Case 2.0

The c3voc currently has six lecture room cases which contain everything that's needed to stream and record lectures in some kind of venue.The venue only has to provide a projector and some kind of speakers besides power and internet access.

As the requirements have changed over the years, all the stuff we carry for every eventuality does only barely fit into the road case and the two additional boxes we but on top.As one of the boxes is wider than the others, they tend to break during shipping.Another pain point of the current setup is the vast amount of items (about 240).We need to be prepared for different ways to connect our setup to the lecture hall (PA and projector), but most of the items are always connected in the same way.

Shopping list: https://pad.c3voc.de/kYrLGch_QRm83ZmFpQT8wA

Goals

High-level goals of the project are:

Optimize buildup and tear-down time by reducing the number of indivdiual items

Items should be grouped into modules in which the devices are pre-connected

This reduces wear and tear on connectors, the chance to loose things and the amount of items to track

The focus should be on the “small” events like FrOSCon, MRMCD, Jugend Hackt and even GPN

Those use “standard” setups with 1-2 cameras and no fancy setup on the stage

These events usually have too little experience VOC people available

Big events like Congress and Camp are special, so don't optimize for that!

Requirements

The main purpose of the VOC case is to provide a video stream and recording of lectures:

Inputs:

Slides and speaker laptop audio (stereo)

1-3 cameras

3-4 microphones for native language

(optional) 1 translation track (mono)

(optional) additional video sources on stage

(Infobeamer)

Outputs:

Finished video signal on disk and stream

Signal for the projector (slides/ Infobeamer/ additional camera)

Audio-mix for the hall (native audio)

So the recommended signal flow looks like this:

Additional requirements include:

It shall be possible to “inject” public LAN or VOC-VLAN on any box, which has a network switch

Use patch panels where possible to reduce the risk of broken connectors on the devices themselves

Group items by their place in the hall

Building Blocks

With the usual setup and the cabling plan in mind, there are a some basic building blocks:

Lectern Module: Everything usually setup on stage

Inputs from speakers

Output to the hall

FOH Module:

Audio mixer

Connections for mixer laptop and telephone/ intercom

Connections for one camera

Encoder Module:

Can either be placed on stage or at FOH

These modules are like the modules offered by ProCase, see their catalogue: https://www.procase.de/fileadmin/media/_kataloge/19-Zoll-Racks_DE.pdf

Additional crates are needed to store:

Everything belonging to the camera

Microphones

Everything for the FOH workplace (mixer laptop, etc.)

Random special adapters

TODO:

The following lists does not include ethernet ports for a possible ethernet-based intercom!

Should be be prepared for SMPTE 2110 (10G switches (at least some ports), PTP)?

Lectern Module

This module will be placed at the stage near the lectern and contains the interface to “slide” input(s) as well as the connection to the hall's infrastructure (projector and speakers).

Goals

Switch “slides” signal between speaker laptop, Infobeamer and additional sources

Output HDMI at 1080p50 for projector

Output SDI (and HDMI) at 1080p25 for recording

Convert asymmetric stereo audio input to symmetric signal

Output symmetric signal to hall PA

(Network for all devices in this module + “uplink” + debugging ports)

Design

Case:

2 rack unit module

1 drawer

Devices:

ATEM Mini (buttons shall be accessible)

Network switch (8 ports, no PoE required)

2 ports trunk for module interconnect

2 ports internal for Infobeamer and ATEM Mini

2 ports public LAN (1 “input”, 1 for speaker laptop/ debugging)

2 ports VOC LAN (1 “input”, 1 for debugging)

Stereo DI Box (use 3.5 mm cable to ATEM Mini)

HDMI Splitter

BMD Up Down Cross

Infobeamer Pi

(passive adapter from Ethercon to 2x XLR in + 2x XLR out)

Common power supplies for the deviced (12V and 5V)

I/O-Panel (16 ports, TBD all at the front side)

2x Cinch for speaker laptop (could also be 1x 6.3 mm jack)

3x HDMI in to ATEM Mini

1x HDMI out to projector

1x SDI out to encoder (from BMD Up Down Cross)

1x HDMI out (other output from BMD Up Down Cross)

2x XLR out to projector

1x Ethercon for module audio interconnect (obsolete b/c laptop audio is embedded in HDMI/SDI)

1x PowerCON in

1x PowerCON out

6x Ethernet RJ45

Internal connections:

TODO: cable lengths

Additionally:

Meshbag with speaker adapters (all to HDMI socket): USB-C, USB-C multiport, DisplayPort, Mini-DP, mini-HDMI, micro-HDMI, VGA, DVI

2x HDMI Cable 3m (from laptop)

1x 3.5mm-Jack to 2x Cinch 3m (from laptop)

(Cables to hall are listed separately)

Prototype

Built during Case 2.0 Geekend at agsDifferences to Design Spec:

12 Port D-Norm Panel instead of 16 due to PowerCon TR1 input - 16 Port Panel is possible, but needs some more modifications

No Audio Input on the Panel, but 2x SDI out

FOH Module

This module will be placed at the FOH and includes the audio mixer and microphone receivers as well as additional infrastructure needed at the mixer's position.

Goals

Provide at least 3-4 audio mixes (from sources listed bewlo)

Native for recording (just more compression than hall)

Native for hall (might need additional output EQ)

n-1 mix to remote speaker(s)

translation

Have audio inputs for:

4 wireless microphones

2 handheld microphones and 2 beltpacks

max. 4 antennas (use antenna combiner, if necessary)

Frequency band shall be usable in EU and not be the 800 MHz band already used by the c3voc

Stereo-input for “slides” audio

(Stereo-)input for remote speaker(s)

Mono-input for translation

Provide VPN access to VOC-equipment in the hall

Provide enough network ports for all device on this module, the encoder, tally lights, mixer laptop and a SIP phone

Design

Case:

3 rack units on front

enough space for audio mixer

(about 5-6 units high)

Devices:

Audio mixer Allen&Heath CQ-12

Router (Hardware TBD)

SDI Audio De-Embedder

Network switch (14 ports, 4 of them with PoE)

2 ports trunk for module interconnect

1 port internal for router (VLAN trunk)

1 port internal for audio mixer

2 ports for encoder PC and mixer laptop

3 PoE ports for tally lights

1 PoE port for SIP phone

2 ports public LAN (1 “input”, 1 for debugging)

2 ports VOC LAN (1 “input”, 1 for debugging)

“Rack-mounted” battery charger for wireless microphones (now in separate euro crate)

I/O-Panel top-side (2-10 ports)

2-4 BNC-connectors for receiver antennas

(if not well accessible: Headphone jack from audio-mixer)

(if not well accessible: USB port of audio-mixer)

optional: 2x XLR out with n-1 mix

optional: 2x XLR in for remote speakers

optional: I/O-Panel back-side (16 ports)

1x PowerCON in

1x PowerCON out

2x SDI (audio de-embedder)

12x ethernet RJ45

optional: XLR I/O-Panel back-side (5 ports)

2x XLR out with hall mix

2x XLR out with recording mix

1x XLR out with translation mix

3x CEE 7/3 (Schuko) sockets externally accessible (for mixer laptop, camera, battery charger)

Internal connections:

TODO

Encoder Module

The encoder can either be placed at the FOH or at the stage and is therfore contained in a separate module.

Goals

Contain the encoder PC in a portable enclosure

Provide a patch-panel for all inputs, so that the connectors on the decklink card are protected against excessive mechanical force

Design

Case:

4 rack units module

Devices:

Encoder PC with 4 SDI inputs and 1 HDMI output for local playout

I/O-Panel front-side (10 ports)

4x SDI in

1x HDMI socket

1x Ethernet

1x PowerCON in

1x PowerCON out

Internal connections:

4x SDI patch

1x HDMI patch

1x Ethernet patch

1x power patch

Microphone Crate/ Box

To reduce the weight of the FOH/ Audio module, the microhones are stored in a separate crate.

Goals/ Design

Enough space and foam cutouts for:

2 handheld microphones

2 beltbacks

2 headsets

1 Lavalier (TODO: really?)

TODO: Batteries?

Cases:

1x 40x30x7.5 cm with lid (for microphones)

1x 30x20x12 with lid (for batteries, charger and winkekatze)

Camera Crate/ Box

This crate shall contain all devices usually attached to the camera or tripod.Every item shall have a fixed place, e.g. in a foam cutout.

Goals/ Design

Cases:

1x 40x30x32 with lid

Devices:

Camcorder (TODO: Model) with:

power supply

battery and battery charger

Preview monitor with:

Power supply

Magic arm

HDMI cable 1m

At least 1 tally light

4 SD cards

3-port power strip?

(optionally: Intercom-beltpack with headset)

Containment: Top-loaded box/ crate

Camera requirements:

SDI output 1080p25

HDMI output usable at the same time as SDI

Zoom range of 15-25x (current Panasonic camcorders: 22x 3,9-86mm (28-616mm KB) at f1.6-3.2)

Motorized zoom

2x SD card slots

2x XLR inputs (full size!)

Additional Boxes

Other stuff

Design

Cases:

1x 30x20x12: Audio Embedder

1x 30x20x12: DI-Box, etc (ex Audio kurz)

1x 30x20x12: DT770 headphones

1x 30x20x12: Minion

1x 30x20x17: Tape

1x 30x20x17: Ethernet short (3m and 5m)

1x 40x30x12: Mixer laptop with power supply and mouse

1x Sortimentskasten: Stuff from “Meshbag Audio/ BNC Adapter”

optional “Regie-Box” (SIP phone, additional power strips and a 16 port switch)

Cables

We need several cables to connect the different modules and the camera, which weren't already placed in a module/ box.Each cable type shall have a separate box or compartment and all cables shall be marked with their length.

Cables sorted by place

lectern module ↔ speaker laptop

(already listed at lectern module)

lectern module ↔ hall

1x HDMI

length: 5m

lectern module ↔ FOH

1x ethernet

1x SDI

length: 20m + 10m

FOH ↔ hall

2x XLR

(fallback to mini jack or cinch via DI box is listed in special adapters)

length: 20m + 10m

FOH ↔ camera

1x SDI

2x XLR

1x Ethernet (Tally)

length: 10m

for remote

2-4x XLR

1x HDMI (from preview monitor)

length: 5m

FOH ↔ encoder

1x SDI

length: 2m

power for everything

Schuko to Powercon (Lectern, Audio, Encoder)

3x 2m

3x 10m

1x Powercon blau auf grau (to daisy-chain mixer to the audio module)

1x 10m Schuko-Verlängerung

1x Steckdosenleiste 3-er (Kamera), TBD mit Powercon oder Schuko?

ethernet misc

1x uplink (+ 20m worst-case?)

1x to Mixer-Laptop

1x to phone

1x for debugging/ spare

length: 3m

misc

1x SDI 2m spare

2x XLR 10m spare

(sorted by type and length, ranges include are min to spare)

SDI

1x 20m

2x 10m

2x 2m

XLR

2-4x 20m

4-6x 10m

2-4x 5m

HDMI

2x 5m

2x 3m (lectern module)

Ethernet

1-2x 20m

2x 10m

4x 3m

Audio misc:

1x 3.5mm-Jack to 2x Cinch 3m (lectern module)

Containment: TODO

To Be Sorted

Additional items in need for a fixed place are:

Intercom (if not placed elsewhere)

“Kabelbindertüte” + Pens

Spare batteries?

Remote speaker setup (audio interface, HDMI grabber)?

Tally 2+3 (if not in camera box)

Presentation clicker?

Discussions

This section contains information why certain aspects of the setup are defined as described above.

Phones in each Case/ Intercom

At first we wanted to include a second phone in each case, so that we can have a VOC office even when the “regie box” was not shipped to the event.But we identified some issues with this concept:

Telephones only provide a benefit, if somebody is near the office phone all the time

This is probably not the case on small events with only 1-2 lecture rooms and the VOC people will be around in the venue

An alternative would be to have some DECTs and an RFP in each case. But the handsets would need to arrive charged, somebody has to set it up, etc.

So this is a lot of effort for diminishing returns and on bigger events there'll be a POC and/or we can bring our office setup and have enough people to staff a helpdesk

Intercom will be much more useful even on small events

Better take the space for the phones to have some intercom

A wired intercom limited to each hall would be enough

Power Input

Cables attached to the units are a hassle to store properly

So use PowerCon sockets on the units and store cables separately

PowerCON TRUE1 TOP vs “regular” Power CON (blue/grey)

The new TRUE1 TOP seems like the way to go, but the “output” sockets are too bit for standard D-type patchpanels

So use the “old” blue/grey PowerCON instead

Cameras

See above for requirements (most notable a decent motorized zoom range).

Something like a BMD Studio Camera would remove the need for a preview monitor

But this would need a separate lens, which needs to be transported properly

BMD Studio Camera: Has MFT mount with limited choice of suitable lenses

BMD Ursa: Quite big, transport with lens attached is probably a bad idea → not suitable for “untrained” users

So we're at a camcorder again b/c:

Single unit

Easy to operate for new people

Can also be used handheld quite easily (as a camera on stage)

Decision: JVC GY-HC500E

Research

Cameras

Prosumer Cameras

There's basically just Sony, Panasonic and JVC.Sony only has camcorders with 1/3 inch sensor, which is not beneficial for low-light performance.

Panasonic AG-CX350EJ (~2400€ w/o VAT) https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/de/de/products/broadcast-proav/ag-cx350

1 inch sensor

20x Zoom f2.8-4.5 / 8.8-176mm (24.5-490mm KB)

BxHxT 180 x 173 x 311mm

3G SDI + Full-Size HDMI

JVC GY-HC500E (~2650€ w/o VAT) https://de.jvc.com/pro/ccr/eng/GY-HC500E/

1“-Sensor

20x Zoom f2.8-4.5 / 9.43-188.6mm (28mm-560mm KB)

BxHxT 195 x 230 x 445mm

3G SDI + Full-Size HDMI

Canon XA75 (~2300€ w/o VAT) https://www.canon.de/video-cameras/xa75/specifications/

1”-Sensor

15x Zoom f2.8-4.5/ 8.3-124.5mm (25,5-382.5mm KB)

BxHxT 140 x 216 x 265mm

3G SDI + Mini HDMI

Sony PXW-Z190 (~3000€ w/o VAT) https://pro.sony/de_DE/products/handheld-camcorders/pxw-z190#PROR301008Productspecificationsblock-pxw-z190

1/3“-Sensor

25x Zoom f1.6-?(?) / 3.7-92.5mm (28.8-720mm KB)

BxHxT 190 x 202 x 420mm

3G SDI + Full-Size HDMI

Broadcast Cameras

For compatison, here are some featurs of the Blackmagic Design cameras:

Blackmagic Studio Kamera 4k G2 (~1.400€ w/o VAT)

MFT-Mount

possible lenses (focus and zoom control supported)

MFT

Olympus 12–50 mm f/3,5–6,3 ED M. Zuiko EZ Micro 4/3 Objektiv

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45–175 mm f/4,0–5,6 Zoomobjektiv mit O.I.S

Olympus 14–42 mm M.Zuiko f/3,5–5,6 Digital ED EZ Objektiv

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14–42 mm f/3,5–5,6 Power-Objektiv mit O.I.S.

with EF adapter

Canon CN-E 18–80 mm T4.4 Compact-Servo

Canon CN-E 70–200 mm T4.4 Compact-Servo

Canon EF-S 18–135 mm f/3,5–5,6 IS USM mit Canon PZ-E1 Power-Zoom-Adapter

Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast G2 + Fujinon XA20x8.5BRM-K3 (~6.100€ w/o VAT) https://teltec.de/blackmagic-design-ursa-broadcast-g2-plus-fujinon-xa20x8-5brm-k3.html

20x Zoom f1.8-2.7 / 8.5-170mm

BxHxT 278 x 150 x 252mm body + 85 x 85 x 181mm lens

12G SDI (Encoder) + 3G SDI (preview monitor)

Wireless Microphones

Requirements:

Ideally a quad-channel receiver, dual-channel also fine

digital transmission

Comparisons based upon 4 channel receiver(s), 2 handsets and 2 headset and antenna splitter where necessary. Per brand similar hand/headset/capsule etc.

Sennheiser (prices are MSRP incl. VAT):

EW-D:

only single-channel receivers available

2x EW-D SK Base Set: 598€

2x ew-D 835-S: 675 €

649€ EW-D ASA Splitter

185€ the t.bone free solo Antenna Splitter

Total 2731€ (with t.bone splitter)

90 simultaneous transmitters

2x AA battery or proprietary battery pack

EW-DX:

dual or quad-channel receivers available

1099€ per dual-channel receiver (1/2 width, + 300€ for Dante)

~3000€ per quad-channel receiver (full width, with Dante)

~469 per transmitter (handheld + microphone capsule)

(dual-channel beltpack set: 2700€)

(dual-channel handheld set: 2200€)

149 simultaneous transmitters

2x AA battery or proprietary battery pack

Comparison dual channel receiver

1x Receiver + 2 handhelds https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_ew_dx_835_s_set_r1_9.htm €2199

1x 2 channel receiver https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_ew_dx_em_2_r1_9.htm €1049

2x Beltpack https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_ew_dx_sk_r1_9.htm €469

Total €4186 (without splitter)

2HE

Comparison quad channel receiver

Receiver https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_ew_dx_em_4_dante_q1_9.htm €3098

2x Handheld transmitter https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_ew_dx_skm_s2_10.htm €459

2x Capsule https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_mmd_835_1_bk.htm €95

1x Beltpack https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_ew_dx_sk_r1_9.htm €469

1x Headset https://www.thomann.de/intl/sennheiser_me3_ii.htm €145

Total €4820

1HE

Sennheiser (NL) recommends EW-DX for our use case, mainly because of the large number of available channels within the various bands. Analogue was highly discouraged for the same reason. I (Bix) couldn't get a firm recommendation for frequency band from them, but in NL bands R1-9 (520-607.8MHz) and S2-10 (614-693MHz) were sold the most, in DE Q1-9 (470.2-550 MHz).

Shure:

SLX-D

only single- or dual-channel receivers available

1x SLXD24DE/SM58 (dual channel with 2x SM58): 1629€ MSRP

1x SLXD14DE (dual channel with 2x belt pack): 1599€ MSRP

1x t.bone splitter: 185€

Total 3413€ (without splitter)

no encryption

32 simultaneous transmitters

2x AA battery

QLX-D

only single-channel receivers available

active antenna splitter uses 1U half-width

2x QLXD24/SM58 (single channel, SM58): 1404€

2x QLXD14 (single channel, belt pack): 1298€

1x t.bone splitter: 185€

Total 5589€

60 simultaneous transmitters

2x AA battery

ULX-D

single-, dual and quad-channel receivers available

dual- and quad-receivers support Dante

dual- and quad-receivers antennas can be daisy-chaned

17-22 simultaneous transmitters

2x AA battery

Audio Mixers

Allen&Heath CQ-12T: https://www.allen-heath.com/hardware/cq/cq-12t/

10x XLR in (5 combo jacks) + 1x Stereo in

2x XLR out (main mix) + 6x 6.3 mm jack out

auto mic mixer

16×16 channel USB interface

no hardware faders/ “touchmix form-factor”

stereo-linking possible

EQ (GEQ or PEQ + feedback-assist) and dynamics on all outputs

Yamaha DM3: https://de.yamaha.com/de/products/proaudio/mixers/dm3/index.html

16x XLR in (4 combo jacks)

8x XLR out (busses: 1 Stereo, 6 Mix, 2 FX, 2 Matrix)

18×18 channel USB interface

8+1 faders, 140 mm high/ thick, 320 mm wide, 455 mm deep

stereo-linking possible

EQ and dynamics on all busses

available with or without Dante