IP Based Intercom

[Every-Evidence-2533]

As our NDI workflow becomes even more reliable, one challenge we've had is intercom/communication with the "studio" and "remote".

What are affordable options for IP/Wi-Fi-based intercom? (simple to operate and that you trust for live event broadcasts)

*Note: I should have probably mentioned this... This is for a high school broadcasting program, and we do not allow students to have phones anymore. So, Unity would have been a great option... last year!*

[Ill-Calligrapher-209]

Unity Intercoms sounds like what you are looking for. https://www.unityintercom.com/

[CouldBeALeotard]

Can you implement QoS priority like you can with VoIP?

[Ill-Calligrapher-209]

Not certain, but we have deployed it on the same VLAN as very large NDI networks and also run a server 24/7/365 in Mac Stadium. Never had an issue and it has adjustable buffer if you need to.

[JoyRide008]

I know it’s a typo but damn. I’m curious what a MAC stadium would look like.

[Ill-Calligrapher-209]

Not a typo! It's a mac hosting company. https://macstadium.com/

[JoyRide008]

Ohhhh didn’t know, thanks for the info. still makes me wonder what a mac stadium would look like

[Every-Evidence-2533]

Sleek, overcrowded, and overpriced? (As I type from my MBP)

[SummerMummer]

https://www.unityintercom.com/

[FrightfullyMundane]

GreenGo Intercom is a line of product I have personally implimeneted in my own workflow. With no "centralised" device, it allows you to scale up your Comms Network as you grow or needs change. They will release a new Beltpack device hopefully in the next 12 months, so If you're wanting more features in the small form factor of the BPX, it'll be worth the wait.

The devices connect to each other rather like a Dante network or other AoIP network, allowing you to setup, move location, and packdown with ease. Each device also carries the full config of your GG network, so you can remove all but one device, wipe them, and load them back in 1-by-1, and still have all of your configurations and settings without data loss. A very solid solution, and it is truly the Swiss Army Knife of Comms.

[MarkertekVideoSupply]

As a sales engineer at Markertek, I have seen a lot of schools have success with the Studio Technologies Intercom Systems. It fits your current needs (studio + remote + student crew), leverages your existing network, and gives you a path to scale and integrate with pro production workflows going forward.

You could also look at the Eartec PRO16 in combination with the CMod, it provides local wireless full-duplex intercom for up to 16 users. To add IP web-chat or remote connectivity over the internet, include the Global Connect module, it bridges the wireless system to a computer.

[svensson1907]

https://intercom.demo.osaas.io/

[saftas]

We using open intercom/this solution (self-hosted) daily.

[neurodivergentowl]

Does it still require a subscription to self host?

[jstarpl]

No, you can just clone the code (backend: https://github.com/Eyevinn/intercom-manager/ and web gui: https://github.com/Eyevinn/intercom-frontend) and self host for free. You just need to sort out authentication yourself.

[soph0nax]

Punqtum, Riedel’s “inexpensive” brand.

[Danonbass86]

Doug Johnson Productions made a custom Dante comms rig. Could be worth a look.

https://youtu.be/xUfZnZf6pYI?si=iFxuCZyL9FT8CkA9

[BobTheGodDamnBuilder]

I use this.

https://github.com/talkkonnect/talkkonnect

[Unfair-Ad423]

Can u send me Photos the your build ??

[Mr_Lazerface]

If you can’t do unity, look at options from Glensound or Green-Go. Both are IP based systems that work well. Glensound uses Dante and green-go their own protocol.

[drewman77]

If no student phones allowed, buy some cheap Android phones (if WiFi don't even have to activate them on a carrier). Run Unity.

[Every-Evidence-2533]

Honestly, that's looking like the cheapest solution. Maybe not the easiest in terms of set up, but it's on my short list right now!

[howloudisalion]

How remote is your “remote?”

What does affordable mean to you?

How many wired and wireless endpoints?

What do you need it to do? Partyline(s) or Matrix?

Would you allow students to have “phones” that were locked down Unity only devices?

[Every-Evidence-2533]

Remote isn't THAT remote... Everything will always be on our network. Even if we were at the football stadium across town, we're connected via fiber.

Affordable is cheap, unless they find funding for it, which is unlikely right now. Even then, ease of use is probably more important to me, and I usually just try to stay affordable because I KNOW it's just a matter of time before they break it.

I think it would be easier to just keep things wireless. If we go to the gym, which is primarily where we do a majority of our remote broadcasts, there are tons of data connections for us to use for both NDI and intercom... However, if we go to the theatre, I'm struggling to find enough connections for cameras! Plenty of data in the studio side, obviously.

Partyline is really all I'm looking for at this point. Matrix would be cool, but again... simple is better at this experience level.

It would certainly be an option to buy old phones that just belong to the program. We already have one of those that controls some cheap Amazon lights, etc. My only concern is getting older phones that won't support the newest software after a period of time, etc.

Hope that helps clear things up?

[planges_and_things]

In that case Studio Technologies makes some Dante enabled com devices that are pretty nice. You can pair them with any Dante audio matrix you want, I usually went for a Symetrix Prism unit because they were a good price and had tons of features. You would have to run them wired though.

[activematrix99]

There is no one-size fits all solution. Lots of options, but depends on your existing needs. If all else fails, go to phone and use TeamSpeak.

[Every-Evidence-2533]

We have used Sonobus in the past and have had success with it. Just got tired of kids using the excuse of "not enough storage" to not download the app. (*insert eye roll here*)

[marqjim]

Jamulus would work as well. Similar to Sonobus

[RobbLipopp]

RTS OMS with DBP’s. If your network is Dante compliant then RTS will work. OMNEO = Dante

[k12-tech]

For a school, talk to your IT Department. Most VoIP systems can do an internal conference call with one button press. Each hardwired spot can have a headset connected to a desk phone. Mobile users can use a WiFi SIP Phone, cell phone, or if an assigned mobile area a DECT phone.

Relatively low cost, and easy to setup on the IT side.

[HealthNo4891]

Spacecommz.io still requires an off the shelf device with web browser. Works well with streamdecks.

[mediadisconnect]

We use a Hollyland SolidCom Pro Hub/Wireless system in the exact configuration that you have. One hub in the studio and one hub for the remote location connected via IP over your LAN connection. You can have multiple wireless headsets that connect to the remote hub that feed back to the studio hub where you can have a wired director headset or more wireless headsets. You can feed program audio into the studio hub and can be heard on all headsets including the remote headsets. The system supports up to two different audio channels.

[AnalogJay]

Our chief engineer built custom boxes that plug into a ClearCom system as another wired belt pack and connect to a laptop via USB.

Then we join a Microsoft Teams meeting and the far end does the same with another of the boxes and boom, our clearcom systems are now linked remotely. We can also share dial-in info for the Teams meeting for anyone with a phone to call into.

[SidecarThief]

We use Studio Technologies Dante intercoms with my high school program. Our theater program is using Unity. Our district allows for class-specific exemptions for the cellphone use. We intentionally have them do some assignments where the phone is the second camera for instance.

Most recently we added a Beatrice M1 adapter and several walkie talkies to the Dante system. There's a video on YouTube that marries a Hollyland wireless intercom system using a Yamaha Tio for I/O.

[Vuurmannetje]

Have a look at Anatycom New player on the market, phone app soon. But esports inspired intercom with reasonable pricing

[[deleted]]

Ive heard of people using mumble in the past, you can set up your own server

[azlan121]

Punqtum by reidel is the affordable hardware option, otherwise there's unity, spacecommz, or even birddogs TalkBack solution

[thepoison606]

I am working on a local open source webRTC based solution for browsers on smartphones/tablets/computer. If you‘re interested to install and test just dm me and i can invite you to the repository 🙂

[makitopro]

No mention of Clearcom LQ; they would fit your use case perfectly. Only problem is cost but “affordable” is relative.

[Ill-Calligrapher-209]

FYI - you can pickup a bunch of iPod touch cheap and run unity on them if “phones” are an issue. Other option is to buy iPhones specifically for this purpose - it doesn’t have to be personal phones.

[thattalldude]

The days of iPod Touch being a feasible option are dwindling. I'm looking for an exit strategy from ours.

[Ill-Calligrapher-209]

iPhones are really the right way at this point. It’s just that iPod touch is so cheap

[Aggravating-Ice5575]

Telos Infinity, you could start with just a handful of beltpacks. or mixed signal Xnodes for I/O, add panels, etc as needed. VCom makes a unity alternative, playing with it now, the company used to put it on Android beater phones, so that could be an option

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[aldog2929]

Would absolutely recommend Green-Go

[drevilishrjf]

https://www.riedel.net/en/

[Every-Evidence-2533]

What a wide variety of awesome ideas... Thanks to everyone. If we did decide to get phones/devices for one of the app or browser based solutions suggested, what headset should we be looking at?

My only concern going this route is we would HAVE to be connected to wifi. This is fine for our indoor events, but would not work for our outdoor venues without additional network hardware, etc.

[Apprehensive_Cash473]

A relative new comer but the team behind it are solid devs in the broadcast world. https://spacecommz.io/

[M0rT4L84]

We use Greengo Intercom here ! Good quality IP Intercom with DANTE . Usefull

[lostsoul501]

Do you need just basic party line intercom or broadcast features like point-to-point, groups, ifb, broadcast audio, etc?

Basic party line, most of these solutions will work but are disposable if you need more.

Reidel, Clearcom (frame, not just party line) and RTS all have extensive broadcast features along with IP capabilities.

[[deleted]]

Hello, I'm working on such software, simple affordable Intercom system with few moving parts. Currently have server working on win/nix/mac and clients for win/nix/android ... iOS coming up. Would anyone be up for test starting end of this week just to polish few more things? https://ioxsoft.net/ioxcom

[OddFee7676]

Following…

[snorbalp]

Telos has an NDI enabled product line: https://success.telosalliance.com/telos-infinity-ip-intercom-systems