Clear-Com Announces New HXII-DPL Powerline Device

Clear-Com powerline device
(Image credit: Clear-Com)

ALAMEDA, Calif.—Clear-Com has announced the new HXII-DPL Powerline Device, an IP interface that delivers power and digital audio to HelixNet beltpacks, speaker and remote stations from an Arcadia Central Station System (or the legacy HMS-4X Main Station).

The company is offering live demos of the product at InfoComm 2023. 

“Our customers spoke, and we listened,” says Simon Browne, vice president of product management. “This compact powerline device is an eloquent solution to bridge the gap for so many Arcadia users who rely on XLR audio cabling for their intercom. We’re excited to offer this additional solution to our user base.”

In making the announcement the company explained that Arcadia-based systems open a world of digital audio connectivity for HelixNet users, including IP transceivers, third-party devices via Dante, and support for the full range of FreeSpeak Digital Wireless Systems.

The HXII-DPL Powerline Device is designed as a simple “plug-and-play” interface, connecting to any existing Arcadia system or XLR cabling infrastructure via its own network port to provide Powerline connectivity via 3-pin XLR anywhere on the network. Multiple HXII-DPL Powerline Devices can be added to increase HelixNet User Station capacity and allow for greater user density per system, Clear-Com reported. 

With support for up to seven HelixNet beltpacks on a single line containing all available HelixNet channels and program audio, the Powerline device can use passively split audio cabling similar to traditional analog partyline systems without any undesirable humming or buzzing of analog communication. Furthermore, the system features visual indicators to resolve any up-and-downstream cabling and overload issues.  This unique architectural option, rooted in HelixNet’s history as the first digital partyline system to leverage traditional analog cabling structures, remains a highly useful option for selected applications and further empowers Arcadia users to solve specialized communication problems in their operations, the company said. 

Designed with ease of use in mind, the device includes mounting accessories to facilitate easy deployment in various environments: from standalone use as a “throwdown” device in temporary deployments to part of a rack mount or flypack installation or on a cable tray in an electrical cabinet, the silent, fan-free device is well-suited for any installation in a wide variety of market applications.

The HXII-DPL Powerline is scheduled to begin shipping in Fall 2023.

George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.