shown at InfoComm.
HelixNet simplifies the set-up, management and use of intercom systems in multiplatform production workflows, such as those for houses of worship and live venues. Based on Clear-Com’s I.V.Core technology, HelixNet breaks down separate intercoms and allows operators to connect and control multiple system connections on a single communications platform ─ whether this is a main station, portable beltpack, digital panel, wall-speaker unit or software-based client.
All systems on the platform are designed to work on common, standard cabling, such as microphone cables, Cat5 and fibre. In addition, all HelixNet systems can connect into a facility on a standard LAN/IT network infrastructure without the need to add new wiring, yielding significant time and cost savings for any new intercom project.
The first two members of the HelixNet family are the Main Station and the Beltpacks. The Main Station can connect on a facility’s existing network infrastructure, forming a single communications network and allowing connectivity over long distances. Supporting four channels and 20 beltpacks, the Main Station offers the simplicity of group communication and the high-channel capacity and flexibility of point-to-point matrix systems. Users looking to operate on a separate analogue partyline, matrix or wireless intercom system can easily plug into the HelixNet Main Station via 2-wire or 4-wire interface modules, bringing everyone in a facility into the same communications environment. USB connectivity provides easy software and firmware maintenance and upgrades, while simplified standard wire cabling helps expand the system network and scale operation cost-effectively.
The most rugged and ergonomic beltpack yet introduced by Clear-Com, the Beltpack features enhanced status displays and controls for easy and reliable operation, High-contrast OLED status displays ease visual operation, while unique tactile controls offer intuitive touch operation. Beltpacks come with self-configuring and auto-update features to streamline software and firmware upgrades and are also designed to operate effectively on a variety of standard cable types, including regular microphone audio cable and Cat5. The beltpacks can connect to the main station with passive Y-splitters to facilitate interconnection in different patterns and can be daisy-chained over standard audio cable.
Clear-Com has also announced enhanced firmware for its Tempest2400 digital wireless intercom system, offering three modes of operation – Normal Mode, Shared Mode and Split Mode – each with new feature sets, including the ability to connect unlimited numbers of BeltStations to one Tempest2400 BaseStation.
More: www.clearcom.com
