Network Electronics cleans up audio problems at 2005 US Open

Network Electronics' analogue audio distribution amplifier system was recently installed at the National Tennis Centre for the US Open to improve audio signals coming from the court, umpire and stadium announcer to the press booths, media desks and interview rooms.
The Network Electronics' System incorporated a six-frame network with 37 distribution amplifier cards and three back-up power supply units.
CBS Sports and USA Network broadcast the US Open, which is one of the highest attended annual events in sports. The 2005 championship match set several new records for attendance, website traffic and generated significantly higher TV ratings over last year.
Reliable, noise-free audio signals have always been important to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) which sponsors the US Open that ran from August 29 to September 11. With the growth of the event, however, problems with the audio feed began to surface due to the increasing number of journalists and broadcasters plugging into the system with a wide variety of recorders and other electronic equipment. This caused grounding, cross talk and back feed noise issues. The essence of the problem is the magnitude of the event--an audio feed serving 40 broadcast commentary positions, an interview room accommodating 140 people and a media centre with approximately 400 press positions. The challenge was to accommodate everyone, even those taking the feed with less than professional grade equipment, with a clean, consistent signal.
The Network Electronics' equipment installed at the US Open included six FR-2RU-10-2-F frames, 37 DA-AA Distribution Amplifier Cards and three PWR-AC 15/5/5/5V redundant power supplies.
(GB)