Pliant Technologies’ CrewCom Digital Wireless Intercom system was used to replace British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)’s outdated wired intercom. BCIT, renowned for its broadcast-focused curriculum, teaches broadcast journalism, television production and video production. Moreover, BCIT provides students with hands-on educational experiences within its multiple production studios. Auburn, Ala.-based Pliant Technologies is of course, a provider of professional wireless intercom communications solutions.
With Pliant’s CrewCom intercom, students can now experience a cutting-edge, modernized communications solution. This, in turn, will provide an invaluable skillset and prepare students for a professional broadcast career.
The Upgrade
When upgrading from a wired intercom to a digital wireless solution, BCIT needed a system that would provide enough coverage for clear communication throughout the entire building. At the same time, it needed coverage across the building’s two floors. Additionally, BCIT’s broadcast program wanted to avoid interference with pre-existing Wi-Fi infrastructures within the campus. Thus, the institute was also looking for a solution with a 900MHz frequency.
The institute adds that it wanted a suitable solution upgrade for its specific needs. To facilitate this, Kal Ng, broadcast engineer at BCIT, turned to Vidcom. Per a statement, Vidcom is an international systems integrator of high-end broadcast, streaming and post-production solutions.
With Vidcom’s guidance and expertise, the institute acquired two identical CrewCom systems for its two main production studios. Each consists of one Control Unit (CU), 18 Radio Packs (RP) and four Radio Transceivers (RT).
Ng adds that BCIT required an intercom solution that could be deployed in different locations. These included different parts of the campus or anywhere in greater Vancouver BC, depending on the content that day. He remarks, “With CrewCom, we were able to set up a mobile unit, with all of the gear in a rack with wheels for portability. Students can transport the mobile unit to wherever they need.” Highlighting CrewCom’s wireless aspect, Ng notes that BCIT students needed to only hook up the antennas and fire up the system’s radio packs.
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Benefits of the CrewCom system
Another benefit of CrewCom for BCIT’s broadcast program is its ease-of-use and ability to interface with wired systems. This allows BCIT to connect CrewCom to the one-way communication IFB system that the journalism students deploy.
“Our journalism students wear an IFB earpiece for programming cues, so they are able to listen to the director and producer’s cues, without the need to communicate back to them. With CrewCom having a wired interface capability, we can connect the journalists’ IFBs, so they never miss a cue,” adds Ng.
Ng then states that CrewCom’s straight forward and simple-to-use features ensures that students have a very small learning curve. He concludes, “…Overall, CrewCom has done a phenomenal job of meeting all the school’s requirements, and I couldn’t be happier with our decision to choose Pliant.”
Click on “View Slideshow” on the upper-right corner for images of the CrewCom system at BCIT.
