ALAMEDA, Calif.—Clear-Com has introduced its four-channel HelixNet beltpack, a next-generation advancement of its widely used two-channel model, and anticipates availability next year.

In addition to an expanded channel count, the new beltpack offers an improved user interface designed to meet the evolving demands of live productions and broadcast environments.

The four-channel HelixNet beltpack allows users to simultaneously communicate across four distinct channels, providing greater flexibility for multiteam coordination in complex production setups. While fully compatible with the recent updates to Clear-Com’s Arcadia Central Station, it maintains backwards compatible two-channel functionality on legacy HMS stations and earlier Arcadia versions, Clear-Com said.

The current HelixNet product family offers intuitive, networked party-line intercom solutions built on Clear-Com’s heritage of analog systems. HelixNet user stations, beltpacks, speaker stations, remote stations and central stations provide familiar workflows, effortless administration and scalable deployment without crosstalk or interference.

Powered by Clear-Com’s I.V.Core technology, the existing system dynamically manages audio mixing across up to 24 channels, making it well-suited for live performances, broadcast productions, theme parks and public-safety applications.

“Building on the legacy of the two-channel HelixNet beltpack, this new four-channel version empowers production teams with greater control, communication efficiency, and versatility,” Clear-Com product manager Frank Linton said. “It’s a sustaining project that not only improves our existing portfolio but also introduces a product that meets the real-world demands of our customers.”

More information is available on the company’s website.

ALAMEDA, Calif.—Chinese broadcaster CCTV Pioneer Media & Entertainment (CPEC) recently incorporated a number of Clear-Com platforms for a new media department to establish reliable communications between stations and on-site camera operators for live social media broadcasts. This included the HelixNet Digital Network, LQ IP series interfaces and the Agent-IC mobile intercom app.

CPEC’s New Media Department used its new technology during a remote production at the Beijing World Art Museum, where team members were on-site at the museum and had to communicate with the CPEC Media Center.

To achieve this, all crew at the museum downloaded the Agent-IC app to their mobile devices, while the HelixNet digital main station, three desktop portable remote stations and three LQ series devices were deployed at the Media Center. HelixNet could connect to the three LQ devices via secure LAN, WAN or Wi-Fi, which enabled all fixed points to communicate with the 24 remote Agent-IC users.

“During the live production, the communication between production members was stable, clear and crisp,” said Zhai Yujia, technical director for the New Media Department.

“The Clear-Com system has greatly contributed to our live broadcasts for social media, and the new equipment also allows our other diverse activities to operate smoothly,” concluded Zhai.

ALAMEDA, CALIF.—Clear-Com has opened the “THINK Academy," a new training room at its manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, Calif. The company will use the new training location to provide training and sales demonstrations for partners, dealers, and end-users. The THINK Academy is equipped with a wide range of Clear-Com products including, Eclipse HX Matrix, FreeSpeak II wireless intercom, LQ IP transport, and HelixNet digital partyline to allow flexibility in its training offerings.

“Clear-Com has always strived to provide industry leading products and support. As intercom systems evolve, we at Clear-Com recognize the need for training on new technologies and equipment,” said Frank Linton, Training Program Manager.

Clear-Com provides a variety of training options. “Factory training in Carlsbad is currently available every six months, and as demand increases, we will add more dates,” explained Linton. “Training is also offered in Cambridge, UK and Alameda, CA.”

Scheduling of factory training is booked through Eventbrite.com. Training and sales demos on customer and Partner sites are also available upon requests by emailing TechnicalTraining@clearcom.com.

ALAMEDA, CALIF.—A pairing of Clear-Com’s HelixNet digital network partyline system with the latest LQ Series IP interfaces boost the system’s capabilities during live performances. Changes to the system include a six-fold increase in I/O ports, direct connections to Agent-IC mobile app, VoIP telephony and binaural functionality in its beltpack.

By connecting LQ devices to the HelixNet Mainstation through an Ethernet module, users can gain up to 24 audio I/O ports assigned to any of the 12 or 24 intercom channels in HelixNet. These additional ports supplement the HelixNet ports for interfacing with two-wire and/or four-wire intercom or audio devices. HelixNet and LQ are linked over LAN and WAM IP networks.

HelixNet users can now also communicate with users on the Agent-IC mobile app over Wi-Fi, as well as users on VoIP phones via SIP connection.

Specifically new to the HelixNet HXII-BP-X5 beltpack is the binaural functionality that enables program feed from one channel to one ear, while the feed from the intercom channel is heard in the other ear.

ALAMEDA, CALIF.—The latest version of HelixNet, 3.0, is now available for shipping from Clear-Com. The software-only update allows for a six-fold expansion for supporting more communication channels and more users during live productions.

This update of the HelixNet system is highlighted by the increase in basic channel count, now offering 12 channels per HMS-4X Main Station. This provides greater capacity and flexibility to larger productions. In addition, 12 more channels can be added with the purchase of a license.

To support the expanded channel count, any combination of HelixNet Main Stations or Remote Stations can be configured to function as expansion key stations. With these multiple devices users can address all users on HelixNet with a single headset/mic/loudspeaker. It also features an “AllTank” key for access to all channels in a linked and expanded system.

Additional features include a free browser-based software tool, the Core Configuration Manager. The CCM enables online set-up and configuration of HelixNet devices through the latest versions of all major browsers. Visual representation of connected devices and functions are offered, as well as a save/restore function.